Katy Perry's Odd Nickname In Japan

After getting over her initial shock, Katy Perry decided to take the odd nickname as a compliment. She said: “I didn't know that about myself, but I’m very flattered, thank you.”

Potato Korokke For Snacks And Some Funky Fillings

Stopped by at Jusco's supermarket to check out the food section and got interested at the korokke on sale. It is actually another version of the French croquette which is deep fried rolls of mashed potatos with other addition such as meat, milk, curry, etc and encased in breadcrumbs.

Would you be interested to try a durian korokke? I wasn't so I just played safe and bought chuka iidako korokke instead. May not be the healthiest food around, but it sure is yummy (and cheap too!)

Soft korokke for me to sink my teeth in
The fillings inside. Yummy!

Indianapolis Motor Speedway 500 Race 2009

The entrance into the raceway on 16 th Street.

The famous pagoda at the starting line, with all the race officials. The area closest behind that high fence is for photographers. Notice the 2 rows of protective berms.
This infield road was straight in front of us. The tow trucks, ambulance and street sweeper were all parked there

With the zoom, we can see the other end of the same infield road. We could see the cars going by just under the sign along the white wall. I suspect that other side is 1 mile away. We were between turn 1 & 2 so that end is between 3 & 4 th turns.

The 4 pace cars coming around turn 1.

The pace cars on the pit road with the cars on the track. 1 more lap until green flag!!

During a yellow, all the cars are coming out of the pits and not on the track yet.

US!!

My cousin Ed and wife Terri from Florida.

Gene's daughter Kathy and Ray from Maryland.

Helio Castroneves in front.

They are racing. Fastest qualifying speed was 222. They were averaging 150 - 175 during the race.

2 cars tangled. The other one slid on it side from before turn one, past us to almost turn 2. This is #2 car Raphael Matos.

This poor guy fractured 2 vertebrae and will be out all season. #14 Vitor Meira

Helio just took the checkered flag. He got a check for $3, 000,000+.

End results!!

Pre Indy 500 Race Activities 5/24/09

In Feb. 2009 some very dear friends told us they have been going to the Indy 500 race for the last 17 years and were not planning on going in 2009. We said we would take all 6 tickets and $80.00 each didn't seem as much as we thought they would be, for one of the worlds most famous sporting events.

The pre race parade of celebrities in Corvette Pace cars. This is sportscaster Dick Vitale.

And this is Mario Lopez, having someplace better to be looking than saying hello to the crowd!!! Guess all the cameras were not focused on him.

These soldiers unfurled this very huge flag for the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.

Many ,many trucks went by that had military from all branches of the services who just returned from war. Huge big cheers for all of them. Even the crews from the tow trucks were on the track saluting them.

The Tuskegee Airmen flew 2 vintage B24 Mitchell Bombers in the fly over.

The balloon release of red, white and blue balloons.

The track is 2 1/2 miles around so it is impossible to see the whole track. Actually I think we saw about only 1/4 th of it. So they have all these big screens around the whole complex.

Jim Nabors singing "Back Home Again in Indiana".

And what everyone was waiting for - "Ladies & Gentlemen Start Your Engines"!!!!

Outside the Indy 500 Speedway Raceway 5/24/09

Who knew? The Indianapolis 500 Raceway is in Speedway, Indiana!

Nice way to travel in a lot of traffic.


If a ticket holder calls a week before the race they can get a police escort to their parking lot. One lane was open for all the escorts.

What is a sporting event without some tailgating food. It was an International grill. Italian sausage, Polish sausage; Chorizo and Brats.

Chaos on the street before the race. Our seats were in the 1st set of bleachers.

This is at the entrance of our parking lot which is directly across from the gate we went in. Good thing we scoped it all out a few days before and made the reservations in the lot. Cost $50.00 but was soooooo worth it.

Dinner At Kampachi Equatorial Bangi-Putrajaya

Trying to set a time to eat at Kampachi can be tricky. Their opening hours is Mon - Fri from 12.00pm to 2.30pm (lunch) and 6.30pm to 10.00pm (dinner) while on Saturday it's dinner only.

The buffet on Saturday was priced about the same as Midori, at IOI Marriott Putrajaya but with more selection.

The restaurant setting was quite simple and open concept unless of course you require a private tatami room (which I don't think is open for buffet patrons). Business was indeed brisk and the place was filled up with people by 8.00pm. We had the luck of being seated between two very noisy tables which kinda marred our enjoyment of the place. Although, like Zaini said this was by no way the fault of the restaurant or the hotel, I do wish for a quieter evening, like the one we had at Midori previously.

Buffet selection was good enough. Fresh sashimi, plenty of sushi choices, grilled items, soups, salads, rice, soba.... you'd be spoilt for choice. However, the grilled items were cold and the ones we got that were warmer were specifically requested so. A couple of friendly staff and chef but mostly the chefs were intent in their work. No smiles for me? Awww...

A word of caution for those planning to visit Kampachi and blogging about it afterwards. The Chef frowned photo taking at their restaurant and they were quite sullen about it too. We were duly notified about it in front of other patrons which is really "nice" of them to do so. Our fault for being presumptious enough to think that it is OK to do so... And for me thinking that everyone will want to be friendly with me. Again, totally my fault for talking so much. If I'm more like Zaini and just eat quietly, I'd probably enjoy the evening more. He certainly did enjoy the evening (why shouldn't he? I foot the bill! LOL)

Being told about it with others staring at you can surely nip anyone else's desire to do the same (take photos, that is) in the bud.

Well, looking at how brisk their business is, they sure don't need extra publicity.

Anyhoo, the photos:

White Castle Hamburgers

Having grown up on Long Island, New York we knew 'fast food' before the phrase was invented. White Castle has been around since the 20's, I think. In the 50's they were 10 cents each and you could buy them by the bagful.

The come in these little boxes. When we would visit NY from NM we always had to have White Castles at least 1 time while we were there. Dad would buy 20 at a time and we all tried to stack the boxes into towers, sorta like the game Jenga.

The meat patty has 5 holes in it so it will cook faster. the cook one side on the grill. On the other side of the grill is the chopped onions. When it is time to flip the burgers, they go onto the chopped onions. Both parts of the bun are put on top and covered and steamed for a few minutes.

These are cheeseburgers and because of the steaming the bun was hard to take the top off for the photo.

They are only 3 - 4 bites. Nowadays copycat versions are called sliders. True White Castle lovers will not even try the frozen ones, that are now available all over the country.

It is one of those local things that you have to have them where they are made. Sorta like New York Bagels - nothing like them anywhere. It is said it is the water!! Who knows maybe it is just the attitude they are made with. Ahh New York Bagels - that will be this time next year!!!