Tak's Milestone: September, 2003

September 30, 2003 =End of Month

Wow, September is to close out... already final part of year, huh. Are you ready to conclude your year yet?! Me?! Quite NOT. What would you think of me doing all year around?! Hey, I can say nothing... no having accomplished any yet?! Hahaha.

End of a period... time for someone to leave his/her workplace for a change?! Yep. Anyway, let's start with my kind of update. Tie.... final one is here?!?!

Very adult taste today?!

Lack of sleep... went to bed like 4am (today!) and I wasn't that productive?! Spent time on two appointments and I just noticed that it was LAST DAY of Suzuyo Fritz. We will have brand new corporate name from tomorrow!

Will be UPS Suzuyo Freight Service, Inc. Yeah, new name, huh.

Farewell. Two temp people left our place... their contracts were up and we will be OUT OF HELP from tomorrow on!!! This is big deal... what if one of customer service rep. got sick leave, etc?! Will be going into a big swamp! Muddy one for sure! Definite work force won't be complete if really happens.

Anyway, farewell took place like this:

L-R> Rie Yoshida and Aya Shono (guests of honor) with Kaori Hanaki

Rie and Aya... Bye! See you later, alligator!

Certainly, Nobuo Omori was part of festivity. He missed last party.

Our "usual" Chinese restaurant

Okay, here is regular comparison... with my tie and others'.

Right> Omori's and Left> Mori's.

I found who borrowed and forgot about my DVD - Austin Powers Goldmembers... I was thinking of someone else... but the truth was that Yasuko Ishiyama was the true culprit. Hahaha! She should bring it to me tomorrow!

Then, we have to carefully pick up the phone to answer... with right name of corporate! Fine on calling wrong (old) name! Hahaha. Yeah, we should seriously impose that!

0:48+1

September 29, 2003 =Difficulty?

Happy Monday?! Easy Monday?! Unexpectedly Tough Monday?! Which one was yours for today?! Mine?! It was so-so. Not much stress or pain in my butt. Appointments weren't everything and I couldn't make up my mind about... whatever.

Today's tie... orange!

Somehow, my favorite movie series Austin Powers really bores me... seems too stupid for now. Is Heather Graham cute enough like Elizabeth Hurley?! Hahaha.

Wait, where is my Austin Powers 3 DVD?! Gee, it was on rent and hasn't been back to me! To whom?! Man, I don't want to miss that... Gee, this is a big deal! I spent about 30 bucks for it and cannot let it go!

Yasuko Ishiyama seemed sick today. Didn't have good weekend?! Who knows... but certainly she wasn't cheerful much.

MLB regular season is coming to an end?! Matsui of Yankee will proceed to post season. No other Japanese players... this year. Will Shinjo come back to US for another season?! That is really interesting thing to find out. I don't think he will. First of all, I didn't expect him to succeed in US in the first place! Hahaha.

Sasaki, Ichiro, and Shige Hasegawa should be fine for next year... well, too bad that Ichiro came to a big slump later this season. So Taguchi of Cardinal did a good job in last 10 games that he was on active roll... hit 3 homers. He could be a dark horse next year!

Lunch, bento box - 500 yen.
Supper, convenient foods - 650 yen.

Still thinking (of what?!)...

22:43

September 28, 2003 =Time for Change

Stayed inside. Didn't go out at all... just was clam and quiet home. Oh, now you can see the movie page here... Has been in Japanese version... now available here too. Please look into it when you have spare time.

Just found cute picture...

Aya Matsuura - Japanese idol star... nicknamed AYAYA - now she becomes TV commercial image character. Wow, she comes on TV more than ever... You have to buy brand new Epson printer! Hahaha.

Click for large image-

No fancy foods or anything. Little work, either. Bored?! Well, I better say as I was merely resting... and caught up with good sleep since taking a big nap... more than several hours.

Well, we're wrapping up September... already. Final quarter of the year, huh. What shall I do?! Yeah, the question is that I have to seek the right direction of what to accomplish, etc.

22:48

September 27, 2003 =Yokohama

Today's final destination was quite far from the area where I usually would be. Yeah, went down to Yokohama. Fancy lunch and dinner... nice night view... NOT romantic enough, though.

1,300 yen. (egg and chicken over rice)

Free - (priceless?)

1,400 yen. (raw tuna bowl)

And what to look for?! (Almost bought?)

50,000 yen. Wow!

11:45+1

September 26, 2003 =No Clue

Man, no clue... not much resouce to spice up this page for today. Very normal?! Nope. Unusual... not much to tell. Well, it happens. Just busy calling customers for corporate name change announcement. Yeah, so many calls and some visits in the afternoon. Not big deal at all. Piece of cake!!!

Tie for spring?! Hahaha... from JCREW.

Only several ties to go in the collection. Just stay being patient. This is 31st tie.

Sales meeting took place, as usual, from 6pm and didn't last so long. Different from all in the past, huuuuuh! It was. Really. Peacefully?! This time was. Discussed about appointments for another visitor... From Italy this time. Man, this really changes all what I wanted to do... Visitor's schedule always come with priority, you know!

Okay - final part of trip! Closing... from afternoon on 2nd day.

Bus stop... special bus for tourists were very convenient.

Way to go to Owakudani (famous for natural hot spring).

This is the 1st aerial tramway in Japan!

Another (very new) tramway... and cable car... down the hill to another museum in Chokoku No Mori.

Hey, hungry?! Curry over rice for me and SMILE face (?) pizza for MoonFlower.

This pizza imitated PICASSO art.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum - very famous in the area.

Picasso collection here... and lots of gifts to buy! (for whom?)

Trip ended here... after the museum, took train all the way back in town. Yea, fun time was over then. Did I like it?! Do I want to go back for some other museums?! Yeah, really... spent less than expected... this makes me feel easy to plan one more soon?!

9:59+1

September 25, 2003 =Pay Day and Biz Trip

Hi, folks... just back from day trip. Had to go to Gotemba... same area that I went on trip! Gee, didn't know that I had to return so quickly. Hahaha. I must have missed that place of pleasure?! Sure...

I went to bed very late last night. No reason. Just stayed up late like up to 2am or so. Hmmmm, tough to sleep. No wonder I was so sleepy while day time!!! Slow work?! Hey, I was on trip... didn't I say?! I got stuck in single meeting for long time like more than several hours... precisely whole afternoon!

Attire for trip?! Hahaha, so funny.

Unusual dark colors... right?!

Okay, here's Part 2! Starting with breakfast pictures... on 2nd day.

Never had some formal breakfast like this?!

Accommodation was located on top of a hill... so many stairs to go!!!

Out of breath, already?! Come on!!!

Boat ride... over Lake Ashi.

Famous gift from the area... "Onsen Tamago" (boiled egg over natural spring)

Star and small planet?! --- "Le Petit Prince"

Museum of Saint-Exupery & The Little Prince in Hakone

Best part of trip! MOST RECOMMENDED!

Very neat place... huh! Who is in pink shirt?

So many gifts too... I grabbed some too. Hahaha.

Today - Pay Day!!! Thank God!

0:31+1

September 24, 2003 =Back To Work!

Tell me, "Welcome back to REAL world" - huh! Yeah, unlikely. More than several people at work mentioned to me some irony about being out of town for pleasure. Yeah, one phrase and another... still for same meaning.

WHATEVER! (hahaha, no one wanted to be bad to me... some remark, right!)

Today's color... green and gold. By GUCCI. You like this?!

Work, work, and work... things were piled up while away from such duty?! Well, better than expected... I mean, not so bad. Just read all messages... more than 100 or so. That was it. Minor issues around... not major ones this time! (Thank God!)

2 appointments... easily done!

Came home around 8:30pm. Kind rushed... because needed to stop by my dry cleaning for pickup. Yeah, no more suits to wear home! All suits were there... so. Came home and found this:

Slip note from NHK (National TV) for COLLECTION!

Oh boy! Great to miss?! However, WRONG NAME in it!

Attention, collecting agent... if you want MY money, please STATE MY NAME RIGHT!

Okay - Part 2 here:

Hakone Yumoto Station - full of tourists!!!

Near the station, late lunch. Very hungry then. Japanese SOBA noodle.

Traveler's coupon book and Hakone Free Pass Ticket - made the trip GOOD VALUE.

Bus stop - we ran to this place from train station... man, exercise too?! Hahaha.

Hakone Ashinoko Museum of Fine Art.

Saw lots of Picasso (in 2nd picture) and Chagall! Many souvenirs...

MoonFlower wanted to pick up some postcards... Hey, your 15 minutes were up!

She didn't get time to buy even one! We had to ran to the bus stop AGAIN!

After 45-minute bus trip, we came to the accommodation of the trip. In Yugawara.

And finally dinner time has come... at 7:30pm.

Wow! Raw fish and matsutake mushroom (expensive!)

More?! Yep...

Mixed rice (left), duck meat in center and some fruits... (sycamore at right)

AND desserts... DONE!

How would you think?! Agree that it has been wonderful trip?! No fights between two?! (Hmmmmm)

23:31

September 23, 2003 =Descansar

Fatigue... or fatiga?! Well, all I needed for today was just to rest. 2 day trip was just hard enough physically... but certainly it was fun! Who did go with me?! Hey, you don't have to waste your time for that kind of question. You should be smarter than that.

Here is SOME shots from trip.

Part 1, okay!

1st destination - Odawara Castle!

Unfortunately, Typhoon #15 was around! Man, what a luck...

Very large scale construct - fascinated me!

Man, view was blocked!!! Thick clouds and heavy rain!!!

Too much rain... what a day for trip, I complained!

Castle Museum... you can learn all about Odawara's history
along with samurai come in and out to the Castle.

22:40

September 22, 2003 =Report?

September 21, 2003 =Special Off

(No Update)

September 20, 2003 =Wish Is Real?!

Like I said (yesterday or so), long weekend is here for ME! (scream)

From tomorrow, I will be out of town. True vacation. I will NOT take computer or anything --- just something to wear. Yeah, I will hide myself at least for 24 hours or so from tomorrow. Please don't even try to call me into my cellular phone. Hehehe.

As a part of that preparation, went out for some shopping. Bought what?! You know, it's call FinePix F700. Brand new camera! This is 4th digital camera I ever had for my life. Started with Casio QV-10a, then - all rest from FujiFilm. FinePix700 in 1998. Up to yesterday, FinePix 4700Z was in use. From today (tomorrow?) on, FinePix F700 with 600 million pixels!!!

How much?! A little more than 900 bucks. Hmmmm, too expensive. TOO MUCH! But I couldn't find any other model that I would like to replace current 4700Z. This was the only choice in today's market.

http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/Products.jsp?nav=0&parent=PRODUCT_CATEGORY_543055&product=43860830

How much in US?! $600, huh... pretty much same here... In my case, I bought 256MB memory chip ($200) and camera bag... This made my purchase even bigger! I will make all kinds of efforts to master this (difficult) camera for better pictures!

Where am I going for tomorrow?! Destination details NOT disclosed. Hahaha. Leave me alone!

22:11

September 19, 2003 =Finally Friday!

Today's music... from my old time. Precisely time in Mexico. "Fey" was a young idle and I listed to her pop music so often... now her CD is in slot and play. All in Spanish... surely. Is she still around?! I doubt it.

Today's tie. No particular brand... but in GOLD! Yeah, I looked richer today!

This is the 30th tie of my collection. Almost comes to an end. Several more to go.

2 appointments in the morning. One cancelled at last minute. Not my fault. That customer wanted to move the appointment to this afternoon. Impossible. I had to attend to a sales meeting. Kind big one.

Got in the office around noon. Not lunch yet. Had to skim through all received messages... really quick. Then a little after 1pm, left my desk again. All sales staff members were supposed to go to that meeting and I found Yasuko Ishiyama in the office, so we went out for lunch on the way to the place for meeting.

"Ootoya." Very casual restaurant for cheap foods! Hahaha.

2pm, conference initiated. Man, not much fun... (fun?! It's still work!) Kept me stay so SLEEPY! Not my fault! Just material was kind boring! (not my fault, again). Last like what... from 2pm to 6pm. 4 hours for NOTHING?! (shhhhh)

Well, better say, "learned a little" rather than having said straight out "nothing." I will be careful.

Spending for something other than usual routine work for whole afternoon means that things got piled up while then. Right?! Seriously, right. Damn right! I had to stay late in the office for tonight to take care of all left for me! Gee, what a work.

For your information, I will have extended weekend from here on --- until Tuesday. Well, here is normal weekend and everyone goes to work on Monday. Tuesday is national holiday. I will take a day off on Monday to make long weekend of 4 days. Please DO NOT even THINK about disturbing me for WORK!

Intending NOT to answer any message this time. UNCONDITIONALLY!

9:49+1

September 18, 2003 =Ready for Friday?!

Hi, folks... I am just home. After midnight. Bad boy?! Well, tell me about it. After working hard (or hardly working - whatever!), I think I really deserved something fun... like hanging around with coworkers over just several drinks.

Without Boss Ito, was it fun time?! Well...

Well, you don't see that the shirts were still in purple, too.

Tie from Versace... one last thing from the brand in my collection.

With such outfit, I went out of town... to countryside. Ibaragi. Man, I looked so kinky in any public place all day long. Only elders and students were around in train station or center of town... and no one would see anyone wearing such colors like me!

Yeah, I was the only one in town... everyone treated me like I came from different planet.

One way took me longer than an hour and half... more than three hours spent for single appointment. I saw Customer W around 1pm and meeting lasted an hour or so. Easy start took me to bitter end.... with some tough comments that I had to suck up. Not my failure... though, immediate improvement was certainly requested. Oh boy.

For this appointment, I had to take my lunch way later than usual... today's was at 3pm. Yeah, late enough... better than having skipped?!

Tomorrow, I've got 2 appointments to go in the morning. Won't come to office first. I should be in around noon time... and then, I will be in a big meeting for whole afternoon... which could be my nap time?! Who knows! Hay, let's make this secret... just between ya'll and me! (still on Internet, huh).

Tonight's festivity... wasn't coming to a good end. Mori was upset and everyone sort like didn't care much. Hey, we always need to make all for good drinks! He was, to me, out of control... his temper was gone out of our reach, unfortunately. We had an internal meeting toward late night after all regular work. Then, some of us decided to have "extended inning." Well, whose bad?!

Hope Mori would be okay by tomorrow.

1:18+1

September 17, 2003 =Bad Taste?!

What's up, folks! Everything is still in upward?! Well, at least Tokyo stock market... just like NYSE or FT100 (UK)... Nikkei average is now around 11,000 points... the highest in last 12 months or even longer. Pretty bright news for investors and company executives, NOT ME! Don't bother me even a little bit! Hahaha.

Is this really reflected from improving economy of the country?! Probably not yet. Just following after other nations... no more or no less.

New PowerBook 15" introduced!

Man, same theme in design to ones in same line-up... 12" and 17".

Yes, I want one! Without considering how much I can afford right now, this is definitely good buy! Am I going to buy for real?! What would you think, moron! Most definitely, am STILL broke. Will keep being broke! Got it?!

Remember that I haven't paid out my debt yet... from purchase of current PowerBook 12" that currently using for this. Gee, 15" version isn't the only one. 12" and 17" models are also renewed with same chassis but with better (improved) configurations! Hmmmm.

As you know, always wanting all NEWER. My bad.

Bad taste?! Golf design on it.

From Atlanta Georgia, famous pro teams were for sale?! Hey, I was asked to buy one... Braves (baseball), Thrashers (ice hockey), and Hawks (basketball) were for sale. In today's news, Thrashers and Hawks were tied and even with their (common) home place called Philips Arena were sold to investor group. Surely, am NOT a member!

Braves weren't sold this time. The owner company AOL Time Warner... wanting to let all go, huh.

How was a day here?! Started at governmental agency office and then I went in a really long meeting. Good result?! I would say, at least I succeeded to avoid worst case by customer's favor and support. Lucky enough. Though, the hurdle set for next step is now higher than expected. Surely, challenging... though, yes, I am working on it.

Just read a message from customer HOME. Man, this made me feel bad. Complaint... bitter one. Hate it. Shouldn't have read it... have left it behind I should.

About from 6pm, internal (sales) meeting took place between Mori, Ishiyama, and me. Lasted for a few hours. Well, didn't want it become long... but did. Tomorrow, there will be expanded meeting for all department members... without boss to be present. Might (most likely?) be long one once again. Oh boy.

Good night. Have to dream about counting so much cash to have this come true!

23:38

September 16, 2003 =Big Plus?!

Today's "LUCKY" tie!!!

Back to work... without having Boss Ito around... good for all of us?! Well, I couldn't afford myself enjoy that much about this since I went out for sales calls... with 5 appointments. Yeah, I was busy in visiting customers on company's name change.

Started in Gotanda - then, Osaki - Hamamatsusho, Shibakoen, etc. Yeah, quick visits.

Some guy from Osaka Office showed before me without prior notice. Then, gave me a comment... that I was still wearing crazy ties... all posted here were all that no one else would ever want.

WHATEVER!

Who is this?! TOMIOKA - he is the guy who can leave me some bitter comment... no one else could. Nice to see you, man! He came to Tokyo for what?! Good question... am sure that he made something up to excuse himself to come this way. Otherwise, he has some reason not to be in Osaka anymore?! Hahaha. My bad.

Lunch was part of my short recess with iced coffee in Doutor Coffee. Didn't eat much. Just a piece of bread with coffee then. 330 yen. Dinner?! I had to stop by Seiyu to buy some other thing... fluorescent light. 2 tubes for 880 yen (still cheapest, though).

Chinese dish box for supper. 510 yen. Saved so much. Done well for today. And then, dry cleaning was picked up. Yeah, all to-do's on the way home were completed. Good stuff.

<<<180k sujetado!!!>>>

23:28

September 15, 2003 =Tigers Came To Finishi First!

Hanshin Tigers secures the pennant of 2003!

1st time in 18 years!!! Just like Detroit Tigers won the World Series!
(At this point, NOT YET WIN the Japan Series!)

Work... that was my pain for this weekend is now done... done WELL! Finally it's OVER! NO MORE WORK LIKE THIS, please... if you're my customer!

For your information, I will be out of town next weekend and I will NOT retrieve messages or take any request WHATSOEVER! You know, I will be OFF!

"OFF" is, according to American Heritage Dictionary, "8-Absent or away from work or duty ." Got it?! Please take note if you have never known of this.

Sushi for dinner. Fancy still like yesterday?! Yep.

Slept much in the afternoon. Were like up to clearing up all lack of sleep from this weekend... at least I seemed to have tried. Slept like more than several hours... so I recall.

Good night.

0:20+1

September 14, 2003 =Roppongi

This crazy man went to Roppongi Hills.

First time in his life to go to this very new place in Tokyo.

^{Opened April 25, this year... very fancy place for shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.}

Even lunch was quite fancy... fancier than usual!

Roppongi Hills... full of people... packed so much in every single facility. So many lines for every restaurant. For my lunch, I waited about 30 minutes or so... 20-25 people were in the waiting list ahead of me... how about that!

Too bad that customer asked me to report the status for today and had to go home earlier than usual weekend time. Came home about 6:30pm and worked quite bit. He even called me up around 11pm... I bet he didn't check the voice message that I left around 7:30pm. Anyway, still going okay.

Too much pressure. Expectation is just too high, I would say.

Long time waited... finally!

FujiFilm's brand new camera F700 is now in stores everywhere for sales!

Price?! About 720 dollars. Buy or Pass? My answer?! Is still in serious consideration.

0:05+1

September 13, 2003 =Not Holiday Weekend Yet?!

One email from the customer for hot shipment got delivered to my computer at 6:44am. Saying, "Are you awake?! I haven't heard any from my counterpart at 4pm local time in US... please call him to see what's up with the issue."

Crazy or what?! Expecting me to contact on behalf of you at this early?! Gotta be kidding. Who would expect someone being up this early for you?! Hmmmm. However, I was up then. In fact, I was up for this issue from 6am this morning.

Sometimes, requests from customers are overwhelming... that I cannot stand.

For today, I spent mostly for this single issue to solve. Documents to receive and contacts to customers... I didn't sleep much last night and this was the start of long weekend?! Man, must be a bad luck.

No movies... no fun.

Although, some window shopping to refresh myself a little bit... a fresh air for myself to sharpen up?! Hahaha.

New items I want and should be on my shopping list... new eye glasses (again?), fountain pen (really?), and brand new digital camera (why?). Man, I should start fast to save all dollars and pennies! By tomorrow morning, I should be able to breathe normal... with (hopefully good) result of how this urgent thing goes.

9:17+1

September 12, 2003 =Ready for Weekend?!

Extended weekend this time!!! Yes! This is exactly what I needed for... long time!!! Who come long one?! Well, Saturday and Sunday are coming up as normal... and Monday, national holiday called "Respect-for-the-Aged Day." Nice, huh!

Not so fast, folks. I've got an urgent call from client around 5pm... he was talking about some weekend operation. He needs to have goods from US by Monday (still holiday!) or so. Telling me so hot stuff at this LATE?! Gotta be kidding! I couldn't believe what I heard over the phone. Some kind of practical joke - I thought in the first place.

Well, things are tight and customer stands on the edge, too. I have to make this happen... as all other million things called "urgent" or "immediate." Whatever...

Up to then, I was perfectly ready for my long spare time of three days. With this single phone call, 1st day of the weekend is so instantly blown away! Life is cheap, huh.

Today's tie. Still Italian fashion. Given by whom?!

Late - better say early midnight... called up the colleague in Denver and talked about that hot shot... I felt extremely sorry that I had brought something so urgent to someone totally unfamiliar with. In fact, this biz was totally new to even me and all I could say to the guy on the other end, "Do whatever you can and make this happy. I have to rely on you for 100%."

I will stay up late.

Wish me luck, will you!!!

9:42+1

September 11, 2003 =Historic September 11th

2 years ago... at night, I saw a shocking scene from New York on TV... have been 2 years already... still the mess since then hasn't been cleared up. This will last for a while even from now on...

Benetton tie... bought by my Mom.

Seashells. Am I cute with it?! Or you just tell me that TIE is cute... Hahaha. Well with this kind of attire, I went out for 4 sales calls under severely strong sunshine.

HOT - weather was killing!

Boss Ito was complaining how hot it was... he told me that he would be like grilled fish... HOW COME NOT PORK BBQ? Hehehe. He told me, "I kill you, man." Oops, I slipped my tongue.

Let's not spill the beans, okay!

Stayed and walked back and forth in Shinjuku area... all customers were located within. Very efficient route, huh... just happened to be.

You know, I just came back from drinking... with many of colleagues. Man, this was the 3rd day of single week for drinks! What goes wrong here?! Hahaha.... nothing wrong! Just got a chance to... Or you can tell me that too mush stress around my life and I have to unload all of them once!

From tomorrow, Boss Ito will be out of touch. We won't see him entire next week because he decided to take a week vacation! First time for him to be off duty this long in his career?! Good for him! He shouldn't think too much of work. Enjoy!

0:38+1

September 10, 2003 =Busy Wednesday?!

Lots of things were done today! Being productive?! Well, you may say so... at least, my toilet is now fixed - two water guy showed up and took them about an hour to complete. It's working and no more mess here.

My wave eye ware has new parts... ordered parts were in and stopped by a shop to get it done. This is complete, too.

5 appointments complete within today too! Man, too many?! Well, I made all of them short... since I had to show as many customers as possible in order to bring up an announcement... that company name is changing effective from next month. Yeah, finally.

So I left work around 10:30am... then didn't return to the office at all for today. I wanted to come home early about attending to the "construction" in the bathroom. No one wants any other people to be in his/her place, right?!

Another Versace tie.

You may have single question like ... how many more?!

This time, all for this update, I keep worn ties being separated from those not yet. So I know exactly where I am about this flow. For now, I still have to go another... let me count... about 10 to go. What would you think of that?!

Lunch... I had to eat some sandwiches at a cafe in Omotesando. Didn't have much time to... so I decided to have an iced coffee with something to eat while downloading all unread emails on job! Working too much?! Just time wasn't enough. New battery gives me more mobility and I can stay active being outside... although, making my bag much heavier than usual is painful burden on my shoulder for sure.

Need a car?! Well, hectic to look for parking space in Tokyo. Good idea... need a chauffeur! Hahaha.

Friend ChanKen will be on trip to Europe?! Must be nice, man! He has late summer vacation?! Alone to Europe?! Have I reviewed his schedule and all setting background deep enough to see this is true that he really goes on by himself?! There must be shadow of gal (or gals) somewhere...

Friend Charlie is totally out of touch... he seems not responding to any messages from his friend... I really thought that I was the only one he didn't communicate with. What's up with him?!

22:44

September 9, 2003 =No More Drinks?

Hi, folks... it's me - Tak... being drunk two days in a row... yeah, all about job, right?! YES!!!

One last party with Jerry Yen from Taiwan.

He spent a little more than half day with me for an appointment. You know, in that appointment we saw a Taiwanese lady and all conversed each other in Chinese... certainly, I was out of communication circle. Oh boy! I was bored?! Nope, I was busy PRETENDING being able to understand that language! Yeah surely, I did pick up some words!!! Hahaha.

Mr. Jerry Yen - thank you for your time and it was fun!

So tonight was just like last night... full of drinks and too much foods around! You know, I had fancy lunch with Jerry, too. Yeah, free food... good benefit in being sales?! Hahaha. Although, I was busy.

After appointment with Jerry to new prospective customer, I had to go out for another on my own. That result wasn't that good... worse than I expected. Hmmm, shocking.

Some readers sent me a request... that I take pictures of other - coworkers' ties... so that they can see that I may be the only one wearing weird tie around. Yeah, so I tried this out:

Right> Mr. Araki's --- Left> Mr. Mori's

Boss Ito's tie... brown stripes...

So you think... more of the people wear things with some conservativeness like these? What would you think? Are you sure to believe that I was the only unique in fashion?! You can call me "fashionable" - I don't mind at all!!!

What about today?!

By Hugo Boss - simple and the patterns are FLOWERS!

23:47

September 8, 2003 =Good or Bad?

Tired... and came home drunk. Yeah, a little bit. And you know what?! I've got to get up early tomorrow morning!!!

Today wasn't normal day for me at job. Jerry Yen - the director from Taipei was with us all day long and I was in the meeting for entire day! Yeah, truly. That's why my colorful tie wasn't that much for today?!

Unusual white tie with flowers.

You know what? I received remark from MoonFlower... the choice of shirts isn't giving good influence on such vivid ties... don't you think so too? Need to know! As you may know, I have more than 20 ties... and more than 10 shirts around. Still I have to go out for more shirts?!

In the afternoon, started having headache... and my tongue didn't follow much of my intension but my pain from head... Didn't speak well much... I was tired?! Overwhelmed by some difficulty faced?! Anyway, took some medicine immediately. Felt better thereafter?! Yeah, I became conscious.

Other than this internal meeting for new strategy on sales... I have not much to tell you. Well, I joined the party for dinner with Jerry tonight... means free foods and drinks! Hahaha. What hurts me, right?!

Over dinner, yeah it was fun... at least for me. Small gathering still, though. Boss Nakabayashi and others were there... not Boss Ito and Mori made it. They were in big mess at early evening and I bet that it would take tremendous amount of time.

Tomorrow will be busier?! Will go out with Jerry for sales calls.

23:55

September 7, 2003 =Disaster!

9-1-1... should I have dialed for my emergency?! Man, my place is falling apart! Last night I found that my toilet wasn't functioning properly. Not flushing... My face flushed then. Never expected anything like this... right?!

I opened the top of water tank and realized the lever arm's chain linked to the bottom water cap wasn't hooked. Why so? The cap was old and deteriorated and couldn't be hooked to chain anymore. I had to manually reach to the cap with my arm - half in water to make toilet flush! What a mess!

So this morning, I called for help. Lady showed up about 11am and saw the case. She went back to see the inventory for necessary parts to replace. Then she returned this place with some old guy along with herself. They tried on parts which was similar shape...

At the end of "construction" - I've got an explanation. Things were not completely done. They made a temporary solution for me on immediate needs of use! The thing is old model and they have to check with manufacturer tomorrow and come back to set all completely upon making appointment to me.

Big mess... right?! At least, I don't have to go outside to take care of my physical demands. Oh gee... what a day!

Xbox is finally out of box and set to next to TV. Good addition to my place for now. Playing games much?! Least likely. DVD player?! Definitely. Easier to use than PlayStation 2.

22:18

September 6, 2003 ="Zato-Ichi"

Movie "Zato-Ichi"

Comedian Takeshi Kitano is reaching to another big step of his brilliant milestone in filming. Zato-Ichi is hitting so many theaters nationwide from this weekend and I came to join one of such viewers so instantly.

"Zato-Ichi" is very popular among aged between 50 and above. It is name of guy who is blind masseur with outstanding sword technique. He kills bad guys to improve corrupted samurai era. This series was popular back in 20 years or more... played by Shintaro Katsu -who became big movie star in playing this character.

After Shintaro's death, this Zato-Ichi films and TV series are part of his legend and no one really intended to touch... Until Takeshi Kitano decides to do his own way of "Zato-Ichi." This movie was sent to Venice film festival and today announced that best director award was given to him. Man, must be really good movie...

My impression?! I still prefer old ones... to what I just saw today. However, it's worth to see. Pretty good still.

Tak gives a rate of B- to this film.

If one out of million chances that this movie hits US... please, don't miss it. Interesting samurai movie.

22:04+1

September 5, 2003 =Entrevista

Best preparation for work like this!?

Closing this "usual" week. Nothing special to report to. Although, there will be a new world for me out there or not... Means like I have to spice up my life a little more than these days... Everyday life of mine, things are getting so accustomed and no special event or anything.

Maybe I should look for something that I can really have myself into... like new hobby?! Maybe some new sport to play?! Maybe time to move on to Windows?! (Hahaha)

Work started off in Ueno... I made some remark to new customer who recently made me to service more than quoted! Yeah, I mean I did more than what I was supposed to. More work for little money. Worst, right?! So this time, I was the one leaving some ironic remark to my (still new) customer. Very rare.

At the end, this customer felt GUILTY and asked me to work on some new quote... Hahaha, lucky me!

There were 2 more destinations after this. Went okay. Courtesy calls.

Sales meeting took place from 6pm and lasted like forever... Almost catching last train for the day. Almost.

Let's leave all difficult thing at work and move on for fun this weekend, folks!

11:52+2

September 4, 2003 =Read Over and Over

Somehow, reading is part of my life... at least for these couple of days. Not read about some story-telling... cannot stand! I just keep reading all business related magazines and books. Why now?! Maybe because there is a serious thought about how to carry out business from now on?! Yeah, truly.

I am trying to see as many case studies possible... Well, probably not much fun if I keep talking about it, huh. All right, anyway here is everyday usual!

Another yellow tie?! Yep. Giraffe and palm tree?!?!

From Banana Republic. Your favorite?!

Oh my bad... I've got a scary comment from someone really close to me at work... "Hey, I do read stuff in English, too - crazy!" Gee, I've got frozen! I ought to be careful here TOO! Hmmm, maybe it's time to start up another personal page?!

Irritating... Internet access is sluggish... yesterday too... not fixed yet for today. I will demand full cash back!!!

Lunch was taken in Shinbashi... right after visit to governmental agency. Curry over rice. 530 yen.

Now I feel so sleepy. You know, I went to bed around 3am last night (this morning?). Yeah, I said, 3am! Why?! Surely NOT chatting with anyone over the Net... I know I was in computing. A little busy typing something. Some report to make. NOT work-related... but I just need to wrap up something on my own.

Somehow, I didn't feel so sleepy up to now. Yeah, now really am.

One more day to go. Do I have plans for weekend?! Nope. MoonFlower should rest... after a big exam. In fact, she takes some exam tomorrow and must be studying so hard at this last minute. What exam?! She wants to upgrade her license... "How to get rid of man in 10 days." Hahaha!

Let's wish her luck on that!

Tomorrow's keyword: Bakery and Fastener (why?)

23:49

September 3, 2003 =Busy... and then Lost?

Lost and Found... I was! Hahaha. Spent whole day for 4 different meetings... there was no upset customers for me and everything was peachy-keen. Not bad, huh - I know.

Started from Shinbashi area and ended in Yokohama. You know, for 3rd appointment, I lost... I thought that I knew the way to one client... and I was really wrong. Made myself so disappointed with such vague memory! Shame on me! You know, I really gave up on it and had no choice but stopped a cab. Yeah, I really went into wrong direction! Walked over 20 minutes... in vain, being so sweaty and stinky! Sure no one would like to come around... right?! You wanna try?! Hehehe.

Having made myself so much bad shape was because I was carrying heavy laptop... yeah, self-destruction!

I had to take my tie for today from different angle... since today's tie was unique in other way.
Half yellow and another half in black... by (another?) Versace!

(Maybe you want to say...) Sickened?!

Had pretty fancy lunch with some business-related person... it was very interesting and exchanged lots of cannot-be-disclosed issues... yeah, secret. Most importantly, it was all on him... somehow. Lucky me!

Didn't see Boss Ito all day long. Lucky me again?! Hahaha. He was out of office for monthly review meeting. Man, he may be irritated by shortage in sales... my bad?! I should be careful in approaching to him... yeah, I really should.

In this evening, big thunderstorm over Tokyo and many trains got stopped or delayed... I made home just like usual... while so many others like coworkers had to spend time in waiting for trains to resume. What a night! How come I was okay?! You know, I do things RIGHT! That's the trick. Got it?!

0:08+1

September 2, 2003 =You Probably Never Imagined

Busy day... I had to deliver bad news to TWO customers... biggest customers. A flight from New York didn't come with what it was supposed to bring. Man, those customers were out of stock for today. Only interesting found in reporting to them of this bad news was different reactions.

Customer J - "How come?! Horrible! Do you know how important this is?! Why so?! How did it happen?! Make sure that you tell me full report by tomorrow morning! (some yelling)"
Customer T - "Really?! Oh gee, well, please make sure that all scheduled operations stay in effect for tomorrow."

Certainly I did bring same information to 2 different customers. However, one stuck with asking me why... and the other really moved on about what to take care with new schedule. Interesting, huh. Which type of customer would you be?! Hehehe.

Another purple tie!
By Versace (another one, yet). --- Another favorite of mine!

Spent time for 3 appointments. Yeah, homework was done. Good news?! Well, I already had bad start and couldn't afford myself much looking into something good. In other words, I just wanted to have some peace... not hard negotiation or competition at all. At least for today. Hope my boss won't read this sentence here. Surely, I won't put same meaning in Japanese side! Hahaha.

Plus, Boss Ito are NOT good at reading all in English. Japanese is tough (long?) enough for him to read all about.

Lunch - skipped. Didn't have time to.
Supper, easily taken care of with least amount (669 yen).

One last thing. Surprise... better be "astonishing." Who would you think got my 111,111th mark in Japanese version?! Usually, frequent "Japanese" readers... got to be! Although, this wasn't the case here... at least this time.

Nicknamed "Katerina" from Greece was the frequent "English" reader and happened to click "Japanese" sign for prize on 111,111th visit! Wow, congratulations! Well, she declared that I didn't have to send her a present... Well, don't you think I should?! Some reward... even small one... Will see what I can do.

Do I know her in real world?! Nope. I have never been to Greece. I wish! Someday, right?! Hahaha.

Anyway, I had never thought about someone in Europe coming to get such memorial marking... Man, good surprise and made my day! Katerina, thanks for reading!

Happy birthday, Yasuko Ishiyama... your 31st already?! Man, I shouldn't have written up your age here... too late!

23:16

September 1, 2003 =Who Made 111,111th Hit?

Man, someone came to my web site and marked 111,111th hit... in Japanese version. Am sure that you're not the one... if you just come back here to read today's update. Just in case... one out of billions, you should tell me and claim for prize! (Never expect something expensive!)

Well anyway, I really appreciate of your patronage

Tough day today. Yeah, I knew it would be like that... too many urgent issues and I had to stick my butt to my chair to take care of all... phone calls after phone calls.

Orange tie and shirts for today.

Many of you have indicated some question about new shoes... yes, you're correct. Within single month, I bought TWO pairs... I had to. Since I don't have anything to put on for work, I didn't have any choice... but grab some shoes like that. Being outside sales really make all shoes get worn out so soon... like you probably cannot imagine! Faster than you think. Very easily!

Oh... forgot about this. LABOR WEEKEND, huh! So this means you have no work for today?! Man, no wonder that my work doesn't come without problems. Too many out here because of you in US! Hahaha. Truly, issues are all US-related. No kidding. Prime of such exhaustion with issues is expected TOMORROW. Today, it wasn't all bad... so will see a big nightmare... possibly two or more?!

You know, such extended weekend, I always see huge slow down in traffic operation. This is where all issues lies out.

Plus, my email doesn't seem okay... I missed more than several messages being lost somewhere (yet, never delivered to my computer). Server problem?! Must be.

September... how about that?! Only four full months left for 2003. Should start up something... like mentioned in new year's resolutions of yours! Hahaha, remember any?

22:46

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