Ogakijin Blog

Yeah, we are here already.... November is now concluding.
Meaning, we have just one month to go! In December, I will be in HKG for a week. I guess, time really flies fast. I would say that New Year is much closer than I think for now.

I am sure that you agree. I guess, you're busy finishing up Thanksgiving stuff as well as completing Christmas shopping list. Have you finished shopping yet?

For me... haven't even started.
Wait. Is there any list? Hehehe.

It was great business day... last working day of the month as well as of the week.
I finished big presentation slides and submitted to the client who would give presentation along with them in HKG next week.
That was big finish for me.

Also, training video (flash movie file) is now complete. That's also great to confirm.
Thus, next week, that video goes live and everyone can view it on Intranet. I started working on that back in end of September. Took me much much longer than I originally planned.

NOT that productive. Though, at least I will be able to count that as my deliverable to the project.

So this is true that I came to a good finish of the month (and week)!
I then decided to take off very early today. Just reward to myself. Left office, precisely, at 6pm.
Then went out for drinks and good food!!!

It was just what I needed. Along with youngster, it was fun time with lots of laughs and smiles. Good drinks... they were definitely supporting then.
Very relaxing. Perfect was everything.

No particular plan for this weekend... but at least I feel so good about coming to the weekend like this.

Busy day as expected... though, such surprise was never expected...
In the morning, I showed up to different place from usual. I went to my firm's office. Yeah, instead of Tokyo Midtown where the project is located. Why?

Simply it is that my boss - manager from the firm is now quitting.
Need to have escape plan. Hahaha, just kidding. I needed to participate to the meeting to adjust this change.
Who takes over my boss' role then?
He leaves the firm as of December 14th. Thus, the adjustment is in effective from that time onward.

We unfortunately didn't have much luxury. In other words, no other options but one. Yeah, that's why the meeting was so simplified. No serious discussion. Just agreement among participants. Hahaha.

So the meeting was wrapped up within one hour. I then have to play some managerial role. Hmmm.

Then I went to Tokyo Midtown... for project work.
Hmmm...

What happened?
Wait. What's really happening here?

I found NOBODY at the work. Precisely, no members of department sit when I got there.
I was expecting at least few! Was it because lunch?

No...

The end of story... it was that all of them were out sick today!!!
FLU is really spreading, I think Hmmm. Better be careful.

Are you okay out there?

Hi folks. Still having cold here. Some coworkers have even worse cold. Hmmm, that's bad. We all should be careful about flu and cold!!! Of course, am taking medicine after every meal for sure. I do try to take care of myself to get well soon.

Recently my firm renewed its web page. Renewed "Voice of Consultants" page.
So that new page shows my photo along with message about job.
Wow, how come I become so famous.
Somehow the firm picked three consultants and I was one of them.

People at client's site didn't know all about it and I happened to mention that to them.
Suddenly then people checked that out.

Shortly after that,

"Oh, you're there... Hmmm, you're not that photogenic."
"How come??? I saw another photo of you in CV or something... You look much better than in photo."

WHATEVER!

Yeah, I admit. I am not that photogenic.
I prefer taking photos to being taken photo!!! Is that okay? I wish I can change that photo, too!

I better start talking to the firm to replacing that photo in the page with better one.

Hi, folks. Obviously, I am getting a sick! Yesterday, I felt like that would be happening. Today, my body ensures that I have a cold. Hmmm. I cannot be sick because I have to go to work to get some tasks done!
Constantly, am taking medication. At least not worsen this sickness.

Suddenly, new country name showed up on my agenda. This time, "KOREA." Not North Korea but South.

Remember that I organized Japan Tour back in August time... Even didn't participate myself. Just organized then and went to Singapore for another mission.
Today, Korean Tour becomes official. So suddenly? Not that surprise to me, though.
Similar to Japan Tour, Korean Tour is 2-week-long road show.
This time, I can take advantage of that past experience. I once again become busy from now on.

Time wise... the tour is in January. Yeah, same month when I am expected to be in Bangalore, India. Meaning, I have NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER to be in Soul, Korea. Hmmm.

Will see if I can bring them together... so that I can go both places.

Extra day off (PTO) for today. Good for me. Wait. I feel a bit sick. Having sore throat, I am coming to a bad time with sickness? Let's NOT. Of course, am already taking medicine for curing.

Found interesting article in weekly business magazine called "Diamond."
The article covers "Japan Needs Big Integrator as Contender to Majors."
Majors indicate, obviously, about FedEx, UPS, TNT, and DHL.

Japan... have lots of small forwarders... and no major carriers for freight.
Though, we need own when measuring future success of business in general... We need to have such capacity to control own export/import... all Japan-related international business.

How can we make it happen? That's the question. That's the question hasn't been answered for a long time. Too long. Need answer immediately.
M&A is the key for answer. Everyone knows about this for long time as well.
Key Players?

Nippon Express
JP (Japan Post) ; recently privatized
Kintetsu Express (KWE)

The article didn't conclude the combination of best case. Actually, several possible cases there.
Either way is fine. Need to make it happen... Otherwise, other countries get so advance by suitable supply chain leverage.

In my opinion, three together would be good. Other biggies like Yamato, Sagawa, Seino... not big or good enough. Yamato should seek way to get along with government first.

This is the most interesting topic in my field. Will see what to be next movement.

Extended weekend is now concluding for many of you... Well, I've got one more to go! Good for me.
Well, today the destination was Aoyama... very usual direction.
Made stops at Shosaikan - Fountain Pen Speciality and famous "L'Occitane."

Remember that I bought the several skin care products for men from L'Occitane while in US. I really liked all that I bought.
Since then, I wanted something more.
Today, I bought hand cream. I usually don't use such. Maybe new excuse use of this.

Then, at Shosaikan.
Didn't check fountain pen this time. Rather, ball-point pen. Why?
Well, I am pretty satisfied with what I have. Current collection is sufficient to my needs. (Needs?)
Though, I thought that I wanted to have good ball-point pen replacing MontBlanc.

Target? It is "MonteVerde." Didn't know it was American brand.
Not that expensive as much as MontBlanc.
Also, design is pretty unique. So far I like it.

What I didn't like was that Shosaikan asks extra 12 dollars for name engraving. Wait. Many online stores do this job for either free or a little cost. Not as 12 dollars. Also, informed me that it would take up to 2 weeks. That's awfully long. In comparison, online stores do that job within several days.

Hmmm.

Thus, this kind of modeling is in my mind:

Physical check at Shosaikan --> Place order online

This covers all cons of cost and check processes. Hehehe.

So am I going to place an order soon? Let me see...

Wow, already X'mas cake here? Hahaha, that's pretty true for the day. This whole X'mas cake was brought in. Though, I got only several slices from this whole.

Of course, I better watch the sugar. I certainly watch the intake, right?



This looks pretty yummy. Agree? I will eat this soon...
Oh, I should make coffee first.

Long weekend, 4-day "Thanksgiving" weekend to be precise, starts today! Oh, it's BIG BLACK FRIDAY! Hahaha, it's not that here in Japan. Totally normal national holiday here.



"The Bourne Ultimatum"

Yeah, I could've seen this movie while staying in the hotel in US. Well, missed it. Thus, went out to see this movie.
Ultimatum... so this is the conclusion, huh!

Hey, what's wrong if Bourne remains in CIA and joins the Mission Impossible? Hahaha.

Ogakijin's rating: B-

For dinner, ate beef dish. Very rare. Great start of the mini vacation.

Very good lunch comes to be very costly.



Top-grade chicken dish along with Japanese soba. 1,200 yen.

Was great! Though from now on, I'd better watch out what to spend and how much to spend.
This is definitely over budget.

HKG Trip, of course it's business, is set from December 9th to 16th. Yep, whole week... didn't I mention that yet? Anyhow... I found that friend ChanKen, from Ogaki, is also planning to be in HKG at the same time. I think he's coming over weekend... Unfortunately, not the same hotel... but we may secure a chance to see each other. I'll be with client all the times... but see what I can to make this happen.

Over the lunch today interesting conversation developed among us. One male with 4 female. This is usual because I am the only male in the department... Thus, one male means myself.

Topic?

One of female - age 20's mentioned that she's interested in matured male to go out. Meaning, she prefers older to younger man than herself. Okay, that makes sense as one's opinion. No surprise.
In digging out that story deeper and deeper, all four female agreed with each other about age 30 or above... male looks better and better... more attractive.

More attractive? How come?

I guess, their say was that matured and handsome male, above 30, begins sending lots of signals as sex appeal. The signals are produced based up following fundamentals, I presume.

-More matured with deep thinking
-Understanding himself well
-Financially stable
-Job responsibility
-Knowing good place for food and how to drink
-Driving a car

Let's make a comparison with myself in those criteria:

-Very easy going
-Understanding myself as evil (all ex- called me so!)
-Very stable in deficit
-No clue about how to get job done...
-Knowing only cheap places
-Driving people crazy

Conclusion: Ogakijin is NOT attractive. Not even a bit.

Wow, this is clear snap shot. Very well done. No wonder that I have never ever been popular...

Hi folks. Cannot wait for the weekend. This Friday is national holiday. Plus, I just got my request for PTO, on coming Monday, approved.
Meaning, 4 straight days off from Friday! Wow, mini vacation already? Hehehe. That's darn right!

"Total Advisor" is what I named after what I actually do everyday. According to female Korean coworker. Adjective "total" is somewhat significant. In the definition, I still support mental care of all members in the department.

Wait.

Don't think my SOW (Scope of Work) approved by client does have such statement in it. How come I provide mental care service? Hmmm. That's interesting observation.

No wonder I need that PTO very desperately? Hint, hint!

Long day? Hmmm.
I came to know that one of consultants sort lost himself in the field. Last week, I gave him precise direction of what he needs to do so that we can move on to task phases. In today's meeting, I came to the reality that he wasn't quite ready to take next action.

Very disappointed with that fact.
He was, of course, nervous because it was even obvious to himself that he didn't meet my expectation. Oh boy! He was surely in trouble. I didn't tell him that I was angry.

Instead, I stated like:

"Maybe I failed to explain all that I want you to work on for this week." Wow, I suddenly became wiser like that? Hahaha.
Set another meeting with this fellow on Thursday, right before the weekend for me, to make sure that he's on right track to move on forward. Otherwise, am sure that it'll be huge mess.

On the way home, picked this up:



From next issue, I subscribe this prestigious business magazine. Thus, no more worries about buying this in the bookstore.
Another favorite magazine called "THINK!" - I should arrange the subscription.
Both are my only periodical reading.

I guess, I didn't mention that before... last week I was told to fly to Bangalore in December. Schedule got conflicted with another trip to HKG. I worried a bit about this conflict because I have some serious issue and needs going to HKG.

Today it becomes clearer that I now go to Bangalore in January, instead of December. COOL!
Thus, I still keep the HKG trip in tact. Great! Well, will be in HKG from 9th till 16th. Yep, whole week.

Wow, what was the occasion?
Very rare... that I went dinner after work.
Yeah, didn't plan to. Just happened to.

Let's get back to the beginning of the day.
Started with telcon with client as first thing in the morning. Did last like 45 to 50 minutes.
She regarded about the presentation material that I created for her.
More than several comments given and we both agreed to add some ideas to the material.

Of course, my time in the afternoon was dedicated to finalize the presentation because it was due today!

Oh, also I attended to the training session. Didn't last too long. It's a series of training... from today for 5 days? Hmmm. That's okay... I am neither trainer nor trainee. Then what role do I play? Am a just observer. (BANG!)

Wrapped up for the day around 7:30pm. About the same timing as another consultant (female) finishing her day.
We ended up going into a restaurant in the Tokyo Midtown. I thought that it was Italian restaurant. Just found that it is American.

"ROTI American Wine Bar & Brasserie"

Pretty expensive. Hmmm. Ate famous chicken dish (2,200 yen = 20 bucks) along with this year's Beaujolais nouveau for 1,500 yen (13 dollars) per glass. Yeah, it was a cup of glass!!!

Yes, I do admit that this year's Beaujolais is pretty darn good!

Two of us... the dinner was covered with 12,200 yen. A little over 100 dollars. Hmmm. Who paid?
Of course, didn't have such budget from the project. My wallet got slimmed after dinner.

Yeah, a lot slimmer for now. How come? (BANG!)

From tomorrow on, will be on extreme diet and watch out what I eat... not because of nutrition but because of cost for the food!

Nothing special for the day, y'all! Spent all time at home. At least I did clean my room... vacuumed, too. Since US trip, only easy cleaning took place. Today, I reorganized many things... and cleaned. Thus, my room is good as inviting friends (female only!) over. Hahaha.

Who set "saving 1 million yen within the year?" Obviously myself...
How well do I make progress about this resolution?

Well...

FORGET IT!

Don't think I can come up with 1-mil that easily. In US currency, about 8,500. Now 9,000 due to weakening dollar.

If no big changes for rest of time in the year, the number is rather deficit side. Unfortunately. Hmmm.

Didn't eat much for the day... Oh, most importantly, I ran out of coffee! This is critical! You know, I am a big coffee drinker. Surely, am! I'd better get some coffee for home. I still like drinking coffee at coffee shop... like I do at least once a weekend. Still, I like doing the same at home as well. In fact, I drink more at home.

(Of course, that's much cheaper, too. )

No Starbucks at home. I will come up with alternative brand.

Anyway, feel so good being at home because this place is now totally clean!

No plan for this weekend. Thus, I don't go out much for doing anything.
One exception, though. I went to massage place... again. Same place as where I went last weekend.

My shoulders and neck aren't as bad as last week. I selected 30-minute session this time.
Unfortunately, female staff gave me massage. Didn't expect to.

Unlike man giving me massage... of course there is no (not much) strength. Lack of powerfulness.
On the other hand, I welcome female (she was quite young!) touched me. (BANG!)

Didi I get relaxed? To be frank... not as much as expected to.
Better than nothing, though.

Wait. Am I going to spend 30 to 50 bucks every weekend for the massage like this?
If this is the case, should I buy a luxury massage chair?

Hmmm. That's good question. I should seriously consider that option. Don't you agree?

Hey, did I finish schooling already? Still studying out there? The answer is yes. Didn't I tell about the study session about logistics / supply chain last time?
I am (somewhat active) member of some study group. Tonight, the group held a meeting.
I left the office quite early in order to make it.

20-some members showed up and listened to several different presentations.
Surely, they were very interesting.

Even though I was drinking and eating while listening... I took some notes.
Yeah, it is indeed wroth the fee (35 dollars).

I better go back to old notes from business school. Paid big bucks for them... better reuse them.
Yeah, since no plan for this weekend, I should take some time to look at those notes.

Dilemma is with me. That comes from the difference between PM and PMO. Yeah, my role is PMO, not PM. Meaning, I am still outsider advisor.

PM sometimes doesn't get idea of what I advise. Rather my suggestion is something PM cannot get along.
How come?

Extra work
No motivation to her team
No immediate need

Whatever...
Thus, I have to come around to make the project move on. I always have backup plan. Though, that way isn't, as you can tell, straight shot. Sometimes I feel like it were detour. Same direction... but not short enough.

No intension for me to "argue" with her. Discussion level is okay. No further.
As far as the project moves toward the goal within given time, I can let that feeling go. Yeah, am good at sucking up, I guess.

Wow, very rare that MoonFlower is in town. Yeah, it's her business trip to Tokyo.
Since she didn't want to join her colleagues' gathering for dinner, I showed up before her so that we could go dinner together.

She was waiting for me in Ginza. She was content because she finally got a box of Krispy Kreme.
Yeah, there are only 2 stores of the brand in Japan... and big line like 1 hour on weekdays and 2 on weekends.

No wonder that she was content, right? Not because she sees me on weekdays. That's the point.

Ate Vietnamese food with her and had cup of coffee afterward. That was it.
Then I resumed working after coming home tonight. Long day, huh?

It's okay... MoonFlower doesn't make Tokyo as often... thus, I did what I could do.

For current role as PMO- three things must be in place to make people take actions:

logicality
convince
possibility (reality)

Very difficult to take the balance among three. Hmmm, am not expert. It takes me lots of compromise...
Almost everyday.

Because, on top of them, human relationship plays crucial role. Sometimes, one understands all three very well. Though, human relationship shed the light on dark side. You know what I mean?
Then balance doesn't come to the reality.

I struggle from that everyday!!! Sounds like real human work and makes me be expert on change management. Hahaha.
at minimum, I learn something new everyday from such circumstance.

Wow, it was good stuff. Ate Italian pasta for lunch.
Benefit from the location - Roppongi - I come to variety of foods for lunch.

The other day, went to "Cafe Daisy" - that was great Danish cuisine.

Not-so-much benefit is that I have to spend more for food like that.
Surely, I spent 1,000 yen (9 dollars) everyday... sometimes, more.

Well, today's lunch was definitely worth it, though.
Tried more than several chances to get in... and always packed.
Today, somehow got in. Finally got food. Very good.

1,400 yen (the most expensive lunch in the month!)

Cook was surely Italian... I saw. No wonder that food was good and restaurant was very popular.
Will see when would be the next time.

Since US trip... obviously my stress level was sky high.

10 point scale... 10 for good as my neck has no pain. 1 for the worst like I cannot turn my head to the side due to stiffness.

Last week, I can rate the condition as 1-2. Yeah, the worst.
Then yesterday, I felt like 3.

I couldn't stand like that any longer.
So I decided to go to massage place. Given one-hour session.

Some Chinese man gave me very tense massage then. Yeah, it was quite painful.
He was so surprised with the fact that all stiffness came only from stress.
He said, "This is one of the worst that I have ever seen."

Hmmm. That's not good. Huh.

Paid 5,500 yen for the service. It was really worth it, though.
I now feel much better. Rate as 7 out of 10. Great improvement.

I may go and get massage as necessary more often. Did underestimate the effectiveness. Changed my mind with today's service.

Wow, hadn't been to Aoyama lately... Under rainy weather for today, I was in that area for window shopping.
Yes, strictly WINDOW shopping. No big bucks spent for sure.



Japanese sweets, "OHAGI." Very tasty. My favorite. This plate is for 700 yen ($6).
This Japanese-style cafe is located within the Omotesando Hills - fancy shopping mall in that area.

Afterwards, went to "Shosaikan" - Fountain pen speciality store. Very rare to find such place in Tokyo. Other than this, you usually go to stationery section in department stores.

Checked so many different pens... just looked! Not even plan to buy next one. Remember, I just bought one back in April.

That was it for today!

Today, it was last day for one consultant. Oh no - he was not released in the middle of the project. Rather, he completes his mission at the end of day.
At least, he takes off today and no longer my burden.
Until today, I kept my attention to this guy because lacked experience... he was (still is) entry-level consultant.
Wait, that means I am quite experienced one? Hahaha.

He didn't like the way he ended up closing the deal.
Too bad.

He thought too much about how he likes to close it. Hmmm. No so fast. Things don't get along with your ideal situation... much. He'd better suck it up. Otherwise, he always complains!

Hope that he would be engaging in different (i.e. better) project with different (better) supervisor!

At night, showed up to Shimbashi for gathering.

Yeah, Tetsuji Fukui and Masahiro Arashida - my male friends from UPS era. Then old faces... three female joined us over drinks. WOW! What a reunion!

No wonder I missed the last train for the day! Ended up riding a taxi home!
Cost? Lower than thought. 5,500 yen.
It was surely fun night!!! Thanks, everyone!!!

Masahiro Arashida - it's his BD today! Happy birthday, my friend!
He's now 33??? Wow... still young (er) !

Oh, am going to see him for drinking tomorrow.
Mean I have to buy some to him? Hehehe.

Nifco - Japanese auto parts manufacturing company made announcement that it will generate 2,000 million dollar in sales by 2012.
This figure was counted within "ANS2" - I think it stands for All Nifco Group Strategy 2."

Current sales around 1300-level.
Big jump within 5 years? 7-10% growth every year. Somewhat aggressive.
Optimistic about the same growth in overall auto industry? Or about to secure the new market to leverage the sales growth?
Hmmm.

Will see how this goes.

iTunes is not playing.I better decide whether investing more or divest all soon. Hmmm.

Hello. Start with good news. Huge reduction in electricity usage. For September, the power bill was 4,240 yen. I usually get surprised if I get billed more than 4,000 yen. In other words, I want it to be around 3,000-level. Today, notice says only 2,687 yen for October period.

Wait. How come so low?
Simple... I wasn't even home for half of the month!!!

Today, business was rather slow.
Well, it's not my fault. Having full of energy, I did what I could do then. Hehehe.

Because my sort assistant (!) who is still graduate student (female) couldn't make work today, one of my tasks isn't executed. Yeah, I am supposed to give her a lecture for 30 minutes or so everyday as far as she's at work.

"Ogakijin, you were professor at university."

Hahaha. Is that compliment? Better take it so. Remember??? Over times, I have been giving lectures & lessons to apprentices like her. Started with new consultant... another new one... one Chinese and so on. Full of educational initiative. Hehehe.

Well, I don't mind.
In addition, I want to have more "teacher-student" relationship with her. (BANG!)
Just kidding.

Because she was absent, I spent time with other apprentice (male consultant)... regretfully.
Yes, I admit it... I would rather do things with female. Wouldn't you?

(Who cares about ugly man, huh!)

iPod Touch is definitely great toy. How to use this toy? For me, not so much about music. Yeah, music appreciation isn't of my favorite things. Even though, Some people (or Sam) may say, "Green Day rocks!" Hahaha.

I have a big collection of Podcast programs in my iPod. Spent majority of time with iPod for such programs. Yeah, educational and informational. Subscribe about 15 shows for news and information, I mean.

From home to work, 1-hour way is for such programs. Everyday, I listen to the news programs from ABC in US and Nikkei in Japan. This toy becomes great tool for sure. Big screen definitely helps because I also subscribe video Podcast programs.

How to use your iPod? Yeah, except listening to Green Day music, I mean. Hehehe.

My boss is quitting? When to leave the company? Does everyone know?
What to happen to current project in which I am involved?

Welcome to the dark side. Hahaha.

Sort knew that it would happen. Though, already becomes the public knowledge? Is that really okay?
Hmmm.

No agenda. Nothing did for the day. Totally wasted. Totally rested. Whatever you name it...
Holy Sunday, I better call it. (BANG!)

Woke up late...
Just went out twice... for food and for dry cleaning pick-up. That was it. Very much nothing, huh!

Out of energy...
Hopefully, things would go smoothly for this week. Last week, things were out of my hand... I think, got extra frustration out of such situation in addition to the fatigue carried over from the US trip.
Yeah, really spent enough time with client (probably more than enough?).

Currently... frankly... don't know what to happen in this coming week. How come? Oh, I briefly know what I need to do. Though, majority of job is actually not drawn yet. Incident happened last week became a big driver for this change. Thus, don't know what to expect. It would be very interesting and could be very hectic. Yeah, this is so-called risk.

Wish me luck!

Finally (?), ordinary weekend in ordinary circumstance...
No particular plan for this weekend. Originally, I would called a party among Ogakijin's friends. Did send invitation. Though, had to cancel it at last minute because I figured out myself not being really up to it. Yeah, I must be really tired. Not in the mood for drinking or even partying.

Still went out somewhat. To Yurakicho area. Big change in that area because department store 0101 just open right before Yurakicho Station. Big change. Entire section is now reorganized.
Ate lunch around the area... and checked the department store. No buys for today, though.

Came home early... and I fell to a sleep very quickly. Didn't notice myself that I was that sleepy. Hmmm.
I definitely rest myself tomorrow. No plans. No intension. Hehehe.

Hi, folks. Today, better talk about what I had bought while in US before forgetting to tell y'all about it. Huh!

- Apple iPod touch (16 gig)
- Hugo Boss tie (dark blue)
- Hugo Boss cufflinks
- Banana Republic long sleeve shirt (dark green)
- Moleskine notebook (for taking notes at work)
- L'Occitane men's set (facial care)

Well, from above I can tell for sure that I did spend what I could spend. Budget is all gone for now.

Thus, last (big?) spending for the year is going to be Christmas shopping. This is only if I can last till then, financially.

TCK is short for Tokyo City Keiba. Keiba? It is horse racing. Somehow I ended up going to have fun in betting tonight! Hahaha.
It is absolutely first time in my entire life to be at place like that.

TCK is usually held at night. Well, starts from the afternoon... lasting till 8pm or so.



Wow, still lots of people betting! Happy betting!



Horse #10... this became MY winning horse tonight!



Bet 500 yen ($4) on the #10... see! Payback was 2,250 yen ($20). Spent 3,000 yen for 2 races and I lost 750 yen ($6) as a result
Wisely spent to have fun!!! It was really fun.