May 26, 2005
May 20th
Last Friday was the 20th of the month. Obviously, we haven't forgotten that Rosie passed away on the 20th. Gradually, slowly but surely, we are recognizing this date without getting too hysterical about it. The kicking and punching of baby Garner inside Mrs Garner certainly helps.
Anyway, May 20th also happens to coincide with the our anniversary. Not our wedding anniversary, but our started-dating-anniversary! When we found out that Megumi was pregnant with Rosie, we had a nice dinner at the Royal Pines Hotel in Urawa. We planned to do the same thing again, but Megumi was suffering from morning sickness and then was told to take things easy for a little while by the doctor, so we never got around to it. So, to cut a long and somewhat tedious story short, we decided to combine an anniversary celebration and a conception celebration with a Rosie commemoration.
We had a pleasant meal, followed by an excellent dessert. I knew I was playing football the following day, so thought I could treat myself...
At the Pines, we spotted some 'famous' people. The first guy was a small dark-skinned fellow in naff sportswear. Mmm, looks like a footballer, I thought, but he doesn't look like any of the Brazilians who play for the Reds. Next, a very tall Japanese guy in the same sportswear appeared, and someone in the lobby asked him for his autograph. Hah, must be footballers, I said to Mrs G. The tall fellow then got in the same lift (elevator) with us.
Brazilian fella and tall bloke from Niigata Albirex.
The following conversation ensued:
me: So, what team do you play for?
tall bloke in naff casual wear: Niigata
megumi: he plays football too, and his team just got to the final and got beaten by Niigata...
(tall bloke in naff casual wear wears puzzled expression, I cringe)
me:yes, but we play at a slightly different level from you guys
tall bloke in naff casual wear: where are you from?
me: England
tall bloke in naff casual wear: Oh, I went to England for a training camp once. Where in England?
me: Kent. (no response). In the south, near London.
(tall bloke in naff casual wear arrives at his floor, prepares to exit)
tall bloke in naff casual wear: see ya
me: bye. Good luck tomorrow, but I follow the Reds, so I hope you lose...
tall bloke in naff casual wear: hehehehehe
(The tall fella, whose name is Funakoshi, is apparently 194cm, which is about 6 feet 5, I think).
Posted by Gary at May 26, 2005 11:20 AM