I must have spent to much time out in the sun -- I just realized that the Pride you're talking about is tomorrow. Obviously, I won't be there in person, but if anyone wants to grab an adult beverage somewhere in Tokyo and catch the Fuji TV broadcast (looks like it starts at 7:00), give me some kind of message. Anyway, good luck to your dojo-mate, Ippatsu.

P.S. to anyone who might be reading who doesn't know this: yes, Pride matches are on prime-time, regular TV in Japan.

I would love to hang out on Tuesday night but I work until 9:00pm--such is life when you're an English teacher in Japan.

Another thing is that I've come down with a terrible cold and to make matters worse, it has irratated my asthma. However, I should be fine by the 6th.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to meeting everyone on the 6th. Hopefully, we can hang out at an izakaya afterwards.

march 6 could be ok IF my ribs recover. As it is now i cant hit the bag

Sorry to hear you're both hurting. I'm feeling OK, but that's mostly because I banged up my foot at the end of last year -- trying a kick that I knew I was out of range for -- and have been avoiding contact since. (So all my timing will be off if we do spar).

Although I'm hoping you're better in a week and a half, if nothing else, want to hit an izakaya anyway?

Well, I'll be able to spar. I've just been a little bit under the weather. As for going to an izakaya, I'm down. I'm not really familiar with ones in Shinjuku, but I'm sure they have Shirokiya, Watami, Warawara, etc.

Sounds good. Shinuku's got everything you mentioned and more, as you probably knew. I haven't been there for a bit, but some of the smaller mom-and-pop places have screaming deals for happy hour.

Anyway, have to get my mind off booze and on to cardio for a bit.

Just an update -- got one more guy who's planning to come out on March 6 (BJJ, etc. background) and one additional possible attendee (Judo). Total so far looks like me, Ippatsu, UltimateGaijin, two more guys confirmed, one or two more possible on my end and possibly some guys from Ippatsu's dojo.

And I thought I'd swing by the Shinjuku Sports Center this weekend to see about space there, or failing that just see if they have any alternate recommendations. I have a Minato-ku government connection if we're really stuck, but I'd prefer to save using it for when I really need it -- like when I'm facing jail time.

Have we decided on a time yet? Also, is the Shinjuku Sports Center in Shinjuku or Takada No Baba? I might've been there, but I'm not exactly sure where it is.

Time? ... Errrr, no. Suppose I'll have to look into that when I go to the Shinjuku Sports Center on Saturday. I have a feeling that this may well end up being a scramble for a time at any ward gym.
As I recall, the Shinjuku Sports Center is about a 10 min walk from the JR Shinjuku station, a bit closer from Seibu Shinjuku. So, presumably it's not the place in Takadanobaba. I think, actually, that Grabaka used to use the Shinjuku Sports Center, but I have no idea if they still do.

the shinjuku sports center that i went to is iin Takadanobaba, and yes Grabaka used to train there. You cannot walk from shinjuku station

Oops, looks like I was conflating a couple of gyms that I didn't know so well. Thanks for the correction. Will go to Baba on Sat to see what's up.

Well, I talked to one of the guys from my dojo and he's going to be busy on that day. There's one more person I'm going to ask. If worse comes to worst, I guess I'll be the only one coming. Anyway, I'm looking forward to learning something new and hanging out.

im out (DAMMNIT) my rib STILL isnt anywhere near 100% and it would be silly to make it worse

so whens the next one?

I'm sorry to hear that. I know what bruised ribs feel like though. I remember when I was sparring once, I got kneed in the ribs several times. It put me out for almost a month. It sucked big time.

I'm not sure when we'll have another one, since we haven't had the first one yet. Let's see how it goes first. You know you could come along anyway, just to introduce yourself and maybe just hang out.

hanging out just watching you guys would SUCK imensely. It would almost be depressing to not be able to get in there.
I do look forward to a write up though

OK -- sorry for the lengthy absence from this thread. And sorry to hear about the ribs, UtlimateGaijin.

Anyway, the public training area at the Shinjuku Sports Center is open from 9:30-12:30 and 1:00-4:00 this Sunday. I'm aiming to be there for 1:00, and there are now 3 guys other than me and Ippatsu that are confirmed as well. Looking forward to seeing you, Ippatsu. Give me a shout on my cell if anything comes up.