Barkers!!! I am back in the yard and hungry. A couple of days ago I was lucky enough to eat in front of a large audience at an event called Hooterpalooza? and yes, there were many Hooter girls. The 4th of July is around the corner and I have been pushing my body several times a week with hotdogs. This event was a great chance for me to practice getting into a rhythm while being surrounded by distractions (hot girls, goofy announcers, slow eaters). The hot dogs were good and the crowd was great. My performance was okay? I ended up eating 43 dogs in 8 minutes? 43 is a considerable amount less than I wanted to do. I do know why my numbers were low and I am doing everything in my power to correct the issues before the big show on the 4th. Overall, it was a great event I and I will not turn down any future opportunities to attend a Hooter's party. The 4th of July is going to be intense?The crazy little man from Japan will be coming to new york willing to do anything for victory, but so will I. We are going to push each other to limits that we would never attain without the competition of the other. People ask me if I like Kobayashi? I usually side step the question and respond by saying that I respect his ability and appreciate everything he has done for Competitive Eating. It is rare that I tell people that I do not allow myself to like Kobayashi. I have found that when I am pushing my body through the most uncomfortable pain, I can dig down and push harder when I really do not like my opponents. During practices, I tell myself that the only thing that will hurt more than the training is finishing second. I have felt the pain of falling short in a big contest and it is a feeling that I want Kobayashi to have a second serving of. Last year Kobayashi broke in front of the world and I smiled. When Kobayashi lost control and forced himself to eat what had already been eaten, my self-inflicted pain was justified. Satisfaction also came when Kobayashi did not give up and coast to second place, he fought to the agonizing end. I have a lot of respect for kobayashi and someday I will be able to look at him without wanting to force him to suffer, but that day is not coming any time soon. Joey