Ah… I finally sit down to write up a new post. After a hectic move and getting unpacked, then waiting to get fiber optic internet installed, I am writing a new posts.

I recently read Lost Japan and it peaked my interest in some of the old culture of Japan that is being lost through all the modernization. I’m thinking to learn about Kabuki or calligraphy. I’ll look into them more once my funds can recover from all the expenses of moving.

On to some status updates of two things I am working on to become a nerd. First up, Gundam. Before I moved I purchased Dynasty Warriors Gundam. Of course shortly after that I get the red ring of death and had to send my 360 in for repairs. I have it back now and hopefully can be extra nerdy playing a Gundam game. I have also started the series, Zeta Gundam. So far I like it. The animation is superior to the original series, and it’s interesting to see Char as more of a protagonist in this story (from what I’ve seen so far). The main character, Kamille, gets on my nerves a little. It seems to be a common theme in a lot of Japanese stories. The young hero who doesn’t quite know who he is or what he is supposed to be. One last thing with Gundam; once I finish up this series and the last three models I bought, I am going to declare my self a Gundam otaku or nerd.

Next up, Japanese Baseball. This is something I have been wanting to get into for a long time. I have followed the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (Nippon Ham is the name of the company that owns the club; Fighters is the mascot) for some time now. This year I made more of an effort to learn about the history of the league more, and a little more about the current players. Yahoo Sports in Japan broadcasted regular season Pacific League games this year over the internet for free, so it was a good way for me to watch a lot of Fighters baseball.

Last week, I went to the Japan Series (championship series) since the Fighters were playing the Yomiuri Giants (Tokyo). It was rather invigorating since I got to sit in the Fighters cheering section in left field. I don’t think American baseball feels as exciting as it does when you are at a game in Japan, let alone sitting in the cheering section. Being in left field (third row) also means we got to see the famed Alex Ramirez (Giants). He has tied the single season home run record in Japan (wiki that… he should be the record holder), and has played long enough in Japan that he is not considered a “foreigner” on the roster. Japanese teams have a limit on the number of foreign players they can have. I believe it is currently 4 per team. This is not to be “racist,” but it’s a way to keep the Japanese leagues from becoming a MLB Jr. Back on topic, the series was great fun despite the Fighters losing that game and eventually the series, but I hope to continue to watch and learn about Japanese baseball.

If you’re interested in learning more about the differences in Japanese baseball (like the sacrifice bunt in the first inning), then you should check out Robert Whiting’s You Gotta Have Wa. If you buy the most recent addition it should have an addendum including interviews with Trey Hillman and Bobby Valentine. Both are now former Managers of Japanese teams in recent years.