An annual Japanese meeting

There was an annual Japanese get-together on Saturday. I did not count exactly but probably over 25 people showed up at a pub in the city center of Dublin.

It is interesting to get to know Japanese people who decided to come to Dublin to live. As majority goes to UK, they have stories to tell why they come to Ireland.

Some likes Irish music like me, some do not like too popular places among Japanese such as London. Some even like specifically Irish accent.

This time, I was a little silly. I kept drinking rather stronger German beer in the pub and rather quickly I was quite pissed. I remember that I was talking to 4 or 5 people, but no more. What was wrong with me? I don't know.

So I did not get to know many people this time. Ah, shame on me.

Oh, I remember I was talking to a French guy in English there (he was a boy frend of a Japanese girl). I found it was easier to speak English. There is certan way to talk to someone for the first time in Japanese. I talk sometimes too frankly I guess in Japanese to anyone. And I can feel that sometimes people think it is too much or I am a bit strange.

Anyway that's beside the point. The following day I wasted half a day to recover from hungover. Never again.

Well I am going to bed now, once I finish my beer. (Will I ever learn?)

Playing with animation program

One day, I was playing with GIF animation program. I have published to my friend's website for limited period (5years aniversary of his home page). Unfortunately his page is completely Japanese, but you can still evidence the silly design which I made.

You can click HERE to see it.

The picture of the page was taken when we recently travelled around north west of Ireland. See the contrast of the road sign and the car beyond. We laughed so much when we saw it and even turn our car back there to take a photo.

Poor thing

Boring....

Oh, couple of days ago, I was ever so bored.


So without thinking, I switched on my laptop. And without thinking I reached a webpage called


CG(Computer Graphics) for poors

Why poors? Never mind...

I started to be interested. According to the website, usually for CG, you draw something on the paper, then scan it into PC, then color it with painting software.

As I do not have scanner and, more importantly, I do not have a skill to draw something.

So without thinking (again) I was drawing something on my PC.




A self-portrait (Hidekis)

Yes, very poor.

If you know my face, it might give you a fun....

Travelling abroad

Last Saturday, it was absolutely spontaneous idea to go abroad for a day.

Hidekis and his flatmate were having a breakfast.

flatmate: "We are running out of beer in the garage"

hidekis: "Really? We should go abroad and buy it soon then."

flatmate: "Why not today?"

An hour later, we are on the motorway. About one and half an hour later, we were outside republic of Ireland. In short, we were in the Northern Ireland.

By the way, there is no border control, in fact, it is difficult to know when exactly you crossed the border. If you are careful, there are some significant change you can find once you are in the North.

First of all, the road sign is mostly white and red, whereas it is yellow and black in Ireland. Speed limit changes from Kilometer to Mile. National road changes from N to A. Road maintenance is better in the north, etc.

Beers are cheaper in the north. From time to time, we go to the border town "Newry" to buy loads of beer. Ever since we started doing it, we drink at home more often than going to the pub. Well, beer was cheaper, but I am not sure if the cost of petro for carrying beers spoil the feeling of great saving in the north.

We came back to Dublin late afternoon. Then, I immediately started having a beer.
By the way, after that, I became sick. It was not a cold, it was something to do with my stomach. Until now my stomach is not working properly.

Go west 6

The hotel was not busy as it is off peak season. The public Onsen bath at the hotel was all for me. A huge bath tub, sauna, Jacuzzi, and massage... I was taking a long leisurely time there. This is my happiness, taking a japanese style bath. All my tense on my shoulder seems to be gone. My blood is purified.

Take a look at some of the Onsen Photos here.



Following day, we are at Katsurahama beach. Facing toward Pacific Ocean, many brave men stood here with great ambition, in the end of Edo period.

Ryoma Sakamoto is one of these brave Samurai. I have a great respect to this man. He had eyes to see the future. He had a tender heart. He was a Samurai who never want to kill anybody. He had the broadest mind.


I do not remember how many times I have come and visit his statue here in Katsurahama in the past. Too many. I get a bit of his power in me, and then go back to wherever I have to.

I will go back to Ireland in a week, and I hope this time I become a bit more braver.

Following evening, I and my mother headed back to Tokyo by Sunrise Express again.
My grandma was sad when she came to see us off at the station. She is very old. Whenever we have to go, she could not help thinking "this might be the last time to see them". I was trying not to think about it and give her a great smile saying "see you soon".



Go west --fin--



P.s.
I found a fish looks like a dog, at Katsurahama Marine Park.


Do you agree?