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Broadcasting to an audience of three (and a goldfish)...
Comment, ramblings and musings... life through the eyes of a Japanologist...
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Sunday, June 9, 2002 |
 Okay to speak now, though!
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Into extra time now- and this is looking like Japan's first World Cup win. Better not speak too soon, though...
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Three more minutes or so- and the crowd really seem to be getting into their stride now. So, unfortunately, do the Russians- I hope the Japanese team can hold out. It would be a crying shame if they were to end up with a draw at this late stage.
I can see why people get passionate about football, now- the last few minutes of a game like this are really tense!
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Mind you, even with Nakata's mis-shoots, Japan look the better team- their chances really are coming thick and fast now.
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I wonder why Nakata ended up playing for an Italian team? He manages to shoot above the goal every time!
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I'd have liked to have seen the PM's face just now, when Russia hit side of the net!
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It's good to see that Koizumi sori is getting into the game, complete with one of the cone-shaped megaphones that come in two halves and can be banged together.
He looked ecstatic when Japan scored!
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Finally! Inamoto scores- his second goal of the tournament! It had to come sooner or later...
By the way, I think the one commentator rivalled the whole stadium in his shout of pure joy...
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This isn't just limited to the football matches, but Japanese television advertisements are excellent. Indeed, they're quite often better than the programmes (but that's saying a great deal in most cases).
Just recently, though, some of the tunes they've been using in adverts have been superb. For example, I dislike Mitsubishi Motors adverts because of the inane American girly voice at the end saying 'Mitsubishi Motors'- personally, I wouldn't buy any car from a company that insisted on using American in its adverts, but that's a different story- but the Mitsubishi advert at the moment has the absolute best bit from 'Layla' as its tune. Excellent.
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For goodness sake! The Japanese players keep getting the ball to within two or three inches of the goal- and then they kick it completely wide! They're a damn frustrating team to support...!
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Well, with the first thirty minutes almost passed, Japan seem to be having the better game (this much would be obvious even if one were only listening to the game- the commentary changes pitch every time Japan get anywhere near to the goal). But why do they keep missing the goal? I mean, it's a big open rectangle; it can't be that hard to get the damn ball into it!
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The Japanese National Anthem sung in Yokohama stadium just now was moving enough, but this doesn't even begin to compare to the anthem sung by the Naval Officer Cadets at their Graduation (March 2001) from the Naval School here. As long as I live, I shall never forget that chorus- and the feeling of sheer pride in my friendship with some of the cadets singing it.
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The Japanese National Anthem, Kimi Ga Yo.
This has to be my second favourite anthem- it's superbly majestic, and I have to say it always brings a tear to my eye. I was pleased to see that most of the team were singing- but Prime Minister Koizumi, in the stadium, was, noticeably, not singing.
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I think the whole thing is summed up by what the commentator has just shouted: "Izu zo, Nippon!", or "Go, Japan!"
Even the main news this evening was concerned mainly with this game. The World Cup itself took a back seat- at the minute, all that matters is this game against Russia.
Of course, I'm rooting for 'my' country this evening, so I feel the same... Iku zo, Nippon!
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First day of 'chazuke seikatsu'
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In front of TV along with rest of country...
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It's amazing how work expands to fill the time.
Do at home but all day.
Finally finished-just in time
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Still no response from the iPod...
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Well, so much for that line of attack. I plugged the frosty iPod in- and nothing happened. Looks like I'll be making a trip into Hiroshima sometime this week...
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It looks like it might not just be me disliking the hot weather, though. I decided to use my iPod this morning, after a few weeks of not using it- and it was dead. Charging it didn't work, the reset key sequence had no effect, even shaking it violently didn't seem to do the trick (actually, I didn't try the last option, although I was sorely tempted).
Anyway, checking the internet, it seems that this is a not uncommon problem- and one of the most successful solutions seems to be to put the iPod in the freezer for a while. Well, anything's worth a try, which is why my iPod is now sharing space with eggs and butter. Five more minutes to go, and then we'll know whether I've been wasting my time or not.
In any case, I suppose it's an interesting way to spend a Sunday...
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The last respite before the rainy season and the real summer... today is cool and fresh. How pleasant- and how sobering to think that it's only been about a month since every day was like this, but it already feels like an age ago. Oh well- only another four months or so...
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© Copyright 2003 Nathan Duckworth.
Updated: 8/1/03; 8:06:27 pm.
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