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February 28, 2005 =2 Months End |
This year... already 2 months, out of twelve ones, are through... How do you feel about it? As for me, this is still beginning of big year... and surely MANY to come (to happen, I mean)!!! Am sure that I (usually) don't turn you down or let you down. I promise. This is STILL going to be an exciting year!
How EXACTLY exciting?! Oops, that's right - there is no details for you, huh. Well, it'll come. Coming soon.
Today's work is indeed flat and I like how things go for today. Things will be tighter tomorrow for sure since Boss Miura passes his things over me and I have no choice but deal with whatever it is. In fact, that issue seems urgent and I have to settle the plan quickly in order to inform customer that we can meet tough demand being put out toward us.
Hope that the answer that I encounter thought tomorrow morning's initial feasibility study turns to be positive for the customer.
No business meeting outside the work. Means I stay in and sit tight. Hahaha. No nap, either <BANG! So many people are either sick from cold or suffered from pollen allergy. Fortunate enough, am okay and am not concerned for any of those.
Yeah, you can call me that am quite GROSS. Hahaha.
Stock market is really hot for anyone. Yeah, there is no worry for market to grow from the present status... It shows full confidence with positive uprise figure at the end of today's dealing. Are you gaining any? Hope so.
Mitsui Chemical +5@608 today. Hope that it marks 610's tomorrow. Target in short term is set at 620!!! Wish me luck.
0:06+1
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February 27, 2005 =Heaven to Hell |
Go out with MoonFlower. We are in good mood as usual and NEVER know that we come to end up with HUGE fight. Whose fault?! Different way of thinking? Hmmm. Anyway, here how it is for today.
Lunch special - 1,200 yen with coffee
Aoyama is the first stop for today and we made stop at various places for "Felisi" bag, eye glasses, and fountain pen. Hmmm, very usual routine, huh. I know.
No purchase is made. Yeah, the wallet that I carry with me is VERY THIN and cannot be thinner! Hahaha. I need at least five grand (!) to complete all shopping list that I have in my mind.
Then, move on to Tokyo Station area. Marunouchi "OAZO" shopping district with huge bookstore Maruzen. Gee, check fountain pens AGAIN. Must be addicted to that kind of writing instrument.
Udon noodles with curry soup, 1,400 yen! (very expensive)
Within OAZO building, "Konaya" - very famous Udon noodle shop. Above picture shows the popular one from its menu. Usually, this cost around 800 yen or so; however, this is way beyond prices you can see around. Taste? Yeah, pretty good... even though there is a doubt that it is worth to pay that much for single dish like this. Well, this is just first time and it is good to know of some dish like that.
There is always long line toward the entrance of restaurant for these noodles. Even TV program shows how popular this place is.
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February 26, 2005 =Channel? |
Not as planned. I wanted to get up around 8am. Miserably fail. Wake up around NOON. In a matter of fact, nothing does happen as I hoped. Lazy. It is all from my mere laziness. Or I must have caught up my sleep.
Good sleep till lunch time and I stay home even afterward. Wanted / planned to see "The Bourne Supremacy." However, decide not to for tonight. Probably following weekend.
http://www.thebournesupremacy.com/Some vegetable dish for supper. Two cups of coffee for post-dinner period. I stick with agenda collecting information at Japan's largest gossip BBS called "2 Channel." Haven't seen it for a long time and tonight check things out there. Lots of rumors and gossips besides true stories. Interesting to search around for sure.
Tomorrow, booked by MoonFlower for her shopping agenda. What to see? Don't know yet. Will see. I have to leave here for Aoyama around 10am. Hmmm, early!
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February 25, 2005 =Dinner |
Pay day today. Yeah, money. Is your pay day today too?
For morning appointment, didn't go to the office at all. Rather, straight to client's site in Yokohama district. Meeting covers my recent quote for this customer and my explanation seems acceptable to that gentleman that I face. Inquired of other possible business opportunities and, unfortunately, he didn't come up with anything for now.
Work is flat. Good for me. Though, somehow I come to wrap it up for today around 8pm. Not because of my agenda... I have to wait for someone that I share a plan together.
Two female assistants are my companies over tonight's supper. Yeah, for a long time there is a promise between three. One of ladies is busy up to last moment and I one time think to cancel this. Though, we still move on as planned.
At Italian restaurant, we had dishes and also long talk about work, personal, and whatever. From 8:30pm or so till 10:30pm, full of talk and laughs for all three there. Great time.
And weekend begins...
0:39+2
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February 24, 2005 =Let's Go for Another 10 Days! |
90th day today! Yea, my mission accomplished today with single drink! Drinking one bottle everyday for 90 days... isn't that difficult task and I did it. Good job.
For work, afternoon appointment was very interesting. Met a new face from Supplier Quality Assurance of some company. Beforehand, I had some business talk with two personnel of Product Engineering and Program Coordinator in that same company, that QA person happened to know them in person even though all three belong to a HUGE corporation. I thought that it was very interesting coincident.
Soon as finishing the issue with that person, the talk went off to something about those two that I had different business issue. Internal conflict of interest and career path of those two... he happened to have much information about them for me. Definitely learned and gained some privileged information. Hahaha. Spent an hour or longer with that gentleman. Second half of the talk, after the QA issue, was surely memorable.
Worth to drive down for almost two hours... Hahaha.
Tired due to long drink just mentioned. One day to go and there is still business meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning. Oh, my assistant told me to find some drawings of recent products by tomorrow... I cannot leave that agenda behind any longer. Plus, special dinner tomorrow night?! Let me see...
Livedoor vs. Fuji Television for Nippon Broadcasting (radio network firm)
For everyone's attention to the media over Internet portal giant Livedoor's intention for takeover bit, Fuji Television gave it a poison pill to disturb its action to buy Nippon out. Fuji announced last night that it would hold exclusive right to buy all newly issued bond warrents of Nippon. As a result, Livedoor can no longer collect majority of shares of Nippon.
Tonight Livedoor submitted its motion that Fuji and Nippon.
Smart way? Still legitimate? Who knows. Opinions and expectations about court decision from experts still vary at this point.
This GAME is on just between those three companies... Fuji wants Nippon stay as its group company and Nippon seems under control of Fuji whatsoever. Nippon did claim last night that it would prefer to stay with Fuji. Meanwhile, Livedoor keeps its hyper even higher to buy Nippon out and to let Fuji stay away from Livedoor itself. What about those stake holders of three corporations? Don't there really appreciate of all this? Fun to watch for me, though.
Today's Mitsui Chemical +5@604 - still undergoes.
Is it going to
tomorrow? Hmmm.
23:40
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February 23, 2005 =Almost... |
Almost there!!! Today it is 89th day that I drink a Healthya (diet) drink. As one of my resolutions for this year, 90 days - three months for keep drinking this particular tea has been set and tomorrow, it is come to complete. Wow!
Isn't that difficult to keep doing one thing everyday for three months?! Well, for this, seems easy. Am sure that all other things would be much harder to do for same.
For work, I was part of the meeting for some new project. 2nd meeting with service provider (two sales representative came to us) took place in this early afternoon. This was onerous for me since I don't grab the whole picture of "where we want to go" yet. I am probably counted in to this project as brain and should contribute my expertise to others. HOWEVER, it is a problem that there is no single orientation... in other words, there is no consensus between ourselves and everyone seems to have different picture on their own.
That's easily happened since everyone has different task on job and everyone has particular thought or wish to count toward the project. Some want to add something and some others want to take something else out from the line of work for the project. You know what I mean?
Since having a bite of such activity, this made me feel that it was extremely awkward for me to stand in the center of everything. I rather wanted to observe and see how each of participants can compromised his will toward one united goal. Must be really interesting to see this from ONLY outside. Makes me feel so "confused" to stand in the middle!!! Hahaha.
For hour and a half, things were brought up on to the table and those sales reps got homework to do. Several opportunities for me to speak up and I did all I could possibly at that time. Could've done it in smarter way... Well, I will improve that.
10:30pm through 11:05pm - nap taken.
Ate a lot on supper tonight. Ate in nearby Chinese restaurant by myself. Wanted to eat some vegetable dish and it came with lots of it. Surely, ate it all up!
No after-dinner coffee tonight. No dessert, either.
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February 22, 2005 =Interested in Sales? |
Missed... didn't intend to. Just happened to be? I had to? Well, surely I remember that I had to go to English class tonight... until 7pm or so... and at that time I planned to leave the work. However, I didn't. Continued working on some Power Point material and some time passed quickly. It was a preparation for tomorrow's meeting with NEC sales representative for transportation concern.
Consulted with coworker Mimura and made sure that material includes and covers what we just need.
Then, some conversation engaged with another coworker. Some question was given like "Do I really like what I do for now in this position after coming to Nifco."
Interesting question was popped to me. The answer I had then was yes and no. Compared to previous job at previous work - UPS, my roll is rather conventional and steady with less stress. This is positive part. As well, organizing the team for new product time to time is really interesting to do for me. That's another one. On the other hand, I have to admit that working with NO rule on job is somewhat onerous. That's negative side of job that I hold.
What is meant by "no rule?"
Well, business norms are not well-established over this work place. That's the concern. Emailing with request to other coworkers is not always considered a business issue... That coworker whom I conversed told me that that's not the case in this company. Rather, insisted that I have to stand up and yell whatever you want to hear about.
Better say, it's very old-fashioned. In my opinion, there are many to be changed. Will see how this will change after all... have to and will improve.
So am I suit to this job? Experience-wise, this is wonderful opportunity to see every function of corporation. Better visibility here than there at UPS in the past. That's what I like it about now. I am great interested in supply chain... not only logistics but also chain of information and organizational functions. So far, I haven't found any position that can provides me with such unique position in Nifco. Will see.
Mitsui Chemical, +1@605 today, totally lost its incremental velocity! What a shock!
Last night, it was 0:30am when going to bed. Tonight, I make it earlier.
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February 21, 2005 =Good Translation? |
Now 11pm... I really should go to sleep early tonight. These days, my bed time is way passed midnight and this affects me to be sloppy at work. Sloppier than usual. Sleepiness kicks in time to time with lack of concentration. Everything must be from this bad sleeping habit that I have.
At work, did several instant translation from English to Japanese for my assistant who happened to receive a message from outside of the country. She got annoyed and tried to solve it by herself with dictionary... All were indeed in vain. She eventually asked me for help and I okayed it. Very easy translation and I gave her full of saying in Japanese...
However, she didn't have enough attention to me and she didn't note as what I said. She just added and/or subtracted from my entire say. Then, some internal call was for her and she responded with that note as "Tak said so."
Hey, hey, hey! That's NOT exactly what I said to ya! How come she just went on like that? Oh, don't get me wrong... am not upset or anything... Just too funny for me that she agitated the story a little. Surely everything was under control... the way she passed it around was not what I expected and that was SO funny... Or maybe that's because she's cute? Hahaha.
This week, full of events are filled in to my schedule. English lesson tomorrow and two (or maybe three) drinking opportunities with coworkers. Don't think that I would make all (two or three). I should hesitate in order to keep my diet status on the track. Will see... how this week goes.
In Japanese page, the visitor counter indicates more than 155,555... and no one has claimed for prize yet. We all know that someone really did get it... If you miss this prize, I have to roll it over to following remark for prize as at 160,000th hit. Is that you?
Three days away from the 90 day record of "Healthya drink!" Yeah, just ahead... Very exciting.
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February 20, 2005 =YOK |
Hello... did you have great weekend? Well, my extended weekend of this is about to end. Yeah, fun time is OVER! Theatergoing, reunion with Nishi, and time with MoonFlower were all done as planned. Great weekend.
MoonFlower was late... to the time we set for each other. So I had to kill time until when she shows up. Yodobashi was the place for me to kill time... and I ALMOST did shop. Virtual PC - the software enables Mac run Windows OS.... priced at 28,000 yen (300 dollars or so) and two DVD movies - "Pretty Blonde 1 and 2" were almost put in a shopping bag to go with me.
At last minute right before lining up toward the cashier, one thought really crossed my mind to stop me. It really did. How come so? Well, the financial status of myself for the month doesn't look too good and the thought was that I shouldn't make it worse than already was. Good thinking, don't you think?
And another project I might call... New laptop. Hahaha, I never learn, huh!
Somehow, this laptop seems great buy to me. It's HP laptop. Yeah, you can read it as "COMPAQ." Hahaha. Price was really appealing with great features from wireless LAN integrated, beautiful wide 14" screen, and yet decent weight.
Shoot... just saw it on Amazon.com... This laptop is sold under Compaq Presario brand STILL!
Surprise... and shocking since Compaq and Presario really carry bad image due to my past experience. In the past, always got broken down!!! Really did all so.
What shall I do? (Wait, am I really going to buy one?!) Hahaha.
Another thing...
fountain pen. Yeah, I NEVER learn, huh! My shopping list (or merely wish list) must be LONG enough and we will never see the end of list! Must be right!!! Hahaha.
Did try to write by Dupont pen. PERFECT. Better than Germany's Pelican pen. Price?! Let's not talk about it. My wish list never composed from the view with financial concern. You know, it's always reckless to think about what to buy next.
Anyway, fun to look around! Am sure that MoonFlower had great time watching me for one thing to another!
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February 19, 2005 =Reunion |
Today, it was a reunion with my old boss. Well, he is my great businessperson roll model. In fact, he provided me with various business understanding and norms of business practices. It's aka "Nishi" - Mr. Nishigaya - my first boss ever in my entire life! Last saw him back in end of 2003 when leaving UPS Suzuyo for new job at (current) Nifco. Certainly, we left from each other with single promise that we would keep in touch and, time to time, we would see each other to exchange up-to-date information.
It was my fault that keeping touch with this gentleman who has most respect of mine was kept at lowest level. Finally, it came to a time to see each other... in fact, I was invited over his house for dinner. Between him and me, the talk seemed so endless. Full of topics to cover... NEVER covered all, though. Time was limited and made us feel so short for sure. Certainly, fruitful for me... hope the same for him.
Great dinner. Some oysters, raw fish "sashimi," and what else... Ate much for sure and spoke even more! Hahaha. Or needless to say, his place was huge... and very comfortable. It's a big mansion!
Oh for your information, my look for the day:
Eyeware: Milki glasses
Shirt: black shirt by tsumori chisato
Inner: Eddie Bauer
Pants: Ralph Laren
Watch: Rolex
Bag: Burberry
Shoe: Nike
Today's buy.
"Supply Chain Management Introduction."
872 yen.In Yoga Station building, stopped by a bookstore where I used to hang around for business appointment in the past. Am so familiar with the area where Nishi lives. In that book store, happened to find one interesting book.
Very rare to buy even one book at sight. But, bought it. The way things expressed in the book seems very usable and easy to understand. Therefore, buying this book for my reference is worth it. Small book size... fits into my bag, perfectly. Good company to kill my time in train.
Tired. Yeah, really beat! Good night, then.
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February 18, 2005 =1st Play to See |
Takako MatsuFamous actress / singer - Takako Matsu. Do you know of her?! Well, it was first time for me to see her stage performance in "Setagaya Public Theater" today. With MoonFlower, we showed up to the theater after dinner in Shibuya. Certainly, taking a half day off was worth all this.
Play "The Caucasian Chalk Circle"
Story wasn't that complicated to understand... Good music and songs in the story with some jokes. Did that lady look like a celebrity?! Yeah, sure she was so. She sang more than several songs and all were great. On 20th, the show performance closed in Tokyo phrase. Then move on to dog show.
Performance began around 7pm and done at 10:20pm. Oops! MoonFlower barely made her last train of the day! I offered a ride for her... even though it was long way... going back to my place for a car and driving all the way to her house... As a result of search for a way to get home by train... she found a way to make it. So she followed. Yeah, I was worried of her taking such risky way.
While, I caught a train back to home... Hmmm, saw this through the window:
I knew that it would rain late tonight... Though, the forecast underestimated of inclement weather like that. Way back home from train station was difficult... as I couldn't see the way well through blowing snow.
Anyway, great show to see. Recommended.
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February 17, 2005 =Chasing Me? |
Came home late. It was a little after 9pm tonight. Wanted to leave around 8pm... however between 7pm and 8:30pm, received more than five calls to keep me stay in. Yeah, unfortunately. Did anyone manipulate the situation to make that happen?
Chaos or financial disaster... as usual. Just checked and saw the current balance of my account over SMBC... unbelievable figure stated there. It is JPY1,541. With this amount of money, I cannot even fill my gas tank up at near gas station!!! What a shock!
Less than 20 bucks... in my checking account. Do I have a saving or even CAP account? No way! This is ONLY account that I have in this country. Yes, I used to have one at UFJ Bank and another one with Japan Postal Service. All those were already closed out due to lack of cash in them!!!
What would happen if I ever had to close this remaining bank account up because of money shortage?! Hmmm, we have to go down to deep thought.
Tomorrow I am going to have LWP ("leave with pay") for half day. Yeah, MoonFlower got tickets for some theater and I have to go with her. Yeah, I can therefore cross one resolution of the year off! We will see famous actress Takako Matsu. Cute lady will be on stage before us. Hope seating assignment will be favorable to see the show with great view.
Hope taking pictures is allowed in theater to share my experience with you here. Am very looking forward to the performance!
Oh, coworker Matsuyama (male) is back with us. Welcome back, fellow! Take it easy and you will catch it all up soon. (He was in hospital for a week or two.)
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February 16, 2005 =Audit |
Hi there. Just exchanged (more than) several email messages with yk110, my ex-roommate-slash-landlord while living in Atlanta. Many of you have seen her in picture here before.
She brought several news to me with some surprise. Anyway, she got new job in GINZA! Good for her. I am sure that she would love to commute that place... WAIT. From her house?! Must be TOO far. Forgot to ask her whether she would move somewhere else. Hmmm. Anyway, am so happy for her.
Oh she made a comment that the brownies from MoonFlower on Saint Valentine's looks so good and yummy. Well, thanks! Am sure that MoonFlower gets flattered with it.
ISO - today it was internal ISO14001 audit to take place. Yeah, some auditors come to our department. Am so used to such situation with pressure since my creditors come to me quite often! Hahaha. Anyway, so many coworkers around got scared if getting appointed for question. Yeah, I know how he/she feels for it. Some made a great escape from the scene with probably-not-legitimate reason.
As for me, I kept myself at usual pace of work. However, nothing really seemed to happen during the audit. Then, it just became normal. I guess, it all went okay.
Department director, manager, and deputy manager are all missing; they were out for personal reasons. Hmmm, did the audit process get through well? Hahaha.
Mitsui Chemical -9@600 We should consider it still fair since the number hang on to 600's?
Sailor Pen Corporation records huge loss for Q2-Q3 period. Forget it! Awful case with loss of 18 million dollars. Can it really swing this trend around for profit after this?! Sure, hope so-
One more thing for the day.
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February 15, 2005 =Delay |
Yes, all chocolates and brownies are finished! Yeah, you know, am found of sweets even though I am on desperate diet! Well, what I ate is what I ate and I cannot take it all back!!! So let's face forward!!!
Just saw a TV program with focus on Japan's 2nd and 3rd largest airports. KIX - Kansai Int'l in Osaka region suffers from the debt and its 2nd runway is under way. While, NGO - "Centrair" airport of Chubu region and the opening of facility is on 17th of the month. Yep, in TWO days.
Both do have many problems... KIX doesn't function well for those who are passengers through the airport; while NGO lacks the international flights to North American and Europe.
There was different background of airport management. For KIX, Panasonic (Matsushita Ele) does support and brings its way to make KIX profitable. On the other hand, Toyota, since its HQ is near the airport, backs NGO up and makes the airport appealing to auto industry for both passenger and cargo.
Well most of all, this talks about the 2nd place AFTER NRT - Tokyo Int'l Airport. Still, everything, both passenger and cargo, really relies on the capacity of NRT at this point and there is no talk about possibility that either KIX or NGO could exceed NRT to support Japan's economic growth. You know, Japan stands near other Asian nations and other airports with many and long runways such as ICN (Korea) can be the hub for Japan without all NRT, KIX, and NGO.
Japan with government orientation needs to reconsider its policy for air transportation. Great airport can rig great economic acceleration!
Just in - Ron in Atlanta had to postponed his trip to Asia. Pushed it down to end of March or so. Hmmm. In fact, he went through heart surgery. Well, don't know exactly how serious it was... Anyway, this must be good reason to let him be on diet for better shape! Hehehe. Once again, glad to hear that he is okay for now after hard time.
Slow but for sure? Mitsui Chemical +1@609 - this is so-so.
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February 14, 2005 =Chocolate |
Happy Saint Valentine's Day! Well, did you get a message with chocolates from your loved one? Or at least you got some chocolate from your coworkers? As far as you get one from whoever... even your family members... you're okay.
If none received, you have to review of your life style!!! Hahaha.
Well, I guess am still fortunate. For this year, received two packages. One from MoonFlower even though she SKIPPED Christmas present for me. The other was from my assistant. Thank you!
Gift #1 from MoonFlower.
Her homemade BROWNIES.For sure that she call sell them for money! Great stuff. Just like done by pro!
Chocolate from my female assistant.
Thank you!
Hmmm, my diet discipline may hold off just for today? No so fast. Today, the record of "Healthya" drink intake marks 80 days in a row! It is just 10 days short to the target set in the 2005 resolutions. Well at this point, there is no thought that the record is to be ended at 90th day; rather it will continue as long as it can.
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February 13, 2005 =11 and then 12? |
Day before St. Valentine's Day. Ready?! (for what?) Today's only event was for a movie with MoonFlower. We chose "Ocean's Eleven"... I mean, "TWELVE."
Ocean's Twelve - Tak's rating; C
Too bad... don't remember much since I FELL TO A SLEEP. Yeah, surely did. Oops.
Oh, famous Internet phone system called "SKYPE" is now installed to my system. Please look up for "ogakijin" if you EVER WANT to contact me. Oh, DO NOT think about asking me for money. There is no doubt, whatsoever, that you will be immediately turned down (or maybe you get hang up!). Hahaha.
For friendship over Internet, yep, you're welcome to contact me! Hehehe.
No special Valentine's dinner between MoonFlower and I? Well, we had usual (i.e. no special) supper before saying goodbye to each other. That was it. Hahaha.
Brrr. Colder than yesterday!
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February 12, 2005 =Hangover? |
Among four of us in Harahira's house, who got a hangover?! At least the host of the party was so. Yeah, Harahira had headache and no appetite for breakfast even though he served fried rice to rest of us to eat.
Did I have good sleep? Well in a matter of fast, we all (three of us) slept on hard floor. We were like drop-dead while drinking. Therefore, no comfort there was. However, it was okay for me. No ache in any part of my body when getting up. I guess, not that bad to sleep there.
For today, four of us remained tight to each other. The purpose? Since Harahira gives his broken computer to Izumi, we all needed to bring all efforts together to FIX that computer. Yeah, not broken in hardware. We assumed that it was dysfunctional with software trouble. It is Windows machine and old Compaq. The mission for today was nothing but just reinstalling fresh system.
From Windows 95 to Windows Millennium Edition (aka "Windows ME"), all possible and available system resources utilized to set brand new system to the computer. All miserably failed. Reason? It was just unfortunate that no of those systems were not full package but upgrade software!
With all upgrade software, all efforts gathered brought no positive result. This provided us with single thought that we need to have ONE complete software to solve everything!
Can you imagine that this struggle lasted almost all day long today? It really did. After the breakfast of fried rice, Compaq computer never got rested until 7pm tonight. Seriously true. Am tired!
By any chance, do you have a complete Windows 98 Second Edition?
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February 11, 2005 =Big Night to Drink? |
Good Friday! Yeah, since it is National Holiday here, most people are off and with families or friends. As for me, it is usual day at work. Less amount of work, though.
Had a meeting with client in later afternoon. It was okay. No issues to solve. Oh, there is single homework to take with me as a result of meeting. Let me write it down so that I will not forget. It is quite important. It is of production capacity since the volume increment is expected toward the end of year. Good news? Surely, yep.
Oh left work around 7pm. Got a call and had to move quick. Coworker Harahira and Izumi asked me to join for this Friday since they planned to go to Harahira's house for drinks. So that call was the sign I had to join him to leave work place together. Harahira gave me a ride and three of us went to his house. Oh on the way to his place, we made a stop for shopping. Needed to have some dishes for supper.
From 8pm or so, the spree was on. Harahira was at so fast pace and he lost the control. He was gone so QUICK. Yeah, he decided to go to bed. Hmmm, the host of night missed the rest of party! Two of us remained drinking. Then, one guy showed up. Takeishi - another coworker came to join us. As far as I remember... I was awake and drinking around 2am. Then, I faded out...
Have you finished your Valentine's shopping yet?
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February 10, 2005 =Long Weekend Ahead |
Amazon delivery complete tonight. Nippon Express personnel with a little package for me showed up late. In fact, I expected a delivery slip saying "I came to delivery; but, you're not here." Well, good surprise.
Yep, magazine "Think!" is here and I read some already. Great content for business. "Anneal your presentation skills" article is really appealing. Cool. Will take this magazine with me so that I can read in my spare minute. $20 is great investment this time.
Friday - tomorrow, national holiday - the National Foundation Memorial. Many of you must be off tomorrow. NOT me. Yeah, usual working day tomorrow and I do expect a very flat day then.
Today it was flat, too. Two quotations preparation was on top of my to-do list for today. Though, one came along with definite difficulty to meet the prerequisite and one email message with decline to offer was sent off to the customer. Oh, did call that person in charge up and emphasized of one point that we couldn't find interest in engaging that particular business.
While, the other RFQ was complete. Will submit it tomorrow IF customer site is open tomorrow. Hehehe. To be honest with you, I don't know. I have the working calendar of that customer somewhere in the file. Though, didn't look it up. Well if not open, I can even scan that paperwork and send it via email. Or I can postpone the submission to following weekend.
What did I eat for lunch? Oh in cafeteria, I ate some Chinese dish. Ate quickly since I was hungry and rushed back to my desk. In this afternoon, awful sleepiness really knocked me off. ALMOST fell to a sleep at work. AT MY DESK, to be precise. Hmmm, bad and lazy boy!
Well, y'all enjoy this long weekend! ... while I am working like a pig!
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February 9, 2005 =Tough to Beat |
Tonight, there was a big event. Between Japan and North Korea, soccer game took place in Saitama. Not any kind of exhibition tonight. Really serious because it was first round for World Cup 2007! Yeah, big deal tonight.
Soon as I came home, turned TV on. Tuned to the live broadcasting. A few moments later, Japan made the first goal tonight! WOW! Could be easy game?! Probably many of us had such hope. As per world ranking, North Korea is underdog in the match. However, it played well even though it piled up the yellow cards due to rough plays. Am sure that North Korea has difficulty to manage following match with players not given any card.
Anyway, game was tied at 60 minute of the game... when Japan made its defense line loose. North Korea made a tiny space the way to make a goal. And it made it. Hmmmm. Game tied unlike our expectation. I started wondering if Japan would come to lose the first match. Man, we NEVER want to stand behind not only the political conflict of kidnap issue, but also the sport competition. Well at least, we succeeded to keep out faith to ourselves with some confidence and relief. Within last 5 minutes of the match, Japan came back dramatically with another goal. It ended as Japan's narrow victory against North Korea.
Am sure that millions of nations are happy with such result even though the game had the narrowest margin to win.
In the world ranking, Japan is at 19th and North Korea is around 90's. I guess, Japan is placed higher than its true capability and technique. Or North Korea is obviously underestimated. Well, that's the impression I got from tonight game.
For work, long drive for a big meeting resulted NOTHING. Yeah, NO CATCH whatsoever. Or may say, "just (gained) one single disappointment." Explains it all!!!
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February 8, 2005 =Wow! |
It happens, right? Yeah, actually did. "Healthya" drink habit still continues... though, somehow miscalculated. Miscalculated badly. Therefore, searched a site where the calculation is automated. Now, the figure is corrected and indicates exactly what it is. Hahaha. It happens, right?
Work - didn't fall to a sleep. Good! Some demanding customer gave me a ring more than three different periods. He must have been so desperate He insisted that I owed him an answer within today. Frankly speaking... IMPOSSIBLE! Dream on about that to be happening! You know, it doesn't really occur. In fact, not enough information given really leads me to anywhere. Hope I get HIS feedback tomorrow or so! Hahaha.
Got him!
It was chilly today. Sprinkling all morning and did stop in early afternoon. No outing for me due to bad weather?! Must be! Hehehe.
Some tooling issue was raised when I answered the phone. It was from colleague in Product Engineering. That designer (male) asked me if possible to persuade customer to change the specifications. Hmmmm, not so fast. Asked that fellow back if we did all possible to be where we were or not. So that gentleman had to take that word back to himself. Did I look difficult? Could be.
Tooth pain is gone today. Calm.
English session at night. Lots of questions?! There were so many questions about safety in US, bad memory while living abroad, and so on. I did answer many of them... not all of them. Tired.
After class, yeah stopped by the shopping market to grab something to eat for tonight and tomorrow. $10 or so was paid with usual Amex card. That was the last activity of what I did for today.
Oh, wild guess was RIGHT! Patriots edged Eagles. Did you see that game? (i.e. Super Bowl) Me? Nope. I was at work!!! I know of one guy, around me, missed the work to see the Game! Really. Since Sunday in US time, it was Monday in Japan time. So big fan, like mentioned fellow, had to stay home to watch on TV during the game.
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February 7, 2005 =Gee... |
Can't help it... Hard pain in my mouth. Precisely, it's tooth pain. Pain in my (bad) tooth! I should take pain killer immediately; otherwise, I have to ask for help! Hmmm.
Is this truly from the bad tooth?! Or maybe from my stiff (not stiffy!) neck?
New week, it's time to conclude sales forecast and I spent quite time for it. Yeah, my assignment is complete! Told Boss all in detail and I believe that I'm considered done on my task.
Oh, Boss Miura is back to the office after his business trip to Korea. Not to the North... surely the South. Morning meeting with all four of us in the department was full of information from that trip. Interesting.
Nothing really exciting for me today. Pain was only annoying thing for me. Bored? Not exactly. I guess, I couldn't concentrate much.
Have you heard from Kyoko Fukami (female) who went to Canada for study? I have never heard from her or of her indirectly. What happened to that little girl? Hope she's okay! I am sure that she chose the program that she really wanted to enroll... Well if you hear from her, make sure that you tell me about her. We all are curious of how she's doing outside of the country!
Somewhat tired. Sleepy. Most importantly, painful! Let me go...
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February 6, 2005 =Nada |
Nothing to tell and to share with you! Slept in and I didn't do things at all. Yeah, you can call me LAZY. It is true. No willing to do anything and feel so good about being lazy! You know this kind of feeling. Time to time, everyone need to feel it.
Oh, magazine "Think!" magazine is ordered to Amazon.co.jp. Needless to say, that publication is NOT available at your Amazon outside of Japan!!!
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February 5, 2005 =Sweet |
You know, "Martha Stewart" - the American charismatic house wife currently in prison. We have someone similar... but in small scale. MoonFlower likes this lady - Makiko Fujino who is charismatic for sweets. We went to her live show - which was promotion of her brand with perfect timing for St. Valentines' Day.
Makiko Fujino Sweet Live
Yum!
Yum!
Yum!Decoration was done by professional... Looks great! No wonder that all attendees admire of that charismatic lady in the show... See! Entire audience is FEMALE! It was an hour long and there were about 50 people in audience. Man, pretty decent size of the show which took place in household goods department of Isetan Department Store.
I was, I believe, only male in there and spent time there with MoonFlower. It was all for her. I have no interest in such whatsoever!!!
Today's great food: eels, egg, and grilled chicken over rice. $20.
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February 4, 2005 ="Think" of WHAT? |
End of week came in peace. Good. It's February and it is time for budget of following fiscal year. Monday is due for my sales forecast and I started this little work late afternoon. Since an appointment with brand new customer (still prospective status) was scheduled in the morning, my schedule for the day becomes tight. I mean "tighter" than usual working day!
Could build good business relationship with that customer-to-be? Well, don't know. At least I gathered whole lot of information about that corporate and it's entirely up to the management. Surely, my opinion whether we should go for it or not is added to last part of my sales report. Is that already submitted? Yeah, of course. No wait is necessary and I don't want to leave things since it's easy to forget all discussed in the meeting.
Will see how the management takes out of my report and what the management decides from the report.
Interesting thing that I encounter in the book store today... is called "THINK!" magazine. Not weekly, not monthly, but QUARTERLY magazine. Didn't buy but skimmed through. Deals with business management and seems so interesting. Lots of interviews from those who are at the top management of renowned corporations in reality. Everything in the magazine is attractive... except:
Its price at 20 dollars. Yeah, single magazine costs that much? Yep, true. This really hesitates me from buying it at sight! Well, I eventually buy one? Let me think about it.
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February 3, 2005 =Wishing the Best |
Today, February 2nd is "Bean-Throwing Festival." Traditionally, we throw beans against evils who bring back luck to us. Phrase, as scattering soy beans, "Felicity inside, Evils out!" This is the traditional end of winter!!! Interesting, huh?
Another typical thing to do for this particular date is here. Look at the picture on left. BIG roll of sushi. Not only big but also LONG. Those who are in western Japan traditionally eat a big roll today, wishing good health and peace for the year around.
Make sure that it is LONG one (do not cut it short!) and that you eat without saying any word. And lastly when you eat, you must face the direction of the year! (the direction differs year to year.) The direction of the year is west-southwest.
Did I do it all? Yep.
You know this brand name and its color?! Called "BREE" and this is bag brand. Somehow (?), the catalogue of the brand was in mail to myself. Man, good marketing or what? Anyhow, some in the brochure look great and I want them!
Tote bag ("Simply 3" - the large size)
Pen Holder ("Typ II")
Pocket System Book ("Din A6")Yeah, those three seem great addition to my collection (of what?). Oh, here is a good (GREAT!) idea. I should create one additional page in this website. It is "Tak's WISH LIST." All items which I cannot afford but I want ya'll buy for me are to be listed there for your WONDERFUL reference when you come to think of me for birthday or whatever occasion!
Wait, you may say "Oh, I don't think of you at all!" - please DON'T SAY SO!
At work, so many things kept me doing something consistently. Had a meeting in the afternoon and I felt that I was truly Americanized and still am. I spoke out... I couldn't tolerate something illogical or something not clear to everyone in the meeting. Am sure that visitors (facing us in the meeting) had bizarre impression on me for this first-met occasion. Well, who cares?! I did what I had to do; however, I didn't press others' opinion or saying entirely. I did input my thought and left it there... At least, I did contribute my idea for all...
Somehow, that kind of approach seems "not too bad" in my opinion since I didn't disguise anyone for peace. Tired, though. Hahaha.
"Do you have your own home page? Somehow I encountered it while searching something about the work." - one coworker showed up to me and said this. WOW! I should be careful what I mention here. Hahaha!
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February 2, 2005 =New Computer? |
Folks, who told Apple to release new laptop So soon like this?! Hmmm, those new models, still in the same design hard case, look very attractive... especially to someone easily gets fascinated by any new feature... ME.
Am between 12" and 15" model. Plus, am near nowhere to buy any... budget-wise. Too bad? Too great? Well, I should stick with what I have in my possession to save pennies for even newer model that is to be available in future. Yeah, let's save our purchasing motives till prospective model... hopefully coming along with new hard case.
Well, are you getting one soon? Still buying IBM compatibles? Forget it! Hahaha.
Stayed up late like up to 2am or a tad later than that... I felt sleepy all day long. Well, time to time, I fell to a sleep, too! <BANG
Anyhow, I should go to bed early to rest myself well for tomorrow. One meeting with NEC (freight forwarder) and an appointment with client are scheduled in the afternoon. Yeah, it could mean that I will be busy! My expertise could be well-exercised in that meeting of logistics. Or I should stay quiet, letting all boo-boo of that service provider go.
Coworker Hirano came to me for a chat in early evening. He kept asking me when to spin out of the company to make big money. Don't know what kind of impression he made out of myself... He somehow thinks that I don't match to what I do for now. Maybe he thinks that I can do so much things well to make fortune?
What would you think of me for that? Could be? No way? (Jose!)
Left work place at 8pm. Somehow I was tired. Way more than usual. So many calls with enquiries really harassed me much and, because of them, I couldn't do regular things much today. Well, everything is biz-related and surely part of my job... so I ought not to complain, right? I guess. I wish I could say, "I can serve only one person a day. Sorry, today it ain't your day!"
I saw that kind of phrase in a banner somewhere before. Pretty popular, right?
Many media report that UPS and/or Deutsche Post (DHL) now bidding on UK's Exel. Well, I personally doubt that UPS is on this... while DHL may have very high possibility. Why?! Well, UPS just bought Menlo Worldwide recently and it is still in progress to integrate all services and functions into single brand. Exel is a large corporation. It could be DHL's turn to take an action against contender like UPS and FedEx.
I initiate a research of current industry movement.
Ogaki, for last few days, encountered heavy snow. Rare to happen! Since a big cold front stays over Japan, unusual weather becomes even more inclement. Hope everyone in the city is okay! Be careful when you go out! Stay home if you can.
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February 1, 2005 =Moment of the Month |
Time to decide which path to take!!! It is February and time for me to make up my mind what to accomplish for the year 2005 (part of my resolutions, remember?). Yeah, thinking is to begin! (What about January then? Not part of this year? <BANG!)
Scheduled and dealt with two appointments for this afternoon. Both went okay... though, the way to go from here is different from what we all expected yesterday. Well, that happens, right?! Met more than several new people at client site. Some were nice and very professional.
Oh for appointments, I drove for several hours... and due to lack of attention, I ALMOST hit the mail delivery personnel on motorcycle. Man, so scary... but my fault for sure. Am sure that that fellow was very upset by that!!!
Yep, will be more careful.
MoonFlower went to "SPITZ" concert for tonight. What about work? Make enough bucks already, not to worry to miss a day or two? Must be nice!!! She may take a half day off instead of full day off.
English class at night. Some tricky quizzes drove me nuts! I guess, I wasn't so up to such entertainment and it was hard to catch up with others to compete. Hahaha.
Lunch - on the road. At McDonald's. Super meal? Nope, just cheeseburger with fries.
Keyword: Garvin