There's Only One Kawaguchi

Let me start by saying there's nothing quite like settling down with a beer and some raw fish and watching a game of footie. Sadly the Japanese football team has a tendency to get rather overexcited when it comes to shooting in front of goal, as was witnessed in the 2006 World Cup. Still, they're currently beating the mighty Saudi Arabia 3-1. In honour of the team (I have to bask in the glory of some national team- and would prefer not to think about England's plight at the moment), above is a picutre of the legend that is Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. Renowned penalty stopper and all round cool guy, Kawaguchi is the captain of Japan.

This week has been fairly slow, and is once again disjointed as on thursday and friday I have to go to a JET conference in Okayama. In fact, it won't be until December that I spend an entire week in one place of work/business, and there are some classes at Shonan I haven't taught for over a month. Today I had fun lessons with Takemoto sensei, with some of the genki, eager students (who's English ability nonetheless is woefully low). I have to admit I took some sadistic pleasure in watching the concern spread over their faces when I told them about the one-on-one interview tests that are coming up in 2 weeks. Even members of the Steve Fan Club, who'd usually be delighted at such an opportunity to spend time with me, looked a bit worried. The tests will be on "Shopping" and "Restaurant" topics. This week I've been explaining fajitas. I should also mention that each week we have an "English Song" at the start of classes, where the students fill in the blanked out words. This week the song was Complicated by Avril Lavigne. Last week it was Aerosmith. Next week, after due consideration of The Libertines and Babyshambles, we're going for the safer option of Coldplay. I tried to explain that stories of drunken wasters who swear a lot are part of British culture, but to no avail.

Also this week I got compared to Marco Polo, which was nice if a little out of the blue. Apparently being English, living in Japan and then going on a weekend trip to South Korea warrants such a comparison.

Dammit! They've just gone off the football for a damn weather report, and I almost missed a goal! I bet you didn't expect this sort of 'live' commentary on life in Japan eh. I'd just better not miss a goal...

Anyway I think I've said all I have to say. This coming weekend I'm off to Kobe for a critical game in the promotion push. I'll also be able to listen to the Boys in Royal Blue play Wolves, as its an early kick off. Sunday will be spent getting some Korean Won (oh yes, plenty of opportunity for bad puns! In fact I may turn my entire account of my Seoul trip into a very long and bad joke). Of course, others in the Okayama region are going to watch fat, sweaty men in nappies wrestle each other (yes, a Sumo tournament). So I'm sure theres plenty of bad puns and silly jokes all round.

Yes! Redo Cardo! Penalty Kicku! Last minute of time, a chance to go 4-1 up.....

. . . . . . .

I don't believe it. He's f*cking missed it.