Ogakijin Blog

Man, it's already last day... of the year!!! Yeah, so-called New Year's Eve.
Very quick.

Well, I learned a lot with some pain. No pain, no game... right? So I think this year was another fruitful one for me.
Yet, I still have lots of space to grow... so next year, I should look for pain... I'd better invest for big gain.

I know, the economy of next year doesn't look too good... well, not at all. Thus, I should differentiate from others... Project Stand-out, huh! Will see.

Biggest shopping of the year:



Big watch this is!
Due to this, the saving plan for the year has been hindered. Incomplete. Hehehe. It's okay... I really wanted this.
No regrets... rather, this is a big JOY!

This year's theme... "Being Humble."

Was I humble enough? I may not have appeared so to others... though, I believe that I was humble enough not to miss learning points. Got lots of gains from that. Good people and good experience.

Well, thank you for everything. It was great.
Please come back to read about me next year! I hope i can contribute more laughs to you.

Good luck!!!

Hi folks. Another week, another ball game, right? It is ABSOLUTELY so for me.
Usual place for lunch was packed... had to go to somewhere else.
Picked an Italian restaurant.
Good plate... tasty pasta. Good finish with cappuccino... FORGET IT!

It came with a surprise!!!



Wow, animation character, "Muscle Man," is on top! Hmmm.
How come? Why this???

The question was never been answered. Just because male customer? Hmmm. There must be something behind this.

Maybe, this was meant for "DON'T BOTHER (i.e. don't come back ever!)" kind of message? Hmmm.

What would you think?



After work... made a big stop at Ginza... NOT because meeting some beautiful chic then. (BANG!)

Talk to you tomorrow!

Look at the Mount Fuji in the back... covered by snow. Very beautiful, isn't it?

What about score? What about it? (BANG!)

In 58
Out 54
------------
Total 112

One of the worst scores for this year. Hmmm. Too bad.

I was afraid that weather would be going to be so severe... Turned out not bad at all!!!
Well, weather didn't give any impact to how well I would come to play... Hehehe.

Very early morning. Tee time was actually at 7:09... NO KIDDING!
It's Golf Day!!! Perfect weather it was!!!





My pet (head cover) was popular... as usual.



Score? Hey, that matters???

OUT 49
IN 53
------------
Total 102

Lost 1 ball... this hurts me. Hurt much because low budget!!! Cannot afford many balls because they're darn expensive!
Anyhow, fun round it was for sure.

Next Saturday, another round for me... Fore sure, am BETTER-prepared now.
Will see how it goes.

Hi folks. Getting cold... colder and colder... almost winter. Yeah, surely it is around the corner!!!
My sickness is back... keep watching what I want.

Next item... next pair of glasses to be precise.
Two candidates.

1st pair:



A0412-33

The alternative pick (sorry, no good photo available):



A0523-19

What do you think? Which one would be more suiting to myself? Humm... this is tough call, isn't it?!

Hi, folks. Good Monday? For me, it was so-so. Somewhat busy... meeting after meeting. It was all okay, though. Nothing special.
I got a gift... souvenir from Hong Kong. One of clients bought this for me...







As you see the last photo... this is a case for eye glasses. Top and bottom are different colors. Very vivid color, isn't it? So Chinese.

Well, this is what I told.

"Oh, this goes well with your today's tie."

Today's tie? This?! Really go together well? Sure??? Hmmm. You'd better judge it for me.



Brand new "PUCCI" tie. Yeah, long-waited PUCCI for me.

So what would you say? Let me hear it.

You know, people... normal people, like us... yeah you and me... are so busy doing the job for pay check... That's all for our lives, right? Somehow, some people are different.

- Those who still make capital gain from this crazy stock market today
- Those who can tell which horse can ran faster among others in the race
- Those who apply and win the prize like free travel coupon

You know what I mean? Wait. Someone in particular get those all for himself... Unfair. Totally unfair.
Didn't he learn from the university like "live in a harmony" or "sharing the wealth with important others?"
California MBA should've given him a lecture on "equal distribution to make the world work in peace."

Wait a minute. Who in the world am I talking about? I am sure that he is laughing to the screen right at this moment.
Hope you get my sense of humor. Really.



My antique Omega watch requires new belt... current one is to be worn out. Actually it is so already.
How much to replace? Hmmm. That's the question. BIG question.

Just a record...
Photo from Thursday night...



Yeah, I was wearing tie and putting glasses. Different? You tell me.

I made a big mistake. Totally underestimated about today's work.
Wait. Work? On Saturday? Yeah, really.

I wanted it to be done by noon... with hope that I can go to see some movie in the afternoon.
Totally wrong. So wrong. Didn't even have that kind of luxury.

I considered the job is done for, at least, the day is around 4pm. Too late for anything.

See you can tell that I am still not matured business person yet.

Fun night... got sudden invitation from a friend... for the concert. Had never been to Blue Note in Tokyo before. It's famous jazz place in Tokyo. Yeah, it's jazz night.



Benny Golson Quartet

Do you know of Benny Golson? He's almost 80 years old? He is in the same generation as was John Coltrane and other jazz legends.

Benny Golson was in the movie, "Terminal."

Man, it was serious jazz tonight. Cool stuff!!! LOVED IT!

Dinner was also good... perfect night, huh? Good music and fancy dinner. Oh, surely bottle of wine was also there.



Sort (indeed!) expensive night. Definitely worth it for me. Maybe another chance to come over here for entertainment soon!

Hi folks. How's your weekend? Sort bad weather here... no fun much. Hmmm.

At least I did some shopping. Not for fashion or other thing... just for kitchen (cooking).



Ramen (noodle) bowl and my favorite ramen called "Demae Iccho." Pretty cheap stuff but I like it much.
5 packs in this bag... I can survive for a week! (BANG)

What else...



You cannot do any cooking without oil... right? Good pot requires good oil for sure. Don't you agree?
I spent quite bit on the pot... means I should do the same for oil.

Olive oil is the only choice... no other alternative in my mind from the beginning.
In Ito Yokado store, this bottle of olive oil was the most expensive one. Hehehe, this is it!

It's 1,000 yen (10 bucks) for this thin bottle!!!

Anyway, more and more stuff in my kitchen. I may end up in serious cooking sooner or later? Will see...

Hello there. How's it going?
Here, things are okay... all under control.

Cooking? No, not yet. Don't push... no rush for me.

Pen!!! This is cool stuff! Don't you like it? I LOVE it.



A bit pricey, though. About 180 bucks. Yeah, high...

This is kind of MY TASTE. Really. Cool, isn't it?

This can be very next item that I aim at. Will see.

Since stock market isn't favorable much (not at all!!!), I will keep myself low... better control this kind of tempting mind.

Look at this! I found that one of my watches... already worn out! Leather belt is needed to be replaced.



Meaning, I have to expect extra bucks to spend on this... totally not on my list for spending. This kind of stuff... totally unexpected and out of my control! I need to scream for help!!!

Black watch with black belt... simply replace with another black leather belt? Any alternative color? Let me think... Hmm.

Anyway, serious consideration for budget.

Finally, received the result. What result? Am I going to another education? (BANG)
Hey, no more education, okay! I had enough.

Result was from the other day's health check.

Result... I got all A... Somehow, I am straight-A student (patient?). I had never been like that in any given education in my entire life!!! Wow, what a surprise!

Anyway, it means that I am super duper healthy. That's good.
Hehehe.

Who said that I am fat... need to go on diet?
Well, I want to lose a bit more weight for sure. So I am not considered fat... but I would like to be more slim...

From last year, I lost only 1 kg. To the average weight, another 3 kg to go. Hmmm. That's tough. Really tough.
Let me keep working on it.

About time to think about next step in my career? Already? Sickened and tired of everything?
Not so fast. It is ALWAYS wise to think of next agenda in your life... isn't it? I at least think that way.

Wait. Am I on the edge in current consulting firm? No place for me in there? Hmmm. Interesting discussion might be.
Anyhow, here are the choices:

A) normal company
B) other consulting firm
C) entrepreneur
D) politics
E) other

B > A > E > D > C

Probably my choice is going to be in that order.

What do you think? Spending only several years in this consulting industry... good enough to move on? Do you think that I'd better stay for several years more?! What would be of your thought?

This is based upon the assumption if I can be "free" from the firm now... regardless to my will or not.
Hmmm, this requires lots of thinking at least for me.

Well, new week... this Monday turned out to be flat. Busy? Somewhat. Gathered information... wrote summary... and attended several conference calls.
Oh, I'd better spend more time on project member to brush up deliverables. Yeah, seriously. Time is always critical... I should be too busy on my own... should pay more attention to others. This is tough to do!!!

This jeans to be on the list. Yeah, my shopping list.
Very slim jeans... usually I don't try those.
However, now I am interested in thing pants like these. Why?

Need to lose some weight. Need some reward upon successful result.
Means, this is the carrot for the horse to run. Hahaha. Me, horse?



Tsumori Chisato - Jeans at 30,200 yen. Approx. 300 US dollars.
Yes, bit expensive. Way too expensive.

Thus, this is my incentive to lose weight to be healthy. 300 bucks to be the leverage? Easy to do? Hmmm.

Good health check-up? It was NOT!!!
Am I healthy enough? Probably not.

Too fat?!?! That's what all people around me think of!!!
Too bad.

The result to be in around next week or so. Let's stay calm about what to be the result.
Surely, am not really looking forward to it.






Good dumplings... these were my dinner tonight. With Friend Kirk.
Yeah, good stuff... really ate much.

Wait. Even gained after tonight's dinner. Oh boy. Issue becomes even more severe. Hmmm.

Well, let's worry about my weight tomorrow. (BANG!)

Tomorrow, I have to take a day off... not for fun...
It is the annual health check-up. Mandatory by law. Means I have no choice to show my beer belly to the doctor! Hahaha.

My biggest concern over this check-up is

not bad vision
not height (I cannot grow any longer!)
not weight (really? Should be the 1st concern, right?)
not stomach (dysfunction)

but WHAT?

Hmmm.

It's Metabolic Syndrome... yeah, "obesity," simply.

If I qualified to be "fat guy," I have to see the doctor frequently. It's by law. Hmmm. What kind of penalty ahead? Money? Work-out? What else...

Somehow, government of Japan is concern over people's health... not own fiscal health. Hmmm.

Wish me luck...

My summer dream... my only one in this summer!
Bought a package... 10 lottery tickets.



Drawing is on 12th. Next week.
Hope I come to win some money so that I can pay off the debt! Need to get out of this kind of (debt) world!!!

This is the only hope that I have to make my life turn around. You know what I mean???

Hello- New week... new story, huh! Well not so good for my favorite (baseball team) Dragons.
Hmmm, they are obviously suffering... team isn't functioning as manager wants them to be. Oh boy.
Are they in slump? (Like me? BANG!)

Dragons are currently at the 3rd place. Far behind leading Tigers (Not ones in Detroit, moron!).
Tokyo Giants are suddenly gaining the strength. How come?

Dragons apparently don't look too good under this circumstance. What can they do?
Sounds like talking about myself. No place to go... totally fallen into a big black hole! Hehehe.
Oh boy, big trouble this is!

Go Dragons, Go! You guys are my hope!!! Don't turn your back to the fans like me!

Just outside the office where I work on the project... I found this car very interesting... of course, it is nice and gorgeous!



New BMW X6 - SUV? Sedan? It's BIG car... (and expensive).

Is this going to be my future car? Hope so (probably not).
Hmmm.

This model color is my favorite... don't you know? Man, this is great. Perfect.

Man... "I Did It Again" (per song by Britney Spears...). I came to drink tonight.
I could be like old-man working just for pay checks! Wait. That mentions truth partially... I work for PAY CHECKS... Well, money get wired transfer into my back on 20th every month, though.

Let's summarize how often I drink these days:

July
1st (T)
2nd (W) --- Yes, I was drunk!
3rd (Th) --- Yes, I was drunk!
4th (F) --- Yes, I was crazy about drinking.
5th (S) --- Yes, still drinking, couldn't stop.
6th (S)
7th (M) --- Yes, drinking is part of my life.
8th (T)
9th (W)
10th (Th) --- Yes, about time to be super alcoholic!
11th (F)
12th (S) --- Yes, plan to be super duper alcoholic!

This is easy-to-see fact, huh! You can tell that from this at-glance summary.

Tonight's companies... my team met another team from the same firm. Two differnent project teams were faced off over drinks in Roppongi.
Hey, FYI - no serious fight! Just nice and fun cross-over.

Serious gap between two teams in terms of educational background. Each team consists from three members.

My team: two (other than Ogakijin myself) are from national university. Ogakijin - high school grad.
The other team: two from Tokyo University and the other from prestigious private university in Tokyo.

I am the one lowering the average of education level!!! Shame on me! (slap, slap)

It was fun and long drinking night!!! It was 2am when I got home. Of course, missed the last train for the day... forced to take a taxi home!!! (hurt my budget even harder!)

Too bad... am SO BROKE.
I should watch out what to spend money... like DIET... better pay keen attention to what to eat, etc.

Yes, still SO BROKE.
No luxury for sure.

I better cut out any extra spending... which is considered luxury or so forth.

So here is one idea... sort quick win for me.

Magazines.

I checked out several magazines that I wanted to buy... but I hold this idea.

"Zaiten" - rare magazine... never read it. This month, management consultant is the special topic.
I heard that articles state pretty negative stuff... REALLY? Want to read all about it!!!

"Think!" - always buy it! This time, "How to study for career advancement." Yeah, interesting stuff for sure.

"BRIO" - my fashion magazine (Yes, I do have such! Don't laugh!). Not buying this month.

Why not happening?

Coz... am SO BROKE!!!

FYI - I take any kind of DONATION if you really insist...

Hi, folks. I spent quite bit of time for unpleasant meeting... Did it come to a good result? Nope. No obvious result. At least we concurred with each other for our continued efforts... Hahaha.

Moved on to drink after the meeting.
Who joined the night meeting? Let's see...

Owner of:

-Land Rover & Alfa Romeo
-Mercedes Benz
-BMW
-Volkswagen

(total FOUR of them) plus me... who has NO wheels.

Hmmm, I am so BEHIND! Everyone has been in advance like that... All of them... own foreign cars... No one has Japanese-made. How come? Hmmm, interesting.

Of course, we had to cut out tonight's festivity early... because we still got four working days remaining.

Probably in my opinion, drinking at Monday night isn't that good idea. Don't you agree?

Somehow I was in Yoyogi Uehara... the other side of Tokyo...
How come?

I was in the Fireking Cafe - it was first visit for me. Definitely for men...
Cafe is usually place for girls, right?

Fireking cafe has lots of men's fashion magazines and car magazines. Really welcomes men to spend time there.

I liked that place much... still far away from where I live, though.

Made a stop at Aoyama after Yoyogi Uehara. Some window shopping.

At night, went to "Friday's" - it was a tavern in Koiwa. 10 minutes walk from my apartment.
Good sake... though, food wasn't that good. I probably won't go to that place again. EVER...

I should go to movie tomorrow.
Hey, what happened to rainy season?
Somehow, it was hot... very hot today. Same tomorrow. Hmmm.

Already July... means 1st half of the year is complete. Positive result for you? What about mine for the 1st half? Hmmm, tough to answer. First three months, between January and March, it was quiet. Not big deal but lots of patience required. Yeah, I took things very calm.

What about last three months from April to June?
It was rough. Personally and professionally. Hmmm.
Lots of learning experience from the period. Probably (?) just needed for myself.

Now July... totally new? Not quite yet. Just one day from the previous period... no major difference... yet.
Will see how this goes...

While laying down in the sofa after coming home tonight... one thing really hit the top of my head.
Calling my bank to arrange the payment was needed before July 2nd.

Wait. That's tomorrow. I don't want to get penalized by forgetting of it!!!
Start the Skype application and called up the back immediately.

Lady was nice and very good at customer service. Very polite, too. She went thru security questions with me and there was no problem. After all, she arranged all I requested over the phone.

About a bit shorter than 10 minutes for all transactions. Good deal.
Avoided the worst scenario!!! Man, scary.

It's all about money, huh!!!

Already Plan B? Came to have an interview. Give? or Merely Given? Hehehe.
Came to socialize a guy from totally different industry - entertainment.
Very interesting...

Wait.
Am I looking for new career?
Already?

You'll never know! I don't even know. Hehehe.
I learned a lot from the gentleman whom I just met for the first time in my life.
What I need to think... do not waste such experience and look for a way to take advantage of such... You know what I mean?

After this interview session, went out to Ginza area...
Mostly checked many different watch shops.

Hmmm, tough to find what I want...
Oh I should talk about that in detail soon... maybe tomorrow?

Wow, how come I got those? Hehehe.





Alain Mikli A0815-18 (brand new)

This is purple line in them... have another pair with yellow line. Cool huh!
How come I got those? Hmmm.

Wait. Anyone out there wants those? Please email me!!!
These frames are priced at 70,000 yen or so... USD695 or so. Darn expensive!!!

Yes, there is a big Ogakijin discount for sure... as far as you're loyal reader!

I've got 4 brand new Visconti fountain pens sitting my room as well. Anyone wants those, too? Man, I got too much inventory to turn!!! (BANG)

Didn't know it was THAT bad... who decided? How did it happened?
Just heard that CEO of Wachovia Bank resigned.
He took the full responsibility for huge loss from the sub prime loan. Wait. Is Wachovia going down?

How come I am so serious about it?

That's because I have an account with it!!! My primary bank for all US dollars!!! (see, how serious I am!)

This may sound like I have quite bit of money? It only sounds... the truth is totally contrary!
Recently withdrew all money from a security company to pay off the debt.
Yeah, seriously.

I have to write off all debts first before ANYTHING.

So don't let Wachovia down... this is SERIOUS.

Hi folks.
Longest morning ever had for me! Longer than any given period for any kind of exam while I was in Thunderbird! Hahaha!
Today, had to take PTO - paid time off - from the project. How come? Wasn't I supposed to be busy for coming-up biz tip to Singapore and Beijing? Precisely. Though, didn't have a choice.

25 T-birds from Global MBA program mainly from Latin America are visiting Japan for study (and some sightseeing?).
Somehow, I had been asked to do something... give a presentation to them.
Yeah, am not good at making a speech! Though, had to do something back to school, right?

Thus, I was given 1:30 time in Sheraton Miyako Hotel this morning for my presentation.

Three topics covered:
-Japan's business history (high growth era, bubble era, post-bubble recession era)
-Traditional business management in Japan
-Foreign company's management style

Somehow for me, it was much easier to give presentation in English rather than in Japanese...
Don't know why... not language issue.. Must be the level of confidence.

Yeah, I succeeded to last 1:30 fully. No practice at all beforehand! Good surprise.
At the end, tons of questions raised by students... some of those were really good ones. I guess, it went well even for them.
I must have done a good job!







Received some gift from the professor leading the group. Like this key chain!

Maybe I have to do another one next year? Hmmm. Oh, I can reuse this presentation slides!

Wow, didn't lose any boll throughout the round today!!! Another lucky day for me!

Received two prizes from the single round today!

Score: 53-51 = 104
3 pars I got.

7th place out of 20 entries
and most importantly...

"GREENIE"

It was 12th Hole - 147 yards... made the closest shot to the whole!!!



Got 3,000 yen (USD30) gift certificates. Not bad, huh!!!

Would better say to myself, SUCK IT UP!!!
Seems this is the dead end. Really. This means that I have already come to the dead end and no turn around. Too late? Seems to be so!!! Hmmm.

Anyway, better come with something bright...
Oh yeah, I recently got this:



The Pen Catalogue 2008! Publication for distributors only!!! Wow, what a luck!

Already got new Cartier pen this year... means no more for 2008. Plan changed? Hehehe.

Marlen could be my next one like:



or this one...



What do you think? Call me GEEK! I do admit am!!!

Golf day for me. 2nd time in this year.
Fuji Health & Country Club was the place for today's round.

Wait. HEATH in the name?
Forget it!
It wasn't healthy at all! Course was well-designed for sure.
Too many beaches!!!
Too narrow fairways!!!

No one in entire 13 people from my firm participated in today's competition did play well.
Everyone felt so awful with the result.

I shot 55-60 = 115. Miserable. Somehow at 4th place.
I was the 2nd most popular player expected to win! Hmmm.

Anyway, perfect weather for golf it was.

Wow, February 29th... once every four year... Thus, I wore brand new Mikli frame to the work today.
Expectation? People would like them...

These are the ones that I secretly bought:



People... didn't have any particular reaction. Just told me that "It's okay... pretty ordinary."

Wait. Nothing really special? Just nothing but normal?
Hmmm... I guess I had raised my expectation. Should have been much lower.

How would you like them?

Okie - it's St. Valentine's Day! Happy Valentine's Day!!!



Somehow I am popular this year... Hahaha. I happened to be in the project site where lots of female workers are on duty! No wonder that I came to have 5 chocolate gifts for this year's St. Valentine's.

Well, I thank you who just gave me such little gift like that!

Wait. It is February 14th... for St. Valentine's Day... RIGHT? Hehehe.
"Ms. Client" gave me a box of chocolate... a week ahead. Yeah because she's on business trip next week.
Wait... this is scary... I have to come up with "impressive return... in terms of value and... whatever it may be.
Hmmm, that's tough to respond. Don't you think?









Well, at least got chocolate for this year's St. Valentines'... Not bad for my life, huh!

Sort worst day for me.
Originally, I planned to take a day off as PTO. For personal reason? Nope. Rather, I was planning to attend business conference. Really! I had registered for two sessions, "Service Supply Chain" and "Balanced Scorecard." They were, still are, interesting topics to myself.

No day off means that I had to work. Yeah, I did.

Showed up to the office even earlier than usual!!! My nightmare started then.
THREE meetings, including the recap meeting from the 2nd one, really made me tired. I was the one did most of the talk throughout the all sessions.

In the afternoon, pretty much similar story as one in the morning. Three meetings. Yeah, another three.
I was late to join colleagues for lunch. I found it later that all of them went together and it turned out to be the team lunch!!!

Man, I wasn't even invited. Hey, I was working and even busting my butt for project!!!

Darn it! Really!

No wonder I feel so exhausted. Originally time off for me... and I even missed the team dinner (free food... good stuff, of course!).

Lost energy to last for the day. Let's adjourn!

Simply, ain't my day!

First time for the week to show up to the project site. Got back to serious work? I have been to serious work, moron!!! Hehehe.
Tomorrow, I have to present "Turn Around Plan" and need to get consent, from the client, to bring two new consultant on board. Will see how it go.

I spent much time for such preparation. Idea and document that idea for presentation. Already addressed that outline to client over the phone in the afternoon. Seemed to be acceptable. Way to go!

Six of us went out for lunch. Usual faces.
Ended up in the Korean restaurant where we would always go every Tuesday... somehow.

Anyway... one of the topics over lunch was... how to determine female's age. Interesting topic to cover, huh!
Well, I began to share the way I do.

I always take a look at the hand... outer skin. I mean the skin of the back of hand. You know what I mean?
That skin is the point of check for true aging skin... no make-up or anything.

Well, most of companies (female) disagreed with me.
Why?

Some female do cooking more than some others. Meaning, some female put their hands in the water when cooking. Thus, skin condition doesn't merely reflect the age. Difficult to judge such.

So what shall I do? (Do what?)
Almost all female companies told me that I'd better look at the skin around the neck. That is the pure skin area... with no external influence. I see. Interesting, huh!

Thus from now on, I'd better check that out when I REALLY need to know of her (whose?) age. For what purpose? Hmmm. That's secret, huh! (BANG)

Well, over lunch dish, I had very easy time... No pressure means no stress. Thank God.

Better think... Better go... Yeah, it's my idea to attend the wedding of friend in Mexico. Yeah, friend Israel Morales is going to marry on August 23rd and I should be there.
Need to be the witness that Mexican playboy is now closing his history after all!

Place for wedding... is Cancun. Yeah, it is Cancun!



Therefore, I'd better get there, right? Am sure that every single one of you agree with me! No doubt about it. Really sure thing.
Thus, I better think many other things... like:

Because of awesome view... I better get good camera for good shooting. Yeah, good photos.
Better get new camera to produce that quality!
Meaning, I better be busy for budgeting... getting rid of current camera, etc.

Yeah, good break-down, huh! That's what I do everyday at work! Hehehe.
Yes, promise you that I will take new camera with myself to Mexico then. It should be Canon 40D.

Budget is the issue... how to solve it? Hmmm. Let me thing...

Let me think...
Let me think......
Let me think.......... Zzzz (BANG!)

No clue yet. Will manage it somehow. Later. Probably.

What's up?

Unexpected meeting online delayed my lunch schedule.
This leveraged for totally new experience.

Let me be more precise.

I left work around 12:30pm or a bit later for lunch.
Because of different timing, today's lunch buddies weren't same either...

They and I took a taxi.

Yeah, taxi... for business destination?!

Of course not.

Just for lunch!!!

My God... very unusual. Took a taxi to get the favorite restaurant to eat famous pasta!!!

Totally new experience with 180-degree different concept.

Pasta? Yeah, it was wonderful... I like that place SO MUCH, too.

This may become my habit soon? Let's hope not.

Being with parents over New Year didn't mean too simple this year.

Why?

Well. On the way home, I found the fact that my brother was already back home... along with his family... including new family member.

Precisely...

My niece was there.

She's still 3 months old or so... born on September 19th. Very young baby, still.

I came to hold her. Oh!!! I hadn't held any baby for a long time... 1st time in 10 years? Hmmm.

My parents were so busy around... taking care of their first grand child.
They better know that they cannot expect 2nd one soon... they better enjoy themselves as much as they can for now.

For me, I enjoy my free time otherwise.
Brought magazine and book home... including:

BRIO (fashion magazine)
Harvard Business Review
Book "How to Make Yourself Smarter"

So I had plenty of time for reading. Good deal. I should do something like this more often... while turning TV off.

Tomorrow, I will hit the road back to Tokyo.

Hi, folks! I really thank you for reading this "crazy" blog... Toady it is the New Year' Eve. Last day of the year!
Thus, I have to do some wrap-up, particularly about the resolutions:

2007 Resolution
actual (target)

Books to read: 1 (3)
Golf play: 1 (3 rounds)
Saving: 240K (1000K)
Pro sports game: 0 (3)
Weight: 150 lbs (143.5 lbs)
Movie: 10 (18 movies)
Travel: 1 (2 times)

Okay, I have to admit that none of them really made it. All my fault.

What should I do with them? Should all of them be carried over next year? Hmmm, don't think so.
I should lower the level of hurdle.
Yeah, I guess it was too much for me, simply.

Next year... as far as I know-

Current project will extend until August or so.
Meaning, I will come to totally new project in fall.
Until then, I am expected to have more international travel... another chance to Singapore and Hong Kong for sure.
Maybe some other places, too?

Oh at this point, Bangalore trip is cancelled. Don't know it may come up again or not. (least likely)

Do I change the job before 2009? Hmmm, good question. Many people often say that consulting job is tough and people cannot last longer than three years. That's correct as far as I see others in the same firm. Hehehe.

Thus, possible for me? Don't have to deny for now... though, I would say, it's still limited somehow. I may start considering that option sometime later... not sooner.

What about marriage?
Oh that's very good question, too. In fact, this doesn't count as option in my life yet. If I marry, that got to be MoonFlower... She isn't really up to marrying and I have no leverage to rush it... If she agrees, yes, that will come to the reality quickly.
Until then... no big change.

Am I influencing her toward that direction? I used to try. Hehehe.

Last question (otherwise, I have to keep writing)-
What to buy next year?

This year's biggest buy was St. Dupont fountain pen... yeah, luxury addition to my pen collection. This is now my top favorite. Using most often. More than others for sure.
Another pen? Cartier? Used to consider. Not for now.

What about car?
What about watch?

Hmmm, lots to think... Ha!
Will update you about my very next purchase, etc. The problem is that you have to keep reading this blog! Please do!

Anyhow, I wish great year 2008 for every single one of you!

Nothing special for the day.
Most likely, Mr. Clause is going to miss my place.
Obviously, his visit list doesn't have my address in it.

Why so sure?

Ramen noodle is today's lunch.
Dinner? It was Mac... yeah, HAPPY MEAL. Chicken sandwich to be precise.
Oh boy.

I guess, last year, I spent all luck that I had. No more.
So this Xmas is going to be quiet for sure. That's okay... this is the way I live. Hehehe.

At least, MoonFlower and I went out to Ginza for Xmas cake:



Yeah, it was from Shiseido Parlor... and it was good (and expensive).
At least somewhat we celebrated the Xmas this year.

Present? None for me this year. That's okay...

You know, I am the lecturer to the graduate student (female) three days a week.
Today, I failed to be the good example to her. Didn't mean to... accidentally became so.

What happened?
Let me explain.

My student (let me call her so this time... ok!?) was working on my homework and I thought that she finished around 7pm.
She left her desk then... I really thought that she was gone for the day even though she didn't tell me anything.

I overlooked her desk and found no her bag there. Thus, I concluded that I just missed her saying goodbye.
So I wrapped up and left work for home.

After that, I came to know that she was still there. She was just away from her desk... part of her wrap-up. Hmmm... this is bad sign.

How come?

Part of my business lecture... I wanted to tell her that different responsibility and liability between part-time / temp and regular employee. She's still part-timer and I was supposed to leave the office ONLY AFTER HER.

Do you see my point?
She shouldn't be the last person leaving there for any given day. Agree? At least, this is how my business practice goes.

I left earlier... so that is why I am saying that I failed to set a good example to my student.
Yes, that's my fault.

No wonder that I had to throw myself into alcohol to freshen up.
I almost missed the last train. Yeah, barely made it. Thank God!!!

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.

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 (