JREF meet in Shiga - May 2013

A lovely report, thanks so much

I'm gonna break my marriage vows, and say that if there are any of you living in Japan who would be interested in meeting Pachipro in person, and can make arrangements to at least arrive at Akashina, Nagano train station (or Matsumoto train station) by Monday early day, please let us know here.

Next Monday is the day, so . . .

Very much looking forward to it Mars Man and thanks for the invite. I leave in 15 hrs!

If I don't get quarantined because of the phony pig flu scam I'll see you on Sunday night! After that it's off to see a few other fellow JRefers later in the week around Japan and two weeks of eating, drinking, hot springing, "snacking" with enka and of course playing pachinko and visiting the old home town, my house, and friends! It'll be good to "get home" again and visit the countryside where you live in the alps and I'm looking forward to it.

So much to do and so little time, but it'll be worth it!

Back on Jref after May 16th if not an update from Japan.

I will be driving up this year. I'm pretty sure I can find your place, MM, but if not I'll give you phone call.

Time is getting close, the place is still a mess, and my two hands (as in sons) will be running off to play soccer again tomorrow morning...BUT, you know me. I'll have everything ready for a good ho-down by Monday afternoon (just a bit after lunch).

I bet you'll find it without any sweat at all, Mike. And, if you do find you're not sure about some road, just cellphone me. I'll have it with me most of the day. Maybe give me a general arrival time, there, if you don't mind.

Catch you guys later ! MM

I'm sorry I can't make it Oli. I distinctly remember saying last year that I'd try and make it this year, but this year things just didn't come together schedule-wise. I won't be so flaky as to at this point say 'definitely next year', but I do intend for things to be quite different by then work-wise, so with any luck I may actually have a full GW by that time within which I can plan for things like your lovely yearly BBQ!

And I have your email so if I ever swing out that way for any reason outside of GW I will be sure to see drop you a line and see if you're around so I can say hi and bring you 贈り物.

All the best!

Oh yes . . . our place is open anytime...no time or anytime. . .

Mike and Pachipro are here, w/good times together already. Tomorro is the day...JREF meet in Shiga is very much alive....even if I were not....Wooh.....

The Meet '09

On Sunday, May 3rd, I'd been doing some last minute prep-work on an extension to the BBQ area. I was just getting ready to go out for some shopping when Mike Cash pulled in the driveway...great timing. I went on while he kind of made himself at home, and rested from the drive.

Later that afternoon, I drove into Matsumoto to pick up Pachipro at the station. Everything had gone smoothly--except for his trying to get in the car on the driver's side after we'd put his bags in, and I'd said, "Ok, let's go."

We got to the house for our annual 'night-before curry dinner.' We ate out at one of the tables set up outside for the next day's fiesta. It was a bit on the cool side, for May, yet the spiciness of the curry, the warmth of our conversation and the excitement we obtained from our beers, drove that coolness away. With full and content stomachs, we got some glasses and opened a bottle of really top-notch bourbon that Pachipro had brought with him (he can tell us which one it was, I can't recall [although I do have the bottle yet]
).

Well, we went over to the dozo to kind of show Pachipro around, and we sat and talked, had a few beers, laughs, and a great time; then went to bed around 2:30ish. Mike counted the empty beer cans the next morning, and it came to (reminds of that joke about...well....) 15 cans--plus almost have of that bottle of bourbon...for just us three. THAT, was a first--for the night before--and it was an extra and pleasant addition...we'll have to keep it, for sure.

On Monday morning, I woke up hardly to go help the neighbors clean the street gutters and stuff. It was an overcast, and slightly cool day, but the rain man wouldn't come until today, actually, so it was looking good. A little bit after noon, I went to pick up Taiko666, and the partying was about to get rolling !! I'll post that next. Also, I'm sure Mike'll have some fantastic photos to put here too. (I felt like I was on stage there at one point--as was Taiko666 san too)

So, stay tuned . . . MM

Some folks pay a lot of money for airline tickets to go home every year. I just go to MM's house.

A good time was most definitely had by all and once again the hardest part about going to MM's home was leaving. Those of us who go know what the rest of you are missing, and we never fail to dedicate a small moment to pitying you.

Our esteemed host just gets cooler every year, if that is possible:

Thanks Mike ! It's always great to have you here, see the fantastic photos that you take (not talking of that particular subject there, but the photo quality).

Mike Cash said:

Our esteemed host just gets cooler every year, if that is possible:

Click to expand...

(Please don't let 'em know the truth . . . that it's really just because I keep losing more hair covering every year . . . hee, hee, hee.....)

But one more that keeps getting better, is the humor and jokes that Mike can entertain us with. I mean, if any poor soul in Japan is contemplating ending their lives, they can just come here and die laughing !!

I can't wait till next year !

Pachipro and I have just had our little get together here in Ashikaga and he told me all about the nights (and days) of debauchery that had gone on at La Casa de MM. I would love to come visit one day! Until then, I will have to work on my drinking.

Mike Cash, that is a beautiful photo of Tobias Wolfe!

Yes we did have a great time ASHIKAGA. It was a pleasure meetiung you and thanks for showing me around this town, there sure is alot of history here especially the Oldest School in Japan built in around 727 AD. No typo there. It was great walking around it. The food was great, but next time we`ll have to remember not to order so much. I love the free internet usage here at the hotel and the use of their computers. Great service and 30 seconds to the station!

I let MM tell you about last night if he can remember it as I`m still a little foggy also. I can`t believe we drank so much, stayed up so late and didn`t pass out. It was a wonder anyone could get a "bulls eye" at darts. But MM did and the sun was a rising!

Thanks again MM and I`ll do my best to get there again next year! I had a wonderful time with you, Mike, Taiko666 and Mrs Taiko666 and such and all the laughs we had. And you and your wife were gracious hosts! It was an experience that will be long remembered. And what a view of the valley down below from your place! Breathtaking.

The pizza was a little late, but as good as ever. We got our fill, then I set up the badminton net; using flour to mark the boundry lines and corners (not don't tell Mchan about that {Mchan being the little lady of the house}) and had a great afternoon of game after game--one on one, two on two, and even three on three.

The wind was almost nothing this year, so we could send the birdie sizzling across the top of the net, just nanometers above it, down to the ground for a sure point. I think we have at least one or two photos (if we can get clearance on those {I'm ok}) showing, not only how hard it was to return those highly professional shots that all teams made, but just how much professionalism we put into making an effort to return them.

By the time some of us had consciously begun to experience new muscles (never before noticed) we went back to the BBQ area and started up the fire. I took out my handy compressed, high calory flame thrower of a thing to build a bon fire in no time, while Mike's single, old-fashioned wood match had half the wood burning by the time I even got the thing fired up itself--so much for fancy toys.

While we got underway, chef Taiko666 was whipping up a batch of non-meat goodies in the kitchen, Ms. Taiko666 giving him a hand. After most of the eating had been done, I broke out the old axes (6 strings) and Taiko666 his carry-around drum box {I can't recall the real name}, and we had a hoe-down. Taiko666 also played some on the guitar, and that last song was really a winner...it was about one main drive in life.

Then, it was time to head on over to the dozo for darts. The sweet, dear women folk (and don't we just love 'em, guys) worked on cleaning up (the BBQ & kitchen area) and us boys divided into teams of two, and started into it. So many beers and glasses of fantastic bourbon later, all the while listening to great tunes from Taiko666's collection, we finished the last game, and called it a night (around 2 am).

That was the end of the first day, but we would still have one more coming, and with more badminton to be played, and more eating to be done. That'll be in a nother post.

Sounds like you had a good time there in Ashikaga, Pachipro and ASHIKAGA san. So, yeah, practice a little (not so much is needed), ASHIKAGA, and make sure to mark your calendar for next year.

Our beloved Taiko666, without whom a party just would not be a party, is a man for all occasions:


I believe it is safe to say the entire group from this year is planning on coming again next year, if able. I know I'll be there. It would be nice to see some of our other good friends among the regulars here at JREF as well.

Oh, and let me emphasize that, Mike Cash san, with a big BE HERE for next year ! (depending on how things flow). Thomas, you owe us one for next year, now ! Dutch, we're looking forward to having you guys here too (plenty of space for the little to play around).

So . . . on Tuesday morning, I worked up some Mexican style food, along with some spam, and Taiko666 and his little lady had some nice bread with miso and some other stuff, and we enjoyed brunch. Then, it was back out to the badminton court.

We got in lots of exercise and games as Mike entertained us with elephant and Swiss watches jokes, and it was a good finishing of a great JREF meet. Around 3:30, I gave Mr. and Ms. Taiko666 a ride to the Matsumoto station. Not too long after having gotten back to the house, Mike Cash felt it would be best to get started on that long drive back to his place. I, thereafter, fired up the BBQ pit for another night of eats.

Pachipro, my family members, and all, finished eating, and then Pachipro and I made our way over to the dozo...for the dart board had been calling us. We must have thrown our first dart at about 9:30, and played a fair number of games before taking a short break. We were of course enjoying our drinks in the meantime.

We discussed neurology, religious belief-system matters, spirituality, human origins and human historical events past and future. Then, we decided on going for another game. Pachipro won that one, and that kind of made the score on wins even, so we thought we'd play one more for the tie-breaker. I was amazed--we both (and this is the absolute truth) got double, double bulls in a single throw, in different games. I mean, at different points in separate games, I threw three darts at the bull's eye, and two of them hit dead center, and Pachipro did the same. WOW !!!

As we were about half-way through that last game, Pachipro pointed towards the window and mentioned that it was getting lighter outside...and sure enough, the clock said it was a bit after 5 am. I released the last, winning dart in that most neck-n-neck game sometime around 6:30, and we shuffled back over to the house to find Mchan in the kitchen eating breakfast (she had to go to work that day).

We got some shut eye (about 3 hours) and then I gave Pachipro a ride to the Akashina station, to see him off to go see ASHIKAGA san.

The JREF meet in Shiga '09 was fantastic. I greatly appreciate Mike Cash's coming earlier and helping me with the set-up and cleaning up in preparation for it. I really, really look forward to next year's meet !!

I think Mike Cash san may have a few more photos to post here, a bit later on as well . . . especially the traditional pose facing the gate house (showing our behinds). Mark your calendars now folks !! MM

After visiting ASHIKAGA-san I went to the in-laws house and my wife arrived in Japan three days later on Sunday and I had a great week there until leaving on Friday the 15th.

After spending 16 hrs at O'Hare airport in Chicago due to a cancelled flight on account of bad weather I finally made it home on Saturday the 16th and have fully recovered!

With all we had to drink MM it was an even more amazing feat that we both hit the double bulls eye! I believe it was around 4 or 5 am! I can't remember the last time I pulled an all-nighter like that and to tell the truth, I was having such a good time that, if the sun wasn't coming up I believe I could've played another hour or more! How did we even wake up? That baffles me!

Anyway, thanks for the re-cap and your wonderful hospitality and I've marked my calander for next year!

I'm glad you made it back without too much trouble along the way, Pachipro, considering the 'flu thing.' Yep, same here...I haven't pulled an all nighter in a long, long time...but it went so natural, so smooth...I didn't even notice it. It must surely have been the synergy of all the folks gathered during those days, and having you there with us all ! For any of you who had not been able to make it, trust us. . . it might just be a changing point in your lives, to be here next year ! MM

I do hope that I can come next year.... Let's see if I can sneak out by myself during GW lol

It'd be great to have you up here, Dutch . . . do your best at sneaking out, or haul the whole family up here !

So..., now it IS that 'next year.' Dutch, you've gotta come, your chair has your name on it already, and the place in the fridge for the extra Dutch beer, and a couple of more steaks, is ready...so...you have NO excuse... (unless you're scared of tigers....)

Really, though I do hope you (and the family..yeah, drag them all along, and they'll love you even more for having done so !!) can make it up.

So, what's it gonna be, on May 3rd, or May 4th? Either is fine for me !! Mike, any thoughts there? And hey...we got room for more, but of course !! Don't be shy...

MM

I won't know my schedule until we get a bit closer, but the Good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise I figure to be there a day early as usual.

OK !! and I'll try (as usual) to not get around to doing some of the things that I'd be punished hard and long for by some military superior, so that we can do them the day before...hee, hee, hee....

JOKE !! American joke !! I should have everything ready by then. The newer roof addition is fully in place, tarred and roofed, and sheets are all organized and marked to make for easier fitting. We'll have a blast !! (and then some) DUTCH !! You're gonna have to make it up here !! Taiko !! You and your lady are surely in, right? !!

I really regret this Mars Man and Mike, but I cannot make it this year due to family commitments in Japan at the end of May and my job will not give me a month off even though I said I would take it without pay! Two weeks is all they'll give me and I will be in Japan for the last two weeks in May. If you're free Mars Man I will make it a point to visit you even if it is for an overnight visit on the weekend of the 21st or whenever is best for you.

However, any and all reading this who wants to have a great time meeting new friends and enjoying the Japanese countryside, please take Mars Man up on his offer. You'll be glad you did. I went last year and it was more than worth it.

Thanks Pachipro !! I regret that you can't be with 'the gang' at that particular time (of course, in 'spirit' you'll be on our minds, as we drink on into the night...), but am very happy that you can make it later in the month. We'll still have a blast...bring along your little lady as well...it's cool, and I'm sure she'll enjoy it too.

If any other folks are interested in dropping by for 'the meet,' just post it here, or send me a PM.

MM

I would love to come!!

Nagano had always seemed so far but last month, my job required me to drive all the way to Gifu and back and on the way, I drove through Nagano. I thought to myself, "Hey, MM's place must be somewhere up in those mountains over there...".

I just did a little googling and it looked like it was a drive I could manage. The only thing is that I still don't know what my job situation will be in May. So, could you please pencil me in? I promise I will provide some comic relief!