Thursday, 22 May 2008
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
The Jack Wilshere Show: Arsenal Vs Westham [reserves]
Arsenal's next big thing . . . and he is English. 16 years old, a left foot so feathery it could tickle a rhino, big tings.
Remember the name.
Monday, 28 April 2008
Taipei 101
It doesn't look it . . . but this is the tallest building in the World. The view from the top is impressive. I saw it.
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
American Cynic, Japanese Snow
My yank pal Lyle in a snow storm outside the Apple Farm Cafe in Kaya, Yosano Town, Japan.
They serve the best Japanese curry in Japan. Vegetarians beware - the vegetable curry contains meat. It is delicious.
———
Japanese curry is curious. Gloopy and tasty, it has the consistency of a savoury custard. Closer to a British stew than an Indian curry it is by the standards of Japan a flavoursome dish. It makes great winter fuel. ‘Curry Rice’ is among the most popular school lunches.
On occasion though its inoffensive passivity has caused angry pangs of withdrawal in my spice addicted British taste buds. At such times I seek out the services of my local ‘indo curry’ dealer to supply a stronger hit.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Where Am I?
Hello, how are you?
I’m fine thank you, and you?
Good thank you. So where are you?
Well I’m originally from London, but right now I’m in Nodagawa.
Nodagawa? Where’s that too then?
Nodagawa is in the northern part of Kyoto prefecture, Japan.
What is it like?
It is a town of around 9,000 people. Green and fairly rural - with a lot of fields and vegetation in between the houses and buildings. It, along with Kaya and Iwataki, comprises the new (2005) town of Yosano - population 25,000. There are five elementary schools, one junior high school and one senior high school in Nodagawa. It is near the sea, and one of Japan’s top three most beautiful views™, Amanohashidate. The local economy is dominated by farming, silk, hairdressing, retail and organized crime.
Isn’t that a bit different to London?
Yes. I have been to few places that are more unlike London. It is quiet. Clean. Green. Relaxed. Predictable. Mono-cultural. When I first arrived here in 2006 my initial thoughts were, “Where the f*** am I? What have I done? So that is what unpolluted air smells like.” Since then it has become more familiar, the feelings of shock and awe remain, but I feel lucky to live here. The difference from London is positive and something I am grateful to have experienced – although London remains “my home.”
So what are you doing there?
I am an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher). I work in a junior high school teaching English and football.
Why?
In London a few years back I was working a boring job – yes, MCPS, it’s you. Feeling like a change my thoughts turned to travel and foreign fields. An old friendship and curiosity in different cultures had kindled an interest in Japan. This together with the suggestions of some friends and various bits of advice and research led me through a lengthy application process to my current location.
How’s the weather?
Right now it is cold and wet. Just like home. The weather here is more extreme. Winter is colder, summer hotter. Spring is perhaps not so nice but autumn is more colourful. Deep green burns to gold, yellow copper, orange and brown. Winter snow makes the local mountains ski-able. But the complete absence of insulated housing makes the Japanese home a chilly place in winter.
What are Japanese people like?
An interesting question. The shortest answer would be they are like people. Not good or bad – just people. Normal. Crazy. Old. Young. Ugly. Beautiful. As similar and different as everyone else.
What about Japan as a country?
There are times when Japan feels not too dissimilar from home - days when the familiarity of routine blurs all. But the reality of my life here is that EVERYTHING feels a little bit different. This feeling started as soon as I stepped of the plane from Heathrow. Looking out the window of a coach driving from the airport through Tokyo rush hour, the first thing that struck me about Japan was how many Japanese people there were . . . everywhere. It was a strange feeling. London, hometown to people from all over the world, had prepared me for many things but not what it felt like to be a foreigner.
That doesn’t really answer the question though does it?
No, it doesn’t. I know. Apologies. There is not time for me to do that today. But if you return to these pages over the coming months I will try and provide a more thoughtful response. OK?
OK. Please tell us more.
Will do, I promise, just not today.
One last thing how did this blog gets its name?
That will have to wait until tomorrow I’m afraid. It’s gone 5 and I’m parched . . . I could murder a cuppa tea.
See you next time.
I’m fine thank you, and you?
Good thank you. So where are you?
Well I’m originally from London, but right now I’m in Nodagawa.
Nodagawa? Where’s that too then?
Nodagawa is in the northern part of Kyoto prefecture, Japan.
What is it like?
It is a town of around 9,000 people. Green and fairly rural - with a lot of fields and vegetation in between the houses and buildings. It, along with Kaya and Iwataki, comprises the new (2005) town of Yosano - population 25,000. There are five elementary schools, one junior high school and one senior high school in Nodagawa. It is near the sea, and one of Japan’s top three most beautiful views™, Amanohashidate. The local economy is dominated by farming, silk, hairdressing, retail and organized crime.
Isn’t that a bit different to London?
Yes. I have been to few places that are more unlike London. It is quiet. Clean. Green. Relaxed. Predictable. Mono-cultural. When I first arrived here in 2006 my initial thoughts were, “Where the f*** am I? What have I done? So that is what unpolluted air smells like.” Since then it has become more familiar, the feelings of shock and awe remain, but I feel lucky to live here. The difference from London is positive and something I am grateful to have experienced – although London remains “my home.”
So what are you doing there?
I am an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher). I work in a junior high school teaching English and football.
Why?
In London a few years back I was working a boring job – yes, MCPS, it’s you. Feeling like a change my thoughts turned to travel and foreign fields. An old friendship and curiosity in different cultures had kindled an interest in Japan. This together with the suggestions of some friends and various bits of advice and research led me through a lengthy application process to my current location.
How’s the weather?
Right now it is cold and wet. Just like home. The weather here is more extreme. Winter is colder, summer hotter. Spring is perhaps not so nice but autumn is more colourful. Deep green burns to gold, yellow copper, orange and brown. Winter snow makes the local mountains ski-able. But the complete absence of insulated housing makes the Japanese home a chilly place in winter.
What are Japanese people like?
An interesting question. The shortest answer would be they are like people. Not good or bad – just people. Normal. Crazy. Old. Young. Ugly. Beautiful. As similar and different as everyone else.
What about Japan as a country?
There are times when Japan feels not too dissimilar from home - days when the familiarity of routine blurs all. But the reality of my life here is that EVERYTHING feels a little bit different. This feeling started as soon as I stepped of the plane from Heathrow. Looking out the window of a coach driving from the airport through Tokyo rush hour, the first thing that struck me about Japan was how many Japanese people there were . . . everywhere. It was a strange feeling. London, hometown to people from all over the world, had prepared me for many things but not what it felt like to be a foreigner.
That doesn’t really answer the question though does it?
No, it doesn’t. I know. Apologies. There is not time for me to do that today. But if you return to these pages over the coming months I will try and provide a more thoughtful response. OK?
OK. Please tell us more.
Will do, I promise, just not today.
One last thing how did this blog gets its name?
That will have to wait until tomorrow I’m afraid. It’s gone 5 and I’m parched . . . I could murder a cuppa tea.
See you next time.
Thursday, 1 November 2007
Prodigy's Stock On The Rise
On Tuesday night, aged 15 years and 287 days, John Bostock made his debut for Crystal Palace FC. In the process he became the youngest player to represent the club and the 17th youngest to ever play professional football in England.
In Palace’s 2-0 defeat to Watford Bostock had his first taste of competitive football as a 72nd minute substitute for Ben Watson. In the 20 odd minutes he was on the pitch a series of intelligent touches, neat passes and one crunching tackle suggested he was more than ready to enter the world of adult football.
A midfielder with a left foot that can write poetry and the physique and athleticism to set him above his contemporaries, Bostock may be short of years but his reputation is developed. It might be too early to tell but a bright future beckons for the Camberwell born South Londoner.
How much of that future will be spent at Selhurst Park is debatable - Palace face a battle to keep hold of the prodigy. Their resolve has already been tested with a £250,000 bid from Barcelona and an approach from Inter Milan. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have not been slow to register their interest.
One thing counting in Palace’s favour is that Bostock comes from a family of Eagles supporters and is a self-confessed fan of the club. Palace will be happy if they can get a substantial number of games from him before the almost inevitable big money move.
Manager Neil Warnock is confident but realistic about the situation. “It won't be hard to keep hold of Bostock, not with the family he has got behind him because they are level headed. He's a Palace nut and I want him to stay for two or three years. John's father is very sensible and knows what he should be doing for his son. It’s better playing 100 games in two or three years than it is being number 20 pick at Chelsea or Manchester United,” he says.
Palace and clubs like them face a difficult situation. Starlets have barely begun to twinkle before they are whisked away to shine amongst the bright lights of the Premiership and Champions League. The harsh realities of football economics dictate that sooner rather than later the fat cats skim the cream.
UEFA president Michel Platini recently attacked Arsenal for their policy of teenage recruitment. “I do not like the system of Arsène Wenger,” he said. “It is easy to buy with money the best players at 14, 15 or 16. If my son is playing at Millwall and at 16 Manchester [United] come in for this player, then when will Millwall have a good team?”
Juvenile economic migration is rife in the English game. Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon are high profile million pound teens who have made the move from the Championship to the upper echelons of the Premiership. Gareth Barry and Jermaine Defoe are current England internationals who made teenage transfers before their first team debut. While the England under 17 squad of which Bostock is the youngest member，contains two players who have made seven figure transfers and several more who have already changed club.
In these times of rampant consumption whether John Bostock is still at Selhurst Park in 3 years is unlikely. If he fulfills even some of his potential though, his name will be remembered. For the time being at least a rough diamond glitters at the Crystal Palace.
----------------------
John Bostock wiki
The vultures have been circling for a while
A gentleman and a scholar – the most famous pupil at the London Nautical
In Palace’s 2-0 defeat to Watford Bostock had his first taste of competitive football as a 72nd minute substitute for Ben Watson. In the 20 odd minutes he was on the pitch a series of intelligent touches, neat passes and one crunching tackle suggested he was more than ready to enter the world of adult football.
A midfielder with a left foot that can write poetry and the physique and athleticism to set him above his contemporaries, Bostock may be short of years but his reputation is developed. It might be too early to tell but a bright future beckons for the Camberwell born South Londoner.
How much of that future will be spent at Selhurst Park is debatable - Palace face a battle to keep hold of the prodigy. Their resolve has already been tested with a £250,000 bid from Barcelona and an approach from Inter Milan. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have not been slow to register their interest.
One thing counting in Palace’s favour is that Bostock comes from a family of Eagles supporters and is a self-confessed fan of the club. Palace will be happy if they can get a substantial number of games from him before the almost inevitable big money move.
Manager Neil Warnock is confident but realistic about the situation. “It won't be hard to keep hold of Bostock, not with the family he has got behind him because they are level headed. He's a Palace nut and I want him to stay for two or three years. John's father is very sensible and knows what he should be doing for his son. It’s better playing 100 games in two or three years than it is being number 20 pick at Chelsea or Manchester United,” he says.
Palace and clubs like them face a difficult situation. Starlets have barely begun to twinkle before they are whisked away to shine amongst the bright lights of the Premiership and Champions League. The harsh realities of football economics dictate that sooner rather than later the fat cats skim the cream.
UEFA president Michel Platini recently attacked Arsenal for their policy of teenage recruitment. “I do not like the system of Arsène Wenger,” he said. “It is easy to buy with money the best players at 14, 15 or 16. If my son is playing at Millwall and at 16 Manchester [United] come in for this player, then when will Millwall have a good team?”
Juvenile economic migration is rife in the English game. Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon are high profile million pound teens who have made the move from the Championship to the upper echelons of the Premiership. Gareth Barry and Jermaine Defoe are current England internationals who made teenage transfers before their first team debut. While the England under 17 squad of which Bostock is the youngest member，contains two players who have made seven figure transfers and several more who have already changed club.
In these times of rampant consumption whether John Bostock is still at Selhurst Park in 3 years is unlikely. If he fulfills even some of his potential though, his name will be remembered. For the time being at least a rough diamond glitters at the Crystal Palace.
----------------------
John Bostock wiki
The vultures have been circling for a while
A gentleman and a scholar – the most famous pupil at the London Nautical
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
The day I left my key in the lock
Yesterday I left my keys in the front door. This was not deliberate. I never usually leave my keys anywhere other than my pockets or the little basket by the phone. Anyway, I arrived at school playing pocket billiards like usual - but something was amiss. My keys were not with me.
I sat at my desk in a state of mild anxiety. The keys were either at home in the basket, the pocket of some discarded trousers or in the lock of the front door. I suspected the latter. I asked a colleague whether I needed to worry – his answer did not immediately put me at ease.
“Hahahaha . . . 大丈夫ですよ,” he said.
(Hahahaha . . . daijoubu desu yo − don’t worry about it, no worries etc).
I wanted to say, “What the fuck are you laughing at? Don’t you know that in London if you left your keys in the lock some rapscallion would come and ransack your house, eat all your Coco Pops and then wait for you to come back from work before raping you in front of the mirror?” Instead I thanked him and breathed deeply, safe in the knowledge that my breakfast cereal was safe from defilement.
My family’s house was burgled on the eve of my 15th birthday. The N64, some cornflakes, instant coffee (Nescafe Gold Blend no less), a tub of margarine, and the hotels and houses from the chocolate monopoly set were stolen. I was awoken by my dad and a policewoman checking my window for signs of intrusion. My initial thoughts were for the contents of my bedside table. “Shit! My weed, my weed! How the fuck . . . shit!” I quickly regained my composure though. “mmmhumm blaaaoeur . . . What seems to be the trouble officer? Oh really? That is a shame. And on one’s birthday. Oh well. I hope you catch the bas . . . yes good night.”
After a day spent enlightening the minds of the youth of Japan and a couple more games of pocket billiards I went home. My keys were in the lock – swinging gently in the breeze. My house had not been ransacked. I had cereal and a glass of orange juice for breakfast today.
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