Summer's last days - random thoughts

Summer is almost coming to an end. The news programs all have been reporting that the autumn air should be hitting our region soon. I feel the difference already, however the nights are still relatively humid so I still leave the AC on at nights.

I bought a grill earlier in the summer but never got around to use it. I want to use it at least once before summer officially ends, whenever that is. I joined a new basketball team recently. I actually came up with the name, "Team Hyper Force". The leader of the team wants to do a BBQ sometime in the coming weeks. I hope to get some usage of the grill at that time. I've been to about 3 practices with this team so far. People are still coming in and out, so I'm not sure exactly who will be regulars but so far everyone that I met have been nice. The team as you can guess is brand new which is why I had an opportunity to name it. Our name is officially registered in our part of the city. The guy who organized it ultimately wants us to enter basketball tournaments. Honestly right now, we suck, especially yours truly. During the few practices, I've attended, I've been Mr. Turnover and the brick layer. There are a couple good players that I've seen but for the most part everyone is a little past "beginner" level, at least from my perspective.

Joining an official Japanese club/team near its inception is really interesting. I've never been a part of one before, but the feeling is exactly like a club that you join when you are in Junior High/High school. There are meetings within practices, self appointed leaders, and assigned areas of responsibilities. One of those practices, I remember I was shooting around with some other guys and then I heard a voice saying "The leader has called a meeting.. everyone gather around". So everyone stopped what they were doing and formed a circle around the leader. I've been watching some Japanese dramas taken place in a high school and the exact same things happen. Its really amusing.

Finally, I've been wondering what I should do with NFL FFL. I belong to two leagues, one of those leagues is free and the other one has a 20 dollar buy in. I always loved doing fantasy but this season I haven't been keeping up. I want to, but work has made my life pretty much one dimensional. The deadline to decide whether to be active or not in my leagues is later this week. Hmm.. what should I do? If I do join, I have to find out who the studs and sleepers are for this season. Got any hot picks?

Summer vacation part 2

Its been really busy at work. Everyday there is a fire drill. Its been crazy. Also found out last week that one of my coworkers got the "swine flu" so people who worked near him have to be tested. Luckily for me, its been so busy at work that I only ventured to the office once last week so I'm safe. Actually.. its been so busy that I hardly left my home office room and barely saw any sun light. I believe the only time I experienced the sun hitting my face was that one time I went to the office last week. Anyways, here is the second batch of pics from my summer vacation.

Yokohama -





Pics above were taken at a sky restaurant in Landmark Tower. Food was good, but views were better.









The Yokohama Ramen museum. It was pretty cool that they used a 1950's backdrop and had the ramen shops inside.





Chinatown in Yokohama. Its been a while since I last came here, maybe like over 7 years ago? Anyways.. lots of great restaurants, but I didn't see any bootleg CD/DVD stores anywhere.


Disney Sea -

My brother loved Disney Sea when he went there for the first time last year, so we had to make another trip. This place is always fun.










Roppongi Hills -





Views from atop of Mori Building. These views weren't cheap at all.


Tokyo Dome City -



This water show wasn't as magnificent as the one in Vegas, but it was nice.



Home of the Yomiuri Giants.


Odaiba -






Yep, people from the city of "obama" was there promoting the U.S. president and then their city.





Went to see Japan's newest Military Defense unit, aka Gundam.



It was huge.

Summer vacation part 1

Life has finally gotten back to normal, or at least back to the routine I was used to. Lots of things have happened in the past few weeks. It all seems like a dream to me to be honest. I wished and still wish that it never ended. I guess that is exactly the purpose of a vacation, to get oneself out of reality for a while. Anyways, I can't go into too much detail of everything because my work is starting to get hectic again, but here is part 1 of some of the pictures I've taken during my vacation:

Kyoto:



I love Kyoto.. it was cloudy that day but it was still a nice view.



This was awesome place. Lots of shopping and restaurants by the river. Its like Georgetown on steroids. I wish I lived near here.





I saw lots of people taking pictures of the reflection of the gold shrine, so I did the same.



I love Kyoto food.



Old school train that we took to get around Kyoto. Very different than the trains I usually take in Tokyo.






Last time I saw this tower was when I was in Kyoto with Nam back in 2003/2004. Memories.







Of course can't forget the shrines.



Osaka:



American village in Osaka. It was a cross between Harajuku and Roppongi.



I also love Osaka food. I love the Okonomiyaki here and in Hiroshima.


Matsue:





Like Kyoto Tower, I haven't been back to Matsue castle since I last lived in Yonago.



Fireworks during Matsue Festival. I really love summer time in Japan.


Of course a dream isn't complete without a rainbow:




I still have plenty of other pictures so part 2 will be posted up soon when I get a chance to take another break from work.