Lander·Spot

I’ve moved my main site to the following link: http://callmeranchan.com

There wont’ by any new posts here.  So adjust your favorites accordingly. hah.

A couple of broskies plus one dally took me out to crash the bumps in Miyazaki a couple of months ago.  I spent about three hours in the water and about ten seconds on the board, and   although I quickly realized that I am nowhere near precocious at ripping even the tamest of waves, I still managed to have a good time.  I’ll let these pictures tell the rest of the story.

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Been a long time coming

Last night I witnessed the glory that is a Japanese Hanami.  Define Hanami?

Hanami (hah! naw, me?), 花見: Literally, “Look at flowers”
1) Gathering of friends and co-workers to picnic under the breathtaking blossoms of sakura (cherry-blossom) trees.
“Good afternoon, Lander sensei.  Would you like to join us for a Hanami after work today?  The cherry blossoms are at their most beautiful right now.”
2) Excuse for lude Japanese businessmen to drink excessivly in the middle of the day and run around Kumamoto Castle with their pants off and neckties tied around their heads.
“Dude did you see that guy at that Hanami yesterday?  I doubt he remembers swimming naked in the castle moat, but I’ll bet he damn sure feels it this morning.”

Yesterday afternoon I overheard M sensei talking to B sensei about Hanami.  From what I understood, the conversation went as follows:

“~~~~~Hanami~~~Drinking~~~~Grilled meat~~~~~~~~~~.”
Naturally my curiosity was piqued, so I asked if they had gone to a Hanami yet this year.
“No, no Ran-chan.  Today after school we will have a Hanami.  Do you want to come?”
Hah, do I want to come….

I cut out of school a few minutes early to prepare for the party (i.e. ride my bike to the nearest convenience store and buy beer and tobacco - and shoot the shit with the cute checkout girl) and M sensei picked me up in front of the town hall.  We drove first to a cake place in Uto where M sensei picked up some sweets for his wife (in penence for what would happen that night?) and then made straight for B’s house where the party ensued.

It struck me as odd, but as nobody else seemed to care that there were no flowers at this Hanami, I didn’t let it bother me.  All the important ingredients were there anyway - a giant plate of meat for the grill, and a cooler full of beers, including  my donation of tall boys.

The next morning B, H, and I were driven to school by B’s wife, and here I sit at my desk, slightly hungover, in yesterday’s clothes, smelling like barbque, cigarettes, and beer.  It’s spring break.  Bixie bless this country.

On a side note, B sensei had the most amazing sound system I’ve ever seen.  It took up an entire wall in his living room.  Picture forthcoming.