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January 31, 2004 =January's End |
Woke up around 8:30am. Wow, early morning for me. Started working on something. Yeah, my general house-cleaning. I should say, "apartment cleaning," huh. I bet my neighbor was irritated by the noise I made around from doing it. Hehehe.
Still, never seen my next-door resident. Not yet. All just for new carpet (still small, though) to install. Look and tell me how you like this:
Cute?! Cozy-look?
XXX VIII (i.e. Super Bowl) - Carolina Panthers are underdog (should be "cat!"), right?! In Texas this year... that didn't know. Go Panthers!
11:38+1
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January 30, 2004 =Friday Night - Good Pastime? |
Great pastime for me... at Friday night after work. Well, work was okay and did finish all up a little after 6pm. Good for me. Great start of weekend! (even though there was no plans whatsoever...)
"Kainz Home" - DIY superstore... that I found in short distance and it was my destination for the night. For what?! Well, since this "raw winter" or this character of locality... I should've been well-prepared. So was looking for some "aid" from the store.
Big purchase at end?! Well, not that way... You know, I really have to watch out what to spend... practically how much to spend. So paid 30 bucks or so for thick carpet... hopefully help keeping myself away from cold floor. I consider this as good deal.
Kainz Home - should be classified as like-Home Depot, you know.
"Mister Donut" - I made a brief stop... turned out to be long stay there. Having PowerBook, I enjoyed with wireless access to Internet. Free of charge for the service and paid only 3 dollars for a cup of coffee (refill-free) and one doughnut. Coffee made me bitter and doughnut gave me sugar to be sweet... so what am I? Hehehe.
Here is a little comparison. The speed I gained at that doughnut shop and home... Maybe you want to compare your current access speed to Internet with mine?!
6.633 Mbps HOME & 1.653 Mbps at shop.
11:29+2
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January 29, 2004 =Blurry |
Yeah, all I can describe of today's activity... as "blurry." Means what?! Well, I spent many hours with microscope. Yeah, today's (training) session was of lab work. Just recalled of Chemistry class back in elementary school.
Did I ace on report I wrote last night?! Well, it was submitted this morning. To Manager Takahashi. He welcomed my work submitted a day earlier than the due. So I looked very eager to work hard. Have I ever been like that?! You tell me. No comments on report, yet.
Anyhow, did I like working on lab?! Sort of. Microscope was fun tool... though, bad on eyes. Not that used to concentrate to focus on something very small... with detailed scale. I should've been relaxed and I would have been okay. Though, I was really into it... so all this turned out for me to be misty-eyed. Still am so.
Tomorrow, still some lab work to do... Well, I don't have to push this much... I will do better job then.
UPS Suzuyo (my previous work) will farewell Pres. Murakami - he served in the same position for years... I bet it should be longer than a decade. Anyhow, great job done, Sir! He has some other assignment (heavier?) at his origin - Suzuyo Co., Ltd. I just heard that tomorrow there is a big party to throw in Tokyo. Maybe I should show up as surprise?! Hahaha.
Oh one more thing to tell. Lab worker Mr. Ito was the one told me how to operate microscope... He looked very different from all others in the work. Pierced-ear (only left side), dyed light brown hair, loose fitting pants... very different. Not that young... definitely older than me. Unique character. Personality?! Quite open, though. Sounded very friendly and, for me, easy to talk to.
One more day to go. Nothing-planned weekend is just ahead... though, looking forward to.
22:10
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January 28, 2004 =Report Day |
"Fluctuated" --- "Is that "L" or "R?" Some other time, "flash" --- "is that with "L?" Tommy kept asking such questions to me! Hey, speak English, cannot spell?! ME, NEITHER! Don't ask. Hahaha! Just kidding.
Just wrote up a report of training session on Monday. About one page. With full of terms that I learned. Hahaha. Yeah, tried to make it look good. You know, 1st report ever done to new work. Should be impressive.
Although, there is some contrary fact... didn't learn all ENOUGH! In fact, I was... dozed off!!! My bad!
Anyway, what I wanted to finish is just finished. Let's NOT look back at it. Done is done! I know, if I ever looked it over, I would have to spend more time on it to fix and add something.... You know what I mean.
007 Die Another Day DVD just entertained me a little bit. Didn't see entire story at a time yet. I just saw the beginning, trying to get a feel of "handsome man." Hehehe.
Have I met any gal at work... like I wanted to make friends with??? To be honest with you, new work is consisted from full of men and shortage of female members. Well, in my opinion. Compared to previous place, I really have come to men-dominant world. Though, am NEVER saying that there is not any of gals that I would like to be friend.
For lunch - deep-fried chicken. Pork dish was my supper. Somewhat, eating habit of mine become very consistent compared to previous life style in Urayasu. Good for me?! Sure.
22:46
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January 27, 2004 =Sleepy Tuesday |
Hi, folks. Good evening. Had fun at work?! Well, not for me. I still have to be like new... pretending some nice (and yet serious) guy!!! I may start feeling "tired" doing so. Hahaha. Well, I am STILL okay.
Very cold evening. Not snowing... though, it's freezing here.
Received a picture from Friend Eto... many guys from UPS Suzuyo (previous work of mine) went out for skiing this past weekend. Yeah, I remember that I was invited upon... although, I knew that I would be on tight schedule after starting new job... so I didn't go.
Seemed 16 guys had fun with lots of snow around. Unfortunately, cannot put that picture up here. You know, picture wasn't that great... at all. Even if I would, you just see 16 people in single picture... yet no one would get recognized.
Tried to fix... though, not turned out good.
Lecture continued all day long. Yeah, my combat against sleepiness still went on and on. Still somewhat I fell asleep. So... sorry!
Left work around 6pm... drove a car for fun. Went down to Machida City... that I have never been to. I just wanted to see how big that city was... it was big. I should go up there for checking things out. Many restaurants and shops. I should make up some excuse to get there... rather than going out with girlfriend. Oops.
About 40 minutes from here to Machida. Not bad at all.
More than 125 visitors on Japanese page for today. Wow, so many people wanted me to get back online, huh. Nice to... great to know! Hehehe.
21:30
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January 26, 2004 =Back Online |
Finally?! Yeah, www.ogaki.net is back online today! Yeah, 65 dollars (for 2-year-contract) were certainly enough for some guy in US to connect "ogaki.net" to the open Internet. Hahaha. Whoever it was, THANKS!
Not forgetting of this picture - from Apple Store in Ginza
Today's training?! Sort bored. Well, did combat the sleepiness all day long. Yeah, literally all day! One guy spent on such session all day long, telling me of quality control issue. Certainly, learned something. Like:
FMEA = Failure Mode and Effective Analysis
SGA = Selling, General and Administrative expenses
TPM = Total Productive MaintenanceJust like that. Fun?! Well, you know what I mean. BORED. Difficult to manage time when you get a lesson... rather than when you know what to do moment to moment. Although, I consider this as very new opportunity to be something different from all time in the past. Certainly (no doubt) new category... which I wanted to have!
Jusco Ogaki recently made an announcement of its closing... WOW! Didn't know that it would come to be so!!! Surprise. Jusco store is one of only a few big shopping centers in Ogaki and I still remember when it opened... when I was a little boy. In fact, it was very close to where I used to live. Man... shocking. Last day of its sale is scheduled on April 20th.
22:18
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January 25, 2004 =End of Trip |
Closing the weekend. For me, it was quite long... the one started from Friday evening. Yeah, all great time made me feel not wanting to get back to work... but, you know-
Don't really know for you when to see this update... currently server, www.ogaki.net, is disconnected to all Internet. Why?! Well, it wasn't of technical. NOT AT ALL. It was all human ("my") mistake. No lies from computer.
Forgot to renew the contract on the domain (ogaki.net). Yeah, forgot completely about one year deal. Now I just sent a request to renew right away and, hopefully, I can keep holding my domain like this. Let me keep my fingers crossed for this one (simple) wish.
Sincerely, my apology for this inconvenience. Please forgive!
Where?! Kamakura! One of tourist sights in Japan.
Okay, extra shot. Hehehe.
22:11
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January 24, 2004 =Shibuya?! Shopping? |
Hello. Still somewhat remaining within Tokyo.... for what?! Must be something big going on. Well at least, it was of shopping. Destination?! Shibuya - very unusual place for me to go, huh. Something "new."
Lunch: French. "Concombre." 1,000 yen.
Cafe "Comme Ça."
Result?! Familiar design?! Didn't finish all in Shibuya - ended up in Ginza (again!).
Bag... for me to use on weekends. From Burberry
22:30+1
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January 23, 2004 =What?! Como? |
Good Friday. Yeah, into weekend... that everyone waited. Left work a little after 6pm, as usual (at least for now... for a while?!).
What?! Now?! Let's see the address where I am... 1-1-50, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo... T, T, T, TOKYO? Wow, how come?! Why am I in Tokyo at this evening?! Hehehe.
Left work and went straight home. Then, took train at 6:47pm and got to Ginza for dinner just at 7:50pm. Just one hour trip for this (still long) distance. Surprisingly, short. Shorter than really thought. Good kind of surprise. Reminds me that am still not that far from Tokyo! Hahaha.
Too many people in Tokyo!!! I forgot about it, already.
Famous Spanish restaurant in Giza, Tokyo - "Espero"
Didn't like much of the service there... Nevertheless, foods certainly did carry high level of quality... I can tell. That one in picture - great seafoods.
This restaurant is very famous... (said so MoonFlower).
Somewhat, my domain - www.ogaki.net - isn't working properly. Very sluggish. You may find some difficulty connecting to this page. Apology for such inconvenience... don't know what causes this... Bet some kind of technical problem at the server. Never from my computer with virus or anything!
10:25+1
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January 22, 2004 =Another Bad Weather? |
Brrr! Darn cold tonight. Again?! Bad weather to expect?! Surely hope not. My god! Just found that it would go down to upper 20's by 6am tomorrow. Gee, worse than thought. Although, no snow mentioned in any forecast seen.
Brrr! News that I didn't know - Yakult Swallows' closer Takatsu decided to take his new way... to be White Sox for this coming season. He is going to be doing the same job?! I just read official website of the team and found that he would be set-upper to start. He may take place of last inning job if current guy in that position cannot hold consistency of doing well.
Brrr! It was curry over rice for lunch at the dining hall. Foods in that place seemed good to me. Yeah, no complaint. CHEAP, too.
Brrr! Was work good?! Yeah, it was okay. I was told that I could hang on to such training session to continue until end of March. Yeah, it means I can fully enjoy myself coming home at 6:30pm everyday! This won't happen again in my life time!!! Get it?! I bet this will be last period of time like that. Hey, no hurry for whatsoever.
Brrr! After coming home around 6:20pm, went out... drove a little. Stopped by a gas station for car wash... not pumping. Though, service man approached to me and said that machine had started freezing and I shouldn't get served. Well, no comments left and just left. Man, my car was and is still very BEAUTIFUL. What should I do with this?! Hand wash?! Oh yeah, will give you $10 for that.
Brrr! Since training in progress, I haven't got much time to get people know in the sales department yet. Though, I sort found that there was a big trend going on within. Since so many sales staff went on biz trip overseas, many of them brought watched back for rest... as souvenir. Watch?! Yep, like Rolex, Omega, or Franck Muller, etc. All fake, okay! Yeah, those trips were mainly to neighbor countries like Thailand or China. Never Switzerland. Means... yeah, BOGUS!
Brrr! US beef... currently banned on all imports. Now, from today, no poultry from Thailand. Hey, what is this?! Government tells us to be veggie?! Many restaurants could go out of biz sooner or later. Speaking of beef shortage in consumer market in this country, we will start suffering in such living with shortage of US beef from end of February. Serious.
No chicken, beef... so stick with pig?! I mean, pork. Yeah, I just ate some for dinner. Smart, huh.
23:12
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January 21, 2004 =Field Trip? |
Sleepy... somewhat lack of sleep from yesterday... or so. I almost fell asleep... I said, ALMOST. Means, I have succeeded NOT to!
Last training session in Die Manufacturing Department. Last of three days from Monday. Easy?! Well, not much to use my head for today. Short lecture took place in the morning and, then, I was told to go ahead to start having lunch since I was about to taken out to a sight afterward.
Mr. Yamaguchi of Die Purchasing took me to Kawasaki... one of supporting factories for die design and manufacture, he needed to be up there to check how two new metals were about to be shaped. For me, I just needed to hand around. Part of training?! Yeah, seeing the reality of how the business is to carry out.
It was nothing but something like field trip or short excursion! Remembering old school days like where I was 10 or so?! Hmmm.
Left work around 6:10pm and drove a little. Went to bookstore, not grocery store. Hahaha. Enough foods in my fridge?! Well, in fact, stopped over at a convenience store ampm on the way home. NO serious foods... bought sandwiches for supper.
How's my Primera (car)? Man, it was pretty smooth. Perfect condition. How long did I drove for 1st month (this month)? Well, less than 100km...65miles. Will see... special after this weekend. Do I have any plan? You'll see.
Taking a short recess for yesterday and today, Nikkei stock exchange. Wow, Nissan has reported to recall 2 models today. Is going to be a big news at work tomorrow?! Since Nissan is the biggest user (i.e. customer) at work in Sagamihara. Anyway at least, didn't hear any today.
Two more days to go! Not only for weekend but also for 1st pay day in this new career!
23:00
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January 20, 2004 =Really Back?! |
Good evening, folks. Did you have a fine day?! Well, it was mild weather in Sagamihara and I did a usual routine work of thing called "training." Means, NO BRAIN WORKed at all. All day long, I just listened and followed whoever would give me lecture or whatever you call it.
Easy?! Well, still somewhat inconvenient... though, okay. Left early enough at 6pm. No OT. Don't need to!
Man, I've got a big lecture on ISO14001 Thursday morning. Hmmmm.
More and more names to remember. Better than yesterday. Hope it would be better tomorrow. Surely.
Am I really back on track about having correct Internet access and all environment for creating web pages are back?! Well at least for now, I can say so. Didn't know that I would come to such difficulty. It was really pain... pain in my butt for last 4 or 5 days. Almost thought to buy one more computer for backup! (true)
New words from work... I can share with you:
Die, injection, molding, sprue, runner, bush, jig, EDM (electric discharge machine), NC (numerical control), etc. Wow, becoming smarter?! Ha!
I suddenly become engineering major?! Hey, definitely not. Math was worst subject EVER!!! Hehehe. I've got B.A., all right?
23:05
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January 19, 2004 =Tak Gets Shrink? |
New work held (every) Monday morning meeting for all employees. Since factory workers, no computers, just in operation, needs such occasion to receive up-to-date information from management.
Tak Yamada (myself) was called upon within that assembly. I had to give my intro to all employees today. Man, I definitely intimidated! You know, how shy I am!!! Hands were shaking and voice was vibrating.
It went fine... better than I thought it would.
Lecture was for today. No physical today. Learned lots of parts and tools. Took lots of notes, as well. Become smarter?! I cannot be anymore! Hahaha.
Sucks... still sluggish. Do I have to pay another 150 bucks to upgrade GoLive 6.0 to new series "GoLive CS?!" Don't think so. Will hold this way for a while to see. Cannot afford such right away unlike you!
MoonFlower placed an order for Z4 in red. Wow, cool stuff! Opps, sorry, no red version available in US.
20:25
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January 18, 2004 =Kisarazu |
Good weather. It was about time! Still very cold, though.
Leaving horrible problem of my computer, went out to see darling girlfriend. She got to work in the morning, so I decided to travel all the way to her place (city she lives within).
Took train down to Yokohama and rid on express bus to Kisarazu. Bus ride was of an hour. 2 hours in total. Yeah, distance between this man (i.e. Tak) and that woman( i.e. MoonFlower) is truly long two hours! On way costs 20 bucks on such public transportation.
She showed late since work held her longer than she thought. Showed up to me at Kisarazu Station around 1pm. Had nice Italian foods in the recommended restaurant. Called "Buona Sera."
Then drove up to Chiba. Usual place of our date. Yodobashi Camera was the center of purpose. She wanted to check out digital camera... and she would come to buy one... almost. She wants Casio camera which was out of stock then. She should place an order. She will.
Left Chiba, after dinner with her, at 9:16pm. Got back home at 11:00pm. Wow, a little shorter than 2 hours. Long travel?! Sort liked it.
20:20+1
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January 17, 2004 =DOWN DOWN DOWN! |
Up at 8am! Wanted to check weather first before deciding to go out for girlfriend today. You know, am still NOT familiar with this new place and I wouldn't take any risk like getting out of town under bad weather... you would never know what kind of troubles might be ahead of you. Right?
At 10am, snow is all over. Not accumilating right away... at least seemed so then. But still somewhat already.
So I spent entire day inside. You know, was working on this (stupid) piece of crap... new system isn't working properly! SUCKS!!! Really does!
Spending all day for single proble... didn't come to a happy ending. Shocking. If you carry some kind of expetise on MacOS X and GoLive with some knowledge about incompatibility, please drope me a line!!!
20:06+2
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January 16, 2004 = |
Damn it!!! Underestinated. Not really expected. What happened?! Something important... part of my life is very - let me emphasize - very sluggish!!!
MacOS X10.3 and Adobe GoLive 6.01 are TOTALLY incompatible! What I am suffering from that fact?! I cannot do much on update my web page! Yeah, I am just between moving back to old system along with discard of new system which I bought for 150 bucks and keep on going with new system with NO updates HERE untile when all bugs get fixed!
What woud you think?!
Friday is over! Now weekend. SNOW is ahead!
Man, all really disgusting me! (just system problem and bad weather, that's it, right?!)
20:01+3
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January 15, 2004 =Back on Internet! |
Hi folks. Very cold... I just looked at a weather page on Internet. Below-zero temperature tonight! No wonder that heat isn't that effective and extra blanket is definitely needed. Just all over my lap (true!).
Looking at a page on Internet?! Yep, Tak is BACK! Fully back to your world of Internet! Sorry that I had been out of it for a while... like two weeks. Now I gained full access and will stay close to ya.
Somehow, the file for Japanese page was crashed. Man, I got scared shit out of it!!! No kidding! Shit out of luck! Although, I somehow managed and made the file back to the time of last update. In fact, I just combined old file and update information previously being uploaded to the server. Thank God! Thanks to my prompt.
Cut... from work, I had pointing finger tip cut... yeah, by mistake. I had to use a cutter on work in the factory this afternoon and had WRONG TARGET. I cut MYSELF! Blood was all over! What a training, huh!
Well, didn't matter much about bleeding a little (much?) - didn't come along with pain. Didn't feel much. Now typing with no troubles - typing just under normal circumstance. Just as usual. Merely accident.
Though, I enjoyed working on some ART CLASS. I remembered old days like when I was kid in school. Today's instructors: Mr. Tamaru, Ms. Tabata, and Mr. Furukawa. All were nice to me.
Tonight, a cup of coffee and green tea. Becoming the routine of my new life. Yeah, am making them (really?).
23:23
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January 14, 2004 =Still at Molding Department |
Still 14th of the month?! Pay day is in 10 days or so. How can I survive?! Changing jobs should've made better living... should've been so. Well, what happened?! Initial investment for new life (new place with new stuff, etc.) was underestimated, I can admit. It was quite costly to prepare so many stuff for all I have now.
Still at Molding Department. Didn't do any serious job at all. Though, it was of some physical work to do pretty much all day long. Moved heavy cases had manufactured goods were within. Too much physical on someone --- old man like me!
Mr. Igusa, Ms. Yamatoda, and Mr. Kawase were all nice to me. Probably, they gave me easiest atmosphere to get trained of all so far. Ms. Yamatoda guessed of my age and she thought that I was 25! Man, I can be popular this place. Yeah, I can! Means, I can be "ladies' man?!" Hahaha, finally my wish to come true?! Hehehe.
No OT. Came home around 6:45pm.
Yeah, did call Tom Kagawa... it was my returning call. He sounded so fine and was ready for another (already?) vacation to Los Angeles or so. Must be nice. He told me that he could make time for me to hang around for a talk or coffee. Nice old man! Remember, he's 68... to be 69 this year! No kidding. I wish I could be like that at the same age... down the road of a life.
It was end of session with limited access to Internet today. Tomorrow night, I should be easily on Internet... and I can do more work online... I can write more and put up pictures like I used to do. I don't want to spoil you (reader) much with many fancy stuff to show. Though, still this is somewhat entertaining... so won't disappoint you much from such expectation.
How did I like work today? Well, training is something good to know... what I have done and do for all rest of (training) session isn't directly what I would involve... rather "necessary to know how it goes in responsible department." In other words, need to understand of the products, organization, its functionality, and hierarchy or so.
Seen my point?
Anyway, I will be patient... knowing no one and nothing... will learn all needed... and will work hard LATER! Hahaha. That's my point, right?!
22:01
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January 13, 2004 =1st OT |
Came home later than usual. It was 9pm... yeah, I experienced 1st OT at new job. Yeah, what happened?! Training session shouldn't have kept me that long... but it was a simply exception. Some urgent to deal with and I was called up for help. I had to assemble some parts due tomorrow. Yeah, the quantity was about 150 or so... though, we came to find that some parts to be assembled there were not made as specification sheet told.
Some guys over Sales Department just gone crazy upon such bad news found.
The mini assemble line took place in meeting room of the department and I was there from 4pm up to last moment. Had free supper there, also.
So how was the day besides that part?! Well, it was nothing but boring... well I cannot say such at loud... but I had a serious fight against sleepiness!!! Truly! For entire week of this, I am working over Molding Department. Nothing really greasy for me, though. I just learned of machine (molding machines) specifications, etc. And then, I spent rest of time there for seeing what kind of products came out from the lines.
Oh, I've got a call from Tom Kagawa - great (old) man I know-. Too bad that wasn't able to answer the phone while such training was in progress. I will make time to call him back tomorrow.
Tired?! Not bad. Actually, I felt a little more confidence to go to work this week. Better than last week. Hope it would get better and better! Hehehe. Wish me luck!
Yep, finally. System software is now updated to OSX10.3. Still minor maintenance is necessary. Will do so tomorrow or so. Also, full-time Internet connection is just ahead. Cannot wait. First site to see?! Obviously, NOT X-rated!!!
23:00
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January 12, 2004 =Weekend Ends |
Long weekend from Friday evening, 6:38pm to be exact, is now coming to an end. Oh boy, too quick. Fair enough for everyone?! I bet it is. Though, I wanted to have this a little LONGER! I wish. So might be exactly same for you.
Saw a movie in Yokohama with MoonFlower. "Bruce Almighty" by Jim Carrey. Man, I hadn't seen his movies for a while... and it was quite funny... Just what I needed in some entertainment --- laugh. I did laugh hard.
Smile and laugh... definitely inevitable for good life.
Anyhow, rating, right. Yep. "Bruce Almighty" gets rated as B-. Good to laugh, though.
Wow, big (record) snow storm over NY?! Man, how about Atlanta?! North Carolina? Hope everyone was okay. I remember of big ice wave hit Atlanta... back in '98 or '99... lost power for a day or so... and went out to rescue others like Charlie, etc. Big camp of many friends took place in where I lived then.
All day long, Alain Mikli eyeglasses on. Not for work yet. Hehehe.
SARS virus seemed be back in the trend?! Wow, surely hope not.
Left Yokohama on 10pm... after saying goodbye to MoonFlower at bus stop and back home around 11:15pm. Yeah, not bad, huh. Only problem was of a walk, 10-15 minutes or so. Through cold temperature... had to walk this much. Maybe I ought to buy a bicycle?! What would you think? Send me some check, will ya!
Am I ready for work?! You got to be kidding! I can call in sick anytime!!! Hehehe.
23:54
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January 11, 2004 =Easy Sunday? |
Very domestic day, today. How about yours?! Did you attend to church?! Well, I got up around 9am... though, I took my slow move for today. Around 1pm, I went out for shopping. Drove car for 1st time in a complete week.
Jusco super store in Sagamihara for stuff needed in my apartment room. Some laundry stuff were needed. Also, bought some pre-cooked meals, and what else... Oh had my lunch at McDonald's. Hehehe.
My car (in black) was very dirty... surprised... and yet shocked. Did wash and clean one week ago! Black color must be tough to maintain in good condition!
You know, biggest difference between Urayasu and Sagamihara... not a matter of population. The matter of whether family districts or not. Sagamihara, definitely for families to live. In Urayasu, you see so many people living alone or away from rest of family... but not here. I just found anyone but families hanging around with each other today!
1st laundry in this new place is done! Confirmed that washing machine worked.
Hot coffee and green tea served on my own. Changed, huh?! Used to be always canned or cold drinks bought in stores. Now I make some hot drinks for myself! Maybe soon to cook for myself?
0:10+1
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January 10, 2004 =Tokyo? Freshen-up? |
Went down to Kawasaki to meet MoonFlower around 11am. Then, we decided to go even farther. Ended up in Tokyo! Yeah, 1st time this year for me to be in the City! Wow!
In Shinjuku - spent most of the time in Takashimaya department store. All were for her.. looking at one thing another... never stopped. Didn't know that we came to check almost every single floor of the building! What about my interest?! Well, at least none in the same building at that moment.
Oh, one of my (old) usual place in Shinjuku - Yodobashi Camera came to my thought. OS X10.3 system software is now finally in my shelf. Will be upgrade my computer to most up-to-date. System will be more fully efficient. How much?! Man, spent about 125 for this single software. Yeah, over budget.
Sushi for dinner. What was for lunch with her?! Oh, it was Chinese. Famous Chinese restaurant within Takashimaya. How come MoonFlower knew such (fancy) places... every time. She is out-of-towner like me... never lived or worked in Tokyo... though, surely knows quite bit about the city.
Good time. Freshened up.
What about the fight took place up to yesterday with her?! Well, we could succeed to put such things (cause of argument) behind.
23:57+1
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January 9, 2004 =Fine Day?! Still Cloudy? |
Made a little boo-boo. Could've been big. Well, I don't know how I did in training session. I just know that I did all I knew and thought. Yeah, obviously something wrong in that process. Hey, still too new to know all right and, yeah, do admit that I made one mistake.
This was happened within yesterday's session, not in today's. Supervisor Mitsuhashi in Shipping told me that miscount was occurred in one of the cases I handled. Sorry! I guess, I did have underestimated what I should've been careful about.
Today was nothing but fighting against sleepiness. Truly I went to bed around 2am... surely TOO LATE then. I know! I was insane... didn't think much that I still had one more day to go! So it was indeed spontaneous that I had to survive through like that. Was very very sleepy!
What so late then?! Still argument (with girlfriend) was then continuous!!! Pretty bad, huh.
What about today's session?! It was international logistics that Company operated. It was piece of cake, you know! That's all I knew from previous work. Large volume handled?! I can say so. More than I thought. System-wise, new ERP software was installed and active since September, I learned that it was so easy to do arrange exports and imports than time with old system.
Well, anyway... long weekend (up to Monday) is to begin! Weather should be cooperative, so I heard.
23:41
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January 8, 2004 =Shipping Department |
Good evening, folks. Tired?! Yeah.... no brain worked all day long... but strictly physical! I was at Shipping Department all day long and learned the process from receiving finished products, data in as inventory, setting products as PO from users, and finally, packing and shipping out with truck B/L.
Entire process was nothing that I didn't know... just the way of process was new to my knowledge. Though, I SOMEHOW enjoyed myself doing so much physically. Very new (really?) experience. Surely, NOT doing so for rest of my life. Simply part of training... but I sort felt totally new in such working condition today!
Left home for work 8:40am... becoming routine of my (new!) life and came back here around 6:40pm. No over-time yet. I know, everyone else was still working on at the time of my leaving... they are in serious condition of real (business) world! Me?! I am NOT YET.
Sort enjoying myself being very new. Only the matter annoying is that I don't know anyone here yet. Will be resolved sooner or later.
Very cold. Not snowing, though. Colder than Tokyo! Yeah, this is only complaint that I have for now in terms of coming to new environment.
Phone connection... finally solved. Scheduled to open on 15th, still in a week! Man, too late--- but phone company lady told me that it was all she could do at that point. Well, I had to compromise with her for this then. So hopefully, my full-time Internet condition is to be made by following weekend after this one.
Tomorrow, finally (first) Friday on new job... I should be out of work at 6pm. Means, I can have fun even for Friday night after work?! True. Only problem I have... I have no friends in this area YET. What shall I do?! There is NO WAY to see my girlfriend... we're in big distance each other, yo know!!!
Calculation. 7 minutes from closest convenience store where I can buy easy foods. Used to be 4 minutes.
22:33
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January 7, 2004 =Training Begins |
2nd day. Harder than yesterday. Sure, it was MORE and MORE practical. 1st training was in Inspection Department. Understanding and being familiar with products, this was first to come... I guess. As far as training plan goes, right?! I shouldn't be on real field of (this new) business in a while... so I heard from Big Boss Ohki.
Big Boss wants two of us (i.e. new faces) to be as much trained as possible before stepping out to real world.
Today's lunch: fish dish. Pretty good! Picture?! Hey, I still hesitate to shoot any in new place yet. At this point, not yet. Got it?
What did I inspect?! Well, it was like quality check. More than 35,000 pieces of plastic parts, I took a look at and see the shape was correctly formed or not. They were well-done and, after several hours of doing so, I found none as defect.
I still have difficult to find out time to call NTT (like your AT&T) for phone connection. Application is already sent and need to confirm which plan of service to take, etc. Since on training program, difficult to excuse from work to make single phone call. Well, I found out that Service Center was still open on Saturdays, I should be patient until then.
Without phone connection, I won't have full-time Internet connection (via ADSL service). Meanwhile, I will remain being dial-up user for update of this page as well as email communication. Still limited... yet better than nothing.
Tonight, I wrote all received messages back... I haven't got a chance to... but finally did! I sent my new mailing address to them with my messages.
Long weekend is ahead. Saturday thru Monday. No plans yet. Just to rest from 1st week at work, maybe.
21:55
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January 6, 2004 =First Day on New Job |
NIfCo, Inc. - is the my 3rd company to work for. After Suzuyo Fritz Freight Services, Inc (now called Suzuyo America, Inc.) and UPS Suzuyo Freight Services.
My first to do was to attend opening session for all employees. Top executive made some comments for this new year...
After that, I was taken to (almost?) every single department for my introduction to the management (not all employees). Lectures thereafter. Learned of products manufactured within the factory and it was very interesting and finally made me sleepy!
Succeeded NOT to fall in to sleep, though!
Lunch at dining room. Very cheap! 280 yen! About half of what I used to pay or even less! Must be really good deal?!
Oh, there was another guy joined the same company with me. Named Tommy Tomioka aged 27. Not much experienced in sales... but he's willing to do so. Man, brave man! Hahaha. Seemed very nice young fellow... Had spent 3 years in L.A. Wow, city boy!
Tired. Not physically much. But yeah I can tell that I am tired. A little stress from being in the middle of nowhere.
You know, I've got a little argument over the phone with girlfriend at night. This made whole even worse. Didn't carry much patience. I want to make tonight early!
22:58
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January 5, 2004 =Ready for New? |
Ready for new?! All new to start from tomorrow. First day at work... new place! Whole story... brand new ball game! Yeah, I should be ready... truly?! Well, I guess so (a little nervous?).
Work is work... nothing I should be afraid of. People are human! Hahaha.
You know, am about to catch a cold... this place is a little colder than previous one. A couple of degree different. Must be. Heater is consistently on... but still I would get sick. Medication taken, though.
What did I do?! Well, phone connection, address change, and look for some new furniture. Yeah, did buy (used) book shelf. This apartment room has less space for storage... and I have plenty of stuff to put away!!! (scream!) Anyway, all cartons used for moving were finally got rid of and all personal belongings are out of boxes and should be placed. What about arrangement?! Well, am not that good at doing such. Though, trying my best.
Oh car wash was done and pumped gas in full, also. 4,500 yen (45 dollars or so).
Drove around this area... varieties of stores and shop are yet different from what I had seen in Urayasu. Many recycle shops and BBQ restaurants around.
Man, I keep sneezing. Seems pretty bad. New place... new air, huh.
How was your 1st day for new year?!
22:40
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January 4, 2004 =First Date 2004 |
Kawasaki Daishi
One of largest temples in Japan - Kawasaki Daishi Temple. MoonFlower and I chose that place for first visit of the year. Kawasaki is located near Yokohama and it was perfect to go. In fact, I had never been to this famous temple before. Place was packed with thousands of people for same purpose - first prayer of the year bringing good luck or whatever wish to come true.
Many street shops selling candies, drinks, foods, etc. I did pick some foods to eat then. "Amazake" (sweet sake), also.
Thereafter, made up our mind to move on to Yokohama Minato Mirai for shopping. Not mine but hers. From "Laura Ashley" to "Pink House"... she didn't come to buy any, though. Somehow.
Tired. Today, after driving for long long hours yesterday, it was not that great for me to be outside all day long. Yeah, woke up around 7:30am and spent time with her for very long time.
Zzzzzz.
9:37+1
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January 3, 2004 =Back in NEW Town! |
Finally - the beginning of new life?! I am now in Sagamihara. Yeah, back in town - new one, though. No more Urayasu!!!
Got up around 8:30am and Mom and I went out for shopping (still yet?). Yep, I wanted to check some place before coming back. "Fit House" - one of my favorite shopping place near Ogaki. It's shoe place and I wanted to buy a pair in brown... along with new suits in same color. Yeah, no more coordination with black belt and shoes.
Had lunch with family... my brother was nothing but just sleeps and then eats... That's all he's done for last three days. Man, he IS way lazier than me. Well, I can tell that he's been beat from the pressure of work.
Anyway, finally I left home at 3pm. How long did I take?! Well, biggest traffic jam for all people wanting to get back to Tokyo area was here... all day long! Means I was indeed part of it. Yeah, I got stuck. Not bad at all, though. Didn't take Tomei Highway... Instead, took Chuo Highway... where less traffic jam.
It was 9:30pm... am back. Started unload of all stuff I've got from home... then carried up to 3rd floor where my apartment room is... No elevator unlike last place. This could be a small pain.
Will illustrate the difference, place-wise, about before (in Urayasu) and after (in Sagamihara).
Tired. Long drive! Did make stops every two hours of drive, though. Just in case and for my best safety. Didn't speed... MUCH.
Received more than several New Year's Greeting cards. Thank you, folks!
Well, celebration is about to be over!
23:30
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January 2, 2004 =Small Reunion |
2nd day of the year! Clear sky and really mild weather. No severe winter is here this year. Good stuff.
Saw two friends from high school. They were classmates and hadn't been in touch with them for 2 years! Yasunori and Katsuhide are still (somewhat?) friends of mine...
Yasunori Takagi - kid isn't his son...
Katsuhide Nakai - father of the kid in Yasunori's picture.
Hideki Nakai - 2-year-old boy!
Yasunori and I went up to Ochiyobo Inari Shrine (Kaidu, Gifu) for prayer and stopped over at Katsuhide's place. He built brand new house for his own and we just wanted to come to see. No picture of Katsuhide's wife (but you can see a little in Yasunori's shot).
Too bad that I won't be part of... On Sunday, 4th, Katsuhide is organizing to held a big high school reunion... at least 30 or so are expected to show. Hmmmm, is my high school sweetheart going to be there?!
Wait. Have I ever had one then?! Hehehe.
Fun day!
21:14
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January 1, 2004 =A Happy New Year! |
Now new year... 2004! A Happy New Year to every single one of you!
Sleep... eat... and sleep... this is typical cycle of the day here for me staying home with parents. Easily gaining several pounds for sure... I will watch such thing AFTER the entire event of celebration.
So-called "Osechi" - authentic foods for New Year's.
With this series of foods, mother (or whoever takes care of all chores) can rest while those dishes last. Meanwhile, she can join such celebration with other family members.
What's in the bowl on right picture?! White stuff is "mochi" or rice cake. Mochi is part of such foods for New Year's as always.
Man, am stuffed.
Tak's "New Year's Resolutions" --- probably this is what you want to see. Okay here they are:
- Get used to new place and work... make friends with many people there.
- Lose (another) 10 lbs!
- At least one round with fewer than 100 (golf)
- Save 5,000 bucks (too much?)
- No traffic accidents (safe driving)
23:28
