Thursday, September 04, 2003

1st day of Lit Class

I had Jap. Lit in Translation yesterday. It was our first meeting. I walk in and see about 25 students. I set out my folders on the table, look at my watch, mutter something under my breath, then turn around and write Japanese literature and my name on the blackboard in Japanese. I then turn around and talk to them in Japanese. Konnichiwa... I introduce myself and point to a couple of students I know. They smile as they understand what's happening, and tell me their name in Japanese. The other 20 or so students stare at me with eyes as wide as silver dollars that say: Is this Japanese literature IN JAPANESE?!? hahahaha. I'm so mean...

: American Football Responses:
I know, I promised the last entry would be my last one, but I got more responses than I ever imagined--to be honest, I NEVER thought that Capstew would chime in...twice even! Just goes to shows you what an ignorant male specimen I am... Anyway, I thought I'd just respond...

Takunishi: In any case, here's my 2 cents as to the lack of popularity worldwide:
1) It's a slow-paced game + little continuity.
2) It's American... seriously... FOOTball... yeah.
3) Not so quite easy (perhaps) to grasp, first hand.
4) It's NOT real football (a.k.a. soccer)!
5) Rugby is better.
6) Hockey has much better hits.
7) Football (Soccer) requires more skill & stamina.

Spoke like a true fan of soccer, although I thought you liked football (American), too. Anyway, there's no arguing about hockey being more violent, and it's pretty popular around the world so that exaqmple alone blows holes right through my opinion, doesn't it... But I still like A-football. I'd probably enjoy hocky more than soccer, but hockey is perhaps too violent at times. I mean they have "enforcers" right? These guys are put on the ice specifically to do violence on others. But of course football has its own "unofficial" enforcers.

Capstew: How about the fact that for soccer you only need a ball and a handful of players but for Am-football you need a bit more organization, more players with varying skills for the different positions and some practice time for everyone to be able to play as a team, learn plays, etc. So it's easier for kids to kick a ball around the street rather that go thru all the effort it takes to play Amfootball.
Tiggerj: american football... too much starting and stopping... not enough foot work... also too many freakin' commercials! I believe the sport was setup specially to allow for plenty of commercials (and a word from our sponsor)... futebol more continuous action. Also more accessible to the common (and poor folks in developing countries)... not as much equipment needed -- only a tin-can to be kicked around.
Both Capstew and Tiggerj make a good point, and it might help explain the popularity of basketball. They are both pretty accessible since the equipment and organization necessary for a game is pretty minimal: a ball and a goal. In fact, this position has often been used to explain basketballs popularity in inner cities. As for Tiggerj's comment on commercials, I know you're joking 'cuz if you weren't then innings in baseball would have to count as well. But your point--as well as Takunishi' point of little continiuty is well taken, but you guys MISS THE POINT! It's not about the commercials or continuous play or anything. These are legitimate BEER breaks, y'know, to keep our bladders from bursting. They just call them TV timeouts for proprieties sake...

Sleetse: ya football is very violent sport, but so is the other futbol.... to tell you the truth I know the rules but I could care less. now please view the Japanese announcer pics I have posted on my site....!
Sleetse, you are the mostest! You are right that soccer can be violent, but with legs? Hmm... BTW, I already have a favorite newscaster, an Asian woman on KRON. She's a bit old for you Sleetse, but I always thought she was pretty hot: Emerald Yeh. The Japanese can keep their cutsey newscasters... No offense to Ando or Sakurai--they have substance. But the rest? Fergedaboutit.

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