Not Tokyo, but dreaming of it, though, post-pandemic. Celebrating with Tek the release and publication of my new environmental law article on Japan's Iriomote cat and UNESCO nomination at a cute and delicious ramen-ya in downtown College Park near the University of Maryland. Just ordered tonkotsu ramen and miso ramen. Perfect for a chilly winter's day. Especially love the authentic wooden signs that bring back fond memories for me from my student days of the tightly-packed, side street ramen-ya of Kichijyoji Tokyo.

With my extraordinary teacher and friend, Dr. Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal studying classical piano and music composition at the Levine School of Music, Spring Semester 2020 at Strathmore, Bethesda MD

Performing with a whole new sound and songwriting style and, yes, playing a rare Taylor guitar at Coffee Nature, Washington, DC. With Joseph Oh, my friend and the owner of Coffee Nature, after completing my monthly two-hour brunch time performance for the locals and American University students on Saturday, January 11, 2020 to open up the new year of performances. My new set includes several new original songs from my forthcoming release as well as some Shawn Mendes and Troye Sivan adaptations in there, too.

With Joseph Oh, my friend and the owner of Coffee Nature, after completing my monthly two-hour brunch time performance for the locals and American University students on Saturday, January 11, 2020 to open up the new year of performances. Joseph is so kind and a great supporter of my music and other songwriters and artists. He gives back a lot to the community, too. Happy to be friends with him and always giving me the opportunity to perform at this wonderful venue.

Having another great semester studying classical piano and music composition with Dr. Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal at the Levine School of Music. Piano at Levine rocks and continues to open up new worlds to me!

Meeting and posing with Kozo Kusumoto, guitarist and synthesizerist of LITE after the show at DC9 Nightclub. It was great to speak with him in Japanese. He is so humble and kind to sign my album and take time with me after an exhausting, dynamic and great set.

One of LITE's official band photos.

With Nobuyuki Takeda (guitarist) of LITE after autographing the band's sixth vinyl release, Multiple for me after the band's killer show at DC9 Nightclub, Saturday, October 26, 2019. Nobu is a consummate gentleman and the band's undisputed leader and spokesman. I have the deepest respect for him as a lead guitar virtuoso as well as for mustering up a little English to communicate with the overall anglophone audience (takes a lot of courage to do, but so important interculturally) and for greeting the fans right after finishing his set. Nobu plays with an explosive energy on stage.

Posing with Jun Izawa (bassist) of LITE at DC9 Nightclub, Saturday, October 26, 2019.

The quiet and multi-talented guitarist and keyboardist of LITE, Kozo Kusumoto during the DC9 Nightclub performance.

LITE opening their set at the DC9 Nightclub.

The explosive energy of guitarist Nobuyuki Takeda of LITE during the performance.

LITE bathed in strobes and red light.

Kozo switching to synth during the performance.