Fit As A Fiddle

I would like to break from what I've been normally sharing, and touch on some of my progress. Part of my trip to Japan has been self improvement.

This post will be personal, so here we go. I have been over weight for some years more than I would like to admit. And I have been working on this for about six months. My first real steps started for lent; February, 2018. During lent I gave up soda-pop and have not had any since. I have slowly been building from there. The next step was volunteering at the YMCA and eventually working there. At the YMCA I swam and lifted weights. Before I left for Japan, I had swam over ten miles. Several years back, when Matt and I were roommates in college I had read a book of his about Bruce Lee, and his training routine. There is a lot to learn from Bruce Lee, and I am not about to claim I gained all I can, but one lesson I picked up was how to space weight lifting over a week. Lift weights three days a week; arms and chest Monday, legs Wednesday, and back and arms Friday. The concept is you give adequate time to rest your muscles between workouts. There's a lot more to it but that's the gist. My twist was I would do a weight lift session, and follow up with a quarter to half mile swim. The idea being that the swim would act as my "burn out" as swimming hits all major muscles groups. After working at this for some time I saw results and was ready to step things up. Yoga was what I decided on. Yoga, as a part of a regular exercise routine can make some impressive results. To be honest, I had noticed a couple years back that I had shrunk. I stand at 6'2" and at this point in my life I was more like 5'9". That is scary! After focusing on stretching, I discovered I am still 6'2" but I had developed a sloped back. In a matter of weeks my posture fixed, and I was standing fully erect. I think this is a key secret for a lot of people. You can live your whole life with bad posture without realizing all the negative effects it has on you physically and mentally. I now truly believe that diet and exercise are the hammer and chisel of self improvement, but yoga is the file to sand those rough edges. It is about this time that I make my move to Japan.

The first photo is from St. Patrick Day, I am with my aunt Deb and my dad, the pope of St. Patrick Day, to show where I was when I started. I have chosen these other two pictures because I am wearing the same shirt and that it's about half way for the second. The second was from the party I had before I left for Japan (I am in the photo with my brothers Alan and Nolan), a little before May 20th, the third is from a couple weeks ago, August 5th. Just three days ago from today I finally broke down and bought a new belt. My progress has been very good but not without issues. Recently I started meal prepping for better portion control but I have been slipping on that, and since I've come to Japan I have not gotten a gym membership. But on the flip side I have been walking and riding my bike a lot more. I have already figured out my next steps to see better results. It is a matter of self discipline. I honestly feel good about the progress I have made, and I look forward to improving.

Journey to Tokyo and Summer Sonic

There is a major annual music festival every year in Japan called Summer Sonic. It happens in Osaka and Tokyo. This would be my first trip to Tokyo. I was a little nervous getting everything arranged, but my ducks were in a row and away I went. It's a two hour trip into Tokyo. After arriving I check into my hotel and drop off my bag and head out to Summer Sonic. 

There was a lot to see and do. There were seven stages, and over fifty bands playing that day. Even more over the whole event! Some of the highlights, I saw The Oral Cigaretts, Walk The Moon, Lexi, Chance The Rapper, and Beck. I caught a bit of a few other acts, a Japanese idol group, Mike Shinoda, and some other Japanese artist. There were artist painting murals in the hallways, a wondering bagpiper, and a musical clown show for the kids. 

Lexi was the most fun surprise I discovered. His band starts off warming up the crowd, they were all wearing T-shirts, similar to a tuxedo T-shirt, but traditional Japanese. Then Lexi comes barreling onto the stage wearing a brightly colorful Japanese lord's outfit, with funky sunglasses, afro, and holding an inflatable dolphin. He then throws a dozen or more dolphins into the crowd and starts playing some wildly funky tunes. Dolphins bouncing everywhere.

The big highlight for me was getting to see Beck. It's been a secret goal of mine for some years to see Beck perform in Tokyo. It's just felt like the way to see him live. And this was my first time seeing him perform ever! It was the best show I've ever seen. I was right by the front of the stage, everyone was singing and dancing like crazy. He had a special guest, Daoko, come on stage and sing Stay Up All Night with him. Hearing him perform live was amazing, his sound is much different than his studio work, more rocking guitar and bass. It was wonderful. And to close the night fireworks were launched. 

I also picked myself up an exclusive Summer Sonic Version of Beck's album, Colors, with a bonus DVD. This was a transcendent day. I eventually sleep and make my way back to Kashima the next day. 

Return to Kashima Shrine

I went back to Kashima shrine to enjoy the nature and beauty.

And for some extra fun, here are some photos of an amazing shrine I found on my way back from the beach.

Eastern Sun

Today I finally made good on one of my goals since arriving in Japan. I went out and saw the sunrise over the ocean. I left my apartment around three thirty in the morning. Riding through the pitch dark morning, starlight was the only guiding light. Getting closer, the old lighthouse becomes visible. Passing the lighthouse I arrive at the East gate and enter the beach. Overhead I see half a dozen shooting stars. Fishermen off in the distance, using flashlights to navigate dangerous paths. Leisurely surfers start arriving at the beach. And slowly, the sun rises.