Matthew Good has long been my favorite musician. Along with Arcade Fire I think he is the best Canada has currently producing music. Last night I read this entry on his Weblog and decided to show it to my readers. I think the content is appropriate given that I am currently in Japan. Check it out.
To give you an idea of how smart this guy is, this is another good example of his blog writing, if you have time.
Check out the other blog for pictures from the tournament in Shizuoka on Sunday.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
All Quiet on the Eastern Front
No blog entries doesn't mean that I'm dead. Just that life is going as advertised and there is not much to write home about. It's raining here today, the weather is much much cooler now than it had been. Its nice during the day, but some rain or evening time brings a chill to the appartment and I actually have to wear clothes. haha.
Karate is good. I think in November I'll start making time to train a bit harder. I would like to get another rank at least before the year is out. (Before you email me Pat, Yes, I'm still a green belt). I've been washing cars at the Narita's dealership, making just a few bucks but am hoping to save enough to go to Kyoto in November. The time to train more Karate should be there as I prolly won't be washing cars after October.
I mountain biked twice this week in Shimada, left me pretty wiped out, but I need to get it in while I can. The weather as mentioned continues to get cooler.
I emailed Sensei to ask him about printing some business cards. The need to build the english school is getting more and more urgent as money is getting tight for me. If I cannot bring in more students I may have to consider going home early which would suck considering everything I have accomplished here in just 3 months. I'd really like to last the full 10. Plus I told Kathryn I would try to leave the school in running condition when I leave here.
For those of you who don't like reading words, here is a picture of me from the Fuji trip, one I don't think I posted earlier.
Karate is good. I think in November I'll start making time to train a bit harder. I would like to get another rank at least before the year is out. (Before you email me Pat, Yes, I'm still a green belt). I've been washing cars at the Narita's dealership, making just a few bucks but am hoping to save enough to go to Kyoto in November. The time to train more Karate should be there as I prolly won't be washing cars after October.
I mountain biked twice this week in Shimada, left me pretty wiped out, but I need to get it in while I can. The weather as mentioned continues to get cooler.
I emailed Sensei to ask him about printing some business cards. The need to build the english school is getting more and more urgent as money is getting tight for me. If I cannot bring in more students I may have to consider going home early which would suck considering everything I have accomplished here in just 3 months. I'd really like to last the full 10. Plus I told Kathryn I would try to leave the school in running condition when I leave here.
For those of you who don't like reading words, here is a picture of me from the Fuji trip, one I don't think I posted earlier.
Peace out Vancouver.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Shooter
One of the better movies I have seen in a while. Friends who know me know I don't recommend many movies, but this one is worth your 6 bucks at rogers. check it out when you have time.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Hang out with Yer Wang Out
As a guest in Japan with limited ammount of time to travel, you really do try to soak in as much of the culture as you can before you get the boot home. After my excellent ride sunday in Nagano, I was looking forward to a day of rest, time to get over my cold and rest my rattled joints. I was indeed allowed this rest, but not at home. Instead I was treated to a Japanese cultural tradition, one I was not expecting, and something I probably would not have sought after on my own.
Sensei Sharp had arrived in town the night before after what I gather was a grueling few days at the masters clinic in Tokyo. I ran into them (he and Sakurai Sensei) at the train station as I was foraging for food. We parted ways after a few pleasantries, but Sensei suggested we hang out the next day. I said I was looking forward to it.
The next morning I got a call from Don Sensei. He and Sakurai Sensei were off to the Onsen.
"Whats that?" I asked
"It's a traditional Japanese hot spring." he replied.
"Oh cool, I'd love to go. I'll grab my bathing suit." I said, thinking that a hot spring might help me get over my cold.
A few minutes later, the Sensei's arrived to pick me up. Sensei Sakurai asked to use my bathroom and was soon displeased with the science experiment I was contucting in my toilet. After the Onsen we would be off to the drub store to get some house cleaning products. Why does sort of thing always happen when other Sensei's are around? I laughed and giggled to hide my embarrassment, but will never let my toilet slide into decay again, mark my words.
Anyways, back to the Onsen trip.
The drive to Kanewa was quite pretty. The terrain along the Oigawa river is quite amazing. Is was during the drive that I learned a startling fact. Sensei Sakurai asked me if I brought the correct towels. I did, a big one and a small one, although I didn't know what I needed the small one for.
"It's cover up your bit whiel you move around." Sensei informed me.
"Don't I just wear a bathing suit?" I asked.
"No, we don't wear bathing suits at the Onsen" he said.
"Oh." I replied while trying to come to terms with this startling piece of Japanese reality. As with everything I try to imperpret life with humour. "If you guys drove me all this way to see me naked I think you're gunna be dissapointed."
Sensei Sharp laughed. I did my best to relax and enjoy the experience. Not much else you can do when the guy driving is a 7th Dan black belt, and his protoge the 5th dan is in the passenger seat.
The Onsen was located quite nicely along the Oigawa river. I would love to be able to show you pictures of the scenery, but maybe this time its ok I forgot my camera. Kanewa also keeps a beautiful old relic, a train from the golden age of Japans modern history. Every day the train makes 1 trip each way across the river. The bridge runs at a 45 degree angle to the mens bath. When the train moves across the bridge it blows its whistle and all the men moved to watch the train roll blowing is dark grey coal smoke up in the air. The view was nice, one thing I think I'll never forget, but maybe not as interesting as the view the train riders had of us.
The Onsen in Kanewa is one of the most famous in the region. The spring was actually discover by a Canadian Geological company about 10 years ago.
Sensei and I relaxed and chatted. I told him about my experiences in Japan and asked him about his new son, Logan. The day was a surreal experience, well in the Category of things I did not expect to be doing when I woke up that morning.
Since I came to Japan, it has always been important to me to be a good ambassador from Canada. Sensei Sharp and I represented Canada quite well at the bath. When he returns in April I wouldnt mind going again. Maybe I'll take my camera.
Its been a few days since the Onsen as I write the story. Sensei Sakurai's training has been particularly difficult , I think he's grumpy having caught my cold.
Today is October 14th. 3 full months in Japan for me, the quater poll of my trip. Time flies, does it not? I'm celebrating, you guys hoist one for me, I'll hoist a few for you.
**Edit**
Don gave me a few minutes of his time on monday to answer a few questions. Here is what I gleaned from his story.
Sensei Sharp had arrived in town the night before after what I gather was a grueling few days at the masters clinic in Tokyo. I ran into them (he and Sakurai Sensei) at the train station as I was foraging for food. We parted ways after a few pleasantries, but Sensei suggested we hang out the next day. I said I was looking forward to it.
The next morning I got a call from Don Sensei. He and Sakurai Sensei were off to the Onsen.
"Whats that?" I asked
"It's a traditional Japanese hot spring." he replied.
"Oh cool, I'd love to go. I'll grab my bathing suit." I said, thinking that a hot spring might help me get over my cold.
A few minutes later, the Sensei's arrived to pick me up. Sensei Sakurai asked to use my bathroom and was soon displeased with the science experiment I was contucting in my toilet. After the Onsen we would be off to the drub store to get some house cleaning products. Why does sort of thing always happen when other Sensei's are around? I laughed and giggled to hide my embarrassment, but will never let my toilet slide into decay again, mark my words.
Anyways, back to the Onsen trip.
The drive to Kanewa was quite pretty. The terrain along the Oigawa river is quite amazing. Is was during the drive that I learned a startling fact. Sensei Sakurai asked me if I brought the correct towels. I did, a big one and a small one, although I didn't know what I needed the small one for.
"It's cover up your bit whiel you move around." Sensei informed me.
"Don't I just wear a bathing suit?" I asked.
"No, we don't wear bathing suits at the Onsen" he said.
"Oh." I replied while trying to come to terms with this startling piece of Japanese reality. As with everything I try to imperpret life with humour. "If you guys drove me all this way to see me naked I think you're gunna be dissapointed."
Sensei Sharp laughed. I did my best to relax and enjoy the experience. Not much else you can do when the guy driving is a 7th Dan black belt, and his protoge the 5th dan is in the passenger seat.
The Onsen was located quite nicely along the Oigawa river. I would love to be able to show you pictures of the scenery, but maybe this time its ok I forgot my camera. Kanewa also keeps a beautiful old relic, a train from the golden age of Japans modern history. Every day the train makes 1 trip each way across the river. The bridge runs at a 45 degree angle to the mens bath. When the train moves across the bridge it blows its whistle and all the men moved to watch the train roll blowing is dark grey coal smoke up in the air. The view was nice, one thing I think I'll never forget, but maybe not as interesting as the view the train riders had of us.
The Onsen in Kanewa is one of the most famous in the region. The spring was actually discover by a Canadian Geological company about 10 years ago.
Sensei and I relaxed and chatted. I told him about my experiences in Japan and asked him about his new son, Logan. The day was a surreal experience, well in the Category of things I did not expect to be doing when I woke up that morning.
Since I came to Japan, it has always been important to me to be a good ambassador from Canada. Sensei Sharp and I represented Canada quite well at the bath. When he returns in April I wouldnt mind going again. Maybe I'll take my camera.
Its been a few days since the Onsen as I write the story. Sensei Sakurai's training has been particularly difficult , I think he's grumpy having caught my cold.
Today is October 14th. 3 full months in Japan for me, the quater poll of my trip. Time flies, does it not? I'm celebrating, you guys hoist one for me, I'll hoist a few for you.
**Edit**
Don gave me a few minutes of his time on monday to answer a few questions. Here is what I gleaned from his story.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
EPIC - the Fujimi Fellowship.
The big news that I was hoping to have a few weeks ago finally happened this past Sunday.
I had got a cold though, on monday I taught Matsui -san inspite of the fact he was feeling ill. I thought I was up to the task but would later regret my choice as I came down with his illness. I was in such bad shape on friday that I had to cancel 2 of my morning classes as I was just in no shape to teach. Saturday came and I did my normal class with the wonderful Ohtomi group. At the end I went home thinking that I had the rest of the long weekend to recoup from my kaze. (Japanese for cold, and wind too ;-)) .
But saturday night I got a call from my friend Kaoru. The trip to Nagano was finally going to happen. "Doh! I can't go" I thought. "Sensei would kill me if he knew I went mountain biking when I was ill." I diplomatically told Kaoru "Tabun" (Maybe in Japan). I said good night to my friend, hung up the phone and immediately started to stew.
The Bike park in Nagano will close on November the 4th and become a ski hill much the way Whistler does. I knew they would only make one trip to Nagano before then. If I was going to see the bike park there, this would be my one shot. I would have to risk Sensei's admonishments. So at 4:30 am on sunday morning, I woke up. I loaded up with cold medecine, emailed my Mom, packed up armor, loaded my bike into my car and headed for the rally point near route 1 here in Fujieda. Same as the trip to Fuji-san, we loaded all our bikes into Kaniwa's super Toyota van. 9 Bikes, 9 riders, 1 Van this time as there was no need for a shuttle. They gave me shot gun, 9 people in one van is crowded in any van, so might as well let the big guy ride in the front seat. The people here are very generous to guests.
It would be a 3 hour drive to Fujimi Panorama, the bike park in Nagano. I would sleep most of the way there, but on the way back I was treated to some fantastic Japanese scenery. Hopefully I can write more about that in a later post. This pic is of 7 members of the ride crew. Kaniwa and Kaoru are in the back row with Tiesho and Hida.
Here is one thing we never did at whistler. A tent was brought along for a comfortable place to change clothes and relax after each run. One thing about my Japanese friends is that they are always ultra-prepared.
If riding is not your thing, and you have faith in an engine strapped to your back, your can try para gliding here too. yawn. 
There are only 3 different trails here. They are creatively named A, B and C. The trails are long though, with many interections so you can mix and match different parts of your ride.
The trails are quality, well kept and fast. It seems to me that the people here like their speed. The A trail is a speedy, steep sorta ride, maybe comparable to whistler's 'frieght train' without the jumps.
The C line which we rode as a warm up is supposed to be like Whistlers' 'B-line'. It's a lot faster though. I would call it an 'A-line' without the jumps.
My favorite trail was the first 3/4 's of the B trail. A super fast version of "Muddy Pirate". Which is actually "Angry Pirate" when it's dry but I hear that wasn't that often this year. LOL. The last quarter of the B trail was SOOOO muddy and greasy that you just had no control. The whole way down I could hear IFO's voice in my head. "Let it happen, Let it Happen. "I skipped it the second time down. 
This is a good pic of Kaoru taking a corner on the B trail.
Tiesh riding the same line.
I had got a cold though, on monday I taught Matsui -san inspite of the fact he was feeling ill. I thought I was up to the task but would later regret my choice as I came down with his illness. I was in such bad shape on friday that I had to cancel 2 of my morning classes as I was just in no shape to teach. Saturday came and I did my normal class with the wonderful Ohtomi group. At the end I went home thinking that I had the rest of the long weekend to recoup from my kaze. (Japanese for cold, and wind too ;-)) .
But saturday night I got a call from my friend Kaoru. The trip to Nagano was finally going to happen. "Doh! I can't go" I thought. "Sensei would kill me if he knew I went mountain biking when I was ill." I diplomatically told Kaoru "Tabun" (Maybe in Japan). I said good night to my friend, hung up the phone and immediately started to stew.
The Bike park in Nagano will close on November the 4th and become a ski hill much the way Whistler does. I knew they would only make one trip to Nagano before then. If I was going to see the bike park there, this would be my one shot. I would have to risk Sensei's admonishments. So at 4:30 am on sunday morning, I woke up. I loaded up with cold medecine, emailed my Mom, packed up armor, loaded my bike into my car and headed for the rally point near route 1 here in Fujieda. Same as the trip to Fuji-san, we loaded all our bikes into Kaniwa's super Toyota van. 9 Bikes, 9 riders, 1 Van this time as there was no need for a shuttle. They gave me shot gun, 9 people in one van is crowded in any van, so might as well let the big guy ride in the front seat. The people here are very generous to guests.
It would be a 3 hour drive to Fujimi Panorama, the bike park in Nagano. I would sleep most of the way there, but on the way back I was treated to some fantastic Japanese scenery. Hopefully I can write more about that in a later post. This pic is of 7 members of the ride crew. Kaniwa and Kaoru are in the back row with Tiesho and Hida.
Here is one thing we never did at whistler. A tent was brought along for a comfortable place to change clothes and relax after each run. One thing about my Japanese friends is that they are always ultra-prepared.
If riding is not your thing, and you have faith in an engine strapped to your back, your can try para gliding here too. yawn. 
OK back to mountain biking stuff. The above pic is of my friend Kaoru and the scenery behind him. Down there below the mountain is a town I don't know the name of, but I know it's in Nagano somewhere. For those of you who are wondering, the Olympics in '98 took place about 3 hours to the north of where we where. Nagano I guess is one of the larger prefectures in Japan.
5100 yen for day pass on the gondora. I swear to god I'll make them change that to an 'L' before I leave.
5100 yen for day pass on the gondora. I swear to god I'll make them change that to an 'L' before I leave.
There are only 3 different trails here. They are creatively named A, B and C. The trails are long though, with many interections so you can mix and match different parts of your ride.
The trails are quality, well kept and fast. It seems to me that the people here like their speed. The A trail is a speedy, steep sorta ride, maybe comparable to whistler's 'frieght train' without the jumps.
The C line which we rode as a warm up is supposed to be like Whistlers' 'B-line'. It's a lot faster though. I would call it an 'A-line' without the jumps.
My favorite trail was the first 3/4 's of the B trail. A super fast version of "Muddy Pirate". Which is actually "Angry Pirate" when it's dry but I hear that wasn't that often this year. LOL. The last quarter of the B trail was SOOOO muddy and greasy that you just had no control. The whole way down I could hear IFO's voice in my head. "Let it happen, Let it Happen. "I skipped it the second time down.
This is a good pic of Kaoru taking a corner on the B trail.
Tiesh riding the same line.
We stayed most of the day, left a bit early as people were wearing down after a few runs. I'd like to invite all my friends to Vancouver one day, take for some endurance training on Fromme and maybe a full day of Whistler lovin. Had I not been ill, I coulda rode all day and night.
I am so glad I went. First Mt. Fuji and now one of 2 known MTB parks in Japan, and all while mountain biking is just getting started in this country. If my friends could ever come to Vancouver they might see how limitless the potential for moutain biking is. Having rode in Japan, I had a taste of what the sport was like before I got into it.
3 months into my trip here, I have had a few experiences I will never forget. The next day I would have another. But you'll have to read the next post for that story.
A persons life can be truly amazing if they can just let it happen.
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