2011 Predictions

1.NFL-New England Patriots
2.NCAA Football-Auburn Tigers
3. NCAA Mens Basketball-Connecticut
4.NBA-Miami Heat
5.MLB-New York Yankees

2010 Predictions Recap

My Percentage improved, but overall another disapointing year 4 of 10 correct predictions. I'm predicting this year will be better. Bring on 2011!

1.NFL-Indianapolis Colts-No
2.NCAA Football-Alababma Crimson Tide-Yes
3. NCAA Mens Basketball-Texas Longhorns-No
4.NBA-LA Lakers-Yes
5.MLB-Philadelphia Philies-No
6.Dow will finish the year above 14000-No
7. A Major Hurricane system will cost american taxpayers billions-No
8.Unemployment in the US will fall below 9 percent-No
9.Avatar will be the top Box office hit-Yes
10. Apple will unveil newly designed Iphone-Yes

2010 Predictions

1.NFL-Indianapolis Colts
2.NCAA Football-Alababma Crimson Tide
3.NCAA Mens Basketball-Texas Longhorns
4.NBA-LA Lakers
5..MLB-Philadelphia Philies
6.Dow will finish the year abouve 14000
7. A Major Hurricane system will cost american taxpayers billions
8.Unemployment in the US will fall below 9 percent
9.Avatar will be the top Box office hit
10. Apple will unveil newly designed Iphone

2009 Predictions Recap

To quote Charles Barkly " Terrible" Maybe I should get out of the business of predicting.

1.NFL-Carolina Panthers-No
2.NCAA Football-Oklahoma Sooners-No
3.NCAA Mens Basketball-Connecticut Huskies-No
4.NBA-Boston Celtics-No
5.MLB-LA ANGELS-No
6.Dow will continue to fall and end the year below 7000-No
7. America will still be in Iraq-Yes
8.Unemployment in the US will reach 9%-Yes
9.Terminator Salvation will be the top Box office hit-No
10.SONY PS3 will outsell Microsoft XBOX360-Yes

Predictions for 2009

1.NFL-Carolina Panthers
2.NCAA Football-Oklahoma Sooners
3.NCAA Mens Basketball-Connecticut Huskies
4.NBA-Boston Celtics
5..MLB-LA ANGELS
6.Dow will continue to fall and end the year below 7000
7. America will still be in Iraq
8.Unemployment in the US will reach 9%
9.Terminator Salvation will be the top Box office hit
10.SONY PS3 will outsell Microsoft XBOX360

Matsuri Video

This event took place back in October of 2005. A Matsuri is a Japanese Festival held through out the year at various locations in Japan.

2008 Predictions Recap

1. NFL-New England Patriots (No Brainer)
The heavily favored New England Patriots lost to the NY GIANTS in the Super Bowl, 17-14
2. NCAA Football- LSU Tigers
LSU Defeated Ohio State in BCS Championship Game, 38-24
3. NCAA Mens Basketball-Memphis Tigers
Kansas Jayhawks Defeated Memphis Tigers in Overtime to win Championship
4. NBA-Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics captured 17th NBA title with blowout over Lakers
5. MLB-New York Mets
Mets collapsed again as they failed to reach post season. Phillies win World series
6. Oil prices will continue to climb. (Another No Brainer)
Oil prices peaked over the summer to higest levels ever and then declined rapaidly to the lowest levels in years
7. China's economy will peak and will be forced to deal with pollution and other internal issues.
In 2008 China's economic growth did in fact slow down
8. Hillary Clinton will be elected the first woman president in U.S. history.
Obama defeated Hilary clinton in Democratic primaries
9 Indiana Jones 4 will be the biggest hit of 2008.
Indiana Jones 4 was the 3rd biggest box office hit for 2008,while The Dark Night earned top spot
10. Blueray will finally be declared the winner of the HD format war over HDDVD.
Blueray won. This one was actually over early in 2008.

So a dissapointing 4 of 10 correct predictions for 2008. But, if the Giants David Tyree doesnt make that incredible superbowl catch and Mario Chalmer misses that three against Memphis at the end of regulation, then I'm a much more impressive 6 of 10.

USA Basketball Gets Gold

USA Redeem team was truly golden as they outlasted a resilient Spanish team 118-107 to claim their first Gold since the 2000 Olympic Games. Dwayne Wade proved why he's still one of the top 3 players in the game by scoring 27 points to lead the USA. Kobe Bryant was clutch in the end with his usual Kobe moments. This was one of the most exciting Basketball games I have ever seen.

Mt. Fuji Postcard

Mt. Fuji, located 62 miles(100 km) SW of Tokyo, is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,388ft(3,776 m). It is one of Japans most well known symbols. The kanji 富 and 士, mean wealth or abundant. Check out Mt. Fuji's location in google maps. Posted above are four different shots...four different seasons. Heres another post card I created of Mt. Fuji.

2008 Predictions

Here are my 10 predictions for 2008.... just for fun. Happy New Years!

1. NFL-New England Patriots (No Brainer)
2. NCAA Football- LSU Tigers
3. NCAA Mens Basketball-Memphis Tigers
4. NBA-Boston Celtics
5. MLB-New York Mets
6. Oil prices will continue to climb. (Another No Brainer)
7. China's economy will peak and will be forced to deal with pollution and other internal issues.
8. Hillary Clinton will be elected the first woman president in U.S. history.
9 Indiana Jones 4 will be the biggest hit of 2008.
10. Blueray will finally be declared the winner of the HD format war over HDDVD.

Bargain Shock promo Video back in January of 2006.

Sunrise over Himeji

Sunrise over Himeji,
originally uploaded by stingya.

Just ran into a photo i took almost four years ago. Wow the memories. First year in Japan.

Summer Promo Video

I've just completed a summer promo video for the Festa Shops in Himeji. Should be up and running at Festa soon. Check it out.

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms have been celebrated for many centuries in Japan. There are many cherry blossom viewing parties held all over Japan. The Japanese eat and drink under these trees at some of the most popular viewing spots. Its quite a sight.

We had picnics the last two weekends at Himeji Castle. Unfortunatly the first picnic was marred by the Yellow Sand that came over from China and created a haze. The cold windy conditions that day made it imposssible to enjoy the atmosphere.

A Day at the Asahi Beer Brewery

Today I was able to take most of my Nishinomiya School kids on a field trip. We try to take atleast one trip a season. In the past I've taken my students on excursions to the zoo or the mountains for hiking. With the arrival of spring one would imagine a nice trip outdoors. However, this time the mothers had oddly arranged for a field trip to the Asahi Beer Brewery in Nishinomiya. Why a brewery you might ask?? Well.... you'll probably be able to figure out why later.

Upon arrival at the Asahi Brewery we were greeted by a friendly Asahi staff who seemed a bit overwhelmed by the amount of small children on hand for the tour. I was quite impressed at how well behaved the children were. Preceding the visit, I envisioned many 3-6 year olds scattered all over the place wreaking havoc.

The tour began with a video presentation of how beer is produced. The video was entirely in Japanese and I can't tell you much about it because I fell asleep a few minutes into the presentation. After waking up to the scream in my ear of one of my students, we continued with a guided tour of the Asahi beer facility. The tour was extremely boring and I couldnt catch a word that was being said.

After the tour had concluded, we were all led into a large room where we could drink beer on tap. We were allowed to drink an unlimited amount in a span of 30 minutes. The children were given snacks and soft drinks courteous of Asahi. This of course was a marketing tactic to get Asahi’s name into the hearts of people. After the first beer, I was hesitant to get a second one because I was concerned at what the mothers might have thought of me. However, that quickly changed when the mothers insisted I drink more. I ended up downing five! Many of the mothers had three. It’s not unusual for women in Japan to like and drink beer regularly. I have never been big drinker or an authority on beer, but the beer at the brewery was quite refreshing and easy to drink.

All in all it was pretty good fun. If you can withstand the uninteresting tour for the highlight of chugging down as many beers as you can, then I can definitely recommend you visit Asahi.

Spring Video

Here is a clip of my latest promo video. The theme of the video is Spring Fashion. The video will be running at the Festa shops until the 20th of April. Check it out if you are in Himeji.


Link to Festas Home page.
http://festa.gyoen.jp/

The Four Seasons of Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is the best preserved castle in all of Japan. It serves as a classic example of Japanese castle architecture, having been designated a national treasure in 1931.
The castles remarkable landscape is a grand setting for seasonal scenery.