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Last day of September... oh my! How was your weekend going?! According to some resource, friend Charlie "tkoich" Takahashi got married over this weekend. If not mistaken.

I saw him in Japan back in May?! - and he told me that wedding would take place in fall... don't know if this was happened today or not... though at least sooner or later. Congrats, Charlie!

Rain outside... perfect day for a moooooovie. Was "Bridget Jones's Diary" - yep, best selling novel made to theaters. Did I like it?!

http://www.miramax.com/bridgetjonesdiary/

First half... definitely inducted my sympathy... about being such single for a long time, lack of love... and every family occasion, first phrase to hear is ALWAYS -

"How's your love life?!"

Indeed, I am no exception. Well, the story was happy-ending - usual consequence in American movies! Hahaha. What about me?! Who knows! Hehehe.

Though, I have to admit that story was rather boring. I can give only C - solid one. Don't yell at me about it... story wasn't holding varieties in development.

The scene where Bridget throws all old books from the shelf and put up all new ones from totally different category like "Woman can stand without love or men" kind stuff... Probably I should do something similar to turn my life all the way around.

Maybe I should quit doing this. Don't you see?!

Good night.

0:26+1

What have I done for today?! - Setting up someone else's Apple iMac (Flower Power). Took me more than several hours to do all including how-to about operating the computer.

10am meet Abe - for iMac pickup /// then did spend all times for a new computer for Abe's friend. /// Came home at 10pm... Mmmm.

@Bic Camera - Mac OS X 10.1 on the shelf from today!

And... lots of people lined up for free upgrade CDs!

Tough part of the day - carrying two big boxes to the train!

Since I was helping a friend... free ride, free foods and drinks, what else... oh I got paid, too!

Though, am tired... Man, spent a half of the weekend like that already?! Oh boy...

Did chat with my American mother Janice tonight. Wish could talk to her a little longer. Though, am glad to know I've got such wonderful people/family around. I am thankful, truly.

Good night.

1:07+1

Boeing's Fine Products...

Nice letter for Bin Laden, huh! Very humorous and I like it - definitely. Don't you?!

I spent only a few minutes in the office while day was going on... more than several meetings took place for me and more than several issues to be solved. Like Duracell battery, no chance to stop working... as "Keep going and going and going and going..."

At night... Boss Takashima and Kuboki was "Mates for the Night" - went on a tavern and moved on to a bar in Ginza. Wow, nice chicks around! NONE of them made an approach to me, yet. They've got good eyes (on men). Oh year, they're professionals.

0:44+2

Busy day.

Still ChanKen in Paris and Kagumi in Poland?! Good for them!!!

Tak!? Hard working or hardly working?! Do I know the difference?! Probably NOT! Hahaha.

Fritz Softball Team... (Atlanta) still where I belong... placed the 4th this season without big gun (i.e. Tak himself)?!?! Poor them... They should consider to deal with my AGENT to bring me back into the position. Right?!

On the way back to office from the last appointment for the day - Buddy Fukui was with me and we discussed about a marriage... we definitely differed from opinions and perspectives toward the matter... since he's married and am in ever-lasting single life. Hahaha.

For me, his instance toward the fact he's been married wasn't good enough to persuade me with his idea... I am probably more dedicating to my future spouse than he actually does in real time.

I know his wife... not that well, though. I should get exclusive interview to her... without his presence. I love to do that!

Forgot one fact about Tak --- need to find Miss Right for me! Hahaha. Have I ever found one yet?! Unfortunately... so far unlikely.

Do you know where she is?! Have you seen her anywhere?!

Did you see new Toyota Camry just introduced?! Don't like that nice. I wouldn't buy one. Hey, GM stopped making both Camaro and Firebird?! Gee, that's sad. I used to want Camaro badly.

Great... already (and almost) TGIF mode... cannot wait!

23:12

Tired... tonight. On the way back to this apartment, got off train at usual Urayasu Station... and started walking back to here. Mmm?! Eto - coworker / friend Eto was walking by and passed by me. Did I speak to him?! Nope. Why not? He was wearing the ear phone and he must have been listening to music or something.

On CNN or other media, I am sure that you saw at least some clip of Prime Minister of Japan, Koizumi, just visited Bush. He did promise to Bush that Japan would ACTIVELY involve in America's strategy.

Kintetsu Buffaloes won the pennant of Pacific League in Japan's pro-baseball tonight. Yep, there are two leagues... here; Central and Pacific one. Kintetsu... changed so much this year from almost its entire history... they were always... almost always loser in the league... and this year, they were amazingly effective in both defense as well as offense. Now holds the pennant. Congrats to those fans!

Mac OS X ver. 10.1 is coming to public, announced so today by Apple. And priced $150 here in Japan. I should count that money into next month's budget, maybe. Friend over Apple Japan told me that I would be welcome over to Apple's office to see demo by themselves. Wow, nice offer... I should keep that in note.

Funny scene... in the afternoon. While waiting for next coming train to the platform, I witnessed that a lady (young one) dropped her wallet and lots of coins were went everywhere around... as soon as that happened, a guy, just walking in front of me, DIVED! He used his own bag to save coins NOT to fall off from the platform! Could you imagine?! He dived for that. Nice guy?! Must be. Though, he made a big mistake. He didn't approach to that lady afterwards. He should have been deserved to be friend of hers by this chance. Don't you think? For me... I had to look up at her face to see cute or not before doing that! Hahaha, I am bad.

Maybe I should carefully see how handsome I am in the first place.

Oops!

Hahaha.

Tired... should go to bed.

22:58

Back to work... after a little vacation. My desk was removed... oops, that's not exactly the description. My desk was moved to different part of the floor. Now, my desk is found in the center on the floor. Compared to all the past... like window-side or wall-facing - probably, I feel being in the middle of crowd from today on.

Mmmmm, is that more difficult for me to have concentration?! Have I ever had one like that yet?!

Manager Hoshino, my favorite Dragons in Japanese baseball, made announcement tonight that he decided to leave the team after this season. Man, he is leaving?!?! That's pretty bad news... he was certainly my favorite. So who is successor then?! This really put me in a great curiosity.

This news... I have ever conceived of it at all!

Lots of friends responded to my message with recent photo of myself. Man, lots of people - I mean, many of them, did have bad mouth about me!!! "Tak, you NEVER changed a bit." or something similar. Gee, was I that bad while in US?! Oh you better throw me a bone here! Hahaha.

Anyway, so nice to keep in touch with each of ya.

Tonight, left the office around 8pm... and a story just developed as soon as seeing Abe in front of elevator. He invited me a dinner... was Chinese near the office. Man, we ate... ate a lot! More than several dishes. You know what? That was invitation and it was on his tap. Thanks!

Since keep eating, I would become like Abe himself... oh, I don't mean becoming fat or fatter... I just said that I would be alike him if kept eating! Hahaha.

For your note, Abe is the one that I have ever seen that one person can eat up THAT MUCH. Trust me.

Huh? Did you say that I was bad putting up a photo with swimsuit lady?! Why? I just intended to entertain you... just like that!!!

Pay day! Tak got richer?! NOPE ... no so fast, folks. Need to get out of debts first. Really.

Talking to Apple Japan personnel on the phone this afternoon... that fellow and I agreed with each other of brand new Mac OS X 10.1 coming out this week or so... that will be a good buy. I bet. Am I getting one? Currently thinking about it.

Buenas noches!

23:17

Now it comes to an end... finally. Long 4 day weekend is closing for now. Too quick and wish were a little bit longer - as usual.

Last night, right before hitting the sack, encountered my darling sister Robyn on the net - went in a chat for a while. It was certainly happy moment for me to catching up with my sister like that. Unexpectedly - good surprise.

No special thing happened for today - woke up late, did sleep in - WELL. Then did laundry. Around 3pm, decided to go out. Went to Myoden to check out Saty - big department store recently filed the Chapter 11. Still open, though.

My purpose getting up there was nothing but to see some movie like "Driven" or else... though, "Driven" was already off and didn't find any other interested me much to see right away. Maybe I should check out "Bridget Jones's Diary" or "Rush Hour 2" soon. They just came in the theaters this weekend.

So I went to bookstore and cafe... bought a business magazine called "President" and started reading in the cafe... and of course, I was busy editing photos and movies on PowerBook. Yep, I was carrying my laptop with myself! Thanks to new battery, I don't carry AC adapter at all. It lasts about several hours easily... so that's good enough for me like that.

Oh cool, I was selected a monitor for wireless LAN access in Tokyo Station. Wow! Too bad that I won't be able to keep wireless PC card... afterwards.

Well, Monday is over... starting new week from Tuesday? Sounds much better than in US, don't you think? Hahaha.

Forgot to mention, my sister Robyn really beg me to come back to US, rather than staying in Japan indefinitely - what would you think? Your opinion matters!

Wait, tomorrow is PAY DAY! Thank God! My budget has been in negative for a while and this is a chance to turn all around! I should keep a good record of my spending, don't you think? Usually, I will remain being broke if I have girlfriend... though, I don't have any for now and my budget is out of control... what in the world wrong with me?! Mmmmm.

Wow... 90% - the approval rate for Bush Administration, man... that is super-high, almost everyone is ready for ATTACK... Japan will back you up!

Hey, did you just say that photo from PC Expo 2001 - swimsuits shot wasn't good enough?! You want more?! All right... click >>> here!

21:58

National Sport of Japan - Sumo Wrestling - that's what I saw LIVE! First time ever in my life... only 6 times to be held a year in Japan - 2 or 3 times only in Tokyo every year.

4 tickets... originally for Dawn Lynch's sightseeing over Tokyo- then turned out for Tak's friends to gather. Hanaki, Funabashi, Iimura, and Tak - seated in the West Side of Ryogoku Kokugikan - National Sumo Gym.

Cool view!

Bento Box ordered for ourselves, $30-

And here's what the fight looks like:

Serious contact! (wow, big ass...)

Yokozuna "Musashi-Maru" (American) - his demonstration

Lots of prizes (money, of course!) on single fight!

"Kotomitsuki" - winner - receives a BIG champion cup.

Dohyo - all dirt - where fight takes place. Very sacred in Shinto - Japanese God.

Can you believe that no women allowed to be on this?!?!

L to R >>> Iimura, Funabashi, Hanaki

Didn't know really how great to see Sumo Wrestling. It's, we all thought, for elders... we must have been youngest group ever found in the Gym - though, still, we could enjoy so much and we did indeed!

Just too expensive... more than $130 per person. Though, worth to do that once every year or two.

11:27+1

Tak needs some break from the real world... as well as from here. Hahaha.

Of course, I did go to Makuhari Messe... to see "World PC Expo 2001" - yep, I did go and see the same thing for 2000, too. This time, as you know, I've got free ticket.

In paying the most respect and appreciation to Apple Japan who gave me ticket... I did check its booth out:

NOT in color, this time (I think, nice photo-)

Mac OS X (ver. 10.1) was shown as demo... wow, it's much smoother than before and pretty! Gee, I cannot wait to upgrade my system software... though, I still should be on hold about that move... at least either "Go Live" or "Dreamweaver" need to come to be compatible with OS X-

Within Apple Booth:

ERGO Soft booth... selling many software on Macintosh platform

^^^ In fact, this is MY CLIENT ^^^

Of course, I did check more than dozen of booths out there in the Messe- like AMD Japan, Canon, Sony, ScanDisk, Adobe, etc. Man, so nice showcases out there.

And another IMPORTANT factor in the Expo... you know what? GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS - I mean models at each booth.

Like ---

Wow!

Man! (She's @ Olympus booth)

So... which is more to see for Tak? GALS or new gadgets in showcase? Mmmmm, tough to say. Could be girls to watch... was more I cared then. Hahaha.

Pretty good start as my little holiday? At least, I did enjoy. Did I get phone numbers of any cute ladies like that? Oh, you don't know me - am SHY.

10:52+1

Don't have a chance --- didn't get to at all today - I originally planned to go to World PC Expo 2001 in Makuhari Messe to seek new (and next generation's) gadgets... hahaha. Though, I didn't make it.

Remember, Apple Japan gave me free tickets? (update, September 13)

Today's title... "Vacation?" Well, Monday is national holiday -Autumnal Equinox Day thing. Mean, 3 day weekend... so why NOT make it a little bit longer?

Yep, I did... taking advantage to make Friday my personal OFF - now it's 4 day off! A little vacation.

I am sure that you agree that I am SMART! Hahaha.

Other than that... have no clue what to write for today. Was boring and nothing- really day for Tak. Oh, I did find someone to spotting in Dawn's ticket for Sumo Wrestling. NOT thumb wrestling, moron! It's professional and national sport event! That's Sunday and Kaori Hanaki - still coworker of mine, wanted to come with us! So all covered! Thank God. Certainly, didn't want another 100 dollars (for ticket on one person) out of my own pocket. And glad that I came to find someone fun to be with like her. She's certainly good friend around.

Had an appointment in the afternoon and that meeting was LONG... really. Guess it was nothing but just a frank chat with client. NO new biz opportunity... just sit there and talk for nothing, really. Was it part of job? Yeah, what could I have done then? Client wanted to kill time with me SOMEHOW... anyway.

At least, I entertained that client for an hour or so with my serious concern to that gentleman in his story.

That was IT for today.

11:23+1

Late... almost midnight and want to go to bed without coming here and typing things in... Though, cannot do that... since you keep coming back to read this! Hahaha.

Tak's talk show for tonight... Had a dinner with friend whose problems on job weren't solved somewhat. Gee, I didn't want to solve someone else's problems... want to resolve MINE!!! Desperately.

Anyway, I ended up eating TWO dishes of deep-fried pork, don't ask me why. Was hungry --- at least so-so... though, things really got to me and I kept EATING! Fat guy (pig) kept eating fat pork? Hmmmm.

What in the world was I thinking?

Funny sales call in the morning. I submitted a quote... in fact, I left two sections in pricing BLANK! Was mistake? Nope. Intentionally - why? I just want to be different from competitors'. Told that prospective client that she could fill out with mutual agreement. Of course, she was surprised by the way I made an approach.

Did I get that biz right away? NOT SO FAST! Need a patience.

Dear friend Amy is sickened? Poor baby --- Man, you should take care of yourself better than that! Don't work too hard. Look at me... I never work so hard... everyone knows about this as a fact!

Am broke for this month again. Still more than several days away... to next pay day (25th). Mmmm.

Yoriko@LA - emailed me. Thanks! What grad school do you go to? I wish I could go to MBA soon. I really wish.

An email from work... notification that my petition for a day off on Friday is denied... just kidding. There is NO Judge Judy here... hahaha! Of course, petition was granted. You know what? This is 1st day off I have ever asked since I came back to Japan. Perhaps, I would ask more later this year, like around Christmas.

Don't you think that I should deserve a long holiday? NO question about it.

23:53

Did you laugh when reading yesterday's update? You must have. In fact, I received lots of POSITIVE comments like many of readers out there did laugh toward the monitor in looking into reading this. Great!

Made me happy! You made my day!

Kelly Roy - ex-coworker and now friend... getting married this weekend with her boyfriend, John. In fact, I worked on businesses with him while in US - means I know both of them. Am extremely happy for them starting to share their lives together.

Poor me, I don't have that kind of option in my life AT ALL.

Another matrimony thing-

Kim Phillips, a buddy of mine... know me from Atlanta and now lives in Dallas, TX - getting married TOO!

Maybe, I am on the WRONG PLANET... since I don't find ONE - in US nor in Japan. Maybe I should go to Turkey! Hahaha.

Well, it's official... Dawn's trip to Japan has been postponed. Wait, what about tickets for Sumo Wrestling? Means, am I wasting $200 or more for that?! Huh? Gee... I don't want to admit it.

Maybe I should send a SCUD missile to a bad guy in Middle-East. Of course, this postpone was made up due to tragedy in NYC and DC. No choice, no option. Hope this is to be rescheduled for October. Am waiting for you, Dawn!

Now I need to look for someone filling out Dawn spot for Sunday - Sumo Day! Are you willing to?

And... forgot about this... My darling sister Robyn had 1st anniversary of her marriage to Edgar! Congratulations! Wow, she's really getting become more and more domestic. Cannot imagine that she's housewife... I know her as a student and sister-figure... NEVER someone else's wife like that. Life is short and interesting. You never know what to happen next... and hope that theory will be to apply to MINE! Hehehe.

I need to spice up my life a little bit.

Work? How was it? Let's forget about it.

23:00

My cellular phone is washed out... in the machine!

Nokia Phone... now dead!

What happened? By accident? Intentionally? Whatever... what matters is my Nokia isn't working naymore and DEAD! Who killed it?

I have to be a NYPD or LAPD kind person - BACK TO THE BASIC >>> check out the incident site. Here it is:

Incident took place in there!

And then, I had to knock every single door in the apartment building for questions whether if anyone saw anybody suspicious... in the Laundry Room Sunday night.

As a result of doing so... two are currently questioned:

Suspect #1 "Ogaki Dog"	Suspect #2 "Ogaki-jin"

Wow, Ogaki-Dog was still aline? He didn't appear on this web for such a long time! I am sure that some of readers are happy to see that phone... even though he remains in question about commiting the cellular phone was to be washed.

Anyway ---

New Cellular Phone from today on

The same number to call and same email address. So who will catch the buster?!

Suspect #2 seemed familar? Oh please call in! Hahaha. Just kidding. Anyway, too bad that TAK has watched the cellular phone! Gee.

23:04

Changing the shift... I came out to a cafe located in front of Urayasu Station. For what? Well, didn't want to stay in all day long AGAIN, in addition to same shit from yesterday.

Oops, I mean, I didn't want to stay in for two days in a row.

This place is pretty comfortable to stay for long hours... definitely doesn't help to cafe's sales record. Obviously, this impression wasn't just for me but for many around. Carrying thick books... studying English... what else... Well, it was really only one... bringing his computer in and keep typing. ME! Hahaha.

Tons of emails to write back- did spend great time in here... being so productive.

And of course, I enjoy the advantage with new battery for PowerBook G3. Was I stupid in the past when thinking about replacing this with PowerBook G4 due to lack of battery power?! Yep, I was. Now I am wiser. Hahaha.

This mobility isn't great as other Windows-base laptop only weighing about 4.5 pounds or less... though, I love it! That matters more than anything. How much does my PowerBook weigh? 5.7 pounds. Not much difference?! Oh well.

What else for today?!

At least, FAA allows all flights going in and out... means that my job should be back to normal by Monday- scares a little bit... since expected becoming busier.

Virtual PC to install my PowerBook - in looking for new fictionality to add... to operate Windows - wasn't successful. I quit! In the first place, wasn't that big deal to accomplish. Still have flexibility about being unable to take advantage of Windows... which I really do like much about.

Anyway, this weekend is calmly passing by and quick. Thank God. Only 10 more day or so to go until next pay check - THAT I am really looking for. Desperately.

Laundry - complete!

Clean up the room - almost...

Back up the system - on the way...

What else do I need to start and finish within today?! Um, um, um...

22:25

Sorry to be showing up late... Did you miss me? (movie, the "Mask")

This weekend... still Ally-ing (i.e. watching Ally McBeal). Finally, I reached an episode "Dancing Baby." Made me laugh so much.

Of course, I did take an experiment about batteries... in terms of running DVD to see Ally.

First, I played "Ally McBeal First Season Disc3" and could watch 3 episodes completely (45 minuets each) and the PowerBook went in automatic shutdown due to lack of power left in battery at 8 minutes of 4th episode (last one in the disk).

Means... lasted 143 minutes! Single batter let the laptop run for more than 2 hours! You know, playing DVD on battery is one of heavy duty and lots of burden on battery power- If I ran other applications with normal kind of use without DVD or CD-ROM drive running, could run for 4 hours or so!!!

On the other hand...

OLD battery that seemed defect to me - did try the same condition set up and played Ally... Did last just for 30-some minutes ONLY! I knew that usually last an hour or so... seemed reasonable result. Though, definitely that battery don't work like supposed to. So it's clear now about being defect or not made-well.

How come so humid outside? Currently AC running.

The Japan Times (newspaper in English) headline "Bush vows to hunt down terrorists" - Guess not possibly avoid any warfare... and I learned a little bit about Afghanistan and its history... as well as bad guy that counted as responsible for the attack, Osama bin Laden. Man, such complicated relation stuff... religion, race, political conflict, money, etc. Gee...

No plan for tomorrow, either. What shall I do? Clean my room and laundry? Most likely.

0:19+1

Drinking with Boss Takashima, Makino, Ichikawa (female), and Otani (ditto) - wasn't bad start off a weekend, folks. How are you? Now recovery in progress? Sure hope so. I just concern about next possible warfare - that might jeopardize the world economy which is STILL slowing down.

Apple Care sent me a new battery for my PowerBook. Yes! Will see if the old battery, came along with PowerBook purchased back in last December, could be defined as DEFECT.

In the instruction letter found in the box with batter, I have to return old batter within 10 days, otherwise, I will be charged, via my credit card whose number had been already given up, about $200. I should be careful about this deadline. Of course, I cannot afford it!

Oh coworker Otani - female in Accounting Dept.- told me that I have spent too much money on digital gadgets... in according to this page, I presume - and that's the reason I remain being so broke.

Is that true? Seems to be - I don't believe so, though.

Tak's biz for today... wasn't that productive. Several meeting with clients... though, nothing really going to be new biz soon. Have to work on more than several things in order to meet the demand or request by those clients.

You know, since American airspace has been shut down due to NY and DC tragedy - lots of people in the office had NOTHING to do besides answering phones from customers inquiring when to expect cargo to depart from US or other origins. Hope this will resolve by this weekend... so that back long will be kept minimum, otherwise, go out of luck - then, we will be swamped so bad after the interruption. Oh well.

23:59+1

Hi, people. Lots of old friends now back in touch with moi! So cool and great to have friends and maintain contacts! I know, I am not expert of doing so... though, I keep trying.

I so far don't find any of them or their families affected by the fatal event in NYC and DC.

Today's Tak...

Had to go on a sea trip with client who was interested in Port of Tokyo. With cooperation of P&O Nedlloyd- first time ever in my life to be on board to a giant ship that carries more than 6,700 TEU's! (about 67,000 x 20' containers) Wow, that was huge. Here's snap shots (cannot go without my digital camera!):

Vessel: P&O Nedlloyd Kowloon (for Europe Voyage)

Man, this tour was so great... the captain of the vessel took us on tour... from the bottom level of ship, engine room, upper deck... and nose of the ship. Well, I was on biz and duty... didn't do stupid thing like being "Titanic." Certainly windy out there, though. Hahaha.

To do that... I had to skip my lunch. Though, certainly worth it. Really. Big ship... with only 23 people working while on sail. Wow... that's it? Almost all automated then. I found that some of computer system STILL running Windows 3.1 - geeeeee, 15 years old? Ha!

It seemed ART - about moving containers on and off the vessel. Man, took only a few minutes from the vessel to the truck on the wharf to move out of the port. Man, must be really professional to do that fast! It was indeed fun to watch.

If you cannot stand the height... forget all deals here.

It's Ally's Night. I needed some KICK and laughing.

Apple Computer Japan sent me 3 free tickets for World PC Expo 2001 - Thanks!

Tomorrow --- TGIF!

22:40

Of course, US Terrorist Attach news are all over... everywhere. Far from getting though. Thousands of lives are lost and lots of missings out there... doesn't make anyone happy, except those despicable terrorists who are responsible for this.

Really keep fingers crossed about as many lives as possible to be rescued.

Just sent out about 20-some emails to ask them to let me know by return if they are okay... Am sure of low percentage for any of them happened to stay in NYC or DC. So far, all responses are positive to me and friends are okay. Hope more no-worries signs are to emerge on the desktop.

One of them... Jay, ex-coworker in Atlanta, told me that friend of his was working in World Trade Center and she was okayed to go back to office after 1st plane crash... though, she stayed on the street for observation. She was right! You know what happend thereafter (she must belong to the building of 2nd crash).

This really freaks out to anyone, still to me, too!

Well, now making personal announcement.

As some of you know, I could leave Suzuyo / Fritz network since an offer was made to me. And yesterday, I turned my decision in... and it was negative. I made my mind up as to stay where I am. And stay how I am. The offer was very impressive like I could have made 35% increase in income-wise. Maybe I was nuts or crazy... or whatever you name it. Though, I thought that it wasn't my turn yet.

So the announcement was changed to very minor and minimum affect. Hahaha.

Are you happy to keep on being with me at work? Have I dissapointed you so much? Sorry if I have done so!

Called back to AppleCare and let it know that my batter doesn't have any immidiate improvement. Now, it sends a new one to me for an exchange. Cool!

0:34+1

Just came home after some entertaining time with friends at a restaurant... turned TV on and heard that my cellular phone was ringing... It was friend Amy - just sort screamed and telling me about the breaking news all over every single channel can be found on the earth!

Gee, what a shocking and terrible terrorism!!!

I have to write Charlie in NYC - his working office is located on 5th avenue... a bit different from the area where the World Trade Center was built.

Must be the worst terrorism ever happened in the history... I believe. Still no one even can mention how many people were killed and injured... probably totally out of clue... out of control... chaotic situation for sure. Gee. My God - lots of innocent people out there...

Hey, my announcement is nothing related to the case! Mine was nothing but just personal!

My announcement, then? Let me postpone until tomorrow. I should close this here and keep watching TV for the news.

No kidding that what I see on TV is really happening out there... could be targeting Japan somehow? Who knows what to happen. After the Cold War and no worries about world war any more in the world now... we have to face "enemies in the darkness" for a long time from now on.

23:53

Gee, hard rain and there is another... Yep, once again, another typhoon to hit Japan! This is very unusual year in weather history... 2 different typhoons within single month.

Definitely, weird.

That rain... made me soaked --- somehow... I had scheduled 2 appointments for today and didn't have choice to go outside under rain. Windy, too.

For the second one, I looked so miserable... like you don't want to see...

Tomorrow, I have some announcement to make for you - some kind of secret? Not really. Just as this page indicating of my daily life. Oh, don't use much of your imagination. That should be wrong!

The point was "should I, should I not?!" - must be interesting.

THREE MORE for Bonds within a game and reached 63 for the season... Man, he's really into it. No one can stop him, huh! "Big Mac" really worries of his record... I guess, Bonds really don't get any pressure by anyone and will go on and on... and eventually will break the record; sure I hope so!

Oh keep forgetting... I should utilize another and still new yet - email address @ mac.com. It's "ogakijin@mac.com."

How many emails do I have? Oh boy! @yahoo.com, hotmail.com, yahoo.co.jp, mac.com, ogaki.net, docomo.ne.jp, what else, what else...

Virtual PC - software enables my PowerBook to run Windows and its applications. I used to use it and now I need to reinstall. Still don't have time to do so, I keep that for this coming weekend.

Dawn is coming to see me in two weeks... cannot wait!

New bag - by Uniqlo, how did I like it? It was not bad at all. Good investment. Was pretty "good buy."

Starbucks Coffee Japan got approval to open its stocks at Nasdaq Japan in October this year. Wow!

22:30

Of course, I am STILL and YET spending my PRECIOUS time watching "Ally" - hahaha.

Definitely, this reminds me of a life in America - good old time for myself.Do I want to go back? Oh, don't ask. I have VERY mixed feeling about it. As always.

Anyway, here is how my day was... I had to go out to have a serious talk about what I should do about my life... hahaha, sounds a bit serious, doesn't it? Anyway, I was out for a while to see a friend.

Was it good time? To be honest with ya, not really. Wasn't fun at all. Maybe I was mistake to take a chance to see a friend in particular for a talk of some career.

Anyway, rough time is over and gone. Now back on TV with Ally (again)!

Cannot wait to see famous fancing baby! Hehehe.

Several typhoons are around Japan and tomorrow and on... seems raining hard. Mmmm, I won't like it much. And I don't want to plan to go outside for appointments under rain. Do you?

Hope you did have good weekend.

21:01

No question to ask me...

Ally McBeal DVD Vol. 1

3 DVD plus "First Season Premium Disc" (still DVD) are here now- and spent lots of hours already to watch as many episodes as possible without hitting the sack! Hahaha.

How many episodes covered within 3 DVD's? Good question - then, 12 of them (4 each).

Yeah, I am very busy to take lessons about "McBealism."

This is definitely great stuff for me... really cheers me up (with lots of laughs!!!).

They are priced at 6,800 Yen - about $65! Though, I took advantage of shopping points accumulated from all previous shopping for a discount. In fact, the points covered almost all... I only paid 9 Yen... about single dime!

And also stopped by a Uniqlo store and bought a computer bag - black one. Was $30.

Shopping day, huh? Yep. How about you?

Oh did call "Apple Care" to see what was wrong with the battery of PowerBook. Lady (seemed young and nice to me) told me several different ways to see if defect or not. Then, I tried all tonight... however without success. I should call back to let them know of this result to see what they will tell me thereafter.

20:14+1

Now weekend is to begin!!! Cool, huh! Unfortunately, this weekend's weather won't be that good enough like you don't want to go too far under rain. Mmmmm.

Busy Friday for me... with 4 appointments.

As you know (from yesterday) "Ally McBeal" DVD (2 titles) goes on sale today. Did I buy them yet? I will, just not today since didn't get a chance to.

Ally McBeal DVD's

Interesting thing on sales too - Prime Minister Koizumi's Photo Album

In Japan's politic, this is the first time ever to publish Prime Minister's personal photo album on sale. There are lots of publications out there for Japan's Royal Family and members... NOT political figure like Prime Minister. Did I buy? How come I have to?

For lunch... Abe and Shitanishi were with me for an appointment just before the lunch. And Abe did fascinated me about how much he could eat with such HUGE stomach. Here is the proof:

Left> Dish Tak ate --- Right> Abe's (still same type of dish)

Only extra 100 yen (about a dollar), the dish became that big! Probably 50% more than my dish. And needless to say, Abe ate all completely. He is NOT only a big guy... but also he has HUGE capacity.

Abe - busy to eat it all! Like Gozilla or eating monster!

Anyway, now weekend begins. Let's move on and have some fun out there!!! Tak? No plan yet. Weather won't be cooperative... maybe some movie?!

See ya.

9:29+1

Que pasa?! Todo bien contigo? Ojala que si...

Was cool day, wasn't it? NOT much sunshine outside... mostly cloudy. For me, it was okay. Slow morning since had a meeting in place near my apartment. Meeting wasn't productive at all, though. Sometimes, just difficult to get some easy corporation from someone.

Several quotations done within today, also.

Thank God, tomorrow is Friday. TGIF! Cannot wait! And tomorrow, "Ally McBeal" - Japanese Title is actually "Ally My Love" - the DVD title (volume 1 & 2) is to go on sale tomorrow. Am I going to get them? Think so. Though, price was relatively higher than other stuff... as for $70 each. Should I or should I not?!

Ally McBeal is like Austin Powers... always enables me to be funny and humorous... great to escape from any kind of depression. Really trust me on that one. I like them so much. So I won't miss.

Friday (tomorrow) 2 appointments and will be easily over after them. So should be easy... sound not that bad, huh!

Until the end of weekend, need to buy a Uniqlo computer bad for mobile computing that I intend to do for easy communication as well as update of this web site anywhere!

Computer bag isn't exception from Japan's current severe deflation... the bad is only $20 of which I am talking- and good stuff in fact.

23:18

Hello, people- Came home late... just here at 11:30pm.

Was I working too hard? Mostly, just not tonight. I guess, I keep having good meals for a couple of days this week. Today wasn't exceptional and it was pretty good (meal).

Since you don't know much about Japanese cuisine (I presume so) - sort difficult to describe all with some picture. Today,

Had an appointment in the morning and stopped by a restaurant called "Maisen" - famous deep-fried pork steak restaurant. Very famous. Price was ALSO (of course) nice.

Want to guess how much? (more than $20!)

Definitely out of my budget and that was (and still) my problem. Damn. Thanks to being salesperson who could enjoy the freedom to go out (for appointments) - I certainly did enjoy the taste. Of course, any salesperson cannot forget about the killing pain about being given sales quota. Hahaha.

Hey, to where has Tak been appeared tonight after work? With whom? For what? Shhhhhhhh.

Good night.

0:09+1

My my my my ... who did expect this! Compaq is now merged with Hewlett Packard. Wow!

You know, Gateway recently left Japanese market behind... closed entire operation, still including own retail store chain "Gateway Country," in Japan - last week.

IT industry is really facing something severe from the global recession. My favorite, Apple, would be doing something also? Who knows.

And another big news in Japan... today officially open "Tokyo Disney Sea (TDS)" in addition to Tokyo Disney Land (TDL).

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/

That is the official site to see both TDS and TDL. Is that owned by Walt Disney? NOPE >>> still owned by a Japanese firm.

I still have no idea how come it open today, Tuesday - in the middle of week. Why?!?!

Today's Tak - spent almost all time in Shinjuku - where the big fire killing 44 people over this weekend took place. Did I go to that sight? NOPE. I was busy to catching up with several appointments, indeed.

Was rainy on and off... means I got wet. Man, I hate this kind of climate. NOT clear... man. So originally I would go back to office at the end of day - then decided NOT to. Came home a bit earlier than usual.

Friend/coworker/neighbor Eto and I got together for supper and spent time together. He showed me several interesting photos and was certainly fun. Relaxing too.

For rest of week, I only have ONE MORE appointment (on Friday-), that won't be good. I should come up with some new idea to do something. September... 1st month of new fiscal year and I have figures to make! (a.k.a. sales quota) Mmmmmm.

Didn't sleep quite well last night. Should go to bed soon to rest. Good night.

22:59

Ichiro Suzuki of Mariners - keeps entertaining lots of baseball fans out there. Must be in really good shape and, we hope, he will reach to the title - hitting average.

Tak's Monday was pretty normal and nothing really special. Except - I was happy to see an email message from my darling sister Robyn. I love you too!

2 appointments in the afternoon. Some good news... as toward new business.

Financial problem again? Today I came to an ATM machine for some withdrawal and realized only $300 or so left in my bank account. Wait, still 3rd of the month and 20-some days to go 'til next pay day!

Gee, what can I do?! (nothing)

Maybe I should get a part-time job to support that? Hey, usually in Japan, employers prohibits their employees to work for secondary income. Means I cannot do so. Mmmmmm.

After 2nd appointment that took place in Baraki - went out for drink with clients. Is that good sign? Don't know and not sure yet. Anyway, I keep trying!!!

Kuboki came back from vacation. He went to Bali Island. Cool, huh! I wish I could take some vacation to relax myself.

Rainy day - depressing.

0:31+1

I've got a skin rush on my neck... itchy. Really.

Nothing really planned for last half of the weekend, except dinner with friend Leo who just had her birthday. I came to buy her dinner because of it. Present? Dinner itself.

It was Thai cuisine... restaurant called The "Siam" - have no idea what in the world it means in Thai. Hahaha. Anyway, food was pretty good, except Pad Thai - service didn't catch up quite with its taste, unfortunately.

Though, Thai is one of my favorites. Perhaps now missing Mexican... mean GOOD ONE.

Mom in Waynesville, NC, emailed me - and SHE HAS BEEN RETIRED!!! Didn't know. Must be early retirement... than she originally had scheduled. Good for her. Wish I could be in US to visit her to spend some time.

Eto did call me a couple minutes ago. He had a good description of this website as "NHK" - the National Channel of Japan... was good - this site is very informative and all for people around Tak.

Wow - shouldn't forget about that, too ---

Happy Birthday for Yasuko Funabashi. Turned what? 29 or 30? Whatever... Happy Birthday!

Already September... let's move on!

23:58

Hi, my people.

Some of readers and my American family expressed their concern about me... on the fire and explosion took place in very busy party of Tokyo, Kabukicho.

Nope, I wasn't there at all and am safe and fine. Thank you.

In fact, Kabukicho is known as most fabulous adult entertainment of Tokyo. And, that deadly incident took place in the middle of area. 44 people killed and 3 more remain in hospital. Oh boy!

For your information, Kabukicho isn't the place where I usually hang around. I don't go to such places to spend thousands of yen out there. Well, will cost more than that, anyhow.

As of yesterday, two friends of mine (both ladies) left the company. Kagumi and Megumi decided to seek their own interest rather than staying with us. Good luck, both of ya!

^{Megumi Ito, Boss Shinsuke Ito, and Kagumi Iwai}

Megumi joined the company with me at the same time. That means, just for a year. That was pretty short! For Kagumi - a bit longer than Megumi. Everyone doesn't stay too long.

Kagumi is hitting to Europe for several months as for her vacation. Man, I envy of her SO MUCH! Take me with me, Kagumi! Hahaha.

Megumi is still thinking what kind of job she really wants to do hereafter.

Maybe, about time for myself to reconsider of what I do for living?!

14:35+1