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June 30, 2003 =End of Month! |
Dead tired. Why?! Worked so hard?! Don't know... though, lack of sleep for sure. You know, duration - the length of sleep doesn't matter much sometimes. Man, this is the case for me. Woke up about 7am this morning and saw my face in mirror... looked terrible like someone being so sick.
Obviously, wasn't ready for new week. Busy?! So-so. Didn't know that my incoming messages via Email system got delayed today. Even after coming home tonight like after 8pm, still receiving new messages which were sent like late morning or early afternoon... which should have been received into my in box already. Man, what went wrong?!
Unfortunate enough, saw a message from hectic customer demanding my response within today. Of course, I didn't meet such demand at all since I just read it about 5 minutes ago. Yeah, late night. I should be honestly apologetic about such delay caused by system and am ready for give all up! Yeah, demanding customer would have ever accepted such excuse... even though there was NONE of my fault!
I've got fresh cherries and newly backed bread tonight. Why? Thanks to MoonFlower stopped by to drop those for me.
Nikkei 225 came along with huge volume of trade. Doesn't bother much about a little down today, huh. So where does this trend go from here?! We all should be careful about a little after this. Surely, big setting down is to be expected. Should carefully monitor...
I was quite busy writing up all sales reports... now I don't have to create an Excel file anymore. From last week or so, we just write all in within out Intranet site. Yeah, much easier?! Would think so. Will see how convenient this would be.
Man, this isn't good stuff. With a little disappointment. Expense on lunches for last month was 8100 yen in total. This month, I had been working on going lower than that... And then, today - last day of the month, I figured out that I have spent 7859 yen for single month. Just a little difference?! That was it?! Man, I wish I could have done better than that.
Are you ready for July 4th weekend?! Sure you cannot wait any longer, huh!
23:51
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June 29, 2003 =Charlie's Angels |
Charlie's Angels
Full ThrottleMan, with so much excitement... I showed up to Myoden's theater for the movie just came out. This movie turned out to be "just easy to watch." Good to see so much nice bodies like Cameron and others. The movie was just about it. Story itself was quite cheap. Somewhat disappointing and gets rates lower than its predecessor (which I have a DVD copy).
Why Demi then?
Not recommended unless you have no other choice at theater. Tak's rate on this movie is just C.
0:28+1
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June 28, 2003 =Golf #3 of 2003 |
La Vista Golf ResortSouthern France?! This building (club office and restaurant) seems not in Japan at all. Though, it is in Japan and still in Chiba!
Boss Ito came to my place for pick-up at 5:30am and ex-boss Takashima was there already with him. Yeah, company's semi-official golf competition. Why semi-? Because not official because this was not company-funded event at all.
(Left picture) Fukuda - HR senior manager was today's organizer. Well done!
(Right picture) Pres. Murakami in blue jacket and VP Iino with cap.
Some more familiar faces... (L-R) Big Boss Nakabayashi and Sakae Tanaka of sales manager for export. Project Manager Fujiki seemed not that excited to play golf?! Hehehe.
(L) Managing Director Ishii was lefty.
(R) ex-boss Takashima was like pro!No pictures of Boss Ito this time. Since golf was NOT his stuff at all. Today we applied the Modified Peoria System. If you don't know what I am talking about... and you have never played golf, don't worry. Just proceed! Hahaha.
Here is the result of the tournament today.
Takashima Kikuchi (Auditor) Nakabayashi ("Big Boss") Fukuda Tak ("Ogaki-jin") Pres. Murakami Kiyoshi Ishii (MD) VP Iino Sakae Tanaka (Mgr., Sales) Kenji Saeda (Mgr., Sales) Kenichi Fujiki (Mgr., Sales) Boss Ito VP Ishii attacked me verbally so much and I had to survive with it so much. Man, playing was tough because it was under rain and Ishii's aggressive attack like that. Yeah, what a day! Hahaha. Enjoyed so much?! Well, score didn't go down as ugly as I would be afraid. So would say it was okay.
Tak's today.
OUT- 51 strokes
IN- 56 strokes
with 2 par'sWell, very much tired.
0:13+1
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June 27, 2003 =Ready for Stand on Green? |
There is green light for me to be on green to be the contender?! Well, don't know. What do I mean?! Well, there is a golf gathering among coworkers tomorrow. Weather won't be that good, though.
Tak Yamada is the only peon among participants. What shall I act in there then?! Just be humble?! Or just ugly as like hell?
Only a difficult thing to do is getting up early for tee time. Plus, I have to give Boss Ito a wake-up call! At 4am!!! Can you wake me up first?! So I can call my boss. Hehehe.
Look at this.
Tonight, after coming home, I reviewed carefully how to set up with home wireless LAN configuration. So here is the summary.
Tak Yamada lives alone. Having two laptop computers home. Both are wirelessly connected to the Net. Apartment he lives in is relatively small like a little below average for single fellow.
Why two laptop machines here?! For what?! (don't know - just want to) Both necessarily on network wirelessly? Hmmmm. That may be a question and I DO NOT have any answer for you.
Work?! Let's forget about it. Busy?! So-so. Good stuff?! What do you think? Hehehe.
At the end of month, there are several people that I know leaving the jobs... like erix2 and Amy. Good timing?! Should be for them (don't know personally much) and I just keep my fingers crossed for them to discover next step of their lives. Seriously.
23:04
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June 26, 2003 =Good Product or Just Defect? |
Yeah, my knock-down at Yahoo Auctions was finally in my hand. PC Card by Buffalo - WLI-PCM-L11G. Good buy or just waste of money?! I didn't come to a conclusion. Yet.
Working on PowerBook 2400c with that PC card inserted. Well, never connected to my AirMac base station tonight. Spent about an hour or so, though. Not enough resource around, unfortunately.
Yes, that's why my update has been delayed. Hahaha.
How was work? Not that bad, though, there was NO good news at all. That could be meant as bad one?! Oh well.
You know what?! I have to get up early for 1st appointment that is to take place so far from here (home, I mean). So it will be about 2 hour trip on one way. So my 10 minutes are up! (wait, do I have just 10 minutes to update for today?)
Zzzzz.
Gee, I still have to write some in Japanese, too.
Good night, ya'll.
0:36+1
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June 25, 2003 =Pay Day Means Good?! |
25th of the month... means pay day. Supposedly, good... right?! Supposedly. I received a blue envelop handed by Big Boss Nakabayashi and it was the alert that money has been wired to my account.
Well, if that was the only thing happened today; I can close my story as good one.
Came home. Left work around 7pm and a little before 8pm, I came to check my mail (at mail box on the 1st level of building). Saw and got a white envelop from company called AEON. It was notification of amount that is to be withdrawn from my account in terms that I had used VISA credit card.
"Using credit card without notice or memory... that's DEFINITELY priceless." - Tak Yamada.
How much?! That matters... that matters only. Man, it was 58,321 yen. Converted in US dollar and it is about 486 dollars. Gee, who has spent that much for last month alone?! Looking at all details of spending... one disappointment to another. For whom and for what?! Well, I knew that I used my plastic on all occasions mentioned. Though, didn't realized of amounts there. THAT must be a problem. Huge.
Well, money just came and already gone. Yeah, we all say... "Easy come, easy go!" (not quite same as what I want to mean-)
Skipped my lunch again. Not because Boss Ito was off today... (so what?). Neither about being seriously working. So why not then?! I just did. Maybe it was a sort alert about "I should expect big bill" - what would you think?
?!QUIEN SABE?!
Business is going and going?! Yeah, they are... not necessarily mine, though. I had two meetings for today and both were long and tough ones for me. Still Wednesday, right?! Got to be kidding! I am about to be worn out. Soon!!!
23:30
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June 24, 2003 =New System to Come? |
So you heard about new development by Apple yesterday?! You know, I didn't want to stay up all night waiting for Mr. Apple - Steve Jobs to declare what to be expected from here for Apple's strategy with new products.
Certainly, PowerMac G5 is to be eye-catching. Surely, iSight firewire camera... with iChat AV. Too bad that that chat system with video conference is required faster than G3 600Mhz. My last PowerBook that is now belonging to MoonFlower... isn't compatible. Means, there is NO video conference between us! Man, I now get official excuse that I have to look for someone else to do chat!!! Man, too perfect and I don't want to ruin that! Hahaha. No new PowerBook like 15".
Just downloaded Safari 1.0... Man, still there are so much room required improvement if wanting to be serious contender to Explorer.
How come I am drinking tonight?! Just bought a can of Kirin Chu-Hi "Premium Chardonnay." 150 yen. 5% of alcohol, huh. Pretty enough for me to feel dizzy (already?).
Came home late... later than usual. It was already 9:30pm tonight when unlocking my door. Ate a little and now having this canned drink. Not weekend yet? What was I thinking? No frustration from work?! Well, somewhat... no issues?! Yeah, plenty. Do you want to take my roll to take care of all remaining?! Sure you can do! If I can do, then you should be able to.
Yesterday's rally means today's down... Man, there was like nothing really happened in total. Stock market showed more than 200 points down today.
2 clients met respectively in my afternoon. Good news?! None. Bad news?! Yeah, a little. Lunch was to be skipped. I didn't have choice and time at all. Finally, came to something to eat about 3pm. Being busy wasn't that I did a great job, I am afraid.
Today's birthday: erix2 (female friend of mine) - happy birthday, girl!
23:54
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June 23, 2003 =Usual Monday |
Hong Kong is now out of SARS case?! And did you see the movie "Hulk?" Did you like it?
Got up about 7am... very usual. Not too early and not too late, either. Just right. Somehow, didn't sleep well, though. I remember that I went to bed about a little after midnight and woke up more than several times. Don't know why... Finally, I slept a little from 5am or so.
I didn't have nightmare then and my day didn't come out that bad. So I guess, it was all under control.
Many emails to deal with and more than several phone calls. Also showed up to a client in the afternoon. Rained a little then. Sort like sprinkling. No umbrella for me.
Yasuko Ishiyama was busy, being with client for a serious meeting.
Akiyoshi Mori had big problem on his computer and got forced inconvenience without computer.Compared to them, I was on my own pace and I took EVERYTHING so easy. Left work at 7pm. Laundry night (almost finished now).
Stock of Daiei rallied so much within single day session. Up almost 20% today. How come?! No news around. No merge to France's Carrefour, right?! Who knows? I will see what to be out in tomorrow session. Could be true, couldn't be so...
http://www.carrefour.com/23:51
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June 22, 2003 =Matrix Reloaded |
Yeah, this movie. THIS!
How come this woman looked so good in this movie?! Make-up? Outfit?! Well, I don't know. Though, I can tell she is my type. Seemed very intelligent and sharp.
The Matrix Reloaded was the movie and "Trinity" is she whom I am talking about.
Only the negative criticism about this movie that I found was about the end. We all know that there was another (continued) movie of the series coming up later this year. Yeah, so-called "The (Matrix) Revolutions." Other than this point, movie was never boring to me and lots of actions as expected. Though, I felt like "always no end in fighting to (ex-Agent) "Smith." I bet this affects to the final part of whole scenario... you might know by now if you have seen this movie already in US.
Rating - I can give "A-." Couldn't give perfect A for this because "still not ended."
23:24
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June 21, 2003 =Strange Name?! |
"Shioyaki 2 chome?"
Just happened to see map in train station Myoden and found that there was some district named as above... "shio" means salt and "yaki" means burn or broil... yeah, whole thing was like "broiling with salt." Funny, don't you think?! I found this very stupid in my opinion.
What else to tell you for today?! Is that about a fight I had with girlfriend?! That was major or minor? Cannot tell much. Supposed to be minor... otherwise, I have to take care of everything well with her from here on. Yeah, man should take whole thing as his fault?! Difficult to accept this theory... though, I don't have a choice?!
11:41+1
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June 20, 2003 =Already Knocked Down?! |
Man, it is now W E E K E N D! Fin de semana! Whatever!!! Hahaha. Yeah, long-time-waited moment is finally here!
Wrapped up my work early enough. Last appointment was over about 5:30pm in Yokohama. Begged Boss Ito to let me go home straight from there. He then gave me a reluctant consent. Man, I didn't care what kind of tone it was!
Not came home straight, though. You know, young man like me finished work every early... Yeah, time for fun, baby! Hiroshi Kuboki and I decided to hang around and went up to Ebisu area... same area that we went for last drinking spree! Remember?! It was two weeks ago or so.
Yakitori - Japanese chicken stuff to eat along with full of drinks. Yeah, I was drunk. Yasuko Ishiyama joined later on. We were eager to have Boss Ito join us... he didn't make it. We heard that there was some issue risen. Oh boy!
Anyway, from 6:30pm through 10:30pm. Spent 3,000 yen there.
One more thing to tell ya. Take a look at this:
Another PC card to my collection?! Could be?! Yeah, it is going to be. Determined last night. Knocked down at Yahoo Auction! First time comer made successful bid already?! Man, I was so good (still am). Brand new... still cheaper than buying in stores. Retail price... as far as I have checked, 5,500 yen... and my bid price was 2,800 yen. Pretty damn good!
Payment has been made and I should wait for this card coming in mail. Should be within next week. For what to use?! Man, you know. This is for PowerBook 2400c - current second machine of mine.
9:20+1
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June 19, 2003 =Problem Solving |
Fun?! What would you think? Pleasure?! No way. I was just solving all problems that emerged from the beginning of this week up to date. More than several... that quantity was big enough to keep myself inside... at work all day long today.
Client K - managed profile and other information and dealt with accounting department.
Client A - operation manual was created. Took quite long time to dig out all necessary information. Manual has lots of information in depth.
Client M - urgent deal. I had to relay some information to Shanghai Office to take care of matter over there. In the middle of doing so on my own, cancellation was made from this client. 5 minutes later, cancellation was cancelled. So started all over from then.
What else...
Friend in Coppell, TX - Anne wrote me... with some response to my inquiry on job. Man, took her forever to write me back! Though, it was nice to hear from her.
Coworker Ron-san is now back from Atlanta, huh. I just saw him at work in the morning. He came back from his country just yesterday. With wife... means he will behave and go home straight from work.
Oops, just heard from buddy Kack in Atlanta... she came back to me with ugly phrases. I just wrote her whether she was still breathing out there or not! Man, I was mean. I wanted to be as much nice as she is to me! (as always)
Came home late. Around 10pm. Ready for bed already... just right after this (updating this page), will hit the sack.
Tomorrow - Viernes. Friday. Yeah, just one more day to go. You know, still it is in rainy season here... though, weekend forecast seems to be not much rain... sounds good to me!
23:58
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June 18, 2003 =One Click Away? |
Welcome to Japan, David.
Yeah, my friend - whom I haven't seen from last World Cup, is now finally back. He just called me up for hello and chatted with him for 10 minutes. He was on very tight schedule and that was the max we could talk to each other.
Who is David?! Oh, Beckham, huh. By the way, I have never met Victoria.
Just arrived!
More than 1500 people were at Narita Airport, waiting for them. Man, they MUST be so crazy... out of mind! Could they even take pictures of them?! Only some of them, I bet. Mostly could in huge crowd.
The biggest event is like --- when he was getting on board to the flight for Japan, he was still United Manchester player. Now when arrived at Narita and getting off the airplane, he was already Real Madrid player in Spain. Interesting, huh.
Worked hard on problems... one after another. No kidding. I was quite fed up with all of them... Too much, I think. Everything seemed coming on me. Give me a break!!! (seriously)
"Final answer?!" - Famous phrase and I had to suck it up... when clicking on the button saying "OK". I was in Yahoo Auction. Yeah, 1st successful know down?! Could be. I will be notified.
New call called "Inspire" from Honda goes on sale today. From 2,700k yen to 3,500k yen. Top of the line was equipped with automatic breaking system which will reduce the percentage of frontal collision. Smart, huh. Man, I like it. I wish I could afford... oh boy. Never mind.
Sure thing... that "Inspire" is coming to US later on.
23:39
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June 17, 2003 =Exhibition Day |
Hi, folks. Better day than yesterday?! Well, mine wasn't worst like yesterday. Though, not top of the hill. Worked inside in whole morning and went out under rain from lunch time. The destination?! Tokyo Big Sight.
Exhibition called "Interior Life Style" and there were 3 clients as exhibitors there. Hiroshi Kuboki came along with me. Visited all clients for sort like courtesy calls. You know what?! One of clients suddenly brought up some concern about coming goods overseas. Kuboki and I started calling everywhere to confirm the status. Finally, things were in Kuboki's hand after collecting all information.
Started small meeting in the middle of exhibition. One of staff from Client K was responsible for some problem submitting product information late. He didn't stand there before us, being claimed responsible for mess. Well, it was not our fault... that's the matter to me! NO boo-boo there.
Spent more than 30 minutes for single issue. Turned out okay... so pain was relieved at least. At last.
At that time, I didn't know that I would come to receive a call from client J (another one) who were about bringing up some nightmare for me. You know what?! I just lost my word out of my mouth. Became speechless. That customer just told me that he disclosed service charges from us to some strange salesperson from competitor. Man, I was betrayed.
Worse than yesterday?! Well, I don't know about consequences to be hereafter. Will see. Though, this sucks! Don't kiss my butt just like that. I will pay back! Doubled or possibly more! Let this guy see what I can do with this! (Hey, sounds very manly!)
Came home about 8:30pm. Usual. Still I have pain in my neck. Better than yesterday... getting better day by day. Though, somewhat annoying still.
23:23
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June 16, 2003 =Different Colors |
"So many men... so many minds." Yeah, I learned about it. Mostly my service on business is acceptable and that's how I have been for new business or to maintain existing businesses. Not that easy today.
One of customers didn't like what I wanted to deal. I just placed a suggestion for customer to confirm in email... and I saw very ugly reply from the same customer. I should say that it was ugliest... customer demanded to see my boss. Boss Ito was out at that time. Though thank goodness, Big Boss Nakabayashi was at his desk. I beg him to spend some time with me to see this customer for apology.
We showed up to the customer right away. Yeah, time was ticking. Boss talked to customer and apologized so many times on my behalf. Finally, this "betraying" will never be repeated. No other chance, he emphasized.
You might wonder how the heck of boo-boo I made?! Well, I just made a remark about service charge comparison... my own service with rates and ones by others (current provider.) No one in my office still believe that I've done any kind of wrongdoings. In US... commercial with comparison is so often to see, huh!
Like said, "so many men... so many minds." Different colors. So I learned. Good side of whole thing was that we didn't lose any business at least for today!
Another event of the day... BONUS. Yeah, summer bonus of 2003 for us today. Blue envelop... means we got paid and money (at least some amount) was now in bank account.
From whole sum amount... I calculated over and over. Finally came down to the magic number. It was 2.3. Means, everyone got paid about 2.3 times of monthly salary. Unfortunately (due to new management decision), personal performance wasn't counted in. Plus, 2.3 weren't enough. Scheduled as 2.5. No explanation of the "slip."
So, decline to 2.3 from 2.5 and no personal incentives for good performance... Means there were some people out there didn't get paid well enough. What kind?! Well, those who did great job last year and got paid well on 2002 bonuses. This must be a big plunge for sure. Me?! Somewhat... great disappointment.
Apology for some customer who were stubborn on his thought and some worker, like me, who had to yield to customer now gets paid less?! Hmmmm. Something wrong in this picture.
23:09
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June 15, 2003 =Softball |
Annual softball day today. Showed up in Mitsui Hamadayama Field for play around 9:30am. Means I got up and hit the road very early like from 7am. Man, earlier than usual (weekdays).
2 games played. Win and loss each. Played all the way for me and started as 3rd in the line-up and first baseman. 0 for 3 on the 1st game! Man, I was REALLY out of shape! Yeah, I indeed admit it.
1st game was rather "official" and following game was as like exhibition. Probably (most likely?), I got loosened (myself) up while 1st game and better condition for 2nd game.
No wonder that I came to hit 2 homers in 2nd game. Too late, huh. 1st game was more serious in setting. I should've done such thing then!!! 2nd game, I was at 2nd in line-up and played short stop.
Lunch time was for gathering. Lunch boxes were brought in and I enjoyed all with others... including a couple of canned beer. Hahaha! I should've drunk such even before the games, don't you think? Hmmmm.
Thank God. No rain. No much sunshine, either. I got some suntan... not that bad, though.
Tomorrow, I will have muscle-ache all over my body. That's sure thing. Work is already expected to be tough and ROUGH. I know. Not really exciting. Hmmmm.
Good night. Will have plenty of sleep tonight to be ready for bad week!
22:40
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June 14, 2003 =Nothing for Today |
Hello. What do you want me to tell?! I have done nothing really and just was lazy. Quite bit. Didn't go out at all. Watched TV, listened to radio, and Surfed the Net.
No movie. Have you gone to see "Matrix Reloaded" yet?! Probably, next week for me to go. MoonFlower and Charlie love to see it; so we get together to see it.
New Chinese restaurant open in my neighborhood the other day. I finally decide to stop by for a bite. It was okay... not cheap, though. Don't know the name of the place. Read the characters... though, don't know how to pronounce it.
That's all for today. Wow, damn short, huh.
22:26
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June 13, 2003 =Time for Ogaki's famous "Mizu Manju" |
About time! Ogaki's famous sweets - "Mizu Manju" now out. Mizu Manju - Manju is Japanese old fashioned style sweets with red beans in it. And Ogaki's famous is to be kept cold UNDER WATER! This is unique, don't you think?
This is seasonal. Available from now (officially today?) until late August - I think.
See! And this is my favorite, too. No doubt. Each is about 100 yen or so and not cheap, I know. Though, definitely worth it! Too bad that I haven't got even one for several years yet. I should ask friends to send some to me!!!
So sorry if you cannot read this article. I just wanted to show that even national newspaper Asahi Shinbun (asahi.com) brings this news up to all readers nationwide. You now know this is national event about Mizu Manju's kick-off!
What about me? Today?! Forget it! This is all matter to me! Work? Have I done any?! Hehehe.
11:35+1
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June 12, 2003 =Steak Lunch |
Good job, folks! Came home right after light meal in restaurant near Urayasu station. Pasta (and once again, used 100 yen coupon).
Easy day?! Not quite at all. More than several problems with clients. Problem after problem... almost my patience was running out. Yeah, almost. Plus, had some (still other) problems about appointments scheduled for today.
10am appointment - cell phone rang when I was on the 1st floor of the building where customer's office located. I was told that customer himself wasn't in yet and he would be coming to my office around noon instead. Man, all the way up to that place was for nothing!
That customer finally showed up a little after noon. Only good thing for today then. FREE LUNCH. 1500 yen steak dish at restaurant in Shiba Park Hotel. Wow! You know, 1500 yen! (look, compared to my Bento for 500 yen!)
After the lunch meeting, I was stuck with many issues to solve. Not that well. Bad luck?! Probably. Have I done anything wrong?! Could have. Maybe, it ain't my day!
Story didn't end here.
4pm appointment. In Shibuya. Went up to the door of (new) customer's site. Rang the bell once. Twice. No one seemed to be there at that moment. Just make sure, rang one more time; then decided to hit back.
Cafe Pronto - near Ebisu station. Didn't take a train to be back to the office right away. Yeah, not so fast. Wanted to see incoming email messages. Stayed about 5 minutes or so, cell phone range. It was that customer for 4pm appointment. He was very apologetic and told me that he was just back in. So finished up my coffee and went up to the same place. Meeting was rather easy and simple. Secured some new business right away. Not that big one, though. Just a little of margin. Not bad at all.
Finally got back to my desk around 6:30pm. Wrap up all necessary for tomorrow and ready for tomorrow. Busier than today?! Most definitely. Will show up in Yokohama first thing in the morning. Then, 2 others in the afternoon. I may not have a chance to stop by to see my boss and other coworkers?! Possible.
Read IHT - International Herald Tribune. Article about soared markets in the world... was interesting. Do I have money to invest right away to catch such boom?! Well, you know me. I am BROKE. Too unfortunate.
23:48
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June 11, 2003 =SAN TO KA |
No rain today. That was good... didn't want to get wet. Would you? Of all friends... I can find only one about wanting to stay wet. Yeah, friend Kirk, man! You know, he is the guy goes surfing. Long board surfer as far as I know.
Both Dow Jones Industrial and Nikke225 stick around 9000-level... hey, Nikkei needs to move up still.
2 appointments for today. One each before and after noon. "SAN TO KA" - remember this name?! It is name of Ramen noodle and serving restaurant. After 1st appointment which was finished at 12:40, that customer told me whether I wanted to go to eat with him. No objection and we decided to go to that ramen place. Man, it was 1st time for long long time to eat this Santoka ramen noodle.
Taste?! Man, you don't have to ask... no doubt that this is one of the best you can find on the earth!
Thanks to this "generous" customer, I ended up with free lunch. What luck I had for today! Oh, no doubt that Boss Ito would NEVER like to see his staff (i.e. me!) having good time outside the office. Man, I should stay quiet and away from the office!!!
This luck eventually lasted for rest of the day and it was all trouble-free. After 2nd appointment, came back to the office. Wrote so many emails as my response to all inquiries sent to me for today and fixed quotations for a new client. What else have I accomplished?!
All were taken care... let's put this way. Ha!
Was Tak used to be eBay lover?! Now am the Yahoo Auction player. From today (yep, just registered). Targets?! DVD's, movie or baseball tickets, etc. Checked "Sex and the City DVD box" and "Wireless LAN PC card" for my PowerBook 2400c. Yeah, I just made a move. Will see how all go hereafter.
2 days ago, Yasuko Ishiyama (female) spilled her (cheap) coffee all over around - first thing in the morning. Over her laptop, too. I guess, it was her initiation to kick her business day off! Anyway, then she got to different (alternative - temporarily replacing) machine. Laptop. The point was that she came to smaller and lighter laptop and she, because of coffee splitting, now enjoys some luxury in carrying cool laptop around!
Another point - it wasn't Starbucks!!!
Therefore, I plan to spill milk tomorrow! Hehehe.
23:27
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June 10, 2003 =Officially Rainy Season |
Today - Japan Meteorological Agency officially announced that Kanto (i.e. Tokyo) area was now into this year's rainy season. This will last for 30 days or so from today on. It was a day earlier than the pattern of last year (which started on 6/9).
For salesperson just like me, this season is least welcome. Umbrella is a much to carry --- to anywhere you go on business. And getting wet easily and I have to run into dry cleaner back and forth. More money to spend on dry cleaning, too. Oh boy, this is to be troublesome. Yeah, I know.
Busy?! So-so for me like yesterday. Weekly (sales) report was submitted to Boss Ito right before noon. Man, I was the first in the department this time (unlike other past weeks).
Showed up in Toyocho area for a meeting. It wasn't that easy. One appointment was cancelled.
Oh, I've got interesting case with a customer of mine. Received an E-mail message from that client saying that it would like to see some discount. Particularly, the finance charge of 3,000 yen and (another) 4,500 yen of handling fee. Wait, talked about 7,500 yen in total?! Gee, that's a lot.
I couldn't stand on my own about this and called help to Boss Ito. He and I came down to an idea of counter offer. Unfortunately enough, there was no way to match to such demand. We couldn't go into any loss.
I had to collect all facts of past businesses with same client so that I could show wanton demand to us with such facts. 7,500 yen is about 40 per cent of entire service charge in average to this customer in particular. Hey, am NOT Wal-mart or K-mart... oh, K-mart is gone for now, huh.
Counter offer was made and I now wait for the reaction from the customer. Of course, we didn't correspond to the request fully. Will see how this goes... may stay with me or I have to let this go to competitor. Who knows? Never be my fault.
Man, at 10:22pm, Akiyoshi Mori did submit his report to Boss Ito... was he still in the office then?! Gee, working too hard!!! Well, that's not my style for sure.
On 7th - last week, lady Fujiwara in domestic accounting got married (2nd time). Good for her! Congratulations! Man, how come she got to 2nd time, while We don't get even first time YET. Something wrong with this planet!
23:33
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June 9, 2003 =New Week |
Back home at 8:20pm and I was much busier than at work?! Went to dry cleaner for pick-up, started laundry on the 1st floor of this apartment building, and bought something to eat for my supper.
Yeah, that was true wasn't it?! "Busier than at work." Hahaha.
Prime Minister Koizumi... his approval rate was exceeding 60 per cent this time?! Man, way more than I thought. Everyone loved this guy regardless to whether his policies were good for country or not. We have to judge based upon what would be the best interest of the nation. Not just popular contest!
Was I busy for today?! So-so. I was out for sales calls and you know what... I even missed my lunch. About 4pm, I was in Mita, waiting for Tetsuji to join me for next meeting with a client. Then, I just realized, "Wait a minute. Home come I am SO hungry like this?!" No wonder that I had nothing in my stomach from YESTERDAY! Yeah, drinks only since then.
Next question was simple. "How come I still cannot lose weight much?" - Hahaha.
New business?! Not today. Just ain't my day today. Could be tomorrow or possible (most likely?) later!
D-E-L-L. How come I checked shopping site of Dell Computer?! Am I going to buy (finally) Wintel machine?! No kidding! At least, I gave a brief glance at the calculation how much the cheapest configuration of a system might be. Cheaper than Apple for sure. Hahaha.
Yeah, SMART people (i.e. Apple users) cannot be cheap! <Good one!>
Hey, who saw "Matrix Reloaded" this weekend?! Recorded high of the box office sales in Japan! Wow, that good, huh! Well, I am not too fond of crowd in theaters... so I may wait long enough to see this particular movie. What would you think?!
Oh, now laundry is done - about time! <- I have been waited for this.
Good night.
0:15+1
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June 8, 2003 =Easy and Still Boring |
A little pain in my low back... sitting for too long time here. I mean "home." Perfect weather for outing and I have wasted it entirely. Yeah, I had no plans whatsoever and as expected, I stayed here for nothing.
You know what?! Got out 6:30am. Something was wrong with me and this was NOT typical. Anyway, worked on some computing - sorry, you don't see any changes here in English side... some addition was made to Japanese end. If you have luxury to browse all in Japanese fonts, you will be my guest to go for it and seek what is the new stuff there.
Breakfast in Royal Host restaurant and didn't know it would be turning to be brunch for me. Went in that restaurant about 10am and stayed there up to a little after noon. Am sure that I was least welcome customer there. Spent 715 yen (for food and coffee).
2 movies were picked on the way back from restaurant. "X-men" and "Kiss of the Dragon." Both were good companies to keep me awake! No nap much (maybe a little). So now am ready for "X-men II." Still out there in movie theaters?! I have to check. Didn't pay much attention when the first movie was here. As you know, am not comic reader (any more).
Do you have extra PC card for wireless LAN connection?! My PowerBook 2400c is now fully operation with MacOS 8.6. This machine is not used for backup machine since running OS 8.6 - not compatible with OS X (10.2.6) which is running on the primary, PowerBook G4. Though, I want 2400c to have wireless access too! I know, am seeking much luxury and extra cash am talking about.
Maybe I should look around in auction sites about it.
Today, "Aqua Zone" - the virtual fish tank simulation software was installed to 2400c. Mean, I can have extra fun with it. I used to play a lot with it. Name fish as real names of friends and coworkers... and see how the "connection" between fish goes. It was fun! You know, "reproduction."
Currently, the movie "Chain Reaction" is on. Starring Keanu Reeves & Morgan Freeman. Have I seen that movie?! This was in 1996... I must have, then. Well, I don't remember and I feel OLD, man.
21:45
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June 7, 2003 =Nothing? |
Nada --- I have nothing to tell you. Didn't happen any. Good news nor bad ones for you from me.
Woke up around 10am and stayed in futon up to noon. Lazy, pretty much. Finally went outside about 3pm. Went to pasta place for something to eat. Used a 100-yen-coupon. Cafe after the meal. Usual stuff.
In cafe, having a cold coffee (typical for summer right?) and read two newspapers. Usual too. While still was in cafe, received several phone calls into my cellular phone. Man, one of them was about collection - my debt. STILL STAY IN DEBT. What can I do?!
"Matrix Reloaded" hit all theaters today. Charlie wanted to go and asked me if I was interested. Yeah, I wanted to. Just not today. I had a previous engagement (with someone else) for this movie in particular. I had no choice to turn Charlie down.
"Grand Tourismo 3" - famous racing game that I played on Play Station 2 tonight. Tough to control a car in that game... I know I could do better job in real world! Anyway, this game was fun. It would be great toy for any party where people can play for competition.
That's all for today. No plans tomorrow, either. Do you want to come to my place for race?! Hehehe.
1:08+1
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June 6, 2003 =Ready for Weekend? |
Just feeling down. Saw and read a message from colleague in US. The response wasn't favorable at all. Not my expectation it was. The thing was "it is not our responsibility" - easy to say that. Though sometimes not smart to say or put things in that way. Don't you agree?
Customers are royal... - important phrase to understand... even though, we know, we all are pay check players. My customer wanted to see our expertise... and now I have nothing to bring up to the customer. Yeah, I know, I sell "services" coming along with good faith. Well, I will manage somehow later.
Tak's Friday, besides this work-related issue, was easy. Quite. Boss Ito was out and everything was under control. Good to happen was that Yasuko Ishiyama and Hiroki Kuboki, respectively, confirmed to bring new businesses to us! Wonderful job, folks! Wow. What have I done!? (nothing) While (I was) sleeping, they worked hard and secured new businesses, huh.
It's okay... they are better than me! Work harder too. They deserve some rewards! Oh don't worry, I get some LATER.
Anyway, both of them got together and threw some celebration... so Kaori Hanaki and I joined them to have extra "clink." In Ebisu, we had dinner and drinks. Pretty slow service and we all got irritated. Man, wouldn't go to that place again!
It was all on Hiroshi. Thank you!!! Came home on last train. Gee, almost I would've missed.
0:54+2
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June 5, 2003 =Hot Summer Day |
It was hot and quite summer-like day today. Sosa was in the ball park and got so much applause?! Still American hero, huh. Well, now he owes the nation something like 50 or 60 homers!!! Hahaha.
This sucks. My Internet access from home is currently down. Man, what happened?! Didn't come to be so for a long time; I know used to happen a lot! Hmmmm.
Boss Ito was out for a sales call most of the day and we all enjoyed working on their own pace. Yeah, without boss, every thing is under control! Hahaha. Just kidding.
Two meetings for me today. Both went so easy and no troubles for me. Good day?! Sort of.
Lunch: beef over rice bowl called "gyu-don." Cost 280 yen.
Supper: happy meal (by McDonald's) Paid 513 yen.Left work at 7:20pm.
Just heard that friend Kazuma was now back in country. Yeah right, it is summer holidays for those who STILL school, huh. Man, I wish I were still one. What shall I do?! Reconsider to get back to school? Hmmmm.
Tomorrow, just schedule one appointment with totally new client. Otherwise, I have no other customer to see. I may add a few by noon tomorrow. Hope weather won't be bad like today. Yes, Friday, you know!
23:08
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June 4, 2003 =Another Bad Guy? |
We all knew that Rudolph was bad guy. How about a guy we loved... Sammy. Sammy Sosa of Chicago Cubs was thrown out of a game when his bat was found corked. Man, his fault and he admitted it.
I guess, he isn't only one out there doing it and we have to understand that it was not only competition but also entertainment for all out there. Yeah, we love baseball. That really accelerates such immoral. Don't you think?
Started in Yokohama. Had meeting with Client A and Tetsuji Fukui was supposed to come with me. He was late. I knew that he had one another meeting before that and it didn't go as planned for him. Finally, Tetsuji showed up about 25 minutes late. Then, we went out all together for lunch. Oh boy, free lunch today (again!).
You know what?! I was carrying my PowerBook all the time. Not company laptop. Since I didn't bring it home and went straight up to a customer in the morning, it was quite convenient for me to take my PowerBook with me. I would love to. Battery duration was wonderful and I didn't have to worry about it. Contrary to my normal condition with company laptop (NEC's). It only last an hour or a little less with battery. Not comfortable.
PowerBook worked great for me! Still heavy somewhat.
Didn't know it would rain. Did start from late morning and still raining now at 11pm. No umbrella for me while was out. Gee, I got wet.
Had another meeting with different client and came back in the office around 4pm. Busy? Well, time passed quickly.
Left work 7pm. Came back to Urayasu. Went by the ticket office to buy monthly pass for June. Afterward, restaurant "PoPoLa MaMa." Spaghetti place. Came with 100 yen "off" coupon and that's the only reason I went in restaurant by myself. Usually don't.
Friend (used to living in my neighborhood) K-Masuda expects 2nd child to his family?! Congrats! Gee, he was working on another family member... huh. While, I am still working on the partner that I can make a baby with! Hahaha.
Tonight, worked on old PowerBook2400c. Finally upgraded to MacOS 8.6. Man, eventually. Worked good, though. Took me a few hours to do it all! I should get backup from all software installed. I bet.
23:25
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June 3, 2003 =Eric Rudolph, huh! |
We all aware the name "Rudolph." I guess, he has been famous since he started hiding in bushes... vanished away from everyone. Then we lost the track of his milestone and now we found. End of last month, he was captured. He will be charged heavily and, I guess, he will come to be convicted... ends up with death penalty either in Alabama where he bombed abortion clinic or Georgia that he set and exploded a bomb to Olympic Park.
As you know, my (American) hometown is Waynesville, North Carolina. Western Carolina where Rudolph vanished and stayed calm. Even been found in Murphy, NC... not far from Waynesville at all! I always drove through there!!!
Great job for a rookie cop captured him! Man, this fugitive was really MOST WANTED for 5 years!!! What has FBI done to get this man?!
Today's Tak. Started at governmental agency. 1st time this week. Man, about 5 people were already there before me. I went in 10 minutes before the time the windows were to open. What would you think? Those 5 people must be really in hurry or what?! At least more desperate than me. Hehehe.
Appointment with Mr. T - father of two (son and daughter). He owns a company and family members work for it. Small but still come along with great profit from vendors. Meeting about new business... sounded good to me?! Fairly. Good part was that he bought me a lunch. Yeah, free lunch for me. It was SUSHI! Men, here we go! I must have done things right! Hahaha.
Another meeting took place about 2 hours later. While waiting for it, I spent (killed?) time at nearby cafe. You know, I was supposed to save pennies, right?! I've got free lunch... so this must have been turned out not to spend any extra. Though you know what?! I paid 450 yen for coffee. Other places, like Dotour Coffee or Cafee Veloce, serve one for 190 to 200. Man, spent more than necessary.
No wonder I don't know how to be rich. Not even richer than am for now. Gee.
Last meeting was with new client. First met. It wasn't that long... not that informative to myself. Customer didn't want much change from now and I guess, this won't be the case that I would continue to work.
Came back in office around 4:30pm. Then, left work at 7pm. Not bad at all. Pain in lower back.
Boss Ito saw the sales result of May and made a remark... "Tak, yours (i.e. figures) didn't seem much to move anywhere... huh!" Yeah, I know, I know... no change much for last three months. Although, it may go up... some day!
0:02+1
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June 2, 2003 =New Week and New Business? |
"This is nothing but my apology. I didn't carry such knowledge which resulted you to come to inconvenience." Started new week like this. I thought it would be a fresh start. Not quite that way. I had to take care of some complaint from a customer.
I had no excuse whatsoever. It wasn't (directly) my fault. Though, I would have been able to be the one preventing if were expert or had such expertise. You know, I am not smart and it would be dream kind world, huh! Though, I had to be humble, no other way.
Just had one appointment around 2pm.That was all happened?! Well, I had to come up with final figure of my sales in May! Yeah, that was tough to face the reality. You know how well I do my job "poorly." Hehehe. Better than Mori (supervisor) or Ishiyama (another sales)?! Up to your imagination.
I forgot the subway monthly pass. That is supported by company (this is standard in Japan; employers guarantee the costs of commute for all.). Without the pass, I had to pay out of my pocket. Gee, extra spending. Not counted in. How much am I talking about?! About 6 dollars for a round trip. Still some money - that I didn't have to pay!!! What luck I had for today.
Laundry now scheduled on Mondays?! Well, it is done now tonight.
Tomorrow, unlike today, I will remain outside most of the day. Not planning to go in the office tomorrow morning. Will show up to Shinbashi area and I have scheduled 3 appointments in total. Told Boss Ito that I would be back in office like mid- or late-afternoon. Busy?! Well, I guess.
Oh speaking of work, I calculated and found that my overtime hours in May were 29.50 hours. Though as you know, I am no longer get compensated of overtime work. It's now flat "sales incentive" to my pay check - this is much lower amount that what I usually get as OT. 29.50 hours are much higher than what sales incentive covers. So I have to think more to be rational so that I can come home earliest possible! Smart?! Sound like lazy man to think such stuff? You tell me.
This doesn't mean I become sloppy or anything. Be careful about my wording... "rational." Mori did more than 50 hours and he is in same condition as myself?! He should think much harder than myself about how to manage his job!
23:57
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June 1, 2003 =Movie of the Month! |
Went to bed like 3am last night (this morning?) and I was quite sleepy. Came home from Charlie's place later - definitely after midnight. Then, stuck with some computing to do. So timing at 3am to go to bed was the consequence of all done for fun yesterday!
So the damage from lack of sleep was stiff neck. Hard one. Yeah, being stiffed yesterday resulted stiff neck today! Hahaha, what an irony.
Went out with girlfriend for movie. Good thing - just happened to be with us. June 1st means "Movie Day of the Month." Yes, everyone coming to movie gets discount for any movie on 1st of the month. So how much cheaper?! Usually, one admission (adult) is 1800 yen. Very expensive, huh. I know. Today, 1000 yen. Yeah, big difference.
So we both enjoyed about the choice (as to go to see a movie) and decided to see "Two Weeks Notice." I wanted to see "Maid in Manhattan." My choice of Je-Lo wasn't coming true. I just forgot that I wasn't alone and I had some task to do... asking MoonFlower of which movie to see. "Maid-" wasn't one of her picks and we compromised to see "Two Weeks Notice." It wasn't difficult to agree with her since Sandra was still one of favorites of mine.
This movie came with perfect casting. Sandra and Hugh... you cannot find any better coupling under such theme of movie. Haven't seen it? Well, it will be worthy if you have some spare time with loved ones. Funny and interesting. Love-Comedy.
Tak's rating for this movie... I can give a solid B to this. Fairly recommended.
Other than movie, I have nothing to tell ya. Didn't spent much time with MoonFlower afterward since my stiff neck kept giving me a serious pain and I felt much fatigue in my body. So I made a choice coming home for a rest.
22:42
