April 8, 2003 - page 2

I might not be able to evaluate the general quality of Japanese theatre based on a single production, but I do know that the Japanese are way ahead of the British in another respect: baseball.  Since I’ve come to London I haven’t been reminded once that baseball exists.  But I know that it does, and I’d like to see a bit, now that the regular season is (I’m told) underway.  I’ve slowly developed a tolerance for cricket, even if I don’t understand the rules, and I have no problem with football (American soccer), but I think that a little baseball is in order.

A few others in our group have had more success in satisfying their American sports cravings.  Many were quite relieved to learn that a nearby café would show several of the NCAA tournament games.  The most faithful were able to overcome the time difference in fine form.  At least one person insisted on seeing his beloved Kansas in the championship game, even though it began around 3:00 a.m. local time.  Too bad the Jayhawks didn’t reward his stamina.

This coming Friday we’re all off to Paris for a few days.  I expect that I’ll have a few entertaining stories to pass along next week, not to mention a few nice pictures.  All this makes me think that perhaps I should stop fussing about baseball for the moment and worry instead about a crash course in French.  We’ll see how I fare.