"Real English 35-a flash in the pan"

There was big news in the Japanese entertainment industry this week.  

First, Atsuko Maeda retired from the biggest all-girl pop idol group in Japan, AKB48.
If you live in Japan, and have never heard of AKB48, well then, you have a problem.
Ms. Maeda is an original member of the group, which formed in 2005, and she was elected the "Number One Favorite Member" in 2009 and 2011.  She said she will take some time off, maybe study abroad in New York for a few years, and then pursue a career as an actress.  Personally, I am not a big fan of AKB48, but I am in the minority. Many guys in Japan are crazy about this group.  Btw, do you know what AKB48 stands for?

The second big news was Somegoro, a famous Kabuki Actor, fell off the stage during a performance earlier this week and was injured.  (In case you didn't know, Kabuki is a classical dance-drama.)  Because of this accident, the play he was starring in was cancelled and it is not known when he will be able to return.  But according to Ms. e, who is his number one fan in Osaka, his injuries weren't too serious and he shouldn't be out too long.

So, that bring me to Real English 35, "a flash in the pan."
Comedy is big in Japan, especially Osaka.  My wife always says, "Osaka people are hilarious! Their sense of humor is so much better than people in Kyushu, where I am from."
And, every year there is a new guy or gal who becomes really popular with one gag.  For example, this year is "Wild!" Guy, a few years ago was the "Gu-gu-gu-gu GOOOOOD!" Lady, and there was also the "I don't care!! (That means nothing!!)" Guy who danced around the stage in only a speedo!!

The latter two of these comedians were a flash in the pan.  This means, their popularity skyrocketed one year, and then they vanished into thin air the next!!  I don't know if the "Wild" Guy will also disappear or not, but if I was a betting man, which I am not, I would bet YES.

For some more serious news, please click on the below and find out what 6 people think about the Mayor of Osaka, Toru Hashimoto.

Osaka: Where will Mayor Toru Hashimoto and his 'One Osaka' vision be in 2022?
From The Japan Times Online
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/print/fl20120828vf.html

Good advice!

Last weekend I had a problem.  It wasn't a huge problem, or the end of the world or anything, but nonetheless,   I was stressed out. At that time, Ms. F tried to cheer me up and sent me the below photo-words of advice. They helped me, so I wanted to share them with everyone.  Maybe they will help you when you are in a pinch too!!

"LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING

 FOR THE STORM TO PASS, 

IT'S ABOUT LEARNING

 TO DANCE IN THE RAIN."

"Real English 34-let loose"

First, just like I do every year, I want to hype my two favorite festivals in Japan,  the Obon Odori Festivals.  I really love both of the festivals.  It is doubtful that I will be able to go this year, but that is OK!  Please go instead of me, and let loose and have enough fun for you and me together!!

For details refer to the below:

When: Tonight from 5pm to 8 or 9pm

Where: at Kita-Mido Kaikan (North Mido Hall) in Honmachi

*If it rains, the Festival will be canceled, not postponed.

AND

Date: Monday August 27th and Tuesday August 28th.

Time: from 5pm to 8 or 9pm

Venue:  Minami-Mido Kaikan (South Mido Hall) in Honmachi.

"loose" has many meanings.

Check out the below sample sentences for some of those meanings.

1.  Last weekend was my first time out in a while, so I really let loose!  Every once in a while, it is necessary.

2.  At the Football game in England, suddenly all hell let loose and a riot started...

3a.  "The Juice is loose!!" (*Note: Skip this one!!!  Without an explanation by yours truly, it will be impossible for you to understand what this sentence means, so don't worry about it, and if you want to know and have some time-it will take a while-I will explain it.  Just ask.)

3b.  Usually I walk my dog on his leash, but when I went to the dog park the other day, I let the wild guy loose! (Hint: to let someone/something loose)

4.  I lost about 5kg since last summer, so a lot of my old clothes, especially my pants, are loose.

5.  That guy is a loose cannon.  Watch out!

6.  I want to tie up all the loose ends before I go on vacation next week. 

7.  Hang loose dude!

8.  He's got a screw loose. Don't listen to anything he says!

9.  She cut her bf loose last month. Now she is free bird!

10.  I really hate to loose.  OR  I really hate to lose.  Which one is correct?

Koshien High School Baseball

Last weekend, I had fun! I went out solo for the first time this year. On Sunday I met Ms. T for dinner and drinks after work.  We had an interesting and serious and deep conversation about running and the differences and similarities between men and women regarding training.  Then, on Saturday I met a bunch of friends for Happy Hour, and then dinner and drinks, and then After Hours. It was a long, but fun night.  Then on Sunday I went to Koshien Stadium to watch the high school baseball tournament.  It was my first time to go to Koshien in about two years.  I wanted to sit on the third-base side, infield seats, but those seats were sold out.  Actually I waited in line for about 30 minutes for these seats, and then just as I got to the ticket window, the window closed right in front of my face!! And there was an announcement "We regret to inform you that all of the first and third and back-net seats have just sold out for the second game..."  Ahh....but I quickly regrouped and changed lines and luckily I could get the third-base side outfield seats for 500yen apiece.  

It was my first time to sit in those seats.  Basically they were great and I could get a seat in the first row for the second game so that was lucky.  But the best part of sitting in those seats was that I could experience "Okinawa" again! What I mean is, in the first game I watched, a team from Okinawa played, and I sat in their cheering section.  So many people who sat there were from Okinawa, everyone was singing and dancing and whistling and talking and looking like Okinawa! It was cool!!

I spread my wings and soared like a Philadelphia Eagle last weekend.  But next weekend I am really looking forward to returning to the nest!!!

"Real English 33-run the numbers"

I took it easy over the Obon vacation.  I walked, cycled, went to the spa, read a lot, watched a little TV, took some naps, drank some good beer and wine, and ate "take-out"sushi twice.  My favorite sushi is yellowtail, but "white tuna," otherwise known as Toro, isn't too far behind.  In addition, sea bream, shrimp, salmon roe, eel, mackerel, squid, and octopus are also on my "Like!" list.  Sea urchin and herring roe are on my "I'll eat it, but I would never order it!" list.  At the moment, there isn't any sushi on my "Pass!" list.  

Going back to the TV I said I watched above, I watched a lot of CNN.  As I have gotten older, I watch CNN more and more.  When I was a child, my father always used to watch CNN.  He was addicted to it...a CNN-aholic!  I thought CNN was boring and I could never understand why he watched it all of the time, until recently.  I guess you could say I am following in his footsteps.

Anyway, because of the Presidential Election coming up in November and the Olympics ended, there are a lot of political shows on CNN recently.  On one of these shows, I saw an announcer interview Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's running mate and the Vice-Presidential Candidate for the GOP.  A short excerpt from their interview was something like this:

Announcer:  So what about the Budget plan?

Ryan:  I haven't run the numbers on that yet.

Announcer:  OK, well then, how about the medical plan?

Ryan:  I haven't run the numbers on that either.  But, as soon as I do,  I will let you know.

In the news about this election, as well as in a lot of other business and economic and political-related news, you will hear this expression used often.  "Run the numbers" means "do the calculations (especially of financial data)" or "to analyze or evaluate economic data."  Consultants and financial advisers and politicians use this expression regularly.

Some useful expressions for you are:

1.  Run the numbers by me and let me see if it makes sense (to do it.*)

to do it=to make an investment, to make a purchase, to begin a project

2.  At first, I thought that I could afford that car.  But after I ran the numbers again, I realized that it was out of my league.

"Real English 32-go with the flow"

I like rules.  And I follow many rules, in my house, the classroom, when I go out, etc.  One of the rules which I follow when I travel is "Always go with the flow."  And on my trip to Seattle, that is exactly what I did.  

To be honest, I didn't expect much of the city.  I had never been there, and I had only heard "The weather is never good, but there are lots of good coffee and 'grunge music' places."  But, to my pleasant surprise I really liked it.  I like "walkable" cities, and cities near or adjacent to water.  In my opinion, Seattle fulfills both of those requirements.  On the first day, after I checked in to my hotel and met my parents, we went directly to Pike Place Market which is really cool.  There is a farmer's market with many fruit and vegetable and fish and pasta and flower and you-name-it shops, plus diners and cafes and restaurants, and souvenir shops, and much much more. It is really fun!  We had lunch at a nice place with a view of the water.  I had a crab cake sandwich with french fries.  After that, I went to a try on and pick up my tuxedo.  Then, we walked along the water.  I was surprised cause there were so many people, tourists I think! I know it is summer vacation for many, but I don't know where they all came from!!  After all, it was a Friday!  For dinner, we ate a great place right next to the water. The food was excellent-I had the best mussels, with red Thai curry sauce, that I have had in a while!! And the sunset, well, breathtaking!

On the second day, after a short walk and some "slow time" sipping coffee at one of the "famous" coffee shops, we took a 30-minute ferry to Bainbridge Island.  On the island, we walked around-it is a very small island, but there are some nice shops and easy walking and cycling roads.  We spent a few hours there walking around and then had lunch in front of the pier.  It was great and if you ever go to Seattle, it is a must!!  For more on Bainbridge Island, google it!

On the third day was the wedding. It was a wonderful event!

And coming back to Japan, as always, I had some flight trouble.  So my flight schedule was changed and instead of flying into KIX, I had to fly into Narita Airport.  But this was actually lucky!  Because the Japan Olympic Swimming Team arrived at the airport at the same time that I did...so I could see ALL of them.  I thought:

Mr. Kitajima is smaller than I thought.

Ms. Terakawa is more beautiful than I expected.

Mr. Hirai, the coach, is a much better looking guy in person than on TV.

Great Trip!

I had a wonderful time.  The wedding was fabulous and the two days before the wedding, which I spent mostly with my parents walking around the city of Seattle and Bainbridge Island, were also fantastic.  Seattle is known to be cloudy, overcast, dreary, and rainy, but fortunately, the three days I was there were the three best--weather days of the year.  Sunny, around 85 degrees Fahrenheit and DRY!! It wasn't humid at all!!  What a relief!  I will write some more and post some more photos on the blog tomorrow.  

"Real English 31-off the top of my head"

The top of my head is bald.  But that is not the topic of this week's Real English.

I am going on a trip tomorrow.  My cousin is tying the knot so I will go to Seattle to attend his wedding.  I have never been to Seattle before so I am looking forward to check out the city. In addition, I can't wait to see my parents.  We should have a good time.

About my flight, I don't know the exact flight numbers of the times off the top of my head, but I can tell you that on the way there and back I am flying ANA(domestic flights) and United Airlines(the flights over the Pacific Ocean).  The journey begins at Itami Airport around noon, and then I fly into Haneda Airport, take a 90 or so minute bus to Narita Airport, and then head to Seattle.  (This is called "the poor man's route." FYI, there is a direct flight from KIX to Seattle which leaves KIX every day, but this option was 50,000yen more, so I passed this time.) The ETA in Seattle is 10am.  Just in time for lunch!

On the way back, it is a little easier. I depart Seattle around 8am on Monday, have a short layover in San Fran, and then direct to KIX.  Much easier.

That's about all for now folks.  After I get back, I will tell you about my time in Seattle.  Take care!