Let's get one thing straight from the start. I've clipped the beard. In a move to prove that I wasn't just neglecting to shave, I let it grow without croppage for about 3 weeks with the result that, whilst full, silky and lush, I looked like a full, silky and lush hobo. In Nakatsu, where
boho probably means something like 'the stick you use in ceremonial onion-tethering', I took a look in the mirror the other day and decided to have a bit of a trim. I must say, however, the temptation to pop on a 1970's headband and aviators and try to pass myself off as Luke Wilson did briefly cross my mind (I wish, eh...)
Anyway; The other day was Emma N's leaving party/Marcia from the Kao Academy's Birthday, and we all went out to say goodbye. Perhaps the most fun to be had that evening was Paddy's game, which involved us insulting each other (in increasingly convoluted English) by proxy - Kumi passing on each message and inevitably adding her own inimitable slant. One such example: "Err, Jon, You are inflated plastic tentacle-ish balls. OK?" Go figure.
It's still raining here - we went to Joyfull for breakfast this morning, for the final, never-to-be-repeated goodbye to Emma N. In traditional English fashion, I had a Caesar salad at 9.10am, and Em had pancakes with butter and garlic dip. I still don't really understand why, but the coffee was cheap.
After the two days of torrential rain, the turnout was just as expected - 4 people (Mike M, Dan, Paddy and myself) but we managed to have a great time anyway: Paddy 'just one more rule' Madigan managed to create a game so complicated that 4 teachers, stone cold sober played it for over an hour without really being sure of the rules. Here's a rough idea:
Fault One - a fun game for four idiots1. Find four idiots. Any four will do, but preferably four that don't mind playing in the rain.
2. Find a sandy area, such as a beach, Japanese soccer pitch or children's sandpit, and mark out a tennis-style court roughly 18' long and 12' wide.
3. Aim of the game: Score points by heading/volleying the ball over the 'net' (line in the sand) to the other team without it touching the ground in your half of the court. Two attempts are allowed to 'serve' - ball must pass between both players before going over the net. If service is buggered up by either team
but the ball does not go over the net, that is 'Fault One' (to be shouted by all), and another attempt can be made.
4. Between each point, attempt to add a new rule (or a refinement of an existing rule) until the game descends into abject confusion.
Congratulations! You are now a master of Fault One. Why not play in the World Series? All you have to do is to prove you fully and completely understand the rules, and you win. No winners have as yet been found...
Subsequently, after a nice (albeit brief) chat with Friar Luke of Wells Priory, I went to get some food and watch the England game with Paddy, but after eating, the game was so dull that we left before half time (mainly because I'm off to Kokura tomorrow to do some training/buy a guitar). Fun indeed.
