Archive for the 'Sports' Category

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Game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals

Published on June 5, 2006 in Sports. 0 Comments

At the moment, I am sitting at my desk here at work, straining not to lose control. I have the Internet but have somehow managed to avoid seeing any results. We have sky perfect here in Japan, and my friend Greg invited me over to watch the game this evening as he taped it earlier in the day. If I can hold out until 8pm I can avoid spoiling the results for myself.

Let me tell you, this is not easy. Do you know how many places on the Internet will give you sports scores? I have avoided all the usual suspects, including sports and news channels. I have also been avoiding forums where I know the score could be leaked. I almost got one when checking my google mail(stupid ad ticker at the top had an ESPN news feed on it.) With classes and prep work, I have been able to avoid this so far. Here is hoping I can endure.

Go Oilers Go!!!!

Published on May 28, 2006 in Sports. 0 Comments

I made a number of sacrifices when I came to Japan. I knew there would be things that I wouldn’t be able to do and people that I wouldn’t see anymore. One thing, however, that I didn’t see coming would be a return to the Stanley Cup Finals by my favorite hockey team, The Edmonton Oilers. That might have been one sacrifice too much.

Those that know me know that I am a devoted Oilers fan and have been since 1994. I missed the years they were winning their Championships, but have stuck with them through their “rebuilding” years. I was there in 1997, screaming like a lunatic when Todd Marchant put the puck in during game 7 and eliminated the Dallas stars. I was there when they were almost sold to an American investor and shipped off to god knows where. I was the when they kept getting tossed from the playoffs by Dallas. I was there when they got their third jersey and I was there during the lockout, wondering if the Oilers would ever be able to remain in Edmonton.

And now that they are going to the Stanley Cup, where I am? I am about 14 000km away from home and feeling a strong longing to be back cheering them on. I can’t tell you why I like hockey so much. I can’t explain why I will listen to as many Oilers games as I can on Internet radio. Maybe it’s just something in my blood. Regardless, this has been a bittersweet time for me. There is really only one thing I can do at the moment, and that is to cheer on my hockey team with all my energy. I won’t be on Whyte Ave or on Jasper Ave, nor I won’t be at Rexall place. I will be here in northern Japan, screaming my lungs out every time Rod Phillips screams at the top of his lungs, “He scores.” I am an Oilers fan for life, and no matter where I live on this vast planet, I will always cheer the men in blue. GO OILERS GO! I know you’re going to win this one.

World Cup Fever

Published on May 16, 2006 in Sports. 0 Comments

There are only twenty some odd days left until one of the most watched sporting events in the world begins. Now unless you’ve been hanging out with the penquins in Antarctica for the past 65 years, you know I’m talking about the World Cup of Soccer.

I bet you’re wondering why the hell I’m talking about the World Cup on a blog that focuses in all things coming out of Iwate, Japan. Didn’t they have their world cup already? Isn’t it in Germany now. Well, it seems we have a homegrown hero here in Iwate and I wanted to wish him the best. Midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara was born in Ofunato（大船等）and has been selected to represent Japan in Germany. This will be his second appearance in the World Cup, although his first in 2002 was only as a subsitute in one game. When he isn’t generating national pride he’s playing for the Kashima Antlers. So here’s wishing you luck and hoping that you get more field time. You can bet that I’ll be cheering on Japan as they attempt to equal or beat their 2002 effort. You can beat that I will be trying to equal or beat the amount of beer that I consumed in 2002. You can all wish me luck!

Where There is Snow

Published on March 6, 2006 in Sports and Travel. 0 Comments

Niigata Ski trip 2006
Originally uploaded by jasohill.

Me and the guys hit the slopes in Niigata this past weekend. I’m not the greatest with skiing, however, I tried using some mini skis. I am happy to report that I suffered no serious injuries whatsoever. In fact, I was able to stay on my feet the entire weekend.

The scenery in this area is simply amazing. It reminds me of the Canadian Rockies. There was a ton of snow, but the weather was fantastic.

The Gods of Hockey are Angry Today

Published on February 23, 2006 in Sports. 0 Comments

Today was a bad day in the world of hockey. Well, at least it was from my point of view. Not only did Team Canada get eliminated from the Olympic tournament by Russia, but later that evening, my team got crushed 17-0 by a local Morioka High School team. No, that was not a typo. That was a seventeen. It was not the best way to end my hockey season. To top things off, I also sustained an upper thigh injury during the game. Nothing ruins a Canadian’s day more than telling him or her that their national team just got ousted. At least for now, we have the champion women’s team to show the men how it’s done. Mind you, it would be nice if countries other than Canada, America and Sweden treated women’s hockey like a real sport. Then the tournament wouldn’t seem to lopsided.

In other news, I have a job interview on Monday for another teaching gig that would start shortly after my JET contract ends. I’ll be sure to let you all know how that goes. I’m very keen on remaining in Japan for at least two more years. I can’t get enough of this country.

Hockey Night in Morioka

Published on January 29, 2006 in Iwate and Sports. 0 Comments

Hockey Night in Morioka
Originally uploaded by jasohill.

Most of the games have been cancelled this year. But that hasn’t stopped us from coming out and enjoying a few practices. Here is Ben coming around for the puck. We wear helmets but its looks much better this way for a photograph.

The season lasts until the middle of February and then it’s over for another year. This is my last chance to get in shape before spring.

Rocking the Rinks

Published on November 15, 2005 in Sports. 0 Comments

Skating day in Kanegasaki
Originally uploaded by jasohill.

The Canadian crew was out in force in Kanegasaki on Sunday. We hit the rink and had a good warm up for the upcoming hockey season. We can least be sure we won’t fall on our asses during our first game.

We also ran into some young hockey players from Ichinoseki. We played games with them and attempted to engage them in English conversation. After that failed we worked on our Japanese instead.

Where were you on February 16th?

Published on February 16, 2005 in Sports. 0 Comments

Where were you on February 16th? That was the day the NHL decided to cancel the 2004-2005 season. I heard about it, even though I am currently living in Japan. When hockey is your favorite sport, it’s hard not to know about it. This news, added to the slew of other bad things that have happened to me this week, has taken it’s total. For the first time since I came to Japan, I am showing signs of depression. It’s nothing serious, and could possible be related to culture shock. But I am not very happy at this time. Not only am I depressed, but I’m rather angry as well. My one desire is that warm spring days come soon. I think it is the only thing that can help me at this time.

Cold Winter Daze.

Published on February 3, 2005 in Senmaya and Sports. 0 Comments

Jan 29 2005 019
Originally uploaded by jasohill.

The days are short and the nights are chilly. The only thing that keeps me going is my love for hockey. Sadly, being down a goal makes me sad. Lucky for us, we won this one.

In other news, I’ve started a blog for my Eikaiwa(conversation class) in Senmaya. You can fine it if you go to http://senkaiwa.blogspot.com. I’m hoping I’ll get my students to post on here eventually.

He shoots….

Published on December 5, 2004 in Sports. 0 Comments

Friday was a good day in some ways and a bad day in others. I scored my first goal on Friday with my new team. It was a nice back hand shot off a pass. Sadly, it was the only goal, and we ended up losing 7-1. Oh well. Can’t have your cake and eat it too; though, I never understand how anyone could want cake and not be able to eat it.

On Sunday I wrote the level 2 Japanese Proficiency exam in Sendai. It was not good. I don’t think I passed it this year. I wasn’t really expecting to, but we’ll see how it goes. Next year for sure. At least I’ve passed one exam. It was nice to be back at a University again(Touhoku University.) I’ll just have to keep crunching away learning new words and expressions for now. After all, the goal is to learn, and not just to pass. I would love to be proficient in both Japanese and English so that someday I could interpret and translate. Alas, today is not that day.