Erin Hughes.com

Yow. So Drinking and Driving is bad. All that "A good driver is a relaxed driver" stuff they tried to pawn off on you in college turned out to be untrue, but who woulda thunk that the same would apply to bicycles? After spending most of a crying filled weekend alone with Eric (oh ya I was sick on Saturday too (Que the violins), I was in the mood for a little alcoholic stress relief. Fortunately Darin's Birthday party was Sunday evening so I headed out to that after Satomi came home and I handed Eric off to her. The party was good we drank some beer and kicked at one dirty izakia. Then went down to the park to down a few more beers in in front of the hungry looking turtles in Inokashida Park. Things started to wind down and we all headed our separate ways. Before Darin left he said to me "Erin be careful on your bike on the way." We all left the park together and walked to the train station. This should have been a clue that I shouldn't have been riding my bike cause I forgot that it was at the park and walked back to get it. I made my way to Food Express w/o trouble and bought some supplies for the next day and of course more beer. I got back on my bike and then BLAM!　From out of no where I was on my chest in the middle of the a intersection. I struggled to get up then resolved to pulling my self out of the way with my arms. It took me a minute to regain my composure from having the air forced out of me. The car had hit me right in the middle of the pedestrian walk way and actually only tapped my front wheel but it turned violently to the left and then left end of the handle bar jabbed me in low in the groin as I flew through the air and onto the pavement chest first. As I pulled myself over to the curb I looked up and thought that I must have hit my head pretty hard cause there was a Japanese Kid standing over me and I understood everything he said. Then I realized he was speaking English. Very good English at that. A ambulance came but I insisted I was fine and I didn't want to go with them. This is due to my past experiences and my treatment as a patient when you do not understand 100% of what is being said. The kid continued to talk to me and also called Satomi for me to tell her what had happened. Satomi was enthused as always to hear from me. Eventually the police came and asked me a bunch of really stupid and some not so stupid questions. Police Officer 1: Did you see the car? Me: Augh no. Police Officer 2: Have you been drinking? Me: Maybe.... Police Officer 1: What were you doing before you crossed the intersection? Me: Ridding my bike. Visiting some friends. Shopping for beer. Police Officer 3: Are you hurt? Me: No I do not think so. (I was in shock and knew it but I had no visible cuts bruises or broken bones.) I will be ok. Police Officer 3: Are you going to cause any problems for the Driver of the car? Me: Naugh Police Officer 2: So it was your fault? (Japanese kid had to translate here cause I wasn't sure what the cop was saying..) Me: I never said that.... I just want to go home. Finally the kid who was driving came over and said he was sorry. I shook his hand and got on my bike and left. I am sure that I could be sitting at home now with some paid vacation days coming and a fat check from the drivers parents. But I didn't do that. Not that I couldn't use the money or a little R&R time. But that is just not my style . I have worked hard for everything I have gotten in my life . I want to keep it this way for as long as I can. E./

A big week for Japan in the world stage. Japans baseball players in America continue to do well. If you watched the morning/evening news you would swear they are the only players on the team. Funny I don't even like baseball but in Japan it is that or golf news. Snooze Snooze. Snooze. Ichiro continues to hit well. Matsui hit a 2 run homer but the rest of his team is not doing so well. A 71 year old man climbed Everest. I would like to still be physically active in my 70's but I really hope I do not have anything left to prove to myself or anyone else at that point. And finally a new Miss Universe was crowned and it was Ms. Japan. I think she is really hot! But that is just me. Apparently some Koreans and Venezuela's are a little upset because the Korean interrupter botched the job. A quote from smallscreen.monstersandcritics.com: From here "Ashley Korkova KimMay 29th, 2007 - 06:17:41 The translation for the Miss Korea Interview was not accurate. She said she wanted a superpower of making everyone happy. She wanted a power of being able to have a wallet that will be always full to do her missionary work. That translator was truly a mess and did no good for Miss Korea. Either Miss Venezuela or Korea should have one. They deserve it and truly have great ambitions to better our world. All Miss Japan wants to be is a dancer." Koreans are always a little pissed at the Japanese. Oh well. But It was funny and interesting as I did a little more research. All from my chair. I found this little tidbit. Apparently people bet on who will win Ms. Universe. Who'da Thunk?!? I wouldn't even care except some on I know from Shizuoka keeps making a big deal out of it and I can't escape it every time the TV comes on. The fact that she had 22 to 1 odds and still won is putting the gambling community on its ear. A side note to all the haters in Mexico if you don't like us so much or our policy's why do you insist on coming to America in droves. I have no love for any fool who gets on stage based solely on her looks, but to boo her cause you wish you were born in America. Pretty sad......

So this weekend a bunch of TLUGers got together in Myoden for a BBQ. It was great fun as always. There was plenty of food and drink and FUN. Most important the 2 people I came with Eric and Satomi had a good time too. I think most would have a hard time understanding my geeky passion from time to time but here I was in good company. Funniest thing is, except for some trash talking during the competitions the shop talk was generally low. I spoke with more people about the state of the union in TLUG or about our kids and the things we struggle with in Japan. Or "That time that Josh....." Some of the highlights; The music was a total hit ... man Billy Squire ZZ Top just needed a little Kid Rock in there and it would have been UN F'ing BELIEVABLE! The events were awesome I would like to see if we can make them a staple. HD　Tossing was a blast. The Americans in the crowd brought home the win for both teams. Go USA! Keyboard smashing was fun but putting them back together was infuriating. My strategy was simple and straight forward. Smash it with my fist. By my 3rd shot 90% of the keys were missing. I should have stopped there and peeled the remaining ones away.... but no smash smash smash. My hand swelled up a little bit afterwards and now the hand scanner at work doesn't know who I am and wont let me in anymore... :( I was pretty shocked that I lost that one. I thought just the pure brutality of my attack would do it but a woman with strong set of nails and a even stronger desire to get out of the kill zone won. The food was simply AWESOME! Beef, pork some lamb and veggies. Some one made curry and brought it along, there was rolls with little Penguins on them and possibly the best salsa I have ever had. Fun was had by all and thanks to Keith and Mauro for putting on the whole thing. It was one of the best parties I have been to in a long time. Thanks, E./

Ya I probably spelled that wrong. Over the last year of working here I noticed a few months ago that every day; I go to 7-11 in the building where I work and purchase a small something to eat or maybe a Coke or a Red Bull or a 2 liter of water. Some times twice a day. The latter 2 are most popular with me. EVERY time you go to 7-11 you get a plastic bag. Not being a tree hugging environmentalist I was kinda like meh...no big deal. It did seem pretty trivial though, a plastic bag for every little purchase. These plastic bags are used for a whole 1 to 3 minutes for the walk out of 7-11 into the building and up the elevator to my office. For 1,2, or 3 items I thought it was kind of a waste. SO now when I go to 7-11 I almost always say "so no mama de i" OR it is fine like it is. I have been doing it for about 6 months or so and I would bet I have saved the planet 120 + or so. Yeah!!!!