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Wow, already end of May - and this month seemed going by so quickly... probably faster than other usual months. Anyway, as an end, the weekend is coming up and that's not bad to feel new about starting another month.

How was I in May?! Lots of struggles around... after the long time off called Golden Week. Some financial pain... from computer hardware and software. What about work?! Not much progress. Bad?! Well, I shouldn't care more since not much raise for me. Hahaha.

End of working weekday, all three salespersons in the department, Mori (male boss), Funabashi (female), and I myself went out for some talk after work. Since we were the last people to leave the office for the day. Ramen noodles... they are what Mori bought for us. Then went up for coffee. We chat from about work to something personal... like my date the other day. Mori said he wanted to meet her and would tell her that she should reconsider whom she dealt with... upon giving her all facts of mine... who has very unique way of life. Yeah right!

Just indulge my intelligence! Hahaha.

This weekend, friend from Mexico is to arrive. Place to stay for him?! My place. My little... freaking cozy (not really cozy at all) room here!!! I am so sure that he would be very surprised how small this place was. I will bring up all his days in Japan from Sunday on. Gee, I have to go to Narita (Airport) to pick him up. He doesn't know how far from Tokyo area.

World Cup - now opens! And French people were upset... am sure that shocking loss in the opening game. With Zidan, could have been a whole different game?! Hey, suck it up! Face reality... he couldn't play anyway.

0:35+2

Hello, all my friends! Yeah I was busy with client... through tonight. No wonder I came home so sleepy... just like everyday this week! Hmmmm, definitely I am accumulating fatigue around. Quite fast and need to sleep like forever.

Anyway, tonight's destination - was Ginza once again. Yeah same as last night!!!

Though, same place with different story. The place we went was serving some unique Japanese from some area called "Kaga" region. Different taste and still unique and beautiful! Very expensive, too.

"Chibu-ni" - main Kaga Cooking dish.

Definitely it was fine dining... thank God, it was about the job... where all financial supports were previously approved. Otherwise, I would have never got to this kind of fancy place - better say, gorgeous place.

As a result, the two people from client company were quite satisfied. That matters.

Man, still tired and need to go to bed NOW.

Zzzzzzz.

0:08+1

2 more days... yeah, just 2 more days. Are we ready?! I think so... hope so! Hahaha.

Someone came to visit my homepage just at 66,666th hit! Wow, congratulations! (whoever won this) At the same time, some other emailed me and he just missed it by one... and asked me if he could get some award even though he missed.

Hmmmm.

You know what?! Prizes on 55,555 and 60,000 hits are NOT YET given. Yes, my fault. My bad.

For these prize winners... they are all female! Something changed to what kind of readers they are?!

Came home late. Now passed midnight. Drinks for tonight?! Yes - more than a little. Job-related. Oh gee, tomorrow night too! Man, that isn't healthy for me.

Tired. Late. Sleepy. --- Good night!

0:33+1

Sorry for no update yesterday. Was busy for some drinks with Takashi came back in town on biz, Kazuma, and Amy in Shinjuku. Yeah, drinking with lots of laughs and bad jokes... oh that was my part!

^{Takashi, Kazuma, and Amy!}

Went out to eat first... that was unique Japanese and then moved on to coffee shop to finish talk. Takashi who went to Nagoya for a new job seemed quite satisfied with new environment. That is wonderful! Glad and happy for him. Kazuma - we came to find that he did hide the fact that he had a girlfriend. Hey! What is friend?! (of course to share all details so that we can gossip! Hehehe) And Amy - who cannot wait for her very excitement... wedding in July!

How about Tak?! No such news... poor thing. Yeah, very much so.

Job yesterday and today?! Just needs a word to describe it all... SUCKS!

And today's update...

Ramen Noodles by "Santoka" - new favorite of mine?! 800 yen.

Received an email from some fellow in US... expected to visit Ogaki?! Great! Definitely I will help for any kind of information to give. As much as I could. His name is Bob. Welcome, man!

Oh, buddy from Mexico - Israel is to be about on his way to Tokyo. Is he really coming to see World Cup?! Or just gal hunting?! Both?! Hmmmm.

23:53

Boring Sunday --- not really done much.

Oh just watched Japanese movie, "Platonic Sex." NOT porn, moron! It was biography of some actress who took different way to get famous in Japan. Well, that was okay. I returned that rental DVD right after watching it.

On TV - Formula One in Monaco - live. Wow, I haven't seen any car racing much for a while... more precisely very long time. Man, I don't care much about how fast a car can go - but I care about how beautiful Monaco is! So beautiful and I love to go there.

I know, that country is very rich and expensive. That many (rich) people own that many (fancy and large) yachts? Not fair, huh.

Weekend is over... very quickly and seemed nothing for this weekend. At least I had some good sleep? Not really. I had nightmare Saturday. What about it? There was a friend in the past - didn't have a good life and wanted me to help about it. Complicated. Though, I didn't like what I saw in the dream.

Oh also... it was the Japan Derby. Yeah big one. Did I bet any? Nope. I passed... currently intend not to involve in any gamble due to poor financial status of mine!

Some fun this weekend? Hmmmmm, not quite.

23:27

Funny story - but still true.

I've got a call from Quick Garage - Macintosh on-site Repair Shop - that it had received a parts to fix my DVD drive. So I showed up... in the middle of afternoon. Located in Akihabara. It was about 3pm or a little after.

There were 3 engineers on site... working on some repairs. One of them got some confused face against two people... who brought their PowerBook G4 to fix. I found why right away. They were not speaking Japanese at all.

"Need some translation?!" - I said.

Those who brought a computer were foreigner. One of them, a young lady, faced up toward myself and said, "Oh thank God, please!!!"

And this became the beginning of some story for the day!

They were from Australia and Holly Ann (female) and Adam (male). They were on working holiday in Japan and both work some Internet-related. They really don't speak Japanese a bit. So I had to do all for them... What happened to their neat laptop? Boyfriend (Adam) spit coffee over the keyboard - that computer was Holly Ann's. Well, Adam had his own PowerBook G4 as well. Wow, nice.

Since the coffee made computer not boot up anymore and they were desperate since computer is primary function of work.

The couple really thanked me much and happily left the place after finding that data would be okay and to be repaired in a week or so.

Well, time passed so quickly and my waiting time was all for translation! So my turn was up right after it.

Those engineers were telling me how much I was appreciated and what a perfect timing I just showed up. They told me that they needed someone doing so since more and more foreign customers coming in. Well, don't even think about calling me for help!

We were chatting and talking about possibility that any more to show up... and it did!

There was a guy - brought in his PowerBook G3. Man, everyone in that place really laughed because of what we talked was just happening. No kidding.

The guy was from France... and his problem was easy to be fixed... complete even before mine! His name was Vincent.

So I made all others including those shop people so happy... and my PowerBook was supposed to be fixed. Then, it could be happy ending. It was NOT. It didn't even come close to! What happened was that repair parts was defect and they had to exchange that for one in good condition. It will take another week or so... They felt really sorry for me.

Well, I wasn't upset... this really became funny story... and yet TRUE! What a day!

23:35

Pay Day! Yeah it was today since 25th of the month in May is in weekend. And prolonged review (from last month or so) for the year, means raise, was reflected to the pay from this month.

Did I get raised? Very little. Just some. Am I happy about it? Well, it's mixed feeling.

I have to think... am I really good part of organization?! Counted me as valuable asset to the organization? What I have done is enough as to be appreciated with money? Or maybe, the management think that I would have done much more?! Hmmmm.

You never know the truth.

23:19+1

Aha! Now you really come around... lots of readers really spent their time to read yesterday's update. Why?! Because of that date! Man, that's what you really want to know... whom I am dealing with.

Lots of questions are here... who? how old? how did I get to know her? Japanese?! Alien? (hahaha) - so on.

For your information, she is just friend of mine. Okay?!

Funny thing... she herself knows here... and reads. Hahaha.

Notably, this became a story in the office... I believe that now it's all over the place! Some people even mentioned that it had became rumor even before yesterday when I put up some information about date. Wow, who is really sneaking around of myself?! I should really watch out! You too!

Coworker Sato (female) told me that I should've gone to Italian restaurant, instead of Indian. She said that I wasn't ordinary guy choosing such place for 1st date. I think it's very typical here in Japan... though, hey, that isn't my knowledge.

Had weird day and it wasn't that great for me. Some client isn't that favorable for me... with no good understanding. Lots of criticism about how to carry out business negotiations maybe? Yep, of course. There are some points that I felt back and I could've done much better than did.

Don't get me wrong! If you're reader and current existing customer of mine, you're not what I mentioned! All who know of this website and hold status of "client" to me - you're NOT my enemy! I guess, I really have to come down to the earth to see broad vision about different people with diversified characters... some are not good to anyone. Just like that.

Well, today's happening really pissed me off. Hard work for that client isn't anything after all and really shocked me. Disappointed me. I don't know how I could ask people in the office to do hard for my client. Hmmmm.

22:44

Came home late... and now it's after midnight?! Hmmmm... didn't plan to come home this late. Anyway, it was busy day with hectic agenda! Some customer gave me very interesting information about comparing rates. I learned something new today.

Left office for appointments around 10 am and didn't return to the office at all. Yeah, too many thing really happened. Nihonbashi - then, Toritsu Daigaku area, and Hiyoshi, Yokohama area. Was late to the date!

Yeah, tonight I had a big date. Well, I didn't raise my expectation much since it must be difficult to find Miss Right... anyway, I just gave a chance. She was cute.

Wanted to go to a fancy Japanese place for dinner... though, the place was packed! Why no reservation? They didn't take. So what then? Ended up in Indian restaurant in Ginza. Spent quite amount of time... from 7:40 or 7:50 until 9:45 - wow, about two hours in a same place?! I guess, serving was just damn slow!

Yeah, I paid all.

After the dinner, it was already late... but we wanted to have some coffee and maybe some desserts. So stopped by another place for coffee.

Of course, I paid all, again.

Talked about family, dog, movies, my life in US, what else... too many to remember. It was fun for me. I don't know how she felt about it. Did I get to know her well? Hmmmm, I guess, I did take most part of it... like I was talking. So more information to give ... rather than "given." Was she shy?!

Oh gee - I still have to work some before going to bed!!!

0:47+1

Started a day today in the Baraki Office. Yeah, serious meeting with some client. Was turned out good?! Well, there was no result... all pending. Kind half way done... so I have to gather more information to prepare next meeting with same client.

You know what? Tuesday morning is always deadline to turn in the report / request for reimbursement. And I have been missing doing this for three weeks. How much does the company owe me?!

I have to (seriously) calculate how much that would be... I know, it's more than $100. That is indeed hurting my current budget!

Came home about 9 o'clock.

Well, bad economy in Japan seems still going on. Today - one of the best country clubs (i.e. golf courses) filed the chapter 11 today. That is really surprising. That is big deal! Called Kawana Golf Club. Play fee is really high, highest! Man...

Ally McBeal closed out everything last night. Final episode fo the series --- not that fun anymore?! Maybe not... since almost all original characters of the Ally were gone before the final episode. Well in Japan's broadcasting, Ally McBeal is at now going through 4th season. So one more series to go still.

Xbox gets a huge discount from tomorrow. $100 less from tomorrow on?! Really? Man, still the road to beat Sony PlayStation 2 isn't that flat. $100 less - still very attractive for serious gamers!

Some new people in the office?! Yeah, heard about there are two people - new. NOT young people and male. Definitely out of my sight. Hahaha.

21:46

Hello, folks! The start of new week wasn't really from the office. Did I skip going in? Sort of. Well in fact, met Boss Takashima in Tokyo Station and took an express train for O-ami. That's still in Chiba Prefecture. Far away? Sort of. Took about an hour. Different start (of a week), huh!

It was about some facility tour in client's site. Was it interesting?! So-so.

When coming back from that field trip, it was already 3pm! Then another appointment to make up right away! Hahaha, pretty busy, huh!

Rain... on and off... pretty much all day long. Man, I don't like this way... when I don't know if I should take umbrella with me or not.

Boss Ito is now decided to participate in half marathon?! With some other coworkers from the office?! What are they thinking?! Ito told me that we both were fat and should get some exercise. Wow, I don't want to be in the same category as he is in!!! Leave me alone, will ya! I am a little chubby and cute!!! (please agree!)

Team Cameroon isn't on the way to Japan for World Cup yet?! The team was scheduled to arrive today... and didn't show up! Hahaha. The media have really set this as headline. You know what happened? Just the charter jet got a problem in Paris and the Team had to stop over. That's interesting.

Still I don't hear from Quick Garage about parts for laptop. Gee.

So how did you like Episode II? After that... 007 movie "Die Another Day" is due in November... that's far ahead!

Takashi who recently moved to Nagoya will be back in town for biz - and Amy joins him for dinner next week. Me, too? Why not! Okay, that is to be next Monday, right? Yeah, I write it down.

22:51

Finally, I saw the "Spider-man" movie. Yeah, really.

Good movie or not? Well, at least it was entertaining. I liked it... even though the story wasn't that difficult. I guess, it was a little driven to get easily popularity?! I think so.

Oh, I didn't mind much about lots of mistakes pointed out through the movie... as lots of famous websites pointed out.

I rate this movie as A-. Not bad for fun.

I guess, people in US now forget about him.... and all about Episode II, right?! Yeah, I cannot wait 7/13!

Now watching "The Tailor of Panama" - pretty interesting. You might like this complication. Between what is real and unreal. I like it. Have you seen this movie?!

Today's meals for Tak - NOT Ramen noodles - McDonald's stuff, either --- but some chicken thing from KFC! Hahaha. Still not healthy much. Hmmmm.

23:48

Rain.... still remains. This week, we had lots of rain and that, I think, was enough... don't disturb any weekend with messy weather! Well, thank God, rain stopped in early afternoon and, after that, it was cloudy and little chilly.

You must have heard about Ralph Loren - or shortened as RL. It was big sales going on. Was I looking forward to going there to grab something to wear so that I would look GQ?! Well, I just happened to be near the location.

Man, lots of people. Did I buy any? What would you think of someone who has been broke for 25 decades! Oh gee, I was just looking around... to be honest, looking at those females so busy seeking whatever...

Lots of women out there... too many and I don't have any pick. Something wrong in that picture?! Hahaha. Just kidding.

All Japan members for FIFA World Cup are determined. Yeah, we are now ready for the Cup!

Friend Foyer is up in NYC and Charlie and Foyer are about to see each other?! I would like to join ya'll there! Hey, I should plan to go to NYC to walk and shop on the 5th!!!

0:46+1

Folks, I am definitely working late. Very late. Since a guy from Nagoya was in town... yeah, "back" in town - precisely. It was Kiguchi who used to sit next to myself. He had some biz meetings in Tokyo and I went up to see him for one client together. - Turned out that I ended up having dinner with couple of drinks with him after work - before coming home.

Then, it was about 11 o'clock or even after that... though, there were several concerns overseas... particularly in Atlanta and Chicago. I couldn't stay far from company's laptop. I know, nothing is really new here.

Well, tonight emailing wasn't enough. Had to call up Dawn for a talk. Glad that that phone call became wake-up one and seemed things were moving as supposed to. Thank God! Would you define all as that I am working hard?! Hard enough?!

While having lunch with Kiguchi after the 1st appointment in Nihonbashi, we found and stopped by a place. DeLonghi Espresso Bar. Yeah, it was pretty good! I usually don't have much of espresso... cappuccino is mine. Though, I had double espresso... wow, it was pretty good! Man, I should have more sometime soon.

I thought that there was another cafe - Vietnamese Cafe in Roppongi. I should check it out. In fact, I haven't been to Roppongi - ever!

Translation crap?! Seemed I was really out of it. I would like to confirm so!

Well, this weekend is going to be calm... I want to make it so. Relaxing... easy time for me. So I can rest. I need to. Please understand... and leave me alone! No pity party for me.

Let's have a good weekend!

0:30+2

Big discussion about whether I should do that translation job or not. So far, all people responded to me said that I would be able to take such a huge responsibility... and I would have to take full liability if I did.

Remember, that is NOT paid-job at all. So I shouldn't, huh!

Busy with some issues to solve in the office... while in the morning. Then decided to take fresh air in... and went out to Ebisu to see some client. I was thinking about it would rain... though, thank God, it didn't.

Funny thing... I did take wrong train. I ended up to wrong station and I realized late. Man, I was almost late to the appointment.

Heard from friend in Mexico --- Israel is about to come here. Wow! He comes to see all games with Mexico?! Wow!

Another (finally 1st) date has been fixed?! Yep. Lots of friends have asked me "so when would be the next?!" Yeah, they are the ones having pushed me so much. And I did it. Are you now relieved?! Hahaha.

How do I feel?! Much better?! Not quite yet. Not much appetite and some pain in lower back. Gee, sounds like I am OLD. Hey, I am STILL young!

In Hamamatsu Station (on the way to Ebisu) my ex-Boss Nishi (Nishigaya) found me in the same place and we had some chat for seconds. I haven't seen him for months - even though we work in buildings in almost same area. Glad to see him - though, he looked so tired... must be working a lot.

Forgot to mention, (current) big Boss Takashima came back from the biz trip to US. He now suffers from jet lug. He yawned a lot while the day time! Hahaha. He should "yarn" about the trip, too!

Star Wars Episode II is now open in US!!! Very envious of ya'll!!! I want to see SOOOOON. Are you fake sick for the way to theater?! Hahaha. I would?! What you think?

Well, just Friday to go!

22:00

Feel better?! A little bit. Thanks for asking... I have received several emails concerning how I was. Yeah, those really made my day. I am quite happy with those who still care about me. I usually don't feel much that way since I don't have anyone really close to myself. I know, it's my fault.

Darling sister Robyn emailed me back... really quick. Wow, impressed. She was concerned about my personal life... particularly about the date being canceled the other day. I should fix that to make up right away?! Wow, she really taught me a lesson?! I guess, I should listen to someone can really give me any lecture on any subject.

Yeah, I need to learn more --- about female species. Hahaha - very complicated, don't you agree?!

I can fall in sleep anywhere... like I am dying. In train to anywhere... no matter short or long that ride would be. I straight went to client's place in the morning... that was my start for the day. And had another meeting in the afternoon. Arrived at office for the first time today and was about almost 4 o'clock. Then, I came to find that things on my desk were quite messy... lots of problems!

NO calls from the QuickGarage about final repair plan of my PowerBook.

"Lara Croft; Tomb Raider" was safely returned to rental place. Did I like it?! I didn't pay much attention! Hahaha.

My Dragons (pro-baseball team) really kicking ass of others in the league and seemed ready to go up in the standing?! Yeah, really they are!

How about catching a cold?! Since started taking medication early enough, I think I really don't have to go into sick period. Although, I should be careful.

50-page translation thing?! I have been procrastinating... due to complex content. It is about the purchase agreement... deals with more than million dollars in cash! I shouldn't take that much responsibility... about translating such delicate factors and difficult premises. Don't you agree?! I don't think you would point a finger at my back.

Still tired.

22:14

Finally I responded some emails that I didn't reply for a while. Sorry, folks. Do I feel better today?! Not that well. Still having problems and my tone is rather down. Hope something making happy will soon come up.

Busy in the morning with some client. And made to office about lunch time. I sort had brunch type thing and well, it was pretty light. Some kind of new diet?! You can say that way.

I should've eaten something better than that... in order to make myself feel much better. I know.

"Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" is my company for tonight. That is due Thursday?! I have to finish it tonight then.

How about 50-page translation thing?! Any in progress?! I wish. If I were in much better shape by now, I would have done more than a few pages. Yet - unfortunately, I read some pages to see what kind of content is. Otherwise, nothing major really done yet.

How about re-scheduling the big date?! I should, don't you think? I have been procrastinating somehow. You know me, I am shy.

My PowerBook which was repaired the other day with payment of $500 or more... seemed having the same problem. DVD movie decoding. This time, in addition to last time's CPU exchanged, motherboard (main circuit board) needs to be replaced. How about DVD/CD-ROM drive in the expansion bay? That should be another option to fix the problem.

Cost?! Oh well, I don't want to think much about it. Maybe I can buy brand new PowerBook G4 by then.

Do I like Angelina Jolie? Well, I don't find her much as like sexy. Prefer Jelo (Jennifer Lopez) to Angelina. Don't you agree? Yeah, I used to be a big fan of Jelo's.

What other movies being rented?! "The Tailor of Panama" - hope this to be "thumbs up!" Since one of favorite actors of mine... same guy in 007 movies! I somehow missed that movie while in theater. My fault!

Am I going to have wireless Internet access in here home?! Some people have speculated so. Might be, might be not. There will be another big investment if that happens. Airport Station (called AirMac in Japan) as well as PC card receiver cost about $400 in total here. Remember that I had spent $500 for some repair?!

There was a mini-soccer tournament for fun this weekend... and I was asked to play. Like softball the other day. I wish I could go and play... to have much fun. I couldn't. Remember that 50-page damn thing?!

Yeah, I have better got started about it. Let me do a little then. See ya.

21:38

No good news... No concentration. No good result in any work. No attention paid. No fun in work.

Suffered with headache.

Suffered with ringing in my ear - in right ear.

No pain killer working.

What should I have done then?! Very hopeless situation and nothing really could help me. I guess, these all were coming from stressful weekend with some homework... which I haven't even touched. 50 pages... to translate within my such limited spare time. I heard that, the other day, coworker dealt a 10-page document for translation with professional. It took about 4 or 5 business days. That means what?! 50 pages for someone without experience or any expertise... like me, takes about 2 months?! Hmmmm, I don't want to think about it.

On the way to downstairs to grab something to eat for lunch, happened to join the elevator with Makiko Kuji. She just saw my stuff in hand... red coin case by Coach. She said... "Tak has a red case like that?!" Yeah, it wasn't that manly... right?!

Pink, red, orange... they still can be my color! If you know me in person, you know what I talk about.

Another thing to share with you for today - boss Ito brought a new business bag to work. Yeah, it wasn't anything from Louis Vuitton or Coach or any famous brands. It was merely by Uniqulo - casual and reasonable brand of Japan. It was so unlike him. Really.

Man, stiffed shoulder (right side) too --- must be catching a cold.

Well, let me take some medication and finish it up here. Good night.

21:45

Things driving me crazy seemed endless for this weekend in particular.

Almost all were nothing but bad news. Last night... some documents were sent to me via email for English translation. Yeah, I had to stay up late... really late to do that.

Then what? This morning, I was STILL in that custody. Showed up in the same hotel in this morning, once again. Another meeting took place there and sacrifice of myself continued.

Am I bad person or what?!

Maybe I was tortured with this?! Must be-

All thing was finally called- and I was released. It was right after lunch.

You know what?! NOT complete free yet. Why?! I am given more than 40-page document to translate. Let me emphasize again... this ISN'T related to my job at all.

Need a rest. Need another weekend NOW. Leave me alone!

0:26+1

Started in the Imperial Hotel - very expensive hotel to spend a night.

Lunch and thru the afternoon meeting, I was doing all translations for some new business where no merit to myself. That was for someone else's profit. Then what? I was just volunteer?! Let me correct that... I was sacrificed. That's more likely drawing the exact situation.

Notably, I was NOT trained, as professional, to do so.

No pre-meeting discussion or information was given to me... so means like I really jumped into a meeting with no understanding of whatsoever... then, everyone, about 15 people or so, was expecting me to do perfection.

What the fuck? (please allow me to cuss!)

Am sick and tired... I spent my spare time... for nothing. I feel so discussed. Just too bad that I didn't have a choice... (cannot share why so with you, sorry).

After all, damn tired. Really beat.

Probably the single good thing ever happened throughout today was that lunch... very fancy dish. Costly dish... for free to me! Otherwise, all were pretty trash.

0:17+1

Lots of people here are very very curious... how the date went. Right? Oh well... oh boy. Thing DIDN'T happen. At last minute, the cancellation was made. Actually, I was the one did so. Why?! I must be crazy or what?! Asking a gal out for a date and then canceled it?! Moron or what?! Yeah, yeah, yeah, you can tell me so.

No shit.

I was driven crazy... by someone (decided not to mention who). I was FORCED to do some interpretation for some business, not mine. And that meeting was supposed to take place tonight and I had no choice.

Well, what I really hope for now is that the gal isn't that upset like never taking my ask again.

Irony - that meeting was not held! How about it, huh? I was pissed off... way way way pissed.

Damn it.

I was truly looking forward to having date... like really for the first time in 200 years! I was waiting too long. Anyhow, I had a bad result... which was delivered by someone else. This isn't my day.

Leave me alone, will ya?

0:07+2

Hello, folks! How are you today!? Busy today?! So-so. I was in Hiyoshi, near Yokohama and spent pretty much whole day since two clients located in that area and one meeting each in the morning and afternoon. Very effective and rational? Of course!

I show you something you might be very interested:

World Cup Korea Japan 2002 Official Bras

You have never ever thought or imagined about unique (or stupid) designed bras for female soccer fans?! In fact, these are going for sale with limited number of supplies at 150 dollars!

In case of one OUT OF MILLION chances where you want one of them... please email me! Hahaha.

Lots of advises on tomorrow's date. Hey, don't put up lots of pressure out there for me. I don't need any. I just want to have fun with someone I just have known. Who?! Well-

The fact is that I haven't even started doing homework yet - about where to go for dinner tomorrow night. Suggestions were from Italian to French. Some mentioned that I should go to somewhere very fancy like paying lots of money for atmosphere.

Another thing was that I should be very careful about what to tell her... Never tell like am always broke like I say in here. Hahaha. Lots of good and unique advices by friends. Thanks!

Will see what to happen and how this might go.

23:10

Wow, movie "Almost Famous" hasn't been watched yet. Returning due is coming Sunday. 12th. I should watch that movie before returning for sure. How come I am so still busy - and lack of sleep? Went bed last night around 1:30am. Man, late night, huh.

I should watch out what I really do and save my stuff for good health!

2 more days to go for another weekend. Tomorrow and day after, I've made more than a few appointments - so that I would get really busy. Sometimes I have to ask myself... "Do I love this job?!"

Tonight, after work like around 9pm, I did eat dinner not by myself but with someone. Nope, it was not like a date. Just two of coworker. Friend Kono (yeah still female) and I went to Chinese restaurant just near the train station right before going home. Since we were hungry... starving to the death - we just ate. Happened to be together. Hahaha.

It was rice dish with some vegetables. Where is my diet plan anyway?! Am I forgetting something (to carry out that project more seriously than ever)

Sleepy.

Oh sorry, darling. I haven't written back to Robyn - my only American sister. Yeah, I should write her soon!

Project Beanie Babies - they were finally arrived to the place of Foyer who asked me for all arrangements. You're very welcome. Sorry took so much time to get all this for ya.

Cisco Systems disclosed a really good performance in last quarter result. That could means that all the situation for IT industry have been turned around?! No so fast -- could mean so for some out there... not for whole sum yet. Good company will remain in the good practices with good looking figures. Some other - will lose the advantage from the industry in where that company stays. There are more than several different stages with some discipline to gain whole recovery from recession, etc. Takes a while from now on still.

Japan would be the last coming to the goal in that race?! Well, will see.

Welcome back (from the trip to New Zealand), ChanKen. Wow, he had a wonderful time in that country BY HIMSELF. How in the world did a guy leaves girlfriend and went on trip?! ChanKen, I need to meet your girlfriend and let her know that you both are not normal people!

All Japan lost a game with Real Madrid in Spain - yeah, football. Ready for World Cup yet?! Tickets in Japan for World Cup are no more. Though, there are a bunch in Korea... you should have access to Korean dealer to see if you could still buy tickets or not. Good luck!

23:59

Easy 1st day after long vacation time?! Some of you came back in work for the first time in 10 days, huh?! If so, you must be very lucky!

After work (already jumping into after-work talk?!) - friend Amy called me up and we decided to get together for dinner. Since she owed me a dinner for my birthday - whatever.

Ended up in Ochanomizu and went to Japanese restaurant. And surprisingly, a bottle of wine really got me! Hehehe. Didn't know that it was really happening that soon. What?!

Amy is getting married a man she dated for decades... I mean very long time. In July, she steps into 2nd and real stage of her life. I cannot stop congratulating her --- who is to come to the best time of life. Yeah, I really envy of her doing so.

Knowing that fine young lady for 10 years... yeah I met her in summer job and that was 2nd year for me in US. Since then, it was like very good friend for me - with full of understanding and caring. Even while we lost touch for a while between in US and Japan... though, we made BACK TOGETHER somewhat - so suddenly on job. Amazing, huh!

That's why this person news of her really brings tons of happiness to my heart. Truly.

She didn't give me advise on my big date coming on Friday. Hmmmm, did I ever tell you about I'd got a date with some gal?! Yep, the rumor is true. What's wrong with that?! Someone like me...fine smart (-ass) guy - has asked a girl out and so far, the answer is positive. Thing is scheduled on Friday and fine dining (how can I afford that for a date?) will take place. What place?! No idea yet. I have to do my HOMEWORK!

Wish me luck. Hahaha.

I give very best to Amy - congratulations!

0:13+1

Probably I cannot stop bitching all day and night today. Extra bucks... actually way more than that... was out of my wallet. Very instantly. How much really? About 500 dollars!!!

For what?!

Hmmmm, remember that I told you about not be able to play DVD movies on my PowerBook somehow?! Yeah, that thing. I decided to take my laptop to shop in this morning and did. Shop worker opened and took every single parts out of the laptop body. Seemed the problem was with software like system, etc. At the end - when we just did conclude that there was no problem in hardware --- the system became not booting up at all anymore.

Repair guy tried very different methods to see what went wrong. Tried with new motherboard, etc. Didn't work. Ultimately, he brought up a new CPU card. He said that this was the last thing to do. And... did fix it all! System booted up and played DVD move normal. All were fine.

So all fine except my financial condition. You know, CPU ain't cheap. $500 paid for the repair and the labor. No kidding! It were like car accident or engine trouble in middle of the road! No sweat!

Please allow me to cry! (hahaha) For this Golden Week, I came to have spent more than $800 for computer thing. That wasn't what I would have planned to do. Trust me, my budget didn't allow any kind of luxury.

$800 - I could have bought AirPort/AirPort card for wireless LAN in the apartment (priced at $350) and could have got fine dining with fine lady (friend)! Gee.

That amount of money didn't just hurt my budget... but also carried over debt issue to next month. Mean, I have to survive until pay day in June (i.e. 6/25). Man, that is long time from today. Is there any friendly loan available for moi?

I stay home for each weekend up to that day and remain calm and disappointed. Sympathy with me? Please!!! Send me some cash!

Internet connection is down. So what you want me to do home?! Just TV?! Nap, maybe?

Emi Takahashi's birthday today. Happy Birthday, girlfriend!

Ready for work? Yeah, absolutely. I want to do something so that I don't have to think about what happened today! THAT is a little exaggeration---

All right, getting back to work (tomorrow).

19:11

Hot day - reminds me of summer that should come up sooner or later. 3rd day of vacation time in Japan, weather was perfect for any outing.

And Tak's action plan for today was along with such comfortable climate. Did go out... to west side of Tokyo - took me longer than an hour to get there... in order to eat in at famous noodle shop. That was Ramen noodles without soup. I haven't eaten anything like that before... and that place was very cozy! Well, better say, too small and lots of customers. Some line was made, also. Must be something, huh.

Taste was --- better than great. Makes me to come back sometime soon. NOT expensive at all. Just usual sort restaurant with exceptional piece of work - bowl of noodles.

After that, stopped by in Akiharaba - yep, Tak's favorite electronic town. Did buy what?! Bought another software - for word/excel on MacOS X. Didn't buy Microsoft one, though. Bought a JAVA application compatible with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Notably cheap.

Why suddenly collecting new software for Macintosh?! Interesting... and I myself don't know why so. Didn't plan this way at all. Just happened to be.

Otherwise, just nothing. Bored a little, maybe?! Oh of course, did work on company issue. In fact, I got a morning call from NOT a gal but coworker Furuya (male)... on urgent issue! Yeah, Tak's truly hard working?! Nope, just got to work for it. No choice, whatsoever.

What shall I do tomorrow then?

18:48+1

2nd day of vacation - I had no plans and didn't do anything much. Some exceptions. Horse racing took place today and did spent a little money on it for loss - AGAIN! Yeah, I don't have any luck at all. Let me emphasize again, "AT ALL!!!" Damn it.

Well, the damage was rather small since just having spent and wasted $10. Just like playing Jackpot several times at once at a gas station. Ha!

In addition to yesterday's purchase (i.e. GoLive 6), new software to computer. Better email software called Arena. Much much better than currently free software from Apple. To be honest, better than Eudora.

Finally, my "usual" rental video store stocks DVDs in addition to in video tapes. So, not that many ( in variety) yet... but better than nothing. So I grabbed some --- "Driven" and "Almost Famous."

Just finished seeing "Driven." It was okay-

Funny thing just found. You know the new movie "Spider Man." Just came out and in theaters everywhere from this weekend in US.

In Japan... hits the theaters from next weekend, precisely on 11th. Some theaters for this weekend show that movie as premium and late show (after 9pm?) only. Since I don't have a car to theater, that wouldn't be option, ever.

Anyway, what I wanted to tell you is that there is some lie about movie's ad in Japan. Says, "Simultaneous opening with US!" That's NOT true. Oh gee... As for sure thing myself... I will not miss that movie. It's so exciting.

0:55+1

Last half of Golden Week begins - Tak didn't do much besides some project on his laptop. The PowerBook G3 now faces new feature for Tak's everyday use. Precisely, I switch HTML editing software from "very old" and "never-to-be-ungraded" HomePage Pro3 to "cutting-edge technology ready" GoLive 6 by Adobe.

It just came home and still quite expensive. Yeah, costly software and I had to spend about $200 bucks. Too much.

Though, I have a high expectation that I can do much more with the software on this "ogaki.net" thing. Don't count me for that fancy update that quick... but hope I can make some changes to make you interest in here more then ever.

At least, some self-satisfaction. Hahaha.

So new software means - that I want to redo all about data on the hard drive. I will delete everything and reinstall whole thing from scratch. Very seriously. I don't want to leave bad stuff in the hard drive from previous condition of the system. With old software, there were bunch of errors in everyday use... which I couldn't stand any further. So I hope I can clean all up by doing so.

Though as first impression on software (currently in use), the function seems very complex and there must be some time required to get used to. True that the more money to spend for single piece of software, the more you can get as various features with it. The matter is if I can understand every single of new things and if I can utilize them for better design, etc.

Wish me luck.

0:34+2

Busy working? Or hardly working?! Which one do you really do?! Which one does Tak really do?! People, especially at work, believe that Tak does have fun at work. Working weekends only when everyone else stays away from work!

Might be true... very true. Since -- from tomorrow on, up to Monday while Japan enjoys rest of the Golden Week (common vacation time of Japan's calendar) -- Tak has some issues to take care as well as chase after some urgent stuff. Yeah, I won't be too far from my company laptop as well as cellular phone.

Hey, that won't count into my work hours! Bad, huh! Poor Tak.

Or maybe not that bad... the possibility was that boss tried to help me to do something while long time off since I don't have anything else to do - due to small number of friends in Tokyo and, definitely, no girlfriends to go out. Hmmmm. Should I say my boss is nice to me?! What would you feel if you put yourself in my shoes?!

3 appointments in the afternoon. Fun? A little bit. Yeah, I do enjoy having meeting with (female) clients. Very common... huh! More fun when CUTE client to see. Oops, I cannot go any further.

At night... I left work around 8:00pm. Ate on the way home. Saw friend/coworker Eto. Yeah, "Mr. He-Male." He didn't realize that I was getting closer to him... since we were walking toward each other. He was surprised to see me and asked me to have coffee for a talk. Man, he's been beat with work!

Plan for the off, except work?! NONE. I should go shopping. I should have fun.

11:05+1

Tuesday is now over. And from day after tomorrow. we come to last half of big vacation time called Golden Week. This time, 4 days off consecutively! WOW!

Good for Tak? Well, I am having fun at work everyday, moron! Hahaha.

Though, today ain't that good. Some stress since I found several people... who cannot work well in a harmony for single common goal of business. How come NOT? Some people really don't pay much attention to others around... so the cooperation between themselves isn't really united and efficient. NOT rational.

I guess, that is a lack of understand of other's point of view... or pay less respect to others, compared to themselves. That's why those who really cannot help much within the team sort stand up by themselves. Poor thing. Indeed, discipline is needed. Should I give some?! Hahaha.

Seeing something like not functioning team work is really IRRITATING to me. Really. And most importantly, I will NEVER EVER tolerate any act like childish thing!!! It's work. We get paid for it. Being professional is least must.

Don't you agree?

May - yep, now it's May. From today. A month away to FIFA World Cup Korea Japan 2002!!!

Anyway, one more day to gooooo! I should relax myself and will see how things go throughout tomorrow! Hehehe.

Lack of sleep from previous night. Really sleepy. I guess, irritation is caused by that, also?! Hmmmm.

Lastly, here is some conversation made in the office.

Boss Ito: "Tak, we received an email with some client information."

Tak: "Yes. Did you read it?!"

Boss Ito: "Yeah. Though, I cannot open the link into our intranet."

Tak: "How come?!"

Boss Ito: "Well, that's because that part of system keeps asking of login/password."

Tak "Yeah, because you go into security area even within the Intranet."

Boss Ito: "Anyway, do you know how to get in? Do you know of my password?"

Tak: "Boss, If I ever knew of your password, how would you feel? Won't be any security then!"

Maybe, my boss Ito should hide some kind sense of humor. Hahaha!

23:27