Boxing

It was that time of year again when the Apollo gym holds its bi-annual boxing tournament. The Apollo is one of the larger gyms in the Osaka area and produces a lot of quality boxers. Thanks to my gym's affliation with the club I was able to score tickets to the event that normally would set me back 10000yen a ticket (about $100). Ever since my granddad took me to my first amateur bout when I was 10 years old I love going to the fights to watch real men test themselves. No bullshit, no preamble - just two guys standing toe to toe to see who can take it and keep on coming. I hope to test myself next in the square ring but for now I am content to just watch.

Uji

It has been an extremely long time since I updated here. I don't imagine anyone has missed me but for the odd passerby I bid you welcome - I took these photos today, just for you. Uji (Kyoto) has always been a special place for me, ever since I came to Japan. It was the first place I ever went to that put me close to the real Japanese environment and demonstrated to me that Japan isn't just one large city of industry. My first trip to Uji was in Decemeber 2003 with some Chinese teachers from work. It was a good time with them and even though we would later have a falling out Uji has always remained a beautiful memory. Today I retraced my steps and reshot some photos I took before. The first time I had been using a Sony Cybershot (worst camera ever to make market release) but today I toted along my trusty Canon S2 Powershot (a little heavy/bulky but damned if it doesn't have the widest range of options). Enjoy!

Himeji

On Monday the girl and I went Himeji for the day. I wanted to see Himeji Castle (the largest and oldest original castle still standing in Japan today) and she wanted to go to Safari Park 40 minutes out of the city. It was a fantastic day if a little cold. We would suffer later with a bad dose of the flu but to finally ascend Himeji Castle and see a tiger a close was a worthy trade off.

Nabe Party

Recently I invited a bunch of people over to my new apartment to repay them for all the parties I've been to and get together one last time before they are blown to four corners of the Earth. It made me realise how difficult it is to organise and excute a meal for more than two people. In the end it went fairly smoothly, not as long as I had hoped but enough to show some measure of hospitality. I won't embarrass anyone by naming them but you know who you are. Thanks again for coming!