Memoirs of a Geezer

Happy Non Denominational Christmas Happy Birthday Jesus

2007-12-19T06:01:00.001+09:00

Here's a few shots taken this weekend. Toronto was covered by a huge blanket of snow saturday and sunday. It's just magical. The first picture is the wife and I carrying the Christmas tree home on sunday. The others are various shots taken saturday night at and after some Canadian Karaoke. So, to all my family and friends I wish you a merry Christmas and an excellent new year. See you soon. Matty xxx

THIS IS OUR HOUSE

2007-11-06T23:10:00.000+09:00

This is me at Toronto FC fotty ground. It holds around 15000 peeps. The quality of footy was not all that great but the atmosphere was AMAZING. No expectattions you see as it is their first season.

Nearly

2007-06-23T01:13:00.000+09:00

BOXING CAT 'want nis?'

I'm so close to getting my work visa I can smell it. Can't wait to get on it. Here's a few recent pics to keep you occupied. First is Delphine's cat Titian...now half mine I guess! haha. The second pic is on Toronto island looking at the small planes taking off.

second pic taken by David Lewis

CANADA EH?

2007-06-07T08:40:00.000+09:00

"i want a divorce!"

wedding wouldnt be complete without a muscle pose

Quick the drugs are wearing off

shotgun wedding!

does it make you think of cadburys?

"these rings are plastic"

"kiss me like you mean it so i can stay in the country!"

Japan is over man. how mad is that. It already feels like it was ages ago. Recently I decided to get married. Which was very fun. I will let the pictures do the talking! (as usual) I think I'd better allow a caption competition to occur. Please feel free but keep it clean! Like I do...mwahahha.

Tomato Sensei

2007-05-03T22:58:00.000+09:00

My nickname with the kids of Okinawa was 'Tomato Sensei'. Why? Here's why. My name badge said 'Matt'. The Japanese way of saying 'Matt' is 'Matto' hence TO MA TTO, and I was often sunburnt! In the picture above are my fav senior group..Maika, Yuto and Ryu.

This is wee Tomoka. She was proper cute.

Minami and Saika with Tomato. Koya is hiding behind the girls.

From left to right and top to bottom...Ryu, Tomato, Hirose, Saika, Minami, Fuko, Hiroaki and Koya.

Sweet flowers from little Funo. Arigato.

Lots of Matts on the whiteboard by Mone and Haruka.

These two were great. Proper cheeky though sometimes as you can see by their faces.

Hee Hee

My other group of kinders with one of the reception staff (Natsuko) Tomato, Miss Asahi, Nanako, Yuna and Mr Asahi.

2007-04-16T13:41:00.000+09:00

Recently we have maybe done alot. Things always busy when you're about to go. Here are some pictures go recent trip to Ishigaki and Iriomote island with I friend Toshie. Next some photo in fireworks festival in Ginowan city. Or maybe they are the other way round. YOU DECIDE! Now we go to shopping someday and maybe go visit place to look at nature. When I not freetime I clean my room. Maybe.

new stuff

2007-03-13T13:02:00.000+09:00

Below are some various pictures from the last 5 months. There's a few more of ma in Okinawa, Christmas day in Tokyo with the ladies and some other random shots. Enjoy.... GOON!

Assorted pictures

2007-03-13T12:37:00.000+09:00

Hello you peoples, I like a you peoples. Sorry I've been gone for so long, haven't had the net at home...but then again I'm not sorry 'cos only a few special people bother to check my blog anyway.

Here's some funny pics of christmas and okinawa to amuse you.

A Long Time Ago

2007-02-05T01:47:00.000+09:00

I get the impression no one reads my blog, so I haven't been writing anything. Also it's the start of a new year and there's nout to do but work. So, here's a pic from the archive. Enjoy.

Christmas in Tokyo & Jenny2

2007-01-02T20:32:00.000+09:00

Christmas eve me and the spoon took a Pokemon Shania to Tokyo. We met Jenny2 at Narita. Delphine couldn't contain her excitement. She was buzzing at the arrival of her orange friend. We all headed to our old stomping groud Saitama to meet the oldskool girlies Lola and Shelley...Happy times!

The evening was spent drinking ginsing wine and all kinds of beer, chu hi and snacky bits whilst playing 'pop up goya'. Okinawa's hilarious take on 'pop up pirate'. POON!!! It was of course a drinking game. Pop the goya, down ya drink! Jenny2 suffered 3 pops in a row, hence the name 3 in a Rowsom, which is her surname. Quality

Next day, bright and early and freeezing (Okinawa temp in December: 25C, Tokyo : -4C) we took the train to Shinjuku. Whilst D caught up with Jenny2, I amazed Shelley with tales of Okinawan history, jokes and how a lightbulb works.

Christmas lunch was spent on the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt hotel. We're talking hoity toity posh as balls melon farming tip top class act lunch at the finest place in Japan. God knows how we got in. I had lamb, the girls opted for turkey.

After much fine dining the girls fell asleep under a huge flute of champagne.

After some shopping we took the train home. On the train Jenny2's shoulder became strangely magnetised and started having strange effects on Japanese mens heads!

The girls went to Fukiage while I went to Ageo...."This used to be my playgrounnnnnd"

I met up with my old roomie Adam, and some of the other Kumagaya crew like big Adam and the newbies too. It was great to see my old house again. Adam had spruced it up with a coffee table and a nice new sofa. Looked proper cosy. Well done lad. ;o)

All pictures taken by Delphine.

Come Dancing 2 and Nerd Robots

2006-12-17T19:56:00.000+09:00

Title says it all...

Christmas Message

2006-12-17T01:19:00.000+09:00

So as one Jenny leaves, we get ready for Jenny 2. I can't wait. I need some time off to kick back and relax and eat and drink till I'm ill. Like most years.

Things that will be missed this Christmas...

1. Mince Pies
2. Brussel Sprouts
3. Devonshire Custard
4. Stones Ginger Wine
5. Cheese Board
6. Pulling Crackers
7. Noel Edmonds and Mr Blobby
8. Crazy Frog Christmas Chart Topper
9. BBC 1's Christmas Blockbuster Movie: Kindergarten Cop
10. Family...ahhhhhhhhhhh....blergh.

More Mum

2006-12-15T00:51:00.000+09:00

h

Here's some more shots of mums visit. The top ones are of pineapple park in Nago. The others, car and Cape Kyan. Mum left today while I was working. We had a great time. We were all able to kick back, relax and enjoy some Okinawan lifestyle.

MUM,MOM,MUMMY,MOMMA

2006-12-12T10:54:00.000+09:00

What's white and skids across the floor?

2006-12-03T19:41:00.000+09:00

'Come Dancing' has come to Okinawa. (at last! Thought I'd never get to show the world my dancing talents.) So, during lunch I practise with Delphine.

2006-11-28T01:53:00.000+09:00

I just thought I'd add these lovely shots taken when Irene was here.

2006-11-27T21:44:00.000+09:00

Doodles I did of some iconic figures in Japan.

2006-11-23T01:25:00.000+09:00

At long long last, my heroes are coming to Japan. Its not very often you get to see your favourite act in a far away country. It began back in the early 90's. These fine young men were the soundtrack to puberty. Take it away guys....

2006-11-22T00:20:00.000+09:00

Game: Guess the movie.

2006-11-08T20:42:00.000+09:00

Here's some more pictures of our travels in Okinawa...now we have driving licenses!

This is Cape Hedo, right at the most northern point of Okinawa.

Here's the 3 of us at Cape Hedo.

Broom broom!

2006-11-05T22:56:00.000+09:00

Delphine's mother, Irene is here right now. It's great. We have a few days off work so we can take little trips around Okinawa. We have also tasted the delights of Teppan yaki which is where the chef cooks in front of you, just for your table. It was very delicious. Irene is also an excellent cook and has been wowing us with delicacies of a French nature...and, like a distant memory remembered, there it is. Delicious, sumptuous, flavourful, buttery, velveteen goodness that sadly Japanese food lacks. I'm not at all saying Japanese food is bad. It's lovely. ... BUT today I went nuts over some buttery potatoes and carrots in parsely and garlic and it just made me think.

Now I'm just rambling....

The other day we visited Shuri Castle, which is just a short mono-rail trip away. It was rebuilt after being destroyed in dubya dubya two in "The Battle of Okinawa" now a major motion picture.

2006-10-25T20:55:00.000+09:00

Yesterday Delphine, Shaggy (Delphine's visiting roomie from Saitama) and I went to an aquarium in Nago. It's in the north part of Okinawa, about a 90 minute drive. The Aquarium was great. I saw some old friends from my diving days...Manta rays, Mobula, Puffer fish, Sharks and fish. Lots of fish. Which is completely paradoxical. In Japan the people eat everything that comes from the sea....but here we are gazing at the beautiful beasts that life underwater. Only to return home and eat their relatives. It's just a giant supermarket behind glass surely?!?! Anyway enough of my idiotic thoughts, there are some other pics here of moi on the beach next to the aquarium. This kind of beach makes you pinch yourself...'Do I really live here?'

2006-10-11T20:52:00.000+09:00

I received this picture just know after I finished work. It was a hard day at work and this picture really cheered me up. It's me and my goddaughter, Jess. Drawn by Jess. Thankyou little one xxx

2006-10-11T00:15:00.000+09:00

Today Delphine and I went to the beach! Yey! It was called 'Tropical beach' near Ginowan City. Whilst we sunbathed, American fighter jets flew over head...Top Gun stylee. Foxtrot Lima Tango Charlie Bogeys at one flew over the cuckoos nest, bandits at 3 o'clock..what shall we do 'till then? The picture above was taken with my mobile phone and liberally texted to all on the mainland of Japan. Just to let them know what they are missing in grotty old Saitama..haha! Sorry to those who got this text at work..it had to be done.

2006-10-09T10:59:00.000+09:00

Soooooooo different. Here's the view from our Mansion, Lions Mansion. Alllriightttt. It's on the sixth floor just off the main street in Naha city. It's a mix of hustle, bustle, designer clothes shops and seaside kitch. I love it. Plus its been sunny so far every day! Whoop whoop!
So here's Okinawa. This is in fact where Delphine gets to sit on her lunch break! Amazing.
Yes, can I help you?
Fugitives wanted in Kumagaya flee to Okinawa. Warning, these individuals are extremely dangerous and should not be approached by anything.
Delphine and I went to see a performance in Tokyo of experimental percussive music. One of the pieces was composed by Delphine's private student, Seiko. It was a fine evening of culture and musicianship. The highlight, a group of guys from Bulgaria who were the
Joe Satriani's of the xylophone, glockenspiel and vibraphone world! Anyways, the train back to Yono was very busy. We both stumbled into the 'women only' car. At once, all the men were ushered out of the car by the train attendant. The ordinary mixed cars were packed with sweaty drunk business men. Booooo. So, Delphine wraps her scarf around my head! Bingo! I can stay in the women only car without being spotted.
O.K. Delphine says this is a prime example of the 'white mans overbite'. A quip from a movie she tells me. Apparently most white men do this when busting a groove. Guilty!
Later that night, in the comfort of Lola and Shelley's place in Fukiage, Adam taught me how to line dance like his fellow countrymen.

I was surprised to meet Mr.T in a local restaurant in Kumagaya, so we took a photo...peace.
Blimey, Takeshi and Keiko were there too. Time for another photo! Say cheesuuu

Low and behold who should arrive but Koji. Fully armed with a fistful of coldies. Give that man a medal.
Here's a shot of the voice room at Kumagaya. From left to right, Katsuhiko (granddad), Me, Hiroshi (granddad 2), Takahisa and Hiroko.
Here are two pics of my kids that I taught at my old branch. The small group are seniors and had to be paid to act like they like me. The large group below are actually actors from the local stage school.

2006-09-27T04:45:00.000+09:00

It's not everyday you get to move to a tropical island to teach your mother tongue. In fact, it's pretty bloody rare. So, right now I am thinking of what got me in this position. Yes it's 4.45am and I should be alseep, but I've got so much to do! It's been a crazy crazy busy few days. Moving to Japan was a major event in my life, well, now it begins again. I'm starting to wonder if I was born a nomad. Designed to scour the earth looking for new challenges. Right now the biggist chalinge is lernin to spel so that my stoodents can benny fit from my abillytees wiv ingelish. So dat in da fuchure,we cn all speek the queens inglish. Safe!

2006-09-12T22:56:00.000+09:00

Here's my student Akiko with her saxaphone group dancing to some excellent Spanish band (out of shot). Behind is the free/flea market..you decide! Above this shot is me under a parasol. I never thought my day would come where I used a parasol. Before, I thought they were stupid, old fashioned and pointless. But, this particular one saved me from becoming a big fried pink English lobster!

2006-09-12T22:54:00.000+09:00

I had a sunday off recently (uberrare) so I went to a free market. Kinda like a car boot sale. It maybe called a flea market I'm not sure but you know what its like with r's and l's. Anyways, here's one of my students playing in her saxaphone group, she is just obscurred by the cheerleaders elbow. I think they were playing 'Hey Jude'

2006-09-12T22:52:00.000+09:00

Is that dog playing with a big wollen cock 'n' balls?

2006-09-12T22:46:00.000+09:00

Here's a video of an electrical storm Delphine and I saw the other night. It was in Ginza, Tokyo. We were wandering the streets at 3 am waiting for the main fish market to open...as you do. The sky was alight with huge random flashes but no sound. We were most puzzled. Ideas that sprung to mind were a light show at a concert, a movie being shot or heavy construction welding. Wrong! An amazingly silent electrical storm. It was special but also slightly unnerving. It was chasing us and making all our hairs stand on end...run Delphine run! Another amazing thing we saw was a naked tramp sitting on the side of the busiest junction with all but a bottle of whiskey...genius. We took time out to ask him how he got where he is right now and what we need to do to acheive the same. I will post more on the fish market when D gets her photos developed. Thats another story! Peace x

2006-08-21T20:31:00.000+09:00

2006-08-15T18:28:00.000+09:00

Here starts a selection of random pics from the last few weeks. We're gonna start with the old man cos the colour of this picture is amazing. Good face pops!

2006-08-15T18:26:00.001+09:00

These are the British bar owners who let us get away with murder.

2006-08-15T18:26:00.000+09:00

This is me on a racing bike in some British bar in Funabashi. I was out with me boy Rob. This is right before we stole the ketchup, coated the bar and i failed to ride the bike down the stairs and broke my wookie.

2006-08-15T18:24:00.000+09:00

Its a real mixed bag of nuts i know but I want to show you some random pictures. Here's me playing in a park in Omiya. Photography skills and design courtesy of Delphine!

2006-08-15T18:22:00.000+09:00

here's a workmate of mine, Shelley. She will really appreciate me putting this picture of her on my blog. She is a proper Jakey.

2006-08-15T18:19:00.000+09:00

Don't make me destroy you.

2006-08-15T18:18:00.000+09:00

This is me messing about with my flat mates present from his girlfriend. A Darth Vader voice changing thingy. Let me see you with my own eyes.

2006-08-15T18:16:00.000+09:00

Here's a nice pic of my mate Adam on his birthday t'other day. Right of him is Miho who had just finished lessons like us.

2006-08-01T22:58:00.000+09:00

This is classic...The last live act we saw were The Happy Mondays, who were rocking. This pic however is Bez's DJ set at 4am. This involved some other guy DJing while Bez danced around and shouted 'Moshi Moshi' to the crowd. It was a fitting end to great day/night out. Getting home was just a matter of catching the first bullet train from the nearest station. pretty much every seat was taken up by muddy sleeping concert goers. All the regular business men travellers had to stand...beautiful.

2006-08-01T22:55:00.000+09:00

This act were called 'Buffalo Daughter'. They were a Japanese band...kinda Goldfrapp meets Chillis meets Mylo. Anyways they were pretty rocking in places..unlike the subdued crowd. It was really frustrating. Funny thing was, two hours later we both check out this jazz band in a small tent/marquee thingy...and what happens? As the jazz band strike up, the crowd go nuts! We're talking Slayer mosh pit nuts..all elbows and fists! What the bobbins is going on Japan? You've got it all arse about face!

2006-08-01T22:48:00.000+09:00

This is the main stage. Currently playing are The Racontuers. Jack Whites new mish mash band. They were shite. Painting by numbers, run of the mill, 3 chord bollocks i love to slag off. Oh yeahhhhhh. Meeeooww. Saucer of milk, table 3.

2006-08-01T22:46:00.000+09:00

Here's a Canadian act..Broken Social Scene. We bundled our way rather easily through the crowd to get a better view. Thats the front , can you believe how non squashed we were. beautiful.

2006-08-01T22:44:00.001+09:00

As you can see the site was positioned in the mountains. It was visually stunning!

2006-08-01T22:44:00.000+09:00

Japanese crowds at festivals are pretty tame compared to other countries. So well behaved and silent inbetween songs. It's a little hard to imagine and sometimes annoying. Come on people..LET GO!

2006-08-01T22:42:00.000+09:00

Japanese hand. Note wonderfully manicured nails. No one in Japan has bad nails.

2006-08-01T22:41:00.000+09:00

Rinocerose! What an amazing French band. I recommend whole heartedly!

2006-08-01T22:39:00.000+09:00

Sunday Delphine and I went to FUJI ROCK...a massive outdoor festival...I reckon 250,000 people attended. It was huge. Here's D as we wait to enter.

2006-08-01T22:35:00.001+09:00

After the Onsen.

2006-08-01T22:35:00.000+09:00

This is an 'Onsen' This particular style is called a 'kashi kiri buro' (private onsen) This is filled with very hot volcanic natural spring water. You can sit in it for about an hour before you start to feel very dizzy indeed. The floating fruits were not a grocery accident. They are used to lessen the sulphur smell.

2006-08-01T22:30:00.000+09:00

Here we are on the way to IZU.

2006-08-01T22:29:00.001+09:00

Mmmmm fish head!

2006-08-01T22:29:00.000+09:00

Lovely orange yukata.

2006-08-01T22:28:00.000+09:00

Is this 492435? No, sorry it's 492434. Oh ok, sumimasen!

2006-08-01T22:27:00.000+09:00

It's been too long. I'm sorry. I have been really busy. last month I had a short vacation in IZU Attagawa. Here are the best photos from the trip. Delphine and I stayed in a traditional Japanese style hotel..'Ryokan'. We pretty much spent 3 days dressed in nothing but Yukata's. The food was all traditional Japanese fayre. You can see me eating a fish for breakfast..delicious. Delphine is seen using an old Japanese telephine that is connected direct to the Emperor's quarters..she wished him well.

2006-05-29T23:55:00.000+09:00

I thought I was a good dancer, but this picture proves otherwise. Shame.

2006-05-29T23:52:00.000+09:00

Here's another out the window shot. The reflection of the sun in the window makes the tree look on fire. In other news, I am moving house in two days. I will be offline for about 4 weeks so bare with me people. I'm moving into a 3 bedroom house with my current flatmate, Adam. Excited. The weather here is getting more humid everyday. Your face always has a thin film of sweat any time of the day. Wearing a suit in the humidity is quite a test. Water! I'd like to direct you to www.youtube.com ...user mjdp1978. Here you can see videos I have made for your enjoyment. I'm going to polish my shoes now as Delphine's father landed in Tokyo a few hours ago. One has to meet, greet and be on ones best behavior. Delphine and I also had some pictures taken together at a crazy Japanese photo booth. Expect them on here soon! xxx love ya. Mattyboy

2006-05-29T23:39:00.000+09:00

A classic bass face pose in dusky night club in Tokyo.

2006-05-03T15:34:00.000+09:00

The photography bike.

2006-05-03T15:33:00.000+09:00

Now, this deeley is a tricky one. You have to hop in a sort of rhythm to pilot it. I didn't bother with this bike because I saw what Adam looked like on it.

2006-05-03T15:32:00.001+09:00

Danger! Danger! No brakes!

2006-05-03T15:32:00.000+09:00

This shot is taken from one of the photography bikes.

2006-05-03T15:31:00.000+09:00

Here's Adam again on the 'danger' bike. Look at the fear in his eyes.

2006-05-03T15:30:00.000+09:00

here's Adam again on a crazy bike you steer like a tank. It has no free wheel action and no brakes. You stop this machine by snapping your ankles under the pedals, flying forward and using the friction between your face and the tarmac to slow you.

2006-05-03T15:28:00.000+09:00

Now here's an interesting deeley. To pilot this machine you have to swing your legs in and out. One lap on this baby complete renders you unable to walk. Great work out for the inner thigh though. My pelvic floor never felt so good.

2006-05-03T15:24:00.000+09:00

Here's yours truly. these trikes look fast but go really slow.

2006-05-03T15:23:00.000+09:00

What do you do on a sunny day when all the shops are shut? Yes, that's right, go to the crazy bike park with your flat mate. Here we have Adam, you remember him. He is riding a 3 wheeled trike. These were the best for taking photos.

2006-05-02T17:50:00.000+09:00

Yesterday was a day for trying out new things! I finished work at 2pm and had to get to Omiya by 2.30pm. How? By Shinkansen baby. Kumagaya to Omiya is a 45 minute train journey. However, Kumagaya to Omiya in the Shinkansen is a 9 minute journey. I was amazed. The doors slide open with a psssssstshshs. They are air locked for super speed travel. Its like entering Thunderbird 2, or 1, I dunno I was never into Thunderbirds. The big green one. Anyways, I met Delphine in omiya and couldn't really stand or sit still because I was buzzing from the super fast journey. This was a relatively short journey too. The train didn't even get out of 2nd gear. Delphine and I then visited an agency that deals with TV and film extra work. We signed up, had pictures taken and were measured thoroughly! I'll keep the blog posted if anything happens with that. After that we both travelled to Shimbashi to meet with an old university friend of Delphine's. Taka studied in Canada but now lives in his home country with his family. He was a great guy. He took us to a Thai restaurant which was my next 'new thing'. Sure I've had Thai food before, but in an authentic Thai restaurant? No. Oh my Lord Thai food where have you been all my life. Tom Yung Kun was something I really wanted to try. A sour soup loaded with chillis. It was heaven. Also on the menu was sumptuous spring rolls and green curry that made my taste buds implode. All washed down with delicious Singha beers of course. The day ended quietly. Heads lolling on the busy peasant style normal train. It had been 30 degrees all day and pretty much all evening. Nothing a cold shower and a cold beer couldn't fix.

2006-04-28T22:23:00.000+09:00

Japan has a hum about it tonight. Its Friday night, It's been a scorching day...25 C - 27 C. The night is slightly balmy in an English summer kind of way. People are milling around the station, cabs honk at each other in the neon glow. Business men stand in the road swaying from quantities of sake unknown. Karaoke noises wail from small dingy bars gaijin are not welcome at. It's all quite intoxicating. Last week Delphine and I finally found the 'all you can eat' Indian buffet we had heard so much about. It was delicious. Large hearty bowls of curry were set beside huge bowls of rice. Naan and poppadoms were constantly topped up so no one went short. It was so comforting to eat some Indian food. Englands national dish. After the feed we both drank a few strong drinks in a saloon style jazz bar. The night was completed with an overnight stay in a 'love hotel'. Whilst perusing the many different types of room available I saw this graffitti. (see pic) Don? You've been to Japan then mate? Summat your not telling us?

2006-04-15T23:44:00.000+09:00

Today I taught a lesson about awkward situations. For example: food stuck to teeth, flys undone, food on face and that really annoying thing that happens when your skirt gets stuck in your knickers. I told my students that when I was small and my fly's were undone, my mum would say 'You're flying low'. In Japan they say....'You're social window is open'. Social window. :O)

I took my guitar to work today. I was obligated to perform in a voice lesson (free ungraded chat room). I chose to teach a few chords and then got the students to sing 'Hey Jude'. It went well...applause! I applauded them, they did me proud.

Missing a decent thrash of an electric guitar though. Fingers itch.

2006-04-06T19:15:00.000+09:00

Word of the week: 'Basashi'
Basashi sashimi is delicious. It's raw horse meat. It tastes like its been hung for a short while. All the blood is gone and tender red meat remains. It's a personal favourite.

2006-04-06T18:48:00.000+09:00

So we sat under a tree, ate some noodles and drank a beer or two. We laughed at the business men playing with there torso. I played pink floyd on guitar but it was too cold. My hand cramped into a C chord shape. No good for floyd. On a brighter note I won a 'horny little devil' Zippo lighter at the rifle range....KAPOW!

2006-04-06T18:42:00.000+09:00

Like snow.

2006-04-06T18:41:00.000+09:00

Here's the blue tarps that people sit on and party. Delphine and I saw a group of 20 business men (very drunk) messing about with some manaquin legs. The body above the waist was missing. The legs also sported rather fetching red high heels.

2006-04-06T18:39:00.000+09:00

I really like the shadows created by the setting sun. Not bad for a camera phone!

2006-04-06T18:38:00.000+09:00

This is Omiya park. Beautiful isn't it.

2006-04-06T18:37:00.000+09:00

Hanami is one of the most popular events of Spring. Crowds of people - families, groups of friends, and groups from companies sit under the fully open cherry blossoms, usually on plastic tarps, and have a picnic celebration. The picnic fare consists of a wide variety of foods, snack foods, and sake (rice wine) or other drinks. The activities often include dancing and karaoke in addition to the cherry blossom viewing. In very popular places such as Ueno park and Aoyama Cemetary in Tokyo the competition for prime picnic spots is intense. Company groups and family members claim spots by arriving very early in the morning and sitting all day long until the real celebrations begin in the evening. It is not unusual to see a young man in a business suit sitting under a cherry tree early in the morning reserving a space for his company. The new employees are traditionally given this job of sitting all day long to reserve space for the company celebration.
In Japan, April is the beginning of the school year as well as the business financial year. Since the Heian Period (794-1185) flower-viewing parties were popular among the aristocracy. In the Azuchi Momoyama Period (1568-1600) the cherry blossom viewing spread out to the rest of the population.

2006-03-22T19:29:00.001+09:00

Yesterday I went to Nippori with Delphine and her visiting friend, Dave. It was a special public holiday where people visit the graves of there ancestors and clean them. It was so peaceful. Incense was burning everywhere so the smell was delicious and intoxicating. This picture was taken afterwards as we explored the little side streets. It was a beautiful day to get away from the rat race, really special.

2006-03-22T19:29:00.000+09:00

Ready for another day of learning Japan?

2006-03-22T19:27:00.001+09:00

Can't remember who this guy was. The man behind looks very scared though. Can't think why.

2006-03-22T19:27:00.000+09:00

This is Jeff, Adams step brother.

2006-03-22T19:26:00.000+09:00

My room mates parents visited last week. They were very generous. Adams dad treated us all to 3 hours of 'all you can drink' karaoke. This caused some very strange effects as you can see.

2006-03-22T19:24:00.000+09:00

I took this while riding along on my bike. Note the creasing in ones forehead caused by 4 hours on a bike seat.

2006-03-22T19:23:00.000+09:00

This is a huge pile of gravestones. It is also the entrance to the main graveyard. Different isn't it.

2006-03-22T19:21:00.000+09:00

Here is the shrine entrance. All the hanging lamp thingys click and clacker in the wind. Its very peaceful.

2006-03-22T19:20:00.000+09:00

Last week it was so warm I went on a 4 hour bike ride. Here's a pic taken in the local shrine in Ageo.

2006-03-22T19:19:00.000+09:00

This was a top night. Lots of singing!

2006-03-13T12:06:00.000+09:00

My probation will officially end at the start of April. I'm pleased. Feedback from my superiors remains positive. It's starting to warm up here. Spring and cherry blossom are only a week or two away. I can't wait. Sometimes these Buddhists make perfect sense. They celebrate good things like blossom, the summer and winter. Rather than highlighting death or a time to chastise oneself.

2006-03-09T18:23:00.001+09:00

For all your Gin N Tonic needs!

2006-03-07T23:59:00.000+09:00

I saw this japanese man today and the back of his anorak was leaping up and down, and people were chucking money to him.
I said "Do you earn a living doing that?"
He said "Yes, this is my livelihood."

2006-03-04T00:14:00.000+09:00

Today I had my final observation. This determines whether or not I come off probation and start earning the decent money. I think it went ok. If it didn't it's not the end of the world. I've hardly been here that long. It's so strange when I think back a few months. I'd be sat at the window with my mate Neil watching the world go by. We'd usually be drunk and I'd say...'In a month i'll be on the other side of the planet..hiccup.' It was so unbelievable then. Unfathomable.

I almost didn't make it. I remember thinking...'matty what are you doing going all the way to Japan.' I considered staying in the rut I'd happily dug. Now I am here I know I did the right thing.

After work today I met Adam and we went to the local Yaki Tori restaurant. It's a small pokey quaint place but it is ace. The guy who owns it is an old man known only as 'Master'. Adam speaks to him with his fluent Japanese while I sit, smile and order a 'nama biru'. Master never charges me for the beer i drink, just the food. Which at 600 yen for a full meal is very good value. (bout 3 quid) Master knows we are a long way from home so he looks after us. In return we dont shop around for any other Yaki Tori.

2006-03-01T20:36:00.000+09:00

Here's Adam. taken on a train inbetween boozers.

2006-03-01T20:35:00.000+09:00

Monday night I went to club in Roppongi called Lexington Queen. Sounds really gay but its not. For gentlemen its 20 quid to get in and you can drink for free until 5am. For the ladies its one pound fifty, I repeat one pound fifty for their entry. Did I mention that they can drink for free as well until 5am?
I was joined by Delphine, Adam, Josh and Darren who are all fellow teachers. As you can imagine the gin flowed like water. :oP yum. We all had requested songs which were eventually played. So, surrounded by Russian models, we danced the night away!
At 5am the boys went in search of kebab. One doesn't care for kebab so Delphine and I sought more refined nourishment. A large bowl of udon and some tempura later we were on our way back to Saitama.
I'm kicking myself because it was such a good night but I didn't take any pictures. Fool.

2006-03-01T20:27:00.000+09:00

I currently live in a 3 bedroom apartment with a chap called Adam. He is from Atlanta which is in the youuuu essss of ay. He's a good lad. Likes his movies, music. Rates my guitar playing so he's safe! We are planning to move to cheaper accomodation soon because its more economical to go private. He has excellent Japanese skills which is very handy when talking in rental shops. My Japanese is still limited unless you want a beer, a gin or want to know where the toilet is.

2006-03-01T20:21:00.000+09:00

This is Darren. He was also on the flight from Heathrow. He is from London. Again we all try and meet up at least once a month.
Special move: One Inch Punch

2006-03-01T20:13:00.000+09:00

This is Sam. She was also on the flight over from England. We may live miles from each other but the three of us always try and go out at least once a month.

2006-03-01T20:12:00.000+09:00

This is Rob. He is from Barry island in South Wales. He was on the same flight over to Japan and shares the same interest in beer as me. On this particular night out we met the Keiser Chiefs drinking in an Irish bar. Nights out usually end with kareoke. Entertainers till the end!

2006-03-01T20:02:00.001+09:00

This is me and my friend

2006-03-01T19:19:00.000+09:00

So here I am
Saitama, Japan
Coffee in a can
4 ft 2 barman

No more cheese
Kit kats taste of trees
All kinds of green teas
At kareoke, free peas (they may be beans, I dunno)