Merry Chirstmas - 2009...

The wonders of Skype - the most amazing program in the whole wide world...
Direct and live from Honolulu to Kurihama...

After a fun party - eating all kine and too much food last night, sleeping in till late, wrapping all my presents this morning, and opening all my good presents today...I just HAD to ride...but...I was dragging.....so I got out the door after 5pm, late as usual...

The dreamy dreary overcast weather this Christmas day sort of matched my melancholy mood...and Ipod set to shuffle, when these two favorite songs came on... it felt...just...right...

The Emotions - Flowers:

BoA - Do the Motion:

...Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas (Eve) - 2009 Party...

From last night's Christmas Eve gathering at my brother's house...

The Main Attraction (Potluck - Hawaiian Style):
(Click to make big) Clockwise from bottom left:

Kalbi - Korean
Kinpira - Japanese
Lamb Chops - American
Zippy's Chicken - Hawaiian Style
Stuffed Chicken - American
Okonomiyaki - Japanese
Sushi Rice - Japanese
Lumpia - Filipino
Ige's Rafute (the best) - Okinawan
BBQ Ribs - American
K's Popcorn Chicken - Hawaiian Style
Miso Butter Fish - Japanese
Sashimi (hidden) - Japanese
Tofu Pattys - Japanese
Nishime - Japanese
Crab Potato Salad - Hawaiian Style
Chinese Chicken Salad - Chinese
Pineapple Cloude Jello - Hawaiian Style
Andagi - Okinawan
Shrimp Tempura - Japanese

On Other Tables:
Limu Poke - Hawaiian Style
Tako Poke - Hawaiian Style
Homemade Garlic Fried Tako - Hawaiian Style
Edamame - Japanese
5 Layer Taco Dip w/ Chips - Mexican

Deserts:
Ice Cream Cake - ???
Mochi - Japanese
Coconut Cake - Hawaiian Style
Chocolate Cream Pie - American
Liliha Bakery Coco Puffs - Hawaiian Style
Sugar Cookies - American
Marshmallow Puffed Rice Snacks - American
Zippy's Pastries - American
Cup Cakes - American
& A Real Japanese Christmas Cake (from Ford's Japanese Wife) - Japanese
Hi Mom!!!


This is for my brother in Japan...close up of Gregg's tender and juicy grilled Lamb Chops!
Oishi sooooooo.....

Yooooooo.....Been a While...

I've been very slowly getting my デブ arse back into bike riding again after a couple month break due to some strange sensations brought about by trying to change my riding position (way higher seat) and pedaling style (pelvis rotated forward). What were the sensations.....exactly like this: http://www.tipna.org/info/documents/BrochurePNE.htm

To "fix" the problem, instead of taking any too drastic measures, I just decided on good old stretching, r&r and time off the bike seat!!! Things have gotten a lot better, but not close to being fully "cured" yet. But, about 3 or 4 weeks ago, I just couldn't take it any more and HAD to get back on the bike.....riding for only short bouts initially, but up to over 3 hours recently...with a MUCH lowered bike seat...

Last Thursday, I got my first dose of some fast riding (due to seeing David on Lagoon) and now I can finally start to feel the fitness kicking in!

Yesterday after work was a good day. I got on the bike at 5:22 and even though I got to ride only 40ish minutes till the sun set...I rode pretty strong for the whole time. Towards the end I decided to do some super fast spinning and then this song by Orange Range came on which is PERFECT for super fast spinning...since it gives you some short breaks interspersed with some super MANIAC spinning tempo sections!

OrangeRange - Matsuri Danshaku

Although I only lasted for about 1/3 of the song yesterday...in a few weeks, I think I'll be strong enough to do the whole song!