Japanton – Chronicles of Anton in Japan!

Had a chance to train with Doug Wilson, a resident of Japan. He is very good and I learnt a lot from him. He is also one of the translators. I was introduced to Hatsumi sensei, the grandmaster of the art for those who don’t know. Hatsumi sensei said that he remembered me. Doug went on to say that I was attending a seminar in Seattle that he was putting on. So now I am stuck going to Seattle in August. I probably still would have gone, I just would have liked for it to be my choice but I did get put in the lime light for just one brief moment so it’s OK.

I have money now because the post offices are open. I will finish paying for the hotel for the time that Cliff and I are sharing a room. Once the room is taken care of it’s just budgeting so that I don’t get carried away and buy too much stuff to bring home with me. The only promise that I know I can (and must) keep is the kimono for Alice. Mainly because I promised her and also because she was trying to help me setup remote access. She did her part I failed miserably but maybe tomorrow I will figure it out.

More pictures on the way shortly, if anyone has requests of stuff they want pictures of in Japan, send me an email through the contact list above. If not I will just keep doing what I am doing. Peace.

Well it is golden week, so Japan is taking time off. This also means that the ATM where I get money are not open.  This is not so good.  I will have to wait until Monday to get money.  Luckly the hotel has been understanding and have granted linencey with me.  Funny enough they do not take credit cards for payment.

Arrived Friday got to the hotel and had supper at Tokiwa’s.  Chicken katsu for Cliff and I and a vegetarian salad with tofu for Tracey Chan.  Yesterday had my first classes, Seno sensei and Shiraishi sensei.  Both were very difficult classes and I will have to write down notes quickly if I am to have any hope of remembering details of what we covered.  Will update pictures shortly.

20 degrees with rain today, 27 degrees with sun tomorrow.  Life is tough.

It occurs to me that I am temporarily separating my buddy Cliff and his wife Leah for the longest time since they were married. This is not good because I am afraid of her. I don’t know what exactly she could do to me but I am sure it’s bad. I will spend my night packing my bags with fear in my heart at the backlash of what I have done.

Just letting everyone know that when I next go down to Dayton OH and don’t come back to check with her first.  The only saving grace is that I was at their wedding in the wedding party.  I will post a picture of the two of them soon.

Just finished having tasty dim sum at Dynasty restaurant. I recommend it for the curry squid, though I did not have a chance to try the phoenix claw there. That should give me the strength to get through this last week of life in the real world before Japanton round 4 begins.

Time to start getting gifts together for people who have helped me in Japan (lodging, food, etc). Oh and I have to decide what gifts to bring back with me from Japan (which is usually decided by how much money I have left at the end of my trip).

Added some pictures if you click on “PHOTOS” in the navigation, you can see the first two, I will start getting more and include a description with them as well.

I am once again putting up Japanton.com for the world to see. Well not the world but friends, and co-workers who have demanded pictures. I will see what I can do about posting entertaining pictures, as everyone knows I am a boring guy and a lot of time in Japan is not spent “seeing the sites”. If anything interesting happens to me I will let everyone know. It is 17 days before departure date, it about a week it will be time for me to get excited. (Yes I am so boring I even plan my excitement.)