Heavenly Daze

The idle monkey trainer recently took a few days off from not training monkeys to enjoy the sites, sun, snow and brews of South Lake Tahoe. If there is any less encouraging way to start a ski weekend, it was the snowless drive from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe. In the dark we could not see the mountain, but were not encouraged when a local told us “it hasn’t snowed in two months.” “December,” confirmed his companion.

Day 1

Our first day on the slopes was a rough start, owing to a rather foolish decision to continue exploring the various nightlife opportunities that exist along the California-Nevada state line.

The Heavenly gondola takes off from US 50 just off the lake shore and does not stop for two miles and 1000 vertical feet. We took more local advice and started on the California side and were pleasantly surprised by the conditions. The snow was packed, but given that it was 45F at the base when we got up, we had expected slush at best. The cloudless blue sky left stunning views out over the lake.

Our group ended the day at Heavenly’s new lodge at the top of the gondola for some happy hour beers and views of the Heavenly Angels. On Thursdays and Fridays the lodge happy hour blasts loud tunes as go-go dancing Angels gyrate to the beat and drinks go at half-price. This takes drink prices back to normal from ski lodge level.

I will mention dinner at a small Italian place only for the two-sentence review that summed it up perfectly: “Despite being on the ground level, it had all the ambiance of a basement. But, the food was good.”

Day 2

There were clouds in the sky when we awoke on the second day of skiing, but this was no indication of cooler temperatures. We circled around to the north end of the Lake and the posh resort of Northstar. The crowds at the base had us a bit concerned about lift lines and crowded slopes, but this is an area at least as much about the idea of going skiing as it is about actually skiing.

On the mountain we found it fairly easy to avoid the crowds, and even found a few groomed blacks that had seen so few skiers there was still corduroy in the mid-afternoon. This is a big, wide open mountain with plenty of glade skiing and would make for a great day when covered in fresh snow.

The après ski this day did not feature strippers, er, I mean, go-go dancers, so did not really measure up to Heavenly. But, it held its own with comfortable couches around the ice rink and a live band. Naturally, this is set up in the center of the “village” which to all of us looked exactly like every other “village” built in North America in the last 10 years.

Day 3

We awoke to rain, which intermittently changed to freezing rain. We were not encouraged and thought there would be no skiing this day. Still, we ventured out for Kirkwood, which was reporting two inches of new snow. As we drove up and over a 7000-foot pass we watched the car’s outside thermometer near freezing and the precipitation turn into something resembling snow. Then we descended and there was talk of what would happen (nothing) if we arrived at the base of the resort and found rain.

Then we turned a corner and found winter. By the time we reached the ticket window there was snow, and it had been coming down all night. We eagerly geared up and headed for the top. As we checked a map and determined our route to the backside, a man skied up to inform us it was so windy he had come back to the front. We ventured on anyway and were rewarded. (Apparently one man’s too windy is another man’s breeze.)

There was about five inches of new snow – and not the infamous “Sierra Cement” I had anticipated. We floated and played over open runs and through nicely spaced trees. The temperature was still a bit warm and the long slow lifts meant the snow had time to melt and soak us each time we rode up. We decided to break for lunch only when one of our crew had so much moisture in his goggles he could not see and no way to dry them.

We traversed back to the front side, and found some great glades in which we were introduced to the Sierra Cement. It was deep and heavy, but as someone put it, “milky.” We walked across the narrow road from the base lodge and were rewarded with a half-empty sports bar/restaurant.

“You know it’s a good day when you don’t stop for lunch until 1:30.”

More or less dried out and with clean goggles, we spent the final couple of hours exploring some trees on the front side. Judging by the map, we had barely scratched the surface of Kirkwood. Five inches of fresh snow will always produce a more favorable impression of a ski area, but there was agreement that it would be worth a return trip.

Now to start planning for next year’s big weekend. 

Houston Aeros Hockey

The Idle Monkey Trainer and a couple of associates (also idle, but not monkey trainers) headed to the Toyota Center Saturday night to catch the third game of the season between the Texas Stars and the Houston Aeros.

To be honest, I have no idea where these two teams sit in relation to others in the AHL. (Since it is the Stars inaugural season, it would seem likely there is not much rivalry established yet. At least not between the teams. There might be some between their home cities.) It doesn't really matter to me. It was just good to see some live hockey.

The crowd looked sparse at the arena, despite having the nose-bleed sections covered to make the place look and feel smaller. Still, the small crowd was dedicated to the home team and had the cowbells to prove it. (The team has a promotional night on which the first three thousand fans get a free team cowbell.) Regrettably, we missed the Micheal Jackson Tribute night on Friday, when the first three thousand fans got one white sequined glove. All I got was a team calender.

Our seats on the Aeros' attack end ensured that we got to see every goal. Sadly for the home crowd, four of those came in the second period for the Stars, chasing the Aeros' starting goalie. We also got to see the Aeros' only goal in the third, and the glass pushed out of the corner when the Aeros' defenseman rode a Stars' forward hard into the corner. Sadly for us, that was the most inspirational thing we witnessed from the Aeros, who seemed more content to pass than shoot (getting out shot 11 to 23 by the end of the second). They turned it up in the third, pulling their goalie with seven minutes left, only putting him back in after the empty-netter the Stars posted with about four minutes left.

(Photographs may be posted later. There is some sort of technical issue that is currently preventing it.)

Take me out to the ball game...deep in the heart of Texas

On a beautiful, if wickedly hot, Sunday afternoon I ventured out to watch the Houston Astros take on the Philadelphia Phillies. I am not a huge baseball fan. I cannot discuss the sport with any depth or insight. But I do enjoy getting out to a stadium every once in a while, to sit in the sun, have a couple of overpriced beers, and see a game. At Minute Maid Park, however, despite (or in part because of) the sunny day and heat and 40% chance of rain, the roof was closed and air conditioning turned up high. Which, was probably just as well. The heat and 24oz. beers would not have mixed well.

One singularity of seeing a game in Houston is that in addition to the now requisite God Bless America, and the traditional Take Me Out to the Ball Game, comes a rendition of Deep in the Heart of Texas. All complete with lyrics, of course.

Also, there is, for some reason I could not find, a rabbit.

TSHA at the Korea Cup 2009

The TSHA started this year’s Korea tournament in less-than-stellar fashion, dropping 6 – 1 to the Selects on a cloudy Seoul morning. Following a team meeting that lasted the entire interval between games, the TSHA came out much better against the Geckos, but still fell 3 – 1. In game three, TSHA took on the All-Drinkers, a band of pink-clad drunks, and pulled out a 4 – 0 shutout by taking advantage of some miscues that should have really gone the other way. This win was enough, however, to propel TSHA out of the first round and into the quarter finals, despite dropping the final game of the opening round in a close-fought outing with rain beginning to make things a bit slick. 

In the quarterfinals TSHA faced off against pool-B top seed Suwon, winner of the past three cups and one of the favorites to win this year. With the rain coming down and large puddles forming, the TSHA came out strong with Sean opening the scoring and giving TSHA the lead. Suwon was not to give up, however, and came back to tie it up a few minutes later. By this point the conditions had worsened, and despite this playing to TSHA’s strength as “mudders”, Dave went down hard and had to leave the game with a broken wrist. At the whistle, the teams were tied at one a piece and faced a shootout.  

Gord led off for the TSHA, shooting first, but getting stopped by the Suwon goalie. Suwon then scored on their first attempt. Chad answered on TSHA’s second shot, holding on to the ball to the last second before putting it in. Suwon’s Scott succumbed to the wet conditions and failed to find the back of the net. Sean for TSHA came down and dribbled the ball through the legs of the Suwon goalie to put TSHA up 2 – 1 in the shootout. Eric then came up with another big save and TSHA knocked Suwon from the competition.  

In the semi-finals the Selects and TSHA faced each other again. Conditions on the rink continued to decline, with small ponds forming in the corners and along the boards. Clearing attempts and shots were often accompanied by sprays of water. Perhaps needless to say, it was a very different game from the first meeting of these two teams. Slipping and sliding, the Selects managed a goal, and were able to hold on to the lead. With only a few seconds left, TSHA was putting the pressure on, and Chad was able to pull the ball away from a diving Selects goalie behind the net, but TSHA could not get a handle on it in the crowd in front of the net and the Selects were able to clear it out to the red line as time expired. The Selects would go on to defeat the Geckos in the finals to secure the Cup.

More photographs and details of ther tournament are to be found on the Tokyo Street Hockey Association website. 

Tournament Hockey

On the past Sunday, January 18th, the Tokyo Street Hockey Association (TSHA) took to the surface in Tokyo to compete in a showcase tournament ahead of the start of a ball hockey league. Despite play that ranged from poor to mediocre and only scoring a total of three goals in four regulation games, TSHA managed a 2nd place finish. It took six shooters in a shootout for TSHA to advance over the Ushida Tigers. The team representing the Japan Street and Ball Hockey Federation (JSBHF) took first in a sudden death overtime.  You can read the full account of the day on the TSHA website. 

We are the champions -- of Kariya

The Tokyo Street Hockey Association (TSHA) got on a fast train last weekend to join the 3rd annual Kariya, Japan ball hockey tournament. It was a less than ideal day for ball hockey, with steady and at times heavier rain persisting for most of the day. In the end, however, the sun came out and the TSHA faced off against Ball Hockey United, who had made the trip from Canada as part of a sister city exchange. The only two six-man teams, meaning no substitutes or line changes, battled hard for the trophy, but it was the TSHA that took the prize, dominating play throughout. 

You can read the full report here.

The 2008 Yamato Cup

The inaugural Yamato Cup was held October 11, 2008 at Amazing Square in Tokyo. Determination of who would win the coveted Golden Godzilla game down the the final seconds, when the final shot hit the post as time expired. In the end, Team Korea rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Tokyo Street Hockey Association (TSHA) 6-5. The final game was hard fought by both teams, and those in the arena were treated to fast-paced, back-and-forth ball hockey.

In the challenge for third place, and the slightly less-coveted Silver Gamera, the MHL Misconduct defeated the Boring Sponge with an impressive performance by the fast-passing, talented team. Tied at the end of the first half, the Misconduct opened up the game in the second half and cruised to victory.

Full details of this year's tournament can be found at www.yamatocup.com/2008. Information on how to be involved in next year's tournament can be found at www.yamatocup.com/2009.

The American Pastime, in a Japanese Style

The Idle Monkey Trainer, after several years of living in Japan, finally made it out to "the old ball game". Like anything borrowed from another culture, adjustments to local norms is likely. In the IT industry, this is referred to as "localization". And baseball is no exception. The Japanese have localized it.

I had read and heard about the differences from others. But, for a while I have wanted to experience it first hand. So, last weekend I made my way to Yokohama Stadium to see the Yokohama Baystars take on the Tokyo Giants. (I see no point in going to a dome for a baseball game; the point of baseball to me has always been to sit in the sun and drink beer.)

The differences were apparent before the game even started. The first difference was presented to us when we reserved the tickets. A friend of the Idle Monkey Trainer made the reservations for tickets through a friend's husband who works for the organization. He apologized for the current bottom-of-the-league ranking of the Baystars. We were also asked which team we supported so that are seats would be in the right place. Fans are divided to keep tempers in check and the fists from flying. About half the stadium was full of Giants fans. Arriving just after 2:00 for a 2:30 first pitch, our party was greeted by the classic strains of "Take me out to the ball game". The song is not repeated in the 7th inning stretch. There were also more cheerleaders and costumed characters -- the black pig at the left is the mascot of the Tokyo Broadcasting System, owner of the Yokohama Baystars -- running around the field than I have ever seen at a U.S. game. The fans keep up an almost constant cheering and singing, in turn with their teams' respective at-bats. There are also specific songs/cheers that rise up after each run is scored. The Baystar's song ends in three cheers of "Bonzai"!



The game itself does not show much difference, in terms of rules or play anyway. The only obvious difference being that when a pitcher hits a batter, the pitcher will tip his hat in apology. I am more accustomed to the U.S. style of staring the guy down. Interestingly enough, on this afternoon, both pitchers were from the U.S.. Williams, starting for the Giants and lasting 2 2/3 innings, only tipped his hat to the first of the two batters he hit.

In the end, the Baystars won 4 - 1 over the Giants (who are, by the way, the NY Yankees of Japan - with every negative -- and perhaps positive -- connotation that conveys).

Seoul Tournament

The TSHA played a ball hockey tournament in Seoul, South Korea on Sunday, April 14, 2008. Only five members of the TSHA made the trip, picking up some assistance from a variety of goalies and some new-to-Seoul players generously loaned to us by the organizers.

The NHL-sized rink at Seoul's 1988 Olympic Stadium.

The TSHA accomplished our first international tournament win, ending the day with one win and three losses, and missing the second round by one point. Although disappointed to some extent at not advancing, it did mean we were able to retire earlier to good food, rice wine and foot massages.

Core TSHA members and "astronaut".

Sports in the red light district

Sunday afternoons a group of mostly Canadians, a couple of Americans, and the occasional token Aussie or Brit get together to play street hockey in the red light district of Kabukicho in Tokyo. There is a park that we use, conveniently located in front of the local hospital and otherwise surrounded by host clubs, hostess clubs, love hotels, and other associated and unaffiliated businesses.

Given the area, it was only a matter of time, it was only a matter time before this happened:


For information on the hockey group (not the ladies pictured above), visit the Tokyo Street Hockey Association.