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April 11 - 13
HAJET PC Retreat
Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido

It is customary for the new HAJET (Hokkaido Association of JET) PC to take a retreat sometime before the summer meeting to discuss the upcoming year. As the new webmaster (in case you didn't know that), I also must attend. This year's retreat was in Nakashibetsu, a quaint city waaaaaaaayyyyyy out East. Most of the Nothern/Central group left together courtesy of Tami's HBI (her car) on Friday afternoon to make the long drive out.
The drive out there took us about seven hours. We took the northerly route, which took us through Hokkaido's largest national park, Daisetsuzan National Park. It was an extremely beatutiful drive through the snowy mountainsides (with the exception of the congested tunnels.) Luckily, Tami was able to put up with the antics of the 5 us without killing us along the way.
A partially frozen lake	A partially frozen lake plus Tami
Patrick, wearing shorts, in the cold	Devon and Jordan ponder the meaning of existence
Do you like this version...	...or this version of the picture better?
Jonathon fumbles around in the back	Jonathon requested that I take this picture
Saturday consisted of a looooooooong but productive meeting, a concert by Arthur with special guests Seth and Irish Dave, an onsen (outdoor hot spring), bowling, dinner, and karaoke. Way too much fun!
Seth and Arthur doing a number from the musical	Irish Dave a-pickin' and a-grinnin'
Respect the Secreatry's AU-THO-RI-TAY!!!	Mark and what's sure to be a strike
That's illegal in 27 countries...	Jonathon's arm exercises
Dinner was at a restaurant where you pick out your own vegetables and raw meats and grill them to imperfection	Seth, scarring the waitress for life
A Kiwi and a Kiwi	Seth and a Kiwi
The sign at the entrance of the restaurant	Karaoke afterwards
These two pictures were taken...	...on the way back home

April 19
Hokkaido Players Musical - "West Side Story"
Megalomania at Hijack

This weekend the Hokkaido Players presented "West Side Story." I have to say, their hard effort more than paid off. The musical was magnificent. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of it because I forgot my camera. :( If anyone has a few pictures they would let me use, please let me know.
After the musical, the cast went to a cast party and the rest of us went to see Megalomania play at Hijack. As always, it was a fantastic show, with Mike bringing down the house on a rendition of "Sweet Child of Mine."
From the side	From the front
I edited this audience shot a little bit	"It's getting hot in here..."
Tatsuo, looking menacing

April 15
Bermuda Shorts Day at the Den

Tonight was "Bermuda Shorts Day" at the Den, organized by Nothern Rep Patrick and Central Reps Devon and Tami.
Limbo time	Ikuyo and Kobayashi
How cuuuute	Oh Patrick....what are we going to do with thee?
Bailey has important business	Has Left Eye returned? No, it's just Tami :)
Use your imagination on this caption	[shaking head in disappointment]
I don't need a mic to sing!	Party hats!