Ogakijin Blog

Remember that I told you that I would plan to put my FijiFilm S9000 on the Internet auction... yep, it's up there.
Started at 9,999 yen. My expectation (my hope) to see this at 25,000 yen.
At end of day, current bid price is soared to 23,300 yen.

Almost there. Maybe end of tomorrow, the number is even higher. Will see what happens.

No plans for the day. Though, I did all domestic work from the morning.
Yeah, hadn't done cleaning my apartment room for some time... As far as I remember I last cleaned my room was... right before Beijing Trip. (BANG!)
Yep, that was quite long time ago. No wonder that I feel so obligated, by no reason, to do that job.

Now it's clean (maybe - at least cleaner! Hahaha).

MoonFlower is sick? Yeah, she told me that she better say home tomorrow. Tomorrow's plan is now cancelled. Should be that way.
Hope she gets well quickly.

What was the plan? No big deal. She wanted to check out some retail store in Daikanyama area. Well, we can do that some other time.

Yeah, I was looking for lunch in Tokyo Midtown (aka TMT)... and got these.



THREE rice balls and dish of deep fried chicken. The shop I bought these at was supposedly famous and really good.
Yeah, price was AWESOME! (BANG)

My expectation - 600 to 700 yen.

Real charge? 1,000 yen (8 dollars). OBVIOUSLY, overcharged!
Taste? Yeah, that, too. That was BEYOND my expectation. Reputation never lies!

Thus, it was great lunch... except what I paid out.
Should be good trade-off between pay and thing in return... that's what I learn from MBA... RIGHT!

Something totally unexpected. My client pop it up to me.
What popped up? Well, new deal. Current project that I am in requires additional resource. Yeah, one more consultant is required. At least client estimated so.

So what my clients suggested was totally out of the blue... WOW.
Her idea was that I should give interview to potential consultant since that person would come under me. Yeah...

It should be like "double-edged sword." Yeah, it is my responsibility about that consultant... his quality and everything. It means I have to cover that person's job if he fails... WOW.

Though, I am in the position that should take such risks. Told client, "Be My Guest."
Do I mean it? Not really. Hahah!

Will see how this is going to develop hereon. Yeah, this is interesting...

Wondering of new Ramen noodle place near Koiwa Station for a while... Tonight, decided to make a stop-by. Yeah, that place was rather big... with few customer. Hahaha!
It's totally new and that shop lacks propaganda for sure. People need to know of that shop first.



Very light taste. Soy source based and I liked it. Should go again to try different menu. This type of noodle is quite fattening... and I should be careful. Though, soy source base is much better off. You know, I usually select one with "Tonkotsu" (pig bone broth) base.

Obviously, soy is better... though, I better watch salt in addition to fat. Hmmm.

It means I should avoid ramen in general. Yeah, I cannot disagree. Though, still like that kind of noodle.
What can I do about it? Please tell me...

It's always GREAT to catch up with close friends... Today, I saw Anshu face-to-face. Of course, we are not in the same place... She is still in US and am in Tokyo. Thus, IT kicks in between us.

Using Skype... we both have camera attached to the computers... thus, we could see each other like that. How fantastic. No new technology... just we didn't take advantage of that until today.
In fact, didn't know she had account with Skype.

For me, Skype is yet primary IM... over iChat (AIM), MSN Messenger and the like.

If you have... and know me really well... you can ping me anytime! Will respond as far as I can.

Do I miss her? Of course!

Another week... another deal? Well, job wasn't that crazy at least for the day.
Oh, good lunch... had that with my Project Manager. Japanese dish. 1,050 yen. Somewhat above what I can afford. Though, it was worth it for sure.

Finally did this. My computer, MacBook, has full of data... particularly about photo data. Yeah, took so many of it last year alone. Hahaha. Anyway, 120GIG HDD was quite full. Thus, I needed to reduce the data size in use. Yeah, either delete unnecessary data or save data onto other media such as other HDD, CD-R, or DVD-R.

My choice... was DVD-R.

Before, 119GIG in use.
Now, only 69GIG in use. YEY!

Most of photo datas - all Thunderbird photos are on DVD-R now.

Oh, DO NOT misunderstand... Don't have any DIRTY pictures. (BANG!) Please note... I am NOT like you! (BANG!)
(Assumption: Most of readers here are male - Hehehe)

MoonFlower and I met in Chiba for today. Yeah, shopping. Since she was only available for the afternoon, chose this place which is between our locations. She wanted to buy some glasses for home... actually her mother wanted. So, we looked around in Sogo Department Store.
Didn't buy anything for myself, though.

Oh, it's almost her birthday and her selection of present from myself... is wallet. Leather wallet from Bottega Veneta, Italian brand.
Her choice - priced at 102,000 yen. Yeah 800+ dollars! Kidding? Seriously!

Well, we hold the deal at least for the day. We both didn't thought that it would turn out that pricey. it's up to her... she wants it, I HAVE TO pay. It's her birthday... and love doesn't come cheap (BANG!).

She later told me that she didn't take it this time. At least not as my birthday present for her. Too expensive.

Sigh... that was a big relief! Maybe this is my lucky day! Hahaha.

Got a delivery of goods that I ordered online. Yeah, from Amazon.co.jp. Two books (actually one book and one magazine to be precise) are now under my procession.

One book (left in the picture) - McKinsey Way; Drawing Technique
One magazine (right) - Harvard Business Review



After reading the half way in the magazine... I feel like this is great stuff to read every month. In other words, I should subscribe this (expensive) magazine.

Out of control? Almost there? Well, I took advantage of working home today, I met Fukui-san, ex-coworker of mine back in UPS period over dinner. Yeah, hadn't seen him for a while. Great to see a buddy of mine.

He showed up at Koiwa Station around 8pm. Originally it was 7:30pm... but he got do things of which he had to take care.
Went up to "Aida" tavern, my favorite. This is first time that I take a friend up there other than MoonFlower. She like that place. Most recommended.

Talk covered various topics. Yeah, seemed to be endless... it was almost so! Well, he made the train, though.

Obviously, I drank more than I could. Or should. Hmmm, must be great drinks. Sure, most definitely.

Drunk? Not really, though.

Work? Yeah, it was totally under control. Working home isn't that something I intend to do a lot... though, this was certainly relief on me being so tired from previous week. Thanks to my client... this is just what I needed.

I better show it to y'all before forgetting about it. Here is the photo of cufflinks that I bought at Beijing Airport.



Yeah, really PURPLE. My (favorite) color. Any comment? Oh, I accept only positive ones, though (BANG!).

Hereby make a rule for myself. Am going to collect cufflinks from now on. Well, I am going to buy one pair per every business trip. Not domestic, though. Strictly overseas one. Yeah, cannot afford even 200-dollar stuff like them.

Question is... when is next trip? Hahaha, good one. I have... absolutely no idea.

Work was pretty much flat. Under control.
I almost wanted to take a day off; ended up taking work home for tomorrow. No commute. Easy Friday? Hope it to be so. Let's see how it turns out.

Yeah, got paid! Confirmed the wire transfer via bank site. Oh God, thank you allowing me to live for another month! (BANG!)

Tuesday, I spent quite time preparing some presentation material. My client used it for her delivery last night. This morning, I heard the feedback. Positive? Negative? Actually there were both ends. I expected so. In fact, I included whole lots of risks and issues concerning about the project that I participate as PMO.

PMO = Project Management Office.

Didn't have lunch today. Busy? Lost appetite. Still feel sick.
I guess, air circulation in the office isn't that rational. Rather, bad air remains around. That is why I feel sick particularly when I am at the desk. After getting out of the office, I feel much better with fresh air. Really.

I got okay from the client for working home on Friday. I almost took a day off. That's good news. No commute. Since computing environment supports such condition... I practically can work any place as far as I have access to Internet. I can make a call via Internet as well. Since previous project, I haven't got full weekend over a month. About time for me to slow down a little bit. Plus, better take care of this cold...

Supper, yes, I ate. Had to. Better get plenty of sleep.

Yeah, I made it! For what?
I still feel dizzy; that must come from cold and fatigue. Yeah, all must be from Beijing! No wonder that I cannot concentrate. That is why I bought work home. Came home around 9-ish. I should hit the sack early - I know.

I found an envelop from my company in mail. Yeah, that's not pay check. All salary payments are via wire transfer. That envelop contains the transaction statement. Yeah, pay day! (actually tomorrow)

About time! I made it. I didn't fall back into red ink this time, either. Thank God!
Who said that I would make some saving this year?
Who said that I started tight budget month since May?

Totally untrue. So far, really. Hehehe.

I have to review my spending patterns carefully. Yeah at some point, I really got to do to find out the cons about spending. I should have spent much money for something totally unnecessary.

Maybe I should hire a consultant (BANG!).

Pay day in two days. Am so desperate! Yeah, SHOW ME THE MONEY! Or I die! Hmmm.
My pay day is 20th. Yep, almost there. Almost.

Back in the office. 1st day should be easy... NOT so fast. Too bad... I feel a little bit sick still. Yesterday, feeling was the same way; I didn't do anything home. Thing is different in the office. I didn't cough much. However, I still felt sickened. Hmmm.

Of course, I took the medication.

Work was tough, too. That was bad part. I totally expected that it would be easy today. Actually it was not.
Had to prepare slides for presentation to take place in Singapore tomorrow. Thus, I had to complete the material with some supporting data within today. Yeah, I had to work without lunch today. Didn't feel like wanted to eat something anyway.

Finally, finished the work around 8pm. A little after that. Well, earlier than really thought.
Came home around 10pm. Ate in Matsuya Restaurant before coming home. Light meal.

Tons of things that I have to do from previous week. This week looks so crowded. Hmmm. Need some day off!

Resting for all day long. No plan... no motives to do anything.
I should go into rehab? Can I adjust everything about work from tomorrow on? I doubt it.
Hmmm, seriously, it may take a while for me to adjust everything. Not immediately.

Well, I should take it slow? Nothing urgent yet? Will find out.

Did only minimum things like going to dry cleaner, etc. Otherwise, I left all behind undone!
I will think about when to deal with them later.

Better get to work a little before going to bed tonight. Oh boy, better get busy! Hehehe.

Back home! Really back! So tired. Exhausted!
Left hotel at 6am. Taxi ride was smooth. Some traffic jam still in this early morning! Surprise, surprise!
Made it to the airport on time. No problem to catch the flight.

Oh. Big surprise for another thing.
Airport... Duty Free Shop was EXTREMELY expensive. It was absolutely for foreigner's price! All said in US dollars.
Box of chocolate costs 9 to 12 dollars. More expensive than any US airport for sure.

I had to buy some, though. No other choice.
Plus, bought a Dunhill cuff links for myself. Yeah, China visit memorial. Hehehe.

Okay, I now can conclude China trip! Was surely fun and great experience!

Haven't got a big date for a while... Today, I got it!!! Katherine from Taiwan helped me to go on a tour in Beijing for my last day!
Thank you!

Went to Forbidden City - The Palace Museum. Huge place!





City is covered by grey sky! Bad air pollution. Serious issue!!!





















Great city tour! Great company! Everything went so well and I enjoyed myself! Am sure that muscle ache is coming up afterward. Walked so long today!

Day Four - the event is finally complete! Went very well! Yahoo!

Everyone should be exhausted? Well, some members of the team had to leave for their countries. Some others were ready for shopping.
Thus, we went out. Not shopping like for brands. We wanted to buy souvenir.

Local market... we went. Tons of fake stuff!
Some Chinese merchant pointed out my wrist watch and said, "How long ago did you buy it? 10 years or longer? Should replace it!"

Wait. What this men was selling was fake stuff... from Rolex to Cartier. Mine is genuine Rolex. Got it?
10 years... doesn't mean the time to replace it with FAKE! Never happens... EVER!

After shopping, had late dinner in hotel restaurant. Noodle. Pretty good wanton noodle! Loved it.
Another long night?
Two Korean ladies and I went to hotel lounge for drinks. Had fun talk along with alcohol.

One more day to go!

Okay, Event Day Two is over. Thank Goodness... all parts were done in English today. Much better than yesterday! Did I tell you that yesterday some part of the event was done in Mandarin. No help for me then. Hmmm.

You know, now I am interested in Chinese. I should learn it some point.

After Day Two event, many members insisted to go to another massage place. Wow!
They must be either really energetic about getting massage or really exhausted from work! Hahaha!

Me? Stayed home. I mean worked in the hotel room. Some urgent issue had to be solved.
Then, I went out... the shopping mall in basement and underground... huge mall is located.
From Dunhill, S. T. Dupont, to Kenzo or Paul Smith... all my favorites!
Price... very much same as in Japan. Huge disappointment. Yeah, missed big shopping.

Didn't buy anything.

After that... was in hotel room. I thought that day was over. Well, not yet. The night was still very young!

Three ladies from Singapore and Hong Kong took me out to the club. Man, it was long night.

Went to Suzie Wong Club... Suzie Wong is famous Chinese actress? I heard so.

The World of Suzie Wong Club
www.suziewong.com.cn

Came back after plenty of drinks! It was 3:30am. Wow! Just two hours of sleep before tomorrow's start. Oh boy!
Am in big trouble.

Beijing Day Two! Actually, complete Event Day One! Thought that everything was going to be done in English. Hmmm, too bad.
Some part of the event was carried out in Chinese!!! Wow! No wonder that I spaced out then. Hehehe.

Dinner with team members. Another Chinese? Had Chinese lunch. No more for the day!
Thus, one member suggested one place. We took three taxis to make there. What cuisine?

Korean. Not ordinary one. It was North Korean restaurant. Yeah, government of that country runs that restaurant in Beijing to suck foreign currency.
Yeah, it really does!

Of course, food and girl working in that restaurant are the main dish tonight.



She takes orders, serves foods, and sings songs for guests! Typical North Korean image!





Then, the night wasn't finished.
We all went to spa! Yeah, first time in my life! Had 90 minute Chinese style massage for $20 or so! Cheap!
Liked it? Yeah, loved it!

"Bodhi" www.bodhi.com.cn

Busy working day with extended night plan. (BANG!) Came back to the hotel around 11:30pm.

Okay, first day in Beijing. First day in China. First day in the first Asian country visit! True! Hehehe.

Met client in the airport... went to ANA (All Nippon Airways) Lounge and had a briefing with her for Beijing event.
Wow, I will certainly be busy! Hmmm.



Famous lounge Udon noodle... that was my "Pre-event" reward for hardworking!



Flight meal wasn't that bad...



Grand Hyatt Beijing Hotel... Wow, huge!



View from the room.



Hotel stands in the middle of other 10 buildings... with huge shopping mall in basement and underground.



Got a Twin room. Huge!

First dinner in Beijing - I met all other event team members from Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, and US.
Had that dinner at Chinese restaurant within the hotel. Peking Duck dish! Yum!

Finally am ready for Beijing. Too late?
Didn't do anything all day long. Too tired? Too lazy?
Anyway, at least I packed for one-week travel.

Who said I have got married? Totally untruth, folks! Sujana sent me a message saying so via Skype. Please note that it is STILL untrue.
Went to Mandarin Oriental Tokyo (hotel) for famous afternoon tea. Yeah, it was my make-up.
For last three weeks or so, I hadn't seen MoonFlower due to work. She ALMOST forgot about me. Thus, I had to be nice and sweet. Hehehe.

Went to Mitsukoshi Department Store and she chose nice handkerchief for herself. Used MY plastic (BANG!).
What about hers? Anyway...

Afternoon tea was great. Though, the service wasn't that great. Well, neither Mitsukoshi when making a purchase. Hmmm.
Not good for us today.









Good scorns... I ate four of them!

One question remained within my head since this morning.

"Is my passport being expired?"

I know that travel agent asked me that question... My passport should have 15 days of validation from the date that I make entry to China.
That means... if my passport still valid in July, am safe.

Work was okay... somewhat busy because I had to prepare things for Beijing.
Finished work around 8pm. Left work for home immediately. Even working in Roppongi, am not that night club boy! Hehehe.

Came home with the question. Went to the closet to locate my passport.

November 2008

How come I really thought that the expiration date was around now? Totally wrong.
Thus, good to go for Beijing! Hehehe.

No email from any T-bird in Beijing... means no reunion. Too bad.

Happy Friday!

Wow, what happened? So English all day long? Hahaha.
Started with 30-minute conversation with one of the top executives. He lasted the conversation with me face to face for 30 minutes. He was GSB student (even though it was long time ago) and certainly recognized the T-bird.

Then, got a call from IT Support in SYD - actually twice.

Plus, had to speak English a little more afterward. Wow, what happened so suddenly. Hehehe.
It was certainly fun!

What about serious work? What about it? (BANG!)
I know I should be ready for PEK (Beijing)... Am I really ready?

Setting up the PC isn't that complete yet. Why? Long process. My client doesn't expect me to complete all on first couple of days for sure. Though, I beat that expectation of client. So far so good. I've done lots.

Had Korean dish for lunch.
Ramen noodle as supper.

Noodle at night... typical Thursday. Ready for Friday? Sure! I better be ready for PEK!!!

I was sure yesterday: now am very sure. I don't get business class seat on the way to PEK. Have to sit in the coach class!
Apparently, client company doesn't allow employee to sit in executive seat when he goes to China. At least to PEK (Beijing).

How long the flight? THREE hours and a half. Will sleep then? Well, will sit with client. Don't think I have such luxury. Hehehe.

Purpose of visit? Nothing but doing the secretary job for my client. (BANG!)

Good thing. I extended this biz trip by one day. For what? What is the reason for I have free Friday? Well, it's called S I G H T S E E ING. Don't know what it means... but I have Friday for that reason. Hehehe.

Anyone available to do that fun thing with me in Beijing?

It were God's message or something... Hahaha. I am now assigned to travel to Beijing to attend the meeting next week. 4 nights and 5 days. Wow, that quick? Everything is fixed just like that?

Yeah, just like that.

Anyway, WHO is in BEIJING RIGHT NOW? WHO CAN TAKE ME A TOUR in TOWN?

Don't know many Chinese friends from T-bird???
Am sure that don't have such trouble if going to India! (BANG!)

Talk to Keira (f) ... via Skype. She was still in Korea... thought that she's gone back to US already. NOT YET, huh!
She met Youjin (f) and other Korean T-birds there? NICE!

Well, better hit the sack. Zzz.

Hello- New week, new project for me. Remember that I finished last PJ on Saturday. Should I be bench for a week or two to get assigned new one? Well, fortunate enough, no bench for me. The highest utilization rate one can make. No intermission.

I showed up to Roppongi. Yeah, in the morning. This sleepless district in Tokyo is serious business area during the day.

Some accident to happen.
First, no cliet has show today. She couldn't make the work today. She got injured over weekend and had to work home.
That's totally unexpected.

Second, the computer the client company should chartered for me to work for the project wasn't ready. It'll be ready sometime tomorrow or so. Oh boy!

Third, the client over the phone for the discussion of project issue called me "Old Man" while trying to convence her daughter not to interrupt her. Yeah, she called me that twice. (BANG!)

Lots of initiatives for the project. Lacks my motivation. Hahaha. Just kidding.

About time! This is first day off in THREE WEEKS. Yeah, remeber that I worked either home or at office with client over weekend for three weeks since getting assigned to this particular project. Now, am free from that complete assignment.
Woke up late. Should sleep enough and did so.

No plans today. Didn't plan any since I wasn't sure that this Sunday was going to be free one.
Well, should enjoy my time home.

Did laundry and took care of dry clearning stuff. Otherwise, didn't do anything. Watching TV all day long!!!
Very relaxing.

Well, resume working tomorrow. New project, though.

Zach Wyer... good to talk to you, buddy! He got new job in KY! Wow, not too far from my homeland NC! I can visit him!!!
Wait. Sneha is on her way back to India? I may have chance to go to India, too?

About time! Finally!
Today, I can call the end! My 2nd project as consultant is officially over!
As per contract, I should have been released from the job yesterday... though, had to extend it by one day.

Last day... for this project... I made the Project Room LATE. Remember that I went to bed late... aroudn 5am. YEAH 5am. Then woke up at 10:20am.

WAIT!

I was supposed to be at the Room by 10am. Totally late. Man, I turned pale.
Rushed and mae the Room around 11am. Hmmm. My bad. Totally.

Work went well. Lots were done. We should be able to wrap it all up and did as much as we could for the day.
Now, my contribution is over! Thank you.

It was very tense time... three complete weeks. No weekend... working through and even spent night for work sleeplessly.
Good and interesting experience.

This is my final deliverable:



Hahaha, just kidding. We saved empty bottles like that. For what?

Yeah, it came true! Didn't expect to? Not really. In fact, I sort thought that to happen. Didn't know it was today! Hahaha.
Another manager than my current one showed up to my project place for talk. He brought a discussion with me about very next project. Already? Thanks to client who nominated me for the project. As per that information, I am qualified for the task the client company drew.

Wow!

What happened? Have I been great consultant? Hmmm, quite questionable... (BANG!)

Work... still continued. Didn't finish tonight.
I slept for 30 minutes between 4:30am and 5am. Other than that, I made progress for the work. Productive?

Well, I stink! (BANG!)

Don't know how soon I can go home from this project. Quite hard, don't you think?