JREF meet in Shiga - May 2013

[Mars Man]

You have been carved in...in marble, I might add...pencil seems to be too weak at times !! I do hope you can make it. The drive is actually not that bad, so, the only thing will be the work schedule. (and, again, of course, your ability to tame that tiger which sits out in our side yard...hee, hee, hee.....)

Hoping you'll make it !!

MM

 

[Mars Man]

Well . . . it kind of looks like April, outside my window here, and I guess we know what that means !! Yep, time to start getting worked up for the big hoedown, here in Shiga.

I hope you all who have considered making up here this year, are still in the game. I think I'm gonna have to go for the 4th as being the day due to that day's being the morning work day as well (if we were to do it the night before, I know I couldn't make the neighborhood work).

Just chime in if your in for the 'meet !!'

MM

 

[ArmandV]

If you guys do one of these next year, provided I get an early enough head's up, I might be able to join you.

Right now, I am aiming for an October-November trip to Japan.

 

[Damicci]

Been a while. I would love to be able to make one of these some year. We will probably back in Japan next year but Kyuushuu. Around march, maybe can try a 2 day trip to Shiga or something.

 

[Mars Man]

Gentlemen, not to worry! Something which may be alikened to a cause that would cease the annual 'Meet in Shiga' from being annual (and thus on schedule for next year too) would be some event along the lines of, let's say, waking up one morning and discovering that I suddenly, overnight during my sleep, had developed a full head of hair; or something along the lines of being awakened by the little lady, wispering softly and tenderly into my morning ear, the words 'I love you' (while imaginatively applying touch to the proper physical lobe).

SO, we can see that it WILL happen next year too, and you two are most very welcome to be here. Just come, and the rest is on the house. (and that 'rest' implies the things remaining [food, drinks] and the time out from the busy, busy of the world outside, as well)

I look forward to seeing you folks !! PLEASE...do come !! (I need that input from the Tucson area, Damicci san, and besides, we came so...so close to meeting up in Tucson back in January of '06.

 

[ArmandV]

Been a while. I would love to be able to make one of these some year. We will probably back in Japan next year but Kyuushuu. Around march, maybe can try a 2 day trip to Shiga or something.

Damicci, I must've been way out of the loop! When did you and Mrs. Damicci leave Japan?

I've been away from here for a while. My mom got very ill around December and passed away January 15. It was totally unexpected.

Also, thanks Mars Man!

 

[Iron Chef]

What's a guy got to do to get an invite...? I've actually met Damicci before and his fiance' (at the time) when they came to Fukuoka. And I have also met twice our resident anime/manga fiend Hiroyuki Nagashima when he was still in Kyushu . Would like to expand that to include you regulars as well if possible. I have a nice little home myself here near Fukuoka btw in case anyone ever heads down this way for a visit.

 

[Damicci]

Hey chef. I am hoping to get back out that way next year. Sorry I couldn't get in touch with you last year. with the new baby and all was really tough.

 

[Mars Man]

What's a guy got to do to get an invite...? .

Hey there Iron Chef ! Actually, all you've gotta do to get an invite, is pretty much just ask me how to get here !! hee...hee....hee.... Of course you're invited ! Please come on over ! Will you be coming by train or car, or....? The day's the fourth of May...just two weeks away, and things are being set up here already.

Taiko666, are you coming up this year too !! I'll post again a bit later !!

MM

 

[Ashikaga]

I am really looking forward to meeting Mars Man and everyone who will be there.

See you all in two weeks!

 

[Mars Man]

Looking forward to having you here, ASHIKAGA san !! We're gonna have a blast, forget the world outside, lose ourselves to the spirit of living as it worth living...meaning just and only that...living it up !

I have sent out a few other PMs, and I hope to get some replies by the weekend...or so. I've asked the weatherman to get that stuff lined up for us, you know, the usual 'sunny skies, nice warm late spring weather, and wind currents that change sides when I change sides during our badminton competition..ee, hee, hee . See you here !

 

[Pachipro]

Dang! Ashikaga and Iron Chef going too? Too bad for me as I'll be arriving on May 10th and leaving on the 21st! Well, there is always next year! Have a great time everybody.

 

[Ashikaga]

Dang! Ashikaga and Iron Chef going too? Too bad for me as I'll be arriving on May 10th and leaving on the 21st! Well, there is always next year! Have a great time everybody.

Are you still going up to Shiga to visit MM? If so, would you be stopping by Ashikaga on your way back???

 

[Tsuyoiko]

Really wish I could be there, what a nice birthday present it would be to meet all you guys! Maybe they'll invent teleporters some day soon...

 

[Mars Man]

Say what ?!! My dear (and I know you cut it once, but that twas a good long while back, so ....) long-haired Marian sis, did I hear you say BIRTHDAY !! As in ...maybe May 4th? (or just some time around that time?)

Yeah, I tell you Tsuyoiko, I really, really wish you could make it too. You could bring the critters and they could run around the yard playing chase with the critters here (Tora and Grey) [although someone might have to keep an eye on them to make sure the little felines don't get too rough with it...hee, hee, hee...

I don't trust teleporters, though. I remember one guy getting mixed up with a fly in one of them things...and it didn't have good results (his sugar bill went WAY up . . . hee, hee, hee...)

Hey, we'll drink a few and then some for you, Tsuyoiko (like that time you got pissed to the eyeballs and started shouting at someone or something (if I recall that correctly)...or like that time when you gave me a whack while we were horsing around up on Mars (and some snoopy gazette reporter took a photo of it and put it on the web). Yes, I'll even throw some darts for you . . . thinking that if I can hit the bull's eye everytime, I'll win a deluxe cake a la Tsuyoiko chan. And...just when is that celebrating the dance of life date, then? Thinking of you ...you know it !!!

 

[Tsuyoiko]

or like that time when you gave me a whack while we were horsing around up on Mars (and some snoopy gazette reporter took a photo of it and put it on the web).

Ahhhh, I remember it well, good days ;-)

 

[Iron Chef]

Unfortunately I am unable to attend. I was hoping to do so but looks like I will be going home instead for a brief visit (I haven't been back in over six years). Definitely looking forward to next year though if you hold it. Hope you all have a great time.

 

[Mars Man]

Alrighty, the time is getting close !! Are that any other of you who would like to make a last minute decision to not miss out on one 'helava time !!' The window for deciding is still open...and the door of opportunity is part of it.

MM

 

[Ashikaga]

As I write this, my right forearm is so sore I can barely type.... This sweet pain will remind me for at least a few days to come of the badminton matches against a couple of drunk Gaijins (and a pair of 3rd graders) where I danced on air like a butterfly, stung like a bee, pounced like a cat on my way to many victories during one hot Matsumoto afternoon at Mars Man's place.

I would like to thank Mars Man and his family for their hospitality. I had such a wonderful time meeting you, Mike Cash and Kirirao! The setting was perfect. The mountains, the streams, the fresh air.... As Mr.Cash had put it, it indeed was like going "home".

I couldn't believe how close Nagano was (from Ashikaga). I am already planning to go back one of these days to visit Utsukushigahara.

For those of you who didn't make it this year, I urge you to take up on Mars Man's generous invitation and make your ways to his place next year. I guarantee you will have the greatest time!

Oh, did I mention the food!? Everything was just fantastic! The pizza was cheesy, the grilled steaks were juicy and tender, oh, and the Fajitas? Simply fajitalicious!

Thank you again, Mars Man!

 

[Mars Man]

And . . .Thank you, ASHIKAGA san !! It was a great privilege to have you here, and I most certainly hope you'll come back next year too.

Things kind of got kicked on the day before, with Mike Cash arriving just in time to help me with a few things (one, for example, in helping out with getting the fridge in front of the dozo to stay closed . . . as it turned out, it might have had just a few too many cans of beer in it . . . hee, hee, hee). We had tacos for dinner that night.

The next morning, as has been the case twice in a row now, I woke up early and went out to help with the neighborhood street cleaning. I came back from that a little early than the others, and went to pick up Kirirao at Matsumoto station. We did a little shopping, then went on up to the hillside overlooking the Shiga valley, upon which our spread is located.

Now the weather just couldn't have been better . . . at least to my likings (but, yeah, it was a bit hot), clear and sunny, only a slight wind, and just right for badminton. The four of us laid out the boundries for badminton (and I used the real thing this year [field liner] rather than flour), then went and toasted to the '10 meet. We also thought of those who could not make it this time 'round, and have great hopes of sharing the moments of great drink, food, badminton, darts, and friends with us all next year.

Yep, ASHIKAGA made the sport of badminton look like scenes from Swan Lake, Matrix, and Rambo all put together, as he maneuvered through his plays with perfect calculation, accuracy, and nanosecond speeds. Mike Cash did his share of master plays too, although it seems that an old knee injury may have dampened the Dragon Ball jumps that he would usually do. Kirirao gave it all he had, and really made it a hot game; he later did a perfect job in score keeping. We had some number of visitors come and play with us . . . one of the really nice things about being out there in the contry side...folks are a bit easy going. Why, even one of my own sons joined in....can you believe that?!

It was most unfortunate, yet Kirirao had to leave that evening due to plans early the next day. He missed out on the eats, but really hope there'll be that chance next year. And, speaking of the eats...I've got to run to lunch now, then do another class. Maybe I'll let this much be it for now, and get back tomorrow with one more report.

 

[Kirirao]

It was great meeting you guys too, Mars Man, Mike and Ashikaga san. Mars Man was a really great host and really know how to party, Mike was really funny and Ashikaga-san was pleasant to talk to. Everyone was really great at badminton (MM + Mike + the little guy = almost invincible). I even had the chance to talked to Mrs Mars Man when she send me to the station. I didn't stay long but I had a blast.

Definitely gonna train my stamina up for next year deathmatch badminton match. <- my training menu.

Oh did I mention the place is B.E.A.U.tiful~ Hopefully MM-san will finish the pool by the BBQ place so I can enjoy eating my steak while swimming. hehe

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I went to the first one. Glad to see that the good times continue to roll! The JREF Shiga meet is a hoot and a holler!

 

[Mike Cash]

The two days I spend at MM's place every year are what make the other 363 days tolerable. I truly do look forward to it all year long and wouldn't miss it for anything. I hope that some of you who have been on the fence about whether to go or not will go ahead and make definite plans to join with us next year. And I look forward to meeting up again with all our friends who have attended so far.

 

[Pachipro]

Sounds like you guys had another blast. Sounds better than last year which I had the pleasure of attending. We heard about the badminton, but what about the darts? Was anyone able to beat MM or were all too drunk to see straight? Isn't the dozo a great place to hang? Glad you all had a great time. I missed it by a week this year as I'll be arriving in Japan on Monday, but will definitely aim again for next year.

 

[Ashikaga]

We heard about the badminton, but what about the darts? Was anyone able to beat MM or were all too drunk to see straight?

Well, there WAS this one Japanese guy who had somehow managed to stay sober through the day, and he ended up beating Mars Man and Mike Cash in a two-on-one match... He is known in the darts world as "El Diablo" but people here may know him better as ASHIKAGA!!!!

OK, to be fair, MM was pretty far gone by the time that match took place. It was nothing short of a miracle that he managed to throw the darts at all without injuring any of us.