I can’t wait for Wednesday. It’s my first hockey practice in ten years! The equipment has been bought, and the excitement is mounting. The only thing I’m missing now is a practice jersey. I can’t wait!
Archive for October, 2004
This is the second year I’ve participated the Murone Village Halloween and Street Hockey Party. This year I helped out with setup and logistics, and I made a Travolta robot that comes out strutting to “Staying Alive”, and then hands out candy to the kids. I got the idea for this costume from my friends who did a “Robots for the vote” campaign earlier in the year. The kids were all over me when I came out. I almost toppled over. I’d like to extend a big hand of thanks to Greg and Nami who organize this every year. It gives underprivileged Japanese children the chance to experience another crazy pagan holiday by nutty westerners!
Earlier in the day we had a street hockey game to kick off the festivities; then we all headed to Hill Top steak house for tasty steaks. Now we can say that Japan knows how to rock Halloween!
If you had read my previous post, then you’d know that I climbed Iwaki Mountain over the weekend. It’s 1625 meters high and a pain to climb. We did it! After 8 total hours of up and down insanity, we then partied at an all you can eat yakiniku place. In the morning, I made my return to Senmaya. My next goals are Iwate Mountain(2000 meters)and then Mount Fuji (3900 meters.) I will climb them all!
I watched this great flash film the other day(Thanks Something Awful.) If only we could all save the world with our powers of sassy basketball! This reminds me so much of those 70’s cartoons with the funky musical interludes. And what’s with the guy that sounds like Bill Cosby?!?! Hey Hey Hey!
Egad! Hockey equipment is a lot more expensive in Japan than in Canada! I guess that is the price I pay for my passion! If hockey won’t come to me this season, then I’m coming to it. Apparently, I get an ID card that allows me into the dressing room areas of all the major rinks in Iwate-ken. Odd, but I guess it’s a necessity. Perhaps I’ve said too much already.
In other news, I will be climbing Mount Iwaki this weekend. Why am I climbing a 1400 meter mountain when winter is coming soon? Because I can, that’s why. If I survive, you’ll hear about it next week. The last time I scaled a mountain like this was when I was in 6th grade. Ahh, the memories.
You know, it’s funny sometimes… I live Japan, teach English and enjoy finding myself; however, sometimes, thanks to the Internet, I am able to regress into my previous way of living. It’s those times when I feel like I’ve never left home.
As an example of this, I was talking with my friend Ian one evening, and he noted that it was like I was still in Edmonton, only working really odd hours. He never sees me, but he can contact me whenever he wants to. The internet has taken the shock and isolation of being in a new country and damped it. I think it’s a good thing; however, it could also have an opposite effect. Maybe there is something positive about being cut off from your previous life that I will never benefit from. Who knows.
These past few months, I’ve also been having some aboulic moments. Moments where I am faced with a decision, and just do nothing! I wonder if Japan is causing me to think differently. I sure hope I don’t freeze up when faced with a major decision.
Feel free to check out Iwate Life! It’s my new Japanese blog. Your computer has to be able to read Japanese in order to read this. Good luck!
