The Summer Time Dream

The inauguration party came and went in the blink of an eye. We were cranking at max capacity to make sure that everything was perfect. The party started on Thursday at 9PM and the last piece of glass and the last piece of stickers (for the windows) were still going up at exactly 9PM. Even with all of the craziness, everything was totally done there wasn't a single thing missing (I don't think any of us really believed that we did this all in 5 weeks). As for the party, it was fantastic. After all of the work that I put into the place, all I really hoped for was that everyone else liked it as much as me. The overall feedback was that people were shocked. Everyone really, really likes the place. I had several people tell me that they felt like they were in Manhattan, and, honestly, I can't think of a better compliment than that. The party itself is never really that enjoyable for the owners, because we have to make sure to say hi to everyone and to make sure everyone is totally happy. Of course, the rough part was the TV interview. My partner, Val, hates the spotlight and my other partner, Dave, is still in the early learning phases of Portuguese. Therefore, the interview was laid squarely on my shoulders. However, once it got started, it was fine. The interviewer made it really easy. Unfortunately, it ran on Sunday and I missed it but I'm probably better off not having seen it. Otherwise, I would probably realize that I need to enroll in some intense Portuguese classes ASAP and God knows I don't have time for that. Anyway, here are the pics from the party. Enjoy: http://picasaweb.google.com/cpackard11/TatsuyaSushiLoungeInaugurationParty.

As for everything else, it feels really good to have life somewhat back to normal. I no longer have to wake up and go straight to the restaurant. I'm enjoying my days at the beach and trying to get back into shape. Summer time is definitely here. It is SUPER hot, and the action is really start to happen all around the island. Come Christmas time, the population on the island is going to triple. I don't know if I'm prepared for what is about to happen, but I know that I couldn't be more excited. I have been at the restaurant every night just having a blast. Fortunately, we have been full every night we have been open, and there is nothing more satisfying that watching people have a good time at your place. And now there will even be more people to entertain, and I'll do everything I can to make sure they have a good time.....make sure to stop by if you're headed this way!

I wish everyone happy holidays and a very healthy new year. If you don't hear from me until January, don't worry, I'm probably just sitting on the deck of Tatsuya having a cocktail and living the summer time dream....

24

I just wanted to give a quick update now that I finally have two seconds to sit down. It looks like we are a "go" for the opening tomorrow. It has been one hell of a stressful week. We are getting down to the wire and things are definitely tight. We all sat down this weekend to decide if Thursday was still going to work for the opening party, and I didn't want to waver one bit. In my opinion, all that does is allow people to delay their work even more. If you tell someone that it needs to be done on Friday, they will get it done by Friday. If you tell that same person that it has to be done by Saturday, they will get it done by Saturday and act like it couldn't have been done a minute sooner. It's so funny how that works. Anyone who has ever opened a restaurant can tell you that it's ALWAYS like this. I have heard the word "tomorrow" about 10,000 times and all I can do is laugh when I hear it. I just try my hardest to keep a positive attitude and keep people moving forward so that we're always making progress. The crazy thing about being in Brazil is that I have a whole different set of problems to deal with that I never would have thought of. For instance, at night we have to take the light bulbs out of our lights in the garden because people steal them. And if you can believe this, someone stole a piece of wood today that was on our deck and nailed in (that one even shocked the Brazilians - definitely a desparate move). Anyway, today was the big day for sure. I was at the restaurant yesterday for 21 hours straight (sleep has definitely gone out the window - didn't I come here to relax?), and if you looked at it when I left this morning you would say that there was no way that we could be open by Thursday. However, I just left tonight (it's 3AM here) and things really came together today. We have to rig a few things. For instance, a piece of black glass has yet to come in so our plan B was to paint that wall black for now (I don't think we had another choice). This was a perplexing one. Yesterday a piece of the black glass broke and so they had to redo it. It will be ready by tomorrow. Yet, one of the main pieces on the bar has still yet to show up and they don't think it will by tomorrow. Therefore, I asked the glass guy how they could make an entire piece in one day yet not make the bar piece in three weeks. My answer was a blank face. Those of you who have visited Brazil might recall that face. One of the other hilarious things is seeing how people work with the guest list on this type of party. Everyone has an opinion and everyone says that you have to invite such and such because he/she is the "most influential person in Floripa!" Based on everyone I have talked to, apparently there are about 25 different "most influential people in Floripa." I'm less concerned about some person I don't know who may get offended if I don't invite them and more concerned with everyone just having a good time. That's what this is all about right? And the end, I think it's going to be great. Invitations have been sent out, and it's going to be one hell of a party. The photographers will be there so I will make sure to post plenty of pics. Surely, there is still a lot of work to do, but the next 24 hours is going to be one hell of an experience....

Clean Living

For those of you concerned about me, I didn't drown in the floods, I didn't die of liver cancer, and wasn't thrown in jail. It's just that it seems each day gets busier and busier. I would, however, say that life continues to be great. The rain finally stopped (if you can believe it, it rained for 15 weeks straight!), and summer has officially arrived. The last few weeks have been full of parties, beaches, and great times. I have had one friend here for almost three weeks (he has since decided that he is moving to Floripa) and, in the meanwhile, I also had three other friends visit me. Unfortunately, those three had a nightmare travel experience thanks to the rain but once they arrived, we did as expected and I don't think we could have had more fun. I would say that the entertaining of friends can be cumbersome in a world where they don't speak the language, but nothing makes me happier than seeing a smile on their faces. Now, after three straight weeks of partying (more like 8 months for me!), the hour has arrived for a brief time out and some good, clean living.

As for the stories for when the guys were here, there is not much to say other than it was fantastic. I had the second of my crazy house parties, and this one was even better than the first. There were over 200 people at this one. I had to have a guest list, hire security, etc. The pictures of the party even made the front page one of Floripa's most known event websites (that was trippy). The best part was that the cops actually showed up, which in Brazil is pretty damn difficult to accomplish. You typically need a 10-car wreck and a fire for them to show up. I went outside to talk to them and they basically told me, "Man, we could care less. We're just required to show up so no worries and have fun." It was pretty epic. I'm sure the neighbors hate me but since their dog wakes me up literally seven days a week, I could care less. Until that thing goes away, it's going to be a summer of parties and I hope they at least like the music...

The craziest night of the past month was a night at Confraria with Steve Aoki. For those of you who have seen him play you know what I'm talking about. Of all the DJ's I have seen in my life, he is by far the best. No one puts on a show like him. He is basically throwing one hell of a party and you better be on board. He was literally hanging from the stereo speakers, pouring vodka down the crowd's throat, and just overall killing the place. It was unbelievable but it didn't stop there. He actually went to high school with some friends of friends so we chatted him up before he started his show. Once his show was over, we decided to throw an after party at my house. We asked Steve if he wanted to come over and he was like, "Of course." Therefore, basically the rest of the club just came to my house (keep in mind that this was around 6AM). I threw on my iPod and let the party start. Steve came up to me and asked if I would mind if he played his laptop. I was like, "Ahhh, yeah, sure." When one of the best DJ's in the world wants to play some jams at your after party your only answer should be "Let's do this! Can I get you something to drink?" We rocked it until about 9AM when everyone finally got a little tired. I have said it before and I will say it again....this shit only happens in Floripa. It literally never ceases to amaze me.

The gang and I also threw a party to help those people who have been devastated by the rain. We brought in a big semi-truck and sent out the word to everyone to come donate as much as they could before the party. It was very rewarding because the next day everything was delivered to a small village who had yet to receive any aid following the rain. Several families called to give thanks and many of them were crying tears of joy. If there is something more rewarding than that, let me know because I'm all ears....

Lastly, Tatsuya Sushi Lounge is scheduled to open December 18th. It's an incredible feeling to look at what I am creating but at the same time very nerve racking. I LOVE the place, love the food, and just love the concept but at the end of the day, other people still have to share that same opinion and show up. I am trying to do everything perfect (decor, food, press, etc.) and if they don't come, I can say that I tried my best. But I do have a lot of confidence that it is going to be great. There is nothing about the place that I don't absolutely love. I've really enjoyed watching the transformation over the past few weeks as things are getting built and the buzz goes around town. It's amazing to see everything that we had on a piece of paper just a few weeks ago come to life. It's been very rewarding. The next 10 days are going to be intense but once all the ducks are in line, all I can do is sit back, watch, and enjoy. It's going to be one hell of an experience, and I can't wait to see how it goes....