Pass the sake, boys

In 2002, I was invited to Japan to give a presentation about the work I was doing. It was a great trip, especially with the people I was with. Exploring the streets and shops of Tokyo was truly eye-opening. I had been before, but was too young to truly remember the sights and sounds of the metropolis.

Some colleagues from the parent company told me that I should check out the company presentations in Yokohama, which is some distance from Tokyo. Not being very confident in navigating the trains alone I decided to take a cab, which I believe I'm still paying for.

One of the presentations was a performance by an artist who had became relatively famous in Europe, but was still trying to break in the US and the rest of the world. Her name was Anastacia and cut from the same cloth as other artists who ask the question... was I a pornstar before being an artist or an artist before being a pornstar?

Anyway, what I'll remember most is that in front of a rather timid, suit-ed crowd, she lost it a bit and shouted "What's wrong with you guys? How about you all drink more sake to be more fun!" The crowd remained funeral-like. She was finally presented with a new Trinitron and ushered off the stage.