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Didn't go to Company's party. How come? Am I no longer party animal? Oh, I have never been so... in my life entirely! Hehehe.

In fact, I did have some other reason NOT to go to that party tonight.

Rain Forest Cafe... is this name familiar with you? Fancy entertainment restaurant. Coming from US, there is one, only one location in Japan. That's in the Ikspiari - where I just visited last Sunday.

Of course, I did have some particular reason to be there... to see my friend from Ogaki. It was Miwa Yasuda - she and I went to same schools together from elementary up to high school!

She was on biz trip to Tokyo for a couple of days and made time for me to see her. So we got together and had dinner in the Rain Forest Cafe.

http://www.rainforestcafe.com

I know, that restaurant cannot be found in Atlanta... but in Dallas where I spent a month before (i.e. Center of Excellence).

By the way... Miwa - what a friend I've got? She's so excited to show up on this web page... she told me that she didn't mind to be taken picture for here!!! She knows me well like what to do next. Hmmmmm.

She seems liked that place... No complaints? YES!!! Toooo darn expensive there! Main entree dish usually charge around 25 dollars or even more. That's way more than budget I usually prepare for. Tonight, definitely over budget.

The Cafe - for young couples and families... lots of interesting stuff, of course.

Big Water Tank in the middle of Cafe

Oh, have to add one more... the service sucked! Need immediate improvement there! I guess, that was because NOT weekend... no that many guests... is that why? Who knows.

0:22+1

Rain, rain, rain... irritating! I don't like this much of rain.

Today all of my time was dedicating to nothing but trouble-shooting! Did I have good time out of it? You know... that wasn't the most exciting things to do.

In addition to that biz matter, I have some trouble in personal aspect. Well, I cannot disclose much here because I don't want to hurt someone in particular... though, I can tell for sure now - it's difficult to understand everyone's opinion and balance all out... that's almost impossible to do! Don't you agree? I am sure you do.

Since I was involved in that (difficult) talk, I didn't come home straight... I was in some restaurant and listened to one's opinion.

No good news for me all day long? Not really - though, I had free lunch since I was in the sales meeting then and also free supper since I was listening. Not that bad in that part.

Hahaha.

Mmmmmm, I want a new bag for my laptop (both, company's as well as this PowerBook G3). I know, I have such needs... since now I really feel like I need to carry laptop around for work and personal.

Company's laptop... by NEC weighs about 4 pounds (1.7kgs)

My personal laptop... by Apple weighs about 6 pounds (2.6kgs)

Which is better for me? Well, it really depends. I always update this web page from PowerBook, though - it is because I have lots of materials on its hard drive. Oh believe me that I have NEVER EVER updated my page from work!!! I am serious!

(Baseball) Dragons shut Baystars out and Giants lost... and Ichiro did a great job and Mariners won again! Everything seems perfect for me in baseball today.

Oh did talk with Coral in Seattle over the phone and she and, according to her, Seattle itself were very thankful about Japan... on giving up such great players to Mariners!!! (i.e. Ichiro Suzuki as well as Kazu Sasaki - closer of the team) I wish I could be there to see a game live!!! I really wish!

Anyway, it was such nice chat with her... we do job together... that's why I had to talk with her.

Oh, I heard that she's engaged. Sorry, folks. She's not available to the market. Me? Oh, I am still left out on the window showcase. It's good buy!

Wednesday is now over... 2 days to go for weekend, folks!

23:50

Ooops, sorry - Charlie... I don't take down his picture that easily! Hahaha.

Tuesday - went up to Saitama for an appointment and met two ladies from Taiwan. They were fluent in Japan... almost and all talk was done in Japanese with me. The company I visited stood in the middle of nowhere - to reach there I had to walk for about 20 minutes or so!

Good exercise, huh! Yup, it was. Sweaty, though. Gee, I stink! Hehehe.

How was that meeting? A little tough to deal with... though, who knows what to happen after this. I try to see how I can deal with this company.

What about the cargo from Seattle? Mmmmm, another problem. I had to have Tsuyukubo and 3 more guys dedicating to my stuff! Sorry and thanks, folks! I am very grateful. Yes, I really am.

Did it solve all?! Not quite. Just made the emergency deal. Still troublesome to all of us... In other words, this is just the beginning of a tough story.

Am I jealous about Charlie getting married? Definitely. I am, of course, indeed happy for him. Though at the same position, I envy of him doing so... I wish I would be in the same position with someone I truly have feeling for. Oh well, it will come to happen... it really should. Just not yet for me. My turn might be next...

No emails from Robyn again... I guess, she's really away from Internet and tough to get the desk for an access. I miss her... and am curious how she's doing... especially about my sister's new life with a husband.

My Palm Visor is now fixed, mostly. You know what? I found that a digital camera for Visor doesn't work properly anymore! Shoooot! Seemed damaged. How come?! Man, my stuff --- many of them are now broken and not usable... how can I get out of this unluckiness? Shooot.

Let me refresh my feeling from here. Will talk to you tomorrow.

Oh Memorial Day Weekend, huh! Did you BBQ? Was nice weather there then? Hope so.

22:24

"Everyday, every night, Wanna a kiss, Want your lips... Let's begin everything with single kiss..." song by Ken Hirai - I should practice... I should memorize the words for that song so that I could sing in Karaoke.

Very sweet words... like a nice piece of poetry.

That was a theme song for the drama, "Love Revolution." This is just on TV and I am watching.

Love is hard to get and not always same for anyone. Every feeling of love is NOT same... strong or week, sure or unsure, ever-lasting or not, stable or unstable... etc. Mmmmm, I feel like I want to read some poetry... I should check some books out!

I know, I am already home at 9:30pm. Monday wasn't that bad for me?! Long kind of (tough/rough) meeting took place in the morning and had a bit fancy lunch with coworker Arahata (new iBook owner!) attending to that meeting with me. Then, I went to another appointment to pick up a document for application. Monday was done by then. Afterwards, I was busy taking care of shipment concerned by a few customers of mine.

Hey, let's move that piece (of cargo) out of Seattle, will ya?! <-- My current problem.

"Charlie's Angels" certainly cheer me up a little... after Charlie's happiness and happy-ending of the movie, "Chocolat." This weekend - made me a little bit lonely and miss people.

Ally McBeal's DVD Box will FINALLY be available in Japan's market next month. Am I going to buy one?! I might. I know, I should have bought series of video cassettes while was in US!

Another crime in the commuter train. Again? (Yesterday, 2 18-year-old boys beaten up a guy, 28 years old, and he died afterwards in the hospital) Lots of people got troubled themselves and ended up fighting with strangers... and many of them were beaten up to the death! This is now very common crime in this VERY STRESSFUL society in the urban area (i.e. Tokyo). For a recent few months, more than 5 people were dead because of similar (minor) troubles with other passenger in the car of trains. Hmmm, awful, isn't it? It is.

You know what? I should get busy... about fixing my Palm!!! When exchanging to new batteries, all data crushed!!! And I really lost all --- when I intended to restore everything from the backup, it wasn't originally well-set up. Means that restoration wasn't completing everything like I wished to. Damnnnnnnn, I was wrong, way wrong!!!

So now I should work on that problem to solve. Man!

I will talk to you tomorrow with, hopefully, better mood!

Oh Happy Memorial Day! I remember that I watched M:i2 on Monday! Hehehe.

Love ya'll!

22:08

Weekend is OVER, folks! This weekend, the weather wasn't that good and I just felt like half of a weekend was just over...

Went to Ikspiari, next to Tokyo Disney Resort. Ikspiari is a big shopping mall and went up there to see a movie. Funny thing... I met a few coworkers there... Since weather wasn't that cooperative for anyone, except farmers, presume that every one would think something similar like going in a mall to shop or look around. Like me.

Met Funabashi first... was she meeting her boyfriend somewhere in there?!

Then Iwai with her friend from hometown in Nagasaki. Somewhat that friend knew about this website and she was quite surprised and happy about meeting Ogaki-jin - me. For the record, that lady, Iwai's long-time friend, thought that I looked like 32 years old. Was that good news like I looked so matured?! Or maybe I looked simply old?!

And I was informed that Mochizuki should be around in the same place... he was celebrating his 1st year wedding anniversary with his wife over some fancy dishes. Although, I didn't end up seeing him in there... maybe he saw me?!?!

Interesting, huh! Such a small world! Ikspiari wasn't that small place for your information, folks! Like a big mall with thousands of people today. There must have been rare chances out there to see those people like that! Trust me.

Anyway, the movie was cool and I liked it. It was "Chocolat." Seemed Brits movie and it was NOT... was American made! Soundtracks were awesome! (especially main theme song)

I wanted to see some happy-end story somewhat... and it was perfect choice to see. I still got admitted as a student with a 3-dollar-discount, though. I know, I am bad... I know, Virginia Wesleyan never put the expiration date on my student ID... that's their fault!

"Chocolat" --- I give a B+!

Another DVD title is added to Tak's collection. "Charlie's Angels" - Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu. I know that it was sort of funny-stupid action type movie... perfect stuff to kill my time if needed! hahaha.

Let's begin another week of hard work... at least well-pretending.

23:35

SO happy to tell ya'll here... about such a good news to one of my best friends. Charlie Takahashi now engaged and gets married in fall. He currently works in Manhattan, NY... and, according to him, because of his marriage, he intends to be back to Tokyo in near future. How did we meet each other? We met over Internet. He saw this website and joined me for my gathering. Since then we have been friends like going on for drinks to the bars, playing golf together, etc.

As far as I know, he's been having no girlfriends around and he does and, moreover, he gets married (before me!)... Congratulations, buddy!!! I am so happy for him.

His fiancee's picture in the Sony (Palm Compatible) Clie -

We ate and had drinks together over his and my personal issues. He was so happy in every word... Couldn't be happier than that! He carries Palm device where wife-to-be's picture is stored... Is that trendy to carry photos in such device like that? I know, I do the same. hahaha.

This news is EXCLUSIVE to the Ogaki-jin readers at right this moment. He hasn't really made this big announcement to the public yet. Great deal!

Once again, congrats! -Tak

13:22+1

What happened to me? I totally forgot about the position I was in? Oh I am talking about my money stuff. Ya'll know that tomorrow is the pay day... that means I am really surviving with money left up to today... right? I must be.

Although this week, I kept dining out every night so far. Even tonight, stopped by a nearby restaurant for dinner... the curry rice and it was really good. No drinks, though.

At work... you know I didn't want to go out for appointment when rained... and remember that I had to go to the other side of Tokyo for meeting?!?! I wasn't late... though, Shinjuku (where I went to) was a big place and lots of people (on the way to their work)... Made me so tired first thing in the morning. That was too much for me, already.

Kazem sounds like started settling in Singapore... and heard that he intended to spend at least a few years there. I really should visit him so that I can get accommodated free of charge! I know not only himself but also his wife... this must be a big plus.

Email from Israel in Mexico and ANOTHER girlfriend for him? Gee... What about me?! Hey, I am tottaly available to the market for now! Just kidding... I sould bad, huh! Anyway, I should tell his friends from here... that all girls gone crazy about him need to see eye doctor... since they've got wrong visions! They have to realize that I would be much better off (than him). I am sure that his sister... darling Osmara is to agree with me for that!

Nishi and Hirao mentioned that they were glad to see their names on this web page... first time appearance to the Internet --- personally. It must be fun for them, in addition for me to enjoy writing about people in the reality.

Sleepy... came home later than yesterday. Oh well, I thank you for your time reading this boring page! Hahaha.

0:35+1

Hi... wow it's almost 1am. Came home by last train for the day after DRINKING. YUP, you want me to spell it out again? D R I N K!

Since coworker Kiguchi is relocating... part of his farewell party (#1) took place with my old boss Nishigaya (Nishi!) and Hirao. All 4 together for dinner.

Work? What do you talk about? I didn't work (seriously!) - hahaha. Just kidding... no special (good or bad) news for the day. No particular appointments, either.

Over drinks, lots of topics were covered including the fact that three of us, except myself, were Tokyo Giants fan (baseball)... while I was Dragons fan. Gee, no wonder that they could talk to each other like good friends!!! Hehehe.

Hirao was busy in trying to hook me up with some lady from his department. Did I take?! Nope. No needs for me. Though, it was so funny about the approach he made on that deal. I kept laughing and laughing.

I didn't drink much... though, I feel pretty good! Was neat party with nice people.

Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention... today I was appointed to be Kick-Off Party Committee. Kick-Off Party takes place in August, right before the new fiscal year for the company. Kick-Off Party is composed from 2 parts... 1st half is to deal with next fiscal year's business target seminar and the other half... is nothing buy PARTY with drinks and foods.

Why me? Since I don't sell much business and bored in the office? You're SO right.

Too much rain. That's enough for now. I miss my sun!

AR's email solved my concern... with some minor pain and I feel much better. Life doesn't go on without problems.

Passed the midnight... and Kiguchi set up an appointment tomorrow morning, 9am to be exact, in the other side of Tokyo for me! What a schedule for tomorrow. I cannot take a break then! Wait, I did take full day break. Hmmmm.

Still rains tomorrow. Gee. Take care, folks!

1:14+1

Good news for today - after giving the same presentation for the second time to my new client in the afternoon, I was told that it would like to have trial with my service. Pretty good news!

Did I do a good job on that? I guess, I did better than last time (oh yeah!). Almost all comments I made were same from last time; sort memorize all... Hehehe.

Arahata placed an order for new iBook! Wow, he's becoming a Mac user now and I can sooner or later see the new iBook! Cannot wait to touch a such cool machine.

No email from Robyn. She might be upset about the all comments I made against her? Hope not. Hehehe.

"Pearl Harbor" - the brand new movie from Hollywood... would you like to see that movie? There is a criticism against the movie since, you know, the incident to ship by US Navy submarine. Do I want to see that movie? To be honest with you, YES! I do like to see that movie. It's about love story... right? I thought so.

Before that movie... want to see "Mummy Returns."

Rain, rain, rain... heard that forecast said that it would clear up before the weekend.

Bridgestone Firestone terminated the deal with Ford?!?! Must be a big deal! The recall issue really split two companies apart even though the relationship was over decades, huh. That means... one incident could break up a relationship for humans? That's right!

Last night... dine out... tonight again... and tomorrow too! Wow, that really makes me feel nervous about how much money left in my pocket.

No emails from AR for some important issue at this moment. Mmmmmm...

Talk to you tomorrow.

22:59

Not really - sort of depressing... except the drinks for tonight.

No appointments and stayed inside... working on some project as well as some quotations. Was I busy? So-so... in fact, some of my biz were messed up and I was busy cleaning them up. I know, it wasn't such happy Monday sort thing.

Tonight's drink... called by big boss Takashima and Hanaki and Fukami joined us. Fun talk with good (FREEEEEEE) foods! Shouldn't complain much.

I know, I am really on the edge... about having tight budget! 4 more days to go for very next pay day! Wednesday as well as Friday - scheduled drinking with friends and coworkers.

Tomorrow - redoing the presentation for the same client in the afternoon. I am not that excited about it. I guess, I should take that opportunity as practicing in giving better presentation with same material previously took advantage.

No pictures for today! Hahaha.

Single email from AR didn't bring up a good news to me. Hmmmmm.

23:09

Weekend is over and sorry, folks - no update yesterday.

Shouldn't say much for this weekend but photos...

Iwai's Party - Spanish Dishes prepared by her... YUM YUM...

Beauties = (L to R) Yonekura, Funabashi, Iwai, Chiba, & Takahashi

Fukui - came and joined us late... though enjoyed foods.

Scary WILD man - Tsuyukubo

Do you know this? "Playmobil"

That is what Fukui brought in as a gift to Iwai - since the party was held for her house-warming party. Everyone gave her things like plants and some desserts, etc. Though, Fukui's gift was far interesting than anyone else's gifts.

Want to know more about Playmobil? Go here >>> http://www.playmobil.com/index.html

Man... I didn't plan to gain (some weight) this weekend... Though, those kinds of fantastic dishes were such irresistible. Am sure that you agree with me! Hehehe.

Good weekend... really good!

23:27

Busy Friday - still TGIF... shouldn't mumble much, right?! Thank God... I feel so relieved that weekend is to begin!

2 appointments for today and lots of calls from customers while I was out... so it was such short time for me to deal with different things when went back to office between appointments. So mostly I was out. Sunny and hot - still humid day... lots of sweat.

One more time?

Giving a big client a presentation Thursday - results that I have to do the same all over again following week, Tuesday afternoon.

Once more for same thing? Yup, you heard me right.

That client wanted me to do all over... no correction needed... just for some more personnel of that company in order to pursue my idea to those people. Seems this is positive reaction, at least to me.

Doing the same, it would be great for me to practice in giving presentation - don't you think?

No email from Robyn about yesterday's update. She hasn't read that yet... It must be very interesting of her saying about it. Might be very upset? NO! She has a great humor and understanding of her darling brother.

Any plan for weekend? Yup. Party - not like wild one with gallons of alcohol will be held Saturday and, for Sunday, I should reunite Amy - old friend of mine recently found each other in Tokyo.

Who about you? Oh don't work toooo hard even if you have to! I know, I won't work hard EVER.

Hasta manana.

9:44+1

Do you really believe that I am a trouble maker?!?! Do you really?! (Oh, no - don't even give me a nod!!!)

Look this!

Hey you. I'm jealous. I send you emails and you don't respond or even notice I suppose. But now my husband writes you once and you make a big deal out of it on your web page. Besides that some other girl asks you to chat and you tell the world about that too but poor little old me I write you and want to chat and you just ignore me. :( BOO HOO HOO HOO HOO!!!!!!!!! Tak doesn't love his one and only loving, caring, smart, beautiful, humorous, energetic,polite, fun to be around (this list could go on forever and forever) sister anymore! Wow what a great list of adjectives. Would you like to add a few?!?!?

I am shaking my body with fear!!! My sister is SCREAMING... I should have sent a reply right away, don't you think? I know, I should have. I was just busy for more than several days and I know, didn't respond any of personal messages! Now, as you see, am in big trouble.

My sister - only one LOVING (sure!), caring (I know), smart (oh, didn't know), beautiful (really?), humorous (at least in this message), energetic (enough to beat me?), polite (how?), fun to be around (still far from me to Columbia!) ---

She's really funny... becoming funnier after getting married?! Oh well - I should get married right away if that so.

Anyway, of course, I do miss her and love her much.

Today - event for the day was to give a presentation that I prepared yesterday. Did you wish me luck on this one? Sure you did! hahaha.

Anyway, it went FINE! Took me an hour to complete and new prospective client gave an okay to move to next phase - trial soon! Certainly good news for me as well as for my department. At least, I succeeded to please my boss attending to the meeting where I gave a presentation. Good for me! Thank God!

Really like that biz and want to work out all problems and issues to be my account...

Weekend is around the corner and I should go to the home party Saturday. Otherwise, don't know yet. If you want to go out with me, please BOOK NOW! Hahaha - just kidding.

See ya!

22:49

Hi, fellows. I am working on PowerPoint file for tomorrow... when I have to give a presentation for current target business. Is it nearly complete? Almost. Have I written down all script that I need to speak out of? Not quite. I know, I don't like much about doing rehearsal. Really.

No appointments for today - no going out at all. Stayed in and worked on that presentation material as well as other minor issues to solve. Rain outside... so it was perfect day to do anything inside... just like that, huh!

Anyway, event of the week is taking place in Shinjyuku tomorrow afternoon - precisely from 2:30pm. Wish me luck, folks!

Suntan... not only from Sunday's BBQ but also from yesterday when I spent most of the time outside... my tan is turning out good and obvious. More than several female coworkers left comments like I seemed thinner, rather than fat, because of the tan.

Maybe I should go to a tan shop for diet... so that I could appear thinner than actual? It must be more convenient to do that than remain starving to the death for serious diet. Don't you agree? I know, the other way is definitely not healthy or good way to do for anything.

Just saw a DVD movie, "Lupin the III." Famous Japanese animation. That character - Lupin the III is definitely like me... like being called "Goober." Still sincere, though. Cannot resist to watch that movie. I might even collect that series. It was fun movie. If you like funny stuff... even Japanese animation, will be pretty good to watch for fun. Trust me on this one.

Apple announced that it was to launch own retain stores all over US like Gateway's Gateway Country - Mmmmmm, I am missing that! If I were in US... Apple Store would definitely have been my TOY place for time to time! No doubt. Am sure that at least one comes to Atlanta area.

Amy - old friend recently reunited emailed me to see if I would have free time to talk with her... I guess, she cannot wait! Hehehe, this isn't that bad... "being popular." I know, I usually don't be like that... so let me enjoy this rare momentum!

In addition, ryox2 emailed me, asking for a date! Hehehe. Hey, don't call me like a playboy. I am definitely not. Just some friends out there for me.

This is really weird... very unusual... very extraordinary.

Last thing to tell you for today --- Didn't I tell you about coworker Kiguchi to transfer to Nagoya, did I? Yeah, I did (yesterday). You know what? There is a position assigned to one personnel each department... as called "Web Publisher." Charge about maintain department's intranet homepage. There are 15 publishers in the company. When this voluntary task, rather than serious description of job, was posted --- requirement was about "those who could remain doing that for a year." That means no transfer or changing the job... and 3 of them have been recently moved from the position including Kiguchi. Oh, that's bad news... If you are taking that responsibility from the company, should be careful what to expect next. Right?

22:45

Now my laundry of LAST WEEK is done. Eventually. I know I had been quite lazy... quite... as you know. I was busy last weekend, don't you remember? Yup, I certainly was.

Came home early? Yeah, I really did so... in order to complete my mission (i.e. laundry).

Announcement made yesterday... coworker Kiguchi, sitting next to me, is to be relocated to Nagoya Office from next month! Hmmmmm, I will miss him. Since I sit very end... he's only the neighbor for me and always did talk to him for anything.

Better NOT forget about telling you this... My hometown Ogaki had its annual festival over the weekend... should put up some photos here. They are parade floats:

Don't you like to see real festivity?

Beautiful, aren't they?!

Too bad that I have missed this year's festival... just like before when I was abroad. Mmmm, nothing really changed for me, huh? Not to be able to have fun in that party time in my hometown!

Andrea was in Florida for her vacation? That's not fair, I wanted to have same and have fun getting suntan with her!!!

Miwa - my highschool mate from Ogaki will be in town - Tokyo at the end of month? Hope we can have some nice dinner... haven't seen her for more than a half year! We went school from elementary thru highschool. We were NOT that close, though. Hehehe.

Lastly, Princess Masako is now officially pregnant. Government made an announcement ---Certainly great news for entire Japan.

All right, better get off the line. Will talk to ya tomorrow - unless I miss doing this.

23:40

Picking up a gentleman from Cleveland, OH at Tokyo Prince Hotel. That's my first job for the week. It was Steve Tostige, sales executive from US.

Let's skip all details of job for the day.

For dinner... more than several joined together for his party... The thing took place in "Il Pinolo" - an Italian Restaurant. Seemed quite expensive to me since there were lots of rich-looking people with decent girlfriends!!!

Not only foods, I certainly enjoying looking around. I don't find many gorgeous ladies easily like that. Man, lucky me! (Are you envious?)

I give A- to this restaurant.

Want to find out more about that restaurant? Go here... www.stillfoods.co.jp.

Members for the occasion: Ishii (Managing Director), Misoo, Kubo, Fujiki, Shigeta, Steve, and Tak.

Å@

Kubo & Fujiki

Shigeta & Steve

Oh, Tak's in picture... (rare)

Misoo & Ishii (shy?)

Mmmmm... still beginning of the week and I enjoyed this much? How should I manage myself for the rest of week?! Please tell me, folks! Throw me a bone here!!! (hehehe)

0:27+1

Friends from work invited me to join the BBQ party... took freeway and got out of town! Went up to Auto Camping in Sodegaura, Chiba.

Interesting... no female for the party. Men only, period!

People at this activity were all from different department rather than mine and I met some new people from there. Actually, I was the only one outside the department. Lucky me!

Preparation Scene

Tons of meat and lots of beer cans around. How many of us there? 8 people. I told you! All men!

Faces for the Party!

Was definitely hot and we all had a severe sun tan. Quite. I am sure that I would get recognized so tomorrow at work and I will show the proof how much fun I had from there.

I know, I've got haircut. Short, huh!

Ate lots of meats and then played baseball... using not regular ball but tennis ball.

It was quite far to make a trip to that place where we held a party. On the way back to town... traffic jam and spent almost several hours for that move. Gee, Tokyo's traffic is almost always bad... like I cannot stand!

Cannot imagine of pain in my neck... pain from burning.

0:08+1

Very memorial... very. I have made a first touch to new iBook... I saw the demo and, man, it was a piece of beauty. iBook is definitely covering for the needs of many regular users out there!

New iBook - very white. It's very neat case. Do I want one? Oh I NEVER mind if send me one.

Seems very small... since coming with small (-er) screen, 12.1 inch monitor. Light enough? Not really I felt that way when picked it up into air by hands. Though, the design and the smallness will attract lots of existing Macintosh users... hopefully some more like some others new to Mac's.

Me? Where $1500 come from for me? from Nowhere. Hahaha!

Those who from my department, Air Imports, --- must have been hang over from last night's party welcoming new comers.

Tomorrow, according to the weather forecast, will be sunny and hot... perfect for BBQ. Yup, friends invited me to join the party under sunshine for tomorrow. That should be great! Cannot wait... besides I have to get up quite early to make that.

Otherwise for today, no really much. Oh tomorrow is Mother's Day! I should do something for Mom, really. I have no plan and no idea what to do for it. Call me "bad son."

Got some new DVD - "Mission Impossible 2." Finally. Yup, I like Thandie Newton very much. She's great in there.

23:21

Long week... definitely long week this week since the Golden Week was last week and we all were so used to having lots of time off.

My week was okay and today I had more than several appointments in the afternoon - I was busy. Although, there is nothing really particular to talk about for this update since no really good or bad news.

Oh, Sherry Ketcham has left Fritz Companies!!! She was Vice President of the Companies... and don't know it was her own resignation or she was fired? Who knows?! Anyway, she was in Atlanta before going to Dallas, TX and she was quite nice to me. Talked to her a lot and went dinner together several times. Where has she gone?

Anyway, good luck to her!

Today's subject: Female Talk - interesting, huh?

Almost always... Hanaki, Hirata, and Funabashi got together for lunch sitting at the desk near me. They talked quite loud and I can hear over - What did they talk about? Nothing really meaningful.

High jack - some bad guy takes control of the air craft... Car jack - for the automobile... and they talked about sea jack - they didn't know the term and were guessing. Then how about LOW jack? How about train jak or subway jack?

They kept discussing the matter of JACKING... using all words opposite like high <-> low, air <-> sea, etc. Just didn't know the term in English and kept telling each other of possibility. They concluded as that they didn't want to have friend named Jack. Because you cannot say like "Hi, Jack!" --- sounds "high jack."

I guess, you don't want to have friend named "Dick," either - Hahaha!

Tonight - all from my department went out for drinks. Me? Didn't. I sneaked out. Bad boy!

I am sure that my boss keeps saying "Where has Tak gone?"

10:28+1

"Oh, TAK!!!!"

Some young lady screamed my name in the middle of nowhere... actually at my client's place. Wow, what in the hell happened to me? Who recognized me like that?

That lady seemed familiar to me; couldn't come up with her name though. Plus, I was up to an appointment for serious biz talk... so I couldn't spend much energy of mine for that name search.

After the appointment... was walking back to nearby station and started counting all old friends. Her name came up, didn't take much time then.

Her name was Amy (still Japanese female) --- old friend from college time.

Gave her my biz card since that scene was cut out within 15 seconds or so since appointment was up. Hope she would contact me to let me know how we can keep in touch. Haven't seen her for 4 or 5 years.

We spent a summer together on job... and somewhat we were close then (not as close as dating each other, though).

Interesting story, huh? Yeah, it was a big surprise. Good one, of course.

0:44+1

Man, some reader pointed out... there was some discrepancy between Japanese and English version of Ogaki-jin.

Japanese version - yesterday I mentioned of some event (better say, incident) as I left office around 7:30 when Iwakura was working on the presentation that I will give for my very new client. And I FORGOT about her working on it and having wanted me to check out before she left office since she wouldn't be in from Tuesday thru Thursday.

Some coworkers like Fukushima or Misoo - told me that I should have left some message indicating of my leaving then. I was a little bit "TACTLESS" --- Misoo added, "No wonder you are not that popular among girls here."

Oh my...

And today Misoo didn't stop and mentioned to me, "That wasn't fair that you didn't tell the honestly everything in English version." I guess, I have been seemed that I did cover some up like that?

Hey, I didn't intend to. Just happened to be that way. Trust me on this one!

I've got some bad readers... I just couldn't write everything here! I was drunk yesterday and didn't want to write much!

Hehehe.

Today - 2 appointments in the afternoon and one of them... first one was pretty horrible... client was upset and started ignoring me. I just came home. Didn't do anything wrong... the charges was simply beyond his expectation EVEN THOUGH he's got my quotation. He just didn't know what it was all about and didn't let me explain. We did clear some freight over weekend and deliver it right away - FASTEST-EVER-POSSIBLE kind of service.

It wasn't anyone's fault.

I guess, that client won't be with us anymore... Though, that client will be upset with any other competitor's special service... because he was simply upset with me for the price of service -was quite normal in the industry.

Tomorrow still Thursday? Gee, this week is extremely long... at least seems that way since last week was easy one.

Oh no more rain, please! (Yup, rained today too)

22:14

Came home late and now it's midnight. Gee, still Wednesday - I shouldn't have drunk like this? Tooooo late, man!

Abe and Iimura asked me out to have some drinks and that is why so now.

Anyway, no going out for today and stuck with PowerPoint application all day long as preparing a big presentation that I have to give soon - like end of the week. Yup, that would be big biz for me... with big responsibility. My boss will be next to me when giving the presentation for sure.

Email from Edgar - brother in law... sort of. Yup, is Robyn's husband - so he's my brother then. Anyway, he mentioned that he liked reading this page and had some off out of reading this.

Am I that funny? I thought that I was quite serious. Maybe not?

Kazem will be in Singapore next week or so for new task of position. Don't know what he would do... though, I heard that he would stay there for a couple of years. Perfect for me to have certain reason to travel to Singapore. Right? What is the definition of BEING FRIENDS? You know what it is... no doubt.

23:51

Back to normal... welcome back to the reality! Feel tired, don't you agree?

I had to face up to some troublesome issue on job... my customer - new one wasn't that happy with my service. NOT the service from myself; but in general. That is because the origin (Seattle, this case-) didn't listen to my instructions, precisely what the client wanted, and the job isn't that well-done.

And as a result, my people at the airport had to eat up that extra burden on job to cover everything up for me. I know, that is not healthy cycle. That won't last this way for a long time. Shouldn't.

Sent an email out to those people in Seattle, letting them know all the facts and... hope they come to a mutual understanding with future cooperation - starting this weekend. For now, definitely immediate improvement in service needed.

Forgot completely about the event in Atlanta which declares the beginning of summer - "Music Midtown in Atlanta" Read news at AJC (i.e. Atlanta Journal Constitution) about record visitors to the event and seemed everyone there had great fun under such beautiful sunshine. Did you go there? Wow, you missed a big fun fair if didn't go.

I am now invited for some BBQ gathering this weekend. Cool!

At the same time, I canceled the drink night at Friday night with my people from work.

Cut out work tonight around 7:30pm and came home straight. Now watching TV drama "Love Revolution." Seems interesting to me about the story with female point of view toward love and relationship.

Certainly --- am learning something everyday!

21:49

Golden Week is now coming to an end... you know how I feel about it. Gee.

Anyway, today I have birthday girl to show:

Friend, Emi Takahashi --- her birthday today!

Happy birthday, Emi!!! Wow, now she's my age and we're buddies... she thinks that I am much older than her, though. That's mistake!

Today's Tak - I came to see some weird people hanging around... on the bridge near Harajyuku - funky town.

See! Crazy costume, huh!

Not only those in picture... but more!!! More than 50 - almost 100 people were doing same or similar concept and just hang around there. Don't know what purpose. Lots of photographers were around, just like me, and they didn't mind to show themselves as model like this.

It's new-age cultural scene. I am sure you feel like a bit weird. Me too.

And I have to get back to normal... everything back to the reality... Hmmmm.

23:08

It's ME, Tak!!! Forgot about me already? That fast? No kidding. Hey, am back to normal after one day off!!!

Why? I just wanted to hide myself from ya'll!!! Hahaha.

No - in fact, I didn't spend last night here at my apartment. Was out. Ha? Was with some girl out there? Nope - unfortunately, not!

Anyway, today was Children's Day - There were lots of kids parades on street and I witnessed one in Asakusa.

Look! Kids were in traditional KIMONO!

Happened to have my digital camera with myself and caught some photos like this! Plus, you can see the movie on upper side of the same page. Don't miss it out!

There were lots of cute kids with festival costume there!!!

0:22+1

I wasn't big movie fan yet when "Silence of the Lambs" was a blockbuster in this world. Of course, I have seen that movie, not in theater --- but home, I thought.

Today, since I went out to Shibuya - Tokyo's biggest casual town for shopping and hanging around... ended up to see "Hannibal."

WOW - still eating human meat?! Cut out the head to dig the cell for steak... Hmmmm. I liked it though - because I saw the sign "Asheville" and Biltmore Estate was in the movie - my familiar territory.

Actually today's going-out - friend from work invited because of my birthday.

Back to the movie talk, the story was okay - however, I didn't understand one thing... how come Dr. Lector was easily using transportation such as international flights from Italy to US, etc?! If FBI was in serious operation of investigation - should check and block all flight information to dig out his name?!?! Am I thinking too much? Give a B- to this movie.

Hannibal - Official Site: http://www.mgm.com/hannibal/

Say hello to (new) iBook 2.0!!! I love that little machine! Want one <- as usual.

In fact, this new iBook was introduced on 1st and forgot to bring up that issue to here. Sorry, folks. You might have already seen news from other tech sites of Internet or even in newspaper.

Dinner - Thai restaurant in still Shibuya. First time ever eaten Thai foods since coming home!!! You know, I used to eat Thai very often while in US - love that food. Was expensive in Japan, usually for any foreign cuisine, and thank God it was free food for me since friend bought me dinner as for my birthday!

Had good day and fun - relaxing. I have really needed.

9:51+1

Intermission of long holiday Golden Week, 1st and 2nd of May, is coming to an end. And then rest of the week is completely off for everyone in Japan! Don't you love that?

Some friends were worrying about me who has sort of downward mood --- I was busy talking to them over cellular phone almost all night until going to bed. Man, how long did I talk to different friends?! I know, I started talking to Mom around 10pm or a little bit before it... then when hanging up the phone, it was a bit after 2pm... Wow that was certainly long!

So nice to have some good friends.

I left work very early! VERY! It was 5:30pm! Just on time and no overtime work today! I am sure that people were surprised that I left that early - very unusual. I have no intention to work any longer since I didn't feel like to.

So what did I do until that late night talk? Basically, I came home straight and watched TV - pro-baseball in particular. Of course, I checked and read some news off the Internet.

What else? Not much. I needed to be sit still quietly.

All right... 2nd half of Golden Week is to begin and I have 4 days off left, until Sunday. I still don't have any big plan or any going-out plan yet. I will make up some and at least I have some fun out there.

Heard that weather won't be that cooperative tomorrow- how about thereafter?

Kazem Maiwand ... good buddy and ex-coworker of mine in Atlanta decided to take new position outside the US? Heard he was hitting to Singapore. Is that right?! I will confirm the matter.

See you tomorrow, folks!

10:31+1

Work day - normal working day in the middle of long holidays. Do we like this? Maybe not. Do we work hard? Definitely not! Hahaha, just kidding.

Very calm and quiet day for me. Don't do much all day long except reporting and taking notes from appointments from the past.

Funabashi is off today (camping out with her boyfriend) and I heard that Andrea was on her trip to Florida - all of friends and people close to me are having fun and I feel like shit out here --- how come?! That's not fair!

Now I am not much enjoying myself being myself today. I need to get out of here for something else or to have some fun! I want to do something very extreme in order to entertain myself or to relieve all this bad stuff out of myself.

Maybe I should go shopping and buy some BIG stuff for nothing. I should waste money?

Hmmmm. Not really good day for me. Very annoying. Everything is ---

22:17