Wednesday, October 25, 2006






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?'

Wednesday, October 11, 2006




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



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.

Monday, October 09, 2006

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.