Happy Evacuation Day!!!

Paku is prepared to admit that he is not as well versed in American history as he should be. As a result, Paku was alarmed by the presence of a small army in 18th century military dress armed with muskets, bayonets fixed, marching on Wall Street this afternoon. As Paku was preparing to seek cover from the onslaught, he was handed an informative leaflet. As it turns out, today is the 225th anniversary of the evacuation of New York City by the British. Happy Evacuation Day!!

Seasons Greetings!!

Nothing says Merry Christmas to Paku quite like a giant Christmas tree erected in the middle of a street that has been closed to traffic to prevent terrorists from destroying the surrounding buildings being decorated by men in hardhats on some kind of crane in the shadow of a giant American flag made of Christmas lights. Paku hopes this moving image gets you in the holiday spirit too.

Paku reflects on the future of American finance over brunch

Paku saves $24.95

The Mount Roberts Tramway is one of Juneau's most popular attractions. En route to Alaska, Paku learned that while a round trip ticket on the tram costs nearly $25, hikers who make it up Mount Roberts to the tram can ride down for free. In the current economic environment, Paku made the fiscally responsible decision to walk up and ride down.

Exhausted Paku eagerly awaiting bedtime

Paku arrived in Juneau, Alaska what seems to him like at least a day ago. Paku certainly feels quite tired and in need of some sleep. However, he is convinced that he must just be experiencing some jet lag because it is not night time yet. In fact, the light has changed very little since he arrived. Time must just move slower out here away from the office. In order to acclimate to the time change Paku would prefer to wait until the evening to go to bed but perhaps a short nap is in order...

Cherry blossoms live up to hype

Since arriving in the United States just over two years ago, Paku has heard a lot of talk about the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. Paku considers himself an expert in cherry blossoms and was skeptical that any cherry blossoms outside of Japan could meet his exacting standards. In order to give the blossoms their best opportunity to impress him, he timed his visit to the District with peak bloom, which came rather early this year.

As it turned out, the cool weather and overcast sky were perfect bloom viewing conditions. The blossoms were particularly vivid against the overcast sky and gray water of the tidal basin. By the end of his visit, Paku was telling anyone who would listen that these were the finest cherry blossoms he had ever seen. His declarations were amplified by a few cherry themed drinks at the historic Round Robin Bar.

Paku's exhaustive search for missing luggage ultimately in vain

Paku commemorated the recent long Easter weekend with a return trip to Amsterdam. Despite cold and wet weather conditions throughout the weekend, he had a thoroughly good time. By Sunday he was looking forward to an uneventful and relaxing return journey back to New York.

Unbeknown to Paku, while he was settling into his comfortable seat on KLM, his luggage's stay in the Netherlands was being involuntarily extended.

Upon his arrival back in New York, Paku quickly cleared immigration. He then began his vigil at baggage carousel #7. When it became painfully apparent that Paku's bag would never tumble down the carousel #7 conveyor belt, Paku took up the search for his missing bag in earnest.
Paku thought that perhaps his bag had fallen out of the plane when they opened up the cargo area to unload it. Despite a thorough inspection of the outside of the plane, Paku's luggage remained unfound.

Pointlessly, Paku sought the assistant of a KLM representative. As a result of that encounter, Paku has decided that he will never again seek the assistance of a KLM representative.

The exact location of Paku's luggage and the timing of its return to the United States remains a mystery more than 24 hours after Paku's arrival back in New York.

Saving Pandas, Millions at a Time

Instead of ivory towers, Johns Hopkins has a dome.

Paku treats himself to a treat

Today Paku stopped by his local Japanese pastry shop for a delicious treat.

Paku chose this special lucky New Year's selection to enjoy
while he watches the Super Bowl tomorrow.

Paku (belatedly) commemorates birthday of Edgar Allen Poe with visit to Baltimore

Sometimes when Paku is feeling excessively cheerful, he reaches for a the collected works of Edgar Allen Poe, selects a page at random, begins reading, and is instantaneously cured.

Paku has helpful information for visitors to Lower Manhattan

When Paku moved to Wall Street he was not prepared for the volume of tourists who visit his new neighborhood every day. Paku has discovered that many, if not all of these visitors share the common misconception that the famous Charging Bull statue is actually located on Wall Street. Paku has come across many a tourist wandering aimlessly along Wall Street looking for the bull statute. Many wisely ask Paku where they can find it. Paku wishes for everyone to know that the bull is located at Bowling Green on Broadway, south of Wall Street. Paku is prepared to endorse any candidate for Mayor of New York whose platform includes better signage indicating the location of the bull and / or moving the bull to Wall Street.

Paku a delighted recipient of miniature Dutch house

In the 6th hour of Paku's flight to Amsterdam earlier this week, Paku was unexpectedly presented with a tiny Delft replica dutch house filled with gin! Paku has since learned that this is a longstanding KLM tradition of which Paku strongly approves. With his first two houses, Paku is happily constructing a tiny Dutch village on his desk at work. Paku is hopeful that he will have the opportunity to make several more trips to The Netherlands in the near future so he can add to his collection.

Paku is of the opinion that January is not the optimal time to visit Amsterdam

Paku celebrated the new year with a quick and unexpected trip to Amsterdam. Paku found Amsterdam to be bitterly cold, dark pretty much all day and surprisingly crowded with tourists given the aforementioned coldness and darkness.

With very little time and insufficient cold weather wear, Paku had to make the most of the brief amount of time he was able to spend out of doors in Amsterdam. Paku learned that the most of the collection at the Van Gogh Museum can never leave Holland so this was perhaps Paku's only opportunity to see the Van Gogh paintings. Paku stood outside in line for what seemed like ever waiting to get in. The wait was made all the more unpleasant by the fact that everyone around him in line was smoking. Paku really doesn't care for smoking.

Paku enjoyed the museum very much and recommends it highly to anyone visiting in the area. He also recommends getting their early in the day to avoid the large crowds which make viewing the paintings difficult.