Ogakijin Blog

I wish I could make it this Saturday. No way. No other way but work!
Client confirmed that I have to join the task force for the project this Saturday.
It means I have to cancel my participation in company's golf gathering.

Previously, I canceled another one with UPS people.

Well, missed two opportunities to play golf this time. Plus another one that I missed back in April.

Man... what a luck. No luck. Hmmm.

I should deserve LONG HOLIDAY!!!

Cabinet Member killed himself today. He was in the middle of chaos. Tons of allegation stories around this fellow.
Dirty politician?
Well, we don't know. No legal action (including police investigation) has taken place over him yet.
Killing oneself means that he takes full responsibility with his own life. Old way still around.

LDP - Liberal Democratic Party which in place of power in Japan... has negative impact from this incident for sure.
General election in two months... Will see how the nation react by voting.

Politics... always stinks!

Came home late from work directly. Yep, long night again.
Missed supper since the meeting continued from 5pm to 11pm. What meeting? How come so long? Answer is "Japanese Way."
So hungry on the way home.

Yep, did eat then. Curry over rice for 350 yen. 4 dollars. Yeah, cheap meal. Cheaper than Value Meal!!!
No good... eating at such late hour. Yeah, my fault. I gain some weight with FAT! (BANG!)

Working all day over weekend isn't that healthy thing? Hahaha.
You know, working throughout weekend isn't that big deal.
More troublesome.... while working, you face plenty of SNACKS. That's a big issue.

Cannot stop taking foods while typing so many words.



Client gave two of us full of snacks. Well, These are famous "Delicious Bar." Cheap stuff. Well, don't remember exactly... I think there were 10 of them.
At the end of day, all were gone! Yeah, two of us kept eating and finished them. Oh boy!
That's really unhealthy.

Work is okay? Well, so far so good, I think. That doesn't mean that next weekend is REAL weekend yet. Will see.

Unfortunately? I had to work. As expected.
Well, still learning experience for me... SHOULDN'T complain.

Mom in North Carolina sent me message via Messenger. Sorry, I missed it.
Working like crazy... though, it's fun to learn something new everyday. It's hard for sure. Though, I like it. Thats for sure.
I know, I haven't been that productive compared to other consultant with experience. Well, I will be someone like that sooner or later. No rush for myself. At least, I do what I can.

Tomorrow, have to work again.
Like today, from 10am. Oh, we finished work at 10pm tonight. Will see how long it will last...

When "releasing" from this very tense project... what do I like to do?
Well, I want to go shopping. Want to buy something BIG. Big means expensive. Yeah, don't know what to spend big bucks. Though, no particular item in mind yet. I better look for something. Yeah, reward to myself after hard working.

Plus, love to go out... shooting pictures outside. Nothing particular. Want to spend some time shooting photos.

Well, better get to sleep! Will be long day tomorrow... Zzz.

Left project site around 5:30pm. THANK GOD!!!
Had some internal meeting from 6pm for two hours. Yeah, was perfect relief.
For those two hours, I made myself totally relaxed.
It was some presentation... though, nothing like I had to take notes.
Rather, I just listened.

No entertainment afterward with coworkers. Wanted to. Though, tomorrow is still work day for me. Had to keep myself under control even tonight. You know what I mean.

Though, didn't come home straight. Did stop by the restaurant. Went myself. Wanted to come with me? Yeah, better tell me so.
You MUST be cute and nice company. That's THE condition. (BANG!)

Drank some beer by myself. Rare experience... actually first time for me to drink with no company.
Just needed something like that... and it was under control. Good time.

Received a message from the client.
No choice. Have to.

What?

Well, the note requested me to work over this coming weekend.
Wow, that means...

That means I work three weekends in a row.
This time, have to meet clients both Saturday and Sunday. That's rare. I know so-

This project is short term. Did I tell you that? It'll end on June 4th.
Thus, I probably have to work one more complete weekend. Yeah, that's it. That's enough? Hehehe.

Will see how it goes. Wish me luck.
Good night!
Zzz.

Hi, folks. Luckily, I came home early. Yeah, happened to be so. Doesn't mean that the project gets wrapped up. Oh no, it's totally contrary. The deadline is coming up. The progress we make is, I would say, still minimum. The project leader has to push the deal to make the deliverable better quality and more persuasive!

It's a huge deliverable. 1st part which my team (two of us) responsible is now consisted from 70 pages. Other three could be 100-200 slides total. Wow! Big huh.

What I learned for the day besides consulting task...

Client initiated a conversation with some lady in the restaurant where we just finished eating. Coworker of his?
"No, she works for the competitor."
"I happened to know her while sitting together in the train."

TRAIN? Sitting next to each other?!?! Wow, that's very odd to make an approach.

Translation. If you sit next to some beautiful lady, you can talk, tell how nice she is, and ask her out.
New methodology for you? For me, totally new (BANG!).

What do you think? Can you do that?

Hi folks.
I guess, those who recently graduated from Thunderbird are on the way home or destination for work... I heard some of my friends came back to Japan already. WOW!
Yeah, remember that Keira is almost finishing her study in Korea and will be on move toward T-bird again. Good for her.
Time to move on for everyone!

For me, stuck with current project. Barely made the train to come home! Don't like much about working through the night and taking taxi home. Though, situation doesn't allow us not to do so time to time. Yesterday, there was no choice. Tonight, the client decided to cut the work to make train for everybody. At least I made it.

Laundry is finally completed. Yeah, this morning. Woke up and did it immediately while taking shower.
Very rare doing so on weekday!!! I was desperate for sure. (BANG!)

Need to have some fun for sure. Need to leave the work behind!!! The project is almost... yep, ALMOST over. I will be released from the project after June 1. Cannot wait!

Good night!

Finally this?! Yep, that happened. Missed the train to come home. Instead, client and I shared a ride. Taxi took about 30 minutes to get here from the office and I was finally home around 1am. Yeah, way passed bed time!

Here is the view from the office where I work for the project:



"Big Egg" Tokyo Dome is just front. Means I can go to see ball game of Tokyo Giants anytime I want.
Wait. "Anytime I want" is not quite right...
Don't know if I can get that kind of chance ever... that's possible, yet very unlikely.

Maybe last day of the project... I can leave this office around the game time?! Will see.

Luxury for the day is nothing more than Latte at Starbucks in the morning.

No weekend for me, folks!
Well, this week, there was a group of student from Thunderbird's Mexico campus.
Initially I was told to give them a presentation.
Didn't happen.
Two reasons for that.

One - I was totally swamped with job this week. As a matter of fact, I worked throughout the weekend.

Two - organizer of the group from Thunderbird didn't confirm anything with me. It's not my fault.
Even she confirmed, I had to turn it down because I work 12-15 hours a day for whole week. No chance.

If that group were from Glendale, I may have taken different approach. Hehehe.

Guess what I was told a minute ago.

"Heard that you married. Congratulations!"

Wow, where in the world THAT come from?!?!

Keira - friend from T-bird just told me that over Skype! WOW, WRONG RUMOR!!!

FYI - I haven't got married yet. Not even once in my entire life time! Believe me.
The problem is that there is some folks out there thinking that I am off the market!

Totally untrue. Still in the market. I am in the center of it. (BANG!)

Anyway, Keira promised me to come over to Japan for fun. Cool! Am looking forward to it.

Worked today again. Today, put the suits on and went to the meeting with client.
From 10am... till 10pm. Full of work. Serious work, PERIOD.

Sounds like true hardworking management consultant? Hehehe.

Remember that I worked home last weekend... both days?
Today, exactly same thing.

My Project Manager kept in touch with me by Skype so that we could synchronize the work even though we both stayed home respectively.
Good deal.
Although, we both have to GO TO WORK tomorrow since client SCHEDULED A MEETING at 10am.
Crazy? Well, I guess so.

You know what? As far as I work over weekend, I can get days off to make them up. Yeah. Thus, I have two days secured from last weekend and additional two after this weekend. Wow! FOUR days?

Great deal.

Yep, pay day!

With this, I can make my life a little more sustainable... at lease for next 30 days.

Wait. Maybe not that long. (BANG!)
I need to last next 25 days for sure, though.

How do I do that? I owe lots of debts. Remember? Paid lots of money for tuition? Hint, hint!

Late... again. This project is really killing! About 30 million dollars. What the heck!!!
Anyway, I had to work long hours. From 9:30am to 11pm. Seems this to last for two weeks. I have to work weekend, too. Did so last weekend, remember? For sure, this weekend, too.

Broke my own rule tonight.
I tell myself NOT to eat anything after 10pm. It's my diet control.
Tonight, I came to break it. Yeah, broke it very easily.

Went to eat Udon noodle tonight. Hmmm bad stuff!

Either I delay my bed time or I eat much less afterward. Which is more practical? Hmmm, don't know.

Anyway, I should NOT do that so often. Once a week is okay... don't you think?

Exhausted. Working like crazy. Like a pig!
Don't eat much. Work too much. Need to talk much. (BANG!)

Need to have plenty of sleep. I wish...

Ogaki Festival was last weekend?
I miss it for long time!!! For last decade... didn't even come to Ogaki for fun.

When I was a little handsome boy (when?), the Festival was always held on 15th.
All schools were closed for the day.

Now, floating schedule. The weekend before 15th is the festival time for Ogaki now. Means kids lose one extra day off. Not big deal?

Anyway, need some kind of festivity for sure!!!

I was told to give summary and scope of the project to other consultants working within the same room. Didn't know that Knowledge Transfer Meeting would take place on Monday. Project Manager appointed me to do the brief.

Wow! I just joined the task force several days ago. My understanding of the project is surely not sufficient yet. Hmmm.
Well, I stood up before people in the room and began the talk.
It was really brief...

Purpose
Background
Cost
Expectation to our consulting team

I think I did cover something like above.
In Q&A session immediately after the presentation, Project Manager explained something additional. In fact, I didn't know that fact until then.
It was interesting meeting to see what other consulting teams have been working on.

No meeting today.
I spent entire day for PPT slide production.
Left work around 11pm. Yeah, almost last train for the day. Exhausted.
Zzz.

Weekend is over. Well, don't fee so much, though.
Yesterday's deliverable had to be revised today. Manager sent me both positive and negative comment on it. Thus, I continued working to make my stuff better. At least better than yesterday (BANG!).

Oh, one thing except work.

Changed the ink color for the Dupont pen. It's wine color. Pretty cool.
It was blue... but I like this new color better.

Work was... endless. Finished working around 4pm. Yeah, my manager told me that my deliverable is good as far as we concern at this time. That means not final yet. Thus, I'll be busier? Hmmm.

Good night!

Woke up around 8pm. Ready for work today? Well, didn't start work that early today.

First, hit the shower. Ran the washing machine. Then, went out to dry cleaner and breakfast.
Came back home around 11am. Put the laundry up to the sun. Then, finally... work began.

Not that easy like homework for school kid. It's totally professional stuff, right? Yep.
I got stuck with Project Management Bible. I had to read it from A to Z. Had to, really.

Then, drew some PPT slides. Took a break around 4pm. Except that, I worked through until 10pm.
Totally forgot about the meal! Where was the supper? (BANG!)

Wait. Where is my weekend (with plenty of free time)??? Too bad.

Remember that it would have been "BENCH" week for me. Well, didn't turn to be so at all.
Instead, I got assigned to $30M project. Hmmm.

Who planned?
Had a long meeting starting at 3pm and it ended around 10pm. Yeah, 10pm.
What I found within the meeting... three clients in that meeting confessed that they had been working on it up to 11pm or even after that every night! Plus, they work every Sunday as well.

This coming Sunday is no exception. They even plan to have a meeting.
That meeting was almost the one for me to attend. Well...

Instead, I have to work home over the weekend. No kidding. Very Japanese workaholic style, huh! True.

Came home around midnight with some depression that I have to work on Saturday and Sunday. Well, I guess, it's meant to be.
Sounds like true management consultant? Hahaha. Gotta be kidding. There is a still long way for me to go to be really so.

Late home again... precisely after midnight. Too much work? Well, too much drink, at least tonight.

New project requires me to be in the office by 9:30am. Later than previous project, 9am.
Plus, shorter distance from home. Means I can have extra minutes home in the morning. Today, left home for work around 8:40am. Not bad.
However, working late every night is truth...

I had to work on some paper work due end of the day.
Though, had a small meeting with project manager about the content. Had some comments from him and reworked on it afterward.
It results that I had to work until 9pm.
Hmmm. I was supposed to join the party with other consultants of previous projects at 7pm.
Didn't miss entirely... though, I was really late.

Food was expensive... $115 dinner course per person! I was late and ate in hurry... Didn't take enough time to appreciate it.
Talk was fun, though.

Moved to Daiichi Hotel in Shinbashi for drinks. This made me come home this late.
Interesting conversation over drinks!!! Tired, though.
Well, one more day to go. I should make it...

Who said that I should remain at bench for a while... How did I expect that? Hmmm.
What's up with you, folks? For me, things suddenly changed. Yeah, today.

I got an interview with a manager first met. He brought an idea that I join the project that he leads.

Don't know how match my skill set to the project requirement. Well, at least it was GO.
Thus, that manager kidnapped me instantly. I moved to new place in afternoon and joined the task force.

This is going to be very hard. Time critical.
Well, my participation is still limited. I'll be part of the project for two weeks. So the manager yet left some flexibility with me so that I can be fully assigned to either one of two potential projects.

Spending entire afternoon and night until 10pm, studied the requirement and scope of the project.
Forgot what "CSF" stands for... Asked people around.

"Critical Success Factor"

Yep, I should have failed the Managing Project class while at Thunderbird!!! Hahaha.
Totally forgot about it. Yeah, you can laugh (You do, don't you?).

Left work around 10pm. Came home late like I went out drinking with friends after work.
This project... once again time critical. Late night everyday is expected.

I'll watch out my diet and health. Plus, sleep.
Good night!

Hi, everyone! It was hot day in Tokyo... Summer has come already? No more long sleeves! Everyone should dress light! Particularly sexy ladies!!! (BANG!)

Work was light as expected. I had to manage time for self study.
Main event for the day was reunion at night.
After work around 7:30pm, I united with Takashima (ex-boss) and Ishiyama (f. ex-coworker) in Tamachi.

Three of us had different work environment or different job since the time we spent together within single department.
Out conversation was truly endless. Made us forget about time tonight.

Beer --> Japanese Plum Sake --> Chivas Regal (hard liquor)

Wow, too much drink for me tonight. Fun time really pushed me toward more drinks!

Of course, the topic was of work. We made comparison about job definition then and now. Gained more experience from the old days and it was really interesting talking about it.

Great reunion! Thank you!

Plus, taking advantage of "bench" status for this period, I plan even more occasions for drinks. Wanna join me?

Thursday @ Ginza
Friday @ Shibuya

Hmmm, I should watch how much to drink this week! I know, I have some limits (physically) for myself.
Man, came home after the date moved forward. Better hit the sack. Good night!

New week... seems to be tough, particularly after long holiday! You know what I mean...
Well, contrary to such belief, I had very... extremely easy start today. How come?

It's called BENCH. Other consulting firms may call this AVAILABLE.

Yep, that is the status of "not assigned to any task." Am perfect fit to that definition for now.
Between assignments.

This status automatically lowers one's performance since no work! Hehehe. This may result getting paid less if the period of "bench" is extensive.
What am I going to be then? Don't know yet.

I spent the day for "own assignment." Studied ACCESS application for the all day long. Need to master it.

"Did you gain (during the holiday)?"
Hmmm, shocking.



Started drinking the healthy tea AGAIN. Yeah, need to continue doing so!!!

Left office at 5:30pm. No need to spend any minute over time!
Am expected to be BENCH status for two weeks...

Let's keep fingers crossed for me NOT to lose the job!!!

Last day of the Golden Week. Even though you cry that time has passed so quickly, we have to accept the truth. Everyone has to get back to the realty whether you like it or not!!!

Last day... rainy day! No intension to do anything outside.
Good thing was that I have some delivery early this morning. From Mother in Ogaki. Previously, I asked her to arrange this delivery over this holiday period. She certainly remembered and kept it for me.



Pretty sweet drawing. Nice package. Content?





They are all called "Mizu Manju" - directly translated as "Water Sweets." Very famous as Ogaki's pride. Yeah, I really like them. This taste is only available between mid-April through end-August or early-September. Certainly, you don't want to miss this during the time. Neither do I!

MoonFlower joined me to enjoy the taste. First time for her. She certainly got impressed with what Ogaki has for y'all!

Started with Noodle!



This dish is from "Ajigen" near the JR Koiwa Station. This is my "usual" noodle shop. Took MoonFlower there for the 1st time. She said, it was okay. Not great stuff to female. Please note.

Moved to Shinjuku. MoonFlower wanted to check The Conran Shop. It's great designer interior shop. Famous (so I heard!).
No serious shopping in there. Just looked. (e.g. low budget)

Went to Isetan Department Store for "window" shopping as well. No buys.

Then, this:



Mr. "Web Master." Yep, it's Spider-Man 3.
It was okay. Is this end of the series? That is my question remaining unanswered. Do you know?

Next to see... "Transformer?" YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING!

I was really looking forward to the sales in Tokyo Big Sight. Yeah, I was invited to special sales including Paul Smith brand - my favorite.
This later turned out to be big disappointment to me, though.

How come?

Well, the sales didn't carry Paul Smith stuff for men's at all! It has for women's, instead. Hmmm. That was not good!!!
Then, my will for big shopping was instantly diminished.

After the Tokyo Big Sight, MoonFlower and I went down to her friend's house for dinner. We were invited to "Okonomiyaki" Party with her friends from work. It's Japanese style hot plate food.

The party continued with more than several friends who were big drinkers. Yeah, they kept drinking like bottomless. I hardly caught up with even some ladies there.

I barely caught the last train for the day to get back to my apartment. Late... fun, though.

LAST but NOT LEAST...

Congratulations on your graduation, T-birds!!! I think the graduation for Spring was today, wasn't it? Great!!! Am so happy for every single one of you! This isn't the end... just beginning of great show! (i.e. your bright future!)

The 2nd half of Golden Week begins! Well, my time is entirely dedicating to MoonFlower! Yeah, I have to "sweat" for the world peace! Hehehe.
I got together with her in early afternoon and went down to Daikanyama area. First time for me to visit that shopping district. Actually, that location is opposite side of Tokyo and I never got single chance to get there before.

Interesting area it was. I liked it.
We went shopping... I got nothing and she got several clothes for herself. Spent nearly 300 bucks? Wow.
Spent time at cafe for rest. Found my glass got big crack in it... and claimed to the cafe.
As a result, we got free drinks including hers. Yeah, it turned out to be entirely FREE. Pretty Japanese, huh.
I didn't insist for free of charge at all. I asked young boy about this was sure thing.

As concluding the day, we went to a fancy restaurant called "Lawry's The Prime Rib, Tokyo" in Akasaka.
Big American style rib restaurant. Here it is:



MoonFlower was extremely content with the food. That gave me a big relief and resulted the world peace for another month or two! Hehehe.

Anyway, it is definitely sure that I did overeat. I'd better watch out what to eat from tomorrow on. So would she!!! (That matters more?)
Good night!

I believe that I have already written about the fact that MoonFlower bought me a pair of shoes for my birdthday. Here is the photo... How do you like them? For me, this pair is really pretty!



If you're a decent business person, you know that it's common to wear same color for shoe and belt. Yes, that theory is important for those who are SERIOUS business fellows. No exceptions for me.

Since MoonFlower bought me brown... I have to buy same color... for belt:



When we went to Ralph Lauren Sales, I grabbed a brown belt for myself. The outfit is perfect and the only problem is of me... who doesn't have decent capability for a great work! Hehehe.

Anyway, great add to my closet.

For today, stayed home all the times. Did laundry and vacuumed all over the place! Now it's really clean as if I can welcome any guest! Surely, female guests are MUCH preferred. (BANG!)

May begins! what's up, folks? Those T-birds coming to their graduation suffer from the pains by final exams? Good for you! I have suffered as well. It's almost over! Push yourself!

For me, new month and new goal. For the first quarter since setting in Tokyo, I spent quite bit of money. It was needed for sure. Apartment rent (with deposit), new business suits, TV, bed, whatever I bought during the period. Oh, besides fountain pen. Hehehe.

For next quarter starting immediately, I have to focus on saving.
Remembering of saving plan, I originally set at JPY 100K. So far ZERO!!!
I'd better start that for now. 100K isn't easy to make. I am NOT like you! I wish I would.

Thus, I have to save money. Have to spend minimum to make my life go at minimum. I have to keep tone of my life low for a while... probably rest of the year to make 100K. I suppose so.

If you come up with any alternative plan to make 100K saving, please email me with idea!!!