Ogakijin Blog

Congratulations!!! Friend from Ogaki - ChanKen finally (yet before me!) got married today.



Am so happy for you!!!

Friends from T-bird got together... and spent entire night "sleeplessly" till Saturday morning!
Yeah, am serious. It was SO fun!!! Trust me.



Aki was like this even around 2am. Hmmm.



Tomo... finally down around 4:30am.

For me, it was perfect night with lots of fun. Didn't even fall to a sleep!!! Serious.

Friend in Mexico got married back in August... sorry, I didn't make the wedding which took place in Cancun.
I really wanted to be there for him... Israel!!!



Congratulations! Someday, I would like to meet his wife...

Who is my company for tonight? Here he is... It's TOMO. Famous friend of mine. Yeah, you know of him, right?



He's sales person for now. Very interesting guy and gave me lots of energies over drinks tonight.
Thank you!!! I owe you one for sure!!!





Korean cold noodle and ice cream dessert were for my lunch. They were the treat by client! Thank you!!!

This noodle dish costs $15 or so... I cannot afford such by myself. See how come I am so delighted.

Hi, folks. Already weekend, huh! How was your week? For me, I think it was quite quick... didn't expect to come to 1st weekend in August this quick. You know what I mean?

Some event tonight.
Gathering among T-birds... Yeah, it was "First Friday." Though, I really didn't go in... because I saw no familiar faces in the group.

As you know, I am VERY shy... yes, very. Thus, better go to quiet place for drinks and food.



Those T-birds... most of them were those whom I hadn't seen over a year or possible two!!!
Great reunion for sure. Nice people.

Didn't drink too much myself... but fun drinks tonight. Should get together once again soonest!!! (really)

Interesting event took place at noon today. A couple of 66 years old and 44 years old... held a wedding party for their friends. Yes, I was (somehow) invited. Because I wanted to see old friends over this occasion, I went there. To be honest with you, my feeling to cerebrate this couple stayed at minimum... because of their complex past which is the secret that everyone knows.

Anyhow, this party brought a big smile to myself. Tons of friends from old days!!! More than a dozen of them... All familiar faces!

Party at Italian restaurant from 12pm till 2:30pm.
Japanese restaurant from 3pm till 6:30pm.
Karaoke from 7pm till 10pm.

See, how long this event lasted! Lots of fun with drinks!

"HOW MUCH DO YOU MAKE FOR NOW???"

is the common question from them to myself. They were SO curious... after leaving that company that everyone worked for. MBA is still unfamiliar study for them... and they don't know what kind of leverage that it could be in terms of career development.

Hmmm. Man, they all gave me very direct straight question.

I had to give vague answer... I have no personal information to disclose!
They are all friends... that was why didn't hesitate to question me such... usually (I bet) they don't (or cannot!).

More than 5 people asked me the same question. What do you think? I think that was too much.

Job, job title, salary (maybe more than before or possible less than then), place for work... all changed... but I am who I am... not much change in character! I guarantee it.

Anyway, it was SO GREAT to see them all... I told myself that it is still so important to keep in touch with as many people as possible in order to have my life enriched with many people who tell me lots of things that I need to learn about.

Tonight... it's all about friendship with long time friend Kirk...
Many of you (readers) have first met him before... if you're friend of mine in real world.

He and I met in Monzen Nakacho tonight after work.
He led me and his subordinate from his work for drinks.

Went to two different places for drinks and sea foods. Surely, they were all great!
After saying goodbye to his guy, Kirk and I even continued.

Hmmm, almost endless night it would be.
DIdn't drink that much recently for sure.
Good friendship easily called more drinks. This is common theory for anyone, huh!

He gave me lots of energy... THANKS!

Old friend... got back to Ogakijin's world tonight!
Yeah, it's Harahira-san (male).
He is the one ever told me of the management consultant.
He since then is my tutor...

I met him several years before Thunderbird... about 4 years ago. Spent 2 years together in the same large corporation... but we stood for different positions... However, we had lots of things in common to talk about.

"Improvement"
"Overall optimization"

Typical topics that we always talked about. So you can tell that we were really business partners even though we didn't have direct business involvement in the same business then.

Anyhow, he happened to be in town - Tokyo today and we both decided to meet.
Interesting conversation on business was definitely endless... along with full of drinks!

Good talk... lots of serious stuff!
Man, I should call him up more often for drinks! Great incentives.

Tonight, there was a fun event.
I hadn't seen them for a long time... Obviously, everyone is busy! (beside myself?)

Takeshi
Toshi

They are all T-birds!!! We spent time together while in business school.
All of us are in Tokyo... still rarely see each other.

See, they are busy... though, I am not quite so (BANG!).

Need this kind of break with good friends... time to time. Should make the interval period a big shorter...

Hi folks.
I had to wrap up my work for the day quickly around 6:30pm.
Why? Well, I had a call that I need to see Foyer who came to Japan for a while.

My friend... good friend from Atlanta.

For him, two other friends also made show-up... Kirk (male) and yk110 (female).
Yeah, all friends from Atlanta era!

Went to eat and drink!!!
Much food and lots of drinks!
No wonder that I drank so much... even though it was still in the middle of week!!!
Forget it. It was all for my sincere friend. Good time is all needed!!!

Had fun... great fun tonight.

Foyer is leaving Japan over this coming weekend. Well, have a safe trip back!
Definitely, I will see you soon... either here or there.

Surprise, surprise!!! Well, turned out to be a good news... better than that... GREAT NEWS.
I just heard that very very first boss in my career is now appointed to be the Director at a big corporation. Yeah, he deserves that for sure.
Well, this gives me more pleasure and happiness than the time that I got promoted back in April.
Seriously.
I feel like this were for me...

Just gave him a call to congratulate... he sounded like he got surprise promotion. Hahaha, right!
Am sure that he'll do a great job!
Too bad that he has to leave Tokyo because the headquarter isn't in this area.

Well, better prepare some gift for him... sooner.

Michael is in town? When flew in from Atlanta? How long to stay? Better keep up with him for sure. Let's see when I have free time... tomorrow?
Oh need to inform Kirk about Michael's visit.



"How to be rich in 3 years"

Forget it! This book sucks. Easy to read... but don't remember anything afterward.
Somehow I picked this up for no particular reason. Hmmm. My bad.

Saw good friend of mine, Tetsuji, for the 1st time in long long time today.
He's "Mr. Sales Man" in UPS. Yeah, my ex-coworker and he advanced himself in the same career for a long time. He has my respect in making such career.
Since selling so much, he's busy and we missed each other for three or four months. Used to see each other at least monthly.

He got lots of options in advancing his career even further.
Man, I envy of him so much. Don't have any option for myself.

Well, we had great (serous) conversation for an hour. We should have easy conversation on easy stuff (not job-related). Hahaha. We were too serious...

Needed MORE drinks!

Wow, today it is monthly gathering... I wrapped up the meeting quick enough to make that event!!!
Shhh, don't tell my subordinates! They may get mad at me! They worked throughout the night then! (BANG!)

Supposedly, we all should get together in Shinjuku... 5 of us.
However, it is March time... end of fiscal year for many Japanese companies... people are busiest in this month!!!

This resulted that only three of us made it tonight.

Yasuko, Emi, and Ogakijin. Yep, three of us...
Too bad that we had to miss other members.

Will hold gathering in April... toward my birth day... somehow.

Hope everyone will be able to make it then.

Ogakijin's friends got together again!!! Now this becomes monthly event from January.
This time, it is the 2nd time... and it took place in Ginza after work tonight.

Yeah, I cut out my work around 7:30pm to make it!

We only missed Arashida (male) due to his busy schedule. Everyone else including:

Tetsuji Fukui (m)
Yasuko Ishiyama (f)
Emi Takahashi (f)
Kenichi Eto (m)

celebrate this gathering with glass of beer!!! And great Thai food as supper!

"JAITHAI Ginza" Restaurant provided great food! This is award-winning Thai cuisine. No wonder it was great!

Yeah, friend from Thunderbird - Keira is in town... for sightseeing over Tokyo.
Today, it was the first time to see her in (almost?) two years.

Met not only herself but also her sister Jenny. They checked in at Tokyo Prince Park Tower... pretty new hotel that I had never been to. Pretty clean... though, the service really sucked. I would like that place!

Afterward, went down to Ginza for shopping. Jenny was busy looking for something particular. Keira almost (?) bought some stuff as special Tokyo edition, at PRADA.

Ate Japanese food with beer and Japanese plum wine. Was Jenny drunk? Hehehe.
Then didn't return to the hotel... Rather went to Roppongi. For bars? night clubs? Nope. Discount store called Don Quijote. They had to shop many stuff... Also happened to bump into some famous singer from Thailand. Got hand shake and photo together.

Lucky them!

Anyway, it was fun with them... Thank you both!



Jenny (left) and Keira (right)

Man... I am pretty much stuck with work... I cannot be productive any further as far as I think at this point. I need some kind of escape plan... rather than solving the situation (BANG!). Well, I don't think I do have that kind of luxury.
Thus... what shall I do for that then?
Any advice?

Tonight after work, I had good time-off from the reality. Yeah, away from work... that's my point.
I had a little small reunion from previous work.
SIX of us got together over dinner table. From eight till time for last train of the day. Hehehe.
Didn't drink too much... kept talking instead. Yeah, good stuff.

That was just what I needed for myself... good relief!!!

All six of us were used to work together for logistic service provider company.
As giving acronym - SFLS and USPSCS... do these make sense? Hehehe.
Yeah, that company.

For now, just one of us still remain with the same company. Others moved forward to advance their careers. Surely, everyone is happy with what they do for now and proud of what they were together in the past.

Surely, it was great time then... when working together. Lots of memories.
No wonder that we kept talking... didn't feel like we spent hours. Instead, it were very short time.
Everyone, upon leaving for home, said each other that we would throw another one soon like next month.
One of us got assigned to be the organizer for next occasion.

Oh for lunch...
Took a taxi to get down to Akasaka area. Again? Took a taxi again like that? I know, I did. People around me insisted to go to "Shabusen" restaurant for lunch.
Yeah, same restaurant chain where we threw team dinner for year-end. Remember?
Different location... still we ate big pork dish.

Yum yum. Great stuff!!!

I will miss such great Japanese food next week because Aussie food is definitely different!

What's up! Had another long night with friends... I should be thankful... and I am!
Though, this is definitely over-drinking. Way more than I could. I'd better slow down next time.

Cleaned my room in the middle of day... I didn't want to leave for Hong Kong from dirty room. Rather, I would like to see some cleanness when I come home from any business trip. Don't you agree?

Thus, I want to clean my room.

Yeah, I admit it... that my room isn't that clean all the time!

Finally at night... went out to Ginza.
Yeah, a little gathering tonight...


Dai (government)
Koji (consulting)
Kotaro (ditto)
Aki (finance)
Akira (ditto)
Hide (insurance)
Takeshi (security)
Ogakijin (freelance?)

All men got together like that. Yeah, all men... you know what to talk about? Hehehe. All secrets. Privileged.
From 7pm... till 11pm. Long time... but I felt that it was pretty quick.

Now am thinking when to start packing... The bus departs at 6:20am... OH BOY! Am in trouble? Of course not. Always last-minute deal!!! You know me... am experienced traveller! Hahaha!

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!!!

Very interesting day.

Lunch? Went with Toshi.

Dinner with Aki and Koji.

What is all about? The answer is T-bird connection.
All those, friends of mine, are T-birds. Yes, all graduated from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Yes, I studied (mainly had fun?) with them.

Now all back in Japan... in Tokyo, precisely.

We are in different industries... and interesting network. Privilege from MBA for sure.

Over dinner, had too much food along with drinks. Talk was indeed endless!!!
Next time, we go to T-bird's First Friday (alumni reunion) and golf-outing!

Hi, folks. Big day? Not really. Didn't go to work but hospital. What happened to me? Well, it was mandatory medical exam.
I'd better say, medical check?

The result doesn't come in handy. Have to wait for a week or two. Will see.
It was first time to take a barium meal. Yeah, really first time.
This was for stomach check... I thought. (Maybe I am wrong?)

Hmmm, that's not something that I would like to do time to time. No wonder there are some coworkers refusing such exam. Hahaha.

After hospital, came home. Hmmm, not work? Sure. I had decided to work home today.

Gee, didn't work as planned. Originally, I thought that I would spend time for material production.
Instead, I spent all time for budgeting... Totally unexpected. Hmmm.

Wrapped it all up by 6:30pm. Had to go to Shinjuku to meet someone tonight.
It was tkoich... a buddy of mine. Haven't seen him for almost half year. He just came back from Indonesia.





He's already big daddy. Almost to be a father of 2... 1st is boy... what about the next one? Due in December...
Congratulations!

Yeah, 2nd time in this year... Ogakijin & Comany gathering. This took place in nearby tavern called "Aida." Too bad that several core members were absent... due to work and the like.
At least, Kirk, Arashida, and MoonFlower made it tonight. Thank you!!!


Arashida


"Stay Wet" Kirk









All foods were EXCELLENT. Except the service was so darn SLOW!


Thank you for coming, folks!

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!

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.

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!

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!)

Ogakijin's friends got together!!!

"Singlish" Arashida
"Mr. Bear"
"tkoich" Charlie
"yk110" (my ex-landlord)
Kirk
MoonFlower
Emi Takahashi
Ogakijin ("owner")

Friends... thank you for coming!!!
It was great drink and food. Ate too much. Drank too much, too! (hehehe)

Oh, sorry ChanKen... didn't know if you could have come for this!!!
Definitely, I will let you know of next gathering. I presume that it would be in March.

Big Boss - Nakabayashi
Manager - "ex-Boss" Ito

Yasuko Ishiyama
Kaori Hanaki
Akiyoshi Mori
Takashi Kiguchi
Ogakijin

All used to belong the same department and spent long time together in the past!!!
Tonight, thanks to Yasuko's efforts, all got together for supper.

Talk definitely seemed endless! Hahaha.
None of us changed a bit!!!

Too bad that we didn't go to Karaoke... (BANG!)

Old friends from old work place... got together for me.

Tetsuji Fukui
Yoshio Iimura

They got along with me over drinks after work tonight. Yeah, I finished work around 7:30pm and headed to Machiya to see them.
Well, I saw Tetsuji about two or three weeks ago.
Yoshio? Over a year!!!

Now everyone works differently... Tetsuji is the only one remaining within the same company.
For Yoshio, I don't even know how many companies he went "through?" Hehehe.

It was very interesting night to catch up with how others (friends of mine) are doing...

With old friends, had superb time in Hamamatsu.
Originally, planned to get the last train for Tokyo around 10pm... so we started festivity early enough at 6pm. However, my ex-boss Ito told me that I should stay longer... I ended up to take red-eye train leaving Hamamatsu at 1:14am for Tokyo. Yeah, instead of Shinkansen super express, I had to take local train...

Well, I had great time, though. I made a right decision! Hehehe.

Ex-boss Ito, Arata, and Hasegawa - all ex-coworkers of mine got together for me.
I hadn't seen them for about a year. Great to see you folks!

Went to tavern for drinks first.
After several drinks, wen to ramen noodle shop for a bowl of noodle.
Then, showed up to a pub.

We drank along with Japanese, Chinese, and Philippines hostesses. Yeah, sang Karaoke, too. From 9pm till half-passed midnight, we kept drinking, talking, and singing! We almost made it endless night! Yeah, almost.

Funny thing... I couldn't retrieve my big bag from locker! That area in the station was shut down during the last night. Darn it!!! I asked Ito to hold the key and get my back next day to send it to me later. Huh, that's funny extra!

Well, I really appreciate y'all for fantastic night. Just what I needed! Very Japanese way of having fun!

Of course, train leaving at 1:14am doesn't give me much comfort... I came home around 5:30am. Yeah, I had to sneak in! (BANG!)

Showed up to City Hall.... 2 days in a row. Yeah, I know. This is because I have to take my residency out of this town due to moving to Tokyo. Yeah, this should be last part of my moving process. Packing is complete, already.

As soon as process is done at the counter in the Hall, I was told, "Have a nice day, Sir."
Immediately after that... I was still facing the counter.

"Are you Mr. Ogkaijin?"

It was my knee-jerk reaction... I said, "Yeah, it is me."

Wait a minute. I was standing in the middle of City Hall... Some City personnel recognized me that easily?! Hmmm.

I really thought that it was my last day as Ogakijin since violating some regulation out there.

At night, my friends from high school got together for me. Yasunori and Nakai. Both guys spent high school years (entirely!) with me. Same class all the times!
Talked about job, family,and most importantly... money!
Yasunori remains single and Nakai is father of 2 kids. Yeah, same age with big difference! Hehehe.
Thanks, guys!

Somehow am still busy doing so many things, folks.
Around 10:30am, was in Suidobashi area. For health check. This was mandatory whenever you start working for new company.

Height 5.63 feet
Weight 157.3 lbs
Vision 20/13 (with glasses)

Doc, "Do you have any (health) concern?"
Ogakijin, "Oh, just about (my) mental. That's it." (BANG!)

Other than blood testing result (which wasn't available at the time), everything was okay. Hehehe.

In the afternoon, apartment hunting still continued.
Went down to Ichikawa to take a look at three more candidates. None met my requirement! Hmmm.

Over this coming weekend, I have to decide which apartment to take. I don't have time to wait any longer. Thus, it's about time and it is already critical!

#1 JR Koiwa area, 6 mins, 430 ft3 (rent factor: 100)
#2 JR Ichikawa area, 7 mins, 430 ft3 (rent factor: 109)
#3 Keisei Koiwa area, 0 minis, 559 ft3 (rent factor: 119)

I will get informed of any cancellation on #1 over this weekend. One of three is going to be my future home!!!

From 7:30pm, big party among friends. Most of them are UPSer...

Tetsuji Fukui (m)
Masahiro Arashida (m)
Ryuji Takashima (m)
Akiyoshi Mori (m)
and
Yasuko Ishiyama (f) = exUPSer

6 of us spent about 600 bucks for dinner!!! Korean BBQ. Man, it was expensive and great taste!
Lots of interesting stories about current business condition. Very interesting.

Man, was drunk for sure. How much did I drink then? Hmmm.