KatsuakiFujiwara.com2008-12-25T15:28:27+00:00Serene BachMerry Christmas *http://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid89.html2008-12-25T00:28:45+09:002008-12-24T15:28:45ZHi Everyone. Are you having an enjoyable Christmas?I came home from Spain just in time for Christmas.The Spain tests went extremely well with R&D staff from Japan taking time out of their busy sche...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's EyeHi Everyone. Are you having an enjoyable Christmas?
I came home from Spain just in time for Christmas.
The Spain tests went extremely well with R&D staff from Japan taking time out of their busy schedules to fly over and provide assistance. I think we are well prepared this year. Thanks so much to everyone!
Last night we held a Christmas party at our house with our local friends.
As usual we swapped presents and enjoyed the Christmas spirit.
After midnight I started to set up everything for my son who still believes in Santa Claus. I opened the curtains slightly, hid the letter my son had written to Santa and wrote Santa's reply, and then placed presents at the base of his pillow and then went to bed.
It all looked perfect! I was really pleased. I wondered to myself how much longer my son would continue to believe in Santa.
But then the very first thing my son said to me in the morning was "Where's my present from you Dad?"
That's my son for you!
Good luck with the end of year cleaning and Happy New Year! ]]>End of year tests !http://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid87.html2008-12-17T01:25:03+09:002008-12-16T16:25:03ZIt’s nearly the end of another year.You all must be busy with the year coming to a close.Seems like the flu is going around in Japan at the moment – so please look after yourselves.I have no...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's Eye
You all must be busy with the year coming to a close.
Seems like the flu is going around in Japan at the moment – so please look after yourselves.
I have now returned to Europe to complete my last official duties for the year – bike testing in Spain.
During my time off in Japan I took up an invite from Shogo and went to my first 175R live concert.
It was awesome! Doing a job that inspires people is not always easy. It takes some real heart and soul ... I was seriously impressed.
I intend for the next 2 days of testing to be meaningful and hope that next year I too will able to inspire by performance.
But it's totally freezing here in Milano, Italy.
With that, I'm off to an expectedly warmer Spain.
I'll report again soon!
Ciao !]]>Something ...http://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid88.html2008-12-04T02:54:29+09:002008-12-03T17:54:29ZAfter returning home to Japan I started to experience lower back and neck pain and had both acupuncture and massage to help me get back into shape. Then just last week, I was in Autopolis with deve...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's Eye
It's amazing what you can do with a bit of motivation!
While it's not the New Year just yet, I feel energized about the upcoming season and I'm really excited about making up for a disappointing 2008.
I really have to thank all the team for helping me keep motivated for the past season.
On the 1st of December I visited the HYOD (Motorcycle wear) end of year party with my family and stayed overnight. Quite a few other riders also turned up for the party.
It was feverish night of frivolity and certainly helped us to forget the year that was!
Thanks again to all the HYOD staff for all their assistance this year.
They are always protecting me from crash injuries!
The morning after the party 8 of us riders including myself, Okada, Kigawa, Izutsu, Yukki, Tamayan and Nagazumi got together for a golf competition!!
The result ... I came an impressive last place!
But Izutsu praised my aptitude for the game and I'm happy with that and I'm no chance of giving it away just yet.
Well, another year is coming to an end.
But there;s no looking back.
The Spain tests are coming up in mid-December so there's no time to take it easy.
Hope you all enjoy the busy end of year period and avoid catching cold.
That's all for now!]]>Back Home!http://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid86.html2008-11-20T00:57:09+09:002008-11-19T15:57:09ZI'm gonna hit the sack and get some serious sleep!I've got to get over this jet lag, play with my son, get my mobile phone fixed, meet with sponsors and do some physical training – so much to...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's Eye
I've got to get over this jet lag, play with my son, get my mobile phone fixed, meet with sponsors and do some physical training – so much to do! (@_@)
But it's good to be busy
Good night!]]>End of testing!http://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid85.html2008-11-15T02:06:17+09:002008-11-14T17:06:17ZThe three days of testing are now over! The tests went really well. The new team worked well together and while there's still a lot to overcome, we've made a very positive start! Now it’s time for...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's Eye
That's all for now. Bye!]]>The season comes to an end!http://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid84.html2008-11-12T01:37:29+09:002008-11-11T16:37:29ZFortunately, I was able to complete the season safely without any major incident or injury.Unfortunately, I was unable to win a race or get a podium finish and my results were generally nothing to ...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's Eye
Unfortunately, I was unable to win a race or get a podium finish and my results were generally nothing to boast about. However, this year I realized the importance of resilience and persistence through tough times. I was also reminded of the complex nature of racing and also the enjoyment of racing. Furthermore I learned a great deal from the staff and sponsors who were always there supporting me through the year.
But I strongly believe that there was not even one moment that was a waste of time. What I learnt from this year will definitely have a huge impact at some point in the future. Again, I would like to thank all those people who kindly posted messages on my website. Thank you so much for your support it is a great source of motivation for me. And thanks to all those you logged on and followed my performances throughout the year as well. By the way, currently I'm in Spain.
I'll tell you more soon. Briefly though, I'm getting down to business in preparation for next year!
Actually, the new team for 2009 all got together just a day after the final race for this year. There's no time to bask in the afterglow of the final race. I got straight to work with physical testing and training!
Sorry to have taken a while to provide an update! (Hey? It's always the same though!)
I have totally moved on and am now focused completely on 2009!!
With the thoughts and support of the Japan R&D staff behind me, I'll go into testing tomorrow with our unique "Kawasaki-man" spirit!
That's all for now
Adios！]]>Testinghttp://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid83.html2008-10-25T13:45:53+09:002008-10-25T04:45:53ZActually, this week I spent 3 days (Tuesday to Thursday), conducting tests at Autopolis with Kawasaki R&D staff!We are already moving ahead towards next year.Such forward thinking is fantastic, and...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's Eye
We are already moving ahead towards next year.
Such forward thinking is fantastic, and this testing gives us a great opportunity to communicate the actual situation in Europe.
All of the staff listened intently to all the feedback given and were motivated to build a top quality machine. There was a really buzz around the place.
Having said that, there is still one race left to go this season and we will soon be heading off to Portugal.
It may sound really busy but this is just proof of how fulfilling this is!
I'll be out there once more to ride my best race of the season!!
I'll give it all I've got!]]>Reveling in my time off !http://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid82.html2008-10-21T00:04:50+09:002008-10-20T15:04:50ZThanks to all the support I've had, I'm now back in good shape.Thanks to everyone who has sent messages of encouragement and support.Now I'm back in Japan, I've been able to catch up with friends I...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's Eye
Thanks to everyone who has sent messages of encouragement and support.
Now I'm back in Japan, I've been able to catch up with friends I hardly get the chance to see. I've been out drinking with 175Ｒ's lead vocalist Shogo and other crew. I've also been out playing golf with Nagano-kun from V6.
Everyone is busy giving their all in their chosen field and it's inspiring to be around such friends. Thanks for being a great source of motivation.
But even though I am back in Japan, both times I've gone out Tamayan (fellow rider Tamada) has been with me. EVEN HERE in JAPAN!!
I think we spend way too much time together.
Maybe this is just all in my head as well.]]>Magny Cours !http://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid81.html2008-10-15T17:18:24+09:002008-10-15T08:18:24ZI was able to score some points at the penultimate race at Magny Cours and I am feeling more and more comfortable with racing. The day after the race I drove my campervan back to my apartment in Mi...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's Eye
But fatigue must have been building up as soon as I arrived back in Japan I came down with a fever for the first time in quite a while. (@_@) I didn't want to make a big deal of it but headed off to see the doctor who told me "At your age, long flights can take their toll, so don't overdo it".
Ok, I'll try to take it easy. ………….. But what's "at your age" all about?!
Today, my fever has gone down and I'm feeling a lot better. The doctor is right I suppose, it certainly takes a bit longer to recover these days. But hey it's not about my age. No way. I'm just imagining things. That's all in my head!
With the change of seasons it's always important to look after our health. Time to get off for another annual influenza shot! But it feels like not so long ago that I had my last one. One year just passes by so quickly.
I am thinking like this because I'm getting older?
No. It's all in my head！]]>Monte Biancohttp://katsuakifujiwara.com/en/log/KatsusEye/eid80.html2008-09-29T10:56:24+09:002008-09-29T01:56:24ZSince the end of the last race at Vallelunga, Tamayan (SBK rider – Tamada) has set up camp at my place as he decided not to rent a place this year. (-.-) Why me?But actually, it has been good...Katsuaki FujiwaraKatsu's Eye
But actually, it has been good having him here to talk about future developments at Kawasaki and go jogging together.
Today, Tamayan and I took a trip in my campervan to Tommy's house (fellow motorcycle rider - Nakatomi) on the Swiss border of France as it is on the way to our next race at MagnyCours.
Tommy's wife, Aki, has been looking after me as I'm the only one touring Europe alone. She has been doing our washing and making me onigiri (rice balls). Even when we are at the circuit, we all gather around Tommy's campervan and it has now become known by the name "Café Aki". Aki is always ready with a cup of coffee for us, and has really transformed in to a typical housewife. (^-^)v. Earlier in the day, Yukio (Kagayama) and his family joined us, and we all headed up to Monte Bianco (the Italian name; usually known as Mt.Blanc) and we took a trip up on the ropeway! To experience such grand nature was awe inspiring and the air was so fresh!
That's all for now as I continue to enjoy a refreshing break!]]>
Hi Everyone. Are you having an enjoyable Christmas?