Back

Finally it's all over!!! Our World Cup 2002 hosting with Korea is now coming to an end. Well done! I think so. We did a great job to make the world comfortable that soccer can be taken place in Asia! Truly.

Brazil was the winner and we are all happy... including Germany! (sure, hope so) Yes, I watched the game from the beginning to the end. Good game and everyone in there played so hard and well. Very impressive.

It was noting for Tak... didn't do anything.

Too bad that I had to feel that I would have to work tomorrow. May, Saturday is definitely preferred to Sunday! Don't you agree?! And now June is over! Good or bad?! Summer is indeed coming up. Good stuff for you?

Well, you take it easy out there and so do I!

23:00

Cloudy day - first pat of weekend. How have you done? Tak's Saturday wasn't much different from other weekends. Woke up and got out of bed around noon... yeah, usual laziness.

Though, decided to go out. Went out for a movie with friend "Lucky". Choice was between "Kate and Leopold" and "3000 Miles to Graceland" - I really thought that I would go to see "3000 Miles-" if I were alone... though, I thought that Lucky would take the other... and she did. So, love comedy story was seen. "Kate and Leopold" is original title... though, "Lovers in New York" was the Japanese title. A little bit different, huh.

Oh yeah, I liked it. There are some non-sense beyond-reality jokes in there.. but, hey, that was definitely fiction. So I shouldn't be that ugly criticizing. Anyway, I really like British sounds... I wish I could speak like that. Of course, I don't want to drop my Southern accents!

Movie "Kate and Leopold" http://video.go.com/kateandleopold/

So movie... then dinner... Chinese. It was fun day. Wow, I still leave laundry and dry cleaning behind. Cleaning in my apartment room too. Yeah, lots to do ahead!!!

Some of friends with great curiosity? Received some emails to my broken cellular phone... they wanted to see how the date #3 went yesterday. Please read below. It was fine and no mistakes, thank you.

Tomorrow, I will be quiet and stay inside.

12:32+1

Week is almost over... just final part called weekend is just ahead! Hmmmm, not bad.

Announcement. One of coworkers came to her last day at work today. Rie Iwakura - being in the position supporting to sales. Unfortunately, she wasn't key character in Ogakijin homepage... though, she now comes up here... I believe that this is 2nd and possibly last appearance here?!

Tak and Rie Iwakura

Well, good luck for next and all rest of your career, Rie!

And another and most important occurrence for the day... is, as you know, the date #3 took place in the evening. Well, good thing was that I didn't find anyone, from work, to tale me to where the dinner took place.

Oh please... Rie isn't that date. No relation between that picture and date itself!

The dinner and (funny?) talk was in Italian restaurant. It was her pick and she even made a reservation. It was "Trattoria Takichi" (tel 03 5568-8868, 5th floor Ginza Plaza 58, 5-8-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku).

It was ALMOST perfectly situated for any date... except some weird music... It was mid-80's soft rock... with Italian dishes... not that great mix to us. Though, I made a nice cover-up with some pep talk? I wish.

You must now want to know who paid. Even when I was leaving work to meet the date, coworker Mori asked me, "Did you take some cash with you before leaving here?!" Yeah, no same mistakes for me. Hahaha.

So, I paid. Paid it all!

What did we talk about?! Hmmmm, as far as I recall... scuba diving which she just got a license, sports - she swims and I used to play baseball/softball, what else...

Meal... from appetizer to entrees... and big... I better emphasize as BIG dessert dishes... for her and for myself also. If you think I gain somewhat... then, you have to think of this date... because she eats more than I do?! Hahaha, just kidding.

Yes, I had lots of fun with her. Are we going out like boyfriend and girlfriend after this?! Not so fast. I don't have answer yet.

Still no permit to disclose her name here.

No photo allowed, either.

11:48+2

Man, time really flies?! As I wish. What about you, folks? It's about to come to a weekend... and I cannot wait. Wait, I've got another date scheduled tomorrow - after work on Friday. Means, excited?

Tak's Thursday - started as that I was in Toda City, Saitama. To be exact, I was in a warehouse to meet some client. Far away from home. Took me about an hour or little more. When arriving at the station, I thought that it would be a walking distance to that location. Oops, I was not right... and ended up taking a taxi. That is NOT because of rain, okay! I don't usually take taxi like that... except when I really have to take.

Besides that meeting, it was pretty calm and okay. Then came to night for some party. It was an invitation by client... for introduction of new product line. Office furniture with new concept. There were series of door prizes... that really got me. I was so excited... no doubt! 5 major prizes including some expensive piece of hardware. Man, I really wanted one.

Got it? Won? Well, it wasn't just my turn yet. Unfortunately.

At least free drinks and some snacks and dishes. 4 glasses of wine (white) got me and I was sort drunk. Yeah, rare, huh.

After the party, Kuboki and Boss Ito were taking me out for some (more) drinks in Chinese restaurant. Fun talk and I talked a lot too.

Then, how come I am writing this in so early morning? (on Friday - now) Yeah, I've got something to do to prepare for meeting in the morning. Gee.

6:25+1

Hi folks! How did the presentation go this afternoon?! Thank God, I did pretty well. At least my boss told me so. Now I am quite relieved. Really feeling so. There were more than 70 slides in single presentation for a customer today! Too much, huh! I made about 50 pages or so and boss gave me another 20 pages or so. Took about an hour and half... to get it all done. Smooth?! Better than I thought.

Well, this week for Tak is OVER! Yeah, I got paid and gave a presentation for a very next client... big client. What else do I have to do?

Ok, let's talk about yesterday. Fun day?! Not quite. Beyond what I really thought we would spend a day in Gifu. In fact, Kuboki (usual coworker) and I went out to Toki City.

Passing through Inuyama, Aichi.

It was farther than Kuboki and I really thought. Took Meitetsu train to the sight of client... and ended up in a train where no other business people... but just elders! Hmmmm, definitely wrong place or what?! Well.

Was biz talk good?! Yeah, somewhat. Big project with long time period counted in. I may not be the person to take care of all task... though I will remain observing how this is to develop hereafter. Watching... sounds like exactly I describe well about what I do as a job.

L> Miso-Boiled Udon Noodles ("Miso Nikomi Udon") ; R> Deep-fried Pork with Miso source ("Miso Katsu")

Since we were going and coming through Nagoya Station due to taking advantage of Shinkansen, decided to eat something famous in Nagoya... All about Miso. That Udon is really my favorite!!! I had not eaten that dish over years! So glad to come to eat those. Sometimes, hard working isn't that bad?!

Kiguchi and Watanabe - from Nagoya Office

Kiguchi?! Yeah... used to be in Tokyo... working just next to me! nice to see familiar face like that. Good food and nice reunion besides serious job?! Not bad?! yeah, all were good... besides I really came home LATE like I couldn't update this webpage.

23:15

Yeah, pay day. AND yet busy day! Went on biz trip to Gifu! Since tired and need to work on presentation which I have to give following day, there is no update. I will tell all about today in tomorrow update.

Thanks!

22:52+1

Cool day... wonderful and perfect for me to be around. Though, not tough sales calls today. Why!? Still lazy I am?! Hahaha. Not quite. In fact, I had to go out to see one customer today. One customer only. For some discount offer.

Otherwise, I was busy dealing with PowerPoint. Am not that big fan of giving presentation. I get very nervous when giving one. Am more like easy sit-back type person. Unlike someone - like street wise type person.

As you have been knowing all the way, I am easy, joking-too-much, lazy person you can ever know in your life! Hahaha. I know myself quite well. Good for me.

Presentation... due Wednesday and funny thing was that point wasn't (and still ain't) clear yet. What am I going to talk about?! What am I supposed to show in the slide show?! Hmmmm, that is something I have to come up within tonight so that I can make material and to be well-prepared.

Woo woo, pay day! (Actually tomorrow, just received a slip with details of payment) That makes my day!

Tomorrow, I will be on day trip to Gifu - yeah, close to Ogaki... within the same prefecture... not exactly in the same area, though. Coworker Kuboki and I will be taking Shinkansen (bullet train) to go to Nagoya and take some other train to get Toki, Gifu. Visiting some big customer out there! Exciting? Yeah... at least I don't have to go in the office tomorrow AT ALL!

Tetsuji Fukui started his week vacation from today... decided to stay with his baby! Good for him.

Oh, you know what?! Due to the presentation appointment on Wednesday, my date #3 was under pressure to be rescheduled. Thank God, I made it. Moved to Friday. Yep, Friday night. Don't even think about follow me!

Well, still I have to go back to another laptop to use PowerPoint to create some files right away! Talk to you later.

20:38

Hi, folks. Good weekend so far?! Well, mine in Japan is about to come to an end... and STILL now I am doing the laundry, the primary chore for weekend task. What?! Was I lazy?! Yeah, as usual... and nothing really changed.

Movie "13 Days" just being seen. Oh pretty good. I like that kind of political conflict thing. I should take more politics classes in college... maybe I should study more to know about it better.

And real movie in a theater was seen too. It was about Kung Fu soccer movie. From Hong Kong. Very funny and some stupidity. More than expected. Man, it was beyond my imagination and I thought that it was crazy enough. Did I like it?! So-so. Not that bad... excellent resource to kill time for anyone. No thinking is required... just to watch and laugh all away!

Don't think this movie is to come to US... I will check that out for you!

Otherwise, I have nothing to tell you for today. Woke up around 9am and it was easy day for me... to stay around. Internet access was up today... though, not that smooth. I hate this. Irritating.

Somehow... tired. Want to sleep.

23:28

Being slept in. Yeah, as expected. No plans for today. No dates... as usual. And most notably, there is NO Internet AGAIN. This sucks! Really does. Why again?! I should change the Internet Service Provider because of too many failures?! Yeah, I would think so. It's horrible service and lowest reliability in its service. Worse than what I do in job... Hahaha.

And my Macintosh (PowerBook) isn't 100% compatible with PC card modem connection. I need to wait another system update. Perhaps.

World Cup... soccer... KOREA! Again! KOREA, KOREA, KOREA! Great victory... another historic game it won! And Germany, Turkey, and Brazil. Now really coming up the last part of the big game. Who is coming to the Cup?! I now think Germany, rather than Brazil. Korea is definitely underdog, but you would never know!

No movies for a while. Oh, rented "13 Days" - will see later.

Israel may come back to Japan next month?! Just read so in his email. For what?! I should ask.

I had some headache. Hope not ill. Is that because of yesterday thing with presentation? I should have been extra tired. Oh yeah, I went bed like 3am night before yesterday. That must be why.

Cool day it was! The temperature was rather lower... T-shirt wouldn't be enough. Is that why making me feel different like almost sick?!

What shall I do tomorrow? I will decide later.

0:37+1

Today was day of presentation. This was the all job for today! Yeah, I didn't care anything else but that. In fact, I wasn't the one to give a presentation. So I should have felt easy about it. Well, at least I felt and thought so until the time came up.

In the morning - spent all time for last-minute preparation. Was it done right?! I believed so.

The appointment was at 1:30pm. We weren't late and it was a good start. Head of sales force on this BIG project, Manager Sugimoto, started giving the presentation. My rating on that one was a solid B - not bad at all. Then, Q&A time came up. Almost noone showed interest in asking any question... up to when I started talking about some details and supportive clues to the presentation just given.

Gee, I stepped on a big bomb. Really did.

After that, two ladies (there were 12 people on client side and 4 of us faced) with familiar faces to me really came up to me with bunch of questions... lots of stuff in details. Gee... Thereafter, it was all about me for them. More and more questions were raised and I had to answer each of them with details. Gee, I wasn't that prepared!

All finished around 3pm. Hmmmm, I was tired... I probably spoke more than Mr. Sugimoto did for the meeting. What would you feel if you put your foot in my shoe? Defnitely tired... was beat! Leave me alone... there was no energy left to finish work for the day. Hahaha.

Though, there was an urgent inquiry on some quote. Yeah, I did take care of it, too.

Through email... I was notified that I had to give another presentation next week. Am I ready for that?! Nope... not at all. And that affects to the date #3?! Hmmmm, I will find out.

Thank God, it's weekend now.

0:25+2

Man, came home quite late... almost midnight and now it's way passed midnight. About 2am! Came home straight from work! Trust me, really I did!

Lots of work... went in on time (9am) and went out for meetings with clients around 10am... then, finally returned to office around 5:30... since I went to two different exhibits in the same place, Tokyo Big Sight - a convention center.

They were "Interior Life Style" and "International Housewares Show 2002" - so-so interesting. In fact, I had to meet some existing clients in there... I happened to find some other (existing) clients in there, too. And you know what?! I found more:

Yoshio Iimura!

Yeah, he was in the middle of crowd and he came there on biz unlike myself - who just came around to spend (or kill) time! Hahaha. What a surprise! What a coincident! Must be good friend of mine?! Sure!

Came back in office in late afternoon or early evening. Then, a nightmare began. More than what I thought... more and more jobs to do for tonight. Ended up staying so late. Thank God that I didn't plan a date. In fact, a girl (still and yet same one) and I were talking about having date #3 today. Though, we both agreed to cancel, postpone to be exact. We were right. Man, I didn't have to let my reputation go down any deeper! Definitely I would have to cancel the date if made a promise so for tonight.

Late - let's go to bed.

1:55+1

Certainly, not Tak yet. He cannot be a father of any baby. Finally obtained a shot of new born baby for Tetsuji. No wonder that he seemed so happy and very proud. He is very cute!!! What is his name?! In fact as far as I know, not named yet. Should I?! Hahaha.

Big issue in the company about over-time. Hmmmm, lots of changes are up front... and will be obvious soon?! Well, I worry. Probably more people are really concerned.

Apple made an announcement that it won't expect itself to come to the target sales figure and lowered its expectation due to newly studied that demand for new computers in the US market wouldn't be that strong or that favorable. Man, should I help?! Wait, that means I have to buy new PowerBook. No way, am broke. Am SO broke...

Today's Tak... went out for appointments. Well, so nice to be outside today... under fine sunshine and cool breeze. Was such perfect day! Really appreciated that sun light especially while the rainy period. Didn't have much appetite, though. Why!?

Lunch... what did I eat?! Oh, ate with Boss Ito and Yasuko Funabashi. Some meeting took place over lunch. Good and productive?! Hmmmm, lots of bitching?! Hahaha.

Dinner took place after coming home. It was 9:30pm and wasn't that late like usual. No games today... and tomorrow, huh. You know what?! I will be busy tomorrow and day after... this week will keep me stay in the office!!! Oh, I will be in some expo tomorrow afternoon. Maybe some amusement? Will see.

Hope you liked what you see in the movie on top page! (i.e. baby movie) Anyway, I am NOT the father.

23:28

Wonderful... Wonder... FULL OF KOREA! Great game... fantastic game. Good?! Great? Hmmmm, AWESOME! Korea defeated Italy... while Japan was swept away by Turkey. Well, that is the game. Though, Japan should celebrate Korea with its historic victory in World Cup! We all should be happy!

Let's say, Japan wasn't that great... compared to Turkey. It was really strong and it were like kid playing against adult. Still long way to go for Japan from tomorrow on and WE WILL BE BACK!

It was late afternoon game and, of course, I was busy! In fact, I was with client and didn't see most of the game. Probably it was about 10 minutes or so. I just see the game with recap from news program.

And when coming home, turned TV on and found that still game was on. Between Italy and Korea. Extended game and seemed Korea was really pushing Italy. Then, famous and primary player Totti was out of the game with 2nd yellow card turning to red card. I guess, the game was over then. No wonder that Korea made a golden goal to advance to the quarter final! Now Japan supports Korea!

People, I have to admit... that I have been busy and I found that I was quite behind... all requests made by clients. Hmmmm, I should be more productive to serve all clients at a time?! Some issue was raised. Some new policy in work and I have to obey! (no matter if I like it or not)

Gee.

I will catch all up soon. I promise.

Dinner was curry noodles. Noodles again?! Hey, I like them, okay!

My Internet access home is BACK! It is about time! In fact, I did send some complaint to service provider. No reply ever received within today, though. Anyway, good access is back and I feel much better in surfing net for information... THAT is part of my daily life here. Don't take Internet away from me! Don't even think about it!

"Daddy" Tetsuji was working in the office... not with his baby and darling wife at least for today. He said that he had to work like cow from today on... more than ever to manage family life better than ever! Hahaha, he made me laugh.

0:01+1

Coworker - Tetsuji Fukui is now FATHER. Yeah, let me say that again... he is DADDY now. His baby (of course, 1st born one) was born at 9:30 last night. Congratulations! It is baby boy!

Wow, his junior. I told him on the phone that he should name that baby after ME! Yeah, I am great friend of his and he should do that if he wants his boy to be strong and intelligent. Yeah, man!

Lots of people at work asked me if Israel still stayed around or not. Yeah, he's gone, man! No wonder it's so quiet around.

Three appointments for today - mainly I was in my favorite area Ginza. Good stuff? Well, it wasn't much for me.

AND tomorrow, Japan faces Turkey! At 3:30 in the afternoon. Yeah, I don't have to work much... do I?! Hahaha. We should learn more from World Cup... not only France and Argentina... but today Mexico... left the competition after defeated by America... yep, your USA. Now follow wind for underdogs! Like for Japan! Turkey is definitely better in skills and history. Though, tomorrow, things won't get along with the theory!

Lots of people in different offices emailed me... to talk about Japan vs. Turkey... most of Europeans told me that it would be definitely toughest. Yeah, we know! And we will surprise ya!

Sucks! Internet access at home isn't fine... really bad condition and I cannot open even single page! Hey, I don't have girlfriend... and don't have much money to go out for fun... when you take Internet away from me, nothing much left for me!!! Damn it!

I will send complaint to provider.

There are... one more week to go until next pay day! Cannot wait! Have to survive another 7 days.

Lots of criticism for me on 2nd date with a girl. However, there are some friendly feedback... like, "Sounds like really you, Tak!" Hahaha, wait. Should I laugh?! Should I take it seriously? Hmmmm.

Forgot to tell you... it was nice Italian lunch in Ginza. Free food, too (this mattes the most). Of course, there was a after-meal coffee as well. Man, it was quite luxury. Not bad Monday, huh!

22:53

Eventually, a quiet day for Tak?! It was and still is. Now I can feel that I live by myself. Feel lonely?! Well, not quite.

Gee, my cellular phone isn't working fine. Man, Sweden lost and finished the World Cup. I was wrong.

It was indeed lazy and I didn't go out at all. Still tired and felt like not doing anything. Did laundry and some other minor thing to take care of my chore thing.

Father's Day --- any present for your father?! How about me?! Well, it's not big deal compared to Mother's Day.

23:54

It's birthday for my brother. Happy birthday, man! I am getting along with him?! Well, I don't have to give up much details for you, do I?! Hahaha.

Well done, England! Yeah, I did watch the game mostly. Man, final round seemed whole new ball game and it's more exciting! To me, Sweden is standing closest to the Cup so far.

Sushi for lunch! Israel, Yasuko, and I went up to Tokyo Station - for lunch. It turned out a little fancy food for me... Sushi. I wanted to eat it badly up to then. Yeah, really. I needed something RAW!

Yuck? No! Raw means FRESH. Fresh is good for health! Got it?

So today it was last day for Israel in Japan. In the afternoon, we went to airport for him to catch the flight. Finally his busy trip over Japan with 3 games in World Cup is now over. With lots of money being spent, he enjoyed with various things in different places... and may come back soon to see us?! Sure, hope so.

So he left.

After that, I wanted to see Kirk - who was working in the airport that day. Too bad that he couldn't find any time to have coffee with me. Though, I was very tired. Really --- I slept in the train all the way back to Urayasu.

Tomorrow, I will take all easy for myself to rest. It was busy time until today!

23:43+1

Who have ever imagined?! Japan did pass and advance to Final Round as No. 1 from "H" League. Oh boy! This is something beyond all expectation and must be good thing to us! Yeah, definitely exciting!

Did I watch it?! Not quite... since it was 3:30pm game and I was at WORK! Hahaha. So bad.

Israel made back home... safe and this makes my worries all go away. That was good and he brought a good result of Mexico team... and his trip is about to come to an end... happily. That matters most!

He witnessed the good result of his country and found good looking gal from my work place. What else much he wanted?! Oh bad thing was probably that his new Palm seemed not functioning that well. Wait and see.

That was some funny thing happened to my work from influence of World Cup. I was expecting some goods coming from Italy this weekend and I found that it might not be able to... Since Italy-Mexico took place on Thursday, there were big slow downs in Italy over all... means some truck pick-up wasn't done as expected. Hmmmm. That's interesting.

At least I am coming to make the deadline... as confirmed now. So I can at least laugh for now. Otherwise, it would have been very serious situation for me!

Wow, I almost forgot to mention... Israel did enjoy the date #2 with Yasuko. Hmmm, that may be new development?!

23:26+2

Busssssssy! Went out of office around lunch time and never returned to the office. Wow, busy going one place to another. Yep, really. Good job?! Oh that, I don't know.

Ended up in Tokyo Big Sight - International Exhibition Center. Did I see any out there? Nope, I was there for a meeting with prospective client. Hahaha.

Then, event for the day - it was date #2... remember about the first one. Yeah, 2nd round. NOT final yet- hahaha. 7pm in Ginza and the destination was a Japanese restaurant. Called "Pachi Pachi." It was her intro. Definitely not mine.

How did it go? Well, I guess, I am not that good about making friends with someone like cute female? Anyhow, she seemed laughed a lot and hopefully did enjoyed herself with me. Talked about from her new dog "Lucky" to my job and tie. She did ask me, "Let me see what kind of tie on for today!" Hmmm, she wanted to check that out. It was blue Dunhill tie... and she said, "that vivid tie isn't for everyone... definitely yours." What do you think?

Well, the end wasn't that smooth. I knew that I needed to get some cash from ATM nearby... though, I couldn't. I was almost late to the time with her. Means I didn't carry much cash around. Okay, I could reply on my plastic... (i.e. credit card). WRONG! At a cashier for payment, lady told me that it didn't accept any credit card. Gee, sucks!

So she paid.

Definitely it was fault and I looked bad. Worst in the history. Or maybe, she knew how poor I was... She must have read this page and understood well! Hahaha.

So next meeting? Not talked about it. My fault, too.

0:42+1

Wait a minute! When I came home, I found that my door was NOT locked - and gas power switch was ON. Geeee, what is security here?! Hmmmm. Israel must have forgotten what he was supposed to do!

Thank God, there was no one really sneaked in. Well, there are no such valuables here anyway - hahaha.

Well, the person who is responsible for that wrong doing... has gone to Oita for tonight. Yep, game for Mexico against Italy will take place in there tomorrow and he went up there today. Yeah, very far from here. He spends a night in some hotel.

I don't have any further details of what he's done for today. At least, I saw him asleep still in the morning when I was leaving for work.

My day wasn't that pleasant. Started with single phone call from some client - I instantly ended up with getting (sort of) screamed by him. What a wonderful start, huh?! Oh gee... what a crazy start.

And then, single customer held me up in the office from 11am thru 3pm. Lots of unsolved puzzles for me to deal with?! Exactly! Do I like it?! Well, I get paid to do that... right?! Regardless to what I like it or not. Hmmmm, what a life!

Good thing... only good thing for today was a great lunch. $20 Japanese dish with raw fish. Wonderful taste. Most importantly, free food (otherwise, I wouldn't have eaten anything like that expensive).

Wrong start of a day means ending badly as well. I have to work late tonight HOME. I have to type up lots of messages and have to call... where?! Oh yeah, it's Minneapolis today. Good news to bring up with that call? Not quite. I have to give some complaints. I know, I am really great at it. Hahaha.

Yes, tomorrow night --- date #2!

Good night, then.

21:32

Hi, folks! It was like a hot - really summer day for me. Wearing formal suits for business is boring and tiring... too much. True! The temperature was about 30 degrees - about 90 degrees in US measurement. Hahaha. Busy?! Really. Wanted to work hard?! What would you think I would feel?! Sometimes, that is torture. Am sure that you agree with me out there.

Coming home around 11pm... just like other day... and Israel was bored?! Just watching TV. He went out to see something today again and should be ready for his final game with Mexico - that is on Thursday.

Oops, I don't care much about making myself watch that game since I've got date. Yep, gal is more important than who kicks whose ass. Definitely am on right track!

France is out of Cup race - big surprise, huh. Maybe a big shock!? As soon as I saw the result of France team... I emailed to my counterpart in Paris. Am I bad person?! Telling like "Hey, your team got ass kicked!" Hahaha.

From today, Tokyo area... officially in rainy season. Wow, most hated time.

Lots of sweats... and now finally day is over. Still tomorrow is Wednesday?! Seemed TOOO DARN SLOW. Oh well. For Mexican game on Thursday in Oita - Israel should hit the way tomorrow... if wanting to take trains instead of flying. I did tell him so.

Work... I shouldn't talk much about it?! Busy day tomorrow, too. So excited to go to work tomorrow... yeah, RIGHT! (Who does?!)

Good night.

23:28

Tired and tired and tired! Still Monday?! Man, I want it to be like Friday or so. Lots of work? You bet. Lots of problems too! From 4pm or so... when I should be ready to call the day, more than several clients (existing ones) called me for urgent issues. Like deadline within tonight or so. Some of them were not really giving me much information in details.

Not really going out to see clients for today. Yeah, rather busier at desk!

How about Israel?! He went out to Shinjuku to see what?! I guess, he wanted to see crowd --- he was surprised with such busy place and number of people.

Don't have appetite and rather want to go to bed quick. I will.

Zzzzzz.

22:34

Israel is busy - first date with a girl and then had to hit to Miyagi for 2nd game on Mexico in the World Cup. Result?! I think he won both games! Definitely Mexico kicked Ecuador's ass... out of Japan. Then Ecuador's going away after 2 losses in a row. See ya!

So Mexico won two games... looking pretty good before the final game in elimination round with Italy. Wow!

Another game he was dealt with. I don't have much details. At least, I can tell that he was quite happy with how all it went with him and her. Good for both!

While my friend was busy for games, I was busy for something else. Yep, since he was gone, I had to enjoy myself about my time in being alone! In the morning, I was in Akihabara for myself... to get my laptop fix... finally done! Thank God. So eventually, motherboard, CPU, and DVD drive - all were replaced with new parts. That means, I did exchange all possible... so my machine is like a new now. Hehehe. Cost?! Initial $500 only. Not bad. Since then, I played several DVD movies... and all did fine and excellent quality! Couldn't wait any longer!

Japan won! Against Russia... yeah, Cold War is over way in the past and Russia's time was gone in the history! It was 1st victory for my country in World Cup. Wonderful! I did watch all the game all the way. Well played and well done.

Before and after the game with Japan, I was quite busy... doing laundry and ironing... all shirts for a new week! I usually do that in the morning... like 1 shirt for work everyday... but since I don't have much time since my guest doing something in the morning, my personal time to prepare is cut about a half. So well prepared now.

New suits (two of them) were picked up. Though, no dry cleaning was picked up. Hahaha. I forgot.

Anyway, Israel came home around 10:30pm... up to that moment, I was enjoying quite much about tranquility. Hahaha. He has been having hard time to get in touch with his Japanese teacher in Nara... where he was supposed to visit this week... I guess, now he's under pressure that he had to change his plan for this week. Hmmm, that means, I have to adjust his schedule as well?! Hmmmm.

Good night.

23:20

Sorry for long - such a long silence; I wasn't sick or anything. Just I was busy everything for friend from Mexico. Drinking, shopping, watching WorldCup - everything is really keeping me busy and I had had a hard time coming to my computer!

Thursday, June 6th - as having announced, I was off. To be honest with you, NOT 100%! I carried my company laptop and cellular phone all day long. I did work least to make my day trouble-free.

Started that day with going to Meiji Jingu Shrine. Named after Emperor of Meiji. You know what?! I had never been to that place! It was then my sightseeing too! Hahaha. Then, he enjoyed a little on Harajuku Street with its unique fashion of young people and moved on to Omotesando Street.

Israel definitely wanted to buy shoes at Benetton. Sorry, they were out of stock.

I took him to famous noodle ("Ramen" noodles) shop in Ginza - sort of my favorite and I hadn't had been there for a long time... Called Tokei-Dai. First time for Israel to eat noodles like I do almost everyday!

Told me that he really liked that Miso Ramen noodles. Then, we made to Kabuki.

Unfortunately, no photos allowed while performance. Funny thing... this was first time for me to see such classical play. Very difficult to understand, I thought, and I found my friend asleep next to myself. Hahaha.

Then, event of the trip for Israel-

Thanks for all my friends that I called up to join me for a friend from Mexico. Including Amy and Kirk - it was such fun gathering and I myself did enjoy the festivity, too.

Tetsuji (back side - middle) and Yukiko Oshimi, Makiko Kuji, Kirk Mizukoshi, Toru Abe (upper low L-R) and then, Yasuko Funabashi, Israel Morales, Amy Kamata, Yoshio Iimura.

Most important shot in the party:

Israel must be in love with that woman?! Seemed so. Bringing all special presents from Mexico just for her and he was all prepared to telling of his affection to that woman. Has a spring come to them?! I don't know. Though, it was quite happy moment that he gave at least THREE KISSES to Yasuko Funabashi - and here is the proof of what he has done!

Ogaki-jin is based upon the truth and you now understand that what I write is usually what really happened. Still doubting on me?! Ask those who were with me through that time about how this happened! Hehehe.

Anyway, it was everything for that Mexican fellow and he was quite... better say, very much content to be with us. That only matters!

Having too much fun... really ended up with chasing to last train for the day! Thank God, I didn't have to take a taxi. That would have been total extra spending if I were late. Almost.

Friday, June 7th. Israel took easy in the morning and I just went work to Narita Airport. To see some clients and to give them a tour in the facility of airport. Good deal?! Yeah, it was really fun time with 2 clients through a tour. I was quite busy while being with clients and also afterwards. Lots of inquiries in email and I had to stick with laptop - I wanted to go home!

Israel went out to some garden near Shinbashi. Is there any?! I don't know. He must have read his guide book well and found some interesting point to visit. Good for him. And felt so bad that I came home around 10pm. He was tired and ready for bed. Walked too much to see things around, huh.

Saturday - yep, finally today. Today's destination of his?! Akihabara - yep, Tak's favorite Electronics Town of Tokyo. Why?! He told me that he wanted to go shopping, specially about digital camera and possibly rice cooker. So we did go. Lots of foreigners... sure thing that the number of international visitors were more than average weekend. Just like Israel, lot of people are now in Japan for soccer game and besides that, enjoy shopping!

Man, he bought a brand new Palm m505! (with PalmOS 4.0) Gee, he's got better than mine now. It was about 600 US dollars... and he did spend more in Duty Free shop after! How much in total being spent?! Don't know. Probably more than what I make a month! (seriously?) Good for him. Must be nice shopping day under fine summer-like sunshine.

So big shopping day!

You know what? Am tired because walking too much. I don't get such exercise like that. You know, when I come to Akihabara, I know where to get for what and I go by shortcut. No such theory has been applied.

21:38

Yeah, two guys showed up in a restaurant and began talking something that cannot be acknowledged by others. Some different language, definitely. Secret language for two men just showed up.

Talked from girls, money, etc. Hmmmm.

My day was full of shit and I had to deal with many clients that I didn't expect like happening today. It did. No wonder that I am beat. Really.

Israel's day was full of walking. He visited some national museums in Ueno area and seemed all kept him busy. Good for him. Then at night, what I just said about a restaurant did come true. We kept talking like girls. In Spanish. Good practice for me.

Tomorrow like I said before, talking my personal day off... thank God that I get some free time! Well, all for my friend. Will see Kabuki play in the late afternoon and go out for drinks with my friends thereafter. Haven't come up with any idea about what to do before then. Maybe, going shopping in Akihabara or some observation to make about how young Japanese dress in public in Harajuku, etc.

Will see.

For tomorrow night gathering, I tried not to make that party only for my coworkers but also for my personal friends. So Amy and possibly Kirk can show up to join me! Some other Spanish speakers out there for this?!

0:10+1

Exciting game it was... Japan was quite happy with 1st point ever made in the history - tied 1-1 with Belgium. Good game? I thought so. It could be winning game for Japan. Though, I would say taht it was great game and good enough.

Wow, now Korea is coming to its first victory in the history. Wow... that is to be another great news to World Cup for Japan and Korea.

Today's Israel - went up to Tokyo University in search of some information and possibility whether he could come to Japan for study. Seemed Tokyo University - the top academic institute of Japan wasn't the one for him.

A little complicated for international students without good proficiency of our language - Japanese.

Good thing was that he was provided some other information of other universities... so he should be able to get in touch with those places after this.

Ginza and Yurakucho were his destination in the afternoon and came home LATE to the Japan game tonight! Oh, he was Mexican; I forgot about it.

Today's Tak - busy throughout today. More than several appointments and carried my laptop around with me. Gee, that was really heavy and made me sweat.

No big foods for supper. We had some beer while watching TV and kept being entertained.

22:31

I should start with pictures from yesterday; Just I told you so yesterday. Promise is promise.

Israel Morales Hernandez arrived at Narita (Tokyo) Airport!

Yeah, he's got lots of stuff... including that Mexican hat! He was already ready for the game - today. You know what? Mexico won the first game! It was in Niigata and he was definitely one of supporters.

He hasn't come back yet. He should be on the way home. Am sure that he had too much fun with Team.

See, I told you that he was really ready!

Wow, look at these! All for Mexico games for him. How lucky!

Was I busy for today?! Well, it was like typical Monday and I've done lots of homework left over- from previous week.

Oh now I am planning to throw some party with friends for Israel on Thursday. He can reunite with friends he met last year when visiting Japan for the 1st time.

How nice am I! Que buena honda, verdad! Hahaha.

And lastly...

First time (I think) to show everyone about how's my apartment room look like. Yeah, I know it's not that big.

At least I can tell that it is really CLEAN! Hehehe.

You want to visit my room? Well, only if you're willing to go out with me! Hahaha!

Now Israel is back to my place. SAFE! Great! I was a little worried. Thank God and he had a great time in the match!

21:58

All day... big cleaning day. Some reorganizing stuff in the apartment room in order to make my room fits two people for the accommodation. Yeah from tonight, I've got a guest from Mexico and Israel is just right behind me!

From laundry to put up futon to the sun... everything - that all I can come up to do, was done for a special guest. My room is extremely neat and clean. First time after moving in! Hahaha.

About 5pm... finally all done and left for Narita Airport to pick him up. Arriving at 1st terminal of the airport and found that his flight by Singapore Airlines was delayed. So I called friend Kirk working in that terminal and we met for coffee.

Finally Israel showed up at the Arrival. Wow big suitcases... two of them. Are they fitting into my such small room? Hope so.

Am sure that quite surprising to take more than hour to come home from the airport. Yep, very far...

Friend Eto rents me some futon so that Israel can sleep in my room. So three of us went out for coffee and some foods since I didn't eat anything up to that time.

Tired... and late already. Hope he can have great time while in Japan. For two weeks. He've got a quite plan last half of the trip, so I have to give him some ideas what to do while the first half.

Good night.

23:31

June starts - time for rain. Though, was fine day! Great day! I was busy shopping around... at least a little. Shop what?! Well, since getting hotter and hotter, I had to buy more suits for summer... for work. I didn't have enough and had tough time last summer.

Wanted to get shopping done in the close place. Near the station. Just planned to buy one pair of suits. Ended up TWO! Why? Yeah, because I was out of mind! NOT REALLY. Hahaha. Just because that way could save money...

So I bought two... and about $500 went out of my pocket. Hmmm, $500. Not small amount.

Funny part of shopping wasn't about how much I paid for them. Rather, the deal with shop clerk. He was mid-40's or so... and he measured my waist - he told me that "more than you looked." Gee --- he tried to make me smile in wrong way?! I don't know. All colors of suits he picked up for me... weren't fitting my taste. I told, "Not these... looked too normal" or "Too conservative and boring." Added "I am not ordinary salesperson... in fact I deal with something very different from what you can possibly imagine."

Germans were proud of many shots and gained 8 goals?! That was enough... I thought this year's Germany was definitely under dog. Maybe not?! Just wrongly informed?!

0:58+1