Sunday May 1, 12:31 p.m.
Welcome to May! Couldn't be a better start to the month. Breezy and sunny and warm. Nice beginning to Golden Week as well since I'll be staying within the metropolis instead of going slowly ballistic on the congested highways, airports and train stations.
Speaking of which, Automan contacted me last night to confirm Hotel Haru for Tuesday. Gonna have to call housekeeping once again on the morning of the 3rd after Movie Buddy's stay last night. Not quite sure what I'm gonna do with Automan and his buddy once they hit Tokyo.
Movie Buddy and I did our semi-annual Hotel Haru with movie and dinner. But we did meet to head off for "Constantine". Not a bad movie, not a great movie....it was basically Keanu Reaves as an especially tetchy Mr. Anderson as the title character. MB thought that the buildup to the final 10 minutes was misplaced....just a huge smoke screen to let a couple of more able actors, Tilda Swinton and Peter Stomare (as the nutso Archangel Gabriel and Satan respectively) get in their licks. I just thought the structure of those last few minutes struck me as a little too reminiscent of the last 10 minutes of "Matrix Revolutions". Ah, well...it was OK...maybe OK enough to have a renewed Constantine take another stab at a sequel.
Afterwards, we met up by accident The Curry Master and The SE, two people whom I used to "teach", on the subway platform. It was awkward to say the least...somethng that was echoed by MB over breakfast at Skylark this morning. The Curry Master just gave the briefest of waves at me and then just focused on MB like a laser beam about being reminded to bring the baked potatoes for her BBQ today. The SE and I didn't talk with each other...something that's pretty usual in this country; if we sever relations, we don't acknowledge each other. Apparently, Curry Master got her knickers tied in a knot; she immediately called up The Sylph to check what had been wrong with us on the train. MB just shook his head and laughed in resignation after getting a call from his girlfriend. He'd seen it all before. Curry Master is just very self-absorbed. I think she's a good person at heart, BUT she's not one that I can take long exposure to.
Anyways, we got back home with bentos and Haagen-Daas ice cream...today's new flavour: Raspberry and Panna Cotta...good lord, what will those guys think of next? Going with the theme of occult superheroes, MB brought over "Hellboy". It was quite good and better than "Constantine". The end struck me as being a little abrupt, though, and I could've stood to have had Abe Sapien around a bit longer than his mid-movie cutout but I'm not surprised that a sequel is in the works.
Then, it was "King Arthur". We both agreed that the movie was just average. I'm sure that Antoine Fuqua wouldn't be too thrilled to hear that assessment considering all the massive fight scenes he'd filmed but the movie just seemed a little too much by-the-numbers. I mean, I've seen this stuff in "Gladiator" and "Alexander", although I think "King Arthur" was better than the latter. For example, we got that rousing speech-on-the-pacing-horse schtick that Mel Gibson made famous...and superfluous...in "Braveheart".
So, now I have today to just chill out a bit...although I do have to plan for tomorrow's lessons. Yes, tomorrow will be a full day since it is technically not one of the national holidays. However, aside from The Company, I won't have to do all that much planning. Still, I will take it easy for much of the afternoon and then I'll do the heavy lifting tonight.
Just a place to deposit my thoughts on life here in the Kanto and about anything else that sticks to my walls.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Friday, April 29, 2005
Friday April 29, 9:59 p.m.
It was the warmest day of the year so far...perfect weather for a picnic. I met up with Chip Guy and the family at Komazawa Daigaku Station and then we all walked down a few dozen metres to a ritzy apartment building where we picked up a few more people. Chip's friend happens to have a pretty swanky place...the rent goes for about 600,000 yen a month or perhaps about $7,000. I could believe it...the lobby resembled one for a hotel with two staff members at a front desk and a small room with free tea, coffee and green tea.
Once everyone got together, we went down a few more metres to Komazawa Olympic Park. It was bustling with activity as would be the case in such nice weather. A lot of students, soccer players and families were walking around or lying on their tarps. While the women set their tarps, the men went a bit further to the other side of the park to grab some burgers for lunch. The rest of our few hours there was spent noshing and talking while a couple of the kids did a walkabout. At one point, two of the parents went searching for them. Chip and I were a bit worried considering that there have been a number of kidnappings/murders by psychos in the last several months. Fortunately, they were found safe and sound.
Afterwards, Chip's family and I made our way back to Shibuya where we split. Chip's clan had to meet another family for dinner while I made my way to Hachiko to meet The Bohemian. When he did show up, his appearance was between his hippie look of a couple of years ago and his more salaryman-esque look from the earliest times of our friendship. The Bohemian managed to irk me a bit as he sometimes does by once again regurgitating the fact that he thinks Japanese women are far more fashionable and that North American women are frankly dogs. Well, I can't help it if he wants to show how shallow he can be, but I did make it briefly but strongly sure that I am VERY Canadian and that I didn't agree with his opinion. The two of us were silent for a few minutes and then we just did a reset.
We ended up going to a basement izakaya near Bunkamura. The Bohemian made an error in thinking that we would be able to go for the all-you-can-drink option; the waitress corrected him by stating that that option was only for large parties. Well, at that point, we were already nursing our drinks. The atmosphere was pretty nice and the izakaya was surprisngly not all that crowded considering the holiday Friday. The food wasn't quite as good as I had hoped but it was acceptable. As for talk, The Bohemian was considering what he could do in terms of finding a job. He rather regrets his 2-year stay in Sendai going for his Masters since it was basically a waste of time for him. I rather felt sorry for him since he's now in his mid-thirties and unemployed for several years. And he doesn't particularly have any ambition to start something up by himself. It's quite a difference in attitude with that of Chip Guy who's planned and executed a very good career for himself. But then again, my two friends are very different people. I can only hope that The Bohemian can dig himeslf up.
I checked out one advance review of "Revenge of the Sith" by none other than Kevin Smith. Looks like he's a happy camper. Much darker than "The Empire Strikes Back", he says. Well, let's see what the rest of the moviegoing public says in a few weeks.
Well, just gotta plan one lesson for JJ tomorrow and then do some ironing before I hit bed.
It was the warmest day of the year so far...perfect weather for a picnic. I met up with Chip Guy and the family at Komazawa Daigaku Station and then we all walked down a few dozen metres to a ritzy apartment building where we picked up a few more people. Chip's friend happens to have a pretty swanky place...the rent goes for about 600,000 yen a month or perhaps about $7,000. I could believe it...the lobby resembled one for a hotel with two staff members at a front desk and a small room with free tea, coffee and green tea.
Once everyone got together, we went down a few more metres to Komazawa Olympic Park. It was bustling with activity as would be the case in such nice weather. A lot of students, soccer players and families were walking around or lying on their tarps. While the women set their tarps, the men went a bit further to the other side of the park to grab some burgers for lunch. The rest of our few hours there was spent noshing and talking while a couple of the kids did a walkabout. At one point, two of the parents went searching for them. Chip and I were a bit worried considering that there have been a number of kidnappings/murders by psychos in the last several months. Fortunately, they were found safe and sound.
Afterwards, Chip's family and I made our way back to Shibuya where we split. Chip's clan had to meet another family for dinner while I made my way to Hachiko to meet The Bohemian. When he did show up, his appearance was between his hippie look of a couple of years ago and his more salaryman-esque look from the earliest times of our friendship. The Bohemian managed to irk me a bit as he sometimes does by once again regurgitating the fact that he thinks Japanese women are far more fashionable and that North American women are frankly dogs. Well, I can't help it if he wants to show how shallow he can be, but I did make it briefly but strongly sure that I am VERY Canadian and that I didn't agree with his opinion. The two of us were silent for a few minutes and then we just did a reset.
We ended up going to a basement izakaya near Bunkamura. The Bohemian made an error in thinking that we would be able to go for the all-you-can-drink option; the waitress corrected him by stating that that option was only for large parties. Well, at that point, we were already nursing our drinks. The atmosphere was pretty nice and the izakaya was surprisngly not all that crowded considering the holiday Friday. The food wasn't quite as good as I had hoped but it was acceptable. As for talk, The Bohemian was considering what he could do in terms of finding a job. He rather regrets his 2-year stay in Sendai going for his Masters since it was basically a waste of time for him. I rather felt sorry for him since he's now in his mid-thirties and unemployed for several years. And he doesn't particularly have any ambition to start something up by himself. It's quite a difference in attitude with that of Chip Guy who's planned and executed a very good career for himself. But then again, my two friends are very different people. I can only hope that The Bohemian can dig himeslf up.
I checked out one advance review of "Revenge of the Sith" by none other than Kevin Smith. Looks like he's a happy camper. Much darker than "The Empire Strikes Back", he says. Well, let's see what the rest of the moviegoing public says in a few weeks.
Well, just gotta plan one lesson for JJ tomorrow and then do some ironing before I hit bed.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Friday April 29, 9:19 a.m.
Well, Golden Week is officially here. The first national holiday is today. It's called Midori (Green) Day...I'm sure there will be a lot of ol' grunge fans who'll be holding up their lighters in homage. heheheh. Actually, the day is the late Showa Emperor's birthday.
Got another rouse-up, not wake-up, call from Chip this morning. This time, I was somewhat more coherent but CG still talks a mile a minute. Looks like I'll be meeting him and the family at Komazawa University Station out in the west end in a couple of hours. It'll be a simple picnic in Komazawa Olympic Park for a few hours, then I'm heading out to Shibuya to meet The Bohemian for dinner.
Last night, Movie Buddy called up sheepishly to ask if we could meet tomorrow for our movie outings instead of midweek next week. I think The Sylph has been on his case for his GW schedule. So, after I teach JJ, I'll pick him up at the station and then head out to see "Constantine" at the neighbourhood theater. He'll probably be crashing over at the apartment.
In a case of terrible timing, Shard's ex called up while I was making dinner (I just HAD to pick up that phone, didn't I?). Basically, she telephoned me to talk about her immigration stuff, stuff that she rehashed with me before, stuff that I really don't know anything about. So, it wasn't too difficult for me to be distracted while I tried to keep the pasta and sauce warm and relevant. I have a sneaking suspicion that she got the "message" about my situation and promptly hung up; mind you, it took her almost half an hour to do so. Still, I felt a little guilty about my phone manner and sent her an apology.
Beforehand, I looked through "Citizen Kane" again, this time with Roger Ebert's commentary. Good golly, it's just like attending a good film class. The movie seems to have become the template for all the tricks of the trade.
Well, I gotta rush....
Well, Golden Week is officially here. The first national holiday is today. It's called Midori (Green) Day...I'm sure there will be a lot of ol' grunge fans who'll be holding up their lighters in homage. heheheh. Actually, the day is the late Showa Emperor's birthday.
Got another rouse-up, not wake-up, call from Chip this morning. This time, I was somewhat more coherent but CG still talks a mile a minute. Looks like I'll be meeting him and the family at Komazawa University Station out in the west end in a couple of hours. It'll be a simple picnic in Komazawa Olympic Park for a few hours, then I'm heading out to Shibuya to meet The Bohemian for dinner.
Last night, Movie Buddy called up sheepishly to ask if we could meet tomorrow for our movie outings instead of midweek next week. I think The Sylph has been on his case for his GW schedule. So, after I teach JJ, I'll pick him up at the station and then head out to see "Constantine" at the neighbourhood theater. He'll probably be crashing over at the apartment.
In a case of terrible timing, Shard's ex called up while I was making dinner (I just HAD to pick up that phone, didn't I?). Basically, she telephoned me to talk about her immigration stuff, stuff that she rehashed with me before, stuff that I really don't know anything about. So, it wasn't too difficult for me to be distracted while I tried to keep the pasta and sauce warm and relevant. I have a sneaking suspicion that she got the "message" about my situation and promptly hung up; mind you, it took her almost half an hour to do so. Still, I felt a little guilty about my phone manner and sent her an apology.
Beforehand, I looked through "Citizen Kane" again, this time with Roger Ebert's commentary. Good golly, it's just like attending a good film class. The movie seems to have become the template for all the tricks of the trade.
Well, I gotta rush....
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Thursday April 28, 1:03 p.m.
Yup, the Golden Week rush has started. The usual epic lineups have started to snake around in Narita and probably at Haneda and the major train stations. I kinda wonder how edgy train passengers are feeling with Monday's accident. I just can't picture any Bullet Train encountering anything like that train on Monday, though.
Speaking of the accident, at least one channel's afternoon chat show is wondering if the accident is actually an incident in which the driver finally snapped under the pressure and decided to commit suicide. Of course, the very nature of a talk show (or wide show, as it's called here) is speculation. However, it's pretty dangerous to do that during a major investigation like this one. And yes, the driver has been confirmed dead along with perhaps 100 passengers at least. I mentioned to Shard's ex this morning that if any of my loved ones had been the victims in that crash, I would've gone after the driver's internal organs. However, the one improvement in Japanese journalism, investigative journalism, has come out with a new angle.
Apparently, to ensure that JR drivers in a certain area commit as few mistakes as possible, there is a rather brutal policy of zero tolerance which can include "imprisonment" in JR's own version of a jail for 3 to 5 days, and at the very least, chewouts en masse and the demand for a very lengthy report. The driver at fault here had committed a couple of overruns in the past year so it could be assumed that he was at the short end of the punishment stick. Now, that the shock has subsided, there has not only been anger from the victims' families about why such a driver was allowed to keep his job but also speculation on whether the very strict approach to training may have led to the accident, however indirectly.
But this is nothing new to me. Japan may have given up its militaristic governmental policies decades ago, but Japanese society has still kept very martial elements, especially when it comes to training and education. Teachers can still administer en masse yellings for several minutes at errant students (I was aurally witness to a few when I used to teach on the JET Programme) and I think the beatings still occur although I'm sure teachers and their higher-ups are very careful with the new regulations on corporal punishment. Even student clubs, especially the baseball team, are notorious for coaches and even the senior team members administering punches and kicks to junior members who haven't been up to specs. Doesn't this remind you of Marine boot camp?
I'm sure that in both the West and Asia, there are forms of bullying in the workplace. However, I think in Japan, the practice is almost institutionalized. One of the readier images of work is of the poor drone getting the stuffings verbally knocked out of him by an irate manager...kinda like the beatings administered by Sgt. Snorkel on Beetle Bailey. In a society where conformism is still pretty much the corporate norm, non-conformists can find themselves in a bit of difficulty from the higher-ups and colleagues in the form of ostracism and other petty little evil acts to get the peg back into the hole. This rather "Scared Straight" approach has, I think, been partly responsible for the almost perfect record of service that we over here get from store clerks and waiters. There is nothing like fear of reprisal to get a person to do something the right way. However, I have to wonder what the cost has been to get that perfect service. Should one settle for a happier if somewhat lax workforce or do we keep on demanding the perfect soldier-worker service at the risks of that person going nuts or at least feeling majorly stressed out?
Yup, the Golden Week rush has started. The usual epic lineups have started to snake around in Narita and probably at Haneda and the major train stations. I kinda wonder how edgy train passengers are feeling with Monday's accident. I just can't picture any Bullet Train encountering anything like that train on Monday, though.
Speaking of the accident, at least one channel's afternoon chat show is wondering if the accident is actually an incident in which the driver finally snapped under the pressure and decided to commit suicide. Of course, the very nature of a talk show (or wide show, as it's called here) is speculation. However, it's pretty dangerous to do that during a major investigation like this one. And yes, the driver has been confirmed dead along with perhaps 100 passengers at least. I mentioned to Shard's ex this morning that if any of my loved ones had been the victims in that crash, I would've gone after the driver's internal organs. However, the one improvement in Japanese journalism, investigative journalism, has come out with a new angle.
Apparently, to ensure that JR drivers in a certain area commit as few mistakes as possible, there is a rather brutal policy of zero tolerance which can include "imprisonment" in JR's own version of a jail for 3 to 5 days, and at the very least, chewouts en masse and the demand for a very lengthy report. The driver at fault here had committed a couple of overruns in the past year so it could be assumed that he was at the short end of the punishment stick. Now, that the shock has subsided, there has not only been anger from the victims' families about why such a driver was allowed to keep his job but also speculation on whether the very strict approach to training may have led to the accident, however indirectly.
But this is nothing new to me. Japan may have given up its militaristic governmental policies decades ago, but Japanese society has still kept very martial elements, especially when it comes to training and education. Teachers can still administer en masse yellings for several minutes at errant students (I was aurally witness to a few when I used to teach on the JET Programme) and I think the beatings still occur although I'm sure teachers and their higher-ups are very careful with the new regulations on corporal punishment. Even student clubs, especially the baseball team, are notorious for coaches and even the senior team members administering punches and kicks to junior members who haven't been up to specs. Doesn't this remind you of Marine boot camp?
I'm sure that in both the West and Asia, there are forms of bullying in the workplace. However, I think in Japan, the practice is almost institutionalized. One of the readier images of work is of the poor drone getting the stuffings verbally knocked out of him by an irate manager...kinda like the beatings administered by Sgt. Snorkel on Beetle Bailey. In a society where conformism is still pretty much the corporate norm, non-conformists can find themselves in a bit of difficulty from the higher-ups and colleagues in the form of ostracism and other petty little evil acts to get the peg back into the hole. This rather "Scared Straight" approach has, I think, been partly responsible for the almost perfect record of service that we over here get from store clerks and waiters. There is nothing like fear of reprisal to get a person to do something the right way. However, I have to wonder what the cost has been to get that perfect service. Should one settle for a happier if somewhat lax workforce or do we keep on demanding the perfect soldier-worker service at the risks of that person going nuts or at least feeling majorly stressed out?
Thursday April 28, 9:55 a.m.
Well, I got a wake-up call from Chip Guy about an hour ago. He found out rather quickly that I don't wake up all that well anymore. And I found out that I don't particularly tell little white lies when I'm groggy, either. However, I digress. Anyways, he wanted to know if I were up for lunch today. I declined....I wanted to keep things within the neighbourhood and actually get some gym time in this week before heading out down the line to teach MK tonight. Then again, I've never been great about last-minute invitations. Chip Guy must have been a bit embarrassed about catching me just coming out of REM sleep...his usual speedy rate of speech seemed to go into emergency warp, which made my groggy attempts to understand even worse. Apparently, we are to meet tomorrow in Komazawa Park. The name sounded familiar but I wasn't sure about exact location so I asked him, but from what I could comprehend that it seems that even he didn't know. So I just checked out the atlas and found out that it isn't too far from where CG used to live. I also sent off the news to The Bohemian. I rather doubt that he'll come over to Komazawa, though. He's pretty territorial...just wants to stick around either in Shibuya or Shinjuku. I frankly doubt that he and CG will meet tomorrow.
Then, I got onto the Net which is where I've been for the past hour answering e-mail and doing a bit of research for Automan who called up not long after Chip. He was calling about reservations at Hotel Haruhiko for either next Tuesday or Thursday. I'd prefer next Thursday since there's a better chance that the blankets will be done by then and I've got Movie Buddy coming over on Wednesday. However, his other friend will be staying at a hotel so he asked me if I could find something nearby. Well, there is that hotel that Old Sam and his wife stayed at in Kiba. I sent off the information to him although I'm not sure if he's checking his e-mail during his stay in Japan. He's already here by the way. In any case, he'll be calling for final confirmation on Sunday.
I received some e-mail from Shard's ex. She'd asked about some further information on the vagaries of Canadian immigration. Once again, she went into a mild harangue about what's wrong with Japan. Today's theme was on the martial discipline imposed on people here in school and work vis-a-vis the train accident in Osaka. I guess I must've finally roused from my sleep by that point since I gave her a rather voluminous answer.
My sister-in-law contacted me. Apparently, her best friend in high school is in town on some sort of extended business trip. She gave me her phone number and e-mail address. Well, I'll give her a courtesy call. However, I'm a bit wary about it since I had a similar situation last year with the Persian's friends...that didn't end too well with one sister. Also, I know that my sister-in-law has been wondering hitching me up with somebody...no thank you. I like my embittered bachelorhood, thank you very much.
The Hawaiian confirmed that next Monday morning is a go for her lesson. But not surprisingly, she's declined the invitation for Wednesday.
Just lucky that I did all the groundwork for MK's lesson the night before. Not feeling particularly up for lesson planning just now. I'll probably head out to the gym later this afternoon and then head straight to MK's venue.
Well, I got a wake-up call from Chip Guy about an hour ago. He found out rather quickly that I don't wake up all that well anymore. And I found out that I don't particularly tell little white lies when I'm groggy, either. However, I digress. Anyways, he wanted to know if I were up for lunch today. I declined....I wanted to keep things within the neighbourhood and actually get some gym time in this week before heading out down the line to teach MK tonight. Then again, I've never been great about last-minute invitations. Chip Guy must have been a bit embarrassed about catching me just coming out of REM sleep...his usual speedy rate of speech seemed to go into emergency warp, which made my groggy attempts to understand even worse. Apparently, we are to meet tomorrow in Komazawa Park. The name sounded familiar but I wasn't sure about exact location so I asked him, but from what I could comprehend that it seems that even he didn't know. So I just checked out the atlas and found out that it isn't too far from where CG used to live. I also sent off the news to The Bohemian. I rather doubt that he'll come over to Komazawa, though. He's pretty territorial...just wants to stick around either in Shibuya or Shinjuku. I frankly doubt that he and CG will meet tomorrow.
Then, I got onto the Net which is where I've been for the past hour answering e-mail and doing a bit of research for Automan who called up not long after Chip. He was calling about reservations at Hotel Haruhiko for either next Tuesday or Thursday. I'd prefer next Thursday since there's a better chance that the blankets will be done by then and I've got Movie Buddy coming over on Wednesday. However, his other friend will be staying at a hotel so he asked me if I could find something nearby. Well, there is that hotel that Old Sam and his wife stayed at in Kiba. I sent off the information to him although I'm not sure if he's checking his e-mail during his stay in Japan. He's already here by the way. In any case, he'll be calling for final confirmation on Sunday.
I received some e-mail from Shard's ex. She'd asked about some further information on the vagaries of Canadian immigration. Once again, she went into a mild harangue about what's wrong with Japan. Today's theme was on the martial discipline imposed on people here in school and work vis-a-vis the train accident in Osaka. I guess I must've finally roused from my sleep by that point since I gave her a rather voluminous answer.
My sister-in-law contacted me. Apparently, her best friend in high school is in town on some sort of extended business trip. She gave me her phone number and e-mail address. Well, I'll give her a courtesy call. However, I'm a bit wary about it since I had a similar situation last year with the Persian's friends...that didn't end too well with one sister. Also, I know that my sister-in-law has been wondering hitching me up with somebody...no thank you. I like my embittered bachelorhood, thank you very much.
The Hawaiian confirmed that next Monday morning is a go for her lesson. But not surprisingly, she's declined the invitation for Wednesday.
Just lucky that I did all the groundwork for MK's lesson the night before. Not feeling particularly up for lesson planning just now. I'll probably head out to the gym later this afternoon and then head straight to MK's venue.
Wednesday April 27, 11:46 p.m.
Sent out a couple of blankets out to the cleaners just in case Automan decides to make a reservation at Hotel Haruhiko. However, it looks like the blankets won't be ready for about a week so that meant a Plan B...deodorize the blankets that I do have. However, he's yet to confirm his reservations.
The trip to see The Hawaiian was pretty uneventful but jolly as usual. She does make it worthwhile for me to make the long crosstown trip over there. Movie Buddy has proposed heading out to my neck of the woods for "Constantine" and then a DVD show at my place. I invited The Hawaiian but I frankly doubt that she'll pick up on the offer. She said that she's not too huge on the horror genre (neither am I, but I don't particularly consider Keanu's latest a horror flick per se), and I can't really see her willing to come out all the way to Chiba for a night of visual debauchery. However, since MB is asking for next Wednesday, I'm seeing if she would be willing to re-schedule for next Monday since I've got The Company. Plus, I'll probably be dropping by Speedy's at the same time.
Did my first round of major cooking in several days. Made spaghetti and meatballs and used the last two potatoes to try and make hash browns since the taters were starting to take root. As usual, got quite a bit to nosh on for tomorrow.
I was finally able to see the much vaunted Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane" after several years of wondering what would make this flick the AFI's top movie in the history of movies. Well, it certainly surprised me in terms of my initial predictions. I had initially thought that the famous movie was a Greek tragedy of a good guy turned bad over the years....kinda like MacBeth or even the current Star Wars trilogy. However, the first surprise was seeing that this was a tale of an already cocky, arrogant (albeit charming) Charles Foster Kane who gradually transforms into an embittered, self-centered, lonely old man trapped in his Hell of Xanadu.
The second surprise was that the film seemed to be quite ahead of its time. Perhaps it was the improved clarity of the picture that helped but I also think that the interesting camera shots and transitions between scenes and even some of the dialogue made "Kane" a lot more contemporary. It just didn't seem like a movie made in 1941. "Casablanca" which was made the next year is one of my all-time favourites but I know that it is a product of the 40s. I'm not sure with "Kane" which does make me understand why Orson Welles had been called a genius. Also, on the film itself, it didn't follow a typical linear course. I was surprised to see the first few minutes devoted to the newsreel giving away all the plot before the details started. And then, there was a temporal ping-pong game played all throughout with Act I dealing with the rise and fall of Kane's newspaper empire, Act II briefly devoting itself to Kane's dalliance in politics and then the final act of his two ill-fated marriages...from happy-go-lucky courtship to bitter fallout.
The third surprise came in the casting. Of course, I knew about Welles being the tour de force star. However, there were a few faces also there that would later become part of my TV viewing life. There was Ray Collins who was to become the craggy Lt. Tragg from "Perry Mason" playing the corrupt politico, Ruth Warrick whom I remember being the matriarch from "All My Children" as Kane's first wife. But the real corker was finding out that the 5-minute performance of Kane's cold-as-ice mother was played by none other than Agnes Moorehead...Endora from "Bewitched". And I have to say that in the trailers for the movie, she sure looked very ravishing. Quite a surprise since she was absolutely unrecognizable in character. I'm sure audiences of 1941 must have remarked, "That was HER?!"
Now, do I think "Citizen Kane" deserves its vaunted status as the best movie ever made? Well, I'll have to agree with Roger Ebert who does the commentary (which I'm looking forward to). The AFI list can be considered to be a silly one of no merit only meant to show the results of a democratic moviegoing population. I think it is an excellent movie with all of Welles' derring-do behind the camera. Heck, even the trailer was a masterclass in innovation. I wouldn't go as faras Ebert in saying that the most favourite film will change from time to time. There are some absolutes for me. Having said that, "Casablanca" will remain my favourite black & white flick but certainly, "Citizen Kane" is a worthy addition to my movie collection.
Sent out a couple of blankets out to the cleaners just in case Automan decides to make a reservation at Hotel Haruhiko. However, it looks like the blankets won't be ready for about a week so that meant a Plan B...deodorize the blankets that I do have. However, he's yet to confirm his reservations.
The trip to see The Hawaiian was pretty uneventful but jolly as usual. She does make it worthwhile for me to make the long crosstown trip over there. Movie Buddy has proposed heading out to my neck of the woods for "Constantine" and then a DVD show at my place. I invited The Hawaiian but I frankly doubt that she'll pick up on the offer. She said that she's not too huge on the horror genre (neither am I, but I don't particularly consider Keanu's latest a horror flick per se), and I can't really see her willing to come out all the way to Chiba for a night of visual debauchery. However, since MB is asking for next Wednesday, I'm seeing if she would be willing to re-schedule for next Monday since I've got The Company. Plus, I'll probably be dropping by Speedy's at the same time.
Did my first round of major cooking in several days. Made spaghetti and meatballs and used the last two potatoes to try and make hash browns since the taters were starting to take root. As usual, got quite a bit to nosh on for tomorrow.
I was finally able to see the much vaunted Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane" after several years of wondering what would make this flick the AFI's top movie in the history of movies. Well, it certainly surprised me in terms of my initial predictions. I had initially thought that the famous movie was a Greek tragedy of a good guy turned bad over the years....kinda like MacBeth or even the current Star Wars trilogy. However, the first surprise was seeing that this was a tale of an already cocky, arrogant (albeit charming) Charles Foster Kane who gradually transforms into an embittered, self-centered, lonely old man trapped in his Hell of Xanadu.
The second surprise was that the film seemed to be quite ahead of its time. Perhaps it was the improved clarity of the picture that helped but I also think that the interesting camera shots and transitions between scenes and even some of the dialogue made "Kane" a lot more contemporary. It just didn't seem like a movie made in 1941. "Casablanca" which was made the next year is one of my all-time favourites but I know that it is a product of the 40s. I'm not sure with "Kane" which does make me understand why Orson Welles had been called a genius. Also, on the film itself, it didn't follow a typical linear course. I was surprised to see the first few minutes devoted to the newsreel giving away all the plot before the details started. And then, there was a temporal ping-pong game played all throughout with Act I dealing with the rise and fall of Kane's newspaper empire, Act II briefly devoting itself to Kane's dalliance in politics and then the final act of his two ill-fated marriages...from happy-go-lucky courtship to bitter fallout.
The third surprise came in the casting. Of course, I knew about Welles being the tour de force star. However, there were a few faces also there that would later become part of my TV viewing life. There was Ray Collins who was to become the craggy Lt. Tragg from "Perry Mason" playing the corrupt politico, Ruth Warrick whom I remember being the matriarch from "All My Children" as Kane's first wife. But the real corker was finding out that the 5-minute performance of Kane's cold-as-ice mother was played by none other than Agnes Moorehead...Endora from "Bewitched". And I have to say that in the trailers for the movie, she sure looked very ravishing. Quite a surprise since she was absolutely unrecognizable in character. I'm sure audiences of 1941 must have remarked, "That was HER?!"
Now, do I think "Citizen Kane" deserves its vaunted status as the best movie ever made? Well, I'll have to agree with Roger Ebert who does the commentary (which I'm looking forward to). The AFI list can be considered to be a silly one of no merit only meant to show the results of a democratic moviegoing population. I think it is an excellent movie with all of Welles' derring-do behind the camera. Heck, even the trailer was a masterclass in innovation. I wouldn't go as faras Ebert in saying that the most favourite film will change from time to time. There are some absolutes for me. Having said that, "Casablanca" will remain my favourite black & white flick but certainly, "Citizen Kane" is a worthy addition to my movie collection.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Wednesday April 27, 11:26 a.m.
After the Sturm und Drang of yesterday, it's nice to see that a warm Spring day has graced us. My washing machine, though, decided to take its revenge on me for overloading it. After the final spin cycle, the machine turned off but apparently the water was still leaking through. I had to do another spin before finally hanging the clothes out. Mind you, the weather should dry them out, at least most of them, even before I take off to see The Hawaiian.
I actually bought and listened to a Best CD of El DeBarge, he of "All This Love" and "Who's Johnny?" (those who were born in the 80s and later need not read the rest of this paragraph). I was reading the liner notes. According to them, the group DeBarge was rather labeled as "the poor man's Jackson 5", which I thought a bit harsh. But after listening to El's greatest, I had to admit that as the CD ran its course, my ears were starting to listen less and less and just hear more and more. His best songs really didn't vary much in style and tone so that the album just came across as aural wallpaper. And I was a bit surprised that one song done by El in the late 80s didn't make it onto the album; it could've spruced up the disc a bit with his more mid-tempo beat. Still, I don't think DeBarge is a poor sub for the Jackson 5; in fact, I think I only really like that one song by the latter group...that ABC song or whatever compared to the 80s R&B hits that DeBarge had during its decade. Well, perhaps the CD will grow on me like so many others have.
Movie Buddy contacted me for the first time in a while. Looks like he wants to do a bit of movie watching at my place and at the theater during Golden Week. I'm more than happy to oblige since I've got "The Incredibles" and "Citizen Kane" on tap.
Well, gotta get ready to do that sole class out with The Hawaiian. Looks like my GW has already started. I've only got that one lesson today and then just MK tomorrow night. I've asked Speedy subtly if I can keep myself home tomorrow afternoon so that I only need to make that short hop to teach MK. And of course, Friday is the official start to GW so I've got absolutely nothing except for a possible meeting with Chip Guy and maybe even The Bohemian.
After the Sturm und Drang of yesterday, it's nice to see that a warm Spring day has graced us. My washing machine, though, decided to take its revenge on me for overloading it. After the final spin cycle, the machine turned off but apparently the water was still leaking through. I had to do another spin before finally hanging the clothes out. Mind you, the weather should dry them out, at least most of them, even before I take off to see The Hawaiian.
I actually bought and listened to a Best CD of El DeBarge, he of "All This Love" and "Who's Johnny?" (those who were born in the 80s and later need not read the rest of this paragraph). I was reading the liner notes. According to them, the group DeBarge was rather labeled as "the poor man's Jackson 5", which I thought a bit harsh. But after listening to El's greatest, I had to admit that as the CD ran its course, my ears were starting to listen less and less and just hear more and more. His best songs really didn't vary much in style and tone so that the album just came across as aural wallpaper. And I was a bit surprised that one song done by El in the late 80s didn't make it onto the album; it could've spruced up the disc a bit with his more mid-tempo beat. Still, I don't think DeBarge is a poor sub for the Jackson 5; in fact, I think I only really like that one song by the latter group...that ABC song or whatever compared to the 80s R&B hits that DeBarge had during its decade. Well, perhaps the CD will grow on me like so many others have.
Movie Buddy contacted me for the first time in a while. Looks like he wants to do a bit of movie watching at my place and at the theater during Golden Week. I'm more than happy to oblige since I've got "The Incredibles" and "Citizen Kane" on tap.
Well, gotta get ready to do that sole class out with The Hawaiian. Looks like my GW has already started. I've only got that one lesson today and then just MK tomorrow night. I've asked Speedy subtly if I can keep myself home tomorrow afternoon so that I only need to make that short hop to teach MK. And of course, Friday is the official start to GW so I've got absolutely nothing except for a possible meeting with Chip Guy and maybe even The Bohemian.
Tuesday April 26, 11:51 p.m.
I guess the Force was still with me when I left to go to the juku. After the torrents that tore down earlier in the afternoon, I exited the apartment to no rain and some sun. I was toting quite a lot of texts though.
The juku classes went pretty smoothly. Even the Beauty Pair got down to some good ol' work. I cannot complain at all about today, and I got paid, and next Tuesday is off for Golden Week.
Regrettably, that horrific train crash west of Osaka will probably have more deaths to deal with. At this point, the toll stands at 73 dead and 239 injured. The driver who created this tragedy is yet to be accounted for. I'm assuming since that it was the first two cars that got "painted" onto the side of the apartment building, he's probably also part of the brickwork as well...as gruesome as that may sound.
The one thing that fascinates/ticks me off about journalism in this country is the dogpile nature of it. The Osaka train crash makes the news...now, "suddenly", all the channels report about other train derailments that occurred today...as if just by coincidence these things started to happen. It happened when that poor girl last year was murdered by the psycho in Nara; after that incident, a flurry of these kidnappings hit the news regularly for several days. What ticks me off about this is that it just seems alarmist and sensationalistic. As for the main train derailment followed by the other sudden spate of train derailments today, it just makes it seem that the entire train industry is on the point of collapse. I just cannot believe that these so-called copycat crashes are a sudden phenomenon. Where was the media when these minor derailments had occurred in the past? Not big enough? Another case in point was a couple of years ago when that poor boy had his head crushed in the revolving doors at Roppongi Hills. Suddenly, the media was reporting every single incident which involved a kid and a revolving door; they mysteriously all came out of the woodwork at the same time. All we need is just a kid who fires off a bottle rocket into a school injuring or killing some of his mates; then, we'll see a whole rash of these bottle rocket tragedies amazingly appear all over the tube for the next 10 days.
I guess the Force was still with me when I left to go to the juku. After the torrents that tore down earlier in the afternoon, I exited the apartment to no rain and some sun. I was toting quite a lot of texts though.
The juku classes went pretty smoothly. Even the Beauty Pair got down to some good ol' work. I cannot complain at all about today, and I got paid, and next Tuesday is off for Golden Week.
Regrettably, that horrific train crash west of Osaka will probably have more deaths to deal with. At this point, the toll stands at 73 dead and 239 injured. The driver who created this tragedy is yet to be accounted for. I'm assuming since that it was the first two cars that got "painted" onto the side of the apartment building, he's probably also part of the brickwork as well...as gruesome as that may sound.
The one thing that fascinates/ticks me off about journalism in this country is the dogpile nature of it. The Osaka train crash makes the news...now, "suddenly", all the channels report about other train derailments that occurred today...as if just by coincidence these things started to happen. It happened when that poor girl last year was murdered by the psycho in Nara; after that incident, a flurry of these kidnappings hit the news regularly for several days. What ticks me off about this is that it just seems alarmist and sensationalistic. As for the main train derailment followed by the other sudden spate of train derailments today, it just makes it seem that the entire train industry is on the point of collapse. I just cannot believe that these so-called copycat crashes are a sudden phenomenon. Where was the media when these minor derailments had occurred in the past? Not big enough? Another case in point was a couple of years ago when that poor boy had his head crushed in the revolving doors at Roppongi Hills. Suddenly, the media was reporting every single incident which involved a kid and a revolving door; they mysteriously all came out of the woodwork at the same time. All we need is just a kid who fires off a bottle rocket into a school injuring or killing some of his mates; then, we'll see a whole rash of these bottle rocket tragedies amazingly appear all over the tube for the next 10 days.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Tuesday April 26, 3:27 p.m.
The Force is indeed with me. Exactly a year ago, I was caught in one of the worst downpours I'd ever experienced on either side of the Pacific on my way to the juku which necessitated some embarassing wardrobe changes for my classes. Well, it looks like the same weather has come down just now a year later but I was able to get home just when the first few drops started coming down. Mind you, I did get drenched but that was by design...I took a shower since I got myself rather sweaty for reasons to be given below.
I should actually say that not only is the Force with me, but it's flowing within me like a torrent today. Back on Saturday, I received the report from the tax office on how much I was to pay to Uncle Osamu according to the complicated tax return that I'd filed back in mid-March. Well, I was rather bemused to see that I owed a grand total of over a MILLION yen (no, I'm not using Dr. Evil's voice for this one), or over $10,000 CDN to the Japanese government. Well (and I think I'm well within my rights to use "well" in as twice as many sentences in this case), I just laughed at the ludicrous number. I knew that it had to be a mistake. I don't have that much money in my account. If I'd had to pay that, I would've ended up moving into a cardboard box by the Sumida River. Although I was pretty positive that there was an error, there must've been some residual shock that resonated since I did get that massive headache the next night. I usually don't get throbbing headaches of that magnitude.
I first brought the discrepancy to the Matron's attention on Monday since her son was the one who had helped me write out the return. Her eyes bugged out on seeing the figure. And I recollected that both Paddy and the son told me that I would "only" need to pay some 200,000 yen. So something was not right in the prefecture of Kagoshima. We agreed that I would go to the tax office, and if something couldn't be rectified I would call up her son again.
Well(there I go again), I brought it over to the Beehive today. Ms. Travel took one look at the offending document and she immediately called out a red alert amongst her classmates. As each of the ladies came in, each one bugged out in her own way over the million-yen figure. However, it was naturally Ms. Travel who took charge but it was ironically the final entry in the form of Ms. Tee who knew the tax rules in and out. For the first half hour, Ms. Travel and Ms. Tee took it upon themselves to find out where I had gone wrong because they suspected that I must have screwed up the calculations somewhere. Meanwhile, the rest of the Beehive started producing little canapes of marscapone cheese, raisins and crackers to go with that Hungarian port I'd gotten from the Matron, and a bottle of dry red that Ms. Perth kindly contributed from her trip to Turkey. By the half-hour mark, the two leaders managed to find out what had gone wrong and then called up the tax office to confirm. Thankfully, the early Red Alert atmosphere collapsed nicely into a very convivial chat session due a lot to the wines.
We even went over to the local Excelsiors for a bit of coffee and light lunch while Ms. Perth talked about her great trip through Turkey last week. Then, with a wish of good luck from the Hive, Ms. Travel and I were off to the tax office. It took about a half hour by local train to get to Onigoe Station where the tax office is located. The slowness was probably due to yesterday's tragic train derailment near Osaka; when something of this magnitude happens, everyone is hypersensitive. When we got into the tax office, I was relieved to find out that it was indeed a mistake since the staff also bugged out at the amount. All we needed to do was head up to the third floor and have the figures re-calculated and re-written onto a different sheet.
And folks, there is even a twist ending of O. Henry proportions. Not only did I not need to pay one million yen into bankruptcy, but I found out that I am to get a tax rebate of 20,000 yen! How's that for a corker? Ms. Travel had a ball laughing; I just merely had a ball...of hair...and a lot of relief. I couldn't believe that I was actually owed money by Uncle Osamu...which gets to me thinking...what the hell were Paddy and the Matron's son thinking about? Not that I'm resentful to either of them but still there's a huge difference between losing 200,000 yen and gaining 20,000 yen. However, I'm still not totally convinced that I'm owed that money. I can't understand a freelancer can actually make money from a tax return. But I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth...for now. On our way out, a very buoyant, if somewhat shocked, me remarked that the lady up on the 3rd floor must be spreading the news about my gaijin idiocy. Ms. Travel countered that the lady didn't seem to have the imagination to spread the news. I can see with the growing of age, so increases the amount of acid in one's tongue. Still, I have to say that with all due respect to Gary Cooper in "The Lou Gehrig Story", I feel I like I'm the luckiest man in the world right now to have such a good group of ladies. I think I may use that rebate to get them all something really nice.
The Force is indeed with me. Exactly a year ago, I was caught in one of the worst downpours I'd ever experienced on either side of the Pacific on my way to the juku which necessitated some embarassing wardrobe changes for my classes. Well, it looks like the same weather has come down just now a year later but I was able to get home just when the first few drops started coming down. Mind you, I did get drenched but that was by design...I took a shower since I got myself rather sweaty for reasons to be given below.
I should actually say that not only is the Force with me, but it's flowing within me like a torrent today. Back on Saturday, I received the report from the tax office on how much I was to pay to Uncle Osamu according to the complicated tax return that I'd filed back in mid-March. Well, I was rather bemused to see that I owed a grand total of over a MILLION yen (no, I'm not using Dr. Evil's voice for this one), or over $10,000 CDN to the Japanese government. Well (and I think I'm well within my rights to use "well" in as twice as many sentences in this case), I just laughed at the ludicrous number. I knew that it had to be a mistake. I don't have that much money in my account. If I'd had to pay that, I would've ended up moving into a cardboard box by the Sumida River. Although I was pretty positive that there was an error, there must've been some residual shock that resonated since I did get that massive headache the next night. I usually don't get throbbing headaches of that magnitude.
I first brought the discrepancy to the Matron's attention on Monday since her son was the one who had helped me write out the return. Her eyes bugged out on seeing the figure. And I recollected that both Paddy and the son told me that I would "only" need to pay some 200,000 yen. So something was not right in the prefecture of Kagoshima. We agreed that I would go to the tax office, and if something couldn't be rectified I would call up her son again.
Well(there I go again), I brought it over to the Beehive today. Ms. Travel took one look at the offending document and she immediately called out a red alert amongst her classmates. As each of the ladies came in, each one bugged out in her own way over the million-yen figure. However, it was naturally Ms. Travel who took charge but it was ironically the final entry in the form of Ms. Tee who knew the tax rules in and out. For the first half hour, Ms. Travel and Ms. Tee took it upon themselves to find out where I had gone wrong because they suspected that I must have screwed up the calculations somewhere. Meanwhile, the rest of the Beehive started producing little canapes of marscapone cheese, raisins and crackers to go with that Hungarian port I'd gotten from the Matron, and a bottle of dry red that Ms. Perth kindly contributed from her trip to Turkey. By the half-hour mark, the two leaders managed to find out what had gone wrong and then called up the tax office to confirm. Thankfully, the early Red Alert atmosphere collapsed nicely into a very convivial chat session due a lot to the wines.
We even went over to the local Excelsiors for a bit of coffee and light lunch while Ms. Perth talked about her great trip through Turkey last week. Then, with a wish of good luck from the Hive, Ms. Travel and I were off to the tax office. It took about a half hour by local train to get to Onigoe Station where the tax office is located. The slowness was probably due to yesterday's tragic train derailment near Osaka; when something of this magnitude happens, everyone is hypersensitive. When we got into the tax office, I was relieved to find out that it was indeed a mistake since the staff also bugged out at the amount. All we needed to do was head up to the third floor and have the figures re-calculated and re-written onto a different sheet.
And folks, there is even a twist ending of O. Henry proportions. Not only did I not need to pay one million yen into bankruptcy, but I found out that I am to get a tax rebate of 20,000 yen! How's that for a corker? Ms. Travel had a ball laughing; I just merely had a ball...of hair...and a lot of relief. I couldn't believe that I was actually owed money by Uncle Osamu...which gets to me thinking...what the hell were Paddy and the Matron's son thinking about? Not that I'm resentful to either of them but still there's a huge difference between losing 200,000 yen and gaining 20,000 yen. However, I'm still not totally convinced that I'm owed that money. I can't understand a freelancer can actually make money from a tax return. But I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth...for now. On our way out, a very buoyant, if somewhat shocked, me remarked that the lady up on the 3rd floor must be spreading the news about my gaijin idiocy. Ms. Travel countered that the lady didn't seem to have the imagination to spread the news. I can see with the growing of age, so increases the amount of acid in one's tongue. Still, I have to say that with all due respect to Gary Cooper in "The Lou Gehrig Story", I feel I like I'm the luckiest man in the world right now to have such a good group of ladies. I think I may use that rebate to get them all something really nice.
Monday April 25, 9:34 p.m.
Well, that headache stayed an unpleasant memory thankfully as I made my way to work. Unfortunately, I ended up being 15 minutes late for my first class with The Class Act since I'd forgotten that today's lesson was to start at 10:30 a.m. As usual, I ended up bashing myself for the rest of the day but I'm lucky that the ladies were much more forgiving than me. In fact, we still ended up having a full 90-minute lesson.
The rest of the day was the usual. I've been continuing my read through "Revenge of The Sith". I haven't finished yet but I went to see some of the reviews of the novelization. So far, it looks like all of them have been pretty praiseworthy of it...which is indeed high praise indeed considering the flak that the author who did "Attack of the Clones" had gotten. I still haven't re-read "The Phantom Menace" which I also got in its hardcover version...pretty good reason for that, too. All of the reviewers and I were rather mystified that the entire act on Kashyyk was not in the book at all....something to investigate, to be sure. However, I must agree with the reviewers that it would actually be a help to read the novelization BEFORE catching the movie. The author provides a lot of meat on the bones that I'm sure the movie will not be able to show.
Got home to find out that there had been a major disaster west of Osaka. A train derailed, so far killing 50 people and injuring hundreds more. I'll be watching the detials in about 10 minutes.
Well, that headache stayed an unpleasant memory thankfully as I made my way to work. Unfortunately, I ended up being 15 minutes late for my first class with The Class Act since I'd forgotten that today's lesson was to start at 10:30 a.m. As usual, I ended up bashing myself for the rest of the day but I'm lucky that the ladies were much more forgiving than me. In fact, we still ended up having a full 90-minute lesson.
The rest of the day was the usual. I've been continuing my read through "Revenge of The Sith". I haven't finished yet but I went to see some of the reviews of the novelization. So far, it looks like all of them have been pretty praiseworthy of it...which is indeed high praise indeed considering the flak that the author who did "Attack of the Clones" had gotten. I still haven't re-read "The Phantom Menace" which I also got in its hardcover version...pretty good reason for that, too. All of the reviewers and I were rather mystified that the entire act on Kashyyk was not in the book at all....something to investigate, to be sure. However, I must agree with the reviewers that it would actually be a help to read the novelization BEFORE catching the movie. The author provides a lot of meat on the bones that I'm sure the movie will not be able to show.
Got home to find out that there had been a major disaster west of Osaka. A train derailed, so far killing 50 people and injuring hundreds more. I'll be watching the detials in about 10 minutes.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Monday April 25, 6:59 a.m.
8 more months til Xmas...get out, you shoppers!
There was that party out at PH's yesterday. It was a slightly smaller crew from the usual horde that invades the apartment. But it just meant more food and easier talk. The core folks like The Quarterback and Speedy were there, and of course, the family of honour, Chip Guy's unit. It was another round of BBQ chicken, salmon and steak. Plus, I helped make this rather interesting form of potato salad with small new taters. PH just boiled them and then doused them in mayo, salt & pepper and chopped green onions. No need for peeling...just slosh them around. PH said that it was an English recipe...it certainly looked British. And actually, it tasted pretty good. Probably at its best with the potatoes still warm.
The party was also notable for the relatively large number of babies that came out. There was Chip's daughter, and then two more. Of course, the cameras came out to shoot the grand summit of the little ones although none of them were particularly in talking mood with each other. Of course, with the kids there, the party itself didn't last long into the night. We all pretty much vacated by 8:30.
It was just as well since by the time I got home, I was under attack by an unusually nasty headache. Even Tylenol and some further reading of "Revenge of the Sith" didn't alleviate symptoms so I hit bed as soon as I could. Feeling much better now. The Theater Manager got back to me on his thoughts about the next Star Wars movie. He said that it would sound great on a home system...not exactly a ringing endorsement for the bigscreen run. I'm certainly not looking forward to the Anakin and Amidala scenes, if the novelization is any indication. It's more of the same hackneyed pap. I just hope that some more of the political intrigue dialogue stays in, although that doesn't sound like a Star Wars movie. I'm sure a lot of the kiddies would just get restless. Chip told me that one key scene in the book about Windu and Yoda arguing is supposed to be cut out...dang!
8 more months til Xmas...get out, you shoppers!
There was that party out at PH's yesterday. It was a slightly smaller crew from the usual horde that invades the apartment. But it just meant more food and easier talk. The core folks like The Quarterback and Speedy were there, and of course, the family of honour, Chip Guy's unit. It was another round of BBQ chicken, salmon and steak. Plus, I helped make this rather interesting form of potato salad with small new taters. PH just boiled them and then doused them in mayo, salt & pepper and chopped green onions. No need for peeling...just slosh them around. PH said that it was an English recipe...it certainly looked British. And actually, it tasted pretty good. Probably at its best with the potatoes still warm.
The party was also notable for the relatively large number of babies that came out. There was Chip's daughter, and then two more. Of course, the cameras came out to shoot the grand summit of the little ones although none of them were particularly in talking mood with each other. Of course, with the kids there, the party itself didn't last long into the night. We all pretty much vacated by 8:30.
It was just as well since by the time I got home, I was under attack by an unusually nasty headache. Even Tylenol and some further reading of "Revenge of the Sith" didn't alleviate symptoms so I hit bed as soon as I could. Feeling much better now. The Theater Manager got back to me on his thoughts about the next Star Wars movie. He said that it would sound great on a home system...not exactly a ringing endorsement for the bigscreen run. I'm certainly not looking forward to the Anakin and Amidala scenes, if the novelization is any indication. It's more of the same hackneyed pap. I just hope that some more of the political intrigue dialogue stays in, although that doesn't sound like a Star Wars movie. I'm sure a lot of the kiddies would just get restless. Chip told me that one key scene in the book about Windu and Yoda arguing is supposed to be cut out...dang!
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Sunday April 24, 1:13 a.m.
Once again, I was given a bit of a surprise at my kids' house today when the elder sister actually appeared for a lesson. Luckily, I didn't need to bring anything special for her so I could teach her; it would have been nice if I'd gotten a bit of advance warning, though.
Since JJ cancelled today, I had ample time before meeting up with Speedy and Chip Guy so I had my lunch at Foo Foo, and then I did some book searching. Well, I learned that the soundtrack for "Revenge of the Sith" will be here in about 10 days. However, I did succumb to the Dark Side when I went over to Kinokuniya and discovered not only the third volume of Peanuts but also the novelization of the latest Star Wars film. I wasn't gonna buy either one since Kinokuniya doesn't have a point card system so that my purchases wouldn't have gone for any future benefit. However, I figured that in the last several days, I've inadvertently picked up so much information and pictures of the coming carnage about the movie that it really doesn't matter anymore so I shucked out the yen.
I started reading the first couple of chapters of the book in front of Q-Front, the massive building in front of Shibuya Station before Chip Guy arrived and remarked on my capitulation to the Dark Side. The two of us went off up the street into Dogenzaka and into a building up to the 6th floor. We went to Toriyoshi, a decent izakaya that specializes in chicken. For the first half-hour, it was just us two so we got into detail about Episode 3 and about how the family is doing. Then Speedy and another fellow arrived so we could actually start ordering.
Chip Guy had originally just expected another two guys to come out for a total of six. However, one guy decided to bring his girl and then another three people showed up which caused a few conniptions for the staff. It was very magnanimous of them to give us another table considering it was a Saturday night. It did save us from a very tight squeeze. We ended up staying there for close to 4 hours. All of us started devouring some very delectable chicken wings of which we ordered a huge bushel. These wings are not like the buffalo wings back home. Instead of being slathered in BBQ sauce, the Japanese variety are grilled with a sweet-salty sauce and sesame seeds which made them just as irresistable. It was amazing how much and how fast we could devour those things.
For most of the night, most of my conversation was with Speedy and Chip. Again, I'm not all that effusive with people I don't know very well in a group setting so it was nice that I had these two guys bracketing me. Chip Guy and I had another long chat about the next Star Wars movie; I'm grateful that I can talk about some of my favourite things with somebody. It's just not all that easy to do that anymore. But Chip Guy was starting to fall victim to jet lag. He got some fresh air outside which kept the exhaustion at bay for a while but it came back to him. By around 11, we decided to finally get out of there. Surprisingly enough, he decided to stay with some of the more enterprising fellows for another round which I don't think was the best idea. However, he admirably held back on the heavy drinking; he was a lot more of a drinker in his earlier single days. But a wife and a daughter can mellow a man somewhat. I hope that both he and Speedy are in OK shape to show up at PH's place later today.
Well, I'm just about ready for bed myself.
Once again, I was given a bit of a surprise at my kids' house today when the elder sister actually appeared for a lesson. Luckily, I didn't need to bring anything special for her so I could teach her; it would have been nice if I'd gotten a bit of advance warning, though.
Since JJ cancelled today, I had ample time before meeting up with Speedy and Chip Guy so I had my lunch at Foo Foo, and then I did some book searching. Well, I learned that the soundtrack for "Revenge of the Sith" will be here in about 10 days. However, I did succumb to the Dark Side when I went over to Kinokuniya and discovered not only the third volume of Peanuts but also the novelization of the latest Star Wars film. I wasn't gonna buy either one since Kinokuniya doesn't have a point card system so that my purchases wouldn't have gone for any future benefit. However, I figured that in the last several days, I've inadvertently picked up so much information and pictures of the coming carnage about the movie that it really doesn't matter anymore so I shucked out the yen.
I started reading the first couple of chapters of the book in front of Q-Front, the massive building in front of Shibuya Station before Chip Guy arrived and remarked on my capitulation to the Dark Side. The two of us went off up the street into Dogenzaka and into a building up to the 6th floor. We went to Toriyoshi, a decent izakaya that specializes in chicken. For the first half-hour, it was just us two so we got into detail about Episode 3 and about how the family is doing. Then Speedy and another fellow arrived so we could actually start ordering.
Chip Guy had originally just expected another two guys to come out for a total of six. However, one guy decided to bring his girl and then another three people showed up which caused a few conniptions for the staff. It was very magnanimous of them to give us another table considering it was a Saturday night. It did save us from a very tight squeeze. We ended up staying there for close to 4 hours. All of us started devouring some very delectable chicken wings of which we ordered a huge bushel. These wings are not like the buffalo wings back home. Instead of being slathered in BBQ sauce, the Japanese variety are grilled with a sweet-salty sauce and sesame seeds which made them just as irresistable. It was amazing how much and how fast we could devour those things.
For most of the night, most of my conversation was with Speedy and Chip. Again, I'm not all that effusive with people I don't know very well in a group setting so it was nice that I had these two guys bracketing me. Chip Guy and I had another long chat about the next Star Wars movie; I'm grateful that I can talk about some of my favourite things with somebody. It's just not all that easy to do that anymore. But Chip Guy was starting to fall victim to jet lag. He got some fresh air outside which kept the exhaustion at bay for a while but it came back to him. By around 11, we decided to finally get out of there. Surprisingly enough, he decided to stay with some of the more enterprising fellows for another round which I don't think was the best idea. However, he admirably held back on the heavy drinking; he was a lot more of a drinker in his earlier single days. But a wife and a daughter can mellow a man somewhat. I hope that both he and Speedy are in OK shape to show up at PH's place later today.
Well, I'm just about ready for bed myself.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Friday April 22, 10:54 p.m.
It was a pretty long day today....of which most of it was spent at The Tea Room. I did have The Teacher after a 2-week absence. She had to take last week off due to an asthma attack. Apparently, she's now chairperson for a couple of committees in her neighbourhood; I'm a bit worried considering her medical problems. However I did have her laughing more than usual, and there is nothing better than a good cure of comedy.
Afterwards, I headed to Maruzen to pick up the latest I, SPY book for my little girl tomorrow and a new crossword book. I came across that "Making Of" tome for the newest Star Wars movie. Unfortunately, I also came across some of the dialogue, although I can't be sure if that will be the final stuff that gets on screen. In any case, I'm not optimistic. So just in case some of you REALLY don't want to know anything about the movie, I'd avoid the next few lines. SPOILERS START NOW...well, I came across lines like "I don't know....I think she's dying of a broken heart." Duh...oh, my golly...couldn't the writers have come up with something like Anakin's Force-influenced psychic link with Padme was responsible for her eventual death as her husband was being pummeled by Obi-Wan? In addition, I saw some dialogue with the coolest Jedi, Mace Windu, which made him look like a total idiot for following Anakin into a trap. I'm not optimistic. SPOILERS END NOW.
Anyways, I had my second trip to that Vietnamese Pho restaurant underneath Maruzen. Definitely a keeper that one. Then I made my way up to The Tea Room. SR first came on up. We ended up talking for 3.5 hours...always good to talk to. Then some forty minutes later, the New Yorker arrived. I had my best class yet with her. The drills and application went well, and the look on her face certainly showed a boost in confidence. She's certainly opening up more. Both ladies rather enjoyed going through the I, SPY book.
Got home to find out that JJ has cancelled her lesson tomorrow afternoon. Not a bad thing since that leaves me some time to do some bookbrowsing before I meet up with Speedy and Chip Guy in Shibuya. And it means that I don't have to plan as much. I've pretty much internalized what I'm gonna be doing with the little one tomorrow. And her Dad's always good for a chat.
Looks like the new Pope didn't take long to lower the boom. He's just denounced the passage of a Spanish law allowing homosexuals to wed. But it's not as if those Spaniards will listen too carefully to that anyways.
And finally, Koizumi has started off at one of those Asian conferences by going humble in his attempts to mend fences with China. But true to his Murphy's Luck, back on the farm, several politicians went to Yasukuni Shrine to "pray for peace with neighbouring countries". Hah, I say!
And very finally, I was walking briskly back through the subway station when I saw some of the captions at the newspaper kiosks blaring that a former famous comedian, Paul Maki (Japanese celebs of a certain age used to take on Western names), had committed suicide today. He never struck me as being as popular as Beat Takeshi or the Drifters on TV here but he was a known face on the tube. His big schtick was his quick twirlaround and snaps of his fingers. Several years ago, he actually converted into a Buddhist priest and retired from the industry. People are still not certain about the cause for his header off a 9th-floor balcony but his manager stated that Maki had been uncertain about what the rest of his life would mean. Considering that I'd grown up seeing him on Japanese variety shows and considering the recent problems with Jazz Buddy, the news did strike me somewhat poignantly.
It was a pretty long day today....of which most of it was spent at The Tea Room. I did have The Teacher after a 2-week absence. She had to take last week off due to an asthma attack. Apparently, she's now chairperson for a couple of committees in her neighbourhood; I'm a bit worried considering her medical problems. However I did have her laughing more than usual, and there is nothing better than a good cure of comedy.
Afterwards, I headed to Maruzen to pick up the latest I, SPY book for my little girl tomorrow and a new crossword book. I came across that "Making Of" tome for the newest Star Wars movie. Unfortunately, I also came across some of the dialogue, although I can't be sure if that will be the final stuff that gets on screen. In any case, I'm not optimistic. So just in case some of you REALLY don't want to know anything about the movie, I'd avoid the next few lines. SPOILERS START NOW...well, I came across lines like "I don't know....I think she's dying of a broken heart." Duh...oh, my golly...couldn't the writers have come up with something like Anakin's Force-influenced psychic link with Padme was responsible for her eventual death as her husband was being pummeled by Obi-Wan? In addition, I saw some dialogue with the coolest Jedi, Mace Windu, which made him look like a total idiot for following Anakin into a trap. I'm not optimistic. SPOILERS END NOW.
Anyways, I had my second trip to that Vietnamese Pho restaurant underneath Maruzen. Definitely a keeper that one. Then I made my way up to The Tea Room. SR first came on up. We ended up talking for 3.5 hours...always good to talk to. Then some forty minutes later, the New Yorker arrived. I had my best class yet with her. The drills and application went well, and the look on her face certainly showed a boost in confidence. She's certainly opening up more. Both ladies rather enjoyed going through the I, SPY book.
Got home to find out that JJ has cancelled her lesson tomorrow afternoon. Not a bad thing since that leaves me some time to do some bookbrowsing before I meet up with Speedy and Chip Guy in Shibuya. And it means that I don't have to plan as much. I've pretty much internalized what I'm gonna be doing with the little one tomorrow. And her Dad's always good for a chat.
Looks like the new Pope didn't take long to lower the boom. He's just denounced the passage of a Spanish law allowing homosexuals to wed. But it's not as if those Spaniards will listen too carefully to that anyways.
And finally, Koizumi has started off at one of those Asian conferences by going humble in his attempts to mend fences with China. But true to his Murphy's Luck, back on the farm, several politicians went to Yasukuni Shrine to "pray for peace with neighbouring countries". Hah, I say!
And very finally, I was walking briskly back through the subway station when I saw some of the captions at the newspaper kiosks blaring that a former famous comedian, Paul Maki (Japanese celebs of a certain age used to take on Western names), had committed suicide today. He never struck me as being as popular as Beat Takeshi or the Drifters on TV here but he was a known face on the tube. His big schtick was his quick twirlaround and snaps of his fingers. Several years ago, he actually converted into a Buddhist priest and retired from the industry. People are still not certain about the cause for his header off a 9th-floor balcony but his manager stated that Maki had been uncertain about what the rest of his life would mean. Considering that I'd grown up seeing him on Japanese variety shows and considering the recent problems with Jazz Buddy, the news did strike me somewhat poignantly.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Thursday April 21, 10:22 p.m.
Despite just one lesson today, I'm feeling pretty exhausted...probably out of just doing really nothing. Did my stint at the gym, then went over to Speedy's. Really, most of the time there was just spent merely looking over lesson plans already done before we had an hour-long meeting on one of the proposed programmes.
Had my lesson with The Carolinan. I did apologize for my behaviour a couple of weeks ago; she brushed it aside with aplomb. The lesson itself went pretty smoothly although at the end, she suddenly got a bit aloof for some reason...I'm not sure what I said but I was too tired to care by that point.
Got home to see that I got "Citizen Kane" from The Anime King in thanks for that future delivery of another pakcage for him. I will definitely be looking forward to seeing that since it has the Roger Ebert commentary; he did a great job with "Casablanca".
Anyways, I'm heading straight to bed.
Despite just one lesson today, I'm feeling pretty exhausted...probably out of just doing really nothing. Did my stint at the gym, then went over to Speedy's. Really, most of the time there was just spent merely looking over lesson plans already done before we had an hour-long meeting on one of the proposed programmes.
Had my lesson with The Carolinan. I did apologize for my behaviour a couple of weeks ago; she brushed it aside with aplomb. The lesson itself went pretty smoothly although at the end, she suddenly got a bit aloof for some reason...I'm not sure what I said but I was too tired to care by that point.
Got home to see that I got "Citizen Kane" from The Anime King in thanks for that future delivery of another pakcage for him. I will definitely be looking forward to seeing that since it has the Roger Ebert commentary; he did a great job with "Casablanca".
Anyways, I'm heading straight to bed.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Thursday April 21, 7:55 a.m.
Received a letter out of the blue from DTE who's now somewhere in the Caribbean. I was surprised to hear that she's now heading up a school of her own. I guess promotions are on a faster track there. She says that she doesn't miss the office atmosphere at the school; I don't either.
Now that JB is out of the picture, I have another potential day to hit the gym for the meantime. So I'll take advantage of that before heading out to Speedy's. Then I've got the Carolinan tonight. It'll be the first lesson since that rather unfortunate Thursday so I'll be readying my best apologies.
Chip Guy and the family will be back in town today. I think I should be hearing from him tomorrow about Saturday's plans.
Received a letter out of the blue from DTE who's now somewhere in the Caribbean. I was surprised to hear that she's now heading up a school of her own. I guess promotions are on a faster track there. She says that she doesn't miss the office atmosphere at the school; I don't either.
Now that JB is out of the picture, I have another potential day to hit the gym for the meantime. So I'll take advantage of that before heading out to Speedy's. Then I've got the Carolinan tonight. It'll be the first lesson since that rather unfortunate Thursday so I'll be readying my best apologies.
Chip Guy and the family will be back in town today. I think I should be hearing from him tomorrow about Saturday's plans.
Wednesday April 20, 9:50 p.m.
I'm not surprised but I'm concerned. Looks like the ultrarightists in this country have started to take things into their own hands concerning the current Japan-China crisis. A Chinese bank has had its windows smashed by one of them, and there have been all sorts of threats against various Chinese interests. I can only assume that there will be an escalation.
Met the OL for the first time in a few weeks. I did get that wonderful Korean cookbook from her. Since she'll be taking off for that trip to Rhode Island next week, I won't be seeing her for about a month. Then, I'll be seeing her on our new day of Fridays.
I'm not surprised but I'm concerned. Looks like the ultrarightists in this country have started to take things into their own hands concerning the current Japan-China crisis. A Chinese bank has had its windows smashed by one of them, and there have been all sorts of threats against various Chinese interests. I can only assume that there will be an escalation.
Met the OL for the first time in a few weeks. I did get that wonderful Korean cookbook from her. Since she'll be taking off for that trip to Rhode Island next week, I won't be seeing her for about a month. Then, I'll be seeing her on our new day of Fridays.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Wednesday April 20, 1:46 a.m.
Well, it's official. The Chilean cardinal came out and announced the new Pope. It happens to be...Bill Cosby! Nah, just joking...Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany is now the new shepherd. He will take the name of Pope Benedict XVI. Still waiting for his debut, but I hear he has a reputation of a taskmaster. Hmmm..I'm not sure if that bodes well for women, homosexuals and pro-choice activists.
He's now out on the balcony. 78 years old, did you say? Hmm...and the previous guy died at 84. Well, I guess it's pretty secure that this new Pope won't be breaking any new records for longevity. However, he does look a lot healthier than his old boss did at the same age. Mind you, he hasn't had quite the strenuous history that John Paul did.
One question on this conclave business. When the new Pope is elected inside the Sistine Chapel, is it kinda like the Miss American Pageant? Does the former cardinal start sobbing and get mobbed by his fellow cardinals? Does one of them start singing, "Here he is...Pope Benedict"? Well, I gotta say that Miss America and the Pope have one thing in common: they both wish for world peace.
G'night...I play at the Sands til Friday.
Well, it's official. The Chilean cardinal came out and announced the new Pope. It happens to be...Bill Cosby! Nah, just joking...Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany is now the new shepherd. He will take the name of Pope Benedict XVI. Still waiting for his debut, but I hear he has a reputation of a taskmaster. Hmmm..I'm not sure if that bodes well for women, homosexuals and pro-choice activists.
He's now out on the balcony. 78 years old, did you say? Hmm...and the previous guy died at 84. Well, I guess it's pretty secure that this new Pope won't be breaking any new records for longevity. However, he does look a lot healthier than his old boss did at the same age. Mind you, he hasn't had quite the strenuous history that John Paul did.
One question on this conclave business. When the new Pope is elected inside the Sistine Chapel, is it kinda like the Miss American Pageant? Does the former cardinal start sobbing and get mobbed by his fellow cardinals? Does one of them start singing, "Here he is...Pope Benedict"? Well, I gotta say that Miss America and the Pope have one thing in common: they both wish for world peace.
G'night...I play at the Sands til Friday.
Wednesday April 20, 1:00 a.m.
Well, I'm here again, and apparently the Pope is, too....the new one. I guess I should count myself lucky to have been witness to a bit of history. The Vatican pulled off the equivalent of a nailbiting 9th-inning, 2-out, full-count homer with its white smoke/black smoke mystery and then using the big bells to signal the election of the new guy. And the crowd went wild! Imagine the father of the Roman Catholic church as rock star. Pretty soon, they're gonna have to add "We Are The Champions" along with a bitchin' stereo system.
Ah, BTW, The Bohemian has also signaled his presence back in Tokyo. He's asked me to keep my eyes peeled for any job opportunities. As if I could...however, I think I can pull off the easier challenge of meeting him for dinner in the early days of Golden Week which starts at the end of next week.
Speedy got my message about not accepting his offer of starting up a second school (although that's way too premature considering the slowness of this school to get off the ground) and my little nudge about some of that help on continuing my stay in Japan. He said that would depend on how many more days I can devote to teaching there. I'm only slated officially for one, so that's fair enough about his request. However, I'm not sure about how much more I can give him. I think I can give him Monday night if I do manage to drop The Company. But if he starts pushing me for more, I'll have to disappoint him.
Well, I'm here again, and apparently the Pope is, too....the new one. I guess I should count myself lucky to have been witness to a bit of history. The Vatican pulled off the equivalent of a nailbiting 9th-inning, 2-out, full-count homer with its white smoke/black smoke mystery and then using the big bells to signal the election of the new guy. And the crowd went wild! Imagine the father of the Roman Catholic church as rock star. Pretty soon, they're gonna have to add "We Are The Champions" along with a bitchin' stereo system.
Ah, BTW, The Bohemian has also signaled his presence back in Tokyo. He's asked me to keep my eyes peeled for any job opportunities. As if I could...however, I think I can pull off the easier challenge of meeting him for dinner in the early days of Golden Week which starts at the end of next week.
Speedy got my message about not accepting his offer of starting up a second school (although that's way too premature considering the slowness of this school to get off the ground) and my little nudge about some of that help on continuing my stay in Japan. He said that would depend on how many more days I can devote to teaching there. I'm only slated officially for one, so that's fair enough about his request. However, I'm not sure about how much more I can give him. I think I can give him Monday night if I do manage to drop The Company. But if he starts pushing me for more, I'll have to disappoint him.
Wednesday April 20, 12:39 a.m.
Ah, yes, the hour is late but it's always kinda nice to surf the Internet and check e-mail after a long day of lessons and gym. I brought over that bottle of Hungarian port that I'd received from the Matron (of Class Act) to the Beehive. There's no way that I could drink it by myself, not being much of a home drinker, and there was that time last year where the ladies and I imbibed a bottle of good Italian..also from the Class Act. However, I learned that the bottle had to rest on its side for several hours to moisten the cork for easier pullout. Well, since I didn't know that, it looks like we'll have to wait next week to see how this port tastes.
The juku classes were OK although I sometimes wonder if I'm starting to outlive my welcome. Mr. & Mrs Mild were fine but I'm wondering if the Beauty Pair is starting to falter a bit. We've made steady but slow progress over the past couple of years. We're still using the same original textbook. I'm sure that at least one of them would like to pick up the pace but her partner is just not getting it structurally. After a pretty inspiring class last week, The Siberian was once again back to his somewhat denser version. I'm wondering if I'm gonna have to always connect the lesson plan with his love of Kanji. Still, I ended up chatting with the guy until 11 tonight.
CNN has been keeping its eye on the world's most famous chimney in the Vatican to see if a new Pope has been chosen. Black smoke, so it's just nada. It's impressive that all this attention is being paid on what the colour of this smoke is. When Pope John Paul II was elected all the way back in 1978, there was no CNN, no Internet and frankly not nearly as much interest.
Meanwhile, on the pop cultural front, after nearly a week of mania surrounding the resignation of one of Morning Musume's most popular members and its then-leader, the message boards have started to slow down to a more leisurely pace. Things are finally settling down.
Well, I'm gonna take advantage of the late day and sleep in.
Ah, yes, the hour is late but it's always kinda nice to surf the Internet and check e-mail after a long day of lessons and gym. I brought over that bottle of Hungarian port that I'd received from the Matron (of Class Act) to the Beehive. There's no way that I could drink it by myself, not being much of a home drinker, and there was that time last year where the ladies and I imbibed a bottle of good Italian..also from the Class Act. However, I learned that the bottle had to rest on its side for several hours to moisten the cork for easier pullout. Well, since I didn't know that, it looks like we'll have to wait next week to see how this port tastes.
The juku classes were OK although I sometimes wonder if I'm starting to outlive my welcome. Mr. & Mrs Mild were fine but I'm wondering if the Beauty Pair is starting to falter a bit. We've made steady but slow progress over the past couple of years. We're still using the same original textbook. I'm sure that at least one of them would like to pick up the pace but her partner is just not getting it structurally. After a pretty inspiring class last week, The Siberian was once again back to his somewhat denser version. I'm wondering if I'm gonna have to always connect the lesson plan with his love of Kanji. Still, I ended up chatting with the guy until 11 tonight.
CNN has been keeping its eye on the world's most famous chimney in the Vatican to see if a new Pope has been chosen. Black smoke, so it's just nada. It's impressive that all this attention is being paid on what the colour of this smoke is. When Pope John Paul II was elected all the way back in 1978, there was no CNN, no Internet and frankly not nearly as much interest.
Meanwhile, on the pop cultural front, after nearly a week of mania surrounding the resignation of one of Morning Musume's most popular members and its then-leader, the message boards have started to slow down to a more leisurely pace. Things are finally settling down.
Well, I'm gonna take advantage of the late day and sleep in.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Tuesday April 19, 8:38 a.m.
Got another long day ahead of me, as Tuesdays usually are. But this time, the hay fever is, so far, being pretty kind to me. But I still took the medicine. Can't complain about the results.
My washing seemed almost happy to just handle a half-load. I was just taking advantage of the good day today since tomorrow will be a rainy one. It was just chugging along like a train engine.
Seems to be a good day for the Livedoor and Fuji people. They've finally come to an agreement after a long corporate war. Ironically, the denouement was upstaged by the current crisis between Japan and the rest of Asia.
Had another message from GC. Looks like he wasn't too thrilled with the Expo in Aichi Prefecture which pretty much means I'm gonna give it a pass. It may be a once-in-a-lifetime thing but then again, so is a brush with Ebola. I checked out his blog...not surprisingly for a graphic designer, his site has got its own bells and whistles. It's still not 100% completed so he advised me not to tell anyone else just yet. However, strangely enough, The Stick's own blog outweighs his with her multilingual blog. I wasn't aware that she was good at graphic design unless the site is a template. However, I don't think I've ever seen templates that well-equipped.
Got another long day ahead of me, as Tuesdays usually are. But this time, the hay fever is, so far, being pretty kind to me. But I still took the medicine. Can't complain about the results.
My washing seemed almost happy to just handle a half-load. I was just taking advantage of the good day today since tomorrow will be a rainy one. It was just chugging along like a train engine.
Seems to be a good day for the Livedoor and Fuji people. They've finally come to an agreement after a long corporate war. Ironically, the denouement was upstaged by the current crisis between Japan and the rest of Asia.
Had another message from GC. Looks like he wasn't too thrilled with the Expo in Aichi Prefecture which pretty much means I'm gonna give it a pass. It may be a once-in-a-lifetime thing but then again, so is a brush with Ebola. I checked out his blog...not surprisingly for a graphic designer, his site has got its own bells and whistles. It's still not 100% completed so he advised me not to tell anyone else just yet. However, strangely enough, The Stick's own blog outweighs his with her multilingual blog. I wasn't aware that she was good at graphic design unless the site is a template. However, I don't think I've ever seen templates that well-equipped.