The Weekly AA meeting!

Tuesday 20th Feb

So far so good…
Its now 9 days since my last drink! (How much of an A.A. member do I sound!?)This whole giving up the booze for a bit is damn hard – not because of the thirst for the sauce but because of the whole social aspect that must also be removed if there is even to be the slightest chance of success..
Luckily with my MSc. course in full swing at the moment – I have a perfectly valid reason for saying no to the seemingly never-ending stream of 送別会 (soubetsukai - Leaving parties), 歓迎会 (kangeikai - welcome parties), not to mention the good old fashioned “it’s the weekend lets get smashed” parties..
“Yes Joe but you don’t HAVE to drink” – u may say.. True – but when many of the parties are 飲み放題　 (nomihoudai – all u can drink) – its virtually impossible to opt out of the oncoming madness..

Still – 7 days down, 27 to go…

Oh – must mention – the reason for the photo above (certainly not a flattering one) is the fact that at that time I was standing on Potato road 通り - very Irish I thought) – and since I am counting down to St. Paddy’s Day I thought I would revisit and post some of the photos I have taken in and around that time over the last couple of years..

Other major news this week concerns the company I have the misfortune to work for.. front page news stories on Thursday and Friday of last week concerning the Japanese side screwing students over as regards refunds..
Given the fact that last month there was a drug scandal involving a number of teachers, the shit is really hitting the fan at the moment – Interesting times indeed.
Check back for any further details worthy of my precious blog space!

(My very good friend Francis 'The Bearded Lady' Collins doing his best impression of a Falls Rd hardman!)

Nite

挑戦

挑戦
こんにちは僕の今年の初のブログへようこそ。
書こうと思っていたらおっという間に2月になっていました。
いつもの言い訳だけど、かこうと思ったら忙しくなってやらなきゅいけないことがいっぱいあったんだよね。
最新ニュース！
今年バカみたいに飲まないって決めたのに今年に入ってからも肝臓や財布を苦しめてきてしまった。
だから節約とまだ弱ってない肝臓の一部のために３月１７日のＳＴパトリックデイまでお酒を一滴たりとも口にしないという勇気ある挑戦をすることにした。《解禁日の延長できないけどね》
冷蔵庫には大事な大事なビールが２リットルあるけど３５日間はお預け。《先週の月曜から飲んでない》やりとげられると思う？

The Gauntlet

The Challenge has been laid down.. (Feb 15th 2007)
(Picture: Saitama 2004)

Hola everyone. Welcome to my first post of the year.

Granted it is mid-February so this post has been a long time coming – It’s the usual excuse I’m afraid – lack of free time or the sudden appearance of something more pressing just when I finally make the decision to state writing.
So what is new?
Well unfortunately despite this identifying this year as one of “moderation”, I have been on the rip a bit more than my either my liver or my wallet would like..
Thus in an attempt to save some cash as well as what remains of my liver, I have set myself the bold challenge of not touching a drop of alcohol until March 17th – St Paddy’s day (I figure that it would be impossible to extend it beyond that day)..

So despite having roughly 2 litres of sweet sweet beer in my fridge – I’m gonna have to resist the urge for 35 days (starting last Monday night)…
How do u guys think I’ll fare?

Joekyo 2007 will appear soon....