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The first time I sang karaoke was in Tokyo, Japan. I was on a work assignment and we were wrapping up for the week. My boss, one of them anyway, suggested that our group head out for a night on the town. Our Japanese hosts wanted to treat us to lunch and entertainment. I was enjoying our successful business outcomes and wanted to show my appreciation to our hosts, so I went out with the group.

There were five of us leaving from the hotel where we were staying, plus two of our Japanese hosts. We arrived at the restaurant and the first thing we did was remove our shoes and head for our table. As we approach our table, we found three other coworkers and two other hosts for our group already there. They had ordered some appetizers, which included plates filled with sushi, and they all were drinking either mixed drinks or saki. I am a jovial person, but I do not drink. I always tell people I just didn't acquire a taste for it. I think booze, beer, and wine are bad tasting and I'd rather have a Coke.

After not eating the sushi, I did decide to have a glass of saki. It looked like water and tasted like water. So, I had another one. I started to feel different, so I asked for a third, but the folks around me thought it best that I tried a Pepsi. So I did (drink a Pepsi). While waiting for the Pepsi, I noticed that our table was gently swaying, as though we were on a boat. I felt that I was okay, as long as I didn't stand. What a nasty joke, I thought. Why would anyone want to make the table sway like that! Honestly!

My host, and now my good friend, Hosota-San, asked if I'd like to sing Karaoke. Sure, I said. Why not. In the shower I am a hit! So with saki in hand, I went up to the karaoke area, grabbed the mike and waited for my "musical" cue. I sang Tina Turner's "What's Love Gotta Do wi' it?" I turned the place out. I was great. No matter what any one else there had to say, I was brilliant.

Was it the saki or the voice? It was a little of both...hahaha

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