Thursday, September 29, 2005
Caddy Shack
Just an FYI - I'm off to China for a holiday on Friday. I'll be flying to Hong Kong, spending the night there enjoying the bar scene, get on a bus at 4am to play golf at dawn in Shen Zhen, then jumping on a plane to Kunming in the Yunnan provence for four glorious days of golf on the Spring City Golf and Lake resort. I'll then return to Hong Kong for the weekend to see the city and do some shopping before returning on Monday. I'm sooo looking forward to it. I'll be going home tonight to wash my gear and buy some golf shoes!
Monday, September 26, 2005
Definitely Cliffhanger
This isn't fake - it really is Dave hanging batlike from the big overhang at the climbing wall. He did fall off right after taking the photo - but it looks cool at least!
Cliff... er, Wallhanger
I went indoor climbing on Sunday with a bunch of folk from GS. Didn't get a photo of everyone but this one of all the guys that went along. I'll see if I can get a hold of ones with some other folks.
It was great fun - and you definately take more risks when you've got the safety gear on. Knowing that you won't fall makes it a lot more fun!
It was great fun - and you definately take more risks when you've got the safety gear on. Knowing that you won't fall makes it a lot more fun!
Enjoy Nature the Okinawin way
Brought to you by Onozuka-san. Its traditional to bring back omiyage from your holidays to give out in the office (omiyage = souvineers).
This little nugget is Gofflette. No idea where they get the name from but it is a surprisingly pleasent wafer product. See if you can spot the (not) deliberate mistake.
This little nugget is Gofflette. No idea where they get the name from but it is a surprisingly pleasent wafer product. See if you can spot the (not) deliberate mistake.
Ze Germans Are Coming!
Friday was a holiday in TKO so I took the morning off to laze in my flat and look forward to the lazy weekend ahead.
After completely wasting the day by wandering around aimlessly Mochan called me up for a spot of light supper at the Oktober fest in Hibya park. Lets not forget, it is still September, so quite why they are having Oktober fest now is unbeknowest to me.
I was in the middle of making dinner though so I said I'd be there in an hour. This was about sixish, and since the celebrations were to end at eight o'clock, I knew I was going to miss the majority of the thigh slapping fun. Thank God. However, in the moment I tried to drain the water from my pasta most of it went down the sink. Oops, there _is_ a food collector down there, but since I hadn't emptied it since I've arrived I was hardly likely to attempt a resue. Not to worry, I was sure I'd get to suck on some sausages (as it were) at the party.
Side note, I'd been watching Blackadder Goes Forth at the time. Specifically the one with Baron Von Richthofen and Captain Flash-Heart (Woof!)
Hibya park seemed pretty empty at first sight, but then its big enough to hold a couple of concerts so I took off round the park and eventually heard some of "the birdy song" and thought "Ah, only in Germany would that be considered a party tune". I was right. I found a big tented area next to the fountain. Within it were about 200 revellers, some with *gulp* lederhosen, some with fraulein outfits and some just pissed as farts. It was actually quite an impressive affair with plenty of beer on the go and plenty of sausages. There were only two problems
1) the queues were about 20 minutes long
2) I couldn't find Mochan
A quick inventory later I was standing in the Beer queue with a 1000 yen note in my hand ready to buy as much beer as I could carry. Lets be honest I can get bratwurst any time. After managing half a pint I eventually got throught to Neil and joined the motley group of Gaijin at the fountain side.
There I met Chris - I'm madder than a Mad hatter who has just lost his favourit hat, Stuart (an Aussie), Dave, Some other guy I can't remember his name, Eamon and a bunch of Japanese girls that were 'studying' English with Dave. I wont go into too much detail, but they were cute and drunk. Which I suspect is exactly what Dave had intended. Its only a pity/mercy that Dave himself was absolutely legless.
About an hour passed, along with four beers, two renditions of "the birdy song", and Dave's ability to talk before we started on the War jokes. The classic moment was when the attendents started walking around with the big 'Deutschland in Japan' banners as if the Nazi's were back in fashion. Chris (think Rab Hitchen on a mix Cocaine and coffee) started marching along behind them executing a fairly accurate Fawlty Tower's style Nazi march with appropriate finger come Hitler moustache. Funny, but inappropriate. Shortly afterwards he was swimming in the ornamental lake (by choice). We had to stop him teaching the japanese kids how to play American Football - they were only about 5 feet tall afterall - before heading on.
So what could top all this fun? Ginza's collection of 'Three Coin' bars. Or three hundred yen bars. That translates to $3 for a beer (or 1.50 in Sterling). Now, at this stage people were getting drunk. I had the ignoble advantage of having arrived about four hours after everyone else and had to play catchup a little but I don't think I can match Eamon's attempts to defoliate the bar's expensive potted plantage.
Anyway - It goes a little blurry at this stage, and there is no photo evidence on hand. I remember Stuart II getting a deserved punch in the balls but I'm not sure who administered it.
Oh now I remember, we ducked out of that place at around 10 and tried to find another bar. After 40 minutes of wandering aimlessly through Ginza and chatting up street performers I decided to head home.
All in All a succesful evening.
After completely wasting the day by wandering around aimlessly Mochan called me up for a spot of light supper at the Oktober fest in Hibya park. Lets not forget, it is still September, so quite why they are having Oktober fest now is unbeknowest to me.
I was in the middle of making dinner though so I said I'd be there in an hour. This was about sixish, and since the celebrations were to end at eight o'clock, I knew I was going to miss the majority of the thigh slapping fun. Thank God. However, in the moment I tried to drain the water from my pasta most of it went down the sink. Oops, there _is_ a food collector down there, but since I hadn't emptied it since I've arrived I was hardly likely to attempt a resue. Not to worry, I was sure I'd get to suck on some sausages (as it were) at the party.
Side note, I'd been watching Blackadder Goes Forth at the time. Specifically the one with Baron Von Richthofen and Captain Flash-Heart (Woof!)
Hibya park seemed pretty empty at first sight, but then its big enough to hold a couple of concerts so I took off round the park and eventually heard some of "the birdy song" and thought "Ah, only in Germany would that be considered a party tune". I was right. I found a big tented area next to the fountain. Within it were about 200 revellers, some with *gulp* lederhosen, some with fraulein outfits and some just pissed as farts. It was actually quite an impressive affair with plenty of beer on the go and plenty of sausages. There were only two problems
1) the queues were about 20 minutes long
2) I couldn't find Mochan
A quick inventory later I was standing in the Beer queue with a 1000 yen note in my hand ready to buy as much beer as I could carry. Lets be honest I can get bratwurst any time. After managing half a pint I eventually got throught to Neil and joined the motley group of Gaijin at the fountain side.
There I met Chris - I'm madder than a Mad hatter who has just lost his favourit hat, Stuart (an Aussie), Dave, Some other guy I can't remember his name, Eamon and a bunch of Japanese girls that were 'studying' English with Dave. I wont go into too much detail, but they were cute and drunk. Which I suspect is exactly what Dave had intended. Its only a pity/mercy that Dave himself was absolutely legless.
About an hour passed, along with four beers, two renditions of "the birdy song", and Dave's ability to talk before we started on the War jokes. The classic moment was when the attendents started walking around with the big 'Deutschland in Japan' banners as if the Nazi's were back in fashion. Chris (think Rab Hitchen on a mix Cocaine and coffee) started marching along behind them executing a fairly accurate Fawlty Tower's style Nazi march with appropriate finger come Hitler moustache. Funny, but inappropriate. Shortly afterwards he was swimming in the ornamental lake (by choice). We had to stop him teaching the japanese kids how to play American Football - they were only about 5 feet tall afterall - before heading on.
So what could top all this fun? Ginza's collection of 'Three Coin' bars. Or three hundred yen bars. That translates to $3 for a beer (or 1.50 in Sterling). Now, at this stage people were getting drunk. I had the ignoble advantage of having arrived about four hours after everyone else and had to play catchup a little but I don't think I can match Eamon's attempts to defoliate the bar's expensive potted plantage.
Anyway - It goes a little blurry at this stage, and there is no photo evidence on hand. I remember Stuart II getting a deserved punch in the balls but I'm not sure who administered it.
Oh now I remember, we ducked out of that place at around 10 and tried to find another bar. After 40 minutes of wandering aimlessly through Ginza and chatting up street performers I decided to head home.
All in All a succesful evening.
Enjoy your Rich time
Another classic Engrish moment. I think this one has actually been on Engrish.com
The colour of money...
Mr. Housing racks them up in a pool hall in Roppongi. Like I've said before, when the japanese do something, they do it properly.
My whisky is as sweet as an Amber Rosebank
Spotted in "Abbot's" in Roppongi. Rosebank Whisky. I plan on having a wee dram at some point but didn't order it at the time... I'll let you know how it goes!
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Blog readership
Check it out - my blog readership.
Notable entries are:
1) Saudi Arabia
2) Iran
3) New Zealand
4) Canada
5) Germany
Nice to know lots of folks are watching it...
Notable entries are:
1) Saudi Arabia
2) Iran
3) New Zealand
4) Canada
5) Germany
Nice to know lots of folks are watching it...
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Step by step instructions on how to eat a steamed chicken rice dish.
1) With a spoon, dab some sauce on top of steamed chicken - you could sauce it individually or mix all sauces together.
2) Using a spoon like a knife, cut the steamed chicken into desired portions.
3) Using a fork, shove the cut chicken and fragrant rice together onto a spoon.
4) In one shot, EAT! Just focus on myriad of bursting flavours.
5) Have a sip of chicken soup to cleanse your palate.
6) Ahh!!! The perfect balance of steamed chicken and heavenly flavoured fragrant rice. Complemented by the complexity of the sauces. Perfect!
My favourite step is step six. If you look closely, you have to wag the chopsticks about while they are still in your mouth. Less practiced patrons often suffer from splinters...
1) With a spoon, dab some sauce on top of steamed chicken - you could sauce it individually or mix all sauces together.
2) Using a spoon like a knife, cut the steamed chicken into desired portions.
3) Using a fork, shove the cut chicken and fragrant rice together onto a spoon.
4) In one shot, EAT! Just focus on myriad of bursting flavours.
5) Have a sip of chicken soup to cleanse your palate.
6) Ahh!!! The perfect balance of steamed chicken and heavenly flavoured fragrant rice. Complemented by the complexity of the sauces. Perfect!
My favourite step is step six. If you look closely, you have to wag the chopsticks about while they are still in your mouth. Less practiced patrons often suffer from splinters...
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
DBZ Collectables
Another one for Lauren. There are vast amounts of collectables in this country. Ones I've seen so far:
1)Dragon Ball*
2)Batman
3)Doraemon (weird Japanimation)
4)Cowboy Bebop
5)Gundam*
6)Final Fantasy VII*
7)tonnes of random stuff I can't identify.
They are pretty mad for it over here. There are kids (and adults apparently) who will invest all their effort into getting their hands on this stuff. It really is a big money spinner.
Even bigger are card collectables. God, they spend so much money on those fricken cards, and they are pretty advanced too. They have smartchips in them so you can play arcade games with them!?! Its a huge industry over here.
1)Dragon Ball*
2)Batman
3)Doraemon (weird Japanimation)
4)Cowboy Bebop
5)Gundam*
6)Final Fantasy VII*
7)tonnes of random stuff I can't identify.
They are pretty mad for it over here. There are kids (and adults apparently) who will invest all their effort into getting their hands on this stuff. It really is a big money spinner.
Even bigger are card collectables. God, they spend so much money on those fricken cards, and they are pretty advanced too. They have smartchips in them so you can play arcade games with them!?! Its a huge industry over here.
Draft Hemp
I'm assuming this is a genuine beer from Jamaica. I was in a Jamaican cafe at the weekend. The food was nicely jerked. Jerk chicken, jerk pork etc. Mmmm. I didn't have the beer as it was around midday but next time I go... oh yes, it shall be mine!
According to TLAPD -
You are The Cap'n!
What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!
Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any man that stands between them and the mantle of power. You never met a man you couldn't eviscerate. Not that mindless violence is the only avenue open to you - but why take an avenue when you have complete freeway access? You are the definitive Man of Action. You are James Bond in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. Your swash was buckled long ago and you have never been so sure of anything in your life as in your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off their head if they show any sign of taking you on or backing down. You cannot be saddled with tedious underlings, but if one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.
What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Sunburn baby burn
I Woke up this morning and - completely forgetting I was burnt from yesterday -jumped in a hot shower and screamed like a little girl.
I'd been out playing golf again. I'm sure Nev will laugh but I scored 144 (I was doing much better until we stopped for lunch and had a beer). The problem with playing golf out here, as previously noted, is that you have to get up ridiculously early. At least I planned for it this time. I had an early night on Friday, got up at 5am, got ready and went outside to wait on my lift. I forgot only two key items.
1) My hat.
2) My sunblock.
One of the guys I played with had some factor 8 with him, but we all know that my pasty blue complexion would never survive 4-5 hours in the searing hot sun with just factor 8. I need at LEAST factor 30.
About half way through the back nine, I began to feel it. Which is bad, you usually get burnt before you notice so if I was feeling it I was in for a painful one. My only rescue was the hand towel I'd lifted from the gents. I wrapped it round my head and would have knotted the corners if it was big enough. As it was I had to stuff the corners under the rim of my shades. As you can imagine I must have looked pretty stupid.
The final straw was when I got inside. I took of my shades and Lo, I had raccoon eyes. Great. Lets hope I peel enough for work in Tuesday (Monday is a holiday).
ps, I'm off to the Tokyo Games Show. Expect pictures of cute scantily clad girls trying to sell their wares (lit. games).
I'd been out playing golf again. I'm sure Nev will laugh but I scored 144 (I was doing much better until we stopped for lunch and had a beer). The problem with playing golf out here, as previously noted, is that you have to get up ridiculously early. At least I planned for it this time. I had an early night on Friday, got up at 5am, got ready and went outside to wait on my lift. I forgot only two key items.
1) My hat.
2) My sunblock.
One of the guys I played with had some factor 8 with him, but we all know that my pasty blue complexion would never survive 4-5 hours in the searing hot sun with just factor 8. I need at LEAST factor 30.
About half way through the back nine, I began to feel it. Which is bad, you usually get burnt before you notice so if I was feeling it I was in for a painful one. My only rescue was the hand towel I'd lifted from the gents. I wrapped it round my head and would have knotted the corners if it was big enough. As it was I had to stuff the corners under the rim of my shades. As you can imagine I must have looked pretty stupid.
The final straw was when I got inside. I took of my shades and Lo, I had raccoon eyes. Great. Lets hope I peel enough for work in Tuesday (Monday is a holiday).
ps, I'm off to the Tokyo Games Show. Expect pictures of cute scantily clad girls trying to sell their wares (lit. games).
Oden
Kevin and Nev wanted me to post something so here it is. My first blog in (gosh) three or four days!
This is an example of Oden. Japanese fast food for the Autumn/Winter time. Its usually a mix of rice and fish based foods. This one is a weird pastry bag filled with sticky rice paste. Mmmm, its actually pretty good.
I had it on Thursday night during a little soiree I held at my flat. I had a bunch of the Napas, folk from work and a few cute girls round. This was basically my flatwarming. Now that people have been round I'm getting requests to do movie nights.
This is an example of Oden. Japanese fast food for the Autumn/Winter time. Its usually a mix of rice and fish based foods. This one is a weird pastry bag filled with sticky rice paste. Mmmm, its actually pretty good.
I had it on Thursday night during a little soiree I held at my flat. I had a bunch of the Napas, folk from work and a few cute girls round. This was basically my flatwarming. Now that people have been round I'm getting requests to do movie nights.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Thunder Bolts and Lightning. Very Very... wet.
This is what you call a Monsoon. Sheets of rain. Both falling and flying horizontally in the wind. Fortunately I was inside when it started. Most of the tourists weren't so I had a laugh at them running inside. It was pretty close to typhoon weather actually, but the typhoon had went past Tokyo so we missed the worst of it. Anyway, thats another natural disaster to look forward to...
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Mo-Chan & Teika
I visited Mochan and Teika on Saturday in Yokohama. Its a nice port town/city that has the first seaport in Japan after Matthew Perry forced open trading with west in 1854.
It was a pretty rough morning, having got to bed a 5am after clubbing in the extremely cheezy A-Life. I was meant to be there about 12 ish so I got up at 9, had a bath and left for the train with a headache and instructions of how to get there. By the time I arrived at Yokohama I'd forgotten that the instructions detailed a final leg which involved going to Neil's local station. Never mind, a hasty phonecall sorted that out and I finally met Teika.
We spent a nice afternoon walking through some shopping centres, along the docks, sitting in a park watching street performers, dawdling through China town (the most expesive China town I've ever been to), finding the 'big and tall' store and finally resting in Neil's apartment.
The best part of the day was Neil's wedding video. Actually, it wasn't the full wedding, but a kind of wedding ceremony involving a carriage, some dancing lions and an M.C. keeping it real. This was all in Teika's home town (don't ask me the name) and was taken a few months back. Oh, and I was treated to some fantastic food made by Teika.
It was a pretty long day and I got back at around 10pm and sat down to some BlackAdder DVD action.
Baaaah!
It was a pretty rough morning, having got to bed a 5am after clubbing in the extremely cheezy A-Life. I was meant to be there about 12 ish so I got up at 9, had a bath and left for the train with a headache and instructions of how to get there. By the time I arrived at Yokohama I'd forgotten that the instructions detailed a final leg which involved going to Neil's local station. Never mind, a hasty phonecall sorted that out and I finally met Teika.
We spent a nice afternoon walking through some shopping centres, along the docks, sitting in a park watching street performers, dawdling through China town (the most expesive China town I've ever been to), finding the 'big and tall' store and finally resting in Neil's apartment.
The best part of the day was Neil's wedding video. Actually, it wasn't the full wedding, but a kind of wedding ceremony involving a carriage, some dancing lions and an M.C. keeping it real. This was all in Teika's home town (don't ask me the name) and was taken a few months back. Oh, and I was treated to some fantastic food made by Teika.
It was a pretty long day and I got back at around 10pm and sat down to some BlackAdder DVD action.
Baaaah!
Sliiime...
Why do the Japanese love slimy foods so much?
So far there have only been three foods I've had difficulty eating in Japan.
1) Tororo. Made from some kind of ground potato. This is basically snot. It looks like snot, it behaves like snot and it tastes only marginally better than snot. The japanese love to put it on rice to make it sticky. When you take up some of it on your chopsticks it has the same stringy tendency as nasal expulsions. Mmmm... not.
2) Natto. Fermented soy beans. They taste like rotten socks and have a sticky slime coating. I managed to order some once by accident. I pointed at a picture of what I thought were noodles in an omelette. No. When they arrived I let my American guest try it then left it on the next table. It really stinks.
3) Whatever this stuff is in the Photo. I went to a teppanyaki place in Azabu Juban on Friday. The first thing they put in front of us was a shot glass filled with slime and seeds. I decided to treat it like a shot and down it in one. Bad move. I almost ended up spilling the cookies on the hotplate in front of me. I kept it down though.
Anyway, If I find anything worse, I'll put up a picture..
So far there have only been three foods I've had difficulty eating in Japan.
1) Tororo. Made from some kind of ground potato. This is basically snot. It looks like snot, it behaves like snot and it tastes only marginally better than snot. The japanese love to put it on rice to make it sticky. When you take up some of it on your chopsticks it has the same stringy tendency as nasal expulsions. Mmmm... not.
2) Natto. Fermented soy beans. They taste like rotten socks and have a sticky slime coating. I managed to order some once by accident. I pointed at a picture of what I thought were noodles in an omelette. No. When they arrived I let my American guest try it then left it on the next table. It really stinks.
3) Whatever this stuff is in the Photo. I went to a teppanyaki place in Azabu Juban on Friday. The first thing they put in front of us was a shot glass filled with slime and seeds. I decided to treat it like a shot and down it in one. Bad move. I almost ended up spilling the cookies on the hotplate in front of me. I kept it down though.
Anyway, If I find anything worse, I'll put up a picture..
Don't @#$% with me!
Spotted in a interior decor store in Shibuya. This pleasant message was used as the insert to a collection of photo frames to help give the buyer an idea of exactly what to do with their new picture frame. Lovely
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Funky Restaurant
I ate at a pretty weird restaurant last Friday. Down in the basement of some backstreet in Shibuya sits this little gem of an Izakaya food stop. As you walk into the main floor, you have to cross a little river with a see through bridge spanning it. Immediately in front of you will be the hanging table. It sits about eight feet off the ground, and the customers sit inside a 'boat' that surronds and protects it (its the silvery object in the pic). around the edges of the restaurant are stacks of tables. I mean, there are tables round the walls, and on top of those are more tables. Two stories and at some points three. Fortunately the stairs are at the sides, although if I spilled my drink I'm sure it would leak through. Like most japanese places, eating is a private affair. You have your own little space and you cant really see the folks around you. Also, you have to push a buzzer for the waiter. This makes the atmosphere much more intimate. The food itself was excellent, with various dishes shared amongst us, I can't fault any of them. Even the weird jelly like fish things from the hotpot. Thanks to Dave, Miranda and Akane for a nice evening.
Gorufu
Saturday was HOT. One of the hottest day's I've felt so far. I think this is mainly because its the first time I've done any outdoor activity on a nice day (well, on any day really). I was invited to a golf contest last week. It wasn't particularly serious, but it was a good chance to meet some people from another bank. As you may have guessed, my current social group doesn't extend very far from the confines of the GS payroll. So it was at 5.30 am (ugh) I got up to get ready for the day. We were meeting in Ebisu (a 15 minute walk from my place) so I showered and left to get there in time for 6.30. Once I got there we then drove back past my house and stopped outside my local convenience store to get breakfast. Ah well, next time I'll know better...
There were eight of us from GS, and another eight from Lehmen Brothers (LB). It was clear after arriving that I was being put in the 'remedial' group. There was Yochihiro - "I've been playing since may!" and Nick "I'm not that good", and finally David "I won't use my driver - it'll give you a chance". Dave is actually pretty decent and did in fact put his driver to good use to almost win the Longest Drive contest... I haven't played properly in a while. Apart from the game in March with Dave, my Boss and a guy from work called Ron, I haven't played serious golf since I was about 14. And even back then I couldn't use a driver.
The game was to be played at Glenmoor Golf Club. Take a look at the website - the place was really flash. There was a random unicorn and a harp statue at either ends of the entrance hall - yes, Hall. The view coming in on the 9th and 18th holes was stunning. It also cost $150 to play - eek! We arrived at around 8am, got changed, I hired some clubs, slapped on some sun block (factor 50 - I still looked a little burnt), and jumped in the funky golf carts to go down the driving range for a practice. We didn't spot the club holders on the back so Dave held the clubs while I slammed on the gas. This was the first time I've drove a golf cart... and poor Dave took the brunt of the danger. Since he was holding the clubs he couldn't hold on the the cart. Excellent. I made sure we made a few extra hairpin turns, drifted onto the grass, and slammed on the brakes a couple of times. Hey, I needed all the advantages I could get! 5 minutes on the range was enough to leave me DRIPPING with sweat. I kid ye not. I was drenched and dehydrated (I'd been drinking the night previously). Ugh, I wanted a shower and we hadn't even started yet.
Tee off was at 8:50. I decided to leave the driver where it could do least damage and stick to the long irons. Wise move - I managed to get round the course in 143. I was 13th out of 16 which I was actually quite happy with. Some of them had a handicap of 7! These guys take their golf seriously. Also, Nick and 'Richard' as Dave kept calling him, had some skills. Nick's putting was excellent, and Yochihiro's driving was pretty decent. Anyway, it was time to relax. The great thing about Japanese golf is that the golf clubs have baths in them. Not individual baths, but more like hot spring pools (or an attempt to recreate the effect). You get washed with a shower whilst sitting on a stool at the edge. Then rinse off and jump in the water. This is awesome, you can just float until the day's stresses melt away. You get out then wash again and if you want, head out to sit in the massage chair (I avoided this - lots dripping wet bodies had been there before me). What could top all this? Ah, beeeer. We had a little presentation for the different prizes, with some cheap looking food. That was OK, the Sapporo beer went down a treat.
After a _very_ long day. I made it home at 5pm, turned off my phone and pretty much lay on the couch all night alternately reading my book and watching DVDs. I was absolutely KNACKERED. I also drank about four pints of water before I felt rehydrated... That was a pretty awesome day.
There were eight of us from GS, and another eight from Lehmen Brothers (LB). It was clear after arriving that I was being put in the 'remedial' group. There was Yochihiro - "I've been playing since may!" and Nick "I'm not that good", and finally David "I won't use my driver - it'll give you a chance". Dave is actually pretty decent and did in fact put his driver to good use to almost win the Longest Drive contest... I haven't played properly in a while. Apart from the game in March with Dave, my Boss and a guy from work called Ron, I haven't played serious golf since I was about 14. And even back then I couldn't use a driver.
The game was to be played at Glenmoor Golf Club. Take a look at the website - the place was really flash. There was a random unicorn and a harp statue at either ends of the entrance hall - yes, Hall. The view coming in on the 9th and 18th holes was stunning. It also cost $150 to play - eek! We arrived at around 8am, got changed, I hired some clubs, slapped on some sun block (factor 50 - I still looked a little burnt), and jumped in the funky golf carts to go down the driving range for a practice. We didn't spot the club holders on the back so Dave held the clubs while I slammed on the gas. This was the first time I've drove a golf cart... and poor Dave took the brunt of the danger. Since he was holding the clubs he couldn't hold on the the cart. Excellent
Tee off was at 8:50. I decided to leave the driver where it could do least damage and stick to the long irons. Wise move - I managed to get round the course in 143. I was 13th out of 16 which I was actually quite happy with. Some of them had a handicap of 7! These guys take their golf seriously. Also, Nick and 'Richard' as Dave kept calling him, had some skills. Nick's putting was excellent, and Yochihiro's driving was pretty decent. Anyway, it was time to relax. The great thing about Japanese golf is that the golf clubs have baths in them. Not individual baths, but more like hot spring pools (or an attempt to recreate the effect). You get washed with a shower whilst sitting on a stool at the edge. Then rinse off and jump in the water. This is awesome, you can just float until the day's stresses melt away. You get out then wash again and if you want, head out to sit in the massage chair (I avoided this - lots dripping wet bodies had been there before me). What could top all this? Ah, beeeer. We had a little presentation for the different prizes, with some cheap looking food. That was OK, the Sapporo beer went down a treat.
After a _very_ long day. I made it home at 5pm, turned off my phone and pretty much lay on the couch all night alternately reading my book and watching DVDs. I was absolutely KNACKERED. I also drank about four pints of water before I felt rehydrated... That was a pretty awesome day.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Final Destination
I left work at 12 yesterday. No, not midnight. Midday! My shipment from the UK was scheduled to arrive at 1pm and I wanted to get home before it...
It all arrived in good order, and I spent much of the next few hours unpacking and setting up my living room (see the results below). Three guys brought all the boxes upstairs, cut off all the riciculous amount of packaging Stirling Relocation put on them, and brought them into the apartment. I had the pleasure of unpacking all the crates, but that was fine. I got to put everything where I wanted it. One thing you should know about Japanese homes is that you always take your shoes off at the door. If you've ever seen two labourers carrying a heavy desk and trying to take their sandals off then you'll know why I kept trying to help the poor guys out. It would have been funny except for the fact that this meant they had nothing to protect their toes from falling crates. Still, for experience movers they were pretty useless. I had to demonstrate how to put the tables and sound system together. Then when they couldn't understand I just told them I'd do it. Maybe that was their plan...
The unpacking itself was pretty good fun. Its the first time since moving from Falkirk I've had my own shelf space - so it was kind of annoying when I filled it in ten minutes with all the CDs, DVDs, books and games I seem to have collected over the years. If I'd brought the stuff from the Garage in Falkirk too then I'd never have had room for it all! A little shuffling and restacking meant I could fit in a bit more and I've even got room to spare now. And as long as I put the crap DVDs at the bottom of the stacks, I can pile stuff in front. As I unpacked, my mood gradually became nostalgic. Most of the stuff have memories attached. Usually I'm an advocate of the clutter catharsis and happily bin any old crap when I move. But since someone else was moving it for me I kept most things this time. It felt good.
So my place now feels like home, I put Monkey on the sofa with the cushion I borrowed from my parents house and suddenly everything was as it should be. There was still some tidying to do, and I still had to go to Shinjuku to buy a transformer for my PC but that was a welcome break from tidying. I eventually finished sorting the place out at about 9pm and sat down to watch 'Garden State' with a glass of wine. Its a pretty awesome film and I was in a nostalgic frame of mind (especially so, what with Monkey watching it too) which only seemed to heighten the enjoyment. In fact, seeing all my stuff again, and sitting in front of the projector, well, was almost like being back at Threecolt street.
I'll go to Don Quijote again tonight to buy some extension cables and maybe a chair for my desk. With the extension cables I'll be able to plug in my XBox! Oh, and I'll need to move my PC over to the other side of the room and set up my arial. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up some T.V. channels too! Thank god for the TV card in my PC.
ps, Steve - while I was unpacking, I found Gerald and thought of you.
It all arrived in good order, and I spent much of the next few hours unpacking and setting up my living room (see the results below). Three guys brought all the boxes upstairs, cut off all the riciculous amount of packaging Stirling Relocation put on them, and brought them into the apartment. I had the pleasure of unpacking all the crates, but that was fine. I got to put everything where I wanted it. One thing you should know about Japanese homes is that you always take your shoes off at the door. If you've ever seen two labourers carrying a heavy desk and trying to take their sandals off then you'll know why I kept trying to help the poor guys out. It would have been funny except for the fact that this meant they had nothing to protect their toes from falling crates. Still, for experience movers they were pretty useless. I had to demonstrate how to put the tables and sound system together. Then when they couldn't understand I just told them I'd do it. Maybe that was their plan...
The unpacking itself was pretty good fun. Its the first time since moving from Falkirk I've had my own shelf space - so it was kind of annoying when I filled it in ten minutes with all the CDs, DVDs, books and games I seem to have collected over the years. If I'd brought the stuff from the Garage in Falkirk too then I'd never have had room for it all! A little shuffling and restacking meant I could fit in a bit more and I've even got room to spare now. And as long as I put the crap DVDs at the bottom of the stacks, I can pile stuff in front. As I unpacked, my mood gradually became nostalgic. Most of the stuff have memories attached. Usually I'm an advocate of the clutter catharsis and happily bin any old crap when I move. But since someone else was moving it for me I kept most things this time. It felt good.
So my place now feels like home, I put Monkey on the sofa with the cushion I borrowed from my parents house and suddenly everything was as it should be. There was still some tidying to do, and I still had to go to Shinjuku to buy a transformer for my PC but that was a welcome break from tidying. I eventually finished sorting the place out at about 9pm and sat down to watch 'Garden State' with a glass of wine. Its a pretty awesome film and I was in a nostalgic frame of mind (especially so, what with Monkey watching it too) which only seemed to heighten the enjoyment. In fact, seeing all my stuff again, and sitting in front of the projector, well, was almost like being back at Threecolt street.
I'll go to Don Quijote again tonight to buy some extension cables and maybe a chair for my desk. With the extension cables I'll be able to plug in my XBox! Oh, and I'll need to move my PC over to the other side of the room and set up my arial. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up some T.V. channels too! Thank god for the TV card in my PC.
ps, Steve - while I was unpacking, I found Gerald and thought of you.
More Apartment photos
I've finished unpacking all my stuff. The end result is this picture. I've still got to put up my artwork and get a chair for my PC but I happily watch 'Garden State' on DVD last night. Good movie...
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