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Announcement: Arahata and Kuboki have been promoted - now supervisors! Congratulations!

Tak hasn't been demoted to be sales-on-commission. Thank God! Hahaha.

Israel and his coworkers (2) safely arrived in Narita and I met my best Mexican friend for the 1st time in several years. Nice to see ya, AMIGO. He brought me a gift from my memorable place Puebla, where I spent entire academic year. That was TACOS ARABES... literally translated to Arabic Tacos. My most favorite thing to eat from Puebla!

Great! Thanks!

Israel also did carry a letter from his sister... darling Osmara. Man, she should have come instead of him... that's my wish! I guess, letter is written in either Spanish or English... contents?! Oh "let's talk about love." Hehehe. I miss her for sure.

Stopped by Eto's place tonight, right before coming home. He seemed same and fine.

How about work?! Selling lots of new biz yet?! JUST NOT YET. Hold on...

Tired... making trips for such long hours... made me so.

0:18+1

About tomorrow - last day of October (already?!) -

Israel's flight number (changed from JAL to Singapore Airlines) confirmed. Thank God, his arrival date was unchanged.

His hotel reservation confirmed being made! (ANA Airport Hotel, huh!)

Tak's half day off granted! (YES)

So I will be in the airport late tomorrow afternoon.

It is so exciting to see friend like Israel... no doubt. Cannot wait to go up to the airport!!!

I just came home ... almost midnight. Was busy listening to some friend who had some troublesome love - WAIT! I should deal with ONE ON MY OWN! Why in the world do I care of someone else's love?! Hahaha.

That's exactly what I need to concentrate... don't you agree?

Mmmm, good night.

23:53

Interesting start for a new week! Coworker Mori asked me to go with him for a meeting before noon today. How come?! Answer was given as soon as meeting those perspective clients... whom Mori made an appointment to.

There were an 40-year-old British and a Japanese guy... talking about some new biz of theirs - importing some stuff from Brazil.

My point... is nothing but starting new week with SUCH British accent?! I had to speak as much Southern as possible! Just to beat him with strong sounds and accents!

Hahaha.

Another postcard from Kagumi - this time... from Granada, Spain. Wow! I wish I could go on trip like her RIGHT NOW!

Applied for a half day off on Wednesday - since Israel told me that he and his coworkers would come to Tokyo and wanted me to be at the gate to pick them up! Yeah, I shouldn't have problem having another half day off... though, am concerning about sales figure... to make. My quota is tough to make!

And yesterday's mention... X Party is tough to make, also?! Found out there was an internal sales meeting within my department from 5pm thru 6pm on that Friday in particular. Oh geeeeee.

Anyway... tired since did listen to such DIFFERENT accents and had to concentrate for better understanding! Oh better tell you, the other guy - Japanese one - looked so young and 38 years old in fact... owned two companies... Man, he has such luxury... that I cannot afford. Hmmmm, where is this difference coming out of?!

Friend ChanKen is now in Singapore?! NOT fair!

Amy, got your email, thanks!!! Have spare minutes over weekends?! We should do something together to have fun!!! I'll write you back soon!

23:09

Rain... and boring Sunday for Tak - didn't do much. Practically nothing like yesterday.

There was a postcard for some invitation. To "X Party" held by supporting company for MacOS X with Apple. The Party will be held in a club located in Shibuya for 1,000 Mac users. Door prizes are fascinating to those to attend. 3 of either PowerBook G4 or Apple Cinema Display 22" - don't you want one?! Tak does!

Date: Friday, November 2nd <- This week!

Time: from 16:30 <- from that late afternoon?! Still at work at that time. How should Tak sneak out?!

In fact, you had to make entry from the website for the Party since only 1,000 Mac users were to be invited. And today's postcard indicated that I won a seat to the Party!!! Yeah!

One postcard only allow one user... that means Tak only can go and has to go by himself... oh boy!

I try to manage to go... hope I can get there to see new products' demo as well as win the prize! Hehehe.

Rain and no plan scheduled. So I mostly stayed inside. Watched TV - horse race - and worked on some project on Internet.

For dinner... had some secret dinner with unexpected visitor from out-of-town. It was Japanese dinner and meeting was interesting with some major problems I have to face. Hmmmm... not easy for me to work on.

Happened to talk to my brother... (still lives in Tokyo as well) - he seemed having good business result in his company... though, I felt and had some health concern on him. He worked way more than I did. Poor him.

My health concern?! Think it got much better over this weekend with tons of sleep... hope this week won't be too much troubles around. Hahaha.

Maybe seeing Israel in the middle of week?! Sure hope so. It's always great to see friends... especially close ones. And I should check with travel agencies about ticket to US!

23:10

Good sleep today! First time in weeks, I believe. Especially sleepy weekend last week... remember that I went back to Ogaki?!

Anyway, nothing really gets done. Except company emails were checked and some replied. Otherwise, I read newspaper in nearby cafe with sandwich and iced coffee... nothing notably there.

3 laptops are currently on. PowerBook2400, PowerBookG3, and company's Versa Pro. Busy seeing different things on different screens.

Forgot to mention... Iimura - coworker and friend of Tak - hides some fact about having new girlfriend or something. Why?! Here is an evidence. He got new business bag that carried in the office Friday - and while working, he checked and looked inside of the bad more than dozen times for a single day! Why!? I even came up to his desk and grabbed it... and he just told me NOT to. Why?!

It must be meaning something.

Hmmmm, I have to disclose that secret on that one!!!

20:20

Back to normal business "horario" (schedule in Spanish) --- After all crazy schedule with Dawn and Linda from America. Thank God... finally.

Today - Friday was definitely becoming easy one for Tak... at least so planned.

More than several appointments... and had tough talk with clients in order to solve some problems and accept complaints. Wow, where my plan gone?!

Finally went back to office around 5:30 or so and became busier about cleaning all old emails up... funny irony thereafter.

To be honest with you, I was planning to come home ON TIME - means leaving the office at 5:30. Though, came back in the office then. And became busier... so eventually I left there around 9:00. Oh boy, big change in plan.

Forget it! I should consider my weekend starts from tomorrow, not tonight.

Tokyo Motor Show 2001 starts today. And my Mexican friend Israel Morales emailed me and he would come to Tokyo for it. He works for Volkswagen. So he's in automobile industry.

Hope that would become official... He said that he would check and confirm with his boss soon. Though, he nominated 3 hotels in the area where the Show was held. Though, all those were booked out... So where he and his coworkers could stay then?! Should be in Tokyo rather than Makuhari area...

20:08+1

Ouch! Severe pain in lower back... really. I have been so for more than several hours. How come?! I was a part of the party held by company - as for the Suzuyo Bicentennial Anniversary - Yep, 200 years, it meant.

Anyway, there was a strict dress code like I said yesterday --- and here's how Tak looked:

Wow, very conservative... unusual.

And party place... sorry, couldn't take picture while the party was going on... so took before started:

at Hotel Okura

And --- Dawn and Linda (and customer from Belgium, Herwig) did enjoy among other visitors:

Geisha with Linda (middle), Dawn (right), and Herwig (rear)

Did Tak enjoy? Good question. Yeah, I did most part of the event. Though since have been standing for such long hours, it was painful also.

More than 1,300 people in a single party. Can you believe that? It was like a big conference or so... tons of foods and alcohol were unlimitedly around.

23:37

$40 left in my wallet as of end of the day - for this month budget. Means that amount money due carrying over to next month - next budget.

That is first positive result for a few months. Good for me, Tak! $40 ain't big money or anything... though, the important point in this is that I made it!!! Right?!

Israel is to choose an accommodation for his own stay over Japan to see Tokyo Motor Show?! That's rock!

I am finally out of the series of meetings. Though, I have to meet some STRICT dress code for tomorrow evening. Gee, white shits with CONSERVATIVE tie?! Problem is... I don't have one. I've got only those COLORFUL and UNIQUE ones. Sorry!

Though, my boss was worrying of that on me and called personally... to remind and beg me to follow the rule! Mmmmm, what should I do?!

Friend Fukui needs to bring "Ally DVD #1" back to me!!! Please read this and take an action! Hahaha.

Introduced "Apple iPod"!!! Did you see it?! I loved it! $500?! oh boy-

Let's see... Zzzzzzz

23:57

Sharing time with ex-coworker Dawn was certainly fun and interesting... and informative... for me to catch up with all for friends in US.

Sorry, I have no more say for tonight since late already... and my weekly sales report was past due... and sleepy... and lastly I have to show up to a meeting in the early morning. Oh boy!

Had lots of talks with keywords such as:

"Picking on Tak"

"Hooters Restaurant"

"Axxhole"

"Southern English and accents"

"Picky Tak about not getting any girlfriend"

I guess, all people at the dinner, including clients, had maximized fun because of me! Mmmm.

Israel, thanks for your email. Hope you come to Tokyo to see Auto Show here. Let me know!

Sorry, I have to cut this short tonight. Will come up with more tomorrow on. Good night. I've got to get up earlier than usual to get to a meeting on time.

0:26+1

Gee, am drunk! What went wrong?!?! Had a business dinner... and several bottles of wine were brought in... then, I became out of control? Mmmm, don't remember what happened then.

It was a meeting, like I said, since Dawn (Great to see you!) and Linda flew from US... for some presentation to give from tomorrow on. Was meeting productive?! As far as I remember, I anticipate so.

It is always so nice to see my friends from US... I definitely miss that old day - peace one. And Dawn, no exception, never forgot how to pick on me. She was bad.

Gee, I forgot my small umbrella in the taxi taken up to the restaurant for dinner. That was bad. What in the world was I thinking?!

Dinner... it was French. Very formal one. I ate much (of course, pieces of bread as well) and drank much. Wine was pretty good! Sorry, no detail information of what restaurant; no recalls on its name!

In that French cuisine... I didn't take any beef. Just to be safe from the Mad Cow Disease... that is concern in Japan market today. Lots of people now stay away from beef.

In that meeting, Yoshi, the coworker, sassed me if any girlfriend... what kind of assumption was that?! With what evidence?! No way, Jose!

Me? Need to stay away from ANY fat!!!

23:23

Did arrive earlier than its original ETA. Was 5:30am. From Tokyo to Urayasu, took subway train... like this:

Empty! and all passengers sleeping!

And weekend is over... didn't do much... except regular laundry and others. STILL sleepy. It was such good idea to take rapid train and express bus to go to Ogaki... money-wise. Though, physically pain... not be able to sleep well.

How much did I save for the trip?! Good question:

By Shinkansen (Bullet Trains) for both ways - JPY22,000 in total

By Rapid Train and Overnight Express Bus - exactly what I paid for - JPY14,300 in total

Saved about JPY6,000 or so... that is about $60. Pretty good saving, huh? Being very sleepy is certainly worth... enough?! I think so.

0:02+1

Hi, folks! How's it going?! Quiet weekend?! For me, even though I am in hometown... nothing really is for me here.

Sign "Ogaki" at the Japan Rail Station

Night Express Bus by Japan Rail from Nagoya to Tokyo

Yeah, I decided not to take Shinkansen for the way back in Tokyo. Decided to take a bus. Leaving 11pm from Nagoya - so I left home around 9pm. The bus is arriving in Tokyo Station around 6am, Sunday morning.

Zzzzz --- asleep in the bus. Better than train?!

23:46+1

Back to the place... where I was born and where I was raised-

The way back to home from Japan's capital Tokyo- the train was crowded and lots of elders who kept chatting with their mates (among 30 people of a group!) - endlessly. A little bit annoyed.

Anyhow, sitting in such chair in the train was more comfortable than usual commuter trains... however, not good enough STILL. Shinkansen would have provided more and better place for passengers.

Arrived in Ogaki about 7am. Yep, in the morning like I told you. Was definitely sleepy. Then, came home, ate breakfast, etc. Didn't rest after all that... went out for errands to:

City Hall of Ogaki

Tokai Bank

Shinko Security

Spent more than half day thereon. In the City Hall, I witnessed (not officially or anything) a couple signing the paper for their marriage. And I heard such stupid question by the officer taking care of that application. "Is this first time of marriage, both of you?!" - Man, do you care like it was 1st time or 25th time, like Larry King?! Whose business is that?!

Maybe, it was necessary for the official to ask in order to fill out the paperwork... though, that was upsetting me a little.

And of course, I was very envious of the couple having the best moment of their lives! I wish I could stand there with someone I am deeply in love with. Oh boy, that won't happen that easy - I know.

At Tokai Bank... I made a withdrawal of some cash. You know what?! They had to confirm my ID since the withdrawal was made from special saving account like CD, etc. Anyway, didn't carry my passport with me on this trip and have no ID with myself then. Didn't know such strict ion on my to do that... and I tried funny way. I gave my STUDENT ID from Virginia Wesleyan and told the banker that it was US Driver's License. Hahaha, it went through!!! Definitely, it was not FAKE. It was old and expired... and not effective anymore. Though, it went though. I was happy leaving that place with a little case... and left there QUICK!

I am heading back to Tokyo tomorrow night. Question is how?! - by bus?! by rapid train (again) or by Shinkansen? I will look into every option I have and will make up my mind for it.

Tomorrow --- Japan Series to open!

Too bad that I won't have much time to look around the City this time. Am sure that some changes like new shops or cafes, etc. Though, not this time for me to search.

Yasunori - buddy from high school - finally emailed me and asked how I was. Gee, where have you been?! Gladly heard from ya.

Boss Ito sent me a brief message via cellular phone... said that Tak can ease himself from work for this Friday - this doesn't mean anything like Tak can rest from daily update on Ogaki-jin. Man, he is right! Hahaha.

Just late update... ex-squeeze me! Hahaha.

11:45+1

Busy working day under rain... visiting more than several customers... to come to hear goods news and some bad ones. Am I good shape selling the services?! Well, good question. I know for sure - that is, what I have been tired and needed some rest - definitely!

And good PERSONAL news. My petition for a day off tomorrow was granted! Way to go!!! What am I going to do? Going home. For what?! Well, don't you see that is a good excuse enough that I haven't see my Mummy for such a long time?!?! I bet you agree.

See! I told you!!! Braves kicks butt of D-backs right away! Mariners no problem on Yankees? Mmmm, that is tough one.

How about the Japan Series?! Between Yakult Swallows and Kintetsu Buffaloes. Parenting companies of both teams... Yakult is selling healthy beverage - available NOT in US - but in Mexico and some other nations besides Japan. Kintetsu - railways company in Osaka Region. Huge company.

11:43 departure "Moon Light Nagara" - famous Rapid Train leaves Tokyo for Ogaki straight. I got ticket - I was thinking that train wouldn't be packed. I am wrong. Way too wrong! I got last seat... thank God.

Leaving almost midnight... and arriving at Ogaki Station around 7am following morning. How long in the train? Almost 7 hours. By car per se, takes about 4 hours. Bullet Train "Shinkansen" takes only 2 hours. Why I wouldn't have taken Shinkansen? Because much cheaper by Moon Light. I can save pretty big cash - the charge for this rapid train is a little over 70 bucks. For Shinkansen - around 110 dollars or so. See?!

Now way to Ogaki...

12:14+1

Braves got shut out by "Big Unit" - too bad. "Big Unit" is the nickname of Randy Johnson. He was fantastic on the mound for the opening game on NLCS. Oh boy. Of course, Braves will pay back to D-backs soon.

Dawn Lynch was now rescheduling to show up in Japan. In fact, that is to be next week. All that sudden? Yep.

No entertainment like I had planned for her original schedule. Though this time, nothing. NO much free time in the first place for the current plan.

Tak's day... had business meeting over lunch. Then had meetings with clients in late afternoon. No good news. Some bad news, though. I now face possibility to lose some business... I will find out more tomorrow. At least, that's not service failure or anything. Simply, that client changes its mode on transportation from next month.

Apple now announced new bumped-up iBook as well as PowerBook G4. Seems like time to replace mine (PowerBook G3)?!?! I wish my financial situation would have been able to allow me to do that... Though not so fast... of course, I don't have that luxury for this moment. How bad.

Some dead bodies recovered from the bottom of ocean in Hawaii?! From the submarine accident with US Navy... Well, we all knew that all people STILL MISSING were no way to survive for this long. Though, it is sad to confirming the truth of death.

OS X 10.1 - so great about conveniently hooking with my lovely digital camera, FujiFilm Fine Pix 4700z. So instantly. Didn't know hot to operate that functionality until today. Finally found.

Will be off on Friday. Why? Tak needs to rest, moron! Hahaha.

Buenas tardes-

22:36

Normal day... busy somewhat. NO new biz secured. NO good news. NO girlfriends. Oops, that's pretty much usual for me, hahaha.

Hay, be nice!

Yesterday's memorial, 44,444th hit in Japanese page... the winner was Arata Yamamoto - another coworker in this place! He was smiling and asked, "What is prize?!" He misunderstood like he would be awarded something high priced. Mmmm, that's going to be a disappointing. Soon.

Cutting work short tonight. Why? Abe introduced some gathering for business tonight and then Fukui and I myself agreed to go with him to see if any new biz opportunity out there.

Around 6:30pm, the time to go for hotel where a conference was to be held... Abe dropped out since his meeting was prolonging at that time. He told us to proceed... he would catch up with us later. This wasn't meant to be happening at all-

Fukui and I arrived in a hotel, very high profile hotel. Then we lose in the hotel... got wrong elevator and went to wrong side of hotel, etc. Obviously, that place wasn't for us.

Finally, we came to the reception and got given a booklet of agenda. Wait!!! The list of attendees was showing in it and we came to realize that we were TOOOOOOOO young to that kind of conference. Except ourselves, you could only find people at late 30's up to 50's!!! Obviously, it was wrong place for Fukui and me!

Of course, there was no gals.

Geeeee, I knew that this could come to happen. It was much better off if Abe would have come (since he's 40's).

So we did excuse ourselves from that atmosphere... even NOT getting free food at such prestigious hotel! We must have been nuts! Sucks.

Had ramen noodle after walk off from the hotel. What a night!

23:36

A little bit irritating or something itching me! Mmmm. Don't know what it was... just I had something with me all day long and that really bothers me. Having pain in my shoulder, I cannot concentrate. Pretty much not.

Boss Ito was absent due to his severe stomach problem... he must have drunken so much over weekend when some party hold by the Company for its 200 year anniversary. Wow, I know - the Group that I work for is reaching to its momentum this year, 200 year since its foundation! 20 decades, 2 centuries long... oh boy!

Anyhow, his absent and another boss Takashima went to Narita Office from early afternoon. Look, this means that I am loose from the enforcement by management! Hahaha, I am a bad boy.

Read friend's webpage... by handle name as "Keytan" - he was interesting... his page, usually done in Japanese, somehow had some comments in English - just a middle of entire documentation. Why so?! I intended to read it and seemed like not much making sense. He admitted that, too. Anyway, he was a little bit nervous about what his coworkers and bosses come to read his PERSONAL page.

How come you need to be afraid of?! Consequences?! Forget it! It's free to speak or write about anything!

Especially when they make their approach to your Page on their own. If they don't like to see what it says in the contents, they just don't need to come back! Gee, you don't want to be a chicken, do you?! Come on!

For me, having bad moment or what?! NOT really... I just got stressed out?! Maybe.

Japanese page of MINE... tonight reached to another memorial point - 44,444th hit! Who got it?! So far tonight, no one has really claimed for a prize yet. Are you the one?!

0:00+1

Hello - carrying over an issue from previous Sunday. Fukui's Power Macintosh G3 to be upgraded to OS X 10.1 - just like what I have.

And he came to pick me up around 1pm and we all decided to buy a new drive, CD-RW one, for himself. It was nearly 200 bucks for his spending.

I, in fact, have been planning to buy one for my environment... though, still out of budget. That's my problem, which have never been solved. Something wrong with me!

Was watching a game, Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians... man, didn't know that John Rocker was pitching for Indians. Since when? Gee, I am definitely out of all updates for MLB!!! So ashamed.

Seems like installing all new software to Fukui's cool computer to be successful (still in progress, though).

Weekend is about closing. Mmmm, at least laundry is done before coming to Fukui's place (nice cozy apartment, in fact).

After all this, I will go home and sleep tight. I slept a lot yesterday, probably more than needed. Though, I feel like still could sleep much longer!

Hahaha.

18:08

Zzzz, slept like what?!?! I know I've got a phone call around 9am in the morning... except that, I remained mostly in BED. Oh definitely not meaning like I was with SOMEONE... of course not.

Only I meant ... that I just slept all day long!!! (Trust me, no lies)

And I just put up a photo of my PowerBook desktop for you to see how COOL my computer looks for now!

- Brand new System, MacOS X 10.1 -

Now are you sure that you don't want to have a new Macintosh?!

Otherwise, I have no news and no activity going on... sorry, nothing to tell ya.

Well, Braves advanced to League Championship!!! Guess, that is the only news for myself. Anyway, this is good one. Didn't know Smoltz was the closer for the Team. Hmmmm.

17:37+1

Tak's new word for today... Anthrax!

That must be a real chemistry term - which hated most for my life! Though, this word is everywhere in all US media such as CNN or USA Today - that I have most frequent access for news update.

Yep, of course, I am talking about possible another terrorist attach to US in return of US attack over Afghanistan which currently goes on and on.

Oh boy, must be new generation of attacking some country remotely... no more bombs in mail, but some "cannot-to-be-seen" kind of fear in the mail!!! That is really scary.

Am sure that this incident happened in NBC or NY Times... really goes to affect to those handles mails for any large corporation.

Gee, where are we going from here? Chaos waiting in the darkness? For me, personally, I still feel some kind of uneasiness about going out to public... specially about going in to the place where tons of people gather... which would be easy target for an attack. Do I mean even Japan could be one of targets?! Yeah, I do! Well, still in my thought, Britain should be coming before this country.

Thank God, the week is coming to an end... now fun time or more precisely relaxing time.

Now watching "Ally McBeal" episode 16 - Forbidden Fruits - man, this reminds me of lots of fancy words that I used to use a lot while in US... and keep forgetting most of them by now... like "wacko," "bogus," etc. You now can imagine how I speak English with friends!!! Hahaha.

So you have any plan for weekend?! For Tak?! Am broke as usual... probably stay in (to save bucks).

Oh tonight, there was a gathering for coworkers who came from or currently lived in Saitmata... heard that nearly 10 people showed up for that DRINKING time. And heard that it was Korean BBQ for dinner (oh, yum yum).

And my inside report indicated that part of talk was about MOI ! <- French. Yeah, they talked about ME!!! Man, were they intending to talk behind my back?! Probably (and hope) not. I should get more detail later on... Hahaha. Am glad that those who were there had such great time in talking about me!!!

Talk to you later!

12:59+1

Weekend is around the corner... and my fatigue has been accumulated quite much. Probably almost going out of the full capacity. Working too hard? Or hardly working?

Probably just lack of sleep. Why? Because I update this every darn day - so late... just for you?! Hahaha.

Just yawning... is this contagious for you? That was in fact what I learned in US.

Pink tie with purple shirt... obviously it was Tak's look!

Email from someone in US... it was Pat Sullivan... ex-French professor in Virginia Wesleyan... she returned my message about 9/11 tragedy. She told me that she has been retired and partially dedicates herself to the College. She was known as "Madam." She was such great and open-minded person to all international students and I was, of course, one of her students.

She was also very energetic person... more cheerful than myself, indeed.

So glad to hear from her and did she really remember of me?! Didn't spend too much time at that college since I was studying abroad to Mexico while the junior year.

Not really much going on in my life for today. No gals has attracted me and I haven't done the same to any female around. Hahaha. I am bad.

Japanese site... the visitors counter is now exceeding 44,000... 400 or so to go for an interesting figure - 44,444... where I offer a prize for. More than several "regular" readers declared their interests in getting that point. Oh boy, that would be fun to watch who to get that!

Good night.

0:32+1

Man, sleepy and tired. Tengo sueno y muy cansado!!! (same meaning just in Spanish)

Came home quite late... passing 11pm- Had more than several issues to solve before leaving office for home this evening. Very unfortunate.

Had to call UK to see which office to handle the best and then called Copenhagen on different issue. Though somewhat, I've got wrong number. Called different places in Denmark to get a correct number... funny thing was that I couldn't distinguish what language they spoke then.

Was it German? Sounded similar, not exactly.

Gee, now I realized that it was Danish! I was moron... I should retake World Geography.

Had such long weekend within single place... for the same company with 3 different topics about potential businesses. That must be really cost-effective... 3 hours for 3 new businesses. Not bad, huh!

Rain... rains so hard outside.

Probably only good news for today - 1st post season game for Atlanta Braves... Well done, Chipper! Braves edged Astros... I thought that was no problems for Braves to take care of Astros. Let's see.

Not much appetite for today... skipped lunch and no much food for supper, either. Some kind of diet? Oh well.

23:56

Back to normal from this morning... unlikely. And in the train, the commuter one that I happened to get in... I came to find someone VERY interesting. Oh, I don't mean like I got to know that fellow... I just happened to stand by him and observed.

What was he doing?! He was desperate reading some book he was holding... up to this point, pretty much normal. Though what he was holding by his hand... was comic. Still okay, huh. BUT --- he was reading LADY's comic book.

That guy, in my observation, seemed early-30's and must be concerned losing his hair off the head. Looked very matured and serious. Though, he had just such unique hobby or interest in reading such thing?! Oh boy.

This scene clicked me that more than several female coworkers, before, mentioned that type of men disliked most by themselves... are those reading comics in train. Definitely, that man was in such category.

Me? Do I like reading comics?! Well, it's yes and no for that question. I do read very occasionally and usually don't buy any comic books (except some limited number of titles). Mostly, I read them at the restaurant when being alone or lobby in the hospital or dental office, etc. I have never ever read comics in trains! Maybe, some magazines... only when NOT crowded!!!

Oh announcement on someone's BD - Andrea, good friend of mine, her birthday is today! Oh I don't recall how old she turns to... Anyhow, happy birthday YOUNG LADY!!!

22:01

Hi, folks! Enjoyed your weekend and now getting back to work?! Good for you!!! I am so envious of you that making money right this moment! Hahaha. Of course, we in Japan, decided to take one day (extra) off for this Monday. Sorry! Hehehe.

For today... was busy - quite so. Why? I was sticking myself to PowerBook G3... working on upgrade project from current system to brand new Mac OS X 10.1 - which was released last week.

Why did I do so? Mmmmm, yesterday's case with Fukui's PowerMacintosh really made a big influence on me to do so. You know, I ALWAYS like new stuff and cannot resist much from it. I have to keep "being" on top of the line. Just like you look for high profile girlfriend or boyfriend. Whatever...

Since I dropped idea about getting new girlfriend (HA!) - took new system to my lovely machine!

Sorry if I haven't written you back - my email isn't back to fully operational YET!

I have to learn more about this new system... totally different from previous one. Interface itself is yet differed from all ever seen in the past. Do I regret doing this? NOT. Do I like the new one? Most definitely.

Though, there is few applications compatible with OS X out there... and have to wait like Photoshop Elements and GoLive. Then, my work environment will be set.

New war began today. It's sad thing to kill people... when innocent. Have half and half feeling toward this event since I really don't think all of then in Afghanistan were wrong and bad. At the same time, US cannot tolerate the terrorists responsible for recent severe damage to the Nation.

0:20+1

Went to bed SO LATE last night... like 3pm or even after that... just watching Ally McBeal's rerun on 3rd season. NOT from the DVDs I just bought.

I could cry with Ally upon Billy's unfortunate death... yep, I still could cry!

That's why I got up so late... just like usual Sunday of any weekend. Although, this Sunday was mid-day of 3-day-weekend! Should have made a difference. Failed.

Since no planned, as usual, decided to go to see some movie... especially about "Rush Hours 2" before going out dated.

My favorite? Jackie Chang or Chris Tucker?! Both, actually. However, I should enjoy more on Chris' jokes about Black people... so hilarious!

Move itself... wasn't that bad... still original first movie was definitely my pick.

Anyhow, I give a C+ for this movie. Jokes are mainly coming out of same idea from the first of series. Still enjoyable for many of folks.

Gee, please forgive me, God... took advantage of my STUDENT ID to get some bucks off from the ticket... Hahaha, I know, I am bad.

AND... for tonight, I have some little project... so let me get off the hook!

How's your weekend going?! For people in Japan, still one more day to go for fun! Those NOT on the holiday... GET BACK TO WORK!

Oh, my subway pass gets expired today... need to renew it.

20:32

Had a BIG date... with Fukui - gee, he is a guy friend!!! What was I thinking?! Anyway, it was fun day with him... and also we visited Iimura (yet another coworker) to his house!

11am or so, a little bit before noon, Fukui came nearby and picked me up. Then drove for a while to stop by Iimura's place for lunch. Since his mother opened a small meal place this month, we were (really?) invited. Got free food and that Japanese foods (home meal ---) were great! Someone, like me, don't cook home really enjoy things like that!

We ate and talked for a long time among three of us... like endlessly...

Then, Fukui and I realized that we had some mission to complete. Headed to Ginza area to check in with Bic Camera to buy memory cards for his PowerMacintosh G3 (Blue) - he bought 256MB x 2; so addition 512MB to his computer...

Of course, in purpose of running OS X!

Then went to Yodobashi Camera - another electronic department store... for me, this time. I did buy "Ally McBeal DVD Vol. 2" - $70 purchase. Yeah!

Then hit Fukui's home... for memory and OS X installation. Man, it was much later than planned... arrived in his home around 8pm!!! TOO much fun before hand.

Installing memory (512MB) - completed!

OS X - incomplete! ... due to OS 9 incompatibility? Reason unknown.

So what about my PowerBook? Ready to upgrade?!

20:19+1

"Got Milk?" - Hahaha (what?)

Yesterday's chaos... still sort going on... though, a little bit better at this moment. I was definitely on the edge about dealing with this situation. Please help! Things got better because my counterpart in Milan, Italy changed to someone else in higher position who had better "initiative." You know what I mean.

More than several appointments and kept staying touch with my boss - for the above issue with office in Italy. Man, am tired. Though, now going into 3-day-weekend! Cool!

Last even of the day - went out to dine with my very new client. Started from 6:30 or so... and done by 11pm. Certainly it was fun and very interesting in exchanging opinions in and out the work.

Those clients were amazed by my variety of gadgets... usual - no surprise. Though, I found very interesting thing:

"Mel-Tel" - Email Machine by Casio

One of clients didn't like cellular phone and didn't even have one. Instead, that lady had that in picture called "Mel-Tel" sold by Casio LONG TIME AGO--- That small machine does receive and send emails Nowadays, you cannot find anyone using that since that function is fully integrated into normal cellular phones in Japan.

Tonight's selection in place was "Calm" - restaurant serving Western Fusion. For me, it was NOT that good. Was expensive, though. I probably won't use that place for any date. Hahaha.

Move onto such FUN weekend... (I hope)

10:11+1

Leave me ALONE! Life sucks! Work sucks MORE!!!

Colleague in Milan... didn't work as I asked to... and now gone home. Called her only 10 minutes after she sent me an email saying, "Maybe tomorrow."

How funny!!!

- No shit!!!

You know what? Still like this working mode... now clock indicates 2:26am! Yep, almost 3am, Friday! And I do expect that my customer will be extremely UNHAPPY with what I am going to say "sorry sir, no rates for today." Man, I should be released (i.e. fired).

Oh boy-

Don't even know if I could go and sleep soundly or not. Probably NOT! I am sensitive man even though I am NOT popular among girls. Oh I should cut that crap for tonight... no such mood to kid about anything --- specially, about myself.

Life isn't easy, huh. Tough... especially when you depend on someone else for any reason under any circumstance. How sad!

2:29+1

Don't even know how to stop this! Keep drinking... became alcoholic from being workaholic?! Since when?! Oh boy! I need a help!!!

"Help - I need somebody... help! Just need somebody..." by Beatles.

This weekend is, again, long weekend... Monday is national holiday as "Sport Day!" Used to be always October the 10th... now 2nd Monday of October. Remember Tokyo Olympic Games?! This national holiday is named after the Game took place in Japan for the first time in the history.

Am so busy and tired... so I am really thankful about this extra day to rest. Oh yeah, I don't plan to do anything big... just thinking about resting for my health.

Started having some lower-back pain... must have typed too much.

While there 3 days - drinking every night, tonight --- I do believe that I drank most. Not hanging over tomorrow morning for sure... though, I feel like it were Friday and I wouldn't have to go to work next day! Unfortunately, I must be dreaming.

Work-wise?! Had several appointments... no good stuff out of them... business is slow for anyone since severe recession with some deflation.

I found the noise... it's construction going on in the main street nearby. Man, it's really annoying!

Good night. Oh still have to check my company email... to see some response from Italy - which I really need to take care of.

Good night, anyway.

23:47

Wow, another drink... same drinking occasion. What am I doing?! Mmmmm. Obviously, out of control... "fuera del control."

Lots of readers, especially in reading Japanese, requested me to put up a picture of Charlie Takahashi's wife... Unfortunately, I don't have one. In fact, I haven't met that happy woman who got married to such great fellow - Charlie.

Hope I can hear from him of his recent marriage. How did the wedding go, Charlie?! I wish I could have been there...

You know what? Like my friend in Mexico - Israel Morales - made a comment to me in his last message... he could read everything off the page here... how Tak is and how pretty Japanese ladies are, etc. Though, only thing that he cannot get any information about... is-

When to get a new girlfriend and when to have my own wedding...

Gee, Israel... you're so off! I even don't know how to meet Miss Right for me! In past, I did think that I had one... though, I made a mistake... big mistake.

Anyhow, it will come up - at least I hope so.

Had 3 appointments - tightened my schedule so badly... man, left lots of things unsolved... behind myself. That means I have to get busier later... like tomorrow and on. That's not the final solution for me at all... And tomorrow several dues are coming up and still have more meetings. In reality, I did schedule many new appointments for this week... and now realized that that number (of meetings) is beyond my personal capacity to handle all at a time. Made a mistake.

From last week or so, I started having my American eating habit back... eating in at McDonald's and Wendy's. Today was no exception... ate my lunch at "Mos Burger," popular Japanese hamburger place.

2 hamburgers and small "fries" that you have to ask for "Potato" at the counter for order. I keep myself to say "Potato" rather than fries... though, my mouth is so used to say that... and always DON'T make sense. Lady keeps asking me like "What?!"

Oh gee, I am STILL American or what?!

Wow! No good on SwissAir- don't you plan to go to Switzerland?!

Why in the world is outside so noisy tonight?! Under construction?! Repaving out there?!

23:33

First of all... I need to thank you for 3,830 accesses over single month in September. 3,830 hits in total... from both Japanese and English sites. 3,830 hits per month... means 127 hits per day! Way more than 100 people type in "ogaki.net" everyday! Wow!

Thank you, ya'll!!!

-Susan, Takashi, and Amy-

Good Monday, after work, was in Shinjuku for Tak. Mexican foods for tonight!!! I kept thinking of Thai food somehow. Though, turned out pretty good to eat in at Tex-Mex kind place.

"El Torito" - was the name of place.

Wow, Japanese Mexican wasn't that bad... Hahaha. I ate a lot and in addition to that, I talked a lot. I didn't know when was the last time I spoke English that much!

That was certainly nice practice. Thank for your patience listening to me all the way, Susan!

I got medical check at a local clinic --- required by my employer every year... and I was told that everything was fine... except my brain wave! I must be a little "crazy!" Hahaha. Just kidding.

23:52