Hokkaido Baby!!!

I finally can start my winter vacation. I got to Hokkaido today and its cold!!! But feels so good to be here. Christmas eve and looking forward to spending the night tonight with some friends. I will be here for a couple of weeks and plan to do a lot of skiing and eating!! Its good to be away from work for a while and its good to be away from Nagoya. Nagoya is a nice place but my heart has always been in Hokkaido. So I will stay here at my place just playing games and playing. I am ready to start this holiday!!

ok so its 3 days before Christmas. I am sitting here on a train riding across Tokyo to a meeting. I have the most stupid song stuck in my head. Now here in Japan there is a song that is pretty popular just in time for the holidays. Its called "A winter fairy is melting a snowman". No lie this is the name and this is the chorus of the song. Its a little crazy and gets stuck in your head.

So I am sitting here now with this song and I am thinking.... "what the hell does this song mean??" "A winter fairy is melting the snowman"?? What is that?? So is the winter fairy a bad fairy. She is melting the snowman so is she killing a snowman? Is the fairy a witch?? Its interesting to hear some of these songs when they throw in English. I mean its Japanese English but still makes no sense....hehe. Anyway, if you have a chance check out the song... its likely it will get stuck in your head too... then you will think "what does this mean??"

Singles in there 40s in your area!!

I am getting old I guess. About 6 months ago I was getting spam advertising single available women in my area of Nagoya...hehe. Now all of a sudden the 30s have changed to 40s... I am now getting spam telling me there are single women available in their 40s in my area... So what happened in 6 months?? Am I now not able to date single women in their 30s???? Funny!! 20s, 30s, 40s.... who cares??!! But I will always be in my 30s.....at least in my heart.

And suddenly all hell breaks loose...

So I was having a great autumn. I went to a lot of places and really
enjoyed the whole autumn atmosphere. Then all of a sudden all hell breaks
loose. Last week my eyes were infected with something. It appears I had an
allergic reaction which happens once in a while. actually its been a long
time since I really had something like this. My eyes became really red and
swollen. It got so bad last Wednesday I couldn`t even open them and ended
up taking the day off. Then the following day they were really bad and I
took that day off too. By Saturday morning my eyes were a little better.
Still very red. I look like a zombie or something. But then as I thought
this may finally heal, I got thrown into a migraine.

I used to get migraine headaches a lot growing up. Sometimes they are so
bad that I need to be alone in a dark room with really no sound. I had some
special treatment done about 10 years ago. From that my migraines basically
stopped and I had been almost migraine free. But then all of a sudden on
Saturday BOOM... I was hit. Its been a long time but I felt it coming and
knew what it was. So I ended up in bed all weekend with a very bad
migraine. Then on top of that I caught a cold and so while I have really
red sore eyes and a killer headache, I also now have a really bad sore
throat and basically I just feel so weak right now. Crazy right??

So I spent the whole weekend just dying in bed....but luckily I always have
drugs on me and that helped. Today is Monday. I woke up and went to the
doctors office to get checked out. My doctor was surprised at everything I
have. But he is telling me he thinks some of this may be related to stress.
I don`t know. I don`t feel to stressed but you never know. Still, I ended
up getting like 8 different kids of pills and some eye drops. Really crazy.
I am looking at all these pills thinking I can`t believe I need to take all
of these. But hopefully they will get me back to normal. I need to get back
to normal fast. Andy is headed to Florida this next weekend for a tennis
tournament. I can`t go but my parents will meet him there and support him.
I will get to watch him from the internet. So anyway crazy how things
change.

Before my hell started I did enjoy some good places in Kyoto again. I went
to 2 places I have never been. The autumn leafs were just beautiful. Some
pics are below. So anyway fall is over and winter is here!! I am ready to
do some skiing this winter in Hokkaido. I will be ready to go after I get
healthy!!
Always a traffic Jam on a Saturday morning..... I had lots of time to sit in the car and take this picture....
I love Japanese Maples!!

Andy took a picture of me just as I was going to take one of him...

Kyoto

Fukushima

Wow November is coming to an end... the time flew. I have been away on business and play. Its been a very busy month so far.

We went to the see the snow monkeys in Nagano a couple of weeks ago. It was kind of fun to watch the wild monkeys. I have seen this place on National Geographic but always wanted to go see for myself. So we did. There were monkeys everywhere. Lots of little babies too. Kind of cute.



This past weekend I drove up to Fukushima. Its been 13 years since I have been there. I met some friends and enjoyed the weekend. Lots of good food in Fukushima. Spent the night at a nice hot spring hotel and just really was able to relax. Kind of a long drive though. Almost 7 hours after passing thru Tokyo. But a fun drive and good times.... Pics coming soon...

Autumn in Japan really is the best time to be here. I love the weather and food. Its really just beautiful. This weekend its off to Kyoto. It should be beautiful. I think fall is basically over now and winter is getting here fast. Today back in Utah was a major blizzard. I don`t miss that weather but I do miss the skiing...

Well its been a fast month for sure. I am ready for the New Years... let`s party!!

ahhh sunday... Its been a crazy 2 days. I had 8 boys sleep over at my house on Friday night. Andy and a bunch of friends. I decided to be the cool dad and take them all bowling and pick up a bunch of food for them. We then came back and they watched movies and played video games until 4am... THEN... we had to get up at 6am to be at a baseball game at 7am... So the team played with only a coupld hours of sleep. I am sure the could loved that!! hehe. But it wore me out. Yesterday I basically just layed around and slept on and off. Watched a couple of movies and ended up being a couch potatoe. But I needed that I guess. I watched the movies Fanboyz and also The rocker. Both good shows and had me laughing. But both of them are actually so stupid they are funny.

Today is finally Sunday. I am still a little dead. Its been a while since I was a teenager. When I was in high school I was up all night on the weekends. I hit the partys and had a good time. Andy now at that age makes me feel I have really become an old man...hehe. But hey I still like to party and my son and his friends think I am still young and cool. At least I have them believing...hehe. We were bowling and they were all looking at the girls. They would ask me if I though this girl was cute or that girl was cute. I told them I could not say. But I know they all have good taste..hehe. Well time for some more sleep...

October is here!!

My favorite month of the year. I love October!! I love the fall season. Why?? Too many reasons but here are some.

- Football season is here!! - Go Broncos!!
- Baseball Playoffs - Go Yankees!!
- Basketball season starts - Go Utah Jazz!!
- The food in autumn is awesome!! I love fall food... especially pumpkins and corn
- The weather is awesome!! I love a little cooler air and nice fall weather. Perfect for enjoying outside.
- The fall colors are awesome!! Fall is a great place to enjoy the mountains and autumn leafs.

I could go on and on. I think fall is the best month of the year. Good sports, food, weather, and even fall clothes!!

Here in Japan I call it "Pirate Season". The Japanese girls love to wear boots that look like they came off a pirate...hehe. Actually its a very cute look but kind of funny. I mean as soon as October hits it seems many of the women and girls are wearing the same outfits. But its a good look I must say. As for me I guess I am the same. I love to put on the hoody sweat shirt...

Another reason why I love fall this year is because my buddies are back!!



Show opens today!! Wish I was back in the states I missed those guys... But soon enough.

Well 2010 is coming to a close. Its been a crazy year for sure. But for now I am loving this weather in Nagoya!!

Nozomi 100.... Its my ride every Wednesday morning. The bullet train from Nagoya to Tokyo. I get on this thing almost every Wednesday at 7:15am... Then sometimes on the Fresh Hitachi at 9:30 am to Tsuchiura.... Wednesdays are crazy for me.

So now I sit on the Fresh Hitachi listening to some good music typing this blog. The weather is excellent here still much better than Nagoya. The air is a little cool and crisp. Love fall!!

Last week I did a hike in Mie. It was a good one that took all day. I was dead when I got home but felt great. From the top of the mountains I could see Nagoya and the ocean. Also ran into some monkeys along the way. Next weekend its the North Alpst. I have been studying this for a few weeks now. The area has a lot of trekking trails. So I am going to hit it this weekend and also go back next weekend. The autumn leaves are out there and its going to get cold. So I think I only have the next couple of weeks.

So I guess my life lately has been work on the weekdays and hike on the weekends... Japan has a lot of beautiful country. So I guess I want to get out and see as much as possible. Tennis has taken a back seat for me the last month. Next month I will be back at it. Andy of coarse is still playing daily and getting ready for a tournament here in Aiichi. He gets frustrated playing in Japanese tournaments but its good for him because the play seems a little different here. So life is busy and the scenery is beautiful!!!

Ok... revenge is finished...

Last Saturday, Andy and I climbed Mt. Fuji again. This time we started climbing at 12:00 am (midnight). We climbed all night and reached the top in the morning. We didn`t make the top to see the sunrise. We were at the 9.5 stage but close enough. Andy was dead. We didn`t get any sleep and we basically hiked and rested here and there all night. But the weather was beautiful. Although the climbing season is over, there were still a lot of people and the parking lot was full. But it was a great climb and we were dead when we reached the top.

Here is the sunrise at 5:30am from 9.5 stage.. almost at the top..



Andy on the top...


We had a good time and it really felt good to get out and work my body hard. I felt like I cleaned my body and head at the same time. It was refreshing. But after we got down I had a hard time driving back to Nagoya. I was dead tired. Andy was asleep next to me of coarse. So I had the music loud and drank Pepsi the whole time driving back... we got home and sleep the rest of the day... It was a good day..

Because I have been playing tennis and riding my mountain bike pretty hard during the week I felt I was in good shape....So that was good... Next on our list now we will go to the Japan Northern Alps at the end of this month for a couple of days of trekking. So we are excited to go see some other scenery and I hear its beautiful this time of year...

Well tomorrow its back to work... good thing we have the weekends to play...

I`M BACK!!

Wow the month flew by. Where do I start???

I took a quick trip to Hokkaido for a drive. This was really needed as I
was starting to feel pretty stressed and tired from my work. I needed to
get away. So I took a weekend and went up there and listened to music and
just drove and enjoyed the fresh air. It was beautiful and the air was
good!!

The next weekend I flew to America. It was interesting. I was stopped at
the Airport in Nagoya. My passport didn`t have a Japanese return permit. I
got a new visa but forgot the return permit. So immigration at the airport
wouldn`t let me fly. I was shocked. I talked to immigration and they said
if someone in my family was dying or some kind of emergency then I would
qualify to fly home without it this time. But this was not the case. I was
a little stressed because I was going to a concert that night I get to
Utah. So I was thinking I will miss the concert. Immigration asked me if
there was any other reason why I needed to fly home today. I told them I
had a concert to go to. It was funny. They thought I was giving a concert
when I told them. They asked what kind of music. I said Rock. So they
started thinking I was in a rock band or something and was going to miss a
concert in Utah. Well I didn`t tell them that was not the case. I could see
they were now thinking to let me go. So I just let them think I was some
rock star. They said ok and I paid my \3000 to get the emergency return
permit and was able to go. It was so funny...

So I flew to Utah and had enough time to shower and go to the concert. I
spent 1 week in Utah. It was so nice to be at my home and in my bed. It was
fun to play with my toys too....I missed driving my toys... I had to do a
lot of yard work though. But I cleaned my place up pretty good. I went to 2
concerts in Utah and I think I saw maybe 3 or 4 movies. So it was a busy
week. I saw my favorite band Rush and also went to "Dave Mathews Band"
which is another of my favortie groups. It was good to get outside and
party with friends and good music.



I had really good seats at the Rush concert....


I took a drive above my house in the mountains...


This is the view just above my house.... down there is my house...


After a week I flew down to California to be with my son. He was at
Stanford training in the US Junior Nationals. I watched him play his final
tournement of the season. He did really well. He took 4th place at the
tournament. This was a very big one and he looked good. But I was very
stressed out watching him. I can`t watch him play because I get too
involved in the game and too worried about his play. So I am more stressed
and nervious than he is. But it was fun and he did good and learned a lot.
But he was worn out. He has been playing so hard and training so hard. His
body was just worn down. So he needs a break too.

After California I was on a business trip then back to Japan. I arrived in
Japan and just a couple days later went and climbed Mt. Fuji... I was
dead!! But the bad thing is I was with some friends who all got tired and
sore at the 8th stage. They all gave up. I was feeling ok and ready to go
to the top. But at the 8th stage everyone voted to retire. I couldn`t
believe it....hehe. So I spent the day climbing and never got to the top...
SOOOOOO... I decided I am going again this weekend. I will take my son who
came home with me. We are going to climb Friday night in order to see the
sunrise on Saturday morning... I hope the weather is good and we make it...
this story is to be
continued ............................................................................................

August is here...

The month of my birth... Last weekend I took a quick trip up to Hokkaido for a drive. It was a very quiet weekend. It was just me driving and enjoying the fresh air. I went down around Toyako lake and over to Muroran. This was the first city I came to when I first visited Japan. It always has a special place in my heart. I lived there for about 6 months and loved it. I have been back often but its been a few years so I decided to go and see some of my favorite places. I bumped into some old friends as well. Then headed up to Noboribetsu onsen. There I relaxed in the hot springs and just walked around and enjoyed the atmosphere. It was really needed. The weekend was fast but really good. I have decided I need that more often.

Well tomorrow now I am back on a plane to Utah. I will go back to the United States and have a very busy schedule. I will go to my house in Utah. I look forward to seeing my place and toys. Also to sleep in my bed in a much cooler house. After about a week there I will head down to California to see Andy. Then my trip is over and its back to work. But the next 2 weeks at least I hope to be able to relax. At least next week I can because Japan is basically shut down. But the week after that Japan is back in business so I am sure there is going to be some fire I have to deal with. At least for the next couple days I am not going to think about work... it should feel good....

Isn`t life just interesting??? I mean really... its pretty interesting...
People are pretty interesting too..... this week has been a pretty bad week for me. Generally I don`t share my feelings when I am having a bad week. But hey everyone has bad days right?? So I have had mine. Its a little crazy. The last 10 years of my life have been very interesting. I have made a lot of changes in my life the last 10 years. The changes have not been easy. Actually very difficult. But I did it because I had a dream and hoped things would work out. I did it because my heart knew it was right. But the stress of the changes were tough on me and those special people it affected. In fact the person I wanted to protect got hurt the worst in the changes.

Its strange. I mean I have always tried to do the right thing. I am a person who continually changes. I believe you have to change your life before your life changes you. I know people who are afraid of change. Change is tough and its scary. But for me its always been what I do. I change. I was never the type of person who could just sit around and have the same life day after day. I am not saying thats bad. I am saying I am different. I was referred to as a "hunter" last fall by a friend. He told me I am a hunter because I am always needing to hunt for something. I didn`t really understand but do now. I guess in a way I always hunt for change. But when it comes to things that are important to my heart, I never change. So I can`t understand I guess when other peoples hearts do. But I understand my changes and the stress involved in the changes made other people change and gave them stress. But I also believe it forgiveness and 2nd chances. Especially when something is so right and so true, I believe you have to fight for it and never give up. I can`t understand people who quit fighting. I guess they become tired. They become too stressed. I can understand that. But I never wanted to do that. Anyway,,,,,, this week someone in my life basically just threw me in a fire. I have tried for years to get this person to understand some important things. I have tried and apologized over and over again for my mistakes. But it appears this person will never give me a chance to make things right. Especially when I spent the last 10 years of my life slowly trying to make things right. Then, when everything is perfect..... boom!! I get thrown in the fire... like I said... isn`t life interesting?? I love it!!!..... all the drinks in the world can`t make me feel better this week... But thats life I guess. Some people make life harder than it needs to be I guess. Anyway, I guess I am glad I have people in my life who are a little more understanding and forgiving. Although it hurts... I guess its those people who really matter in the end. Thank you Mizuho!!!

On the positive side of my week I got a video from Andy`s coach. I guess they take daily video and train as well. So this was the video of his first day in a few light shots. Still was good to see him and I am looking forward to seeing him in a couple of weeks... For friends you can see the video below. For those who don`t know this is my son who is 13 years old. He loves tennis, long hair, AC/DC, sushi, and now getting to the age where girls are starting to look good as well.....




So anyway it was good to see him. Well its Thursday. This hell week is almost over. Tomorrow its work and then I am headed to Hokkaido for a drive. That I really need. But wished it could be a little different. I had other plans for a drive but that idea got thrown on the fire too.... too much fire this week... I guess next week may be better. We all have bad days right?? Just like those guys in the video I posted a while ago..

Well Monday is over... I survived... I was not looking forward to today at all. But its over and the week will go on.....

Saturday and Sunday I didn`t have any plans. When I have no plans I usually go hit tennis balls with my ball machine. I play with my son Andy and some friends and other people but sometimes I just have no plans and feel like just hitting some balls and practicing. So thats what I did. Craig you wanted to see a picture of the court and the machine so I decided to take a quick little stupid video.... Check it out below.





Andy is at Stanford at the Jr. Nationals so my biggest rival and buddy is gone. But he told me to practice hard which I will do. But his level has become much higher than me and he is young.... it really sucks to get old...

So my weekend is over and my work week has started. This week I will spend 3 days in Tsukuba and Tokyo.... a little busy but its ok. Next weekend I guess I will be playing more tennis and hitting more balls..... if only it wasn`t so damn hot!

Sunday night....

I hate Sunday nights. I am not sure of how many people actually like Sunday nights. There was a time in my life when I didn`t mind it. But now due to the stress of my job I just hate Sundays starting around 5pm..... Thats about when I start thinking about Monday..... and I HATE MONDAYS!!!! But such is life I guess. My summer break is only about 3 weeks away so I guess I can survive. But really I need a break quick.

I found this video below which basically describes how I feel sometimes. But to be honest, I really like my company and I love what I do. I love living in Japan and its going really good for me. I don`t like the Japanese work live balance. I don`t believe there is any balance. I do miss my hobbies and the free time to also enjoy my life. But this schedule isn`t forever I guess. I am just happy to be doing what I am doing and hopefully I can get a little better balance between my personal life and work life. But unfortunately I think that will never happen in Japan. At least I have become used to this schedule. Besides... the food is awsome here!!!! hehe...


Bad Day At The Office - Watch more Funny Videos

Summer is here!!! But its still the rainy season in Nagoya. I hate this weather. Too hot and too humid. I complain every year at this time though. This is when I really am ready to get up to Hokkaido and enjoy some better weather. Or at least back to the US...

My son flew out last week to Stanford University to the tennis academy there. So its another summer without out him. But he is ready to go and I am wishing I was there later this summer to watch his tournaments. But maybe next year. As for me I guess its just me and my silent partner.... thats my tennis ball machine!! Saturday mornings I love to get rid of the stress by going and hitting balls for a couple of hours. It usually takes me that long anyway before I am warmed up. But I love my ball machine...hehe. I guess in a way its my girlfriend on the weekends. Wimbledon was actually a little boring I thought this year. Kind of disappointing. Andy Roddick was out early and Federer lost too. So I guess I can look foreward to the US Open in September.

I am going to Utah in the middle of August. My favorite rock group RUSH is playing in concert. Its been a couple years since I have seem them. I am so excited. This year in America there was movie / documentary about them. I just bought the DVD and have been watching. I love that band!!!! Here is the preview below. (Wow they were really ugly in the early days!!)

Well I woke up at 3:30AM this morning to watch the USA lose to Ghana.... what can I say??? hehe. Still proud of my team and Congratulations to Ghana. They were the better team. But lots of great soccer left to watch.... Now I am going back to bed!

Ahh yes the World Cup!!

Living in Japan I get all the latest news about the Japan team. I am cheering for them. BUT don`t forget I am American and GO USA!!!

Soccer is not the biggest sport in America but its getting popular. Americans are excited about the World Cup and this time we have done well. The USA is on to the 2nd round which starts for them tonight. I am not sure if they will win. But I am proud of the team and its been a really exciting World Cup for America. If you don`t think American`s are proud and excited about their team..... look at the video below which was made after their last game to put them in the 2nd round....

A friend of mine sent me this. I laughed so hard... I had to share it. The kid who wrote this is my new hero!!! (Click on the picture to make it larger in order to read...)

No time to sleep...

Since the world cup started I have had no time to sleep. Watching soccer and now the NBA basketball finals in America has taken all my sleep time... But I am starting to get weak now. Going to bed late and waking up early to catch the sports is killing me. But hey.... there is nothing else to do. I can just sleep and work or I guess I can watch sports, work, and sleep a little...hehe.

The US did good against England. A tie is a win for the US. A tie was a loss to England. So I am looking forward to the next match Friday night. Glad this time its Friday night so I don`t have to worry about working Saturday. Then Saturday night is Japan again. They looked so so I though. But a good win. Being American we really don`T have that much interest in soccer. But living in Japan I have learned to like the sport. I don`t like it as much as American football but I am starting to like it more. The world cup is exciting also. So no time to sleep.

Andy is out of school now so he can stay up and watch with me which is good. But he is off to tennis academy in America in 2 weeks. So I am alone to watch the games after that. But its ok. I at least have something to do besides work and sleep. Oh I did forget tennis...

Finally May is over!! Its been a tough couple of weeks to end May. I have had to travel everywhere and work the weekends... I am so glad the damn month is over. I don`t think I have ever been so tired. Mentally and physically I am drained. I am not sure how the Japanese do it... I have no interest to live out my life just working until I am dead. There has to be more to life than just work I guess..... so hey there is Tennis!!

Now on to June....

The French Open is here and the NBA finals are set... So I am cheering for Nadal and the Celtics!! Then its the world cup .... The next few months should keep me interested in sports.... Before I know it August will be here. I am planning to return back to the USA for a couple of weeks. The day I arrive in Utah I am going to a Rush concert. They are my favorite band and I got tickets. But I am going to bed dead with jet lag I think. Still the music and friends will keep me awake. I am excited for that. Then its a few days of relaxing, shopping, and tennis at Stanford in CA. I guess my life is a little more interesting than it has been the past month..

GW is over.....

It was a crazy golden week this year. My parents flew in from the United States to spend a couple of weeks with me. It was really good to be with them. We had a good time and went everywhere in the last couple of weeks. Some pictures of the places went are below.

First we went to Nara. I have been there several times but my parents have never been. The green on the Japanese maples was beautiful!! Then of coarse the deer in Nara are always around.After Nara, We headed over to Inuyama Castle. I have never been there before but decided I should go since I live in Nagoya. I was impressed.



After Inuyama, we started our actual GW vacation. We first went to Shirakawa. The scene in this village is incredible. We really enjoyed spending the afternoon there.


After Shirakawa we went to Kanazawa.


From Kanazawa I went to Notohanto and drove down the coast to Totori. We saw some beautiful coastline and beaches. Even got to see the town of Ohbama..."yes we can"!!



On the wat to Tottori we stopped at a bed and breakfast. It was dark when we got there but when we woke up the view from my room was so beautiful!! It was a nice sunrise!!




We then arrived to Tottori to see the sand dune beach and take a cruise around the area to see the rocks and water. I decided I wanted to live there. Too bad there is no job for me though..



Then for the last part of this trip we went back up to Tokyo to Disney Sea and Disneyland for a couple of days. Golden week was over so the parks were not too busy. We had plenty of time to relax and see both parks.

So it was a crazy few weeks and I did a lot of driving. But I love driving so no problem. Now its back to reality... Sometimes I hate reality!!

Easter Sunday:

Well usually today I am at a place called Moab in Utah. I go there every year 4 wheeling with friends. Boys and their toys! But I have not been there for a few years because I am here in Japan. So I am a little homesick. But decided to take a drive to Kyoto and see the Kiyomizu temple. Actually I had never been there. So it was a great day for me. I just loved it. I can`t believe of all the places I have been in Japan now that I have never been there. But finally got there and loved it!!


It looks like I wasn`t the only one in Japan that decided to go. It seems like the whole country was there!!

YEA SPRING BABY!!!

I am so ready for spring this year. The cold days are coming to an end. Its about time!!! Its been an interesting last couple of months.

The news in Japan has been interesting lately. Anyone who has been watching the news has heard about the movie "The Cove" and also the anti-whaling activist on the "Sea Sheaperd". I have been very interested in this.

I saw The Cove a couple of months ago. I was surprised to see this. As documentaries go this was a good one. I added the trailer on my page. As you all know I live in Japan. While I do respect and try to respect all the culture here that is different than my own, I believe there are some things that possibly in today`s world are looked at differently than in a previous time. I agree and support the efforts of those who made this documentary. I believe dolphins being the intelligent animals they are should not be hunted down, ate, or held in small tanks. I enjoy a good dolphin show. But after watching and this documentary and doing some reading on my own I now am not sure I support the whole idea of dolphins in captivity. But if they are born in captivity I am ok with that. Just not catching from open waters and selling them. Then killing the ones that don`t sell for food.

Many Japanese say catching whale or dolphins are no different than killing cows and eating beef. But it is. Very different. Cows are now farmed as food. They are not caught out of the wild and their numbers are not declining. If whales could be farmed I believe its a little different. But they can`t be. We should protect them. I am against whaling. I also favor the tuna ban. Sorry Japan!! Its not in my culture. I have had many debates about this with people but its my feelings vs theirs. Basically whaling is an ancient custom that no longer has a place in todays world. American`s stopped killing buffalo and now farms them if we want to eat them. Its not the same. I believe Japan who go around the whole world hunting and buying fish should do more to preserve and give back to the oceans. But I don`t see where they do. Its just take and take. The balance of the ecosystems in the ocean is becoming very dangerous I feel. But the country doesn`t seem to care. They want their tuna and want to hold on to some ideals that really as I said have no place in todays world with the technology and information we have. Don`t get me wrong. I love sushi and love maguro. But I believe we should protect and scale back the fishing. Again Sorry Japan... I am with the activist on this one.

Well the Olympics are over... I have been watching pretty heavy the last 2 weeks. I like the winter Olympics better than the summer Olympics. So I am kind of sad to seem them go for another 4 years. But there was a lot of excitement this time. The US did really good.... GO USA!!

My favorite was the snowboard half pipe. I am a big Shaun White fan. When I grow up I want to be just like him....hehe. The downhill freestyle moguls were also awesome!! Also speed skating as well. So I guess its Russia next. I remember the Salt Lake Olympics and it seemed just like yesterday.

Well at least spring is in the air. Another few weeks and I think we will have some cherry blossoms!!

Well its been a while. Where do I start??

Toyota Recall: Everyone knows now about the recall and possibly other one. Its been huge and kept me busy. A lot of people have asked my opinion. Here is my opinion to be very frank.

Toyota is a good company. Maybe one of the best. But like all good companies who put too much focus on growth, they forget the things that made them great. Toyota has cut corners. Their quality has gone down and they are NOT the safest car on the road. I don`t think Toyota is any better than the top 3 or 4 automakers out there now. Out of the top 4 I would think they are 4 on safety. I am not bashing the company. I am just giving my opinion. I drive a Toyota here in Japan. But if I was in America, I would not. There are many other companies that offer more car for less money with the same quality and better safety ratings. Toyota is now over rated. I don`t see them as the golden company they used to be. The companies culture needs to change along with the boring cars they make. Thats my opinion.

Now to tennis..... wow.. I was dissapointed in the Aussie open. I didn`t want Serina or Federer to win. But they did. I was really hoping Andy Roddick would win. I felt so bad for him last year at Wimbledon. I really wanted him. As for the women... I really wanted Henin to win. I like her and she is so strong. But she had a terrible game. Still she is just coming back so I hope she continues to get stronger. I want some new champions.

Last is football. Today in America was the Superbowl. The biggest sporting event in the United States. The game is good and the TV commercials are too. Because its such a big event, companies spend a lot of money on commercials. The TV commercials become part of the whole game. Many people watch the game just for the commercials. There were a lot of good commercials this year but one of my favorites was a simple one from Google.

I attached it at the right. Check it out.

Well thats it for now. My job is so busy right now I can`t believe it. But I guess its better than having no job. I have had no time for tennis. Last week I was traveling everyday. This week I still have a hangover from last week. So maybe by this weekend I will be back to normal. Whats normal anyway?????

Another chance for my first love??

When I was 15 I bought my first car. It was a classic 4wd Ford Bronco. I couldn`t even drive until I was 16 but I bought it and worked on it for a year. I worked and all my money I used to update my Bronco. I put in a new engine by myself, put in new seats, new flooring, new paint and new tires. Over the years I changed my Bronco over and over again. But 5 years ago I decided to sell it. I didn`t drive it much. It was just my first love, my first girlfriend. I keep it in a garage locked up. But still, I decided I was getting tired of the old girl and sold it to a young 16 year old from California. The value of the Bronco now was fairly high. It was a classic and has a very good reputation. When I sold it, I had completed updated it again. I took the top off, the doors off, new tires, and lot of other extras. Here is a picture of it just before I sold it.


This Bronco has a lot of value with me. This is the car I drove all in high school and college. This is the car I had dates in and explored lots of areas. When I sold it people were surprised. I always said I would never sell it. But I did.

Now 5 years later, I received an email from the father who bought this for his son. He is thinking of selling it. I always wondered what happened to my girl. He sent these pictures. I was shocked!!

My girl is now red with the top and doors back on. I am not sure if I like her that way but she was still my girl. My question should I take her back?? I sometimes thought after I sold it I wish I never did. I did have some regrets. Now I have a 2nd chance to get my first love back. Its a hard decision.

After I sold that Bronco I bought a new Jeep which I now love. But its still not the same. Still, I decided this car has too much value to me. I guess I will get her back and keep my Jeep too. I can`t drive her much anyway but she is a classic and a collectible. Its going to cost me more to get her back than what I sold her for. Nothing I can do though.

So thats my story. I have only lost a couple of loves in my life. Each one I regret and the chance to get them back is just too great I guess. My garage in Utah already has 3 cars parked in it that I can`t drive. One more will be ok.... It will be nice to get her back. Now if I can get another one back I will be really satisfied!!