I'm off to Japan!

[gordi]

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. I'm having my computer shipped over to Japan, it might not get there 'till May... Hopefully my mother-in-law or brother-in-law can hook us up with a temporary computer before then. One way or another, I'll be back to let you know what gyms, supps, and the scene are like in The Land of the Rising Sun. I'm 50 pounds lighter and about 50 per cent stronger than the last time I visited my wife's family, and I owe a lot of that to you bros (and sisters) in iron! Getting back in shape is a big part of what gave me the motivation to try life in Asia for a few years. Thanks again.

Gordi :flagC

[pinhead]

Drop by often and please...PLEASE post pics of Japan. I always wanted to visit and would love to know from some trusted how it is there.

[kawikaratekid]

I wish you luck bro. I too would love to visit Japan. Get as many pics up as you can for us!

[gustavo77]

Wow bro, I can't even imagine how cool it would be to live in Japan...lucky you! Make sure to drop by AND POST SOME PICS!!! Good luck!

[Seth]

I remember walking in a golds gym in Osaka. I was thinking I'd go over there and be the biggest guy in a sea of picks. So I walk in the gym and first thing I see is one of their national champions just being actively huge. My hopes and dreams were crushed :( Things to look out for: their supplements are expensive, their gyms are expensive and they don't speak English. That being said, you'll have the time of your life, it's a great country and the culture is amazing!!!

[Kiem]

Good luck and have fun.

[BDH]

Have fun, bro.. Like others said, stop by and post some pics.

[Ritch]

Japan sounds awesome. Say hi to Mr Miagi for me.

[Felinecougar]

Oh I wished I was going with you. My visit was in the Fall in 07 around the US thanksgiving. The trees were in their fall colors and not much was blooming.

I'm still dreaming of going again this spiring and this time I'll stay with my cousin in Toyko.

Guys...I have an album of Japan pics I took on my facebook page.

[ZeOne]

Hey gordi. have fun bro. I never been to the far east, but I was always fascinated by the Japanese culture.

I wish you the best of luck.

[Krozone]

Gordi!

Enjoy your time there. I lived there while working for Symantec when I was in my early 20's.
Tokyo Rocks!

(Lived in Shinjuku-ku and worked in Shibuya-ku)

Can't wait to go back!

Kro!

[canadianmuscle0803]

i would LOVE to go to Japan, their culture seems so cool... have fun and be safe, pics would be incredible!

[gordi]

Thanks for all the kind words, bros (and Cougar)! I'll get some pics up when we get our internet hooked up (Hopefully within a week).

Life is being really, really generous with us. We stayed in Tokyo for a couple of days (If anyone likes pro wrestling, check out KENTA vs. Nakajima from the March 1 NOAH Budokan show. I was there live and it was easily one of the best matches I've ever seen). We went travelling around to visit family, basically eating and drinking non-stop. Luckily, there's always been stuff like squid sashimi and bonito tataki, delicious but still well within reasonable diet limits. In fact, I've been losing weight steadily since we got here, even though all I do is eat. I think it's a combo of: more fish, more green tea, less fried food, no cheese, and more walking. Whatever it is, I'm loving it!




I remember walking in a golds gym in Osaka. I was thinking I'd go over there and be the biggest guy in a sea of picks. So I walk in the gym and first thing I see is one of their national champions just being actively huge. My hopes and dreams were crushed :( Things to look out for: their supplements are expensive, their gyms are expensive and they don't speak English. That being said, you'll have the time of your life, it's a great country and the culture is amazing!!!

The gyms are pretty expensive here, but we have one close to home that's got a pool for my wife and enough weights for me to get a workout in. When I load up the bar for a heavy set, though, I use all but 25kg of the available free weights. Luckily, it's pretty rare that anyone else is waiting to use them, and the guys who do train hard there are all total bros, everyone is super-friendly and encouraging and foreigners are totally welcome there.

Supps aren't cheap... but I think it's better than it used to be.

I don't just think I'm the biggest guy in my gym over here, I have scientific proof! I got body testing done as part of the orientation (heh heh, orientation... you know, because I'm in the orient...) and the guy doing the testing freaked out and called the other staff people over to check out my results. I had more muscle mass than anyone they'd ever measured there!

:hu

That was a pretty good boost for the ole' self-esteem. I'm going to have to go to Gold's in Osaka to get my ego back in check ;)

We found a great place to live, a short walk from the train station. My wife is working as a Nurse at Nara General Hospital. My job basically consists of sitting in Starbucks having conversations with interesting people and occasionally correcting their mistakes or giving them some homework.

My wife's friend's husband is an MD who is happy to supervise my TRT, provide us with pins (which are all but impossible to get here otherwise) and do the paperwork to let me keep it going. The Japanese syringes that we got draw beautifully and go in smooth as butter. It's unreal.

The food is amazing. Fresh tuna is so affordable here!

The girls are pretty and sweet... even though I'm married, I appreciate it when they smile at me... very few weightlifting women here in Nara, though, if any :(

My wife and I are all set up for a new life together!

Life is good, bros. Life is good.

[kloan]

Wow man, good to hear. Sounds like a fantastic life change and a great experience. Perhaps I can draw a bit of courage from your leap and try to get some sort of shift going in my life as well.

Keep us posted! :)

[Seth]

Dude, make sure you stay over at a Ryokan (I think thats the word). They're traditionnal japanese inns. Having that geisha-like maid kneeling to serve me breakfast always made my day.

[RagingRandy]

Good to hear life is grand. It sounds like you are taking every opportunity to experience your new surroundings. I wish you well.

[purelife]

wish you and your wife all the best bro
put up some pics if you can

[pinhead]

Looking forward to your pics bro. I hear there are some very beautiful places there.

[#8]

Sounds like you are having SUPER TERRIFIC HAPPY HOUR! LOL. Sounds sweet dude.

[juice555]

I remember walking in a golds gym in Osaka. I was thinking I'd go over there and be the biggest guy in a sea of picks. So I walk in the gym and first thing I see is one of their national champions just being actively huge. My hopes and dreams were crushed :( Things to look out for: their supplements are expensive, their gyms are expensive and they don't speak English. That being said, you'll have the time of your life, it's a great country and the culture is amazing!!!

The Gold's in Kyoto is the best gym I've ever been it. So clean and perfect looking. with just the right balance of heavy weight, and skinny japanese women.... ooooooo how i long to go back

[St]

Hey great to hear that your doing well there and loving it.

[gordi]

Thanks again for the kind words, as always.

Our stuff that we had shipped has already arrived from BC, including my computer, and we've got light-fiber internet hooked up in our building, so I might be able to drop by more often again :)

As promised, here are some pics:

http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2738/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2793825_899470.jpg
This is from Osaka, it's one of the many covered, neon-lit shopping streets in Namba. Namba has to be one of the most energetic neighbourhoods in the entire world. It takes about 25 minutes to get from our place in Nara to this corner in Namba.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2738/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2789129_4017121.jpg
Namba is also the home of Osaka Pro Wrestling. As you can see from the picture, their take on wrestling is pretty unique. It's very family-friendly, with lots of comedy and high-flying.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2738/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2789140_2335771.jpg
They are always very welcoming and friendly, I'm pretty much the only white guy who goes to their shows.

[gordi]

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2614/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2697764_3183375.jpg
This is from one of the two huge feasts that Chitose's Aunties threw when we went to visit Shikoku. It's the smallest of the four main islands, and there are a lot of fishermen there, including Chitose's uncle. He caught fresh suid the morning of the day we arrived in Shikoku, and we had squid sashimi for dinner. The food in this picture is Bonito Tataki. Bonito is similar to tuna, and tataki is when they sear the outside but leave the inside raw. It's unbelievably delicious.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2614/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2697828_851743.jpg
Almost every single person I've met here has been incredibly friendly and kind. The good times are pretty much constant so far.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2614/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2697831_1221089.jpg
The only English karaoke songs they had were Summertime and My Way, so that's what I sang.

[gordi]

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2614/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2697556_3761.jpg
The fish market in Tokyo. It's unbelievable, a seafood fan's wettest dream. The thing is so huge that they have railroad tracks going right into it. It dwarfs the one in Seattle (which I also love).

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2614/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2697557_2500139.jpg
Mount Fuji, as seen from our Airplane window on the flight from Tokyo to Osaka.

http://photos-f.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2738/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2793837_2827692.jpg
My new hometown, Nara, as seen from the foot of Mount Wakakusa

[Mr Ontario]

Keep us posted big guy :)

[gordi]

http://photos-g.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2738/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2793830_5131533.jpg
We went to Nara Park today, to look at the Cherry Blossoms and feed the deer.

http://photos-h.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2738/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2793839_5381031.jpg
There are a thousand deer and a thousand turtles living in the park.

http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2738/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2793840_81139.jpg
This particular deer is polite enough to bow in thanks after getting a rice cracker!

http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2738/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2793848_3221540.jpg
Sarusawa Pond

[gordi]

I know some of you want pics of Japanese girls, so:
http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2738/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2793849_5618748.jpg

[gordi]

Keep us posted big guy :)

Will do, bigger guy! ;)

[BDH]

Great pics, bro...

Are there any Americans or Canadians wrestling for Osaka Pro? Its every pro wrestler's dream to work in Japan, and something I have never gotten to do... it would be great to wrestle there before I hang up the boots for good...

[gordi]

Yeah, it's a sad reality in the wrestling biz these days: It used to be that up 'n' comers from North America could head over to Japan to get some exposure and experience and make a name for themselves. All you needed was to make some connections with someone who had some connections...

It's how Jericho and Benoit and so many other guys moved up the ladder.

Now, though, the promotions in Japan mainly seem interested in using guys who have already made a name for themselves in the States. Hard to get a break.

Still, there are local guys who've done it. The Count, for example.

Haven't seen any white guys in Osaka Pro... but Asian Coogar works there. He spent some time in ECCW, I believe.

[downtown]

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2614/47/115/538780357/n538780357_2697828_851743.jpg


This is the coolest pic I've ever seen

[gordi]

Thanks, bro. The guy in the picture is the most awesome guy possible. He wanted to talk to me about sumo, and he didn't care that neither of us could understand what the other was saying. He made me feel totally welcome in that little pub (izakaya) way out in Shikoku, where foreigners are really pretty rare.