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No kidding! I had a bad meeting with single client in the morning. The result was not positive at all... actually, this client company has another preference to use some other competitor for same service. How come so sudden? Because of new boss in the department. Oh boy.

Ramen noodle for lunch - at "Yotteko-ya" Ramen place

NOT really productive today. Really - many problems to deal with and headache isn't totally gone yet.

Got wrong start this morning... that's why.

Then, at the evening... refreshing time! Remember, there were 3 visitors?! Ended up in usual "Nihonbashi-tei" restaurant. Other sales staff Mori and Funabashi were also joined.

Nathan Crowford... sound familiar?! He was part of project with those ladies.

Yeah... lots of foods for Tak to be even fatter... Gee, I should watch out my diet.

Remember that Tak is still under medication!? Out of control, huh! Someone has to do mothering on Tak!

Jennifer... learned a lot about Japan and taste of Sake.

Zoe - no hesitation to try anything new to herself. Sake too!

Linda - used to Japan already and she knew what she wanted!

Boss Takashima (left) and Yoshi (right) carefully observing... Hmmmm.

Unfortunately, Nathan didn't like me to put up any photos... so no show here. Though, he seemed enjoying with us for evening.

So how many of us?! Boss Takashima, Yoshi (Ito), 3 visitors (Linda, Jennifer, and Zoe), Nathan, his boss Uematsu, Yasuko, Mori, Sakai, and Tak, - man, 12 people together. No wonder that it was fun!

I probably (or must?) have picked on Boss Takashima too much - as usual. I should watch out tomorrow morning... since some pay back is expected.

Tired. Way passed my bed time... missing some beauty sleep. Good night!

0:41+1

Tak never involves in serious business... but in entertainment. I was asked by Boss Takashima to go out with him for dinner since we were to have visitors from US.

Linda, Jennifer, and Zoe. All 3 ladies on single project dealing with Takashima.

Was Italian - pretty good! I was there because I spoke English, maybe!? Oh since I have GREAT sense of humor enough to entertain anyone?! Who knows.

Maybe it was because some courtesy from him?

See this... yesterday I was given about $1,000 for tickets - train tickets of 6 people on round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto. Takashima initially gave me $800. Then, he added $200 more since he wasn't sure that it would be enough.

Then lunch time today, I went up to train station to reserve tickets. You know what? The amount asked was way more than what I had. Whole amount, the money given as well as my own cash, wasn't still covering. It was about $1,900! Man, expensive, huh? Yep.

I ended up using my credit card... Didn't want to; I had to. Ticket counter, personnel just issued tickets and I had no way to back out. I even couldn't tell that I didn't have money. So had to use Visa.

Was that some kind of discipline from boss?! Or he wanted me to cover the balance on my own?! Neither of them... though, I ended up with funny situation. Hahaha. We should laugh.

Friend in Mexico - Israel got tickets for World Cup and he's coming to Japan again?! Really? For what game does that ticket valid?! Am I going with him?! Just curious.

Maybe after my very soon vacation to Atlanta, I should visit him in Mexico.

Anyway back to first story about having dinner with ladies from US. Was fun... and I didn't stop talking. I guess, I have done my part well. What is my part? Called "being great mascot to the public." Hahaha.

Friend Tyson in Atlanta wants me to buy Palm - Visor Platinum from Japan?! Hey, I looked around. Platinum is no longer in the market. What should I do with this?! Any other option? Let me know!

Today was last day for friend Iimura at work. Well done! Wish you very best... though, I am sure that we still maintain contact as good friends!

23:20

Work was fine... busy? Yeah, some extent. 2 appintments in southern part of Tokyo - my favorite area. One of them was having some good possibity to secure new biz... I keep my fingers crossed.

After work - was hurry to home. Arrived home at 8pm and changed quickly. Went out to restaurant Royal Host nearby. To meet friend / coworker Eto (male).

Had dinner with my neighbor (i.e. him) and kept talking... just like girls' chat. Mostly, I talked. With various topics from work, life, and GIRLS. No doubt, huh.

Ate some pasta dish and desserts - strawberries. Couldn't resist to have some SUGAR... so that I could be SWEET. Got it?! Hahaha.

Friend and ex-roommate yk110 finally contacted. COOL! Has she been married?! I don't know --- will find it out when coming up to see her in Atlanta next month.

Talking about calendar of next month... 2nd weekend - extended weekend with Monday 11th off... due to National Foundation Day. After that long weekend, my vacation is just around the corner. Will be VERY, very, extremely SHORT month for Tak!

And I still have some sales quota to make. Tough... and severe. That's how an ordinary life with paycheck goes, right?! Hahaha.

23:27

Yep, nobody can stop me anymore!!! I made a payment for tickets... to Atlanta. Yes, I am really going to Atlanta from February 21st until 27th. Just for a week... I know, that isn't too long. Though, that's best I can do for now.

And sending out lots of email messages to friends... to see how I can manage my schedule and fix up to see as many friends then. I try my best to manage all I can.

Please don't hesitate to contact me to see of my possible agenda. I just started searching who would be available to see Tak!

Easy Monday?! Well so-so. Though, my schedule for rest of week is to be very crowded. More than several appointments on each day from tomorrow on. Linda and some other are on the way to Japan from US and I have to join some meetings, as well. Too bad that Dawn won't be in that team.

Finally my American mother Janice emailed me. What a timing! I was about to tell her of my coming. Don't know she would be in Waynesville, NC, by the time I am around. Still worry about her 1st son Mac. Anyway, I will see if I can pass by to see her or not. So glad to hear from her.

Cool, I have already heard from Jay and Kack... who else and next? Cannot wait to see.

Got phone call from Amy - she's been working on some reunion setting up. That will be on 16th and I will have another exciting event, even before a big trip to US. Oh boy, my February will be very big one. Don't you see?

So exciting!!!

23:07

3 guys got together to play together?! Yep, we did.

Coworker Eto and "Keytan" and Tak got together in the afternoon... in Eto's place - apartment to be exact, and did "Play Station 2."

"Gundam DX" and "1999 Baseball at the End of Century" - mainly played. Tak wasn't that good.

Kamameshi - rice is at the bottom

Of course, we talked. 3 guys with what kind of topics?! Guess! I don't have to give up such ideas, do I?

Recently, and I'd better say "finally," my PS2 were really got to used! For a long time since its purchase, it was nothing but sitting in my apartment and occasionally played DVD's.

Anyway, nice to see those friends of mine. Talk was great. Lots of new information, too.

Thanks, guys!

23:05

2 movies entertained me for today.

"Everyone's House" - Japanese movie. Story about lifetime dream... building a house on its own. One couple decided to buy land and build their dream house with help from outsiders. A little comical.

The other one was "Wedding Planner." Yeah, hot gal - Jennifer Lopez. Was of some love story... hey, nothing wrong that single man, like myself, watched the movie home alone!

Heard of hardware trouble with friend Lindo - was staying on the phone for such a long time. Seemed finding some solution or at least way to fix the system at that time. That was good.

Otherwise, nothing pretty much done here.

Hahaha.

22:55+1

At last... pay day! (not "May Day!") In fact, it was "May Day, May Day!" as for my budget up to yesterday...

Came home early... good for Tak... to enjoy extra time at night... like watching "Ally McBeal 4" on national channel. I know, that's why this is late update.

Happened to see "Office v.X" for Macintosh with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Just went on sale! Super cool! Want one. Too expensive... compared to English version. The tag price is about $450!!! TOO darn expensive.

Wow, now here it is... reader "Penguin Tooth" claim that he/she (don't know still) was the winner of 55,555th hit in Japanese page. Wow! Congratulations!

Though, that reader inquired me if can request type of prize... the answer is NOPE. There is NO-FINANCIALLY-SUPPORTED page. Please understand.

For your information, I don't give away any costly goods as prize. It is of my courtesy, nothing further than that. If got sponsors, that would be different story.

Lunch was with friend "Orange Panda" --- it was Asian cuisine and I ate Vietnamese "PHO" soup. Man, it was pretty good... "Orange Panda" is originally from Ogaki, as well, and she's getting married a lucky man from Turkey. Should I attend their wedding taking place in Turkey this September?! I like to!

15:27+1

Just a day for telemarketing.

Still struggling how to manage new business... seems no way to get the point where many chances wait. I know, it's not that easy. What needs to be done?! Just efforts?! More?!

Skipped lunch. That busy?! Well...

Was busy --- filing and keeping notes of clients and past visits / meetings. Also all contact information was verified.

Thursday's done... and tomorrow Friday (of course) - and then another weekend with no plans. Though, I want to sleep as long as I can!!! Lack of sleep? Not just that.

Lack of girls, money, what else...

So far, no one has claimed for the prize on 55,555th hit. Lots of coworkers told me that it was way passed at the time they checked in. Man, lots of people wanted something FREE so badly, huh. What people?! Hehehe.

Wrote my American mother in NC... and sister Robyn. NO response from them. Hmmmm.

ChanKen informed me of a better deal on round trip ticket with Northwest... Sorry, I stick with Delta! Hahaha. In fact, I don't want any connection flights. Like straight - as I am straight! Haha!

Gee, Sunday - no sun and rain?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Good night.

22:40

Very difficult to smile to your customer over the phone. Almost impossible to pass that courtesy to the client. Agree?! Today, I first hand experience a way to make huge difference in business.

Since my vacation is given, I didn't wait for this weekend to determine which travel agency to call for ticket. No, I am not talking about meal tickets. Rather, talking about ticket - later changes to the boarding pass.

Anyway, my picks were among 2 companies. "Map Tour" located closest to my office. The other was "H.I.S. Japan" which was the biggest discount ticket retailer.

Last week or so, I stopped by Map Tour office... and the price was checked out. Was $580 for round tickets. So I didn't check with H.I.S. since it was okay and "go-for-it" with that deal. So I emailed a person at Map Tour yesterday; ordering the tickets. NO RESPONSE for almost all day long today. I had to call him up in early evening... confirming that he received my message and worked on it. Then, he confirmed the deal. Then, I finally got incoming email message from that person-in-charge.

You know what?! He came out with different figure without single explanation. Why?!

Then, I wrote him back with a question. NO ANSWER for a while. Again. I ran out of my patience. Then, called that young guy again. He wasn't that courteous as I hoped to be. Then, I have NO HESITATION to cancel the whole thing. He didn't mind, either.

Am sure that he would have another million customers out there to be satisfied with his service. NOT me.

Though, at the same time - this might help to spread bad reputation... not only of himself... but also of the company as a whole. Don't you agree? It's scary... but it's true.

Poor thing on him.

Then, called up H.I.S. Japan - for same tickets ordering. A guy at there was very smart and seemed extremely customer-royal. He came out with same figure as Map Tour's final one. With good explanation. Was $580 last week or so - then it was out of it this week. Had to compromise with a little more. Perfectly smooth and I agreed so instantly. Why not?! I asked him to proceed the deal.

If --- Map Tour guy could have come out more carefully with full explanation before proceeding the booking, he would be reasonably understood. Though, he quoted. Then he almost made a deal with different pricing from original quote. Maybe he never minds... but I will NEVER ask that travel agency.

You know how this goes.

I should be very careful... about how to treat customers on or off the phone. Yeah, definitely.

On Japanese page, the hit counter is now indicating 55,580 --- yep, memorial 55,555th hit is now another record of Ogaki-jin. Thanks, guys! Who won the prize then?!

22:50

Yep, my vacation, in next month, is finally granted! About time, huh? I did apply my week vacation via company's intranet... and Boss Ito approved!

He said, "Tak, didn't you use all vacation days yet?!" He was mean... not seriously, though. He just told me that I had to watch out how many paid vacation days left.

You know what?! I have never used any before. For a year and half. Bad, huh? Yeah, risked my health - don't you agree? Anyway, I enjoy this great feeling about facing a vacation.

And vacation - what will Tak do?! To be exact, where does Tak go?! Use a little imagination.

HINT: It requires a passport.

HINT 2: NOT that FREE Passport used in Disneyland! NOT even in Disneysea! Hahaha.

I should let lots of friends of my COMING (to where?). Will advise you more detail here afterward... cannot specify much more than this (specific enough, already?).

23:33

Welcome to the club!

Coworker Yasuko Funabashi bought a new Palm Vx for her digital assistance. Wow, she joins us... now 5 of us among coworkers do own Palm or Palm-compatible devices to help our poor memory! Hahaha.

Who's next?! (Come on! Don't hesitate to buy one! Hehehe)

I was wearing 3rd pair of glasses... oh yes, don't you forget about who I was?! I do own several pairs of glasses... 1st one on job, 2nd for weekend, 3rd as spare.

First two sets are at eye wear store in order to replace glasses for better sight. Since I didn't check my eyes out... for a year and half. I realized that my vision wasn't as good as that time.

That's why wearing 3rd pair. Seemed that was more acceptable than 1st one in office. Why?! I like those gold ones (i.e. 1st pair) too! Coworker Iimura told me that he wished I were sticking with these 3rd pair. Hmmmm.

Windy today... I saw lots of umbrellas got broken... so instantly... can you imagine how windy it was then?! NOT only wind... tons of rain too. Seems continuing toward tomorrow.

Business is getting tougher to get from new client... due to severe depression. Too competitive. There is a limit on price-cut. Lots of new biz out there requires much more than I could possible offer.

23:47

Woke up with ring notifying of incoming messages to my cellular phone. It was work-related and I had to start Sunday with a little work to do. Good or bad, huh?

That was taken care of quite smooth and done quicker than I thought. Not big deal then.

After that... well, it didn't go as I planned. I was thinking to go to center of Tokyo to look for some books... which aren't normally available at local bookstores. Though, I didn't go too far - just like yesterday.

Wow, cool... 007 "Goldeneye" is on TV. Totally forgot about that car chase (with tank) scene in the movie.

Talking about TV... I was actually glued to TV in this afternoon... when NHK (national channel) was broadcasting relay road race called "Ekiden." That was a competition between all states of Japan. And I found Gifu - to where Ogaki belongs - was top while 1st runner from the start. Wow, that is impressive and very unusual... often Gifu is ranked at around 20-some among 47 states. Very average. Though, this year was not same old time.

Then 2nd runner kept the same position to the 3rd... then, after that rank of Gifu changed downwards. At the end, at the goal, I mean --- Gifu managed to stay at 5th! Then went in the goal. Still great result. I was happy and proud with what they have done. Well done! Just like you would cheer for North Carolina or Georgia. Got it, huh!

Well, weekend is over. I should get some sleep and will go to bed soon after this one.

Annoying thing for today; too many junk emails to my cellular phone!!! Irritating.

22:28

Late update this time is no fault of mine! FTP - File Transfer Protocol isn't working fine and I have a trouble uploading all files.

Maybe computer itself has some bad codes and I should fix?! I will diagnose the system after this.

Anyway, this Saturday is no exception. NOT really done anything. Watching TV and playing games on Play Station 2. Man, this isn't good --- I just stay inside and don't do much outside. No shopping, no seeing friends, what else I could do?!

10:43+1

Since lots of requests wanting to see more photos, I have bee looking! Though, I don't know what you like to see... for me, more and more difficult to shoot even one because every time I look in the finder of camera and try to see what picture would be like... then I find boring. Of course, except cuties, hahaha.

Anyway, I keep trying, okay?! Don't be tough on me. Please!!!

Tokyo Sunset!

Busy day... 2 appointments up to the mid-afternoon. Then, showed up in Tokyo Big Sight to exhibit the Expo taking place this week... some of clients as well as MY TARGET CLIENTS were showing their products.

Tokyo Big Sight

Didn't realize... though, I was walking almost all afternoon after the 2nd appointment. Then I came back in the office early evening and I found that there was an invitation from a client to go out for drinks... Well, I passed and asked a colleague to go on my behalf.

Felt bad about that occasion for some drinks... though, hey, weekend is now kicking off. Not bad.

Wait a minute, I don't have much money in my pocket... neither at bank. How can I survive?!

14:07+1

"Man --- "

"With the key ---"

"To accelerate his heart."

Said by Jennifer Lopez in Subaru Legacy commercial on TV. Oh yeah, I wish I were the man.

Also, I need to have something to "accelerate my heart" - usually said as "spice up your life!" or something like that. Sort of.

Diet member Koichi Kato - being known as one of top politicians of Japan still remains in scandal since his staff was involved in corruption. He should be forced to be out of power soon? Maybe.

Today's Tak... 2 appointments. One of them was very interesting. It was first meeting with brand new prospective client. Talked about our service for TWO hours. Yeah, I did say 2 hours. Arata Yamamoto came along with me and surprised how much I had to talk. Obviously, I was very talkative at that time. I often NOT. Right?! Hehehe.

Let's change the subject -

7 years ago... January 17, 1995, huge earthquake attacked so suddenly to those who were in Kobe. Just like World War II, there are lots of people still out there surviving from having lost the old way of lives. No houses, no parents, no kids, no loved ones, no good financial status, etc.

Being troublemaker on job... up to yesterday. No longer so from today! The matter annoyed me yesterday was not part of big headache, still not completely solved but seems under control today! Definitely better!

Well, I should plan something for weekend besides playing Play Station 2!!! Hahaha.

22:31

Afternoon shower made it all chilly for this evening.

Oh big news... for Braves fans. A trade, huh. With Gary Sheffield - coming to Atlanta for coming season. This must be a huge advantage to Braves' lineup. Losing Brian Jordan won't be much affect?!

well for me, Brian wasn't one of my favorites, anyway. He was hitting .295 with 25 home runs and 97 RBIs last season?! Wow, pretty impressive. Didn't know he was that good.

Making Tak be troublemaker (again) --- some problems... that I cannot fix. It's always annoying in my head. Job-related?! Yeah. I should slow down.

Tak was appeared in Funahori, northeastern Tokyo. Meeting was okay; thereafter I took a subway train to be back to office. I fell asleep in a car... and suddenly woke up because I was afraid that I missed the station for transfer. And I got off at the station which I thought to transfer. Then, I found wrong. I took train for opposite direction since I really believed that I came too far. That was WRONG, too!!!

Man, I wasted time there... about 30 minutes or longer. Hmmmm.

Not really productive or efficiency, huh.

Lunch skipped. Supper... rice and pork. Am really watching out the diet. Though, I know I shouldn't have skipped any meals.

Received a letter from my old school in NC, Brevard College. It was a questionnaire about my current address and etc. Wow, I can register via Internet. I guess, I will do that over this weekend or so.

Two appointments for tomorrow. Maybe busier than I think? Well at least, I try NOT to be that troublemaker. Hahaha.

22:54

Give you some formula we all ought to know:

ROMANCE MATHEMATICS (this is what Tak needs to know)

Smart man + smart woman = romance <- Tak's wish!

Smart man + dumb woman = affair

Dumb man + smart woman = marriage

Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy

OFFICE ARITHMETIC

Smart boss + smart employee = profit

Smart boss + dumb employee = production <- Tak?!

Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion

Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime

SHOPPING MATH

A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.

A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need.

GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.

A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

HAPPINESS

To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little.

To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.

LONGEVITY

Married men live longer than single men. (wow!)

But married men are a lot more willing to die. (hahaha)

MEMORY

Any married man should forget his mistakes.

There's no use in two people remembering the same thing.

APPEARANCE

Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed. (Tak, too?)

Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

PROPENSITY TO CHANGE

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.

A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does. (Man...)

DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE

A woman has the last word in any argument. (Really?)

Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

COMPREHENSION

There are 2 times when a man doesn't understand a woman.

Before marriage and after marriage

HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT GETTING MARRIED

Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next."

They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

-----

Don't you have lots of stuff that you cannot disagree?! Yeah, I know-

New bank... mega bank was born today. As a result of merging between Tokai and Sanwa Bank today, the new bank is named "UFJ Bank."

U - F - J stands for "United Financial of Japan" - well, that must be easy for you... fluent in English. Though, imagine as for elders in Japan who had NEVER spoken any English for 60 or 70 years of one's life?! That must be tough... and many of them would think this name as "UFO?!" (of course, "Unidentified Flying Object").

Well, at least I don't have to suffer with this confusion... not because I am English literate but because I don't have an account with UFJ Bank.

I thought that name of company really carrying the image for itself... and bank should sound familiar to people in general... maybe, management of UFJ thought too much about future and forgot about people at large?!

So what bank for Tak?! For yen - with Mitsui Sumitomo and for dollar - with First Union Bank.

Today's Tak... was in Ebisu. No good outcome from any of meetings I had for today. That's usual.

Oh lunch was beef rice bowl... and some egg dish for supper. Man, I should watch how much to spend for meals since next pay day is still away for a while. Mmmmm.

Good night. Hope you enjoyed those equations up there.

23:12

Prince Henry has smoked marijuana last year?! President Bush was choked on pretzel and even fainted?!?!

Am sure that rest of world, in addition to President himself, didn't want to go into mess with losing leadership from US Government with just SINGLE pretzel?! Right?!

Guess, sales on pretzel will go down for a while from today on. SELL SELL SELL!

Marijuana - definitely, this incident helped Royal Family of Britain to be part of normal UK people... divorcing between Charles and Diana... and sons has some wrongdoing. Oh, it's normal people. No difference whatsoever. Hahaha. Another headache for Queen Elizabeth II, huh!

Didn't do much. Just watched TV and, as you may know by now, played on Play Station 2!

The game I bought... so great! I can play throughout nights!!! I know, I won't do that, though. Bad for eyes... and hands... and overall for myself in general besides some entertainment.

And today was "Adult" Day with celebration for those who turn 20 years old for this year... 20 years old is legal age to be recognized as an adult being able to smoke, drink, and vote.

23:15

Sunday --- still facing extra day off tomorrow. This makes a lot of differences... never mind that I slept in. Never mind that I didn't update this web page in usual timing, ever mind that I eat whatever I like and I did so...

Hahaha.

Happened to or had to go to work in early afternoon. Oh boy... very unusual and I was yet wise to have chosen so then because some urgency was taken care.

Door was suddenly opened... while I was at work. No one else should have been. Though, who found me at work place was Admin. Manager Otsuka. She came to work to check me out?! Maybe not.

"Gundam" - probably you never get a chance to know of that name. NOT Japanese. It's title of famous animation. In fact, that is one of my favorites; in addition to "Cat's Eye." And what?! Look at this:

Game "Gundam DX" for Play Station 2

Yep, I did it. I bought a game for PS2. 2nd game for myself, actually, after "Everybody's Golf 3."

And I now come to know that I was going to make my hands soared - due to heavy play on PS2!!!

And after work... got together with friend "Lindo" and went out for a movie. Not much great choice out there... and we had to compromise with "Vanilla Sky." Maybe she - Lindo - was great fan of Tom's?! I don't know.

Tom Cruise "Vanilla Sky" : C-

That movie was just like "Magnolia." Done by same Tom Cruise. A little bit difficult to see how come he was in the movie. Story wasn't that clear and interesting. Even if you were Tom's or Cameron's or Penelope's fan... still not that great to watch.

23:02+1

Just begins... long weekend.

No plans as usual... and as always. Today was nothing but just sleeping. Came home from work about midnight last night. And I had a sleep for 11 or 12 hours. No wonder that I have been wasting time for today.

Oops, I've got work to do... since hot cargo from US is STILL and unfortunately expected. I should open the other laptop (i.e. company's) to see what kind of news are in email.

What else for today?! Computer, PlayStation2, TV... and radio... I should seek other entertainment for myself.

Tomorrow I will come to Yurakucho and observe a brand new iMac in display. Cannot wait.

Oh should vacuum this apartment room. Lots of dusts. Laundry, too.

21:50

Already Friday?! That's what we feel about. Specially when a long weekend is coming.

Tak's Friday wasn't that great... but just easy. So that was okay. No appetite still, that's not good sign.

Bamian in Atlanta, Mickey in KY, and LL in AL - they are all expecting me to come to Atlanta on vacation so soon?! And they make travel coming down to Atlanta to see me?! How great!

I really should re-plan to visit Atlanta - since postponed from last December due to my American family matter. I should check with Robyn... in email to see how things around would be by now.

Today finally cleaning my teeth is done. NO bad teeth were found.

Drinking at night with boss Takashima and salesperson Funabashi. That was basically it for this Friday.

So how was the first working week?! Tough?! Easy?! Well, this year won't be that easy for new biz... just like previous year. What shall I do?! Mmmmm.

21:33+1

Getting bored in reading here?! - need more photos?!

I know- I always carry my digital camera, so you know, wherever I go. This makes my Uniqlo bag a little heavier - worth enough to make this page more interesting.

Lunch skipped. Man, morning's milk was stuck in my stomach and I didn't feel quite well. NOT sickened, though. Just lost appetite.

Had two appointments in the afternoon. 1st one was canceled due to customer was out of office... somehow. She told me in the morning over the phone that I could pass by anytime since no planning to go out. SHE DID! Other staff told me that she would come back shortly... so I decided to kill time in Starbucks Coffee just around the corner... after 30 minutes or so, I called in. She wasn't still there.

I decided to move on since next appointment was due up.

Next one - tough negotiation. I was really hard to talk that customer down to deal new biz with me. She was tough negotiator and never said yes in that meeting. Well, I will continue from here on. I cannot give this up that easily. Though, she could be my favorite customer if becoming one since she was so unique and humorous. Really.

After 6:30pm, left office for dinner with customer. Was in Nishi Funabashi. Came home late. Now bed time. Need beauty sleep...

Tomorrow is Friday and long weekend is coming up. Yes!

23:51

From today - all Saty department stores over Japan started a biggest bargain ever in history! All clothes and apparels are 80% off! Yeah, I did write... 80%! And all appliances were 50% Off! Right... 50%!

Tons of housewives rushed into those stores nearby... According to Saty, the special sales will be cut off as soon as running out of all inventory.

Well for this desperate sales from one company, there is a story behind the scene.

Saty, last year, did file the Chapter 11 - bankruptcy. And Aeon Group (including JUSCO stores) plans to help and restructure Saty Group as a part of Aeon. Before closing stores where lots of deficits are and raying people off, Aeon instructed Saty to clear all inventory whatsoever.

I just saw a clip in the news program... the bargain place is like fighting between shoppers. Man... that's ugly. Very.

And today's Tak... busy with baby-sitting. What have I been thinking?! I shouldn't have worked... I rather go to that shopping for my better life! More materialistically! Hahaha.

Hometown Ogaki - snowed again. Weather forecast tells of another 5-10 inches of snow there. Oh boy.

22:45

Man, damn it... company's laptop was at the repair shop of system's people in this all afternoon. As a result, I have a choice - either I continue to use it with mouse or we send that laptop to manufacturer.

Only problem on the laptop by NEC is - trackpad doesn't work at all. (Did I mention before?)

That's troublesome for me... who carry, if necessary, it to home or wherever to go.

I don't want to make my bag bigger and heavier with extra item - the mouse. Would you?

What happened to it anyway?! Unknown. And we are not even sure that is still fixable or not. Oh, maybe I can get a new (-er?) laptop from company?! Will see.

Thanks to this incident, I have no TOOLS... I mean, equipment to work on job. So I left work early... still after 6pm, though.

No more news from personal aspect for today. Not much busy and no new biz opportunities.

You have better heard of news from Apple... about brand new - newly redesigned iMac with cool flat panel screen!!! Wooooooooooo, I want one (again!). Of course, brand new and free software from Apple... to deal with digital images - called "iPhoto" was downloaded. Haven't used it yet. Will see how great it can be.

Lunch was at KFC... man, too oily.

Dinner... tuna salad. Healthy.

Coworker Fukui became another and additional Palm user at work! Yep, rumor was right!

22:04

Better tell you about the answer for yesterday's question. It was #1. --- "less than 2 kg (4.4 lbs)." This was much better result than expected. Really. Trust me... I was ready to acknowledge of 3kg or more from the beginning of vacation. Turned out wrong and I am happy with it. Definitely.

However, I don't count any weight concern into this year's resolution. Why?!

I don't see much about easiness to lose much weight from now. Currently 159 lbs. Don't think I can go below 150... as far as I don't get sickened or hospitalized.

Today was first day at work for year 2002. Was difficult to get used to atmosphere for serious work?! Not really. Probably up to the door at work. I was so used to be on vacation... since it was pretty long. Though, once getting seated to where I always sat all year around last year - all serious thoughts and feeling kicked in. Thereafter, no problem to move on.

And... thank goodness, some problems to fix for customers.

3 appointments... just basically say-hello or courtesy calls. Easy ones.

And I tell you what... this coming weekend will be long one due to "Adult Day." So after 5 working days, 3 days weekend will come here. NOT BAD, huh!!! :)

Fukui - coworker - will be another Palm user by tomorrow?!

Oh, Beth emailed me! Woooooo, how cool! She still works for the same company... after Fritz. Good for her. Yes, did write her back right away!!!

Good night.

23:02

Last day of new year's holiday!!! Man, already?! Yep.

Here is a question for you:

Q. How much weight has Tak gained during these holidays?!

A.

1. less than 2 kg (4.4 lbs)

2. about 3 kg (6.61 lbs)

3. about 5 kg (11 lbs)

4. more than 5 kg (+11 lbs)

Reminder - my holiday lasted for 11 days and mostly I ate and slept... nothing else much.

Anyway, for today didn't do much, no foods home, mostly I slept.

Will give you the answer tomorrow.

21:29

Moving back to Tokyo - currently. At 160 km/h or 100 Mph!!!

21:27+1

Still some snow here.

At evening, planned to be with friend - Yasunori from same high school. Turned out that I went out not only with him but also with family of his girlfriend's. Wow. What kind of combination was that?!

Anyway, it was fun --- with Kawase Family and lots of drinks...

Front: Father, Asaka, Itsuka, Mother

Rear: Ozgur (Turkish, Asaka's fiance), Yasunori (Itsuka's BF)

A little bit new experience with new friends like this. And Yasunori and I ended up staying and spending a night there... Was totally out of plan.

Yet, don't remember much about how much alcohol I had. Probably way more than what I can imagine. Don't remember much of what I talked about, also. That was pretty bad, huh.

Same pajamas... see, Tak's been drunk!

21:08+2

Tons of snow - record high volume of snow for 40 years!

Wow!

How much of snow?! About 20 inches!

Heaviest snow for past 40 years and all traffic over the region was out of control.

Thank goodness - I made a buy, ticket for Tokyo. Will catch Shinkansen Bullet Train on Saturday. In the afternoon, 1:38pm - to arrive home in Urayasu around 5pm. Pretty good plan.

Out of budget - totally. Was $150 for a luxury seat in Green Car. Yeah, I chose to buy one.

According to forecast, will STILL snow some, like more than a few more inches of snow, tomorrow.

What did I do for today?! Nothing. Stayed home - quietly. Oh worked on laptop somewhat.

Tomorrow is to be last day, on this holiday period, to stay in Ogaki!!!

21:24

Lazy day - again.

Lots of foods and sleep. That's basically it. Hahaha. And watched TV all day long. Found one thing... my brother will be unable to give me a ride back to Tokyo since was planning to play golf on his way back. Boy! That was totally unexpected. Gee... my planning isn't working.

Checked some Internet site to see seat availability. Regular seats were all sold out on this coming weekend. Then, only the choice was Green seat... special luxury car with higher fare. About $50 more, to be exact. That's about 150% of fare I paid on the way coming home. Hmmmm... that's much, isn't it?!

Mom feels much better today than last night. She was very sick.

My resolutions for this year?! Good question.

• new pair of sunglasses
• collection of all "Ally McBeal"
• (maybe) new iPod
• CD-RW drive

Oh gee, that's my shopping list of year, huh! Hehehe.

• Study (continuously) English and Spanish
• Find and make more friends
• 150%up in sales figure from previous year
• At least 25 movies to watch
• Set up a good financial foundation to create some savings, say $3,000

What else... I should plan something big... really big. No clear in my head yet.

Wow, no kidding... it's snowing outside. REALLY HARD! It will accumulate. Will take some shots tomorrow to show ya.

22:22

A Happy New Year!

Cloudy day - and I woke up a little bit late. Man, it's 2002 - new year and didn't see first dream of year yet.

New Year's meal - traditional one

Sorry, those dishes are NOT completely home-made by mother since she was so-so sick still. Though, it was great to have special meal like that. Beer or sake?! Yeah a little bit.

"Zoni" - rice cakes sit in soup === Tak's favorite

Hope this year will be turning out great for me. Am not saying like I wanted to get married within the year... however, just wanted to say that I would like to feel much better in better situation.

21:04+1