Finding my way

   Iku came down from Misawa and we went to dinner with a couple of her friends. We went to a yakiniku place. They have grills in the tables and you grill your own meat and vegetables.

   Saturday I decided to go to downtown Tokyo. I got online and found an area I wanted to go to and went to the train station. Getting around wasn't too hard. The part where more than one station lacked maps in English hindered me a bit. But, I knew pretty much where I was going, so I just picked the line going in that direction.


   I was headed to the part of Tokyo where the New Sanno hotel is, it's a military hotel in the middle of Tokyo, and I figured I'd find it from the Roppongi station. I'd made that walk more than once during the few days I was here in 2002.

Just another Saturday in Harajuku

   The train was going by Shibuya, so I decided to get off at the Harajuku station to see this "Harajuku Style" I've heard about. It was cool to see the outfits and costumes. I made a lap, maybe two around the shops and stuff then walked to Shibuya. I went from the young and crazy to uppity and expensive in about half-a-mile. 


   I didn't make it far into Shibuya because there was stuff going on that distracted me. 


   In the middle of everything was a wooded area, so I went to see what was in it. Along the way, five locals came running up. They were looking for people to show around and practice English with. They lead me to the shrine there and showed me how to rinse my hands and mouth before going into the sacred area. 


   When I came out of the area I noticed a big crowd going toward an arena, so I went too. It was some concert thing, so I didn't go in. Walking around the parking lot, I came across a big Hip-Hop gathering.


   Today's Japanese B-Boys and girls look like America's 80's B-Boys and girls. There were old-school Kangol hats and knee-high socks with the two stripes everywhere. 


   They were having a break dance competition. I also witnessed a rap battle and jump ropers. And I can't forget the turtle on a leash. That was good stuff. 


   Then it was off to the train to find Roppongi. I was able to walk around and check it out before it turned into a jumpin club area. I'm sure it's still a great place to party into the morning. I'll probably do that at some point while I'm here. I did go to a bar and have a couple of drinks while I was there. Hey, the girls were wearing bikini tops, would you not go in? 

That's how you park

   I didn't want to get stranded somewhere because the trains stop running around midnight, so I headed back to Fussa-shi, where base is, around eight. It's probably a good thing I did, because it took three hours to get back, not including the hour or so in Tachikawa at the Irish Pub. I have no real idea how I made it back without getting lost. I did stop to ask about the train line to get back here once, like I said, not many English maps around here. But, I might as well have asked a map. His hand gesture was good enough to get me on the right train though. I would have been fine if I had gone back the way I went. I'm sure I can cut some time off of the travel next time by taking a more direct route.

   Maybe next time I'll take a map app so I know just what trains to get on. Maybe not, but I will learn the Kanji for some of the more important stops along the way. It's a good thing I memorized the symbol for Tachikawa on the way out.


  


  

Back in Japan

Well, I have officially been in Japan for my first weekend. It was a good one, a bit rainy so no going out at night. That's when it rains for real. 

I have been off base a few times to check things out. Thursday I walked to the other end of town and seen a lot of stuff. This is a nice old town. I happened across a public pool, I did not know they had those here. I probably won't be there much. I'm  pretty pale, especially when compared to the locals. 


I stay in the dorms here. It's ok because I'm near the BX, shopette, and the gate. I'll only need to utilize a vehicle or bike to get to work for the most part. The train station isn't very far and goes into Tokyo, not sure what the price to ride there is yet. I might find out next weekend. 


As you can see in the picture, I became a part of a parade today. There were a couple going through town. I'm not sure why, but it was cool to see, and be a part of. 


I have been to my new unit, but not many people were there, it was Friday and the commander's going away luncheon was going on. I do have an office all to my self, until a photographer finally gets assigned here. It's small, just enough room for three desks. I think there should be four,  not sure if I'm getting two broadcasters at some point, or just one. Might not get any, who knows whats going on. 


Heads up from Homie:  I am thinking about switching to Tumblr for this. It just seems more intuitive, and I can do more stuff, like post to Facebook and Twitter directly. We'll see what happens.

Random thoughts from Panama

This is a CE tent, why is open?


Showers inside of an Alaskan, why not bring a shower trailer?


Really? People brought air mattresses?


Fresh coconut milk delicious, Almond Joy are not delicious, why?


Dear port-a-pot designers, there is no room for a sink. I don't want to be Gumby to pee.


I sure do feel sorry for the people who have to use these for four months.


Why is there BB-Q sauce with my meatloaf with my MRE?


Booty booty booty rockin everywhere.


I bet the more colorful the chicken, the tastier the meat.


Is the JAG playing the Meow game? Yes, he's up to nine.


Yard chicken with spaghetti and rice is good, tough but good.


Sure hope this sunburn doesn't hurt tomorrow.


Don't bust your ass, don't bust your ass.


One more cold shower to go.


Three hour old Big Macs are delicious.


Panama Hooters wings are delicious, and the waitresses are pretty darn cute too.


Dear random trash can in Al Brook Mall, take good care of my destroyed Pumas for me.


Panamanese women have pretty nice bodies.


Panama is a fun place.


Good thing the alchohol/common sense didn't give in tonight.


No one should consume one Sangria, three Hurricanes, seven rum and cokes, two tequila shots, and who knows how many mystery drinks shared by a female and still not be drunk, let alone just slightly buzzed.


I bet I can't consume that much next time without passing out.


I'm not sure whether I need to be ready for the airport in two hours or three.

Homie's helpful hint:  When you absolutely need a bottle opener, you can use the sun visor clip to do the job. 

WSOP results

The $1,500 was a good sized event. It had 2,394 players and a first place payout of over half a million dollars. I was coasting along for the first few levels. I wasn't in any hands out of position, just the blinds and the button unless I had a decent hand. I folded when I didn't hit the flop. I stole pots when I figured I could. I chased down one hand, a terrible chase I normally don't go for.
  I had 10 3 of hearts in the small blind
  flop is A 5 4, with 2 hearts I bet $450
  guy raises to $1,000 and I call
  turn is a black 7, he bets and call
  River is a black 6
  I push all-in and he calls
  I show the straight and he mucks
Just a couple of hands after that we got into another pot. He raised about three times the big blind and I called. I bet half the pot when all low cards came on the flop. He disgustingly tossed his A Q to the dealer. He was looking at me when he did it, so in an attempt to tilt him, and take him even more off his game, I showed my pocket Kings.


I sat back and watched the action for a while until I get pocket 4s. 
  I call a raise preflop
  flop is 4 Q 8 with a spade draw
  I bet the pot and he pushes all-in
  My chips beat his into the pot
  He shows Q 9 with the spade draw
  My 4s hold up


All is going well up to the dinner break. I come back to play, planning to play the same game I have been the whole day. Then I get pocket Queens and raise to 4 times the blind. I get reraised and call all-in. He tables pocket Aces and I don't catch up. I went out at 674th. Well off the money, but I played well and just git a bad hand. 


I played in a $340 tournament the next night and made it into the money. It wasn't far into it, but considering how close I was to being out, I'll take it. There are about 56 people left when this hand happens.
  I have pocket Jacks
  a guy pushes all in and I call
  He shows suited A 7
  An Ace comes on the flop and beats me
  I am left with one $500 chip


I literally had a chip and a chair. I got moved to a new table as soon as that hand was over. Blinds where $200/$400 and I was moved to the big blind. And, there was a $100 ante. My hand held up and I got a nice triple up. I was able to double up on the very next hand and ride it into the money in 16th place.


I took first in a little tournament at the Luxor for a bit of cash. Then I lost the second one there. And that brings us to the brain dump of a hand that took me out of the last $340 tournament.
   I have A 10 of spades
   I raise preflop and get a call
   Flop is K 8 5 with two spades, giving me a flush draw
   I push all in and get called, he has K 10
   I don't catch like I expected and am out


I got nervous about blinding out and didn't really need to push there, but I wasn't getting hands, and when I was going to make a move the two in front of me would make them first. I normally don't get nervous about not making the money, and that's the bad thing about it.


Other than that game, I don't think I played too bad. And at two cashes out of five games, it was a good trip. If only I cashed in the big one and not the small ones. 


It was nice seeing all of the pros there playing. 


I'm already working on a bankroll for next years series. I will make it deep and cash, and maybe even get that bracelet. 

2010 World Series of Poker

Tuesday I leave for Vegas, and a shot at a World Series of Poker bracelet. No, I'm not playing in the main event $10G tournament. I'll be in the Event #30 No Limit Hold 'Em $1,500 buy-in event. It is a three day tournament. Looking on wsop.com, the last $1,500 tournament had 2,500 entrants. I expect there to be closer to 3,000 for the one I'll be in. I figure making it to at least the money will be cake.

I haven't played a live tournament since October, and I haven't played live at all since I lost a nice chunk in New Orleans in March on a cash game. I have been practicing on Full Tilt the last couple of weeks and I've done pretty well, on the two and three table sit-n-goes.

In an attempt to keep money in my pocket I will not play any cash games there. I need practice so I will play sit-n-go tournaments. They are usually just on table, 10 person events, and quick money. I'm also having people over this weekend to get practice before I go. 

I will update on Facebook during breaks. The start time is 12:30p.m. on Wednesday and 2:30p.m. local Thursday and Friday, so the updates will be afternoon and evening. I'll play 11, maybe 12 hours each day, so be sure to check in the morning for a run down.

The length of time shouldn't be a factor since I'm known for playing upwards of 16 hours at a time. 

I just hope that I can luckbox and make the right moves at the right time to take the whole thing. We shall see.

Homies helpful hint: You can find me on Full Tilt as doGmaI777

Best Sapper Competition

The trip to Fort Leonard Wood was a good one. The Best Sapper competition had 29 teams of two compete in various combat engineer tasks and knowledge. We got all 58 print and video interviews. It sure does help when everyone is instructed to participate.


I got all of the interview forms back and the photographer got all off the mug shots done Saturday. The broadcasters had to finish on Sunday, so I went with them. It only took an hour. After that the civilian broadcaster and I took a trip to Bass Pro Shop, he said it is the headquarters. It was my first time in one, not including that little one in Arundal Mills mall in Maryland. I bet its safe to call it the Redneck Mecca. 


We had early days the three days the competition ran. By early, I mean being on base at 3 a.m. Monday and Tuesday were full 10 hour days, but we were done at 7:30 Wednesday morning. 


Since my main responsibility for the trip was finished Saturday I took one of the office's D2-X cameras so I would have something to do, and the boss thought I might be able to get what the photographer didn't see. Yeah, it has been a while since I've used one, and it showed. I got it figured out after a while. I took, probably close to 2,000 photos, not including the ones deleted directly from the camera, and had one make it into the stock photos that were sent out with the story. We'll see if it gets published at all.


We got to watch them build C-4 charges, breach a door with explosives with just 10 feet and a wall of plexiglass between us and the door. I also go to ride on a Black Hawk for the first time. I think I played it cool enough nobody figured out it was my first ride. 


My next trip should be to Panama next month. I'll be writing about the New Horizons exercise. I will be in a few cities down there. It will be a multi-branch exercise. 


Homie's note: Not sure why I can't load more photos to this right now. 

The first six months

I have been here for six months already. I has been a pretty quick six. Being here has been pretty cool so far. Living with a roommate again took some getting used to, but it's working out. The job is cool, if a bit slow at points. I have been on two trips for stories since January and I leave next weekend for a story at Fort Leonard Wood.

My first trip was to the Carolinas and Haiti, with a stop in Honduras. I went to Pope/Bragg in North Carolina and wrote about people sending supplies to Haiti for the earthquake relief. Then went to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and while there the public affairs officer offered us a flight to Haiti for more interviews. We accepted and flew down on a C-5. On the way we stopped in Honduras to pick up a couple of fire trucks to take with us. We were there on the flight line a few hours and then took off for Haiti. We got to Haiti at like 1 a.m. and also stayed on the flight line there for about three hours. Since it was dark we didn't see much of the damage other than the big crack on the outside of the airport. The inside was apparently real bad. We took more than 100 refugees and orphans to Miami on the way back to South Carolina. We sat on the floor of the plane under a cargo strap for that part of the trip. That was fun.

A couple of weeks ago I went to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to write about the explosive ordnance disposal students. Most of the services are there for nine months learning about all of that stuff. The Navy stays longer than the rest because they have a few months of dive training.

It was cool seeing how they inspect bombs and watching them set up explosions.

In addition to work, my grandma has been down. It was a good weekend with her and her friend going around town and showing them things. I have also had another couple of people down for a weekend and it was fun too. And I plan to have more people coming down while I'm here.

That's all for now. I'll write more later.

Links to the two stories:

http://www.timesleaderonline.com/page/content.detail/id/516397.html?nav=5010

http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2010/04/06/west/life/0407wc-bomb0.txt