scooterinjapan Wrote:Anyway, synewave and I have concocted a plan for October. The Japan-Scottish Highland Games, Sunday, October 7, at Kanda University of International Studies, Makuhari, Chiba. Mark your calendars. Details to follow.

That's the village next to where I live. How do you guys find out about those things? Of course, synewave is a scot. I'll be there. Can't miss seeing synewave in kilt throwing stems of young trees 5 yards away (is that about 1 ri?).

You know, I visited the Ghibli museum the weekend before you two did. The ねこばす especially had a great attraction on the kids, but the building itself is such a weird maze, completely non-conformant to anything else I've seen in Japan, it's worth visiting just for that.

Well, folks in Japan, it's time for another RTK get together opportunity. The Japan Scottish Highland Games take place Sunday, October 7, 2007. Information can be found at the event's web site. Here's the nutshell version:

Adults 1,500円; students 600円; children free
Limited parking 1,000円
Map on the site above
10:30 to 16:30
Rain or shine
Piping and dancing; cabers, hammers and "stanes"; whiskey and haggis
Kanda University of International Studies, Makuhari, Chiba

I am going, and though I've not yet decided precisely when, will probably aim for noon. The times I've been before they've run out of food and beverage later in the afternoon, so I'm planning to eat upon arrival.

Anyone care to join me? (synewave, you in?)

woelpad Wrote:That's the village next to where I live. How do you guys find out about those things?

I found out about it my first year in Japan, probably from the Daily Yomiuri. It was held at a uni in Tokyo until last year, when it moved to Kanda. (They used to have 5-on-5 football, too, but I don't see it listed--maybe a space issue at the new venue.)

woelpad Wrote:Of course, synewave is a scot. I'll be there. Can't miss seeing synewave in kilt throwing stems of young trees 5 yards away (is that about 1 ri?).

Syne, do you have a kilt here? Ya' gotta wear it if you go!

I've got my kilt with me alright. But would you believe that my dress shoes got covered in mold? This country!

Too bad about the shoes. Are they salvageable?

What tartan do you wear?

Sorry for the late reply! I wasn't sure if the wife was going to let me away for the day! All good though so count me in. Can't believe I'm going to be eating haggis in just over a week!

scooterinjapan Wrote:Too bad about the shoes. Are they salvageable?

Not now...they went out with my 燃えるごみ a few weeks ago!

scooterinjapan Wrote:What tartan do you wear?

You'll just have to wait and see!

I hope for your sake that it cools down a bit. Apparently it's been up to 35 degrees today. I wouldn't like to be wearing a kilt in that heat.

wrightak Wrote:I hope for your sake that it cools down a bit. Apparently it's been up to 35 degrees today. I wouldn't like to be wearing a kilt in that heat.

Don't underestimate the cooling effects of being a true Scotsman!

synewave Wrote:Don't underestimate the cooling effects of being a true Scotsman!

I've heard it stated that the difference between a kilt and a skirt is determined by what you wear underneath it....

synewave Wrote:Don't underestimate the cooling effects of being a true Scotsman!

Lol. Of course, that goes without saying. Although I remember wearing my kilt while walking to a friend's birthday party near Inverness in the height of winter and I was still warm, despite being 'truly' Scottish. A humid Japanese heat would be the death of me.

this talk of kilts reminds me of the simpsons when Willie's kilt was blown upwards in the wind...

"Ahhh, tis no more than what God gave me you Puritan pukes"

"Lad I don't know where you've been, but I see you've won first prize"

Come on you RTKers. Even though it's a Scottish day, we'll obviously be talking kanji too!

Scott, Mario, still up for it?

Meeting place?

Having never tried haggis before, I think I'm going to try and make it down as well.

shaydwyrm Wrote:Having never tried haggis before, I think I'm going to try and make it down as well.

Actually I heard from my mate that "the haggis is shit!"(his words, not mine). Hopefully that won't put you off though! I'm still going to eat it.

But apparently there is ale and whiskey galore so I'm planning on having a half or two while watching the brutes chuck their stanes.

If Scooter doesn't come back with meeting time and place by this time tomorrow, I'll let you know my plan.

Come on Scooter, where are you, man?!

I was away at 山中湖 for three days this week. Being unconnected was glorious....

Anyway, let's meet at noon. I did not attend last year, so I do not know what this new place is like. However, there must be an entrance where you pay to get in, so we'll meet just inside that.

shaydwyrm, both synewave (Andy) and I (Scott) are pictured on this site. You can look for us. If you have a cell phone, you and synewave can exchange numbers. (I don't have one.)

Nukemarine, you in? Hey, woelpad! You coming? We're in your neighborhood. Wondering where the rest of the gang is....

Just got a bit more information from my friend who's on the games committee after I inquired about a schedule:

"The games don't really have a set schedule. The official march past to start them is at 10:30 a.m. (and they are scheduled to run until 4:30 p.m. but often finish earlier than that) and thereafter there is no specific schedule for the piping events. Past years have had the solo piping events first, followed by the mini-bands. They have also usually had the novice pipers first followed by the open grade. The heavy events and dancing events all start after the march past as well and just continue with their own schedule of competition until they are finished."

My friend who is piping is in a novice grade. So not to miss him, I've changed my plans and will arrive at the games closer to 10:30. I don't believe the venue is all that large, so we can look for each other. If James has already played, I will be at the entrance gate at noon. If I'm not there, you'll likely find me at the solo piping area. In any event, I'm sure we'll all find each other.

Looking forward to that!

I'll be coming. Might bring some family if the weather isn't too bad. Was that taboo? Wouldn't like them to miss out on an event like that in the midst of the Fall holidays.

woelpad Wrote:Might bring some family if the weather isn't too bad. Was that taboo?

As long as they are using the site, it's cool

But seriously if you think they might enjoy it, bring them along. I would be bringing mine too if it wasn't so far. Going to check it out this year and when the little one gets a bit older might take him next year.

woelpad Wrote:I'll be coming. Might bring some family if the weather isn't too bad. Was that taboo? Wouldn't like them to miss out on an event like that in the midst of the Fall holidays.

Of course not! Bring them along; it will be great to meet them. The Yomiuri is reporting Sunday will be partly sunny and a high of 25. Perfect!

I'm in the US for the month of October. Granted, I would have been on duty that day had I not gone on vacation, so would not have been able to make it anyway.

Post pics of the event or at least links to them.

Just got home after a day at the Japan Highland Games. dilandau23's girlfriend took the group photo (with scooter's camera) which includes 3 special guests! Watch this space.

It was an outrageously hot day. Luckily they were giving away free drinks, after paying an entry fee of 1,500 yen! That said, they over seemed to have over bought. So woelpad got a case of Sprite as we left!

From the forum, there was one new face, dilandau23. Along with two old (me and woelpad) and one even older scooter!

As ever, good to meet up. Fun day out. Definitely going again next year. For me anyway, great cure for home sickness!

Here's the group photo from the RTK get together at the 25th Japan Scottish Highland Games!


left to right: dilandau23, woelpad holding daughter (age 3), woelpad's wife holding son (age 1), me, and synewave (complete with kilt and sporran)

Fun and relaxing day, nice change of pace. It was great to meet dilandau23 and his girlfriend, and woelpad's family. And I must say that woelpad and the mrs have two of the cutest kids on the planet.

Side note: Those who were there knew that I was cheering for my friend James, who competed in the solo piping contest. He was not called up during the ceremony at the end (bit of a bummer--we all thought he'd played really well), but it was discovered shortly thereafter that the tallier inadvertently overlooked James' score and that he'd actually tied for first place! He was awarded at a private ceremony shortly after we left.

[ファブリス]

Back in April, I stayed with woelpad's family, and Scooter, and also met synewave at the meetup in Tokyo so I recognize everyone except dilandau23!

Great photo, thanks for posting it!

Post JLPT 反省会 for test takers going to Waseda?

Me and Christoph so far. Brose, you up for it?

EDIT: of course this isn't just for those of us taking the JLPT...Scooter, you're more than welcome

EDIT 2: Forgot to mention that this will be on December 2nd, late afternoon (for any no JLPTers)