My mate Seb

He's still Seb. A bit broader; it's all the rowing.
Instant familiarity, only thing left was to fill in the gaps; first night life-style gaps, second night emotional gaps, third night philosophy, and fourth sport. Done.
I really hope I can visit him in Cambridge before he leaves, pimms and champagne with some punting, Sunday afternoon tea and cake, watch some rowing, get a tux and sample a dinner-ball, all the while surrounded by ... well Cambridge quite frankly.

Climbing in the bleau back in 2003, didn't I have lovely hair!

things wot make me appy

Another lazy sunday

Long-sleeve top : "borrowed" from Dad
Long-johns : $20 (canadian - MEC)
Base-layer : £40
Cap : £20
Socks : courtesy of my Ho
Lycra shorts : £50 (with a Ho-discount on my brief trip home)
Adidas waterproof : 18,000 yen
Gloves : 6,000 yen (bought this morning)

Riding down mountains in the wind and the rain : BLOODY FREEZING.



Pics from the Apple-picking ride about 3 weeks ago in MUCH better weather.

Long since gone...

Photos from my survival ride back in August. I suppose they accompany the text back in the 'en velo' posting somehow but...

学芸発表会 ー Inspector Zenigata, I presume...

Many moons back, my speech contest student came to me at my desk rather flustered. When I asked her about it, she let go a barrage of unknown Japanese. After handing her my dictionary, she calms momentarily and passes it back pointing out 'in desperation / as a last resort / pleading'...
Crikey, I thought. So I asked what could I do for her; another torrent of Japanese. Dictionary says, 'detective'.
Now I was a little concerned, surely she is not involved in the illegal activities of her peers – she's one of my best students!
Then the english re-appears, "Please, be detective in my dance."






So I donned the guise of Inspector Zenigata, from Lupin III. It turns out as well as being one of my best students she is also a pretty nifty hip-hopping, body-popping, bling-wearing kind of girl. Who'd have thought.
I also performed a demonstration of Shorinji Kempo with Mr. Ohsuka. Hopefully get some photos from school.
The event itself is a culture festival of sorts; gives the kids a day off and an excuse to perform. They can do anything they want, and the afternoon is dominated by a chorus contest which all the classes have been practicing for months. Great to see all my students so excited and happy.

a little man love

I was talking to one of the new ALTs a couple of weeks back, "Wow, everyone loves this guy Doug, who was he?"
We were sitting at an observation lesson. They had just started a video of Doug, and his award-winning performance. A lesson-plan to raise awareness of world issues.
The screen flickers and the room quietens to watch. Funny, the whole time I knew him I never saw him 'working'; teaching. The reason we're all here. He stands with his JTE –smart suit and tie mode– and introduces the ideas for the class, full of natural enthusiasm. He looks a little older, maturer in this setting, a little geeky in his full suit get-up. As one, Doug and his teacher invite us to watch the 'classroom action'.
In class, he's a different person; relaxed, confident and happy, his kids too, enjoying the pronunciations of Rwanda, Uganda, Mbolo and Mwandama.
The best example of Doug is a mistake. In one of the cut-scenes where he explains the aims of the class with his teacher. As it finishes, just before the edit back to the classroom action, he turns to his teacher, face alight with enthusiasm "that went great!"
Anyone else, and I'd think that was a mistake – but I know Doug left that on purpose. He's a professional.
I miss Doug.

the only game for gentlemen

You have two sides one out in the field and one in .
Each man that's in the side that's in goes out and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out .
When they are all out the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out .
Sometimes you get men still in and not out .
When both sides have been in and out including the not outs , THAT'S THE END OF THE GAME !
HOWZAT !!!!!

The Whale's Revenge!

Discovering –on leaving for school– a tire deflated... punctured.
Too late for buses...


the whale





THE WHALE







and Natto for lunch...

Nearly there...

For a country that takes Christmas as nonchalantly as Japan, they sure get started early.

A stroll with Neil Young

After a most pleasant couple of days with the zu-crew, dining, being naked, sleeping, but mostly dining, a fine sunday afternoon awaited. With nowt to do, I ambled to my favourite Hama-locale, the castle park.









After some wandering, and some sitting, some reading, and finally making it to Hamamatsu Art Gallery for an exhibition of a guy named Maeda, I homeward turned. The highlight, spotting in most premium condition a bright and shiny whale!