Masaya's days

"バルス" will save the world?

2011-12-13T00:02:00.001+09:00

Laputa: Castle in the sky

Do you know the animation "Laputa: Castle in the sky(天空の城ラピュタ: Tenku-no-shiro laputa)"?
It's one of Ghibli's animation that had been shown in 1986.

Well, the animation was shown before my born.

The animation was directed by Hayao Miyazaki (宮崎駿), but it was not so good at box office record at first time. But it have really high customer satisfaction according to some sources.

The animation was shown in several times on TV too. Last Friday, the Japanese TV station and one of the partner of Ghibli studio Nippon TV(日本テレビ) showed Laputa again.

According to the video research which is providing viewing rates for each programs that on-aired, the viewing rates of Friday's "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" was 15.9%. It's not so high, but these days the viewing rates are really low then it was not bad rates.

バルス Bals

In the ending of Laputa, there is the word "Bals(バルス)". I don't know this word came from, but this is really famous word for Laputa lovers. This word is keyword to destroy the world of Laputa.

Laputa was aired in 2009, last time. At that time the Japan's largest BBS 2チャンネル(2ch) was knocked down because many people try to write about the バルス(Bals) at the same time.

2 years ago...

Nippon TV aired Laputa again and at this time. Many people tweeted about "バルス(Bals)" at the same time.

Well, here is what happened at that time.

According to the tweet counter the unofficial twitter counter, the TPS(tweet per seconds) at the time of バルス on aired on TV was marked 14594 TPS.

Well, it's nearly doubled the previous world's record 8868 TPS that made by news of Beyonce's pregnancy.

I think, it's crazy. Of course, I didn't tweet about バルス(Bals) because I was working at that time...

Have you ever watched Laputa?

Thank you.

Masaya

Three months since then.

2011-10-31T00:34:00.002+09:00

In the beginning of August, I've been moved to Sapporo-shi due to my job. It's been almost 3 months since then.

Well, I was not interested in Sapporo, neither Hokkaido because flight fares are expensive if I go there from Tokyo. (In fact, it's cheaper to go to Seoul than go to Sapporo from Tokyo) So, I don't know much about there but I need to go there.

Now, I'm getting know about here.

The statue of William Smith Clark

President of the Sapporo Agriculture College (Now the Hokkaido University) in 1876-1877

Sapporo, Hokkaido

Sapporo-shi is the capital city of Hokkaido prefecture which is in northern Japan. And it's the 4th largest city in Japan. It's about 830 kilometres away from Tokyo.

Hokkaido is the second largest island in Japan ("Honshu:本州" is the largest island in Japan), also it's one of prefectures in Japan.

The plane with funny paint which I board.

I need to board the plane for about 90 minutes to get to Hokkaido from Tokyo. Also, I need to ride train for about an hour to get to Sapporo station from the New Chitose Airport which is the largest airport in Hokkaido.

The plane fly in over Tohoku area which suffered from earthquake and tsunami in March. Of course, I couldn't see any damage from the sky.

The view from my seat

My Life in Sapporo

I've never been to Hokkaido, and I didn't have any friends who came from Hokkaido or who is related to Hokkaido. Which mean, I don't have any friends who can meet with easily here. I think, it's good time to make new friends here.

Anyway, the weather in here is not good for me I felt. It too cold for me as October. Sometimes, the highest temperature are less than 10 degrees...

The trees are getting red and yellow

I think, there are many places which are worth to see here in Hokkaido, but I'm so busy at work and I cannot prepare my time to taking some photos these places. I hope I can update my blog again with some photos.

Thank you.

Sky high

2011-08-18T00:23:00.000+09:00

Earlier this month, I moved to Sapporo city from Tokyo due to my work. I rode airplane to go to Sapporo. As soon as the airplane take-off from Haneda Airport I saw beautiful view of Tokyo. Top of Tokyo Sky Tree appeared from clouds which covered around Tokyo. I wish I could take that picture, but all of electric devices not be used at that time due to take-off. So, I couldn't take that... Anyway, today I will write about Tokyo Sky Tree.

Towers in japan.

Before I start to write about Tokyo Sky Tree, I would like to write a little about towers in Japan. The most famous tower in Japan is Tokyo Tower, I think. And I like this tower the most.

I took this picture near Daimon in Tokyo. Usually, Tokyo tower's colour is red, but this looks like blue due to light-up.

In Tokyo tower, there are 2 viewing room. One of them is main observatory at 120 metres-high. Another one is Special Observatory at 223 metres high, and view from this Special Observatory is amazing especially at night. You can see beautiful night view of Tokyo from here. It's worth to visit, if you come to Tokyo. Also, you can enjoy some amusements at the "Foottown" which is located at the bottom of tower.

Next, I would like to introduce you Yokohama Marine Tower.

It's located in Yokohama, and it was debuted as the world's highest lighthouse at that time. But now Yokohama Marine Tower don't have the function as lighthouse.

I also like this tower. But I don't like swing while winds blows. It's like ship-sick.

In April, I was working in Chiba prefecture. At that time, I found the building which stands near Tokyo Bay. I did't know about this tower until I saw this tower. This tower is called Chiba Marine Tower.

I felt, it's not looks like tower. But I heard it's tower.

I'm in Sapporo now, then I would like to introduce you Sapporo TV Tower.

I know about this tower, but I didn't know the name of it. Well, I felt it's not so high. But I believe, it's enough for its purpose.

Of course, there are more towers in Japan, but I picked up these 4 towers because I watched in this year.

Tokyo Sky Tree

So, let's check the new face.

Tokyo Sky Tree. Tokyo Sky Tree is 634 metre high. Now it's the highest tower in the world, the second highest structure in the world, and the highest structure in Japan. Well, it's still under the construction, and it will open in 22nd May, 2012.

Tokyo Sky Tree is located in Sumida, Tokyo. Which is the east side of Tokyo, and it's near Asakusa. The nearest station to Tokyo Sky Tree is Oshiage station, and now the town around Tokyo Sky Tree is under re-development. I think, new buildings and these kind of buildings will be appeared in next few years.

Viewing room

Of course, Tokyo Sky Tree will have viewing room (Observatory) but I felt the price is a little expensive.

1st observatory at 350 metres high will be 2,000 JPY (about 25 USD), and 2nd observatory at 450 metres high will be 3,000 JPY (about 39 USD). (Both for adult)

So, let's check other observatory prices near Tokyo.

Sunshine 60

Sunshine 60 is 60 stories high building in Ikebukuro, and the observatory is at 226.3 metres high (this is the highest observatory except sky decks in Tokyo). And the price is 620 JPY (about 8 USD).

Yokohama landmark tower

Yokohama Landmark Tower is at Minatomirai-21 area in Yokohama, and it's the highest building in Japan. The observatory is at 272 metres high and its price is 1000 JPY (about 12 USD).

Yokohama marine tower

I wrote about Yokohama Marine tower in this article. The observatory is at 106.2 metres high and price is 750 JPY (about 9 USD).

Roppongi hills

Roppongi hills is located in Roppongi. The observatory is at 218 metres high and price is 1500 JPY (about 19 USD). But in this building you can visit outside observatory at 270 metres high.

Tokyo tower

As I write about this one in top of this article, main observatory at 120 metres high and price is 820 JPY (about 10 USD). And special observatory at 223 metres high and price is 600 JPY (about 7 USD). If you visit both special and main observatory, you need to pay 1420 JPY (about 18.5 USD).

Tocho

Tocho is officially, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1. And it has observatory at 202 metres high and price is Free.

So, I think the observatory price for Tokyo Sky Tree is quite expensive. How do you think about that?

Thank you.

The earthquake and I

2011-06-11T20:23:00.000+09:00

The Earthquake Country

Earthquake is immediate disaster for Japanese people, I think. I heard that earthquake hits anywhere in the world 1,500,00 times in each year (average). And about 10% of these earthquakes occurs around Japan.

The earthquakes which are larger than M 5.0 occurs 1,500 times anywhere in the world in each year (average), and about 20% of these earthquakes occurs around Japan. Now you can imagine that we the Japanese experience many earthquakes in our daily lives.

The map below shows how many active faults and where these are. Active faults are one of the main source of earthquake.

(Map from Google, data from AIST)

Not only the active faults, but trenches and troughs are also important to know more about earthquakes.

(Map from Google)

The map above is maps around Japan with troughs and trenches. (I wrote lines on maps so, it's not so accurate).

So, there are many reasons that earthquakes occurs around Japan so much.

(Map and data from ADEP: 1st Jan., 2011 to 1st June, 2011.
Figure shows earthquakes which marked as between magnitude 3.0 and magnitude 9.0.)

The map above it shows how many earthquakes hit Japan in this year, and how strong they were. Well, there are more than 3,000 times of earthquakes had been recorded in half of this year.

I showed some data about earthquakes, but I'm not expert of earthquake. Please tell me when you find some problems.

The 3.11

3 months ago, M 9.0 earthquake hit eastern Japan. After the earthquake, the large tsunami hits around Tohoku area and destroyed many things there.

Today is the exactly 3 months after the earthquake.

According to Metropolitan police department, 15,405 people were killed by the earthquake/tsunami, and 8,095 people are still missing. (as of 10th June.) About 90,000 people are still staying in evacuation centres. It seems like TV stations lost their interest to these people, now they are broadcasting only about nuclear power plants, political issues and Korean artists.

The energy shortage

Tokyo Electric Co.,(TEPCO) are providing their electrical energy to Kanto region. About 30% of their energy source was nuclear power plants. Now we are facing energy shortage because several nuclear power plants have been stopped due to earthquakes/tsunami and irresponsible fears to nuclear power plants.

Well, I don't understand that Prime Minister Naoto Kan ordered Chubu Electric Co., to stop their nuclear power plants. He ordered to stop it because another major earthquake is expected. He ordered to take enough measures for Tsunami and earthquakes. Then why did he ordered only to this nuclear power plant? There are about 50 nuclear power plants in Japan, and I think they all have risks of earthquake.

In fact, the earthquake in Tohoku was not expected as such a large one. I think, his action was totally non-sense and he made the energy shortage worse.

Here's one example, governor of Fukui prefecture ordered to Japanese government to strict safe measurement for nuclear power plants. And they denies to restart some nuclear power plants in Fukui until these plants will pass the new safe measurement. In Fukui prefecture, there are 15 reactors and 6 of them are stopping due to periodic inspections. Another 2 reactors will be in the periodic inspections in next month.

If the governor denyies to restart these reactors, we'll lost major energy source. Most of reactors in Fukui prefecture are providing for Kansai Electric Co.,. Kansai Electric Co., is providing electric energy for Kansai region (such as Osaka and Kyoto). And they are depending on nuclear energy almost 50%.

Some companies shifted their business to Kansai region due to energy shortage in Tokyo. So if the energy shortage effect to Kansai region, Japanese economy might destroy. I hope the governor will make right decision.

The earthquake and I

I felt, we almost back to our usual lives. But I don't recommend to visit Tokyo as tourist. Look at the photo below.

Darkish train due to energy saving

The train is a little dark because train operators decided to turn off light in day-time on sunny days. Sometimes, they are turning off air-conditioner even on hot day. Well, it's really uncomfortable. I don't want to ride such a train.

Also the night, most of street lamps are turning off. Well, it's bit dark. Some shops close a little earlier. Then I cannot buy some stuff after I finish my job. Most inconvenience one is ATM. Banks decided to close some of their ATMs at evening. Well, I cannot withdraw my money from my accounts after I finish my job.

Maybe most of buildings will stop to use air conditioner even on hot day. And it might increase the number of heat stroke. I hope this will not happen. We should think about energy saving much more. Just turn off light, air conditioner, and etc is not the only way to saving energy.

Thank you.

Super cool biz

2011-06-09T00:34:00.000+09:00

Ridiculous Customs

We the Japanese, love to wear suits even in hot day, I felt. I think, it's really crazy look at the train in summer days in Tokyo. You can see the trains crowded with workers who are wearing suits... Well, it seems so stifling.

Suits is not from Japan, I think. But Japanese people seems to love these suits. Anyway, I don't like it so much.

Some years ago, the government started the campaign "cool biz" to spread business casuals to many companies. They are promoting wears which are better wears than suits and tie during summer. I felt it's really nice campaign, because if these promotion going well, we don't have to wear the suits in hot summer days.

In my opinion, most of these workers are now not wearing their ties. But they are still wearing suits. So the government's campaign seems to be failed.

"Super cool biz" is not so cool

Japanese government started their new summer clothes campaign "Super cool biz". I think, it's not so cool because these wears are just wears for summer. But it looks a little comfortable.

Why they started such a campaign in this year?

Well, the energy shortage to be expected in this summer in Japan. This is due to the major earthquake in March. We still have trouble in Fukushima-daiichi nuclear power plants, and the government ridiculously ordered to stop Hamaoka nuclear power plants in Shizuoka prefecture due to future Tsunami concern. Also, some of Japanese people believe nuclear power plants must stop immediately, and they are now trying to stop all of the nuclear power plants in Japan. (I don't agree with their opinion.)

Because we are in energy shortage, we should reduce our energy spend in this summer. For these reasons, the government started their new campaign "super cool biz". I hope they will promote to wear T-shirts and half pants with sandal. (Of course, I'm joking.)

Starts on cold day

The day one of super cool biz was 1st June. It was really cold day and many people are wearing long-sleeved shirts. Yes, it was totally not suitable day for super cool biz. Day 2 was also cold day and most of people were not trying super cool biz.

In this week, the weather got well and the temperature increased so much. So there might be some people who are trying super cool biz. I've never seen such a people yet.

Well, if I have a chance, I might try super cool biz...

Thank you.

Pepsi Dry

2011-06-01T23:27:00.000+09:00

Azuki, Baobab, Mont Blanc and...

Pepsi's funny flavours

I think, PEPSI is really interesting company. They are providing many funny products in these years such as Pepsi Azuki and Pepsi Mont Blanc. I tried these "unusual" pepsi cola these years, but I prefer the usual one. (Not diet coke.) Anyway, Suntory which franchisee of Pepsi in Japan, announced their new "strategy(!?)". They are planning to defy the common wisdom that cola is sweet drink.

Non-sweet cola

They released their new flavour of Pepsi cola on 24th May. Yes, it's about a week ago. Their new flavour is called "Pepsi dry". Well, they said "non-sweet cola".

I think, it's not cola if it's not sweet. It's just sparkling mineral water.

Pepsi dry

But they are advertising that it's cola. They are advertising "nine times out of ten would say 'it's not sweet'".

Anyway, I bought this one because I was trying such crazy pepsi drinks these years. And I wanted to try this one too.

I drunk it. Well, it's exactly not sweet. It's smells like cola, but it's not cola anymore. And I don't like it...

I also found that it's not zero-calorie cola. It's not sweet, but it has calorie. I think, you should buy diet coke!

Perrier

My favourite Perrier

Well, it's a little like Perrier, but it's totally different from Perrier. I sometimes drink Perrier which is France's natural sparkling water, and I like it... But I don't like Pepsi dry.

I don't understand that they started to release such a drink, but I found some funny articles that about Pepsi dry. According to these articles, they believe it's better to use Pepsi dry as seasoning, not as cola.

If you have, and if you want to try this one... You can try it in Japan.

But I don't recommend it.

Thank you.

London trip: Day 5

2011-05-15T22:10:00.000+09:00

Today's article would be my final article that about my trip to London, because day 5 is final day of our trip (in real term).

In the morning, we went to Emirates stadium which is the Arsenal FC's home stadium. One of my friends who went to London with is the big fun of Arsenal FC. And he wanted to visit the stadium, buy some goods at official shop... Then we went there. Unfortunately, the weather was not good at all on this day. But we could know how big it is! I visited some stadiums in Japan such as Ajinomoto stadium in Tokyo, but the Emirates stadium was much larger than stadiums in Japan, I felt.

If we could, we would like to watch the match there. But we couldn't do so as I wrote before.

After we visited the stadium, we went to Buckingham palace. We've already checked the schedule of changing of the guard. Fortunately, we could arrived there on time, and saw that.

In front of the palace, we saw rainbow colored cab. We saw many cabs during our stay, but we didn't ride it at all. So if I have a chance, I would like to ride it.

After we saw changing of the guard, we went to Fortnum & Mason. I didn't know this shop, but my friend told me. According to my friend, Fortnum's is famous tea shop in London. When we arrived at Fortnum's, there were many Japanese tourists. They were buying so many teas and tea goods there, but I didn't have much money to buy such a many stuff there. So I bought one tea for my family.

I also didn't know the name Camden Market. At Camden market, there were many shops and I felt it's a little like Takeshita-dori where Tokyo's shopping district for young people.

But I felt it's much stylish, because I found two cool paintings near there. Of course, there are many graffiti also in Tokyo, but I felt most of them are looks so ugly, and I don't like most of graffiti in Tokyo.

We used Baker street station again and again during our trip, but we've never been 221B until the final day. So as our memorial, we get off the tube and went to 221B on this day.

Also, as our memorial we went to abbey road.

Well, we were not big fun of the Beatles, but there were fun of the Beatles who were taking pictures. Some of them were standing on zebra crossing to behave like cover picture of the Beatles' album "Abbey road".

But it's not look like cover picture, because the line on the road changed...

We had a lot of places where we visited on this day, and sky was getting dark. Yes, we needed to think about our final dinner during our stay.

Well, we were planning to take dinner at British pub during our stay at least one night. So, here it is. We went to pub near Hyde park. And this is the fish & chips. I felt it's so big!!

We ate this with British beer.

We mostly used undergrounds (or I should say tube?) during our stay. We bought Oyster card on first day, because it seems to be easy to pay our fares. In Japan, there are some similar prepaid card such as Suica. These prepaid cards are really useful because we don't have to buy tickets. The card automatically calculate the correct fee when we touched the gates.

I think, it's really useful, but I felt a little inconvenience. I felt a little inconvenience, because the gates sometimes didn't work right. And we needed to touch the card strongly to gates. Suica works so rapidly and we don't have to touch to the gates so strongly. Then I felt a little inconvenience. Anyway, it helped me to travel with undergrounds.

---

I won't write about day 6 and day 7 as stand-alone article, because I don't have anything to write about that. Day 6, the day which our airplane leave London. So, we spend our time mostly at Heathrow Airport. Just waiting for the departure.

On day 7, we came back to Tokyo before noon. The airplane arrived at Narita Airport. And that is really far away from my house. I hope all of them will depart and arrive at Haneda Airport.

You can check previous articles that about my trip to London from:

Thank you!

London trip: Day 4

2011-05-10T23:35:00.000+09:00

I think, I should change the title of today's article, because I was not in London on this day. In fact, I went to Edinburgh on day 4. I wanted to go to Edinburgh during this trip, so I told about that to my friends then we decided to go to Edinburgh.

We reserved tickets before we left Tokyo. I felt the price of tickets were cheaper than I expected. The airplane ticket for domestic line in Japan would be about 10,000 JPY (about 125 USD), it's not round-trip plane ticket. Of course, it's economy-class seat. But we could reserved the seat of round-trip plane London Heathrow Airport to Edinburgh Airport for less than 10,000 JPY!! And it's include tax! I felt it's really cheap. I don't know much about other countries' domestic line tickets, but in Japan airplane ticket would be expensive one even for domestic lines...

Unfortunately, the weather in London was not so good on this day. But we were not worrying about that because we would leave for Edinburgh on this day. So, how about weather in Edinburgh?

The weather in Edinburgh on this day was really wonderful!!

And it was not so hot, and not so cold for me. Well, we needed to ride the bus to get to centre area of Edinburgh. We rode the bus for a while, and arrived at Edinburgh station. We walked to Edinburgh castle.

I think, it's under construction, but I felt it's really nice.

Also, the view from Edinburgh castle was really nice!

Inside the Edinburgh castle, we could learn a little about Edinburgh castle and history of Edinburgh. And I could meet him. lol

After we enjoyed Edinburgh castle, we went to the Scotch whiskey experience. It's near from Edinburgh castle, and we could enjoy Scotch whiskey there. Look at the photo below, there were so many Scotch whiskeys!

At the Scotch Whiskey Experience, we could learn about Scotch Whiskey and its history. Also, we could taste the whiskey. There was a shop of Scotch Whiskey, and I wanted to send some to my house. But I couldn't do so...

We decided to walk around the city of Edinburgh. The urban area of Edinburgh was really beautiful, and took many photos. If you interest, please visit my facebook account. I upload some of them.

We could stay long at Edinburgh, because we chose night flight to come back to London. So, we came back to hotel at night. Anyway, we could enjoy the one-day trip to Edinburgh. If I have a chance, I would like to go there again!

So, this is the end of my story on day 4.

You can check previous stories from London trip: day 1, London trip: day 2, and London trip: day 3.

Thank you.

London trip: Day 3

2011-05-02T23:40:00.000+09:00

After the great earthquake that attacked north-eastern Japan on 11th March, I didn't think it's not good time to share my London trip report. But now it's already May, and I decided to write about usual things. From today, I would like to write about usual things.

Today is about my London trip: Day 3. You can check London trip: Day 1 and London trip: Day 2.

In the morning, we went to Baker Street station. We passed that station again and again on Day 1 and Day 2, but it was the first time to got off at this station. When we got off, we found Sherlock Holmes's statue in front of the station.

There were many people who were taking picture of the statue including us. We took some pictures with this statue, but it was not our purpose to got off at this station.

Our first destination of Day 3 was Madame Tussauds. I didn't know this place, but my friend told me on Facebook then we decided to go there first. Inside the Madame Tussauds, there were many wax figures such as Albert Einstein, Barack Obama, Justin Bieber and so on. We took many pictures there. That was really fun. Not only the wax figures, but we could enjoy "4D movie" at there! It's worth to go there!

After the Madame Tussauds, we went to Westminster.

When we were crossing the Westminster bridge, the weather was wonderful.

After we crossed the Westminster bridge, we went to McDonald's to take lunch there. We chose McDonald's because we want to know the difference of menu, prices, taste and so on at there.

The photo on above is my lunch that I bought at McDonald's. Well, I felt it's bit expensive than Japanese price. But taste was not so different, and I felt the size was a little bigger than Japanese one.

While we were eating lunch at McDonald's, the weather changed so rapidly. The weather got bad like photo below.

Anyway, we walked to London Eye. While we were riding the London Eye, it was raining a little...

Unfortunately, the weather was not so good. But we could enjoy the London Eye.

After the London Eye, we went to Science Museum at Kensington. I went London with my 2 friends who are studying together at the college. We were all studying electronics engineering at the college. Which means we are really interested in Science and Technology. Then we were planning to visit such place. The Science Museum was exactly such place where we wanted to visit. It was really interesting place for me, and we enjoyed the whole afternoon of this day at there. We stayed there by closing time.

We took supper around there and came back to Wembley park.

On this day, there was the match Arsenal FC vs. Birmingham city FC. (We wanted to watch the match, but we couldn't get the ticket...) So, the stadium was lighted up and looks so beautiful.

We took some photos around there, then came back to hotel.

So here's the end of my trip on day 3. I will update my Day 4 story as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Sakura bloom even in difficulties

2011-04-10T23:12:00.000+09:00

I cannot believe that about a month passed since the awful earthquake and tsunami struck north-east Japan. And we are still facing the nuclear disaster... Few days ago, there was a big aftershock in Miyagi prefecture. Which was M 7.4! Can you believe that? The major earthquake that struck Kansai area in 1995, was M 7.3. Then last week's aftershock was stronger than the major earthquake in Kansai in 1995.

On Saturday, we got another secondary disaster occurred in Kesennuma(気仙沼) area. There was an abandoned gold mine site near Kesennuma. After the tsunami struck around there, the soil which include arsenic slipped out from the mine site. According to the news, the local government checked some water sources and found arsenic (maximum 0.24 milligrams per 1 litre.) which is 24 times higher than environmental standards. Also in the news, it's not effect to human health if we don't drink it directly. But I hope this disaster will solve rapidly.

There are still many sad news on newspapers, radios, TVs, websites and etc. But the spring is coming to Japan. I walked around my house today. And I found there were many cherry trees. Mostly they are blooming! Today, I will post some photos that I took today.

Thank you.

Team as one

2011-03-29T22:20:00.001+09:00

After the earthquake, Japan Football Association and J. League decided to hold the charity match which called "Gambaro, Japan" charity match Samurai Blue vs. J. League TEAM AS ONE. Samurai Blue is Japanese national football team. J. League TEAM AS ONE is all star team from J. League clubs.

J. League is Japanese football league. There are 2 divisions and there are 38 football teams (18 teams in J. League division 1, and 20 teams in J. League division 2). They decided to hold the charity match in Osaka because it's tough to hold match in Tokyo due to electricity shortage.

Today was the day of the charity match. Of course, I watched the match on TV. I heard the match broadcasted around the world in live.

I felt the match was really nice. There was one very famous Japanese football player on the pitch today. His name is Kazuyoshi Miura (aka King Kazu). He's 44 years old and he is still playing at Yokohama FC (J. League division 2). He is the first Asian football player who played at Serie A in 1994.

His dance after his goal called "Kazu dance(カズダンス)" is really famous, and I believe many people who were watching the match wanted to see his dance. Well, we could see his dance!! You can watch his goal at the charity match from the video on top. (TV station might delete the video on YouTube.)

Finally, the Samurai Blue (Japan National Team) won the game, of course. But TEAM AS ONE (all star team from J. League clubs) played really nice. And luckily King Kazu did his wonderful job! I believe the charity match encourage people in Tohoku area.

Thank you.

AC-gate?

2011-03-25T22:08:00.000+09:00

About 3 days after the earthquake, TV stations were broadcasting some special programmes without advertisements that about the great earthquake and tsunami. Now they are broadcasting usual programmes, but most news are about the great earthquake, great tsunami and accidents of nuclear power plant. Last week, they were broadcasting some advertisements from AC Japan. The advertisement became popular because TV stations broadcast them again and again.

What's AC Japan?

AC Japan is private, non-profit organization and its formal name is Japan Advertising Council. It's like Ad Council in the United States. AC Japan born in 1971, as Kansai Advertising Council in Osaka. The organization is supported by 1208 companies (as of May, 2010). They are providing some advertisement for TV stations, radio stations, newspaper publishers, theatres and more. They are endeavor to improve our lives by providing commercials.

Criticism

After the great earthquake, TV stations were not broadcasting advertisement to broadcast the latest news as soon as possible. But about 3 days after the earthquake, they started to broadcast advertisements. Most of them were provided by AC Japan. This is because most of companies ordered not to broadcast their advertisements for their company image. Because of that, only a few advertisements were broadcasting again and again. It's a little pesky. I think, many people think so.

AC Japan was not ready to provide some advertisement about the earthquake at that time, of course. Then most of advertisements were not suitable to broadcast such as campaign to encourage to checkup for breast cancer and cervical cancer.

Well, most unpopular advertisement was about the greeting. The video on top is the one. I heard TV stations received a lot of criticisms that about these advertisements. Then AC Japan apologised about their un-suitable advertisements. I don't think they are doing wrong thing.

Changes

Anyway, they apologised. Also they started to provide new version of advertisements to encourage Japanese people. Also, they mute the sound logo. Basically, they are providing really nice advertisement to improve our lives.

Now, TV stations are back to broadcast usual programmes and usual advertisements. But sometimes these AC Japan's commercial appears. I felt TV stations broadcast too much AC Japan's advertisements, but it's not so awful advertisements. So I hope they will provide these kind of advertisements.

Thank you.

After the earthquake

2011-03-21T01:19:00.003+09:00

Before I start my today's article, I would like to say sorry to all of victims of this great earthquake and tsunami. And I would like to say thank you to all of the people who are supporting us, praying for us.

About a week ago, the great earthquake hit north-eastern Japan, and the great tsunami followed and killed more than 8,000 and more than 10,000 people are still missing. I believe these missing people will be rescued as soon as possible.

Earthquake and evacuation at the college

Today, I would like to write about my story about these days. I was in the college which is in western Tokyo when the great earthquake hit. I was in the laboratory on the 4-storied building's top story. I was there to edit my slides that I was planning to send to my professor on that day. At 14:46, the strongest earthquake ever in Japan hit north-eastern Japan. I've never had such a strong earthquake.

After the earthquake, some aftershocks followed soon. Mostly these were strong quakes, and I felt it once in every 5 minutes. I took a video when aftershocks hit.

I took this video at 15:17 on 11th March.

We needed to evacuate from the building because to check the safety. While we were outside of the building, some aftershocks continued. I didn't know that the great tsunami were striking the coast area because I couldn't get enough information at that time. I heard the focal was near Sendai, Miyagi prefecture. Then I remembered my trip plan. I was planning a short trip with my family from Sunday (13th March). And that destination was Sendai. I don't want to imagine if my trip plan was start from 11th March...

Anyway, the college staff started to check the attendance. We were in spring holidays at that time, then there were not so many students. After they checked attendance, they ordered to go back home, or stay in front of the office. At that time, all of trains stopped then some students couldn't go home at time. Fortunately, I came to the college by bicycle, then I could go home smoothly. But I heard some students stayed at the college and came home on 12th March. Most of railway companies restarted their services at midnight, but JR couldn't. JR started their services in the morning of 12th March. But these were the story in Tokyo. In Tohoku region, most of trains were still stopping.

Damages

Fortunately, damage of the earthquake at laboratory was limited.

According to some news sources, 8,450 people killed and 12,909 people are still missing. (as of 21st March) Despite such situation, luckily I'm doing fine and my friends, family are doing fine too. Also there's no damage in my house. Only some books fell out from desk, but I shelved them back.

Problems at power plants

The great tsunami made serious problem at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. There are 3 nuclear power plants which are Onagawa, Fukushima Dai-ichi and Fukushima Dai-ni. Fukushima Dai-ichi is one of the oldest nuclear power plant in Japan. There are 6 reactors in the site, and No.1, No.2 and No.3 were working when the great earthquake hit, I heard. Also, some of thermal power plants damaged.

There are 55 nuclear power plants in Japan. Can you believe that? Many nuclear power plants are located in such an earthquake country. And about 30% of electric power came from nuclear energy. That why we could use electricity in low price. That why they could encourage us to buy electric vehicles. That why they could encourage us to change to gas-free houses.

Most of nuclear power plants are located far away from mega-cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. In fact, Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant is about 220 kilo-metre away from Tokyo. The plant's first reactor is made in 1971 so it's more than 40-year-old! This is one of the oldest nuclear reactor in Japan, and I heard it's already over-aged. The reactor could stand while magnitude-9.0 earthquake, but the great tsunami disabled the cooling system. (Reportedly, reactors stopped automatically when the earthquake hit. The cooling systems started but stopped when the tsunami hit the plants.) So, we are facing serious problem at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. I don't know exactly what's happened and what's happening at reactors now. According to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, hydrogen exposition occurred at reactor No.1 and No.3. And reactor No.4 got fired, some radioactive products released to the air. Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency raised the severity rating to "level 5". I believe brave workers at the plant will fix the plant as soon as possible.

Energy shortage

Due to these problems we are facing energy shortage. TEPCO, the energy company and owner of Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, announced "rotation power-cut" in their service area. TEPCO is the biggest energy company and they are providing electricity to Kanto region.

Due to rotation power-cut, traffic signals were disabled.

We have maximum 6 hours of power cut in each day. But mostly 3 hours of power cut in each day. The rotation power cut from 14th March, but there were no power cut on Saturday and Sunday because use of energy decreased.

In such situation, some internet users started unique campaign to encourage energy saving. The operation Yashima (ヤシマ作戦), the name came from animation "Neon Genesis Evangelion(新世紀エヴァンゲリオン)". In this operation, we try not to use too much electricity. It seems like successful, I think. But some of restaurants and shops are closed due to energy shortage. And most of railway companies in Kanto region decided to decrease the number of trains.

Lacking many things at shops...

The great earthquake didn't affect damage to Tokyo directly. But now we are lacking many things such as rice, bread, gasoline, paper tissue, toilet papers and more. There are enough supplies but when I go to convenience stores or supermarket stores many things gone like photo on below.

At the convenience store, there were some lacks with nothing.

Well, well, well... Many people are buying too much. So it's tough to buy foods paper tissue and toilet papers in many shops... Also gasoline. Many cars lined up in front of gas station to buy gasoline. But I don't think many people need gasoline right now. I felt they should wait.

In such situation, some internet users started unique campaign as well as energy saving. The name of their campaign is the operation Ueshima (ウエシマ作戦). Ueshima is Japanese comedian and in this campaign we try not to buy too much. I think, it's tough to explain why Ueshima, then I won't write about that today.

Anyway, this is story about around Tokyo. I think, many people in Tohoku area are waiting for food, medicine and oil supply. And we who are living around Tokyo must think about that.

Future

Everything changed on 11th March. We lost 30% of electric energy sources. Trains are no longer available to work as old schedules. We are no longer available to use too much electricity. We are no longer available to see brightness of night view Tokyo. We are no longer available to buy too much. We are no longer available to use gasoline too much.

But it might be great chance to change our lifestyle. We might be able to change our lifestyle with consume electricity 30% less than before. We might be able to build solidly cities that will stand even 50 metres of tsunami hit. We might be able to start clean and safety energy sources.

I believe we can do that. We can build ultimate city which can stand any terrible disaster. We can change our lifestyles to 30% energy efficient one. We can build more useful and safety cities. We can build better political systems. No. We must do that!

At Tanabata matsuri(star festival) in Sendai. (I took this before)

I believe I can update my blog with happy stories soon.

Thank you.

London trip: Day 2

2011-03-08T22:03:00.000+09:00

On Saturday, I wrote about my London trip. It was the Day 1 story and you can check the story from London trip: Day 1. Today, I wanna write about the Day 2. (26th Feb.)

In the morning, we went to the Wembley Stadium which is located in near the hotel we were staying. I've never seen such a large stadium. It was really big stadium. The stadium was getting ready for the Carling Cup Final 2011 game that would hold on Sunday (27th Feb.) when we arrived there. The game would be Arsenal vs. Birmingham city, and we wished to watch the game at the stadium.

After that, we went to Piccadilly Circus again to check some tickets for the game. We went to some shops there, but we couldn't buy that due to its expensive prices... The cheapest ticket price was £450 for each seats! £450(about 730 USD; about 60,000 JPY)! We gave up to buy the ticket...

I surprised because the entrance fee of the British Museum is free! I also surprised how large it is! Unfortunately, we couldn't see all of these collections... I hope that I can visit here again!

We left the British Museum at afternoon, and visited the St. Paul's Cathedral. Unfortunately, taking photos inside the St. Paul's Cathedral was not allowed. Inside the St. Paul's Cathedral was just beautiful. You should come and see this place. When we entered the cathedral, staff gave us guide like iPod touch. Because of this guide, we could know the history, architecture, music, art and etc.

Of course, we went to dome which we can see around London, and here are some photos that I took there. (I took outside of the cathedral, not inside.) There are 3 galleries in this dome, which are Whispering Gallery (30 metres from Cathedral Floor), Stone Gallery (53 metres from Cathedral Floor) and Golden Gallery (85 metres from Cathedral Floor). In Stone Gallery and Golden Gallery, we can watch outside of the dome and it was really nice.

Thames river and Westminster (London eye, Big Ben and etc).

The City of London.

London Bridge and Tower Bridge.

Unfortunately, it was cloudy when we arrived the Golden Gallery...

We left St. Paul's Cathedral at about 4 p.m., and started to walk around. About an hour of walking, we arrived Tower Bridge. It was really beautiful, because it's nice time of sunset.

Also, the Tower of London was beautiful.

At night, we arrived at Westminster.

When we exited underground's Westminster Station, the big ben was located just behind us! Also, the Westminster Abbey was located near the big ben.

It was so beautiful. So here's the end of my trip on day 2. We walked so much on this day! We will update my day 3 story as soon as possible.

Thank you.

London trip: Day 1

2011-03-05T23:45:00.000+09:00

I'm still checking my photos that I took during my trip. I selected some photos that I took day 1 (25th Feb.). So, let's look back my trip.

There are 2 airport near the Tokyo, which are Narita International Airport(成田国際空港:Narita Kokusai Kuukou) and Haneda Airport(羽田空港:Haneda Kuukou). Narita is far away from Tokyo, but most of international flights depart from this airport. My flight was also depart from this airport.

The airplane that is in the photo is the airplane that I board. My flight departed at noon on 25th, Feb. (JST). That was the beginning of my 12.5 hours of flight to London. Can you believe that 12.5 hours on the plane!!

It's the longest flight that I've ever board. The plane departed at noon in JST, and the plane goes north-west. Which means the plane is under the sunshine during its flight. The plane arrived at London Heathrow Airport at 15.30 (GMT). That's weird! I was boarding more than 12 hours, but I was still in the same day! I was a little sleepy, but it was OK. I felt the temperature was a little warmer than I expected.

After I arrived at Heathrow, we went to the hotel in Wembley. It took about 30 minutes to the Hotel by bus. We went to the underground station near the hotel, after we check-in. About 30 minutes of underground trip, we arrived at Piccadilly Circus.

It was cloudy, but we arrived at night so it was not so big problem. Anyway, there were really many people and people were talking in their own words such as Spanish, French and English of course.

Also, I found famous double-decker bus there! We went to Piccadilly Circus because we wanted to find some ticket of football game. Unfortunately, we arrived late and we couldn't find ticket seller on this day.

I surprised many things at there on first day. For example, in Tokyo people stand on left side, and right side is for people who wants to swoop up when we use escalator. But in London, it was different. Another example, people cannot smoke outside and we can smoke in most of restaurant in Tokyo. But in London we can smoke outside, but we cannot smoke in public places such as restaurants. Of course, underground was not allowed to smoke.

I like this sign. I wrote about smoking, but I don't smoke.

So, this is my London trip: day 1. I hope I can update other stories as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Came Back!

2011-03-04T22:35:00.001+09:00

I was in the United Kingdom for about a week. Mostly I was in London, visited many many places and I could have fun during my stay. I went to Edinburgh for day-trip on 28th Feb., also it was really fun.

I came back to Japan yesterday. I'm feeling a little sleepy because I have jet lag now. I need more time to recover from it.

Well, I'm just planning to post about my whole trip as soon as possible. But first I want to import and check my photos that I took during my stay. I think, I need more time to check these photos because there are more than 1,000 photos. I used 2 SD cards which have 8GB of storage. Mostly I took with my DSLR Nikon's D60, but sometimes I took with my iPhone. I forgot how many photos that I took with my iPhone, but I think it's not so many.

Anyway, I will post some articles that about my trip as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Minutes to takeoff

2011-02-25T11:17:00.000+09:00

I've forgot where and when I heard song name (or album name) "Minutes to takeoff". But long time ago, I heard that.

Now I'm in exactly such situation. The plane that I will on board will be takeoff at noon in JST. Yeah, minutes to takeoff!

About 2 years ago, I was in such situation. But destination is different. 2 years ago, it was Naha, Okinawa. This time, I'll go abroad.

Fortunately, the limitation of my passport have not been expired yet. But I must update it in this year, if I go abroad after this trip. Of course, I have enough time to update. My passport is in available for more than 6 months.

I think, I won't update my blog during my trip, but I'm gonna write about my trip after I came back.

Anyway, I hope the weather there would be nice!

Thank you.

Send from my iPhone via mail.

But Tokyo Tower Still Shines

2011-02-24T23:55:00.000+09:00

In Eastern Tokyo, the Tokyo Sky Tree is under construction. It will be 634 metres high tower, and it'll be the world's 2nd tallest building when its final completion. The Tokyo Sky Tree is about 534 metres high now.

On the other hand, Tokyo Tower opened in 1958. And since then, it was the world's tallest self-standing steel tower. It's 333 metres high. So, the Tokyo Sky Tree became the world's tallest self-standing steel tower now. (The Tokyo Sky Tree over took Tokyo Tower in March, 2010.)

I cannot see both Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Sky Tree from my house. I sometimes go around there. I prefer Tokyo Tower.

On Sunday, I went to Roppongi. While I was in underground, my iPhone was out of service due to SoftBank mobile's weak net work. When I go outside, it was raining. But I could see Tokyo Tower clearly like photo on top.

Even the Tokyo Sky Tree is taking centre stage, Tokyo Tower is still shining as usual. And I felt it's beautiful.

I heard Tokyo Sky Tree will start to broadcast TV and radio waves in 2012. After that, Tokyo Tower will end of its role. The TV and radio wave broadcasting is main revenue of Tokyo Tower, so it might be difficult to carry on after 2012.

Well, I believe the Tokyo Tower will shine after 2012.

Thank you.

Final day of my part-time job

2011-02-23T23:59:00.000+09:00

In this four years, I was working for Italian restaurant near my house, part-time. I think, 4 year is long, but I felt it's short. I could learn a lot of things in this 4 years. Of course, it's not only about Italian foods. And I believe I can apply my experience in this 4 year long part-time job, to my future life.

Yesterday was my final day of my part-time job. Last night, it was a little busy night, but I could enjoy my last job in the Italian restaurant. All I want to say is "Thank you". For all the people who helped me, supported me, encouraged me in this 4 years.

Thank you.

Exam

2011-02-16T22:51:00.000+09:00

Well, I had big and very important examination in December. I think, I wrote a little about that before I took the examination. The organization that are holding this examination took much time wether examinees passed the exam or not.

Finally, they had their result of the exam. Yesterday, I've got letter from the organization. I think, most of examinees had got this letter yesterday. Fortunately, I passed the exam.

So, I've done most of things that I need to do until graduation in March. Thank you so much, who helped me!

Thanks.

Snow in Tokyo

2011-02-15T23:54:00.000+09:00

These days, it's snowing here in Tokyo. I was in Yokohama due to AOZORA photo aid exhibition in Yokohama as I wrote before. At that time, the weather was rain, but sometimes it was snowing. Fortunately, snow didn't pile up on Friday and on Saturday.

But on Monday, it was snowing again! And it piled up! I came back at about 9 p.m. by train, but that train was suspended due to snow after I came back to home! Well, I was lucky because I came back safely.

This morning, there were some delays on most of trains, but it was not so big problem for me. The big problem for me today was that it was tough to walk on iced or snowy road.

It's rare to snow in Tokyo, also it's really rare that snow piles up on roads! I think, I cannot ride my bicycle shortly due to snow. I hope these snow will melt smoothly and rapidly.

The photo on top is the photo that I took last night in front of my house.

Thank you.

Snowy AOZORA photo aid exhibition

2011-02-11T23:37:00.000+09:00

Today, I went to Yokohama to join the AOZORA photo aid exhibition in Yokohama. Well, it was snowing and sometimes raining. I felt, it's not suitable weather to hold photo exhibition in outside, but the exhibition had held in outside.

I could join photo rally with some people there. But it was extremely cold and we couldn't take nice photos because it's raining / snowing.

Anyway, I could met many people there. (Some of them, I've met before.) Unfortunately, tomorrow's event has been canceled due to bad weather condition. I heard the distribution of post card would be continued until tomorrow 5 pm. If you have time, please visit it.

I was planning to join another event that they were planning to hold, but the event has been canceled due to snowy weather. Then, I will go to CP+ "Camera and Photo Imaging Show" in Pacifico Yokohama. I'm really looking forward that.

Thank you.

Snowing Snowing

2011-02-10T16:22:00.000+09:00

From Tuesday's night to Wednesday's morning, it was raining and sometimes snowing even in Tokyo. Until then, the air in Tokyo was extremely dry and dry air advisory continued over a month. Well, it's good for many people because the air got wet. But I hope the snow will never piles up because many trains, buses and many other public transportations would stop, also I cannot ride my bicycle on snowy street.

Fortunately, the snow on Wednesday morning didn't pile up. But according to the weather forecast the weather of this weekend will be snow. The snow will start on this evening and continued to Saturday. Which means snow would piles up even in Tokyo.

I think, snowy weather is good but I hope not these snow piles up on streets.

Thank you.

Medical check-up

2011-02-09T21:28:00.000+09:00

Every year, I took medical check-up at the college, or school. But I've never taken it at hospital. I need to take it to submit for the company.

I need to wait a little, but I think it's better than the medical check-up that I took last year at the college. Because I needed to wait much more.

Anyway, I think I could pass all of check-up. But I felt my eyes go bad. It must be because of too much time to spend with display. I should take care of this.

Thank you.

AOZORA photo aid exhibition in Yokohama

2011-02-08T20:49:00.000+09:00

Today, I wanna write about announcement of AOZORA photo aid exhibition in Yokohama. This event will be hold in this Friday and Saturday. The event will be hold at Minatomirai(みなとみらい) station to Pacifico Yokohama(パシフィコ横浜).

Well, I posted my photos and you can see that if you'll be there. Also, there are many kinds of photographers including amateurs and professionals.

I think, it's interesting event. If you have a time, please join it! You can get more information from AOZORA photo aid exhibition's official page "http://aozora.us/".

Thank you.

Thank you!

2011-02-07T22:58:00.000+09:00

These days, I was in super busy days. I was preparing my time for workshop of graduation thesis on Sunday. I had only 10 minutes to present and 5 minutes for questions.

Well, I felt it's not enough time to present all about my thesis. But it's all right.

Anyway, our college's workshop of graduation thesis is open to public, so there were some people who came from other colleges, companies and so on.

I was a little nervous until my present, but I could be relaxed when I start. And surprisingly, I could win the award for each section. The photo on top is the award certificate.

All I want to say is "Thank you".

Happy Chinese New Year!

2011-02-03T21:37:00.000+09:00

Happy Chinese New Year! Or I should say "Happy Lunar New Year!"?

Anyway, Japanese people not cerebrate Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) but we cerebrate New Year of new calender. In cities such as Yokohama(横浜) and Nagasaki(Nagasaki), celebrate Lunar New Year because there are major China town. I heard the festival will be held on Sunday, in Yokohama(横浜). Someday I wanna visit such festival in China town such as Yokohama(横浜) or Nagasaki(長崎).

Also, today is Setsubun(節分) in Japan. It's the end of winter, and I felt the spring has come because it was wormer than before. On Setsubun day, we eat Ehoumaki(恵方巻). I think, I didn't know about Ehoumaki before, but these days there are many shops that are selling Ehoumaki. I remembered that today is Setsubun, when I saw Ehoumaki in the supermarket store after noon. Anyway, I ate Ehoumaki this evening.

Thank you.

Bicycle ride

2011-02-01T22:14:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I rode my bicycle first time in this year. I didn't ride my bicycle for such a long time, because I couldn't take much time to overhaul my bicycle these days.

On Saturday, I could take time to overhaul it and now it's in good condition then I rode bicycle yesterday. Well, yesterday was really cold. I went to college by bicycle in morning and came back at about 10.00 pm. It was late night and there were not so many cars on roads, but it was extremely cold.

The thermometer at the college told me that the temperature is 0 degrees (Celsius). Well, it's cold. But it was really good to ride bicycle because there were not so many cars.

Thank you.

My favorite 5 talks

2011-01-31T23:27:00.000+09:00

A year ago, I heard about wonderful web site called "TED". TED means Technology, Entertainment and Design. On ted.com, we can watch many kinds of talks at free. Also, there are many language support, so sometimes I watch some videos with Japanese subtitles. But I prefer not to use that one, because sometimes these subtitles appear before the speaker speak on video.

Anyway, I like TED. I can know many peoples' thinking, ideas, funny stories, serious stories, and so on. I think, the "TALKS" is the best entertainment.

I watched several talks on TED and I picked up some from ted.com as my favorite talks. Also, I like two talks (or I should say speech) not from ted.com. Here's my favorite 5 talks. In fact, I like more and more talks so here's only a few talks that I like.

* Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

I think, many people know about his speech. As you know, Steve Jobs is CEO of Apple inc., and this is one of the most famous speech that he did at Stanford University in 2005. My friend told me that some colleges in Japan used this speech for their entrance examinations.

*Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

I think, it's famous too. I'm so interested in VR technology, but more than that there're many things that I could learn.

*Stacey Kramer the best gift I ever survived

TED2010

http://www.ted.com/talks/stacey_kramer_the_best_gift_i_ever_survived.html

I like this video, the most. The video let me think about my entire lifestyle.

*Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution!

TED2010

http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html

I've never been to senior-high school and usual university. In such situation, I like this video and I think Japanese people should think about this seriously.

Also I like "Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity". This is TED2006's talk, and I like this too.

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

*Amber Case: We are all cyborgs now

TEDWomen

http://www.ted.com/talks/amber_case_we_are_all_cyborgs_now.html

It's simple, we are now cyborgs. lol Seriously, I like her talk.

So, these are my favorite 5 talks. Again, I want to share more and more talks because there are many talks available on ted.com and mostly these talks are really great. I think, I will write about this thing in near future.

At last, I write about my favorite funny talk that I found on ted.com. Here it is.

*Sebastian Wernicke: Lies, damned lies and statistics (about TEDTalks)

http://www.ted.com/talks/lies_damned_lies_and_statistics_about_tedtalks.html

He's talking about TEDTalks and how to make ultimate TEDTalks and the worst TEDTalks. It might be helpful to make the ultimate talk, or the worst talk... Anyway, it's funny.

If you have time, please watch these talks and tell me your opinion.

Thank you.

We are champion!

2011-01-30T23:15:00.000+09:00

Yesterday was the final game of AFC Asian Cup. That was Japan vs Australia. They had match in World Cup 2006 in Germany and at that time Japan lost the game...

It was really long game, but it was really exciting game. Finally, Tadanari Lee fired a volley at the extra game. I felt the combination of Tadanari Lee and Yuto Nagatomo was really wonderful! Also, Eiji Kawashima's wonderful save was really great.

So, we won and became the champion of AFC Asian Cup again! I hope they will win again and again!

Thank you.

I've done it

2011-01-29T14:08:00.000+09:00

Yesterday was the deadline of my graduation thesis. But it was temporary. So, I need to fix it more until 14th February.

OK, I will have another busy week.

Thank you.

New Year's greeting card with a lottery number

2011-01-27T23:57:00.000+09:00

These years, I don't send new year's greeting card, because I felt e-mail or twitter or maybe facebook would be better than greeting card. It's easily send New Year's greeting, and greet with many people simultaneously.

Anyway, a few people send me New Year's greeting cards, and I sent reply to them as soon as possible(of course). These New Year's greeting cards have numbers in bottom of the postcard. These are the number for lottery. Last Monday, very lucky numbers have been revealed.

If you won the first prize, you will get 40 inch Full-HD LED TV or other gifts (you can choose from 5 prizes). I think most of readers don't have Japanese New Year's greeting card, but here's the link for lucky numbers. http://www.yubin-nenga.jp/otoshidama/number.html

Well, I checked these numbers and greeting cards that I got.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find these lucky numbers from my own greeting cards.

Thank you.

Long Long Night

2011-01-26T23:30:00.002+09:00

Last night was really long night. I watched AFC Asian Cup Japan vs South Korea on TV. It was really fantastic and interesting game. I felt that both Japan and South Korea did great job!

The game didn't end in 120 minutes. Japan won after Penalty shootout. There are some negative opinions for some players and referees. But I'm not going to write about that, because I felt I lack the credentials to criticize.

Anyway, I believe both Japan and South Korea will win next game. Especially, I hope Japan national team to be champion of Asian cup!

Thank you.

Akihabara

2011-01-25T23:33:00.000+09:00

On Sunday, the pedestrians' paradise back to Akihabara(秋葉原). In June 2008, the stabbing incident that occurred in Akihabara. Since then the pedestrians' paradise had been suspended.

About a week before the incident, I was at Akihabara. At that time, I need to buy some electronics devices. Since then, I've never been there except some connections at Akihabara station.

I wish the peaceful days would come back. And I hope such a sadly incident will not happen again.

Thank you.

TeX and I

2011-01-24T22:57:00.000+09:00

I was using "Pages" or "Word" to write document on computer. But I don't like both of them so much, because formulas that I inserted into document would not fit in with these word-processing softwares. I don't think these formulas looks beautiful.

A year ago, I heard about "TeX", and I've been interested in this one since then. I was planning to use this, and now the time has come. I need to write my graduation thesis. In my graduation thesis, I need to write many formulas. I think, it's good time for use "TeX". (Or I should write "LaTeX"?)

The photo on top is screenshot of my graduation thesis. I think, it's tough to write with TeX, but I like it. Anyway, I'm using "TeXShop" on my Mac.

Thank you.

Fly, KOHNOTORI Fly!

2011-01-22T22:08:00.000+09:00

Unfortunately, I couldn't watch the internet live stream of Kounotori 2's launch. At 14.38 of today, Kounotori 2 as know as HTV-2 the Japanese second H-2 transfer vehicle launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre.

The Kohnotori 2 will be docking with ISS on 28th January. Yeah, it's my graduation thesis's deadline! I hope both docking of Kohnotori 2 and my graduation thesis goes well.

Thank you.

A week to go

2011-01-21T23:41:00.000+09:00

I'm writing my graduation thesis. The deadline is next Friday. Well, I need to concentrate on this much more...

I think, I might not be able to post article next week, but I hope that I can post some as usual.

Thank you

Apple

2011-01-19T23:57:00.000+09:00

I heard one big news today. According to that, there are some vending machines which are selling apple. These vending machines set up in several tube stations.

I've never seen such vending machines yet. But I like apple, then if I can, I wanna try it! I'll write about that when I bought one.

Thank you.

68.8

2011-01-18T23:44:00.002+09:00

What do you think about this number "68.8"?

It's the percentage of Japanese college graduates who found their job, which estimated in December. According to some news sources, it's the worst record since 1996. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare started to estimate this rate in 1996.

In Japan, almost every college students start to their job hunting in winter of third year. Most of people get their job offer until fourth year summer vacation. I don't know much about college students' job hunt in foreign countries, but my friend told me that it's a little different. If you know about this, please tell me about this.

Anyway, most of people think it's crazy because more than 30% of college students, who will graduate college next March couldn't get job offer yet. What do you think? Is it too many, or not so?

Thank you

Hat trick

2011-01-17T23:59:00.006+09:00

I'm watching football game Japan vs Saudi Arabia. It's Asian cup. Japan will be able to pass the group if they could win or draw this game.

Now I'm just watching and I think they will win. Okazaki just scored a hat trick!

Thank you.

My new headphones

2011-01-15T23:27:00.000+09:00

I wanted to buy new headphones because my old noise-canceling headphones makes tiny noise while it's canceling noise of outside. And it's not good to use outside because it's made noise when the winds hit headphones...

Then I wanted to buy new one. And yesterday, I did it.

I bought Audio Technica's one. I sometimes use Audio Technica's earphones and I like it, then I bought the one. I tried several headphones at the retail store, then I finally chose "SOLID BASS". I think, it's great!

Thank you

Burgers

2011-01-14T22:59:00.000+09:00

I had two burgers that I wanted to eat. One of them is Texas 2 burger which McDonald's Japan are providing as their campaign "Big America 2". Last year, they held the campaign "Big America" and now they started "Big America2". First they are providing "Texas 2 burger". From end of January, they will start to provide "Idaho burger".

Last year, I tried "Big America", and you can check all of these review from my old posts.

Another one that I wanted to eat is Mos Burger's "Grilled Chicken Burger with orange-pepper sauce(塩バターチキンバーガー)". I heard they are providing this "Grilled Chicken Burger with orange-pepper sauce" in Japan, Taiwan, Amoy, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

I tried "Texas 2 burger" yesterday, and I tried "Grilled Chicken Burger with orange-pepper sauce" today. I like both "Texas 2 burger" and "Grilled Chicken Burger with orange-pepper sauce", but I prefer "Grilled Chicken Burger with orange-pepper sauce". If you have a chance, you should try it.

Thank you

Tiger mask issue

2011-01-13T23:55:00.000+09:00

I've never read the manga Tiger Mask (タイガーマスク), but these days many people in Japan would like to become Tiger mask. I don't know much about that but the hero of "Tiger Mask" donate school bags to children's consulting centre.

Since last Christmas, there are many people who donate school bags to children's consulting centres in all over Japan. They mostly inspired by Tiger Mask. They are donating not only school bags, but toys, money, foods, disposable diapers and etc.

Well, I don't think these movement is bad, but I hope this movement will continue.

Thank you.

Chaos on e-book stores

2011-01-12T23:44:00.000+09:00

Today, NTT docomo and DNP announced that they opened their joint business e-book store in Japan. The "2Dfacto" is e-book store for smart phones that are provided by NTT docomo.

I think, there are too many e-book stores in Japan. And these stores don't have compatible in most of case. There are many e-book apps on App Store because iBook store is not selling Japanese books in Japan yet. So, there are many stand-alone e-book apps.

I don't think we are in good situation. I need better e-book store that provide e-books that we can read from any devices which we want. And cheaper prices! The price of e-books in Japan is cheaper than printed book, but I think it's expensive.

So, all I need is that the e-book store that can provide e-books much cheaper, easy payment and high compatibility. I hope such e-book stores would appear in Japan soon.

Thank you.

the fastest way to solve Sudoku?

2011-01-11T23:24:00.000+09:00

I love to play Sudoku (数独) puzzle. I sometimes solve it on my iPhone. Mostly I can solve these Sudoku puzzles, but sometimes I meet very difficult puzzle. My friend told me the hardest Sudoku puzzle in the world. I've never tried it yet. If you want to try the hardest Sudoku puzzle, you can try it from http://www.mirror.co.uk/fun-games/sudoku/2010/08/19/world-s-hardest-sudoku-can-you-solve-dr-arto-inkala-s-puzzle-115875-22496946/.

Anyway, Google released their crazy service again. Google Goggles now solve Sudoku! So, your mobile phone would solve Sudoku puzzles that you couldn't solve by yourself...

Of course, I tried the hardest Sudoku puzzle in the world. And the Google Goggles solved it!! All you need to do is just shoot Sudoku puzzle! lol

That's really interesting, and it can solve it really fast!! If you have a chance, try it!

Thank you

Draw

2011-01-10T23:58:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I watched football game on tv. That was Asian cup and the game was Japan vs Jordan. I believed that they can win against Jordan, but they couldn't do that.

But it was draw game then we have chance to be champion of this ear's Asian cup! I believe that they can do it! Go for it, Samurai blue!!!

Thank you
Send from my iPhone via mail

the 50th title

2011-01-09T22:56:00.000+09:00

From today, the 大河ドラマ(Taiga drama: period drama) have been started. Last year was about Ryoma Sakamoto (坂本龍馬), and this year is about Gou (江). I don't know much about her, but I hope that I will be able to know about her through this drama in this year.

Unfortunately, I couldn't watch this evening's first episode because I was watching Ryuichi Sakamoto's (坂本龍一) piano concert on ustream at that time...
But I think, I can watch this episode on next Saturday, because they will broadcast the episode again.

Anyway, according to NHK which are broadcasting this drama, it's the 50th title of their 大河ドラマ(Taiga drama: Period drama). I think, it's awesome. Don't you think so?

Thank you.

New Year mail

2011-01-08T21:48:00.000+09:00

These years, I'm not sending new year's mail until I got it from my friend. I think, many people in Japan changed their way to cerebrate the new year's day.

According to Twitter's official blog, when the new year came to Japan twitter users in Japan tweeted 6,939 tweets per seconds. And it's their new record. I didn't tweet at that time, but after I could take time to tweet, I tweeted that "Happy new year!".

Anyway, I don't know how many people in Japan are using twitter, but these days the number of twitter users in Japan increased incredibly, I felt.

Thank you

End of my 'last' winter holidays

2011-01-06T12:57:00.000+09:00

It's 6th January and it's final day of my winter holidays. So, from tomorrow I need to go to college. Also, I have only 3 weeks to finish my thesis.

Well, I need to work hard for that. After that I need to make presentation about my thesis next month. It will be 6th February. I'm just planning to go to South Korea after the presentation, but I've not reserve plane ticket yet...

I think, I should reserve it soon. Anyway, I have less than 3 months to graduate. I should enjoy these moments.

Thank you.
Send from iPhone via mail.

lucky bags 2011

2011-01-05T15:30:00.000+09:00

I think, it's third time to buy Starbucks Coffee shop's lucky bag. So, I bought this year's one too. I think, the cappuccino bowl inside the lucky bag is pretty useful. Also, I've never tried Starbucks VIA until then, so it's good chance for me to try this.

So, this is my second lucky bag that I bought in this year. And I believe, I would not buy other lucky bags in this year. But I might buy next year's one next year...

Thank you.

New Year's resolutions

2011-01-04T16:17:00.000+09:00

Finally, I could change my blog design. I wish I could add some other features to my blog later. Also I could summarize this year's resolutions. So, here's my resolutions for this year.

1. I will be morning person.

Again! I couldn't do this last year, then I'll try this.

2. I will improve my speaking ability (both English and Japanese)

I think, I'm not good at speaking English, and I should improve my pronunciation. Then I'll try this.

3. I will start studying other language(s).

Of course, I'm keep studying English, but I wanna start to study other language(s).

4. I will learn about Japanese culture more.

These days, I felt I don't know much about Japanese culture such as 歌舞伎(Kabuki) and so on. And I really think, I should know much about these culture. So, I'll learn about this.

5. I will join many events.

Last year, I could join some events that I had never joined before. I felt I should join these events to meet many people who have different backgrounds.

I hope I can do these in this year.

Thank you.

First three days

2011-01-03T23:06:00.001+09:00

It's 3rd January. I think, the first three days (三カ日:Sanganichi) is special in Japan. I met relatives in this three days. I talked with them and I've drunk too much, I think.

Well, I should take much time to think about my resolutions for this year. How about your first three days?

Thank you.

Hatsumoude

2011-01-02T23:51:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I was a little bit busy, then I went to 初詣(Hatsumoude: New Year's visit to the shrine) today. I tried charm against bad luck (厄除け:Yakuyoke) at the shrine, because I heard I'm in the year before a critical age (前厄:Maeyaku).

After that, I bought paper fortune. The photo on top is my result of paper fortune. It's "大吉(Daikichi: Excellent luck)". I felt, this year would be really nice year for me.

Anyway, I'm planning to change my blog design as soon as possible, because I felt my blog looks so dark and it's not suitable to read my blog. I hope that I can change my blog design as soon as possible. Also, I'm thinking about this year's resolutions. After I could summarize these resolutions, I will write about that. I believe I can post the article about this year's resolutions tomorrow or day after tomorrow.

Thank you.

A Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T23:58:00.000+09:00

A Happy New Year everyone! I wish the year 2011 would be the best year for all of you.

Well, I bought Starbucks' lucky bag last year, but I bought other one because I found really cool luggage. The Village Vanguard which the Japanese bookshop (but I don't think it's usual bookshop because they are selling many funny things) announced to sell this lucky bag online.

Then I ordered it before the year end. I've got this lucky bag, and opened it. I think, I should not post what is inside on this blog. If you want to see this, please check my Facebook photo.

Thank you.

review the year 2010 part 2

2010-12-31T01:41:00.000+09:00

The beginning of the year 2010, I declared 5 resolutions that I would do in 2010. It's final day of the year 2010, then I think it's good time to look back all these things. So, here's my 5 resolutions.

1. I will read over 100 books in this year!
Last week, I could clear this resolution. Finally, I've read 103 books in this year. Including one written in English ("The Pursuit of Happyness") and 11 e-books. I could get interested in to Japanese history these days. So, I might read much more about history next year.
2. I will new things!
Fortunately, I could start many things in this year. I could join the art event that I'd never joined. I could learn about photo printing, another programming and so on. I'm still working on this such as Kinect and iPhone app.
3. I will improve my language skills!I think, it's tough to measure it. But I could marked the highest score on TOEIC in September. And I could read many many Japanese books. So, I think I could do this in this year. Of course, I need to keep doing this.
4. I will be morning person!
I think, I could do this until my summer vacation. But now...
I'm so lazy right now. I hope I will be able to become morning person...
5. I will keep posting this blog!
Well, I'm writing this article so... That means I'm keep posting my blog yet.

I think, I could do 5 of 4 from my 2010 resolutions. And I felt I need to specify more. Then I will declare my resolutions for the year 2011 more specified one, I believe.

Well, I could enjoy the year 2010, because I had a lot of exciting things. I could met many powerful and ardent people in this year. Also, these people could boost my motivation, and I could start and keep things that I want to do.

The summer was hot, but it was not only the weather, I felt. I hope I could be a person who have good influence to many people. So, I should learn a lot, try hard and so on.

How did you spend your year 2010?

Thank you and have a great new year!
良いお年を！

review 2010

2010-12-30T18:59:00.001+09:00

It's almost 2011. So, today I'm gonna review the year 2011.

Well, I had a lot of things this year. And I had really nice year. I've already posted 231 articles this year until yesterday. As I wrote last year, I'm still using Google Analytics to check visitors, popular posts, where visitors came from and so on. Today I'll write about TOP 5 articles that earned pageviews this year (1st January to 29th December), and TOP 5 countries/territories the visitors came from.

TOP 5 articles of 2010
1. "I installed google's input support system"
2. "1Q84 book3"
3. "illy's canned coffee"
4. "Toshocard"
5. "Pokemon Shinkansen"
5. "life in additional time"
5. "ryomaden final"

Of course, the highest pageviews of landing page was top page and marked 2,898 pageviews in this period.

TOP 5 countries/territories the visitors came from
1. Japan
2. United States of America
3. India
4. Canada
5. South Korea

Totally, visitors came from 91 countries/territories. Thank you so much.

Go overseas

2010-12-29T16:01:00.000+09:00

I'm going to graduate my college next March. So, I need to say goodbye to my college days. But before that I wanna go abroad for a while.

Seriously, I need to submit my graduation thesis until Feb., then I cannot go abroad until then. Now, I'm planning to go trip in Feb. or in March. I'm planning to go Seoul. And after that I will go London.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take much time to check some tours yet. I wish I can reserve these trips as soon as possible. I took my passport in 2006, so there's no problem to take much time to take passport anymore. If you have any suggestion, please tell me.

Thank you

4-color ballpoint pen

2010-12-28T23:27:00.000+09:00

Last year, my friend suggested me one multicolor ball point pen. That was LAMY's Lamy 2000. I was thinking about this pen about a year. I wish I could buy it, but it's expensive for me... The price was about 6,000 JPY (about 73 USD) at that time.

But I felt the time has come. I ordered this one on Amazon.co.jp as my Christmas present for me. lol

I've received this ballpoint pen before noon. So, I couldn't take much time to use this one, but I felt it's useful and cool. There's only one cap, but control all 4 colors in this cap. It's really cool. But I felt it's bit thick to write in limited area. I think, I can change this one into thinner one. Anyway, I like this multicolor ballpoint pen.

Thank you.

Cycling with friends

2010-12-27T23:53:00.000+09:00

It was wonderful weather today, but it's so cold. I was planning to go cycling today with my friends. We were planning to start from our college, over a pass and get to lake. Then came back to our college in different way. We started at about 11.30 and came back to the college at about 15.30. Of course, we took rest at the cafe near the lake. I think, we stayed there more than an hour.

I forgot to record how long it was, but I think the cafe near lake was about 17 km (about 10.6 miles) away from our college. Totally, we ride our bicycle about 43 km (about 26.7 miles) today, I think. (I should reset my cycle computer before we start...)

So, it was really interesting day. I didn't have a chance to go cycling these days, so it's good for me. Also, I felt I should change my tire when I go cycling to such place. Now I'm using 700x32c tire which means 700mm diameter of wheel and 32mm width of the tire. The problem is the tire's width is 32mm. It's too wide for road bike, and not suitable for over a pass, I felt. I wish I can change my bicycle tire as soon as possible. But I like this tire because it's suitable for my daily use. My friends were using 700x23c.

Anyway, I also forgot to take some photos during my cycling today. Then I couldn't upload them... The photo on top is our bicycles, but the photo include jiggle. I think, it's not good photo... I'll take more photos next time.

Thank you.

The final M-1 Grand Prix

2010-12-26T22:57:00.000+09:00

These days, I think I could take much time to watch TV programmes. This evening, I was watching "M-1 Grand Prix" on TV. I think, I wrote about this programme last year. So, if you have a time, please check it maybe you can get the idea.

The week before last, Yoshimoto Kogyo(吉本興業) and Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (朝日放送) announced the "M-1 Grand Prix" would end in this year. So, this year's "M-1 Grand Prix" is final M-1 Grand Prix.

Of course, I watched this. I was rooting for Waraimeshi (笑い飯), because it was their 10th challenge for M-1 Grand Prix. They have listed in the final since 2002. Which means they nominated to the final for 9 years. But they couldn't win until this year. I felt their performance that they performed last year was so great, but they couldn't win.

So, this year's result...
Waraimeshi (笑い飯) won the final M-1 Grand Prix! They finally did it! I'm so happy. But I miss the M-1 Grand Prix because we cannot see the 11th M-1 Grand Prix forever...

Thank you.

This is it

2010-12-25T22:07:00.000+09:00

After I tracked Santa Claus on my iPhone's map, I watched Michael Jackson's "this is it" on TV. I wish I could watch the film at the theatre, but I couldn't do so. Then I was looking forward to watch the film on TV, because I know that the TV station would broadcast "this is it" on Christmas eve!

The programme started at 7pm. According to the TV programme lists, the programme would end at 11pm. I felt it's too long for "this is it". But I started to watch it from 7pm.

So, first 90 minutes was not "this is it". It was just show. There were some cast and they were talking about Michael Jackson. I think, they should be dancers or musicians, but they were not dancers nor musicians...

Well, first 90 minutes was so boring for me because I know most of the stories that they were talking.

Anyway, I felt the film was great. But if I could I wanted watch his live! Of course, we cannot do that forever...

Thank you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Let's track Santa Claus!

2010-12-24T16:07:00.000+09:00

It's Christmas Eve! Tonight Santa Claus works so hard to deliver gifts to children all over the world, I think. Anyway, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) have been tracking him since 1955.

I think, they are great because they are treating children's fancy story in earnest. Last year, Google and NORAD teamed up to track him. And this year too. They teamed up once again.

They will start to track him from 16.00 (JST). You can check where Santa Claus is on google maps, google earth and NORAD Tracks Santa page. I heard we can check where Santa Claus is on you mobile devices using mobile google map. Search "Santa" on google maps. Let's enjoy their tracking! lol

Thank you.

Winter holidays

2010-12-23T16:47:00.000+09:00

It's 23rd December. It's Christmas eve eve, the Emperor's birthday and so on. My college's winter holidays started from today. It's my final winter holidays as student.

Well, I'm thinking about my blog. And I decided that I will change my update days. I was updating my blog every weekday of Japan as I wrote on "about MaSaYa's days" page. But I change this into "update almost everyday" that means I will update my blog much more than before. But I think, I cannot update everyday because sometimes I had a lot of things to do and I cannot prepare my time for my blog. Then I wrote update "almost" everyday. I hope I can update my blog as many as possible.

Thank you.

Raining on the total lunar eclipse

2010-12-21T22:45:00.000+09:00

Today is the day of total lunar eclipse. I wish I could enjoy this year's final astronomical show. But unfortunately the weather in Tokyo was bad... It was raining at the evening and, I couldn't enjoy the astronomical show.

I heard some people in Sapporo (札幌) could enjoy the astronomical show. They say that the lunar turned red.

I hope I can enjoy that astronomical show in next time.

Thank you.

examination

2010-12-20T22:53:00.000+09:00

Well, I had an examination on yesterday as I wrote before. So, I didn't update my blog last week and I came back.

I'm studying in unique college, I think. Many people even Japanese don't know about this. It's a little different from usual universities and colleges. I need to pass the examination that about my major to earn the bachelor's degree. Before the examination I needed to send report for review. They will make an examination based on the report.

I was so nervous before the examination because I didn't know how difficult the examination is. But after I started the examination, I felt it's OK because the examination looked not so difficult for me. I think, I could do the examination well. I need to wait the result for several months. I hope the result will be good for me.

Thank you.

暑

2010-12-10T23:57:00.000+09:00

It's time for this year's Kanji. The title of this article "暑" means "hot" and we read it "sho" or "atsu" in Japanese. This is because this year's summer was extremely hot and the number of heat stroke patients marked the highest. Also, Hayabusa came back from outer space which survived about 10,000 degrees (celsius) of inrush temperature.

BTW, I have an important news today. I'll have very important examination on 19th December. And now I'm preparing for that examination. I'm studying for that examination, but I want to focus on that examination much more than this week. So, I decided that I'm not going to post next week. I will be back on 20th December, maybe...

Thank you.

Welcome to unhealthy world?

2010-12-09T20:36:00.000+09:00

McDonald's Japan recently announced that they will start home-delivery service from the end of this month. First they will start the service in one of their restaurant in Tokyo, and expand the service next year.

So, we will be able to order burger from our house such as pizza. But I think it's not good for our health...

Thank you

ustream

2010-12-08T18:31:00.000+09:00

Do you know Ustream? It's online video streaming site. I could know about this web site at the beginning of this year. I made my channel, but usually I don't broadcast from that channel...

Anyway, some musicians started to use Ustream, and stream their live performance via Ustream. For example, Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本龍一) who is Japanese musician are now streaming his live performance "UTAU tour 2010" with Taeko Onuki (大貫妙子). I sometimes watch their performance via ustream, and I wish I could go their live someday.

Another musician Hikaru Utada (宇多田ヒカル) will stream her live performance via Ustream from 19.00 (JST). So, she will perform in Yokohama Arena and stream it via ustream within 30 minutes. You can watch her performance at "http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wl1". So if you have a time, you should watch it! Of course, I will watch it!

Thank you.

Ebizo

2010-12-07T22:30:00.000+09:00

Do you know Ebizo Ichikawa(市川海老蔵)? He is 33 years old Japanese Kabuki actor. He became much popular after the bar brawl that happened on 25th November. I've never watched his performance yet, but I wish I could do so some day.

But after the bar brawl that happened on 25th November, Shochiku which provide most of Kabuki performances in Japan decided that he will be in unlimited suspension. That means I need to wait his back. I heard he has already gotten out of the hospital, then I wish he will come back to the Kabuki world and perform again soon!

Thank you.

NHK meets YouTube?

2010-12-06T21:02:00.000+09:00

Good news from NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). According to some news sources, NHK started to upload some of their programmes to YouTube officially. Well, their were no such TV stations in Japan that to upload their own programmes to YouTube officially. I think, it's good news because we can watch their programmes online for free.

I hope other stations will upload their programmes to web. I don't think these fee must be free, but I hope they will upload their programmes at affordable price and user-friendly way.

Oops, I found that NHK now providing their programmes that uploaded to YouTube are viewable only in Japan...

Thank you.

World Cup 2018 and 2022

2010-12-03T20:58:00.000+09:00

I hoped that Japan could to host 2022 FIFA World Cup. But, to tell the truth, I felt that Japan might not to host it. There were many reasons that I felt so, but it's too bad that Japan couldn't win that...

Anyway, Russia will host 2018 FIFA World Cup and Qatar will host 2022 FIFA World Cup. I hope Japan national team could win and get the ticket to both World Cup!

Thank you.

Grammy nominees

2010-12-02T19:52:00.000+09:00

Well, I just surprised when I heard that Japanese musician Tak Matsumoto nominated to 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

He is guitarist of Japanese hard rock duo "B'z". I like their music, but I like his guitar play so much. I took much time to check which award that Tak Matsumoto nominated, but he nominated to Best Pop Instrumental Album. I hope he would win that award!

Thank you.

buzzwords 2010

2010-12-01T22:32:00.000+09:00

It's 1st December, I wrote about buzzwords 2009 on same day in 2009. So, I will write about buzzwords 2010 today. Jiyuukokuminsha announced the buzzwords 2010 today. I will write top 10 of Japanese buzzwords 2010. Of course, these words are all Japanese words. Then I translated these words into English. Well,there are some mistakes, I think... If you find better translation, please tell me...

"いい質問ですね〜(Ii shitsumon desune)" It's a nice question!
The Japanese journalist Akira Ikegami(池上彰) got popular in this year. He told viewers news simply on TV. Many TV stations invited him to give an explanation about news on their TV stations. At that time, he used to use "It's nice question!" when someone asked him the good question.

"イクメン(Ikumen)" men who actively take care of their children
Japanese corporate employees are rarely to take absence for their children. The Japanese government think this problem seriously and aim to increase corporate employees (male) who take absence for their children until 2017. The word is similar to the word "イケメン(Ikemen)" which means nice looking guy.

"AKB48"
AKB48 is Japanese idol group. All of the members are female and they are produced by Yasushi Akimoto.

"女子会(Joshi kai)" Girl's party
The party which hold with girls. (there's no boys...)

"脱小沢(Datsu Ozawa)" except Ozawa
Ozawa is Ichiro Ozawa. After the presidential election that hold in September, Ichiro Ozawa's political power got decreased because the Kan cabinet don't want to bring his political power to their cabinet.

"食べる辣油(Taberu Rayu)" chunky chili oil
The chunky chili oil got popular and huge hit in Japan.

"ととのいました(totonoimashita)" it's set
Japanese comedian W colon got popular. They got famous with word "It's set". It's a canned word of Japanese riddle(謎掛け:なぞかけ) they say this word when they are ready.

"〜なう(〜now)" Now, I'm -ing/at somewhere.
I don't think many people are using this word, but according to their judgement Twitter users tend to use word "〜なう". They use this word when twitter user want to declare where he/she is or what he/she is doing.

"無縁社会(muen shakai)" unrelated society
It's the title of NHK's campaign programmes. The programmes were about missing aged people. You can check more about this problem from my old post "What's going on Japan?". Well, I didn't watch that programmes, and I heard this word first time...

And the grand prix was...
"ゲゲゲの〜(gegege no~)" Gegege's something
I know that NHK's morning drama "ゲゲゲの女房(Gegege no nyobo: Gegege's housewife)" earned audience rate, but I've never met people who are using the word "ゲゲゲの(Gegege no)" in usual. Well, I don't think it's buzzwords...

Thank you.

The eco-points

2010-11-30T23:40:00.000+09:00

So, it's the final day of November. Tomorrow is first day of December. I heard there are many customers in electronics retailers in Japan.

Well, I don't have any plan to buy something that are selling in these electronics retailers, then I didn't go to these shops these days... There were many customers in electronics retailers, because the eco-points will be down by half from tomorrow.

The eco-points is the Japanese government's policy to boost the purchase of eco-friendly home electronics goods such as digital TVs and air-conditioners. I think, many people bought these electronics goods and got the eco-points.

Thank you.

Ryomaden final

2010-11-29T23:46:00.000+09:00

I'm a big fun of Ryomaden (龍馬伝). It's the NHK's period drama for this year. They broadcast the period drama every year and they call it "Taiga drama(大河ドラマ)". NHK started to broadcast the period drama in 1963 and Ryomaden is the 49th period drama. They are treating Japanese history in drama, we can enjoy specified person and incident in their period drama. Usually, the period drama start in January and end in December.

Ryomaden is the story about Ryoma Sakamoto(坂本龍馬) who realised Taiseihoukan(大政奉還) which Tokugawa shogun returned his political power to the emperor. It was the story in end of Edo era(江戸時代), in 1867. I think, he is one of the most famous contributor who made modern Japan.

BTW, I think I watched all of episodes of the Ryomaden (of course, I sometimes recorded when I had another schedule). This is my first time to watch whole story of the period drama. I was not interested in history before, but these days I could change my mind. Now I'm so interested in history especially between end of Edo era and end of World War 2. Then I could enjoy the period drama for this year.

Yesterday, they broadcasted the final episode of Ryomaden. Of course, I watched it on TV. Some people say the breaking news telop that about the election was really annoying, but I think it's all right because there are no choice. They are national public broadcasting organization, and that was their duty, I think.

Anyway, I hope the period drama for next year will be interesting one.

Thank you.

AOZORA photo aid exhibition

2010-11-26T20:15:00.000+09:00

Last Saturday, I visited Yoyogi park (代々木公園) to see AOZORA photo aid exhibition. I didn't know this event until my friend told me in October. AOZORA photo aid exhibition is out of doors photo exhibition that started in 2006. The photo exhibition hold twice in each year, I heard.

They are selling post card and work, the sales of exhibition is donating to several organizations such as Friendensdorf international. I visited 9th AOZORA photo exhibition. There were many photos and I could meet some photographers there.

I could talk a little with organizer of this photo exhibition. Now, I'm planning to join this event next time. If you interested, please visit their web site from http://www.aozora.us

Thank you.

the Tsukuba challenge 2010

2010-11-25T21:27:00.000+09:00

Last Thursday and Friday, I joined the Tsukuba challenge 2010. It's the real world robot challenge. Autonomous robots run in the real world and to access the goal.

Well, I didn't join the event as developer of the robot, but I joined the event as supporter. My friend developed the robot and optimized it to this event.

This year's course was 1.1 km long. The robot must run whole course safely. There are many pedestrians in the course, then the robot must steer not to collide these pedestrians.

On Thursday's challenge, the robot must pass the check point at 240-meters point to join the Friday's challenge. We had 2 challenge to pass the 240-meters point. Our robot could pass the point at the second challenge. That means our robot could join the Friday's challenge.

On Friday, our robot couldn't pass even the 240-meters point that the robot could pass on Thursday. Our robot couldn't run out, but we could enjoy it. There were many robot with humor and great decoration. Also, 7 team could run out finally. I think, they are great!

If you want to apply the challenge next year, the organizer would hold the Tsukuba challenge again I think, so you should check their web site. You can check these information from http://www.ntf.or.jp/challenge/index.html.

Thank you.

Too busy to write

2010-11-24T20:09:00.000+09:00

Last week, I couldn't post any article except last week's Monday. While I couldn't update my blog, I was in a busy week... I went to Tsukuba on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. I will write what did I do in Tsukuba, later. Also, this weekend, I went to AOZORA photo exhibition. Well, I'll write about that later too.

Yesterday, I could take time. Then I changed my blog design. How do you think about that?

Thank you.

Crash

2010-11-15T23:17:00.001+09:00

Last Thursday, my laboratory's laptop PC have crashed. Well, there are some codes that I didn't save to my flash drive. I need to talk about my research today.

So, I needed to rebuild some code and run them. I spent this weekend to rebuild some codes, run them and gather these data. Mostly I could do that until today's meeting, but I think I needed to gather more data.

Anyway, I've got that I should save some data and codes into external storage as many as possible. Because I cannot access to my codes while I wrote in this two weeks. Also, I should choose 'right' PC. 'Right' PC means not cheap one. I seriously think so now.

Thank you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

movie movie movie

2010-11-12T23:50:00.000+09:00

I was waiting that the iTunes movie rental will start in Japan. And finally they started their services in Japan too. I've never rental or purchase the movie on iTunes yet. But I will do that soon, I think.

I felt the price is a little expensive than other rental services (not online) such as TSUTAYA (the most famous rental service in Japan). But I think, I will use that because I can watch it anywhere with my iPhone and my MacBook. Maybe, I should buy Apple TV to watch these movies on TV too. lol

I think, I'm swaying by the promotion of Apple. lol

Thank you.

11th November

2010-11-11T23:51:00.003+09:00

I couldn't send the video on top yesterday. Then I couldn't post well last night. This article is the article for 11th November.

11th November is the day of Pocky and Pretz. Pocky and Pretz are both Glico's snack. They are promoting that 11th November is "day of Pocky and Pretz". Well, my junior fellows started to collect money to buy Pocky and Pretz. According to them, they want to domino topple and need more Pocky and Pretz.

Finally, they collected more than 10,000 JPY (about 121 USD). They bought 50 boxes of Pretz and 75 boxes of Pocky. That's crazy! lol

You can check the domino topple with these boxes on top. Well, it's funny and I took and edited the video with my iPhone 4.

Also, you can check the video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBSF3ZRBZqc.

Thank you.

Cocoa vs hot chocolate.

2010-11-10T23:57:00.001+09:00

I don't know the difference between cocoa and hot chocolate. I think, it have different taste, but some of my friend think it's same.
Please tell me the difference, if you know.

Thank you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Design Festa vol.32

2010-11-09T19:35:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I couldn't write about "Design Festa Vol.32" because I couldn't take much time to organize my photos that I took at Design Festa Vol.32. Now I'm ready to post about the "Design Festa Vol.32". Then I'll write about that.

It was first time to join such an art event and I could learn a lot of things. Also, I could talk with many talented people there. I'm studying in electronics engineering at the college and I've never studied about design or art seriously. And I didn't have any chance to talk or meet with these people until this weekend.

There were many people. Illustrators, photographers, performers, singers, craft potters and so on. I could enjoy to watch these people's works, and talk with these people.

It was first time to join the event, but I felt it's like high-quality giant school festival. Of course, it's not school festival, but there are some college students. Especially, there were some students of art schools. I was so stimulated from these works and now I'm thinking to start something related to these works. Also, if I have chance, I wanna join such events.

Thank you.

Lotte

2010-11-08T23:45:00.002+09:00

I joined "Design Festa vol.32" as I wrote on Friday. I could enjoy this weekend's art event "Design Festa vol.32" and I could take many photos there. Also I was stimulated from new and humorous ideas that I met at Design Festa.

Well, I want to write about this, but I couldn't take much time to organize my photos that I took during the event. So, I'm going to write about another thing. "Japan Series".

I wrote about "Japan series" and you can check about that from my last month's article "Nippon Series(http://masaya-09-11.blogspot.com/2010/10/nippon-series.html)". So, if you want to know about that, please check the article.

This weekend game 6 and game 7 were hold in Nagoya dome. Fortunately, both games were broadcasted by Fuji TV. But I couldn't watch both game because I was on the train. I was checking the game on my iPhone while I was waiting for train and while I was riding on the train.

The result was Chiba Lotte Marines won game 7 and became the champion of this year's Japan Series. Well, I'm happy because I was rooting for Chiba Lotte Marines during Japan series. I hope I can watch exciting games next season too!

Thank you.

Design Festa

2010-11-05T23:08:00.001+09:00

I've got several invitations for photo exhibitions and art events. This weekend, I will join one of these events. Art Event Design Festa. That is the name of the event that I'm going to join this weekend.

The event will be hold in Tokyo Big Sight. And entrance fee is 1,000 JPY (one day pass). If you are in Tokyo and if you have extra time, please visit the event!

More information, please visit Design Festa's official web page from here.

Thank you.

Tokyo Big Six Baseball League

2010-11-04T17:11:00.000+09:00

Yesterday was the final game of Tokyo Big Six Baseball League. (Waseda University vs Keio University) Tokyo Big Six Baseball League is an intercollegiate baseball league features six universities in Tokyo. University of Tokyo (東京大学), Hosei University (法政大学), Rikkyo University (立教大学), Meiji University (明治大学), Keio University (慶応大学) and Waseda University (早稲田大学). Well, I'm not student in such universities...

The final game was Waseda University vs Keio University and that was the first time in 50 years. They are rival and attract the most attention, we call it Sokei-sen (早慶戦). In Waseda University, there is the famous pitcher Yuki Saito (斎藤佑樹) aka the Handkerchief Prince (ハンカチ王子). So, the game attract more attention than just the Sokei-sen(早慶戦). A sell crowd of some 36,000 packed in Tokyo's Jingu Stadium(神宮球場) to watch the game. I felt the game attract more attention than the game of Nippon series that now holding in Chiba.

Well, the Waseda University won the game and became the champion of this season's Tokyo Big Six Baseball League. Anyway, Yuki Saito will play in Nippon Ham Fighters from next season.

Thank you.

Organizing photos

2010-11-02T23:58:00.031+09:00

There are many many printed photos that I took in past several years. Mostly they are photo that I took with my Canon AE-1 old fashioned SLR camera. (of course, it's not digital camera)

When I started to use Nikon's D60 DSLR camera, I became a person who don't print out photos. Because I can check these photos easily with digital devices such as MacBook, iPhone and my camera itself. So, there are not so many printed photos that I took with my DSLR. Then most of printed photos that I have are taken with my SLR camera.

These days, I got some invitations related to art events. (I'll announce one of them on Friday) In such situation, I need to choose photos from my entire photo library. But sometimes, I want to share these printed photos.

There was one big problem that I had.

I didn't organize these printed photos these years... And I felt I need to organize these printed photos. (If I can, I want to digitalize these printed photos, someday)

I believed that I could finish organizing these printed photos soon, but... I started to do that from 21.00, but I'm still working. Well, I need more time to organize all of these photos...

Thank you.

College festival under the storm

2010-11-01T21:08:00.000+09:00

This weekend was my college's festival. I couldn't join the festival on Saturday due to other event, but I heard the festival was halt at noon because of typhoon attack. I went the festival on Sunday. It was raining temporarily, but all of events were hold on schedule, I think.

It was the 42nd college festival, and I heard it was the first time to halt in the history.

Anyway, I could enjoy the festival. The photo on top is the curry that I ate on Sunday. The left one is normal curry and right one is "challenge" curry. The "challenge" curry was extremely hot. I couldn't eat them all... (My friend ate this.) I don't want to try that again... lol

Thank you.

Nippon Series

2010-10-29T23:41:00.001+09:00

The Japan Series (日本シリーズ) is seven game championship of Japanese professional baseball teams. It is the game for winners of both Pacific League and Central League. It's like the World Series of MLB. If the team could win the Japan Series, they can declare that they are number one in Japan (日本一:Nippon ichi).

I like baseball.(both play it and watch it) But these days many famous players go and try in MLB. Then I don't watch Japan's baseball games these days. And many TV stations are now not broadcasting baseball games even the game of Giants (the most famous Japanese professional baseball team based in Tokyo: aka Yomiuri Giants).

This year's champion of the Pacific League is Chiba Lotte Marines(千葉ロッテマリーンズ) and champion of the Central League is Chunichi Dragons(中日ドラゴンズ). And the Japan Series will start from tomorrow, but there is one big problem. There are no nation-wide TV stations that will broadcast some games. 1st game will start on Saturday in Nagoya Dome, but I don't have any way to watch it on-time. Also the 2nd game too. But 3rd and 4th game will be broadcasted by nation-wide TV station. 5th game will not broadcasted by nation-wide TV stations. 6th and 7th game will be broadcasted by nation-wide TV station.

Well, 3 of 7 games will not be broadcasted by nation-wide TV stations and that means I cannot watch these 3 games on-time...

I heard this is the first time, that there are no nation-wide TV stations that will broadcast the Japan Series...

Well, I don't like Chunichi Dragons, then I will root for Chiba Lotte Marines.

Thank you.

Mont Blanc

2010-10-28T23:53:00.000+09:00

So, it's time for PEPSI's new flavor for limited time in Japan. I tried "Baobab", "Azuki", "Shiso", "White coke" and "Ice cucumber" for this series. Now they made new flavor "Mont Blanc" or I should say "Marron".

I post some articles about PEPSI's new flavor for limited time before and you can check those articles from links below.

"What is Baobab" in June 2010 (PEPSI Baobab)

"PEPSI Azuki" in October 2009 (PEPSI Azuki)

"Pepsi's new taste" in June 2009 (PEPSI Shiso)

"White coke" in October 2008 (PEPSI White)

"Ice cucumber" in June 2007 (PEPSI Ice Cucumber)

Wow, I tried many flavors... But I don't want to try them again.... lol

Anyway, about Mont Blanc. Well, it's not look like pen of course, but it's flavor like mont blanc. In fact, the smell of this one is too sweet and too strong for me... The taste is PEPSI coke.

I think, it was better than I expected, but I don't want to drink it again. I prefer usual one. lol

If you have a chance to try it, you should try it!

Thank you.

Winter begins?

2010-10-27T23:39:00.000+09:00

When I came back yesterday, it was really cold. The weather changed so rapidly, Autumn days went away, and now winter came to us!

Yesterday, Japan Meteorological Agency announced that they observed first cold blast in Tokyo. According to them, the first cold blast in October is for the first time in a decade. The highest temperature of today was nearly 15 degrees (Celsius) and tomorrow it will be 11 degrees (Celsius). Wow, I need jacket for winter.

Thank you.

Are they serious?

2010-10-26T19:52:00.000+09:00

(photo from Shimizu corporation)

I didn't know that but I found the article that about crazy project. The article released by Japanese constructor Shimizu corporation in March. Shimizu corporation, Super Collaborative Graduate School(スーパー連携大学院) and Nomura securities started to boost the development of Green float. They are planning to build an environmental island floating on the Equatorial pacific in 2025.

I don't know whether such a futuristic island would be realisable. But if they would realise it, I wanna visit there. (not stay for a long time...)

You can get more information about this project from the link below.

http://www.shimz.co.jp/english/theme/dream/greenfloat.html

Thank you.

Dear Tokyo Sky Tree

2010-10-25T23:17:00.000+09:00

In Tokyo, the new tower building is under construction. "Tokyo Sky Tree" It's located in Sumida, Tokyo. And it will be the world's highest tower building 634m high.

Today, I heard the news that the construction reached the highest point of main tower. I wish I could go there before the construction would be completed, but I couldn't take much time to visit that place yet.

But I accidentally passed around there when I rode the highway with car. I hope I can take photos of Tokyo Sky Tree, not from car soon.

Thank you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Time to change?

2010-10-22T18:03:00.000+09:00

Well, I could successfully re-installed Mac OS X into my MacBook, and I think it's working better than before. But sometimes my MacBook still in trouble when connect to the internet via Wi-Fi network. I think, I should bring my MacBook to Apple Store and ask about this problem. And I don't know why, but some software such as Aperture 2 (photo editing software) crashed at start-up. (I should ask about this at Apple Store too)

In such situation, I've got an e-mail from Apple. That's says new MacBook Air unveiled!! First time I saw the price, I surprised. It's 83,800 JPY for students in Japan! I might buy it when I would give up on my MacBook...

Thank you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Haneda became international airport again

2010-10-21T18:47:00.000+09:00

Today is the opening day of new international terminal in Haneda Airport (aka Tokyo International Airport). Until the opening of Narita International Airport in 1978, Haneda Airport was truly "International Airport" but after that the airport became domestic.

So, I need to go to Narita International Airport to go abroad until today. But I think, Narita is really far away from Tokyo and need much money for train fees. On the other hand, Haneda is near (you can get to Shinagawa in less than 20 minutes by train or monorail) and cheaper fees than Narita.

I welcome renewal open of Haneda Airport! Also I hope these two airport connected with linear motor car. If it could be realised, we can get more comfortable and easy to use airport.

Thank you.

Electronic money on iPhone

2010-10-20T23:50:00.001+09:00

Every time I ride train, I use Suica(a rechargeable contactless smart card that can use in Japan). But because my driver's license card contain IC inside them, I cannot use Suica with my wallet. I need to bring another pass case for my Suica when I ride train. I think, it's totally ridiculous.

There are many mobile phones that contain FeliCa chip(contactless smart card system) in Japan. We call them "おサイフケータイ(The Osaifu-Keitai)". And I was using one of them before I bought iPhone 3G in 2008. At that time, I was using "mobile Suica" (Suica system for mobile phones).

But iPhone don't have such features because it's not only for Japanese market. These days, I found another good answer to solve my problem. That is the photo on top.

Yeah, iPhone's case with pocket! Let's make my own "Osaifu-keitai" with this case! I inserted my Suica card into the pocket and tried to pass the gate.

But I couldn't pass it... Totally, I tried 4 times but I could pass the gate only 2 times. I expected that result before I try it.

iPhone is phone and it's using radio signals. Suica is also using radio signals and these signals interfere each other, but Suica's signal is so weak (I think) then the gate couldn't identify my Suica card. Then I bought prevention seal for interference.

I put the seal on back of my iPhone like photo. And tried again. I forgot how many times I tried, but I could pass the gate every time until today. So, I don't have to bring additional pass case for my Suica card any more! I'm so happy now. :)

FYI, I bought "Case-Mate CM011678 ID Cell Phone for iPhone 4" and flux's "PIT Mobile".

Thank you.

radiko

2010-10-19T23:46:00.000+09:00

I'm one of heavy users of "radiko" since they started their service. "Radiko" is the service of IP simulcast radio that is offering in Japan. They started their trial service in this March and they were planning to end the trial service by the end of August at first. But they announced to extend trial service until the end of November.

Today, I found wonderful news article that about radiko. According to that, they will start their service from next December and it's not trial service. It's wonderful news for me, because I can listen to radio on my iPhone after November!!

Also, I have 3 hopes for them.

First of all, I hope they will ease their limitation of location that they will service.
I think, they set their limitation too tight. Sometimes I cannot connect to radiko well. Now they are offering their service in 2 areas. One of them is Tokyo, and the service for Tokyo is offering in Tokyo, Kanagawa prefecture, Saitama prefecture and Chiba prefecture. Another one is Osaka for Osaka prefecture, Kyoto prefecture, Hyogo prefecture and Nara prefecture. I hope they will expand their service area.

Second, I want to listen more radio stations' broadcast via "Radiko".
Well, to tell the truth, it's not my hope. It's my friend's hope. Mostly I'm listening to "J-WAVE" on radiko, so it's not big problem for me because I can listen to that station. But there are more radio stations. There are 7 radio stations (J-WAVE, TOKYO FM, InterFM, Bunka hoso(Nippon Cultural Broadcasting), TBS radio, Radio Nikkei and Nippon hoso(Nippon Broadcasting) ) that are offering their broadcasts on "radiko". But there are more radio stations and my friend told me to listen one of these radio station on his iPhone. Well, it's not for me, but some people want them to add more radio stations on their service.

Finally, I want them to offer more stable service.

If you are living in such areas, you can listen to some Japanese radios from "http://www.radiko.jp". But service is only available in Japan now...

Thank you.

8,072 days old

2010-10-18T23:59:00.000+09:00

I found interesting web site. According to that site, I'm 8,072 days old. And I'm approximately 193,744 hours old... I can check more about things on this web site. All you need is type your birthday.

I like these kind of useless trivia sites. lol

You can try this site from "http://www.dayofbirth.co.uk/". You should try it, if you like.

Thank you.

Blog Action Day 2010: Water

2010-10-15T23:31:00.001+09:00

While I'm living in Japan, it's tough to think about water I think. We can easily reach safe water. Mostly we can get safe and drinkable water when we turn on a faucet. But some of Japanese don't do that. Some of them buys bottled water (mostly imported one), some of them are using water cleaner.

On the other hand, many people in the world cannot to reach safe water.

I've got an email from Blog Action Day on 8th October. And I could know 5 water facts that we should know. I want to write about that but I changed a little bit because I'm not American (some numbers were written for Americans).

1: Unsafe drinking water and lack of sanitation kills more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.
I just surprised when I heard this, and I could know how important water is.

2: More people have access to a mobile phone than to a toilet.
There are more than 2.5 billion people lack access to toilets!! There are more than 4 billion mobile phone users in the world and 110.4 million Japanese are using mobile phone. Also it's growing so rapidly.

3: Every day, women and children in Africa walk a combined total of 109 million hours to get water.
What will they do if they can save such a long time in every day?

4: It takes 24 litters of water to produce just one hamburger.
Well, we should not eat them...

5: The average Japanese uses 320 litters of water every day - more than twice the average person in the world.
Also, the average Japanese imports 1,460 litters of water every day from the world if we think about "virtual water". (this is because Japan's food self-sufficiency is really low)

What do you think about these facts? I decided to share these facts via my blog on Blog Action Day 2010. Then what will you do?

Reinstall

2010-10-14T21:36:00.000+09:00

Usually, I'm using MacBook that is running Mac OS X 10.5 (leopard). These days, I'm feeling that I need new one. Because it's slow and cannot connect to my wi-fi network well...

If I can, I would like to buy new MacBook or MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. But I'm not in such situation. I don't have much money to buy it because I'm planning to go abroad next Feb. as my short trip.

So, I decided to do everything that I can do for my comfortable Mac life. Well, I'm in a process. About 30 minutes ago, I started to reinstall Mac OS to my MacBook. I need several hours to finish it, I think. And I hope my MacBook will be faster than before.

Thank you.