ダウンタウンを開拓

今日は朝起きて朝一でトレーニング。きっちり筋トレもして走り込みもして、体調はバッチリ！お昼からは少し新たにダウンタウンを開拓しようと思って、家の近所を赤ちゃんと妻と散歩をしながら、レストラン等の探索。基本的にはビジネス街なので、色んなカフェやレストラン等もあります。けっきょくランチで入ったお店が、ディズニーコンサートホールの近所にあるKendall's Brasserie。ランチとしてはボチボチのお店でした。意外とダウンタウンは面白いなと改めて実感。家に戻ってきたらいよいよ、新しい家賃が含まれた新しいリースについての情報がドアにはってありました。すると予想通りに家賃は少しの値上がり・・・。月曜にオフィッスに行って値段交渉次第で、このままいるか引っ越しするかの検討ですね！？！まっ、交渉はレースの為にチームとの交渉で慣れてるんで、ここで力が発揮するといいですね！！（笑）

Got up in the morning and went straight to the gym. Had a good weight training and cardio training and got done just in time for lunch. My wife and I decided to take a walk around Downtown today since there are many restaurants and caffe in our neighborhood that we are unaware of...and I though it would be good to stroll around today since the weather was so nice. We decided to have a lunch at Kendall's Brasserie which was right next to the Disney Concert Hall. The food there was pretty good and I would definately go back there for lunch. When I got back...I recieved an evelope from my apartment office and it was in regards to my new rent. As expected...the rent is going up and I will have to negotiate with the manager about the price. If it's out of range...I will definately I have to find a new place but I really hope that the building managemet company is flexible with our needs.

ランチミーティング

今日は自分の今後の活動等に関しての為にお昼にランチミーティングを行いました。自分と同じビジョンを持った会社で、アメリカンモータースポーツを日本でもっと盛り上げれるような気がするので一緒に仕事ができたら良いなと思います！！詳しい詳細は言えませんが・・・、近い将来いろいろと活動について発表できるといいなと思っているので皆さんも楽しみにしててくださいね！！まだX２時間はかかりそうですが・・・。（泣）努力あるのみです！！

I had a lunch meeting in Orange County today. I haven't been in OC area for a while, and it really made me think if I should consider living there since everything is so much different from here in Downtown LA. I was able to have a very good meeting with the company who I have met today and since we share the same vision and goal, I hope it will lead to something in the future. Unfortunately...all the detailed info is confidential but all I can say is that we may be able to change the popularity of American Motorsports in Japan. It definately will take time and I will definately need a lot of support in able to accomplish my goal but I really love the challenge and I am looking forward to getting the deal done in the near future!!

いやはや、しかし乗ってないと本当に体調管理が大変です・・・。日本に１０日間いて好きな物を食べて飲んで・・・、アメリカに戻ってきて必死にトレーニングをしないとって感じです！！天候も良いのでレースの話を決める事とハードなトレーニングの日々が続きそうです！！

Since I have got back from Japan...I really need to get back to good shape. By all means, I am still in good shape ready to drive, but all the great food and drinks have spoiled me from my stay in Japan and I will have to go back to strict diet for next couple of weeks!! Really...it is tough being an part time racer!?!

引っ越し・・・検討

今日は引っ越しを検討する一日でした・・・。今のアパートに不満があるわけでは、ありませんが８月でリースアップします。もし家賃があがるのなら引っ越しをしようか悩んでて、ダウンタウンの他のアパートをちらっと見に行ってしまいました。LAの中央駅（Union Station)の隣にあるアパートが気になっていたので早速チェック！本当のダウンタウンからは少し離れている為に、家よりは静かな感じで悪くはないのですが、部屋の中がなんだか殺風景・・・！？！しかし、敷金＆礼金＄５００で最初の月の家賃がタダ！！こんな美味しい話があっていいのかと思う反面、いろんな意味で今の家より良い所を探すのは難しそうだなと思う一日でした。まっ、アパート探しもあるいみ楽しいので、またちょくちょく見に行く予定です。ってまだまだ引っ越す事が決まった訳ではないけど・・・。

Since my apartment lease is up this August...I am thinking about moving out of my apartment if my lease goes up. I really like living at this apartment building but I thought it doesn't hurt to do a little bit of research. The place we went to look today was right next to the Union Station. I thought it was going to be busy there... but actually it was really quiet and seemed like a nice community. However, the room was a bit smaller than my place although the squre footage was more or less the same. They had move in specials where you get first month free and that really popped my eyes open... but thinking really hard, I should probably wait to see if there will be any raise to my current rent since I am happy with my room now and it will be a tough transition for our cat and dog....

お洒落なスタンド

今日は用事があってBeverly Hillsの方に行ってきました。途中ガソリンがなくなったので、今はショッピング等で流行ってるロバートソン沿いにあるガソリンスタンドで給油しました。そのガソリンスタンドは以前から気になっていたのですが、かなりハイテクなデザイン。BPがやってるスタンドですが、環境保護もテーマにしてるスタンドみたいですが、何よりも新しくて奇麗＆ユニークなデザイン！環境をテーマにしてるせいか、レギュラー〜ハイオクの表示が普通なら８９−９１−９３とオクタン数を表示されますが、ここのスタンドはGood-Great-Betterと表示されていて結構面白いです！（笑）一番気になるガソリンの値段は・・・、普通でした！？！LAも最近はガソリンが値上がりしていますが、他のスタンドと相場は変わらないので、気持ちよく入れれるスタンドの方が良いですよね！！

I needed to pick some stuff up at Beverly Hills today so I left my house after lunch. I was running short on gas so I decided to refuel at the BP station that has been catching my eye. It is on the corner of Robertson and Olympic and it's a newly designed gas station. Apparently their whole theme is environmentally friendly station....it's hard to figure out how it's environmental by their design but I have to say it is cool looking. The way they list their octane is interesting! It usually states 89,91, or 93...but at this station they classify as Good, Great, Better!?! The price of the gas is more or less the same as other station so I will definately fill up at that station again!!

仕事でドタバタ

今日は朝からなんだか忙しい一日でした。昨晩から仕事で１泊２日でインディアナポリスに行こうか悩んでましたが、航空券が高すぎて断念・・・。その他の仕事で色々と資料等をネットで調べたりしていたら目がチカチカ・・・。そして、締め切りが近づいてきたので、このあいだ試乗した車の記事も下記ドタバタした一日でした。しかも、日本語の記事だと文章的に最後にまとめるのが下手でなかなか難しい！？！こんな時にゴーストライターは欲しいなとも思っちゃいますが、でも自分が書く事によって気持ちが伝わる重要さも実感。ま〜、僕の活字の酷さは既にこのダイアリーでバレているとは思いますが！？！（笑）なんだか、改めて日本語を勉強しないとなって思う一日でした。

It turned out ot be a busy day for me. I was planning to go to Indy for a busuiness for two days, but since the airfare was so high...we decided to postpone the trip. I still have other stuff that I needed to search over the internet in regards to a new busuiness and at the same time, I had to finish the car impression article that was due by this week. I really wished if I had an assistance who can help me with it...since my Japanese writing skills are probably equivalent to an 10yr old. Having said that...I guess my English skill needs some improvement!?! Well...I guess it's good enough to get through. After a long day in front of my PC...I really wished if I was playing golf where I really need to improve my playing skills!!!

レース三昧

今日は朝起きてからテレビでレース三昧でした。起きてから早速IRLのIowaでのレース。レース内容はクラッシュだらけで、完走した車も１０台もいなく、なんだか微妙な内容・・・。Iowaのレースを見ながら同時にChampCarのレースもCMの合間を縫って見ちゃいました。ChampCarのレースも淡々としてて、最後はPaulTracyが勝ちましたが内容はなんだかイマイチ・・・。それに比べて、Sonomaで行われてたNASCARのレースは面白かった〜！！最終的には燃料作戦で成功したJuanPabloの勝利！！でも、今回はぜひJuanPabloに勝って欲しかった！！オーバルで勝は難しい分、やっぱりロードはちゃんすだったし！！でも、車載カメラを見てみると、NASCARをロードで走らせるのは本当に難しそう・・・。でも、レースを見ていたら一回は乗ってみたいなと思う内容でした！！

It was a busy day being a couch potato today. I started off the day whatching the IRL race in Iowa and at the same time flipping through the Champ Car race in Cleveland during the TV Commercials. IRL race was interesting...but the car count is not helping the situation when there is a huge accidents that takes half the field out. The Champ Car race was not that great either in my perspective...but on other hand the NASCAR race at Sonoma was excellent!! It ended up being a fuel mileage race but Juan Pablo drove really well and I was happy to see him in the victory lane. It definately looks like a fun car to drive but very difficult with a lot of body roll with high powered/torque engine. I sure would love to have an oppurtunity to drive one of those cars in the near future!!

時差ボケ・・・？！？

日本から戻ってきて既に２日目。日本ではなんだか時差ボケがなおらないうちに、アメリカに戻ってきたつもりなのに、アメリカに戻ってきたら今度は何処時間で生活してるのかいまいちわからず、脳が混乱状態・・・。ジムでトレーニングに行っても脳が動いてないせいか、パワーが出ない感じ！？！週末の間までにはしっかり時差調整をしないと！！今日はトーランスに行って今後の動きに関して等のミーティング。スポンサーの可能性がある所はところんあたらないとって感じですね！！ではでは、今夜は早めに寝て、明日は早目に起きてジムに行ってIowaで行われるIndyのレース観戦してま〜す。

It has been two days since I got back from Japan but my brain is still confused on which time zone I am in. It's weird because I had such a strugge adjusting the time zone while my stay and I though I would be perfectly fine if I came home but I guess it doesn' work that way!?! I thought going to the gym may help but may be not if your brain is at sleep. Nevertheless, I should hit the bed early tonight to get up early tomorrow morning to go to the gym before the Iowa race!!

ワイヤレス

昨日から家に戻って、コンピューターでネットサーフィンをしようとしたら、何故かワイヤレスで接続する事ができず、色々と試したのですが、どうやらワイヤレスモデムの故障と判断・・・。もう２年以上つかってるMacのAirportですが、なんだかMac商品の寿命は２年なのかなと考えさせられる一日でした。仕方ないので、新しいワイヤレスモデムをゲット！！以前の物よりも速度が増してネットサーフィンも速くなり、テクノロジーの進歩は凄いなと改めて実感！！さてさて、明日からは週末ですね。今週末もIowaのレースから始まり、ChampCarのCleveland、そしてNASCARのソノマもあり、テレビの前で釘付けになりそうな週末です！

I got home yesterday and tried to surf the net but found out there was a problem trying to connect to the internet. I diagnosed several components and figured out that it was the Wireless Modem that was causing the problem. It was a weird symptom but I guess I just have to blame it on Mac products which only last for 2years on average... Well, I needed a way to connect to the internet so I went to the store to purchase a new modem and I am up and running again!! I am ameazed with the new wireless speed. Just like a racing car gettting faster every year... the wireless speed is up with the same provider!! I am happy with the connection and now I can concentrate on my work!! I can believe we are already in to the week end...it will be a busy one in front of the TV since we have IRL at Iowa, Champ Car at Cleveland, and NASCAR at Sonoma!!

LAに帰宅

さっきLAに帰宅。フライトは５時間くらい寝れましたが、家に戻ってきても時差ボケでめちゃねむ・・・。戻ってきてからはIowaのテストの件でチームと連絡の取り合い。結論としては、土壇場すぎてテストのセッションの時間に間に合うかわからないのと、明日の天気予報は雨っぽいとの事で行く事を断念。個人的には車に乗れるチャンスがあったので、またのチャンスが作れるように頑張ります！！ではでは、今日は早めに寝てリラックスしま〜す！！そうそう、久しぶりに赤ちゃんに会って、また成長しててビックリ！！もう寝返りをうって、はいはいで進み始めてます！！

Just got home. I was able to sleep in the flight for about 5hrs... but I am still tired from the trip. As soon as I got home...I talked to the Indy Car team who wanted me to be there for the test tomorrow. Looking at the schedule, it looks really difficult to arrange the flight and at the same time the weather wasn't looking good so we decided to look in to the future test days. I am gutted for not being able to drive but at the same time it was better for both parties because if I was going to drive, I wanted to make sure that everything was going to be well planned. That means I will have more time with the family this week end. I am amazed with the growth rate of my baby!! He is almost crawling now!! At the same time, we will need to make sure our eyes on him all time since you never know where he is going to end up!!

これからフライト

これからLAに向けてのフライトです。今は成田のラウンジでお仕事中。突然IRLの某チームから連絡があって、今週末のIowaでのレースの練習中に車に乗って、セットを出してくれないかとの要望・・・。乗りたい気持ちはやまやまですが、金曜の練習走行までに間に合うのはちょっと難しそう！？！それに、同時進行の他シリーズに参戦へ向けての交渉も始まったりしてるので、どこにフォーカスするかも決めないとって感じで究極の選択ですね。でも、オファーが来る事は嬉しい事です。個人的には将来的に自分にとってプラスになる話であれば、なんでも乗りたい所ですね。ただ焦って乗るのも良くないと思うので、今後の判断はしっかり見極めないといけないなと思います。ではでは、今から飛行機に乗ってきま〜す！！

I'm in the lounge at Narita Airport getting ready to board on to my flight. I got a last minute call from an Indy Car team that wanted me to be in Iowa this Friday to test their car and do the base line set up. I really would like to drive the car...but I am not sure if I can't make it because I would have to catch the red-eye flight to make the test. It's great to get the offer...but we have just started to talk about having an oppurtunity to drive in a different series car and I would need to make the right decision in order to be successful with my carreer. Tough call but that's what makes racing exciting as a driver. Well...I gotta catch my flight now!! See you guys back in US!!

ゴルフ

今日は日本での滞在は最終日。何時もお世話になってる紅月の高橋会長と、始めて一緒にゴルフに行ってきました。高橋会長はメチャメチャうまいと聞いていたので、プレイする前からかなりの緊張。コースに着いていざ練習をすると、玉が当たらず＆上がらず嫌な予感・・・。実際にラウンド中もボロボロで１２８もたたいちゃいました！？！（泣）インディーカーだったら飛び入り参加でも余裕ですが、ゴルフは才能が無い事を改めて実感！？！いや才能ではなく経験かな・・・？！？って言う事にしておきます。でも、今日のゴルフじゃ〜納得いけないので、いっぱいアメリカで練習して、また戻ってきてリベンジですね！！

It was my last day in Japan before I head home tomorrow. Since I have never played golf with Mr.Takahashi from Kougetsu, I finally got a chance to play with him today. I heard from numerous sources about his skills playing golf and I was really nervous playing with him since I am not that good at it yet. Well...I haven't played for weeks and when I went to the driving range to pratice...I thought about getting back in the car to go home. I couldn't hit the ball straight...and would not go up in the air at all!! I guess it's unlike Indy...I can't just show up and do well. Neverthless, we started to play and it was a horrible round for me. My score was 128...one of the worst score for a while. Well...I guess I don't have any talent but will definately need to gain more experience playing.

昨日の夜からインディーの某チームからベースセットを出してくれないかと言う話があったりで連絡の取り合いでもドタバタ。同時進行に違うシリーズの方でも色々と話が前進し始めてて、アメリカに戻ったら戻ったで忙しくなりそうです。でも、やっぱり今回のインディーでは結果は胸をはって言える結果ではありませんが、内容はとても評価されて今後につながる事は間違いないと思います。ではでは、戻って早く話が決めれるように全力で頑張ります！！

After playing golf, I needed to do some work contacting the teams from Indy Cars. I have got some offer to test for some team to help out with their set up. I am not sure if it will lead to anything yet...but I think I was able to show my skills and potential during this year's Indy 500 and I really think it is paying off now. I really hope to be back in the car by end of the year and it is time now to work on sponsorship deals for 08!!

滞在もあと２日

昨日は午前中に写真のプリント等をしてから、お昼はXaCarを訪問。何時もお世話になってる城市さんとランチ。お昼に鯛茶漬けを食べましたが、これまためちゃ美味でした！そこからダッシュで上野に移動してエアープレス上野に行き、みっちり酸素カプセルに２時間もはいってきました！！完璧に披露も回復して、カプセルの中では爆睡！！かなりリラックスもする事ができました。

I went to print some photos from the race yesterday morning and had lunch with Mr.Jouichi who publishes XaCar Magazine in Japan. We talked about several things that I can be invoveld in for his future stories and I really like working with him since I get to drive all the new cars that are still not in the show rooms. After lunch, I went to Air-Press Ueno and got in to the oxygen capsule for 2hrs. I really think that oxygen capsule makes you feel better and gets rid of all the tiredness. I was also able to take a nap for 2hr...and was able to relax which is just what I needed.

今日もこれからドタバタで忙しくなりそうです・・・。ではでは、ダッシュで用意してから出かけます。

Well...I am going to be doing lots of running around today....better get ready now.

YONG

昨日ヨンに行ってきました！青山の骨董通り沿いにできて、場所的にもとても便利。ご飯は想像してた以上に美味しかったです！！韓国料理は、個人的にも大好きで、とくにシメで食べたユッケジャンクッパには感動！！ぜひぜひお薦めなので行ってみてください！！お店の雰囲気も良くて、とくにトイレはなんとも言えない開放感があります！男性でないと確認できませんが・・・！？！（笑）

I went to YONG Restaurant last night. I really love Korean food and the meal there was excellent. They had a lot of hot stuff and every plate was great!! I really admire Mr.Takahashi because he definately make sure that every plate is as good as it can get. It certainly is my recommended restaurant in Tokyo!! The WC is actually very interesting...it's like doing it in the forest...if you know what I mean. Only a Man can understand what I am trying to explain...

今日は家で色々と仕事をしたり、カメラ屋さんに行って写真のプリントをしたりなどなどでドタバタしてそうです。いや〜そろそろエアープレス上野に行って、酸素カプセルで疲労回復をしたい所です・・・。しかも、時差ボケがいまもなおらず、毎朝５時に目が覚めてしまいます！？！ん〜三十路ゾーンに突入するまであと数ヶ月・・・、やっぱ歳ですかね！？！（笑）

I will be busy today doing some work at home and going to print out a lot of pictures. I think it's about time to go to Air Press Ueno to get an oxygen treatment to recover from tiredness. I haven't been sleeping well since I got here and it must be because of the jetlag. I guess I am just getting old as I will be turning 30 in couple of months...

そうそう、インディープロで英紀は２戦目は３位だったそうで。２連勝できなかったのは残念・・・。北米のステップアップカテゴリーで日本人が優勝したのは自分以来かな？？彼が勝つのは自分が勝ったかのように嬉しいですね。後はオーバルでの勝利かな？実力では問題ないと思うので、それ以外の部分でも彼がアメリカでのトップドライバーになる協力を少しでもしてあげたいなと思う今日この頃です。

Speaking of racing, my buddy Hideki Mutoh finished 3rd in his second race this week end. It's a bummer he wasn't able to do the double...since if he would have done it, he would be able to show his true talent. It makes me feel good about his win since he is like my little brother. I think he needs a little more work at the oval races but I'm sure he will be fine.

英紀が初優勝！

さっき、辻堂から帰ってきました。父の日と言う事でお爺ちゃんのお墓参りにも行ってから帰宅。家に戻ってきてからPCでチェックをすると武藤英紀がIndyProSeriesで初優勝のニュースを聞いてハッピ〜！出る前に色々と電話で話はしてかけど、ここで勝てて何より。明日のレースもぜひ頑張って欲しいです！！

Came back from my mom's place. Ended up being a quick visit but it was good to be able to see my mom & grand ma. As soon as I got home...I surfed the net and quickly found out the my buddy Hideki Mutoh won his firt Indy Pro Series race. I was happy to hear the news since I had a lengthly chat with him before my trip here. I hope he can do the double tomorrow as well.

今夜は父の日と言う事もあるので、父と一緒に紅月の高橋会長が新しくオープンしたヨンに行ってきます！！昨日は久しぶりに“オフクロの味”のご飯が食べれて、日本に居ると毎日おいしいご飯が食べれて肥っちゃいますね・・・！？！（笑）

Since it is Father's Day today... I will take my dad out to dinner tonight. We will try YONG which just has been opened by Mr.Takahashi who owns Kougetsu. It's hard to stay in shape in Japan with all the good meals I've been having. Looks like I have to go in serious diet...when I get back to LA.

これから辻堂

昨日は久しぶりに焼き肉を食べに行きました！ずっと行きつけの東海亭に行ってきました。いや〜やっぱり日本の焼き肉は美味しいですね！！西麻布の交差点からすぐの所にありますが、ぜひおすすめです。

I went to dinner last night with couple of guys from Honda. We ended up going to my favourite Yakiniku Restaurant in Tokyo called Toukaitei. They probably have the best yakiniku in town since everything there is really good!! It's in Nishi-Azabu...one of the hip area for dining in Tokyo.

今日はこれから辻堂の母親の実家に行きます。明日のお昼までは辻堂でユックリして、明日の午後までには東京に戻ってくる予定です。色々と赤ちゃん用品等をゲットしたりしなくてはいけないので・・・！？！ではでは、これから行ってきま〜す！！

I am now headed to Tsujidou to visit my mom. I hope to have some relaxing time this week end...but I have to be back in Tokyo by tomorrow afternoon. I also have to do some shopping for my baby!?! Well, I gotta catch my train....

あっと言う間に週末

日本に着いたのは火曜日。今日は金曜日であっと言う間に週末に入ってしまいました・・・。いや〜時間が経つのは早い。昨日は名古屋へ日帰りコースでかなりお疲れモードだったので家に戻ったら即寝でした。新幹線に乗る前に味噌煮込みうどんをゲットできたので満足X2!!今日はHONDA本社を訪問。今日も急がしい一日になりそうです。本当は火曜日までの滞在予定でしたが、色々と忙しくて滞在中に全ての用事をすますことができなさそうなので、木曜まで滞在を延期・・・。ん〜アメリカに戻って赤ちゃんの顔を見るのが楽しみです！！

Got to Japan on Tuesday and it is already Friday today going in to the week end. The time goes by so fast during my stay here in Japan...I didn't think I could get all the busuiness done so I extended my stay until Thursday. Today I will be visiting Honda HQ and will be doing lots of running around. It's going to be another busy day for me...and I can't wait to get back to LA and to see my baby!!

これから名古屋

昨日は早速、紅月に行ってきました！いや〜やっぱり紅月はメチャメチャ美味しいですね〜！！夕飯は何時もサポートして頂いてる紅月の高橋会長とDokyun.jpの達也さんと会食。お店では一瞬K１の秋山選手とも会えて楽しい時間が過ごせました。

Went out to dinner to my favourite restaunrant Kougetsu last night with the owner of the restaurant and Mr.Kato from Dokyun.jp who has been supporting me every race for last two years. As usual, the meal at Kougetsu was just fantastic and I really wish if they will open a restaunt in LA. I have also run in to the K1 fighter Mr.Akiyama who also happened to be there. Very big guy...would definately not get in a fight with him!?!

今日はこれから名古屋です。日帰りなのでちょっとハードなスケジュール・・・。色々とネットでニュースを見たら、アメリカはNASCARのDale Jrの移籍話で大盛り上がりみたいですね。しかも移籍先が、Hendrick・・・。Jeff GordonやJimmie Johnsonが居るチームに移籍はちょっと驚きです。おっと〜もうこんな時間だ！？！今からダッシュで東京駅に向かいま〜す。

For today...I have to head out to Nagoya. It will be a quick day trip and will be a busy day for me. I was just surfing the net and found out about Dale Jr's news which I asssume is making the headline in US racing world. It will be interesting to see how he team mates with Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson!! Well I got a head to Tokyo Station now to catch my train!!

無事に日本に到着

さっき無事に東京に着きました！いや〜東京は蒸し暑いですね〜。今日は機内の中ではあまり寝れなくて映画を３本も見ちゃいました！その中の一本はけっこう好きな女優のMarisa Tomeiが出てたので、ついつい見入っちゃいました！！！（笑）成田についてからは税関もスムーズで５時半には家に帰宅。よく考えるとドアーToドアーで言ったら、マイアミより近く感じます。が、歳をとったせいか時差対応がだんだんできなくなり、ちょっと眠いです。今夜は早めに寝るかな・・・！？！

Just arrived to Tokyo. It's pretty humid and hot out here. I couldn't sleep in the plane so I ended up seeing 3 films of which one of them had my favourite actress Marisa Tomei. Once I arrived to Narita, the immigration process went really smooth and I was home with in 1.5hr of landing!! It shure seems closer to get to my house in Tokyo than Miami now days since United doesn't fly there directly. As I started to get older...I am not doing too well with jetlag...so I will probably hit the bed early tonight.

日本に向けて出発

今は日本行きのフライト待ちです。飛行機が３０分程遅れてるので、ラウンジでお仕事。インディアナポリスで知り合った新たのスポンサーのポテンシャルがある話の連絡等が入って、フライトが遅れてる物の上機嫌。ま〜ポテンシャルがあるって、所から実際にスポンサーしてもらえるまでの日時も長いし、決まるまでは油断できませんが今年のIndy500では色々と良い走りができて色んな人とも新たに知り合えて今後に繋がるレースになった気がします。さてさて、ではそろそろゲートに行って飛行機に乗ってきま〜す！！

Currently, I am in the United Lounge doing some work at the airport. My flight got delayed about 30min and have some time to kill. Although I was not happy about the flight being delayed, I was imformed about a possible sponsors for future races which made me excited about working hard to get back in to the car!! It still is a lot of work to convince a sponsor but I have good people around me and I feel it can turn in to a success!! After all, the resutls from this year's Indianapolis 500 was not what we expected...but I think we were still able to meet good people that may expand in to future!! I am really looking forward to coming back to US in a week time to get the talk hyped up!!

明日からは日本

明日はいよいよ日本。２月ぶりなんで、なんだかかなり久しぶりに感じます。今日は午前中にRobertsonBlvdに行って、お気に入りのカフェ（Newsroom)でブランチ。オーガニックの食品だけ扱ってて、そこそこ美味しいです。お昼過ぎからは、ゴルフじょうでアンダー１００を目指しました。同じ時期にゴルフを始めて、カメラマンの斎藤ヒロ君は１００をきったと思いきや、既に９０もきってしまったので、自分も焦り気味。・・・が、焦ってもぜんぜん駄目で今日も１１０オーバー・・・。帰ってきたらレッスンかな。さてさて、これから日本に戻る準備をしないと！！

I am going back to Japan tomorrow. My last trip was Februrary and it seems like it has been a while since my last trip there. I am really looking forward to seeing my family, friends, and all my sponsors during my stay. Before the trip...I had to entertain my family so I took them to Newsroom on Robertson Blvd for Brunch. I got home and went straight to play golf with my friends. Since my friend who started about the same time alredy scored under 90 and I really need to pick up the game to play par with them. Obviously...all that thoughts doesn't help while on course, and I was off to more or less the same score...just above 110. I need to take some golf lessons to break in to the 100's. Well so much for golf...I need to pack my stuff up for tomorrow now.

写真館

今日はお昼にベビーザラスにある写真館で息子の写真を撮ってきました〜！いや〜赤ちゃんの写真を撮るのを手慣れているのか、スーパースマイルばかり！！でも、冷静に考えたら某カメラメーカーの名前を付けたから実はカメラ好きなのかも・・・！？！（笑）なかなか良い写真を撮れて自分も妻も満足。家に戻ってきて色々とPCでお仕事。明後日から日本なので少しドタバタです・・・。今夜はTexasのレース。今日は家でビールを飲みながら観戦かな？！？

Went to take our babies photo today. Since they deal with small childs and newborns everyday, the photographer handled the baby just perfect and we were able o get many good pictures from the shoot today. May be my kid likes camera in general since we named him after a company that specializing in making camera!?! Came home and did some work and needed to get ready to pack my stuff for my Japan trip this Monday. I will be watching the Texas race on TV with beer in my hand!! I have to say...that's the best thing other than actually being in the car!!

記念撮影

今日は朝起きてからトーランスに向かい、妻と赤ちゃんと自分とのちゃんとした写真がないので、記念撮影をしに行きました。が・・・、アポをとっていなくて１時間以上待たされる事になったので明日の予約を入れて帰宅・・・。帰りは１週間分の食材をスーパーでゲットしてきました。また月曜から自分は日本に行ってしまうので・・・。しかし、家の赤ちゃんはだんだん感情も増えてきたのか、笑う量も増えましたが泣く量も増えて着実に育ってる事を実感します！！ん〜でもやっぱり一緒にパドックを歩けるようになるのが楽しみだな〜〜！！

Since we had our baby...we didn't have any family picture all together so we decided to get a family shot today. Unfortunetly the place we went to was a bit busy and we just decided to make an appointment for tomorrow and went grocery shopping. I will be back to Japan for a week so I have to make sure that things are stocked up well for my wife and the baby. My baby boy seems like he is maturing everyday...seems to laugh more but cry more with some serious anger time 2 time. I am really looking forward to see him walk in the near future!!

パリス・ヒルトン

今日は一日中パリス・ヒルトンのニュースでLAは大騒ぎ。飲酒運転＆無免許で捕まったパリスが牢屋から急遽でてきたので、皆もビックリ。どうやら精神状態が安定しないから特別の理由で釈放してもらったみたいです・・・。もともと精神状態がおかしいから牢屋に入るんだろう〜って討論になってます！？！（笑）

It was a day all about Paris Hilton who just got out of the jail. Everytime I turned the TV on...she was there. No doubt she is a big icon here in LA!?! I kind of suspected that this was going to happen...and it seems like the judge should have given her a sentence with celebrity treatment...because it was due to happen anyhow.

自分は今日はジムで軽くトレーニング。ん〜次なるレースの参戦のターゲットを決めないと今ひとつモチベーションがあがらない・・・。でも、何処でどういうチャンスで乗れる話が決まるかわからないので、万全の体制でいないと！！今週末はTVの前で忙しくなりそうです。土曜はIndyCarのTexas,日曜はF1 Canada GPそしてChamp CarのPortland・・・、日本に帰る前にテレビに釘付けになりそうです。

So much for Paris...I went to the gym and worked out today. It's hard to stay motivated if you don't know when you are going to be in a race car next...but you never know when the oppurtunity is going to come and you better be ready when it presents it's self. Seems like it will be a busy week end in front of the TV Indy race in Texas, Champ Car race from Portland as well as F1 race from Montreal!!

冷やし中華

今日のLAは暖かくて、なんだか夏を感じされる日和です。日本はもう暖かいのかな？？暖かいといいな〜。大好きな冷やし中華の季節にもなってきたので、さっそく今夜の夕飯は冷や中です！！（笑）キュウリたっぷりの冷やし中華がまた大好きなんですよね〜。しかし、今日はなんだかリラックスできる一日だったな〜。妻は今夜はお友達と夕食会。なので息子と二人でお家でお留守番です。

It was a awesome day today in LA. I suppose summer is here!! I hope it's going to be warm in Japan too when I go there next week. Speaking of summer season, I am going to have Hiyashi-Chuka for dinner tonight. It's a cold noodle with veggies on top. I guess it originated in China but the Japanese people have arranged the meal cold for summer season and it' really good. Since my wife is out to dinner with her Friends...I will be staying home quitely with my baby boy!!

久しぶりのゴルフ

今日は久しぶりにゴルフに行ってきました！１ヶ月半くらいはレースを決める事に集中していたのでなかなか決めれませんでしたが、今日はレースも終わって落ち着いたので行ってきました。長い間クラブを握ってなかったのに、調子はボチボチ。が、スコアーは１１２・・・。１００切りは遠いな〜〜！！でも、久しぶりにやったわりには心のゆとりもあったのか、思ったよりもうまくいったかんじです！？！（笑）今夜はカメラマンの斎藤ヒロ君と竹内夫妻、そして自分の妻と子供を連れてお食事です。レースで勝てなかったので祝勝会ではなく、チクショウ会だそうです・・・！？！（笑）

Went playing golf today. I wasn't able to play golf for a while since I needed to get a ride for Indy but it's great to be back on course again. May be since it was after the race and the only pay day of the year for me...I was relaxed and was able to make some good shots!! I still hit 112...but not too bad for being out for a long time. With a little more practice, I may get under 100. Now I am off to dinner with my photographer friend's...not too much to celebrate but we should still have some fun after good month of work!!

ポロシャツ

今日は朝起きてから、午前中は色々とお仕事。お昼前になってから妻と息子を連れて軽くショッピング。ちょうど賞金も入った事だし、セールもやったことだし前から欲しかったJ.Lindebergのポロシャツが５０％オフだったのでゲット！！ちょっとした自分のご褒美ですね！！（笑）

Got up in the morning and since I finally recieved my prize money from the race..really my only pay day of the year...I went shopping with my wife and my baby. I always wanted to get some J.Lindeberg Polo shirts and since they were 50% off...I didn't hesitate to buy them!! It was a bit of a treat for my self I guess.

家に帰ってきてからは夕方はジムでランニング。レースが終わってから１週間ほどはトレーニングはあまりしてなかったので、今週からはまた体調をレースモードに戻さないと！！夕方は日本に戻るプラニング。しかし、飛行機代が高くてビックリ・・・。６月中のフライトを毎日の値段チェックしましたが、どれも高いので一番安い来週の月曜のフライトをおさえました。日本に帰るのも楽しみだな〜〜！！何よりも紅月にいくのが楽しみですが、新しくオープンした、韓国料理のヨンにいくのも楽しみです！！

Came back home and went running for 5km. After the race, I haven't worked out much and I really need to get back to racing shape again to be ready anytime. Than I had to plan my trip back to Japan next week. The flights are so expensive and I had to check everyday in June to get the best rate. I am really looking forward to this trip but mainly I can't wait to go to my favorite restaurant Kougetsu. I am also looking forward to trying out there new restaurant that just opened couple of months ago that serves Korean cuisine YONG!!

今日は家でユックリ

今日は午前中に母親を飛行場に送ってきて、お昼には帰宅。ずっとお母さんが居てくれて、赤ちゃんのお守りをしてくれたりかなり助かりました。泣いたら抱っこをしてくれて、かなり息子もお婆ちゃん子になったし・・・。午後は家でIRL Milwaukeeのレースを観戦。なかなか面白い内容でしたね〜〜！！しかし、今年はかなりAGRが頑張ってる気がします。レースを見たらまた自分の乗りたいな〜ってオーラがでまくりです。とりあえず、今日はお家でユックリできたので、明日はジムに行ってガッツリ運動をしないと！！

Went to the airport in the morning to drop off my mom who was in town for a week. It was great having her since she could look after our baby boy. I think my son is going to miss my mom... Came home just in time for lunch and whatched the IRL Milwaukee race on TV. It was a pretty good race to whatch. The AGR boys seems like they have there car together this year and they are consistantly strong. After seeing the race...it makese me more eager to get back in to the car!! Well...after having a day off, I need to get back to the gym tomorrow to be ready to be in the car any day!!

買い物Day

明日のお昼に母が日本に戻ってしまうので、今日は色々と買い物に行ってきました。とは言ってもお土産だったり頼まれ物ですが・・・。（笑）途中でワイン屋によって、今夜は家で夕食です。昨日の朝に魚市場で買ったホタテをバター焼きにして、アサリをボンゴレにしちゃいます！！いや〜でも５月の間はずっと外食ばかりだったので胃が疲れちゃいましたね。本当に歳を感じる今日この頃です・・・。

Since it was last day for my mom before going back to Japan, we went shopping all over the town to buy some gifts. We stopped by the wine shop and picked up some wine to go with our dinner. We will be having some Scallops for apetizer and spaghetti vongole for the main course. I have been eating all month and I really think I need to get back to a healthy diet with home made cooking!!

魚市場

今日は妻も息子も旅の疲れもあったせいか、ちょっと体調が悪かったのでほとんど家でユックリ。自分と母は近所の魚市場に行って、アサリやホタテと鯵を買って夕飯の準備。夕方にジムに行って軽く運動をしてから、ラジオのインタビュー。メールのやり取り等で、もうシーズン終わりや来年に向けての活動を開始。なんだか、レースが終わったばかりではありますが、一日でも早く次のレースに向けて色々と活動を頑張らないと！！

Since my wife and the baby was not feeling so well...we didn't do too much today. My mom and I went to the fish market in downtown LA to buy some clams and fish for dinner. Went to the gym in the afternoon and came back to do some radio interview. Although the race was just over this past week end, we are already working on finding sponsors for additional races this year and more so for next year. I really hope that I can get back in to the car really soon!!

Back to real life...

色々と考え直すと今月は色々とあったな〜。まず、インディアナポリスに行った時点では、まだ話が何も決まってなかったので、パドック内では観客の一人でもある状況。節約する為にレンタカーも借りてなかったので、足に関しては何時もお世話になってるメディアさんにお願いしたサーキットとホテルの間をヒッチハイク！？！話が決まったと思ったら、チームから車も支給されパドック内でもドライバーの３３人の中の一人の扱い！！サインもしたり、沢山のファンに応援してもらいました。が、レースが終わりLAに戻ったら、また現実的な生活に戻ってま〜す・・・。（笑）

Thinking back about this mont...it really was an exciting month for me with lots of changes. When I first went to Indy, I didn't have a deal and was treated as one of the spectator in the garage area. Once the deal was signed, I had many fans cheering for me and I even had a luxury car from the team!! However, once the race is over an back to LA...it's all back to my ordinary life again!!

今日は朝起きて車の試乗のお仕事。今日は日産のSentra-SERとLexusのLS600Hybridを試乗しました。LSに関しては本当にビックリでした！！お昼に戻ってからは色々と買い物等でドタバタ。いや〜本当に現実的な生活に戻ったって感じですね！！！（泣）

Got up in the morning and went straight to work today. I had to test drive the Nissan Sentra-SER and the Lexus LS600Hybrid. I will tell you what...the Lexus is amazing. It was more than expected and I was well impressed with the car!! Than in the afternoon, I had to take my mom around the town to get some stuff. Well so much for the glamorous life from Indy...