Masaya's days: September 2010

30 September 2010

Tax hike on cigarettes

From 1st October, tax on cigarettes will be increased. Now they are selling a pack of cigarettes at about 300 JPY (about 3.6 USD), but after the tax hike, it will be raised to about 440 JPY (about 5.3 USD). I heard this is the highest tax hike on cigarettes ever.

Because of tax hike on cigarettes, 58% of smokers decided to quit smoking according to the survey. On the other hand, many people are buying more cigarettes to stock at cheaper prices. My friend found the person who bought 10 cartons of cigarettes at cigar shop. So, he spent 30,000 JPY (about 360 USD) for cigarettes!!

Well, I'm not smoker, so this tax hike will not effect to my usual life. Some of my friends are smoker then some of them decided to quit it, but mostly they will not quit it...

I'm not anti-smoking activist, then I'm not going to force to quit it but I think they should quit it for their health.

Thank you.

29 September 2010

new year's mail

Well, it's end of September that means we have 3 months until the end of 2010. And I think, it's too fast to get ready for new year's mail.But I've got the flyer that Japan post started to accept orders for new year's mail.

I think, many Japanese people will send new year's mail (not email), and most of them want Japan post to deliver mails on 1st January. According to the flyer, we should post new year's mails until 25th December if we want Japan post to delivery mails on 1st January.

I heard many young Japanese people tend to send new year's mails via emails. (like me)

These 7 years, I've never posted new year's mail before the beginning of new year. (Of course, I posted them after I've got them from my friends.) But I'm planning to send new year's mails (not emails) to some of my friends. So, I'm going to buy them after 1st November. (I could know that they will start to selling new year's mails from 1st November, because I found the date that they will start to selling it on the flyer! Wow, we have a month more to get it...)

Thank you.

28 September 2010

Waiting for weather recovery

Well, my final semester has started since yesterday, but weather is not good these days. It's raining cats and dogs everyday I think.And it's really cold these days...

I want to ride my bicycle so I hope weather will recover soon.

Thank you.

27 September 2010

My final semester

From today, my final semester begin. I will graduate the college in next March, so it's my final semester in this college. During my summer vacation that I spent as student, I couldn't do anything that supposed to do in summer vacation because of several reasons... But I hope I can do some of these things in this final semester.

Well, I felt it's not perfect weather as the beginning day of new semester. It's raining here... But I will go from today.

Thank you.

24 September 2010

A life without the internet

I think, I'm using too many things that related to the internet. Twitter, Facebook, RSS, MMS, email, flickr, Foresquare, Skype, Evernote, Instapaper, iTunes store, YouTube, mixi, and my blog. Of course, these services that I raised are just example, so there are other services that I'm using, I think.

I think, these services are quite useful if there are the internet connection. But I realised that I'm spending much time with these things. And I believed that I must re-think about them. For instance, I was following 138 users on Twitter (maximum) and I tried to read all of their tweets, but it's waste of time I felt. Then I decided to unfollow some of them. Now I'm following 67 users, and I'm planning to unfollow more.

I used to search or watching some site while I'm writing an article, then I took much time to post an article. In this week, I decided to write an article without the internet. Of course, I'm not connecting to the internet right now. I will connect to the internet after I wrote all of this article and post it. I think, it's better to disconnect to the internet while I'm writing an article because I can concentrate on it more and also I can think about it more. That means I can post article in short time and the article would be better one.

I should shorten the time of using the internet like I wrote. But it's tough to not to use them for a long time. For instance, there are many important emails. Not only that if I want to know about something, the internet is the fastest and most useful tool to know them. (especially about coding)

I felt a life without TV is easy for me, but a life without the internet seems to be difficult. But I should shorten the time of using the internet, I felt.

Thank you

22 September 2010

3D cam

Yesterday, I went to electric goods retail shop. I just wanted to check some camera, especially lens for my DSLR camera. But I found some compact cameras that can take 3D photos and 3D videos.

The photo on top is the catalogue of Finepix real 3D W3. I think, it's the most famous compact camera that can take 3D photos and 3D videos. The camera can take 3D photos/videos because it has 2 lens on right side and left side. It also has 3D capable screen on back.

I could check this camera at the shop, but I felt glassless 3D LCD monitor is not suitable for me. I've got sick a little. I didn't know that but I found Sony's cyber shot can also take 3D photos and 3D videos. Of course, there were no 3D LCD monitor on it.

Well, I don't have 3D capable something such as 3D LCD that means I cannot enjoy these 3D videos without this device. But according to the catalogue, Fujifilm is now offering 3D printing! So now we can share 3D photos. Unfortunately, it's really rare for me to print out photos that I took.

I think, there are really many 3D products in this year. How do you think about that? Do you need it?

Thank you.

21 September 2010

Silver week

In Japan, this week is "Silver week(シルバーウィーク)". It's new series of holidays in end of September. It's new because the "Silver week" has began since last year. In this week, we have 2 national holidays. One of them is "Respect for the aged day(敬老の日)" and another one is "Autumn equinox day(秋分の日)".

Why we call "Silver week", because this week include "Respect for the aged day" and it's like "Golden week".

Well, I should write about "Silver". I couldn't find out any article about "aged person" when I searched "silver" on Oxford English dictionary. We sometimes use the word "silver" as "aged person", for instance, "silver seat" is the seat for aged person. But I think it's totally Japanese-English word.

I heard some reasons why we use the word "silver" as "aged person", I'll write about one of the reason now. The "silver" came from the hair color of aged person.

Thank you.

17 September 2010

Bicycle

About a month ago, I had an accident. I needed to go to hospital for a while and my bicycle needed to repair.

Well, I injured because of that, but it was tiny. Also, my bicycle needed to repair, but according to the bicycle shop mechanic, they can repair it shortly.

But I took a month because I needed to solve some insurance issues. Then now, my bicycle came back!!

I'm just looking forward to going somewhere with this bicycle!!

Thank you.
(Thanks Minji)

16 September 2010

Season change

I woke up early this morning, because it's cold with short-sleeves... I wear my jacket before washing my face this morning. The season changed rapidly. I think, last week was truly summer, but now it's autumn.

The temperature of this morning didn't reach 20 degrees (celsius). The temperature of last week's morning didn't become below 25 degrees (celsius), I think.

Now I need hot coffee, not iced one.

How about in your place?

Thank you.

15 September 2010

Go wireless

These days, I felt that the wire of the earphones is a bother. Especially when I use my Audio Technica's earphones with my iPhone 4.

Well, I cannot connect that earphones to iPhone 4 well, when it's wearing bumper case. And long wire of the earphones is really bother when I touch my iPhone.

So, I was looking for Bluetooth wireless earphones. I wanted to buy the bluetooth wireless earphones that satisfy following my hopes.

1: I can control everything from receiver.

I was thinking to use that device with my iPhone, so I wanted to talk via that device.

2: I can change my earphones easily

I like my Audio Technica's earphones, so I wanted to keep using that earphones.

3: Compact and lightweight

I was planning to use that outside, so I didn't want to bring big and heavy device.

4: Affordable price

Because I'm new to Bluetooth wireless earphones, I just wanted to "try" it. So, I didn't want to spend much money for that.

I was planning to use that device outside, noisy world, so I was not thinking about sound quality seriously. (Also, it's for iPhone.)

I could find some earphones that satisfies these hopes, then I decided to buy Sony's bluetooth wireless earphones. "DRC-BT30"

I think, it's useful, but I felt that I need "hold" button. It's easy to control with switch but it also means it's easy to make error operation when the switch touched with something. So, I need "hold" button on it.

I felt that sound quality and battery life are enough for me. And I'm so happy that I could be free from wire! You should try that, if you've never tried that.

Anyway, I hope the power supply would be able to be wireless soon. Like Nikola Tesla's system.

Thank you.

14 September 2010

Japan couldn't change yet

Today is the day of the election of ruling party leadership. Naoto Kan could won and re-elected as the Prime Minister of Japan. Challenger Ichiro Ozawa earned 491 points in the election, on the other hand Naoto Kan earned 721 points.

I didn't have the voting right for this election, but I was so interested in this election.
Here are some reasons that why I was so interested in.

Reason 1: It was the election that choose Prime Minister of Japan.
  Of course, I'm Japanese so I'm really interested in who will lead Japan's politics.

Reason 2 : There was the difference between opinion poll by TVs/newspapers and opinion poll by Internet.
  It's quite interesting because TVs and newspapers are broadcasting that most of Japanese are thinking that Naoto Kan should stay in his position. But the opinion poll on the internet is most of Japanese are thinking that Ichiro Ozawa should be the next Prime Minister of Japan. I think, this result is because of my reason 3.

Reason 3 : TVs and other mass media were broadcasting about Ichiro Ozawa's scandal too much.
  I felt it's like a negative campaign by some mass media. If they are keep doing their negative campaign against political world, the blank period in politics will never be broken, I think.

Anyway, I hope that they will solve many political and economic problems that they have now.

Thank you.

13 September 2010

Inconvenient

I sometimes buy some songs on iTunes Store. Last week, I searched the album of "the fray" on iTunes Store of Japan. At that time, I couldn't find any information about "the fray" on Japan's iTunes Store.

So, I switched to the U.S. iTunes Store and search it again. I could find their album in the U.S. iTunes Store. I need to register my credit card to buy them, but I don't have it then I decided to buy iTunes Gift card. I could easily find the iTunes Gift card for the U.S. iTunes Store.

But I took some time, and today I finally purchase it!

There are many labels that are not selling in iTunes Store of Japan but mostly they are selling their songs in the U.S. iTunes Store... What an inconvenience!!

I hope we will be able to download these kind of songs that we cannot purchase in Japan iTunes Store yet. Also, I hope we will be able to rent or purchase movie and TV show contents in Japan iTunes Store!!

Thank you.

09 September 2010

One Autumn day during last-summer heat

The typhoon that attacked Japan yesterday, brought us cool weather. Last night was really comfortable to sleep. According to some news sources, the sweltering night (with low temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius or higher) continued 29 straights nights in Tokyo. So, last night was the most comfortable night in 30 days. Of course, it's the new record and also the total number of sweltering nights in Tokyo reached a record high 55.

I felt today is really comfortable, but it got a little hot in evening. Tonight will be comfortable night again, I believe. But these Autumn days will not continue so long. According to the forecast, it'll hot tomorrow and the "extremely hot day" (with high temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius or higher) will back to us on Saturday...

Well, I hope Autumn come to us soon.

Thank you.

08 September 2010

blessed rain but too strong

I think, human beings are tend to be selfish. In Tokyo, there were no rainy day for 26 days.

I wonder why we don't have to worried about water shortage, but I've never heard that it might be water shortage in this season, even the precipitation was extremely low.

Anyway, the typhoon attacked Japan and it's raining here in Tokyo. Of course, it's blessed rain but I think, it's too strong and many people think so too, I believe.

Luckily the temperature went down and it's comfortable now, but I don't wanna go outside until the typhoon goes away.

Thank you.

07 September 2010

New coach

After the FIFA World Cup 2010, I didn't have a chance to watch football games on TV or at the stadium. JFA(Japan Football Association) decided new coach for Japan national team. New coach is Alberto Zaccheroni. I didn't know him much, but I believe he can lead Japan National team to better team.

Thank you

06 September 2010

Powerful meating

On Sunday, I joined my laboratory's alumni event. It's the first time to hold such event in my laboratory, and I could meet and talk with many old boys. Also, I could organize the event with senior person. Or I should say I just helped him.

Anyway, I could talk with these people and I felt there are many powerful people there. They are doing many things, they are so powerful and active. I could get the power from them. And I thought again that I should become more powerful and active person!

Thank you.

04 September 2010

Norwegian wood

Well, I'm a big fun of Haruki Murakami. I've read most of his novels. Especially, I like "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World".
Anyway, his book "Norwegian wood" will become cinema and I found a news that about the cinema. According to that news, the cinema "Norwegian wood" unveiled at Venice Film Festival.
The cinema will be on screen in December in Japan.
I'm really looking forward to watch the cinema! I can't wait it!!
Thank you.

02 September 2010

The hottest Summer ever

It's September but it's still like a midsummer. It's really hot! Because of really strong high-pressure system in the Pacific Ocean, the typhoon cannot attack central part of Japan.

Yesterday, Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the average temperature in this summer (June to August) marked highest in 61 of 154 observing points. They started their observation in 1898. So, the average temperature of this summer is the highest in at least 112 years. Wow, can you believe that?

Anyway, this summer's average temperature is 1.64 degrees higher than average summer's one. In Kanto area, it was 1.9 degrees higher than average year. I understood why I felt it's really hot this summer is! I hope cool fall will come to us very very soon.

Thank you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

01 September 2010

Will the Japanese PM change again?

Since last summer, the Democratic Party of Japan is the ruling political party here in Japan. That means the leader of the Democratic Party of Japan is the Prime Minister of Japan. So, Naoto Kan is the Prime Minister of Japan now.

Naoto Kan have been at his position since this June. He is at his position for almost 3 months. Today the Democratic Party of Japan started to accept the candidacy for the party leadership that will hold on 14th September. Of course, the Prime Minister Naoto Kan declared his candidacy, but Ichiro Ozawa the former secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, also declared his candidacy. He resigned secretary general over a fund scandal in this June. But he came back and now he declared his candidacy for President of the Democratic Party of Japan.

Ichiro Ozawa has strong leadership and influence in the Democratic Party of Japan, but most of Japanese don't want him to become the Prime Minister of Japan. According to some opinion poll, most of Japanese people don't want Ichiro Ozawa to become the Prime Minister of Japan. And I agree with this opinion. Also, I think, it's really crazy if the Prime Minister of Japan will change again. I don't want to see the third Prime Minister of Japan in 2010.

Anyway, I don't have voting right for that... About 350,000 people have the voting right. The breakout of 350,000 are 412 of member of the diet (belonging to DPJ), 2382 of local authority representative (belonging to DPJ) and about 340,000 of DPJ supporters. But the election will hold in point system, so members of the diet have the largest part of the election.

Thank you.

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