In my 3 years as a Hamiltonian I had never gone to a Ticats game. I decided if I'm gonna go to a TiCats game I might as well go to the Labour Day Classic, an annual match up pitting the TiCats against the Argos. So I got some good tickets on the centre line, and I headed out to Ivor Wynne. The game itself was nothing too memorable, basically the TiCats suck. I can go on about how the TiCats suck but I think their 1-9 record basically does the talking. What was fun was the atmosphere and the sense of tradition that comes with the team. The TiCats are Hamilton's team so people young and old come out to cheer for it and have all sorts of little traditions that have been passed on through the years. There was a definite sense that people were coming out to watch an event, not just a game. It's a feeling lacking in a lot of sports I go watch, Japanese baseball being the closest. All in all a good Labour Day. Tomorrow I head to TO.

People who know me know I have an interest in Japanese baseball players in the major leagues. So I took the opportunity to go out to Toronto to watch the Blue Jays take on Ichiro, Kenji Johjima, and the rest of the Seattle Mariners. While I generally root for the Jays, given the wealth of Japanese talent that have passed through Seattle I consider myself a bigger Mariners fan (obviously my heart will forever remain with the Expos). The Jays won 6-4 on good hitting and a quality start from AJ Burnett. Unfortunately the Mariners have been mired in a losing streak that now stands at 9 games after today's loss to the Jays. Ichiro was an unimpressive 0-4, and Johjima was 0-3 with a sac fly. This game was the first time I've seen Ichiro live in the Majors (I saw him Japan many years ago), and while his performance on the field wasn't much, I still enjoyed watching his elaborate stretching routine on the on-deck circle.

While the Jays were clearly the better team today, I didn't come away too impressed with the team. While the Jays showed flashes of greatness at the end of the ay they still only won by 2 points after out-hitting Seattle 14-6, and out walking them 5-1, that's a lot of men left on base.

All in all not a particularly memorable game, but a day game on a sunny day under the open dome was quite nice.

Hi all! It's been a while... Since I last wrote in this blog I've taken in a Japanese baseball game, I've travelled to Nagasaki, I've read another book, and I've parted ways with Josh.

Firstly, Josh and I saw the local Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks take on the Chiba Lotte Marines managed by former MLB manager Bobby Valentine. MLB fans may have recognized Benny Agbayani (now known as ベニー), he now plays for the Marines. The game, watched by a little under 35000 fans, was agreat pitchers' duel with both starting pitchers throwing complete games. In fact the game came down to the last pitch when Hiroshi Shibahara of the Hawks took Shunsuke Watanabe's (whom some of you may remember from the WBC) two out pitch out to the right field foul pole for the game's only run in the bottom of the ninth. Josh and I had been joking that the game would OBVIOUSLY have to end with a two out full count homerun, but we didn't think our prediction would even come close to coming true. From a baseball standpoint the game was great, I only wish the dome could have been open. Funny how both live games I've attended this year have lead to pitchers duels, and had closed retractable roofs.

We sat to the third base side of home plate, only rows away from the best seats. We even got free t-shirts because I had gotten the tickets at 7 Eleven (the Japanese take the word convenience in convenience store very seriously). The entertainment value of the game was also quite good. Both side's cheering sections were quite hot, but at times the main crowd was a bit docile. SoftBank features 8 Hawk mascots (who look more like chickens), and a streotypically white and blond MC who spoke some (I think deliberately) weird Japanese. The MC was the only thing that bugged me about the game, since it just seemed exploitative. But I enjoyed watching Josh marvel at the confetti throwing after the fifth, the yellow balloon launch after the seventh, and the white balloon launch, fireworks, and 'hero interviews' after the home team win.

Also of note was the hotel we stayed in in Fukuoka. The room was barely big enough to hold our two twin beds but still managed to fit everything you would find in a regular hotel room. The room's TV also had porn so we were able to get a taste of Japan's weird censorship laws, and downright creepy porn. Needless to say we won't be rushing out to extoll the virues of Japanese porn.

The next day we made our way to Nagasaki. We took in the Nagasaki Peace Park and A-bomb museum on our arrival. The museum was probably the best exhibit we saw and Japan, and probably one of the best compiled I've ever seen. The exhibits clearly examine the damage caused by the bomb, and isn't afraid to criticize the Japanese government of the past (even calling it faschist). The park also featured interesting things like statues donateed by various countries. We were somewhat suprised to find many Soviet bloc statues getting prime spots leading up to the main Peace Statue. The Peace Statue is an impressive sight. I would recommend a trip to Nagasaki to see these sights alone.

I have some more to write but I have places to go and people to see so I'll continue this later...

After a busy Friday and Saturday at UCC helping run High School Nationals I was relax and take a load off by spending all Saturday at Copps to watch draws 3-5 of the Tim Horton's. Where/when do I do my school work you ask? ummmm.... I'd rather not say.

Anyway going to a sporting event allows me to revive my "Game Reports" segments. This was my first live arena curling event, so I'll start with some observations. With 4 draws going on at the same time it was tough to follow any single match, and some of the continuity of the matches were lost on me. On the other hand it was cool being able to observe some sweet shots going on in other sheets when "your" game is a bit slow. Although the analysis on TV is nice, sitting in the stands will give you plenty of insight on the various possibilities a team faces. A nice old couple was kind enough to answer my questions and share their insight into the game. Finally the atmosphere is pretty hard to beat, being so close to the curlers means they'll acknowledge you make a witty remark, and curlers playing on Sheets A and D (the ones on the ends), would often talk to the fans during breaks.

Two teams I saw were particularly impressed me. Team Manitoba skipped by Jeff Stoughton, battled back from a 5-1 deficit to lose in an extra end when Jeff failed to draw a piece of the button on his last rock. It was a throw he had successfully made in his previous throw. Manitoba lost 7-6.

The other team that impressed me was Team Northern Ontario skipped by Al Harnden. They upset the vaunted team Alberta headed by Kevin Martin, and fought hard against Staughton's Manitoba in the next draw. Unlike some other teams at the Brier the Northern Ontario team was not a very well know or flashy team. Apparently the team is composed of one member from each age bracket starting with the 20's. They made some pretty slick shots, including an around-the-horn comebacker to prevent a steal of 3.

I would definitely recommend going to a major curling event if it ever comes to a town near you.

I've never been one to miss a Canada vs. Japan match in anything. Unfortunately these matches tend to be one sided for one party. The last Canada vs. Japan I remember watching was in Olympic baseball when the Japanese team thumped the Canadians 9-1 in the preliminaries, and 11-2 in the bronze medal match. But being a national of both countries I dutifully stayed up 'til 3:00 to watch Canada vs. Japan in women's curling. I ended up watching a great curling match that kept me interested 'til the very end. Japan won 5-2 in a match where Ayumi Onodera (the Japanese skip) didn't have to throw a single draw. The Japanese took control early thanks to some key misses by Canada and amazing hits by Onodera. The Japanese made it interesting in the last two ends when they started missing shots but they picked it up when they had to.

Now Canada really has to win out to ensure a spot in the playoffs...

I spent sometime at the Toronto General Hospital yesterday, interpreting for a group of Japanese nurses. I always feel uncomfortable in hospitals, and medical settings in general. It's partly the depressing atmosphere, and partly a fear of nosocomial infections (院内感染 in Japanese). The group was very kind, so that made the experience a little better. They were also impressed with my backstory, which was probably why they ended up paying me more than I expected. It turns out my simultaneous interpretation skills were a little rusty, so the job was good prep for my upcoming trip to Japan. All in all, a good day's work.

After the job I decided to go wander around Toronto's "path" underground system. I ended up getting a guidebook so I can start planning a trip out to Western Japan before I get to my workcamp in Aichi.

Finally I hooked up with Nathan to go catch the Blue Jay/Brewer game at the SkyDome (since I refuse to call it the Roger's Centre). It was my first game at the SkyDome, and I was amazed at the amenities that you find in a modern baseball stadium. After years of going to games at the Olympic Stadium, I never realized what I was missing out on. It was also a big thrill to see the SkyDome's roof retract before the game. Unfortunately the game wasn't too fun to watch. The Blue Jays scored 6 runs in the first inning, making the outcome pretty much foregone conclusion. Given the fact that neither one of us had a strong attachment to either team we got bored pretty quickly. It also didn't help that we were sitting with a group of obnoxious high school kids.

We ended up ditching the game after the sixth inning. We hooked up with Nathan's sister, and ended up having various philosophical discussions over drinks at the Elephant and Castle. Fun times...

Game Report #7
It was a heartbreaker at the Big O this afternoon, as the Expos came back late but let it slip away in the ninth. Livan Hernandez pitched well after giving up 2 quick runs in the first, while the Expos were shut out by Pete Munro for 6 innings. Despite 3 errors by his infield Munro was able to keep the ball on the ground, and kept the Expos from scoring. Finally in the scored a run in the sixth and 3 runs in the seventh, giving the Expos a 2 run lead. Hernandez put two runners on in the ninth. He was spelled by Luis Ayala who promptly let 3 runs in, costing the Expos game. So the Expos' 7 game winning streak comes to an end.

Record of the Expos when I'm in attendance: 3-4 (Still not a winning record)

Other Stuff
I had dinner with Josh, Nate, John, and my folks. Good food and conversation all around. It's nice to have inter-generational talk... Life is good!!!

Also the US Olympic Basketball team lost to Puerto Rico today. It was the first loss in the Olypics for the USA since the "Dream Team" concept was introduced in 1992. Carlos Arroyo (the Utah Jazz point guard) played a beautiful game for Puerto Rico, go teamwork!!!

Very good pitcher's duel at the Stadium tonight, Randy Johnson (Arizona) vs. Livan Hernandez. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you are) Randy Johnson isn't the dominating pitcher I witnessed a couple of years ago. Johnson gave up 3 runs over the first 2 innings, before he buckled down. He lasted 6 innings, giving up 5 hits and a walk, while striking out just 4. Livan scattered 7 hits and 2 walks over 8 innings, while striking out 8. The game showcased a couple of really neat defensive plays, and a couple of almost great plays. It's obvious why the Diamondbacks are sucking this season, the 'backs were playing with so many young fill-in players, it was almost sad.

In other news:
- The rain got so bad outside that it started dripping on the seat in front of us.
- Two knuckleheads ran onto the field.
- I also saw Erik Stamboulieh and Pedro Avella, both seemed quite happy with life.

Record of the Expos when I'm in attendance: 3-3

Tim Raines Day drew a crowd of 18,114. I was very touched by Raines' thank you speech to the fans. Although it wasn't the most eloquent speech I've ever heard, it was very genuine and heartfelt. The game that followed was perhaps the wildest game I've ever witnessed in person. The offense problem I mentioned last time disappeared, as the Expos scored in 7 of the 8 innings they came up to bat. The Expos got 18 hits (including 4 homers), drew 6 walks, and got hit twice en-route to scoring 17 runs. What should have been a rout after a 9 run second inning where Juan Rivera homered twice, including a grand slam, became a close win for the Expos. The White Sox got 15 hits, drew 7 walks, and also got hit twice en-route to scoring 14 runs. As you can see the pitching was horrible, every pitcher except the Japanese Takatsu Shingo (Mr. Zero) was involved in giving up a run. I should note that I thought Takatsu's throwing motion was very cool. It was a very interesting game to watch.

Record of the Expos when I'm in attendance: 2-3

Notes to self:
- Finish QSDA meeting minutes
- Buy a Hamilton Tiger-Cats cap

The Expos have no offense!!! It seems the Expos are incapable of scoring more than one run in an inning. Tonight the Expos actually left 22 men on base, and failed to score more than one run in any inning. Livan Hernandez had an OK start and should have won. The crowd was pretty good (10,044), too bad it was because of the cheap tickets and hot dogs, not the team. On a brighter note Jose Vidro got his 1000th career hit, and I got to see Riley, Jeff, and a bunch of other St George's teachers.

Record of the Expos when I'm in attendance: 1-3

Other stuff:
I contributed a pretty good node to E2 today. I hope to write up a couple more before I leave for Moncton.

( Game Report #3 )

Other things:
I actually saw Nancy Brown again for the first time in two years. She was manning the Amnesty International table at the John Lennon/Yoko Ono Bed-in 35th Anniversary exhibit at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. She was the person who introduced me to the whole idea of workcamps. It was good to see her again. I think I should start doing Amnesty activities again.

Since I'm going to take my computer with me to mcmaster, we bought my mother a new eMac. So now I have a temporary network to play around with. I never realized how old my computer was, I think I'm going to get a new computer next year when I have some money coming my way.

I'm still formulating my election predictions...

11

I went to the baseball game with Em and the rest of the gang. Unfortunately the Expos lost to the Braves 6-1. It was a pretty pitiful performance by Nos Amour, the last 17 Expos batters were retired without much excitement. I think the highlight of the game was when both benches cleared after Livan Hernandez hit Johnny Estrada. The great thing about a small crowd (4544), is that you get entire bleacher sections to yourself. We had fun though, we ended up having an in depth discussion on which Expo player was the hottest (I say Brian Schneider). It's too bad this is how the final season is shaping up... Hopefully they'll do better when Nate and I go this weekend.

Record of the Expos when I'm in attendance: 0-2

I just got back from the Expos game. Unfortunately the Expos lost 8-6 (it wasn't as close as it sounds). The game began with the first four Phillies scoring without recording an out, so the opening day crowd (30,122) were pretty out of it for most of the game. The Expos came back in the 6th inning and tied the game 5-5, but the Phillies scored runs in the next three innings to effectively put it away. The Expos were able to put up 12 hits but many of them were scattered and came after 2 outs. Hopefully this performance signals the beginning of an offensive surge.

As an aside, I'm so ashamed to be a man sometimes. At the game whenever a woman wearing a tight shirt walked by, my entire section of drunken guys started hooting and hollering. Needless to say I wasn't hollering, it was downright embarrassing. I also witnessed a fist fight between two guys after one of them accidentally spilled beer on the other guy. I don't want to be associated with that...

Finally, I GOT MY BIKE BACK!!!!!!! The ride was sexy smooth.