And there it is.

I have had this post on my mind for a month or so but didn't know how to word it. Partly as I don't really know how I feel about it myself. The ‘it’ I speak of is my retirement from pursuing the playing of competitive football.

I'm not posting this asking for sympathy or concern but to explain my decision for those whom I don't see often or won’t have the good fortune to bump into anymore.

また久しぶりのブログです。けっこう長い間、考えていたけどどうやって伝えればいいかなと。皆に伝えたい事は、僕はサッカーをやめます。辞めるに対してみんなの同情を貰いたいつもりでわなくただありがとうございましたを言いたかっただけです。

Debut back in 2007

Family always had my back.

Hong kong memories

 

I have never been the most technical player nor the star of the team, but I have always credited myself with a positive attitude, fighting spirit and a work rate that helped me enjoy the career and experiences I have been rewarded with. But 10 years after I first moved to Japan to pursue my dream I have decided to walk away.

僕は、いつもチームで一番上手い訳ではないし、一番必要な選手ではないけれど自分自身には、絶対に戦える、気持ち強く頑張れる事を自慢しました。この道から始まって１０年、僕は新しい道を進みます。

Where it all started.

First call up for Canada wit da brada

First let me say it wasn't an easy decision.

A footballer is all I've ever really been so its hard to see myself as anything else, but playing the last 8 months at an amateur level I have had to realize the reality that I will never achieve the heights and goals I set myself those years ago. My love for the game will never leave me but my hunger and drive to excel in the game has gone. Without that drive to push myself playing would just be for fun and not to succeed. So that being the case, I didn't want to pull my teammates down as a negative attitude is infectious and therefore I decided to quit Tokyo23 to pursue my life outside of playing football.

簡単な気持ちで選んだのではなく今までサッカーで生きてきたので他の道を選ぶのは怖いです。９ヶ月アマチュアでプレーして、昔夢見ていたプロ選手になるのが難しいと決断しました。サッカー選手として必要な向上心が無くなってしまったのが一番の理由です。チームに迷惑をかけたくないので東京２３FCを辞める事にしました。

Being a defender, as a player and a coach I always believed that success on the pitch wasn't how well a player read the game nor how fast he was, it was more how much he wanted the ball that led to his luck or that allowed him to release his skill. In those 50/50 challenges it's not who’s stronger or faster, it’s who wants it more will win the challenge. I lost the belief in myself and realized I needed to quit before I lose myself.

選手の時も指導者の時も技術ではなく強い気持ちを持った選手が玉際など勝利を引き寄せる選手だと僕は思います。僕にはその自信が無くなったので、自分が自分じゃなくなる前に辞めました。

I believe if you commit 100% and focus all your energy on something we all have the potential to achieve all that we want. But if you would rather sleep, or watch tv or generally be lazy then you are kidding yourself if you think you can reach your goals. The world isn't that nice a place. That being said I wasn't fully committed to playing football anymore so thats why I have left the pursuit of that dream.

100%のエネルギーを使わないと100％のポテンシャルを出す事は出来ない。

手を抜いて夢を手に入れれるほど世界は甘くない。

Lastly and most importantly, a big thank you to all that have stood in support of my dream through the freezing winds of Denmark to the humid Hong Kong days. To those who supported me from my youth days in Japan and all others - thank you for everything.

For me football is an event which I have played, watched and enjoyed through the support of those around who have helped and travelled with me through the ups and downs of the past. Thank you.

僕の夢を今まで応援してきてくれた全ての人たちに感謝したい。

サッカーは、イベントなので選手、スタッフ、サポーター、家族全ての人がいて成り立っている。その全ての人達に感謝したい。

近いうちに次の夢をまた皆に言いたいです。

 Click here to watch The last highlight. 最後のハイライトです。

From today, Hello

From today, Hello.

Long time no write? I recently decided to check this blog that I started 3yrs ago, back in Spain, and noticed people still check, it so I thought it rude not to write something. I always wonder if readers just want photos or actually want to read a little. But if you just want 150 characters check out my twitter and if you just want photos check out my Instagram. Here is my update on the last 3 years since I last wrote.  Thanks to the 13000 people that have checked this out.

久しぶり。久しぶりにブログチェックしてみたらたくさんの人が見てるので何か書けないと悪いと思ったので止めたとこから書きます。写真に興味あるかもしれないけどちょっと書いてみる。日本語を間違えたらすいません。

I abandoned the blog during my time in Hong Kong, a city i fell in love with, and haven't been able to return since. Hong kong is an amazing city with anything and everything but for me the best memories were the group of friends and teammates that took me in and made it feel like a home. There is always something to do, it is always buzzing and it feels is restless. Even though I was only there for 7 months and didn't get to perform my best football, I still have great memories and the city will always be in my heart.

香港に住んでいる時にブロギングやめたんだけど香港は最高な町です。でかい渋谷みたいだし外人が大勢いるし僕みたいなハーフにはすごく住みやすい。けどアジアで外人わくに入るとやっぱプレーのプレシャーをすごく感じた。いつも試合前と試合後　”何でassist かゴール出来ないの？”って聞かれたりして上手くプレーできなかった。毎日がそのプレシャーとの戦いになって香港を去ることに。そして兄きに会いに行くことにした。

After my time in Hong Kong I flew to Australia to spend some time with my brother, who at the time was playing for Brisbane Roar in the australian A-League. He welcomed me into his apartment with his new found australian skill set. It was awesome being able to kick it with him, literally we kicked it. Brisbane let me train with them for a week and training alongside Issey is always something I’ve enjoyed since being knee height. The changing room banter was something strange as it was the first time I understood every word. Yes I speak Japanese and I can speak fairly good Danish but it was the first time to experience understanding every word. I'm sure all expats will agree that understanding everything can be helpful and stress free but also it is nice to be able to switch off and not understand ‘everything’ and live in the bliss of your own imagination.

兄はその時オーストラリアでプレーしていた。兄の家にとまりながらBrisbane Roar の練習に参加した。兄とやるのは最高に楽しい、子供時から変わらずめちゃ楽しい。香港で感じた事を忘れて久しぶりにサッカーを楽しんだ。しかも何年ぶりにchanging roomが英語だったのでめちゃやりやすかった。マリノスの時日本語はまだ全部わかるわけではなかったし、デンマーク語も話せるけど完璧じゃないから久しぶりに言われていることが全部分かるとすごい楽しかった。たまにはわからない方がいい時もあるけどね。

3 months later, I found myself wondering the 3 eastern cities of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, making friends and new experiences all along the way. I can't say I have a favorite city, although many people would argue that Melbourne is more like Europe and Sydney is just awesome. And not to insult any of the friends I made, I will say I like them all, but I think Melbourne is more me. The sense of multicultural diversity is something I enjoyed there.

But then it became time for me to think about what I need to do for myself and my career, which I found not exactly being the same thing.

Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydneyに行ってめちゃ楽しかったけどサッカーと自分の人生のことを考えてヨーロッバに帰る事にした。

Back in the beautiful Barcelona and spending sunny days cycling with Dad and stuffing myself with delicious meals by Mum  - it was a troubling time.  Some people who once move out of the house say that it would be impossible to live under ‘the parent’s roof’ again. My parents are epicly awesome so I had no troubles moving back in after almost 7yrs living alone.

バルサロナから香港、オストラリアで一年たった。また久しぶりに親と一緒に住むと楽しくて何もしたくなった。ママの飯とパパの話は最高ですよ。一人暮らしが長いと好きだけど家族との時間は一番だ！ユースの時代からもう７年たったけど帰る時いつも楽しみにしている。もちろん４人で会えることは少ないけど。

So where was i going with my life? I was home again after 7 years. Swimming daily by the beach, cycling fresh air in the mountains, working out in the garden but why?? Asking myself if I want to play in the unfair, irrational world of football? Should I continue my love, hate relationship??

久しぶりに戻ったバルセロナ。海行ったり山でロードレーシングしたり毎日が楽しかったけどサッカーは？ケガが多くて試合でれない時が多くて、それでもまだサッカーしたい？まだサッカー好きか考えてみた。今日はここまで。今日までの残りの２年間についてどう話そうか考えることにする。

I’ll stop with that as a 1 year roundup, and think about how to phrase the following 2 years.

Paris

Buddhist Temple in Lantau Island.

Sorry for the delay but last weekend after having no game the team went to Lantau island to visit an impressive Buddhist temple! It was quiet a drive from Causeway Bay but it was definitely worth it.

So I was really happy the team went by bus as don't think would have like to make the adventure by myself. For the record,  being from a mixed background I was never pushed towards religion or anything but i would consider myself Buddhist more then anything else.
遅れてごめん。今週末は試合がなかったためチーム全員でランタウ島にある仏教寺を訪問した。車で銅鑼湾からはかなりの距離だったが行って良かった。一人では絶対行く機会はないから。言っておくけど、あまり宗教的なことは興味がない家庭に育ったけど日本で生まれた僕にとっては仏教が一番近い存在。

10000 Buddha's were at the top of this.　一万の仏像はこの上に展示されてた。

We just went to the temple and didn't actually go to the big buddah, I'm somewhat glad that we didn't as being injured and seeing the pictures i don't think i would have liked the stairs. But now it means I 100% have to go back and see the big Buddah.
お寺にいっただけで大仏はみなかった。けがをしているので階段はきつい。でも絶対大仏をみにもどるつもりだ。

Naturally I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside but it was beautiful, there was this one room here that had 10000 Buddahs all different expressions and positions in a spiral around the room. Was nothing like anything I've seen at other temples before.
写真は禁じられていたのは残念だが、一万の仏像は一部屋に集まっていて全部それぞれの個性があり神秘できだった。他のお寺では経験できない美しさがあった。

Enough talk here are some of the pictures from the trip. お話はこの辺で。

cool snake...　蛇

what a view...

November and the sun is shinning... １１月の晴天日

vegetarian lunch to top off the day. 　ベジテリアンの昼食

Sorry the photos aren't very good. Need a better camera.
あんまりいい写真がなくてごめん。カメラの質が悪いんだ。

I think there are many more cultural things to do and see around HK so I have 1 down and many more to go. 香港には独特な文化を誇る催しものや場所がたくさんある。ここにいる間、もっとたくさん経験しなければ。

Paris

Movember...11月って？

Movember is just a couple days away. Now I have looked it up and its big in Australia, US, Canada but its not that big here in Hong Kong.
モーベンバーの日が近づいた。オーストラリア、アメリカ、カナダでは認知度が高いけど、香港ではあまり知られていない。

Movember is a simple charity movement where men grow mustaches out for 30 days to be a walking billboard of action towards mens health research. Prostate Cancer and depression being the largest two.  Men who take part are called Mo Bro's and women who help gather support are called Mo sista's.
モーベンバーとは男性の健康のためにできたチャリティー運動で、３０日間ひげをのばすんだ。前立腺ガンやうつ病がよく注目される二つ。この運動に参加する男性のことをモーブロと呼び、サポートする女性はモーシスターズ。

Becoming a Mo Bro is simple, there are 5 rules.
モーブロになりたい人な下記の５つのルールを守ってください。

1. October 31st the mustache and handle bar area must be clean. AKA no facial hair.
１０月３１日、顔には一切毛がないこと。
2. During November no hair can grow below the bottom lip.
１１月中下唇の下には一切毛をはやさない。
3. No joining of mustache to sideburns.
ひげともみあげをつなげないこと。
4. No joining of the handle bars to your chin to create a goatie.
ハンドルバーからあごにつなげてゴーティーにしないこと。
5. Each man with a mustache must conduct himself as a true gentleman!
ひげをはやす男は紳士的に振る舞うこと。

Simple as that.
かんたんだろ。
The traditional Mo Bro looks are below
典型的なモーブロのルックスは以下のとおり。

If you struggle to grow a beard start now.... awareness is awareness! But technically you're not allowed to start early and compete but you can still start now for the sake of awareness!
もしひげをのばしにくい人は早く始めて。認知がたいせつ。ルールはあるけどみんなの意識も大切だから。

Some team mates and friends in Hong Kong are all growing our beards and my dad and brother are too... I will upload photos when the time comes.
香港のチームメイト達や友達は参加してくれる。僕の父と兄も参加してくれることになっている。写真はいずれ載せるつもりだよ。

But on a side note in November if you see a guy with a beard, pat him on the back, give him a hug, whistle at him, do something to encourage him on. Also if u see food or milk or something mixed up in the beard, please inform him.
１１月中にひげをつけている男の人をみかけたら声をかけたり、ハグしてあげたりしてほめてあげてほしい。そして食べ物やミルクがひげにひっかかっていたら教えてあげてね。

I look forward to seeing the bearded men of Hong Kong over the next month.
来月香港にたくさんのひげ男をみかけることをたのしみにしています。

Paris

September football

Its been a while since I've blogged. No real reason why, maybe if anything just not sure how to word my thoughts. Which for most people who know me will find that hard to believe as words constantly come out my mouth like projectile vomit.
ひさしぶりのブログ。特に理由はないけど考えがまとまらなかっただけ。僕を知っている人には信じられないことだと思うけど。いつもだったら思ったことはすぐ言葉になって止らないのに。

The season has now begun and I have featured in 2 of the teams 3 games. 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. Got to play in Hong Kong Stadium which is Home of the Rugby 7s for those of you who aren't aware...(shame on you if your not aware as im buzzin' to watch the rugby next march). Hard to believe for many but I used to play rugby until 14. I was a hooker,　its a position...!!
サッカーシーズンが始まり、３試合中２試合出場。１勝、１引き分け、１負。ラクビー７のホームグラウンドである香港スタジアムで試合をした。知らない人は残念。来年の３月のラグビー戦は楽しみだ。信じてもらえないかもしれないけど、１４歳までラグビーをプレイした。フッカーってポジションだよ。

1 thing I enjoy about home stadium is the fact its similar to English stadiums with there being no running track around it so the fans are closer and louder. I think this makes it more fun for the fans and the players. Plus its nice being able to spot friends around the stadium.
このホームスタジアムのいいところはイギリスのスタジアムのように客席が近くファンの声援も良く聴こえる。選手にとってもファンにとってもこの近距離は大切だ。友達やファンの顔もよく見えるよ。

Here is a extremely touristy photo taken inside the stadium
観光客みたいな写真。スタジアムの中。

Yes the pitch looks very nice but I'm worried when the big rugby guys get on it and destroy it but its the best grass I have played on in HK so far. So very happy that its SCAA home stadium! Look at it... looks like a lovely green carpet!
カーペットのような芝生。ラグビーの選手が使った後は大丈夫かな。香港中で今のところ最高な芝生だ。SCAAのホームスタジアムで良かった。グリーン色のじゅうたんのようでしょ。

Here are some pics from the first two games!
出場した試合の写真です。

Great support at away games....　アウェイの試合に応援に来てくれたファン。

Not friends on the pitch....　試合中は友でも容赦しない。

We look like cartoon characters i like it.. and these 2 are a lot taller and we
all look the same height so i like it....
漫画ぽいけど気に入ってる。他の２人はもっと長身だけどここでは一緒にみえるのがいい。

Thats some pictures and here is a short highlight from those 2 games.
３分ぐらいのハイライトです。

On a side note been here 2 months now and still enjoying HK, great city!!
香港に住むのはも２ヶ月たったけどマジ好きやー！

Pari

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival Pt.2

So first part of the events was the moon-cake. Part ll it seems was the lanterns and Fire Dragon Dance.
月見団子の後はチョウチンと火を噴く竜の踊り。

The lanterns were conveniently very close to the club house so it was an easy walk. It was really pretty with the full moon and energy of the people all admiring the lights and the atmosphere of such events. Shame I was with my team mate Dyron so it was not romantic at all...
チョウチンの場所はクラブハウスから近く楽に歩けた。満月の夜、美しいチョウチンの明かりを見にたくさんの人のエネルギーで賑わう。残念ながらチームメイトのディロンと出かけたので、僕にとってはロマンチックじゃなかった。


Here are the pictures of the lanterns
チョウチンの写真。

you can see the moon in the background
背景にお月様

many people... 　たくさんの人々

Also made a wish but i cant share that....
一つ願いが叶うなら。。。秘密。

Thats some of the photos from that walk.
散歩中とった写真です。

But before that we went to watch the Fire dragon dance. I was so lucky I got to see it as i didn't know of it until the day when i was told by Asli Colette. It isn't like any other dragon dance ive seen before. It was a extremely long and was stabbed with hundreds of incense.  It was more of a smoke dragon but it was really fun. We got there just on time and watch the pre-show drums and children walking with lanterns and then the dragon came. Now the best thing about my team mate is that he is 195cm... and when in Hong Kong that is very handy when taking pictures in large crowds. So he naturally became the camera man for the night.
竜の踊りを見に行く寸前に初めてこのことを聞いた。Asli Coletteが教えてくれた。他にも見たことあったけどこれは今までのものより一番長くたくさんのお香にさされていた。だから火というより煙に囲まれた竜だったよ。ショーが始まる寸前だったから子供達や太鼓のパフォマーンスがありそして竜の登場。チームメイトは１９５CM。香港でかなり役立つ身長。大勢の人ごみの中、楽に写真が撮れた。

Hope you enjoy the pictures and the video.
写真とヴィデオを観てください。

my date....haha
ぼくのカメラマン。

long, smokey dragon!! 長くてけむったい竜

lots and lots of people!

Here is the video.




The background music is my current favortie HK song!!
背景に聴こえる音楽は今僕が一番気に入っている香港ソング。

Paris