Back

I seemed enjoying myself having breakfast on Sundays. I can wake myself up early on Sundays... don't know why. I just do. And there was no exception today. Got up about 6:45am... that was even earlier than usual, normal weekdays.

So I ended up in the favorite restaurant for breakfast, Royal Host. This time, I chose Japanese style. Breakfast should be good for my daily routine... though, not yet become so. Do you want me to cook?! Well, out of question, folks.

After that, laundry was done. Some cleaning was taken care, also. What else?! Otherwise, I have done nothing really special. Stayed home, reading some books and watching TV.

Baseball season has come. Japanese league opened ahead of MLB. "Always-underdog" Tigers will never be the same for this season because of new manager?! The answer is, so far, definitely positive and two (victories) in a row, specially against Yankees-figure Tokyo Giants. Man, good for Tigers! How about my Dragons?! Forget about them this year. Won't be that good. Like already in the loosing streak.

Good breakfast and not really much for lunch. And... pizza for supper!!! Man, Tak is really American, huh?

22:59

Man, I went bed very early last night... it was still 9:30pm or so. I must have been so tired from WORK! Hahaha. Anyway, got a great sleep (still alone, though).

And I went out to see movie with a friend to Ikspiari - shopping and AMC Movie complex next to Tokyo Disneyland. What movie?! NOT "A Beautiful Mind" which opened this weekend... but long-time waited "The Load of the Rings." Man, it was long. 3 hours and still just first part of 3?! When rest of 2 will be up?!

Don't know whether I should rate that movie or not since NOT FINISHED.

Worse than Star Wars... which single episode does have some kind of finish at the end... though, the Load doesn't have at all. While, I can give another way of looking at it. This must be unique kind of entertainment... comsisted from 3 movies. If you see first one, then you can expect another one to come... so in this hope, at least I feel like wanting to see following story, I can give B-.

Lots of CGs can keep your eyes from other movies.

Garden Flower Show in the Ikspiari

10:37+1

TGIF, folks! And Tak's Friday wasn't that bad. A little relaxed for the first time in this week! I came home way earlier than any other day of this week. Left work before 7pm. Good for me!

Mmmm, veal dish. Delicious.

Tak's lunch was very unusual. I would be able to pay for something like that for sure. Yeah, thanks to my customer (to-be). I've got a free lunch (with some cerveza)!!! Shhhh, I cannot tell much to ya'll!

You must envy of me!!!

0:19+1

Staying in the fancy fashionable area - Shibuya from the morning throughout the afternoon. Yeah, definitely on business. Good news or bad news?! Well, somewhat something out there.

Hey, do not call me just for some information! Amy has called me and asked what the FIFA World Cup 2002 schedule would be like. Man, out of my knowledge! Just wanted to know who would face to who else in Korea or Japan?! Well.

"SCION" - new brand established for youngsters, huh. It's by Toyota and cool-looking cars in the line. Too bad that I cannot stay in the target range, unlikely.

Lower rates. Sounds good, huh? Not really, always. This time in particular, won't be good at all. Lowering rates... is actually of "interest rate" at the largest bank of Japan. If you deposit 10,000 dollars into single personal account at Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi... how much would you expect gaining after a year?

Just dime! Yeah, just a dime!!! Means, "You should go to bak for deposit. Deposit your money into Tak's pocket..." Hahaha. Anyway, we come to a new generation with new lower interest rate in banks soon since other banks will follow the move by Tokyo Mitsubishi.

Don't worry, Tak doesn't have any penny for saving!

TGIF!

0:30+1

Hot curry over rice... for lunch. Was $12?! Really?! Yep. After a meeting for 2 hour long with some customer, I could tell that I was exhausted physically as well as with business matter which came along with lots of tough details to make. I guess, outcome of that potential business won't come around that easy.

Do I like hardship?! No kidding. I like easy-going. What else, you think?

Still cold in temperature and rain... cold rain almost all day long. I hate going out under such messy weather. Don't you?!

Very Japanese. Meeting ( for all salespersons in the department) was begun at 6pm... yeah HAPPY "OVER-TIME" HOUR! Hahaha. Last for one hour and half. Productive?! Oh don't ask. It was about how to transfer Kuboki's accounts to rest of us upon his move to another department.

Some guy from NJ Office, US was here in our office on business trip. His name was Scott... something. Big guy.

So finally THAT meeting was over around 7:30pm and I did take care of rest for tonight. Eventually left office a little after 9pm. Oh boy, too late. Though, Kuboki offered me a dinner; so he bought me dinner... Yasuko Funabashi came with us (for what?) and she got that free dinner from him as well (why?). I taught some words in English for his very next presentation... that was why for free dinner (noodle). What for her?! Nothing! Man, that wasn't fair!

Talking back about curry over rice for lunch. Man, it was simple curry (a little hot spicy) and was expensive one. Though, taste was so good like I would like to visit that place in Jinbo-cho.

Restaurant "Perusona" in Jinbo-cho. Tel 03 3295-3578, closed Sunday

23:56

Liar liar... definitely Tak cannot keep single promise to ya'll! Didn't he said that he would intend to save for this coming fiscal month since previous month ended with deficit. It was a lie and probably no one can ever never trust him with any word for anything.

Tak was drinking!

With Kuboki (male) and another guy from Narita Office - Tomioka. How come Tomioka was in Tokyo Office from the afternoon?! For what?! Anyway, we had lots of talks about Kuboki's transfer to another department in April and remaining factors in sales force including Tak himself.

So here is a lie that he went on for drinking and spent more money than planned.

It was still 2nd day of the fiscal month. See, that's why writing as "Liar, Liar."

Ironically, I came home half sick. Almost vomi... I perhaps shouldn't go that deep. Don't know what went wrong and still something wrong with me! Hmmmmm.

And most important and remaining problem for my personal life... there was no one home to take care of me!!! See, came home alone and stay home alone... feeling so bad alone... and still writing my diary alone!

Something wrong with my life, too.

1:12+1

Finally back on line. Due to some problem in connection, my access to Internet was disabled for yesterday. Now seemed all okay. So here I am.

Monday - beginning of new week. Fresh start?! No problem hanging from previous week? Well, it was about the mixture of both. No appointments. Busy in the internal meetings.

And still I brought my laptop back home?! Yep, unfortunately. Well, I am on line here... my REGULAR access to Internet and I will back online to company's network. That's agenda for tonight here.

Pay day - thank God finally! Now I have some money in pocket. In the morning, before any withdrawal, there were a little over dollar in my wallet. No, I am NOT kidding. It was really so. Borrowed 5 bucks from coworker for lunch and finally I reached to an ATM in the late afternoon. Withdrew $300 for spending!

Being on diet... starting from today. Not only about shaping up myself in terms of controlling and watching what to eat... but also monitoring carefully about what to spend my money! Yeah, now really survival.

It suddenly got colder today... and I do almost turn heat on... Really close. Man, it's about April... right?! No coats anymore!

Not "Load of the Rings" but --- "A Beautiful Mind." Oscar went---. I haven't seen either movie... Definitely I like Halle Berry... She's in "Monster's Ball?" - that, I didn't see either. All right I will.

Good night.

21:52

Now it's time to calculate (or count?) how much left in my wallet as well as in the bank accounts... oops, let me correct - bank account (since there is only one in the world!).

You know what?! Bad performance. About 30,000 yen went over budget. That means approximately 300 dollars in deficit. Since having accumulates savings, my life is still on and to last. Though as a result, my saving is now gone (almost).

Remember the trip to Atlanta?! Definitely it was a big spending (of the year). Well, that was wasn't directory from the monthly budget. In fact, I remember...

More drinking parties than usual, frequent dine-out than average, and magazine purchase... Times, Newsweek, etc. This factor hurts my budget. I now have to think how to reduce cost without lowering my life quality. Well, that might be a little tough.

And - wrong investment?! My horse didn't come! (I mean, coming to the goal as winning whole thing!)

Well, $15 has easily gone... that quick.

Tomorrow is pay day... and new month (in terms of having new budget) starts from tomorrow. I will be careful monitoring my spending pattern to see how much improvement I can make out of.

How would you manage money stuff?!

20:53

Last weekend right before the pay day (that's 25th - Monday after this weekend) and woke up at very normal time and went out from 11am or so.

First stop... cafe in just front of Urayasu Station. Basically light lunch and reading. 4 different newspaper were checked out and ate some sandwiches. Nikkan Sports, Mainichi Newspaper, Nikkei Keizai, and Tokyo Sports - yeah 2 normal and business papers and 2 sports papers.

FYI - one of my hobbies is "newspapers."

Reading was for several hours... I finally left around 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

Went up to Ginza, my favorite hang-out place in Tokyo. JRA - for winning tickets. Yeah spent 15 bucks for my bet! That race will be around 3:30pm tomorrow (Sunday). I will hang on to my TV then!

Kirk - sounds familiar?! Yeah, one of best friends in Atlanta... recently came back to Japan due to company's decision. I got a contact to him and we decided to have dinner together - so my day wouldn't be that lonely anymore from that point.

He was at work for all day and our setup was at 8pm or so... then I came to a thought wondering how I wanted to kill time. No shopping since budget at this time won't allow myself much. You know what I mean.

So "M OOOO VIE."

Long-waiting one, "Lord of the Rings" wasn't at my convenience... so my compromising was "American Sweethearts." Yeah, Julia Roberts and Zeta-Jones were in the movie.

Tak's rating for "American Sweethearts" : C-

Gee, WRONG choice. Big mistake. You don't want to even try to see that movie.

Then finally saw Kirk and went to Kagurazaka area... where I have never been to. It was more than usual fun drinking occasion where good friends could talk for anything on and on. Will hang around with each other from now on - just like old days in Atlanta!!!

14:46+1

Everyone has plan for weekend... and I don't. I don't know how to enjoy my life?! Lack of friends?! Short money?! What else could be the factor to boost up my life?!

Worked late... and had to cancel the promise on dinner... in fact, free food and drink. My ex-boss Nishi and I were supposed to go out for dinner upon drink. Was not coming true since both of us had different problems requiring immediate action to be taken.

Compared to last weekend, this one would be easing from any hectic issues?! NOT really and I have to do all watch-out stuff. How come?! You know...

Oh there was an announcement. Coworker and Supervisor Kuboki was assigned to new position in different department. Yeah, he will be leaving us behind and pursues different objectives for company. Good for him?! Bad for him?! He is the only one can judge that.

Tak to be in new position?! Well, that should be last to happen... why? Because no one in other department never ever wants me... who is troublemaker as well as stubborn - probably most stubborn in the company?! Well, who knows?!

Anyway, I will do something to entertain myself. Oh for Sunday there is... a Grade One horse racing... "Takamatsu No Miya" Stake. Should I buy "winning" ticket?! Yeah, only winning ones. Hahaha.

0:37+1

National holiday and it was "Tak's Personal Holiday" as well. Lots of - to be precise, long sleep. No plan and stayed home.

Israel in Mexico has received a confirmation from FIFA of tickets to a game in World Cup 2002?! That is WONDERFUL! So he comes to Japan this summer. It is extremely tough to get a ticket within Japan... and lots of vendors sell their products and tickets of World Cup can be win with purchase receipt. Otherwise, no ticket booths sell any of those for World Cup.

He must be lucky or what?!

0:26+1

Somewhat busy... though all were cleared up with full of drinks at night. Yeah, drinking.

Odabi, Ishii, Kuboki, Hanaki, Funabashi, Arata Yamamoto... joined me for that and we had a fantastic fun time. Definitely it was non-stop talking went on and on.

And it was endless.

0:11+2

Haven't seen him for a while... like for a month or two. How was it?! No, that's not what I tried to say. Who was it?! Good friend or bad friend?! Did I wanted to see him like that?! Whether I liked it or not, I came to see Yoshio Iimura - ex-coworker as well as friend over a year or so.

Yeah, we ate together and talked... mostly exchanging one another's up-to-date. Neither side, no gals. So I believed in terms of having a hearing from him with my true life fact. Hahaha.

March 18th issue of "Time" Magazine just bought yesterday and I am about to finish reading all. Wow, what happened to my "slow" brain doing so hard reading all that quick?! All in English. Should have been difficult and somewhat challenging. Probably not that hard as I previously imagined?!

Must be in daydream like old school day for Tak like in college... reading so much everyday without having sensed or not of what it talked about. Compared to "Newsweek," the Time Magazine seemed be a better choice... used to be the other way around. My taste changed?! Guess so. Still British taste the "Economists" remains #1 pick of mine, however.

With Japan premium?! (yeah, Economy's term) those magazines published in English sold in limited number of bookstores even around Tokyo... and priced 8 dollars or a little more. Hmmmm, yeah I know, a little too pricey, huh. I agree.

Tak's finding for tonight... not easy to help friends in terms to be a better figure in business or to be more productive from point of view in becoming self-starting. Has Tak been so?! Oh precisely as like born to be! I sometimes envy of all female out there who can use different make-ups and charming cry methods (!) so that not difficult to win sympathy from anyone faced; plus perfect to excuse themselves from any situation within- so-called power of women's emotion. I named it.

Tak is too calm. NOT expressing much from what to think. Do you know me?!

Communication is very complex in any perspective or understanding. This makes one's life so complicated and changes from heaven to the hell and vice-versa. Sure you would agree.

0:15+1

Lots of foreign media, such as Times, Newsweek, USA Today, or the Economist, recently raised the issue about how Japan could survive from its endless debt with humongous amount of non-performing loan. Time-to-time, international pressure from other governments like UK and US is still to remain and Japan should share its direction, the way to future of the country.

Center of government, or base column of current governments coalition, has been presided by LDP or Liberal Democratic Party... and for a week or so, two big figure, politicians to be exact, have been gone out of the party due to mass opinion as well as alleged scandals in terms of corruption and policy makings.

Definitely this mood instabilizes the government power... which intends to collect and gather all ideas and carry out with single policy into one direction, toward desired future perspective. Gee, this isn't good.

Two figures in LDP - Muneo Suzuki and Koichi Kato --- definitely this is huge loss and disadvantage to LDP. Am sure that supportive poll to LDP won't be that strong anymore even under popular Prime Minister Koizumi.

I guess, now nations realize that Koizumi can be same as all predecessors. If that is to be true... then, no one would be happy with any new policy because always corruption and wrong policy making process can be there within the government. Oh boy.

Who would be next coming upstairs to be in the cabinet in bringing such dynamics into Japan's politics?! Otherwise, Japan won't change much from its politics... probably people at large have to make changes in social activism as well as controlling votes. Can you do that?! You should. Don't waste your vote and don't think for short term. That can be in vain. Carefully choosing is a must for today's politics. No more mistakes.

Wow, St. Patrick's Day?! Did I wear any green?! Don't recall much... oh yeah, my underwear was definitely green. Really? Would you like to check that out?! Probably not.

22:38

Since one pair of shoes for work was worn out last Friday... the sole was "peeled" off. I was upset! I bought for $100!!! True, I do admit that it was on sale... more than 25% discount came along with. Hey so what?! It was pretty expensive and the maximum that I could afford to at that time.

Then, it lasted for a year... that was it?! Gee, that was non-performed shoe for me! Should have lasted for more than a several years.

I guess, it is destiny that shoes get worn out easily within short term since salesperson do walk, no rides. So I bought a new pair today; definitely no intention to spend that much this time.

This is it for today!

21:24

Still working? Unfortunately.

Though, in the afternoon, in order to freshen myself up... went out for nothing. Destination? Nothing new... was Ginza. Wanted to buy Monblanc Ink for my precious fountain pan. Is 8 bucks in US... and pretty much same here.

And stopped by for this:

called "An Mitsu."

Very traditional sweets in this country. I forgot what place it was... not recalling name of the place at all. Man, really suffer from memory loss. THAT is usual.

No wonder that I am straignt into diabetes.

21:06+1

Tak had lots of homework... from different clients and he was pretty much fed up with all!!! Stayed up to 10pm in the office and so eager to clear all up before going home. In vain. Totally. Decided to go into a different routine before weekend.

Took all stuff with him and hit home... came to Urayasu; didn't go home straight, though. Did go to nearby restaurant open 24 hours instead! Why?! You can guess easily.

Yeah, continued to deal with difficulties up to... you know what?!... 2am. Yeah, in the middle of night. Way passed my bed time.

Tired?! Definitely. Need a rest? Absolutely.

This weekend... won't be that fun since most of homework seemed endless. Gee.

20:58+2

Remember that it was St. Valentine's Day a month ago from today?! Yeah, it was. And for what now?! - Remember, it is White Day-

What white?! Hmmmm. In Japan, unlike in US, women give presents to men. Mostly, chocolates. Now time to give something in return.

What in the hell are they?!

They are different kinds of Japanese sweets... just like me, hahaha. They are all made out of rice, main grain of our cuisine in Japan. Were they what those ladies in the department would like to have while working hard or hardly working?! (whichever true or not...) Sure! Since it was my selection!!!

No one can refuse me! Seemed they were pretty popular... in fact, I had some, too.

Question?! How come "White?" - Mmmm, don't know. Really. I should ask others tomorrow and let you know.

Work for today... oh same old sh...

Sorry for those who were waiting for some stuff from Tokyo Office in Narita! It was all my fault to forget to send some stuff for this White Day... my fault. Just forgot. I will make it up to them, really.

Finally, it has come... almost weekend!

Wow, the Wal-Mart Super Stores are finally ready to come to Japan's market, huh. According to the news for this evening, Wal-Mart will come to acquire the No. 4 retail store in Japan, "Seiyu," with some long term option. Costs Wal-Mart about 50 million dollars.

FYI - there is no Wal-Mart stores yet in Japan. Neither K-Mart. And there is Costco. Got it?!

23:55

Busy and... lots of stress that's killing me! I need to take another vacation already! Was okay in the morning... some phone calls claiming me to fix some services - no problem. Though later today, things got more and more complicated and more issues to rise to the surface. Oh boy!

Tak with full of troubles! And gal from other department came up to me for a favor... calling up the manager in Soul, Korea to confirm some urgent issues. She couldn't speak English THAT well. I could have declined... I really could. Man, I was TOO NICE! Since it was a girl?! I guess... Hahaha!

NOT REALLY TRUE! I am always nice to ANYONE, folks! Don't get me wrong!

In the afternoon, from 3 pm to be exact, I got the Annual Interview by the management. Better say "annual review."

Was it good?! Bad?! Nope... it was pretty long! Other people got done within 30 minutes or so... How about mine?! Well, way beyond an hour... almost two!

After that meeting, I had to face lots of (additional) problems about from Seattle, Atlanta, Seoul, where else...

Gee, I need to get drunk! At least some drinks!

Well, Thursday and Friday... two more to go. Folks, you too take things easy out there, okay!

You know what?! I brought all homework back home. After uploading this update to the Internet, I will be back in business! Good or bad?! Well, that means a lack of sleep for tomorrow. Ha!

21:36

Temperature at 70's... pretty darn warm! Kinda hot depending on what you do... walking?! Just standing?! Or maybe you are in the middle of crowd in the train for commuting.

Some sweats.

If this kind of climate stay steady... then all cherry blossoms come to us earlier than the average year! Well, at least that is the expectation mentioned by some weather forecast. Oh boy!

That means we have to have our "Spring Fest" with full of drinks earlier than usual?! Yeah, maybe.

New Sony Clie to come out with, now, keyboard?! Man, the size is rather bigger! And camera integrated?! Man, whole new concept. Would I want one?! Sure - only when you give me for free!

Tak's Tuesday - started very early... left the office right after 9am... and had three places checked out by noon. Man, definitely I was in hurry... yup, I was.

On one of three, the result wasn't that bad... at least some favorable.

In the afternoon... another three appointments to make up. Gee... at the late afternoon, I was about to be "beat." No doubt.

Another good thing... there - and that, I cannot share with you here. Hahaha.

So for today, Gotanba - Harajuku - Omotesando; this was how I took my way to. Best shopping area in Harajuku and Omotesando... and I was on job?! Hmmm.

Stock market rests for today, huh. That's okay. Though, 300 points down.

Also, I had to stop by a bank to exchange some Yen for Australian Dollars... for boss' favor.

Anyway, I was doing something... without stopping or resting. Must be great for my diet! After the vacation to America, lots of friends point out that I gained some. Oh, let's not talk about it. Leave me alone! I will, I will, I will get some exercise... when I get a chance!

23:08

New week starting on Monday... and new story... new hectic issues. Oh you know who I saw?! It was Steve on the biz trip to Japan. Nice to see him again... Wait, how often does he makes trips to Japan?! At least this is the 3rd time... from what I remember.

Wow... biz trip overseas... must be nice! How about Tak... spent his own money for vacation and, part of it he had to spend for some biz issue. What is wrong with that picture?! Hahaha.

He stays in the Imperial Hotel... Mmmm.

Asked me how I was... then had to ask him which part of my life he asked me about... personal life or business life. Of course, I talked to him for both matters... and always the same question to come last. "Do you have girlfriend yet?!"

Oh gee, that... that I don't have a single answer.

Tomorrow will be much busier... have to go to 5 different places to get some businesses done. No fun?! All so serious?! What do you think?! Well, I don't give up that much detail for ya... kinda secret.

Dinner was in Monzen Nakacho - the area I haven't really checked around. Seemed good place to hang around. I should go there for some weekend to see more; didn't have time for tonight to do all.

Dinner... was Chinese.

Japanese version of "Ogaki-jin" has hit another record... 60,000th hit!!! Marked by coworker Kono (female) - she's been so excited about getting some prize that I made promise to give. She's turned in her proof already... well prepared. What shall I give her as the winning prize?!

Thank you for your time reading this page... everyday!

23:34

Very sunny and warm... at least I felt so. Contrary to the fine weather outside, I was very domestic. Why?! Well, remember of my trip to Atlanta?! My monthly spending money is not cut down quite bit and couldn't afford much to do outing or some fine leisure. So I stayed in.

Checking lots of news sites as well as stock markets options. Very interesting work I did. No horse racing result checked out. Some baseball on TV.

For dinner, went out finally and gathered with a friend - usual guy Eto and me in another usual place Royal Host Restaurant. Very productive time for both of us... talking about from business to personal.

Same question for him from me... when to get married. Too long holding onto the same gal!!! Hahaha.

Movie "Lord of the Rings" - which I try to check out - probably next weekend!

Got good news from friend... Kazuma informed me that he was accepted as for Ph.D. candidate to NY State University. Congratulations!

23:28

Nothing really happened since nothing done for today. Except sleeping. Lots of it. Since I came home very late... to be exactly, it was a little after 3pm. Man, that party (last night's) was really great, then. Don't you think?!

Eating in Chinese restaurant and Karaoke after. How much was it for all?! Don't know yet. My part will be paid next week.

I got up upon a phone call... was from Atlanta on job. Was 10am and discussed some biz issue seriously. After that, I was thinking to do something... and compromised to go to bed again. Zzzzz. No wonder that I didn't do anything.

Tomorrow I will be active. At least try to enjoy myself.

0:39+1

Work is work... and still in chaos.

Though after work, there was a little, probably more than that, entertainment for the whole department. Since we have new staff joined recently for already two weeks or so - we went out for party. Almost endlessly the fan was around for me.

Main Guest: Saito (left) and "extra" Funabashi

Tak, Okada, Shinsuke Ito in left picture. Kaori and Mochizuki in right.

Yoshi & Boss Takashima: Takezaki, Yui, Kono, and Mori.

Ishii "the daughter" and Kono (again)

Who was taking socks and shoes off?! Stinky barefoot! Hahaha.

0:18+2

Too many international calls and conference calls... oh boy, I was really working!

And the day was closing with an email back and forth with counterpart fellow in Barcelona, Spain. That guy was surprised that I wrote back to him in Spanish. Oh good for me - that I still remember how to use that language... at least a little.

My day was tight with lots of duties... lots of assignments given and I was just eager to catch all up. And eventually, I came home quite late... just got here around 11:30pm.

About time for bed.

About time for rest and weekend! Hahaha.

And tomorrow, my department is to throw a party on welcoming some new staff. So I will be having fun! At least I try my best for stress relief!

Well, you too party on!

0:23+1

Having interesting meetings with 2 different clients for today. Tired and matters made me even more tired since complex issues - that needed to be taken care immediately.

Demanding customers are least welcome... I would take anything within certain range of requesting ones... though out of reach - beyond usual control in things, THAT will be whole different issue.

For this week, I don't sleep much and I go to bed late. That's something causing this fatigue.

Certainly, reading is still on and you know what?! I was looking for the "Economists" - which, of course, published in English and I had tough time to find it. I want this week's issue. I don't even know how much it costs in Japan... should be somewhere around $10!

I don't mind to invest that money for my further knowledge!!!

Anger over steel - "Safe Guard" that US Government made an announcement to take advantage of. I thought that America was country of freedom... now I think that the freedom US defines as the its people's interest... or business. Nothing like the general idea as freedom FOR ANYONE.

Well, I just read an article on Economist.co.uk about Bush Administration's decisive action. Interesting enough, he was nailing down about intending to win the Mid-Term Election over Penn State and West Virginia in November... Hmmmm, he and his team now risks this with international criticism from such trade issues. Of course, Japan and some European nations will appeal this to World Trade Organization sooner or later.

This is to be interesting.

0:34+1

Mac (right) has passed away... gone to heaven just before us.

Deceased in cancer at 12:30am, March 3rd.

38 years old... too young - so difficult to see this.

Mac, we have known for 10 years...

Very sad and I will miss him, just like my own brother.

Thank you and farewell.

Last time I saw him was Robyn's wedding in year 2000 -

Mac on Harley Davidson - was cool motorist.

Just found another picture from 1998 Album; with Mom (his mother) and his son.

Amen.

23:36

Tired... very much so. Difficult Monday! Leave me alone!

Problems to take care of... and I spent entire day just for doing that. Really.

No appointments and no good news to tell ya.

Zzzzz.

23:00

Man in mystery... after tons of sleep from last night, I got up so early... really like at 6am. Hit shower already around 7:30am. Laundry was started 8:30am and I went nearby restaurant "Royal Host" for breakfast.

With laptop and some magazine... read company's emails and checked some articles in magazines... man, making me be smarter. Good for me.

Laundry was done by 10:30am and after that... it was all free time! How organized!

I don't remember of any weekend I have spent like that smooth and hard working from early morning. Hmmm... what happened to me after the trip?! Just I hit the wrong button?! Or what?!

No movies... no shopping...

Well, I have not much to tell ya. I should hit the sack to be ready for new week. I really should.

How's it going for your weekend?! A little bit colder tonight in Tokyo... how about your place?! Any chill?

Oh need to tell you this - which I am happy about:

October '01 - $170

November '01 - $80

December '01 - $75

January '02 - $70

February '02 - $58

See, I have been succeeded about reducing usage of my cellular phone... only the connection to outside from home besides Internet. Man, I should keep maintain February level from next month on.

23:51

Being tired from all about the trip to America?!

Did stay in Futon (i.e. bad) until 6pm... yeah, I was in the bed all day long. Practically all day. Why?! I just could sleep and I did!

No plan for this weekend... and you know what? I cannot plan to do anything big for a while... from now on. My budget has been deeply hurt since the trip expense was main concern for that moment. Otherwise, I couldn't make that trip. Anyway after the trip, I should stay quiet and try not to spend any extra pennies.

Reading the "Economist" (Feb 23 - Mar 1, 2002) - interest report on Zimbabwe about its presidential election.

9:37+1

Confirmed that my desk was still there.

Affirmative that I still did have a job. Same job. Probably no one else wanted it!

Busy?! Yeah, a little. Did download all unread emails into my laptop yesterday, so my startup for recovery was smooth and trouble-free. That was smart.

Lots of problems... while being away. Yeah always bad things come up while not being there. You know, it happens... always does. So next week's schedule now seems a little crowded. Though, I am the only solution for all of them... and I have to take care of all that as my job! Right?! Ha!

Full of photos in my digital camera - not only those put up here, on the web, but more. So I should clear all up and move all of them into storage.

What I learned while stay in US?! Lack of reading. I should read more than learn more. I think I had been lay back and relaxed on personal side. I mean, outside the job. I should learn more from many different materials and those materials are often from books - magazines, thick dictionary-like books, or whatever.

Time is money... information too!

9:30+2