デモ

いま家の回りが凄い事になっています。ロスの公立学区の教師のデモが行われています！いまカリフォルニア州は予算問題のニュースが毎日とりあがられていますが、その中でも学校の先生をカットしたり、教育予算を減らす方針になっていて、先生達がデモをしています。確かに将来の為を考えると、学問に予算カットをする前に他にカットした方が良い所はたくさんあるのでは・・・、と思ってしまいますが。

Downtown is going crazy right now! There is a demonstration going on I guess from the workers at Unified School District complaining about budget cuts... Obviously the stimulus package has been passed yesterday but the California needs to consider well on how to spend those funds.... Nevertheless, being around the world, I must say that California in general probably has the lowest level of standards in education and I don't think it would be a good idea to cut costs on education especially now that I will have to send my kids to school here in LAUSD.

自分は今日は家で仕事をして、夕方にジムに行ってトレーニング。最近はレースの交渉の話がずっと中断していたのですが、ここへきてまた再開。勢いが乗っている時に一挙に話を畳み込まないとって感じですね！！

Well, it was a busy day for me working out at the gym and getting work done at home. The negotiation for the racing part has been at halt for a little while but things are kicking back in. I really need to pick up the pace now since it is already Feb!!

1月ももう終わり・・・？

気がついたらもう１月末。あれっ、このあいだ年明け下ばっかりじゃないっけ・・・って感んじですね。今朝は息子と娘の検診。娘は至って順調。ミルクを飲み過ぎで少しぽっちゃりしてきました。（笑）とにかく健康で何より。

I can't believe it's already end of Jan. It feels like we were just celebrating the new years couple of days ago... This morning we took our son and daughter for a check up. They were both doing great and our new baby was growing rapidly and we will need to watch her weight since she is a girl...!?!

病院から戻って自分は原稿を、書いたり仕事で大忙しでした。昨晩は日本からスポンサー関連の話での連絡を取り合い、話がようやくまた前進してきました。しかし、この不況の中で話を決めるのは本当に大変です。が、諦めたらおしまい。なので、ひたすら頑張ります！！

For the afternoon, I had tons of things to get done between finishing writing up an article as well as getting the racing program moving forward. I had had some contacts with sponsor inquiry from Japan and hope to make things move forward real soon. The recession all over the world is certainly making things difficult but I gotta keep trying to lock things up! It may take a little more time than I anticipated but slowly and surely I feel like we are moving forward!!

極真空手

今日は知り合いがやっている極真空手のアメリカ大会に招待されて、見に行ってきました。久しぶりに格闘技を見て興奮しました！！息子も泊力にビックリ！！でも、息子には格闘はむいてないだろうな〜・・・。（笑）でも、身体と精神を鍛える為に空手か柔道はやるといいんでないかなと思っちゃいます。

Today, I was invited to the Kyokushin Karate N.American Championship. It was my first time seeing a Karate tournament and I was real impressed with it. Obviously it is a great way of training physically and mentally which could be good for racing as long as I don't get punched too many time...!?! My son really enjoyed seeing the fights but I don't think it's his kind of sports.

気がついたら週末もあっと言う間に終わってしまい、明日からはまた現実に戻り仕事で大忙しです。

Well, the week end is already over and back to real life from next week...

いよいよシーズン開幕

昨日まで妻のご両親がアメリカに来ていて、昨日のフライトで帰ってしまいました。息子は寂しがっていて、家もなんだか静かです・・・。

My parents in law was in town for a week and went back to Japan yesterday. My son definitely has missed them already and the house is pretty quite after having so many guests over the last couple of weeks.

さてさて、今日からデイトナ２４時間のレースがスタートし、レースシーズンも開幕しましたね！また毎週末レースを見れるのは楽しみ！！でも、自分の話を決めないとムズムズしてきちゃいます・・・。

The race season has officially started today with the Daytona 24hr. The race is still going on and would be interesting to see who wins the race. It's great to have something to watch over the week end but certainly makes me some what frustrated on not being able to secure the deal to be back in the car...

ミーティング

ここ数日間は、日本から来ている妻のご両親と一緒に色々な所に行ってきました。昨日はユニバーサルスタジオに行って息子も大はしゃぎ。やはり妻と二人で、連れてくるのは、なかなか大変なのでラッキーって感じでした。

Last couple of days have been busy taking my parents in law to all the places with my wife and kids. With 4 adults and 2 child on board, it certainly takes more time to move... Having said that, we went to the Universal Studio yesterday and my son really enjoyed the park. It was great since it is mutually impossible to take the kids there with just me and my wife....

今夜はこれからフェーラーリチャレンジに参戦しているドライバーとミーティングがあります。やはり不景気と言う事もあって、今年の参戦は悩んでいるみたいです・・・。早く景気が良くなる事を願う毎日です！（笑）って言ってもオバマ大統領が演説した様に、待ってるだけじゃ変わらないんですよね！！動かないと！！

I am off to dinner tonight with my driver from Ferrari Challenge. Thing has been tough and he has not committed to race yet...but I really hope he will since we have some unfinished business in that series as well.

息子の誕生会

今日は息子の誕生日です。産まれてから早２歳！時間が経つのは早いですね〜。昨日は夕方から家で息子の誕生会を行いました。沢山の友達が来てくれて、プレゼントももらい大喜びで息子は１２時過ぎまで興奮してました。大好きなバスケのミニゴールももらい、ずっとバスケの練習！!

Today is my son's Birthday. We held his 2nd B-Day part at our place last night and had a lot friends over in our small apartment... My son was really excited to open up all the presents and he was able to get his long waited mini basket ball goal. He was shooting ball until midnight and I finally managed to take the ball away from him.

そして、今日がバースデーなのですが、出産クラスで一緒だった友達の誕生会が行われているのでそちらの方に顔出し。バースデーパーティー続きでパパも疲れちゃいました。（笑）

For today, we went to my son's friend's Birthday Party. It's great to celebrate the kids B-Day but I think I just had enough of partying and will need to get back to work tomorrow...back to real life.

今週末は息子のパーティー

さっき、ニュースを見ていたらNYで飛行機が墜落したニュースを聞いてビックリ。幸いハドソン川に無事水着したので、ケガ人はいないみたいですが、乗ってた人は怖いでしょうね〜。今から妻の両親がアメリカに来ますが、このニュースを聞いたら飛行機に乗りたくないだろうな〜・・・。

I just saw the news about the US Scairways flight making an emergency landing on Hudson River. Fortunately no one was injured but it must have been pretty scary for the passenger. My parents in law are just about getting ready to board a plane from Japan and probably is better not to tell them about that incident.

今日は午前中はジムでトレーニング。午後は土曜日に家の息子の誕生会を行うので、その準備の為の買い出し。ずいぶんとドタバタした一日です。今夜はこれからお食事会／ミーティング。忙しいけど、天気も良くて暖かいから文句は言えないな！？！

Well, it was a busy day for me hitting the gym early in the morning and than doing some grocery shopping for my son's second B-Day party coming up this Saturday. My wife is probably more excited about the party than my son...but gotta keep her happy too...

iMIEV

今日はTOYOTAヴェンザと三菱iMIEVの試乗に行ってきました。ヴェンザは子供がいる家族にはピッタリな車かと思いました。去年のデトロイトショーで見た時よりもなんとかんく格好良く感じ、なかなか良かったです。

It was a busy day test driving the new Toyota Venza as well as the Mitsubishi iMIEV. The Venza was pretty nice especially if you have kids..which fits in to my needs right now. For some reason, I didn't like it so much when I saw the car first at the Detroit Show one year a go but it actually looks OK on the streets.

午後は場所を移動してiMIEVの試乗。EV車に乗ったのは初めてですが、以外とトルクもあってしっかり走るのでビックリしました。高速道路も問題なく走行して、これであれば十分に満足できます。走行距離をもう少し伸ばす事ができれば全く支障はないですね。が、車からエグゾーストサウンドが聴こえてこないのはなんだか寂しい感じもします。

In the afternoon, we drove down to Cypress and test drove the iMIEV. It was my first time driving an EV Vehicle and I was really impressed with the performance. The car runs great and I even took it out on to the 605FWY. It runs really well and only thing it needs now is a little more range in which I would think the technology of the battery will advance by the time everyone has an EV vehicle in there garage. However, it's kind of sad not hearing any exhaust sounds from the engine...

ようやく復帰

昨日からロスはメチャメチャ暖かく御陰さまでようやく体調が良くなってきました。まだ、夜になると咳はでますが日中は仕事＆トレーニングができるレベルまで復活。まだ、油断はできませんが・・・。

While it is freezing out in the Mid West...we have summer like weather here in LA. My health condition is much better today and I am only coughing during the night which allows me to get some work done during the day.

今日はインディアナポリスでセーフティーミーティング。自分も出席予定だったのですが、体調が悪かったのでデトロイトショーと引き続きキャンセル。とりあえず家で安静にしていました。が、インディーカーシリーズはシーズン開幕を前に色々と移籍話があって凄い事になってます。しかも、F1と同様チームのスポンサー獲得が困難で数人のトップドライバーはシートがない状態。世界中で大変な年になりそうですが、だからこそ頑張り時ですね！！

There was a safety meeting in Indianapolis today which I was supposed to attend. Unfortunately, I had to cancel the trip due to my health condition since I thought it was better not to spread the virus. I would have if it was couple of days before the race!?! Well, it sounds like the silly season is forming up and there are few drivers still up on air as well as some surprise announcement that were made today. It certainly is tough for everyone out there during this season but I am hoping to put things together real soon!!

Hyundai Genesis

日本は幕張でオートサロンが行われていますが、今日からデトロイトでオートショーが開催。自分は行く予定だったのですが、体調不良で断念・・・。だいぶ良くなって来た物の、まだ咳がとまらず大事をとって今年はオヤスミしてしまいました。

While the Tokyo Auto Salon is going on in Japan, the Detroit Auto Show has begun. I have attended both shows last year which was pretty hectic but I decided to stay home to recover from my health condition for this year's event. I am still coughing a bit and it has been hard to breath so have not gone back to the gym....

今朝は３週間の滞在もあっと言うまで母親が日本へ帰国。飛行場に家族で母親を送りに行って帰宅。母親を送る時は息子が物凄く寂しがって、口をへの字に曲げて泣きそうになっていました。しかし、母親には散々お世話になって本当に来てくれて助かりました。親の有り難みを実感。

It was the final day for my mom's 3weeks visit which went by so fast and we went to the airport to salute her. My son really enjoyed having his Grand Ma for weeks and he was about to cry when my mom passed through the security gate. I couldn't thank more to my Mom who helped us a lot while our stay. I will definitely need to get back to the gym now after eating all the great home made food cooked by my mom.

さてさて、今日から開催されたデトロイトショーを見ていたらビックリ！アメリカのカーオブザイヤーにHyundaiのGenesisが受賞！確かに最初にGenesisを見た時はスタイリングを含めて驚く物がありました。色んなメーカーのパクリちっくな部分もありましたが、このままだと日本メーカーも油断できないぞっと言う内容だったので、今回の受賞はある意味納得いくかもしれません。おめでとうHyundaiと言いたい所ですが、それ以上に頑張れ日本メーカーって感じです！！

Well, getting back to the Detroit Show, I was really surprised to see that the Hyundai Genesis being nominated for American Car Of the Year. I must say that they have done a great job making that car since the styling looks great although it looks like it is a little bit of every luxury car manufacture put together. Nevertheless, they have won the award and have put tremendous amount of pressure to the Japanese Manufacture! I think it will make the Japanese Manufacture even better trying to exceed there level of performance, quality, and design!! I hope the auto makers will continue to build high performance cars and not only focus on Hybrid cars for birds....

年始からやられちゃいました・・・。

年越しにひいた風邪がいったんは良くなった物の、３日からまた振り返してしまいずっと調子が悪くてゴロゴロしていました。咳が酷くて熱が上がったり下がったりという状況で、残念ながらデトロイトショーに行くのは断念してしまいました。いや〜しかし、体調が悪いと本当に辛いです。

I've been sick last couple of days and wasn't able to get anything done...I thought I recovered right after the new year but I must have gotten a different virus again..I keep coughing real bad and decided not to go to the Detroit show since my health condition is not so well... Probably better to stay in somewhat warm S.California.

こんな時に母親が居てくれて本当にラッキーでした。しかし、週末までには良くして復帰しないと！！する事がいっぱいあるから！！ん〜しかし咳がとまらず胸が痛いとトレーニングもできないからイライラする〜・・・。

I was lucky to have my mom in town to cook all the healthy food since my wife is busy feeding our new baby, I have a lot of work to do during this week end so I better recover by tomorrow. What is most frustrating is not being able to got to the gym for last few days....I hope I can get back to my normal training regime by this week end.

今日が初仕事

今日から仕事を開始しました。本当はトレーニングに行きたかったのですが、咳が止まらず、喉も痛かったのでジムはお預け。ま〜咳をしながらトレーニングをしたら回りにも顰蹙なので。

Today was the first day back at work since the new year. I wanted to go to the gym but I haven't fully recovered from my illness so I decided to wait a little more until I am back normal. I'm sure people at the gym wouldn't appreciate if I cough and trained at the same time trying to spread the virus...

ジムに行けない分、家ではチームと連絡を取り合ったり、原稿を書いたりで忙しい一日でした。そうそう、今書店で販売しているXaCarに出ていますよ〜！！機会があれば買って読んで下さいね。

Instead of going to the gym, I spent better part of the day at home getting a lot of work done as well as contacting the teams for this year's deal. I also had to finish up an article that I write weekly so the day went by so fast. Oh yeah, by the way, the new XaCar is out at the Japanese Book Store. Check it out if you have time!!

体調不良で寝正月

年越しに崩した体調が元旦の日は回復した物の、２日からまた振り返して、２００９年の穝所の３日間はダラダラ過ごす寝正月となってしまいました・・・。が、そろそろ気合いを入れて明日からはジムに行ってトレーニングして、体調も復帰しないと！！

How's your 2009 so far? Mine has been uneventful so far....I was able to recover from illness for a day and turned sick again for last two days so I stayed home and pretty much stayed in bed. I couldn't ask for a better timing to be sick because there isn't much going on this couple of days anyways...but I better hit the gym tomorrow and recover from my cold since I will have a lot to settle during next week.

明けましておめでとうございます！

新年あけましておめでとうございます！今年も宜しくお願い致します。

Happy New Years!

気がついたらもう０９年ですね〜。なんだか、０８年は色々とあった年で、娘が産まれた事以外は本当に大変な年でした。たぶん、一生忘れないだろうな〜・・・。でも、そんな年の最後に日に、いきなり体調を崩して９時から布団の入って寝てしまいました。

I can't believe, it's already 2009. Last year was a tough year for me especially as a racing stand point. I think I will remember the 08 year for rest of my life....but gotta move on and better things are to come. To put an end to one of my worst season....apart from having a baby girl, I was sick yesterday and decided to go to bed before 9PM and missed all the countdown stuff.

年を越して朝起きたらスッキリ！なんだか色んな意味での厄を振り払ってから年越しをできたような気がしましたので、ある意味良かったかな？！？今年は気合いを入れ直して頑張らないと！そして、皆さんにとっても良い年でありますように！！では、
改めて今年も宜しくお願い致します。

However, I woke up and felt real good! I must have got rid of all the evils in my body and let's hope for a much better 09 season on and off the track! Thanks again for all your support during the 08 season and let's all hope for an exciting and prosperous 09 season!! Enjoy rest of your holidays!!