craig_sonygps

RE: Favorite Run the Week before Christmas

mvalenti — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 02:13:34 GMT

I love it! I can hear the crickets and see the tumbleweed that passed through the room during your interview:) Thanks for bringing back memories. My image of Japan involves the bamboo groves out at the bike trails we rode on Haseyama and the sun streaming through the top foliage...a bright green forest. Also riding my bike home at night down the long rode in between rice fields and hearing the frogs sing a chorus of mating calls. And of course the cherry blossoms that fall on you like warm snow. and yes, oh yes, warming my legs under the kotatsu and eating Udon as the rain fell during the wet season. And the Onsens! oh, I could go on...and...I too sigh.

RE: Favorite Run the Week before Christmas

Nezumiotoko38 — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:20:12 GMT

Love it!!! There's nothing like good sweater weather!!! I still have my kotatsu, albeit without a kotatsu blanket. There's nothing like warming your limbs under the table while eating mikan and watching sumo!!! I had an interview with Bridgestone when I was in grad school. They asked me for my image of Japan and I launched into, "my image of Japan will always be the fall with the kaki fruit in full bloom, my legs under the kotatsu, and mikan on the table." They were looking for my perspective on the state of international relations. This was 1990. I got some blank stares and there was an uncomfortable pause in the conversation. I then added my perspective on international relations and the polical state of affairs. Got a sigh of relief out of the interviewer. Good time....good memories. What I wouldn't do for some more of time back in Japan...sigh.

RE: Favorite Run the Week before Christmas

mvalenti — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:00:55 GMT

I lived in Mie prefecture on Honshu in a house with thin walls and no heat. I had a little space heater that was my only comfort. In the mornings, I would turn it on while I made tea and lay my bike clothes in front of it to warm them up before putting them on. At night I would read books under layers and layers of blankets with the space heater pointed directly at my face.

RE: Favorite Run the Week before Christmas

Active Sara — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:17:26 GMT

Wow. That's impressive. I'm definitely not ready for that. Ha. Sounds like a cool experience you had in Japan though.

Thanks! The waves were crazy.

RE: Favorite Run the Week before Christmas

Nezumiotoko38 — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:15:07 GMT

I thought I was hardy until I lived in Uwajima, Japan on the island of Shikoku. I lived in a two story house that had very good air flow in the summer...and too much air flow in the winter. No hot running water, just a flash heater. It got cold enough for water to freeze, which meant that if I left water in the tub, I had to put my hand through ice to turn on the heater Yowza, now that's an experience to train your winter camping skills!!! I liked your Black's Beach photo's...love to get surfing again some day!!

RE: Favorite Run the Week before Christmas

Active Sara — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:39:07 GMT

Nice post! Looks like a great run. I was born in Minnesota! I only lived in Hopkins for 4 years, but hey...I like to think I'm stronger in cold weather because of it.

RE: Night in Ochanomizu: 11/27

mvalenti — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:33:26 GMT

I Love the blog! I lived in Japan for a year and this made me laugh. Especially the fact that you mapped where a vending machine is located that you can buy Pocari Sweat. I forgot all about that drink till now. I can't wait to go back. Thanks for the smiles!

RE: Night in Ochanomizu: 11/27

Active Sara — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:11:54 GMT

Very cool. The map is interesting too...never seen a map in Japanese before.