Re: Introductions!

[nathan@hal.com (Nathan Hoover)]

Ok, so here's my quick introduction.  

I moved to Japan in '89 and spent a year cycle touring the countryside before
settling down to work in Tokyo for an American electronics company (Teradyne).
It wasn't until I lived in a "gaijin house" for 6 weeks that I came to really
appreciate Sumo.  But then I found out that there is one spectator sport that
I like after all!  

I made it to the Kokugikan 3 times over about 2 1/2 years (pretty feeble, but
you have to get up so early to get in that line!)  Of course I watched Osumo
Digest every weeknight and the real NHK coverage on weekends.  You should've
seen our beer brewing parties with everyone screaming for their favorite 
rikishi!

About a year ago, I left Japan and have returned to a different life here in
Silicon Valley.  It was such a pleasure to go to the San Jose Basho last month.
I hate to say it, but it was better than the live Sumo I saw in Tokyo by a long
shot.  The Kokugikan is just too big for the sport I guess.

My all time favorite rikishi is Chiyonofuji, who had his dampatsu-shiki on the
day my son was born (2/1/92).  So my son got a cool middle name: Chiyofuji.
I only got to see Chiyonofuji fight once live, and it was a great match that
he of course won.  Nowadays, I root for Mitoizumi, Konishiki (Cap'n K), 
Mainoumi, and AKEBONO.  Watching Kirishima in his prime was great.

Well, back to work.

THANKS TONY AUSTIN for sending these results.  As I have no TV these days, I
really appreciate the time you take.  Also, Pete, it was a great idea to start
a mailing list.  Wading through soc.culture.japan looking for Sumo results is
not that fun really.

---Nathan Hoover

HaL Computer Systems.             nathan@hal.com
Campbell CA, USA