Yes, i have to admit that it’s totally random and pretty damn cool at the same time.  Basically was supposed to have dinner with AK and Kiyonaga-san, then AK called to say he was bringing some more people and that Eric wanted to buy me dinner!!  Eric Clapton is in town touring… he and Hiroshi-san wanted to join in… so we all ended up at Hama for some delicious Teppenyaki.  Basically, in some way or another, they are all friends of Nike and from the Music biz and Tokyo 80′s scene.  Honestly, it all happened so fast that I just went with the flow.  And for thos who know me, I have a pretty firm rule of no fan pictures in situations like this – sorry.

But we had a seriously nice evening.  The guys told stories and I tried to play Fly on the Wall as much as I could but couldn’t help but chat it up a little (no surprise to those who know me).  Some highlights included:

• Talk about his Family, lovely daughters and life in his hometown in the outskirts of London.
• Exploring the prospects of possibly playing a gig in North Korea and how shady that can be.
• Movies:  EC voted for Walle in the Academy Awards and thought Benjamin Button was solid but a little over-rated.
• His love for a good suit, fashion and Hermes couture.
• What life was like touring now.  He’s in Japan for a month playing 11 shows.  His “friend” Mark Knofler, the guitarist from Dire Straits just played 60 shows in 60 days and is over 60!  Tough!

As i said, it was indeed a wonderful night.  He is such a nice, down to earth guy – as you’d expect.  I have to admit, in my work and life, i get to meet a lot of interesting people/celebrities/athletes … but meeting Eric Clapton was one of the more special one.  For god’s sake – he sang my High School Prom song – “wonderful tonight”.  Crazy!!!  Thanks AK!!

Fraser and the crew at the 2009 Club World Cup where Man U walked away champions!!

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wordpress video - wordpress plugin for integrated video on video blogs, and video tools Dice-K Matsuzaka signs with the Boston Red Sox for $100,000,000.  With the pressure of all of Japan and more importantly all of Boston, this is where he thrives.  Where he Enjoys the Pressure.  A sub-par season and a World Series ring later, he’s still bringing it.

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wordpress video - wordpress plugin for integrated video on video blogs, and video tools Kobe donates a court in Shibuya bringing his big smile, a gentleman demeanor and mad skills to the boys and girls of Tokyo.

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In collaboration with MSN, Nike Japan created this Just Do It spot made from local submissions from everyday athletes all across the nation.  One of those really cool things that goes fairly un-noticed in a mammoth brand like Nike.

a friendly golf tournament for all types of marketing golfers at nike japan. It was a great start with some solid shots (and a triple boggie for me) but unfortunately, we ran into some serious rain and lightening at the turn… so look for more, in a PART 2 outing.

Me and the Boys at the Famed Plantation Golf Course in Hawaii… sight of the season opening Mercedes Championship

The greatest football show (and player) on earth was in town for the 2007 Club World Cup. FC Barcelona. My favorite player in football and subsequently, my favorite club team. Doned in their new not-for-profit Unicef uniforms (by Nike) they took the field in Yokohama for what ended up as a pretty BLAH match. Even more BLAH was the result with Internacional of Brazil taking the trophy home. Ronaldhino had some really “almost amazing goals” but not quite. For my first Barca match, not the best but hopefully the start of more and better matches in the future…