Loincloths

I've been taking it pretty easy. On Wednesday we went to the naked man festival at a temple in Tennoji, where hundreds of men in loincloths trying and grab good luck talismans while being simultaneously splashed with icy water. Not the most pleasant sensation in 6 degree weather.
We had footy training yesterday in preparation for next week's game against the Nagoya Redbacks. It was pretty fitness based-heaps of running, pushups etc. Geez, I was sore by the end. But I really do feel much more fit as compared to 2 weeks ago. Afterwards, some of the boys went for Korean food in Tsuruhashi-SPICY. After that we headed to an English pub which was nice. I rode to a bar in Ame-mura (American Village in Shinsaibashi) . Good times.

Partying

On Saturday I did I big clean up of our flat. It felt good. Afterwards I went to footy training. It was our first training since our new years break, and it was tough. I was quite surprised at how unfit I've become, I really struggled, felt like my heart was going to come out of my mouth. Afterwards I had some delicious salt ramen with my teammate. There was a party at my place at 9 pm. My Australian friend is in Osaka on a scholarship and he joined us. It was great, there were drinking games and everything. About 30 people showed up so it wasn't a bad shindig. On Sunday we went to the Imamiya ebisu festival, just south and east of Namba. Great atmosphere, heaps of people, many stalls and people carrying branches for some reason. I bought a toffee apple, and unlike last time it ended in happiness-very nice. Rented 'Munich' on Sunday night, good movie, then watched a show about 'freegans' in New York. They rifle through grocery stores' rubbish and get lots of free food, I wasn't sure if they are also vegans.
On Saturday we went to the 'Osaka Human Rights' museum, very interesting. I didn't think it would be open because today was a national holiday (therefore I didn't have any work) but it was. I rode there on my new bike I bought yesterday. Orange in colour, it's another mama chari, or 'ladies bike' equipped with a basket, hopefully unlike her predecessors , she won't get pinched. I won't leave her out on the streets of Nishi Nari. At first I thought the bike was a little disappointing in it's handling and shock absorption, however today I realised it's not too bad, quite a nice ride. After that we came back and watched a movie. I cooked a nice dinner and now I'm feeling pretty content. Except for a runny nose I've gotten over my cold and I've realised that the biting Osaka chill isn't too bad if I wear two jackets , a beanie (wool hat) and gloves. Maybe I will survive this winter after all.

Steven

I've been feeling much better. Today I had to get up at 8.30 and face the crisp Osaka weather. Today was my busy day, it felt good after the week's inactivity. Had some tako yaki after work, whooo that was good! Just came home and spent the evening in the most exciting yet soothing way possible-Steven Seagal in 'Half Past Dead"!

Exciting day

Actually slept really well last night to my relief. Didn't feel to bad, however I was pretty tired. I couldn't really face heading out into the cold today. I just watched 'Rush Hour 3' and relaxed. I think I'll do pretty much the same tomorrow. Hopefully my cold gets better.

Yesterday I was feeling a little worse for wear. The previous night we went to a bar for New Years Eve. The last 15 minutes before the stroke of midnight the drink prices dropped to 100 yen-enough said. I woke to the site of my flatmate sleeping in the corridor. Judging from the groans he emitted I drew the conclusion that he was really suffering.

We went with Stu to his friends' place near the Kansai airport at 4.30. We ate traditional New Years Japanese food and watched Die Hard 4.0. The five of us slept in the same room, we got through the night without incident for which I was grateful. I caught a terrible cold but thankfully I slept well. Today we went to a the Rinku factory outlets, geez I was suffering. Got home, bought a ton of food, green tea and lemon drinks. I think I'll just sleep this weekend.

Fishing pics

Couch surfers, whale meat and cold weather

We had two couch surfers from America via Korea come stay with us. They were very nice girls. The first night we went to a bar in Namba, my flatmate acted as bartender because the real bartender was absent. The bar was therefore actually closed but we managed to get inside on condition that he pour the drinks. Yesterday I had a very boring day. At 5.30 I went for a run and it was very cold, very cold. Another couch surfer came stay with us. It was great, they cooked us a huge dinner. However, they bought whale! that's just not on- I stoutly refused to eat it. That's one thing Aussies can't do, you would be branded a traitor.
The two girls left to take the midnight bus to Tokyo and I was pretty sick so I just took it easy. In the morning the other couch surfer cooked us lunch, I recommend that people host couch surfers! Lots of free food. Giddy up!
I'm just relaxing today, bracing for New Year's eve partying tonight.