The November Sumo tournament looms. Yeah!
In September, Tamawashi, who I never would have picked, won. Genevieve picked Hoktofuji, who did lead early and was strong, but finished lagging. Regina had the Yokozuna Terunofuji, of course.
So this was not so hot a tournament for her, what with him leaving it hurt before the end. He has knees like Joe Namath. If Namath's knees were worse. Maybe if they did not make him do the wear lightning bolts and ruin your knees moar dance at the start of every day's matches.
Like usual I root for one guy but pick another to win. I picked the Ozeki, Takakeisho, to win. He did OK, but seemed rather harsh. He got the giant stack of envelopes full of money at the end, because he won the final match. Not a bad-looking haul, but no cup.
Last tournament's winner Ichinojo finished way back.
Of course I root for Tobizaru, but I don't want to paint my expectations of winning on my fave sumo. He had his best performance as a top-class sumo yet, at 10-5, and got the outstanding performance award. In the next tournament he will be promoted in rank. Tobizaru is being called "cool" by everyone. He was kind of the star of the tournament, despite a number of losses. Has a good attitude.
The tournament seemed rough around the edges, and there seemed to be more aggression than usual. Each one has its characteristics, as do the days within, like themes or spirits. More or less.
***
I was glad that Genevieve could get some rest from school, here, during the Summer. Man, there is a bet I would play a dollar against and expect an easy two cents on a buck as much as the sun rises in the morning.
Her school is the place where Munger is funding a dorm, and insisting the "bedrooms" be windowless. I don't think any realtor(TM) could call a windowless room a "bedroom." It is a utility room. I don't like the concept at all. Especially the trapped into socializing aspect. Some folks need time alone.
It is beautiful there. Here is a view of the lagoon and ocean beyond. Most anyplace won't be as nice to live as Santa Barbara. I used to look at house prices there. Two years ago they were pushing $1700 / sq ft. It is one of the nicest places in the world. If you don't mind a COLA that is two or three times here. Ten-dollar meal costs twenty. Lower range motel: three hundred bucks a night.
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Regina is well as usual. For everyone who knows her, the good news is she can see, well. That is like magic, yes? After having surgery to restore vision, a while ago, in both eyes, she can see as better than me. Did I mention that before? It's still cool.
This Summer I had "major surgery," again. This is the first time this century that a major surgery was cancer. Now my second test out says no cancer. Maybe everything will be ok.
I stay pretty healthy despite all the fun. Pulse is fifty, haven't drank since the 80's, quit smoking fourteen years ago. I miss smoking. Like everyone who ever smoked, and loved it so much.
Never miss drinking.
We're looking forward to Gen being home for Thanksgiving. She is in her second year at college, as a Junior. Still an A/A+ student. At UCSB no less. Where just getting in is a huge task. Once again I am proud, despite the fact she does all the work. She can take any small thing and grow with it, but also can think straight and get all the work done. The best of the two of us in some ways.
There is water falling from the sky out there! We are informed those water droplets are called (whimsically?) "rain." Ha, what a concept! I pretty much figure a 1200 year drought could just as well be a 10,000 year drought. On the other hand it sure would be nice to be wrong about that in this case.
Stay real.
[con edits] Is this my Christmas letter? Oh no! Guess I am stuck with it.
