Martin's Best Friend

マーティンの一番友達

 

日本語で要約は下に書きました。We are very happy to be living in Japan for these few years, but every summer we make the expensive and complicated treck back to visit family and friends in the States.  During those few weeks, we move around a lot, via airplanes, cars and even boats, coordinating with Martin's work and visiting the people who are so important to us.  It's a worthwhile effort to keep those relationships strong and growing closer, something that's just a little harder to do when living abroad.

Every year when we try to sort out how to do this monster undertaking, we consider going fewer places, but we could never eliminate Tennessee from the itinerary, because we just have to see Neil and Gina.  Martin used to work with Neil, back during his days at Saturn.  He's a brilliant engineer and a wonderful friend and role model for Martin, who often quotes Neil when discussing parenting issues.  We have watched their three sons grow up into fine young men, and next month, Martin will be present when their oldest son, Lance marries his sweetheart, Tamera.  We were only in Tennessee for four and a half days this summer, but we made the best of it, as you'll see by these pictures, mostly taken by Martin.  These two pictures here, show that, "like father, like son" Lance is marrying a beautiful, lively and smart blonde.  Another good marriage in the making, I think. 

Their middle son, Douglas, is an accomplished motorcycle jumper (see pix below) as well as a businessman, and their baby, Derrick, is in college, playing the trumpet with the marching band and thinking about becoming a nuclear engineer.  This couple has raised their sons with such a vibrant mixture of encouragement, guidance, and opportunity for experience.  We're proud to emulate them.

Trying to explain what makes special people so "special" is always difficult.  Even though we can list their accomplishments and describe in superlatives their admirable qualities, we really just want to introduce them to you, so you can know that person too, and feel some of that same warmth that we so appreciate.   

As you know, we store our motorcycles in Tennessee, and get our once a year ride during this visit.    I would say that Martin looks forward to riding his Honda Super Hawk and his Honda Hurricane with pure fervent enthusiasm, wheras I look forward to riding my Kawasaki Ninja with just as much dread as eagerness.  I'm always a little surprised and very much delighted when I rediscover the joy of motorcycling after conquering my fears and getting on the bike again each time.   The main reason it works out is Neil.  Yes, Martin is an excellent and skilled rider, but if Neil is there to coach me a little, I feel more confident about riding.  There's just something about how he tells you something, its much easier to stay calm and remember what to do.  Since he doesn't give too much advice, everything he says takes on greater significance.  So, after a little practicing in the neighborhood, we took to the open road and enjoyed the twisties around Leipers Fork and a small piece of the Nachez Trace with Monica and Jonah riding on the back of the guys. 

But the main event, was the day that Neil taught both Monica and Jonah how to ride a motorcycle of their own.  Martin and I watched with interest and did not interfere as Neil taught them the basics in the driveway, using mini dirt bikes which are similar to a motorcycle but much lighter and easier to handle.  Then we all joined in the fun, riding around the backyard.    These days, Jonah often talks about doing moto-cross when he gets the chance, inspired by his hero Douglas, taught by Martin's hero, Neil. 

Oh yes, one more thing.  He doesn't look like Twinkle Toes, but Neil is a great dancer.  One evening we all went to the FLYING SAUCER in Nashville and met up with Lance and his soon bride-to-be and her parents, we saw the band, Bueller, which will perform at their wedding next month.   They play the kind of music that I love to dance to.  Thanks, Gina, for letting me borrow Neil for a couple of lively dances.  The next night, I didn't get to go, but Martin, Neil and Gina saw Stacy Mitchhart perform in Nashville so Gina got another chance to dance.  Stacy and the BLUES YOU CAN USE.  I think that Invago and Stacy Michart together on the same ticket would make for a super engaging concert, and I know Stacy would come to Japan.  His multi-member band is top notch entertainment, I've seen them many times and have all their CD's.  Not the same type of music as my favorite, Invago, but I like them both very much.  Performance really gets you involved.  Here's a few more pix with our TN friends, plus some other odds and ends from Cloggers and Bluegrass to church and dogs.

この物語はニールと言うマーティンの長い間知っている友達です。英語の部分より短いので、少しイ要約です。上の英語の部分のなかに、写真のリンクを行ったら、テネシー州の夏の写真を見ます。よろしく。

長い時間日本に住んでいることから家族はとてもうれしいです。でも、毎年夏で、アメリカに行きます。その旅行は高くて、複雑だけど、いとしい家族と友達たちに会うことは大切だと思います。たくさん所に行かなければならないので、飛行機で、車で、だって船で行きます。毎年、旅行の計画を作るながら、一つ二つ所を除いてみるので、皆は本当にテネシー州に行きたいんです。夏の旅行の間で、マーティンはデトロイトでよく働いてけど、テネシー州で、殆ど働きませんので、短い休みです。

七年間にテネシー州に住んでいました。モニカは６ヶ月歳のころ、ミシガン州から引っ越しました。 ジョナはテネシー州で私の働いたの病院で生まれました。その所はニールとジナの家です。ニールは頭がいいエンジェニアだので、前にマーティンとサッターンで一緒に働きました。いい友達達だので、来月、ニールの一番年上の息子は結婚するとこに、マーティンはあそこにいるつもりです。 三人息子がありますので、子供から、大人になったを見ました。ニールとジナは上手な両親と思います。マーティンはニールが役割モデルらしいだと思っています。理由は説明しにくいだので、いつも両親は子供たちに考えているの教えて、経験をくれて手伝って、お世話をすると思います。

二番の息子はダグラスです。彼は実務者だおよび有名なモートークロースバイクのジャンパーです。彼の写真はここです。一番若い息子はデーリックです。彼は大学生だので、上手なトランペット奏者です。デーリックは原子の工学者になる勉強している。

今年の夏で、四日半しかテネシー州で泊まったので、大切な活動はバイクを乗ることです。主人はバイクを乗ることを楽しみにしています。  私もしたいけど、いつも心配です。多分正し日本語の言葉は恐れたです。したいが恐かったです。いつも、ニールは平静で、乗り方を思い出させる。それから、私はゆっくり近所で乗って、自信が戻して後に、皆は一緒に楽しいテネシー州の道で乗ります。

次の日に、ニールはモニカとジョナにバイクを乗り方を教えました。後で皆は裏庭でミーニーバイクを乗って楽しました。そこから、ジョナはいつもモトクロスについて話します。写真は面白いと思います。

も一つことはニールはいいダンサーです。夜で、ナッシュビルに行って、長男と未来の花嫁と彼女の両親も会って、楽しました。その時に、ジナはくれて、ニールとダンスをして、楽しました。次の夜、私は行くことができなかったが、マーティンはジナとニールとナッシュビルに行って、ＳｔａｃｙＭｉｃｈａｒｔに見て、聞きました。彼とバンドはとても愉快な音楽を作ります。私の一番気に入るバンドは日本のＩｎｖａｇｏを違いが、とてもいいです。もし、ステーシーは日本に来たら、Ｉｎｖａｇｏと一緒に上演をしたら、とてもすばらしいです。夢。

Comments

[Matt Scholl]

Looks like they're sharing a good flight in the first pic. Sorry I couldn't travel east this year...

[Pamela]

Yes, Matt. We missed you. If we don't move back to the US in June, we'll be coming back for summer as usual so let's get together one way or another.

[Doug Cossey]

Thanks for the kind words! I wish you could have made the wedding. It was a lot of fun. It was great to see Martin, I'm pretty sure he had a good time. (Except for after the rehearsal dinner, it really went "down the toilet"!) I would really love to come to Japan some time. Tell Jonah he's welcome to come ride dirt bikes any time.

[Pamela]

Doug, please come to Japan, bring Sarah, and bring your skates. You'll need to join City Run. http://iwa.la.coocan.jp/
I feel like I was at the wedding, because I've been helping Martin choose from the hundreds of pictures he took. It was a very special day for your family. We'll get those pictures to you soon.

翻訳じゃなくて、コメントです：この人はマーティンの友達の息子だので、最近の結婚したの弟です。彼はモートークロスのジャンパーです。彼は日本に旅行をしたいです。