@ ur in harajuku
Originally uploaded by renfield.
chie has dessert
chie has dessert
Originally uploaded by renfield.
After zazen I got home just in time to help mama make a mountain of potato pancakes and cook a spiral ham. Chie came by and started cooking up a storm, too so again Newman ate well. Mama wasn't feeling great either and neither was P (this stomach virus is going around!) and Newman was sniffling all night, but we still ate well!
rei & tonchan
rei & tonchan
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Went to Suji's for brunch and dragged Rei and Newman along. I left early to get to zazen and P took Tonchan home early because she was grumping (still a bit sick) but mama and Newman and Rei hung out and had some eats.
the police @ tokyo dome
the police @ tokyo dome
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Just got back from Tokyo Dome. I love seeing concerts in Japan. Tickets say the show starts at 7:30, the show starts at 7:30. Encore, second encore, bow, 9:30 -- lights come up. Then they announce section by section and everyone leaves in an orderly fashion.
Oh yeah and The Police ABSOLUTELY. ROCKED. God damn that was a fine concert. And double oh yeah, we were arena floor, center, 7th row.
Also, we had The World's Most Awesome Babysitter. We left and Tonchan was crying for mom. We come home and Tonchan's asleep on the sofa, babysitter watching TV. I ask: "How was she?" Her reply: "After the bath she fell asleep, about 7:30."
Huh?! No fits of screaming? No tantrums and clothing tossing and crawling away and pillow kicking? She just FELL ASLEEP?! I need this woman to come babysit some night when I'm here so that I can see what she's doing and take notes!
fever
Tonchan had a gnarly fever yesterday; coughing, sniffling, body fluids coming out from all over the place. She was not very happy. P stayed home with her and mostly slept.
This morning the ladies woke up and were in much better spirits. Fever is basically gone, Tonchan ate some breakfast and was her generally bubbly, giggly, goofy self.
She's not 100% but she's much, much better.
This morning the ladies woke up and were in much better spirits. Fever is basically gone, Tonchan ate some breakfast and was her generally bubbly, giggly, goofy self.
She's not 100% but she's much, much better.
sayonara spike
Our little boy is all grown up! Seems just yesterday he was a new graddie with too much hair gel. Now his girl is almost 3 and he's off to Hong Kong. I was supposed to be in HK today but at the last minute my trip got cancelled so we headed out to Odaiba to say farewell. Amy and Maya and various others from the old gang were there so Tonchan had some fun with the older kids. I love taking the Yurikamome monorail at night across Rainbow Bridge; very slick view of the Tokyo skyline!
clap clap
R1010520.JPG
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Mama came back from Shanghai (best comment: "Chinese new year is...loud. All they do is light firecrackers 'til 3am!") and needed some eats. P and Tonchan and I were out in Shinjuku (Takashima Times Square) the day before checking out all the fools lined up for 3 hours in the cold rain for Krispy Kremes.
I ended up ordering a suit; nice Italian wool and it will be hand sewn by some old Japanese dude, so we'll see what happens.
Today we took a long walk and ended up at Mitsukoshi in Yebisu Garden Place. Finally (FINALLY!) found some decent shoes at Ecco; plain black seamless round-toes, nothing funky or pointy or capped or stitched. Just plain. black. shoes. Then we bought some munchies in the basement and headed home.
abe lunch
abe lunch
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Wow, this is a seriously excellent lunch for only ¥1365 -- and it's a One Star Michelin restaurant!
Japanese hi tek anti-leak
Japanese hi tek anti-leak
Originally uploaded by renfield.
The top of a plastic drink bottle taped to the ceiling and attached to hose. The labeled safety cone is a nice touch to ensure no one trips over the bucket.
measuring the train stop
measuring the train stop
Originally uploaded by renfield.
A mm ruler on the platform is used to verify how accurately the train is stopped in reference to the designated stopping mark. Every time the train stops the distance +/- the mark is checked and recorded by a man with a clipboard. Now that is what you call quality control!
smash hits
smash hits
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Everyone knows I only drink once a year, right around this time (bonus time.) This year I have made an exception; I will drink twice this year. I suspect it will the last time I make such an exception because I seriously doubt I will get promoted again for a long, long time.
The best part about the day wasn't the debauchery and beers at Ginza Lion, nor the atrocious singing and vodka fizzies (or whatever they're called) at Smash Hits. It wasn't even the unending stream of problems I am called upon to solve, nor the depth and breadth of interesting work I am challenged with on a daily basis. It wasn't the hand shakes and back-pats and "well done"s, nor even the minor torture at the hands of my bosses who basically had me convinced I did not get promoted until the end of the chat whereby I was informed that, due to a gross oversight on the part of senior management, I managed to slip in under the radar.
No actually, the best part is the fact that I have the privilege to work for and with the absolute best goddamn Credit team on the street, bar none, hands down, full stop. And all the capable and impressive folks on my team appreciate me and my wee attempts at being useful enough to want to see me promoted. The fact that I can command even the slightest respectful acknowledgment from these fine professionals is the real gift. Oh, and the chance to sing Sweet Home Alabama with a bunch of Brits. That's pretty keen, too.
And now I'm off to bed. I have an early Compliance meeting in which I am sure to be totally useless, assuming I even make it at all!
Added more photos.
under cover @ akiba
under cover @ akiba
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Piles of slush and driving snow could not deter us from the requisite pilgrimage to Akiba! A little Chinese food recharge and we were as good as new, though perhaps a bit moistened.
sankoen
Mama's back from Kyoto, etc. Had a great time.
Jenn and Pete in from the states, having a great time.
Spent the morning shopping @ National Azabu and then I took off for Zazen.
When I came back I helped Mama make some meatballs and bake a poppyseed cake, and then there was only one thing left to do: yakiniku for dinner!
Ah, meatfest II.
Jenn and Pete in from the states, having a great time.
Spent the morning shopping @ National Azabu and then I took off for Zazen.
When I came back I helped Mama make some meatballs and bake a poppyseed cake, and then there was only one thing left to do: yakiniku for dinner!
Ah, meatfest II.
outback
So your basic mad, mad Friday. On the one hand I certainly appreciate that I've finally convinced everyone at work that
But I digress. Managed to tear myself out of the office and met Todd for dinner and bonus-time chit chat. We checked out the German Sausage bar but it was packed with work people; no room to sit and even if we could, no room to gossip.
We also couldn't get into Gyukaku so we headed over to Outback for a proper meatfest. Themes of discussion: money. promotions. this industry kills people.
The usual stuff.
- I know what I'm doing and,
- I can help.
But I digress. Managed to tear myself out of the office and met Todd for dinner and bonus-time chit chat. We checked out the German Sausage bar but it was packed with work people; no room to sit and even if we could, no room to gossip.
We also couldn't get into Gyukaku so we headed over to Outback for a proper meatfest. Themes of discussion: money. promotions. this industry kills people.
The usual stuff.
winning numbers
Attention everyone who got a new year's card from me. You didn't already trash it did you? On the bottom right there is a six-digit number.
Check that number against this list. Numbers must match in order, from right to left.
So for example if the last two digits are 37 or 64, you win some stamps!
Any winners? Send the card back to me if it's something good we can split it.
Prizes this year include:
Check that number against this list. Numbers must match in order, from right to left.
So for example if the last two digits are 37 or 64, you win some stamps!
Any winners? Send the card back to me if it's something good we can split it.
Prizes this year include:
- 37" Aquos HD flat panel TV
- Mac Book Classic + iPod
- Japan Post Special Edition DS-lite
- Some stamps
- A Bike-to-work set (?)
- Cans of Soup from Imperial Hotel
naho shabu!
naho shabu!
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Naho is off to Singapore so we celebrated with...paper-thin sliced meats!
sankaiki
Got up early and took the expressway bus up to Ibaraki for grandpa's sankaiki (3rd funeral anniversary.)
We went to the Buddhist temple down the street in the village next to the cemetery, burned some incense and listened to some chanting by the elementary school teach - slash - priest, then did some more of the same at the gravestones in the cemetery.
Headed back to the house to rest and watch some Osaka Marathon on TV, then went out for lunch.
Tonchan ate a whole crab-shell gratin and had great fun stumbling all over the place, and Masa was downed by the stomach flu that's going around.
We headed home, Tonchan took a little nursing and napping break, and then about 3 we headed out to get the train home.
Finally got back to the apartment about 6; quick dinner and a bath and the ladies went to bed.
Long, long day!
We went to the Buddhist temple down the street in the village next to the cemetery, burned some incense and listened to some chanting by the elementary school teach - slash - priest, then did some more of the same at the gravestones in the cemetery.
Headed back to the house to rest and watch some Osaka Marathon on TV, then went out for lunch.
Tonchan ate a whole crab-shell gratin and had great fun stumbling all over the place, and Masa was downed by the stomach flu that's going around.
We headed home, Tonchan took a little nursing and napping break, and then about 3 we headed out to get the train home.
Finally got back to the apartment about 6; quick dinner and a bath and the ladies went to bed.
Long, long day!
70.1!
Is my weight in kilos. That's 11.04 stone for you Brits, and 154.5 pounds for the remaining unmetric heathens.
I think the last time I had this weight I was in high school.
So there is an upside to not eating for a couple of days because of a lovely stomach ailment.
I think the last time I had this weight I was in high school.
So there is an upside to not eating for a couple of days because of a lovely stomach ailment.
snow
snow
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Woke up this morning feeling like ass; joints hurt, stomach grumbling, head throbbing. Ah, the joys of the winter norovirus. I guess what Hiroko had last week has come full circle back to me (again.)
At least it was really cold and snowing this morning, making the walk to work a treacherous adventure is slipping and sliding.
@ midtown starbucks
@ midtown starbucks
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Met Newman and Roland at Suji's for some monster brunch and then headed up to Midtown to chill. Checked out the cool Muji and the Ritz-Carlton 45th floor lobby before rolling him. A proper lazy Sunday.
hi jen!
R1010320.JPG
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Jen's in town for a few days, hanging with the ladies and taking care of bidness.
farewell chahan
Chahan ended his 6-month run in Tokyo and is back home to London after a brief stopover in South America for some much needed beach time.
We started the evening with proper pub munchies at Finn McCools, and then ended up walking over to Nishi Azabu for Kenbokeh because Video-D and the Knitter needed some right proper curry action.
Got home about 1ish; a smallish night out.
We started the evening with proper pub munchies at Finn McCools, and then ended up walking over to Nishi Azabu for Kenbokeh because Video-D and the Knitter needed some right proper curry action.
Got home about 1ish; a smallish night out.
punching = sore legs
Not sure if this means I'm doing it right or wrong, but after an hour of 3 minute rounds consisting entirely of punch and recover combos against a heavy bag and pads...my left thigh is really, really sore...?
sick P
There is some gnarly stomach norovirus going around that seems to be The Sickness this winter. I had it a month ago (lost 4 kilos and still keeping it off!), Tonchan had a bit of a tummy ache last week and now P got slammed. She stayed home from work so I took Tonchan to school in the morning and then after lunch picked her up and took her home, then came home from work as quickly as I could to take of Ton with P in bed sick.
When I dropped of Ton in the morning she cried when the teacher took her out of my arms...and when I picked her up to go home in the afternoon she cried when I took her out of the teacher's arms! Make up your mind, kid!
Tonchan @ school
(In case you're wondering Tonchan is the Asian-looking kid on the right, not the blonde dude with monkey.)
When I dropped of Ton in the morning she cried when the teacher took her out of my arms...and when I picked her up to go home in the afternoon she cried when I took her out of the teacher's arms! Make up your mind, kid!
Tonchan @ school
(In case you're wondering Tonchan is the Asian-looking kid on the right, not the blonde dude with monkey.)
iai weekend
Three day weekend (Coming of Age Day on Monday) so did bunches of iai.
On Sunday we had the official First Practice of the Year. Upwards of 200 members showed up and Gosoke had me run the advanced group. We cranked through a few kata in excruciating detail, comparing how certain bits and bobs are the same no matter what direction you move nor what kata you do.
After practice we trundled down the street in the freezing wind and took over the back half of a local izakaya for several hours. We commandeered a bunch of tables and ate and drank for a while, getting progressively more silly.
The next day started early; got to Honbu before 9am, grabbed my gear, and walked down the street to help load the van for the cutting session. We drove down the street to the gym and unloaded, got set up and started about 10am. Most folks cut okay (only doing half targets though) and I did a couple decent cuts on full targets. Still way rusty -- need to get training more!
In the afternoon we headed back to Honbu for Kagamibiraki; the opening of the mochi. Basically an excuse to eat lots of rice paste and other stuff, drink a bunch, and be generally silly again.
P and Tonchan came by and of course got all the attention, leaving P a chance to eat for a couple hours.
On Sunday we had the official First Practice of the Year. Upwards of 200 members showed up and Gosoke had me run the advanced group. We cranked through a few kata in excruciating detail, comparing how certain bits and bobs are the same no matter what direction you move nor what kata you do.
After practice we trundled down the street in the freezing wind and took over the back half of a local izakaya for several hours. We commandeered a bunch of tables and ate and drank for a while, getting progressively more silly.
The next day started early; got to Honbu before 9am, grabbed my gear, and walked down the street to help load the van for the cutting session. We drove down the street to the gym and unloaded, got set up and started about 10am. Most folks cut okay (only doing half targets though) and I did a couple decent cuts on full targets. Still way rusty -- need to get training more!
In the afternoon we headed back to Honbu for Kagamibiraki; the opening of the mochi. Basically an excuse to eat lots of rice paste and other stuff, drink a bunch, and be generally silly again.
P and Tonchan came by and of course got all the attention, leaving P a chance to eat for a couple hours.
fighting (un)fitness
Finally got my lazy butt to the dojo for the first time in forever. Taking advantage of the fact that I had some nasty stomach virus a couple weeks ago and lost a ton of weight (down to less than 73 kilos!) I figured it would be easier for my outta shape body.
Oh, the glorious pain. Inoue-sensei was glad to see me and worked me through several 3 minute rounds on the heavy bag, for a solid hour, with one 2 minute water break. Now, the day after, I can barely lift my arms, my ass is sore, I have a blister on the ball of my left foot, and I weighed exactly 72.0 kilos this morning.
So to celebrate I had a HUGE shabu shabu lunch, with a second helping of rice and extra pork to go with the double-plate of beef.
I think this is the new schedule: Tues and Thur skip outta work just after the lunch rush and hit the 1-2pm DAGEKI class. If I also manage to get to Honbu Dojo on Wed nights to teach sword, I might actually get into some reasonable shape by the end of the year.
Oh, the glorious pain. Inoue-sensei was glad to see me and worked me through several 3 minute rounds on the heavy bag, for a solid hour, with one 2 minute water break. Now, the day after, I can barely lift my arms, my ass is sore, I have a blister on the ball of my left foot, and I weighed exactly 72.0 kilos this morning.
So to celebrate I had a HUGE shabu shabu lunch, with a second helping of rice and extra pork to go with the double-plate of beef.
I think this is the new schedule: Tues and Thur skip outta work just after the lunch rush and hit the 1-2pm DAGEKI class. If I also manage to get to Honbu Dojo on Wed nights to teach sword, I might actually get into some reasonable shape by the end of the year.
fire alarm!
fire alarm!
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Came out of the bath, put on my PJs, and heard the most horrendous racket. The fire alarm was sounding! Got P and Tonchan to get dressed and get outside whilst I ran the stairs checking the floors for smoke. Didn't see anything but called the fire department just in case after I called the maintenance company.
Outside we met our new upstairs neighbors who just moved in, literally. This mini firetruck arrived and about 10 firemen checked the building, then the security company dude arrived and turned off the alarm. As suspected it was a false alarm, possibly caused by the new neighbors turning on the heater for the first time in a while, though that seems pretty suspect.
Anyway it's an old building and good to know the fire alarm works!
ebt gang
The Stedt in town with family and the Spike posse leaving for HK soon, so we rallied the old EBT team for pizza and parenting.
librarian to the stars
Most awesomest guy you'll ever mean, and a veritable cornucopia of knowledge. The man, the myth, the legend: David Smith.
these boots are made for walkin'
R1010135.JPG
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Did some shopping in Shibuya and had lunch at Seibu. Ton loves riding the escalator and attempting to walk the stairs.
Algorithm March - Sony robot
What to do with the coolest, most advanced small robot in the world: put it on a kid's show doing the Alogrithm March dance.
old and new friends
R1010123
Originally uploaded by renfield.
The Man from LA came for a visit; haven't seen him in forever! Got some burgers at Midtown and then goofed of with Tonchan.
resolutions
And now it's time for the traditional new year's resolutions. In no particular order, and with little hope of making it to March let alone all year:
- Clean up my god damn English. Use more creative turns-o'-phrase and exercise the thesaurus to reduce swearing.
Hedge: reduce swearing, in the finance industry? - <70 kilos. Eat right, eat less, exercise more. Walk 10,000 steps a day (walk home from work, take the stairs if it's less than 4 floors away), get my lazy butt back into the dojo 3 times a week.
Hedge: latest health check said my ideal weight is 65 k. Yeah, if I was some skinny little Japanese dude. Alternatively, I could cut off a leg. - Sit every day.
Hedge: Nishijima-roshi says to sit twice a day. Does sitting and watching TV count?
happy new year!
2007-nengajyo5
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Slept in like the lazy bum I am, ate the traditional left overs breakfast (spaghetti and brussels sprouts this year), and headed out to Hikawa Jinja for the traditional first-shrine-visit of the year.
Then wandered up to Roppongi Hills, lost a glove, went back and found it, checked out some mediocre taiko drumming, and came home to play with my newly arrived digital camera.
end-of-year house cleaning
I took all the stuff I don't need/use and sold it at Sofmap in Akiba. Wasn't too crowded but still it took a couple of hours so I did some wandering and hit the Tully's to do some reading and drink a soy cocoa. When all was said and done I got nearly 50,000 points, so I headed off to the main Sofmap to pick out a new digital camera.
Both Daboo and Royborg rave about the Ricoh GR 2, and it has the one dorky feature I want: manually adjustable f-stop so I can do cool depth-of-field photos.
Of course Sofmap was all sold out of the GR 2 so I'll have to order it online.
Oh yeah, now would be a good time to actually learn what the hell f-stop means...
Both Daboo and Royborg rave about the Ricoh GR 2, and it has the one dorky feature I want: manually adjustable f-stop so I can do cool depth-of-field photos.
Of course Sofmap was all sold out of the GR 2 so I'll have to order it online.
Oh yeah, now would be a good time to actually learn what the hell f-stop means...
security theater
Patrick Smith does a perfect job summarizing the utter futility and stupidity of the TSA. I for one am ready and willing to join the revolution. In fact, I already have, with my wallet: given the choice I simply do not fly anywhere near the USA, though sadly the TSA's influence on security policy is nearly universal, and I still end up flying to the states on business anyway.
*sigh* Some day the world's leaders will be rational, reasonable people who make intelligent choices based on facts, wisdom, and keen insight. Until then, be a good citizen; stay scared and shut up.
*sigh* Some day the world's leaders will be rational, reasonable people who make intelligent choices based on facts, wisdom, and keen insight. Until then, be a good citizen; stay scared and shut up.
3 generations @ aoyagi
3 generations @ aoyanagi
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Went to the Gyokufukai bonenkai in Takadanobaba and then took the JR line back to Harajuku and walked through Aoyama and Nishi Azabu. Down by Nishi Azabu crossing there is a traditional Japanese sweets place called Aoyagi, run by the Aoyagi family.
End of year is a busy time, with everyone ordering mochi so three generations were hard at work: grandpa was pounding rice into mochi with a machine straight out of the 1920's whilst his son and grandsons (the smallest in 3rd grade) formed the mochi into traditional year-end goodies, and grandma and mom minded the shop. I went in and bought some senbei and cookies, taking grandma's suggestion of course.
making mochi sweets
Originally uploaded by renfield.
@ mitsukoshi
@ mitsukoshi
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Did some wandering about Ginza and Shinbashi before we met Tai-kun and his parents for all-you-can-eat Italian at the restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental lobby.
Crowded! Everyone's shopping on Christmas Eve (or maybe celebrating the Emporer's birthday?)
xmas party
Went to the Yoshidas for their annual Christmas Party. Much good food and many fun times. Roy convinced me I need to upgrade my digital camera to a Ricoh, too.
cards!
cards!
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Adding to her repertoire of skills that includes opening and closing cabinets and drawers, unscrewing the tops off of jars, opening bottles of soap, shampoo, and lotion, pulling anything off of the shelves, table, desk, chair, couch, yanking magnets off of the fridge, and pulling wallets, blackberries, and anything else out of your bag, Tonchan is also now perfectly capable of taking every single card out of your wallet, purse, and/or organizer and spreading them all about the floor to her own great amusement.
And she can't even walk on her own yet.
stomach trouble
Felt pretty bad Sunday night, thinking it was the cake and all the stuff I ate on Sunday. Took Monday off and didn't eat. Figured I'd be ok so went to work this morning, felt alright and had lunch. Big mistake. Came home early to curl up into a fetal position and moan in pain. Thinking now I got some of that stomach flu going around. Fun...
dad's red polkadot boxers
dad's red polkadot boxers
Originally uploaded by renfield.
disclaimer: she put them on all by herself
bonenkai
Despite the financial regulators' best imitation of The Grinch, the end of year parties proceeded full force. Good eats at the ANA Hotel, and a back room full of PINBALL! Hadn't played The Addams Family since college, and man it was fun to fire up the old flipper skills.
After that we headed to Muse and proceeded to blow through the max room occupancy. I spent too much time keeping idiots from RBS and GS out of our party (hint: when I say "for your own safety I'm not letting you in" means that if you come in here waving your GS bracelet around you will get the living snot beaten out of you. What part of "DB" don't you get?)
Upstairs was quite lively as well given the Girls Bar night event, and by 1:30 we had managed to get next door for some much needed ramen and gyoza.
Finally made it to bed about 4am and was in work by 8:10 this morning. Just a wee bit sleepy.
After that we headed to Muse and proceeded to blow through the max room occupancy. I spent too much time keeping idiots from RBS and GS out of our party (hint: when I say "for your own safety I'm not letting you in" means that if you come in here waving your GS bracelet around you will get the living snot beaten out of you. What part of "DB" don't you get?)
Upstairs was quite lively as well given the Girls Bar night event, and by 1:30 we had managed to get next door for some much needed ramen and gyoza.
Finally made it to bed about 4am and was in work by 8:10 this morning. Just a wee bit sleepy.
gyukaku
Why, oh why do I call Newman and proceed to eat far, far too much bbq meat?
Perhaps because it's so. damn. good.
Well at least the walk home took off a good 10-20 calories.
Perhaps because it's so. damn. good.
Well at least the walk home took off a good 10-20 calories.
birthday (cup)cake
IMG_0211.JPG
Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda.
Miri made a bunch of awesome carrot cake (with cream cheese frosting) cupcakes for Tonchan's birthday. I managed to sneak out of work early enough to have dinner and then celebratory cake with the Tonchabeast.
P put up a bunch more photos, too.
happy birthday tonchan!
The mighty Tonchabeast has been stalking the earth for a whole year now!
Bro says happy b-day, too.
Bro says happy b-day, too.
urahara art gallery
urahara art gallery
Originally uploaded by renfield.
P was getting her hair cut so I took Tonchan for a walkabout in the back streets of Harajuku. Passed this cool apartment building turned into some kind of art students' gallery or something. Fit right in with all the hip and trendiness of the back streets.
We also randomly found BathingApe for Kids and had to spend way too much money on a supercool hoody for Tonchan for her birthday.
taco derio
taco derio
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Nathans is no more! Went to get hotdogs for lunch but it's now a Taco Derio.
fat bastard
OK, got my health check results. Now once again, I admit and take full responsibility for the fact that I have been busting my butt at work and spending as much time as I can outside of that with Tonchan, and therefore I have not been in the dojo anywhere near as much as I should. So I am indeed a fat bastard.
But this health check in Japan is killing me, seriously.
I weigh 75 kilos. That 165 pounds for you Americans still in the 18th century. Yes, that is too much, and yes too much of that is the squishy pillow of insulation pushing against my waistband. However according to my handy health check results, my optimal weight is 62.5 kilos. That's 138 pounds. I think the last time I weighed 138 was in elementary school.
Weight=C
Also, my blood pressure was 138/69, which is technically under 139/89 so blood pressure=A
Huh? I am borderline hypertension and I get an A, but I'm 13 kilos -- 29 pounds! -- overweight so that's a C? And what's more, EVERYTHING else is all A's, but that damn C pulls my overall score down to C.
That totally sucks.
Then again, I am a fat bastard. So, perfect timing for 2008 New Year's resolution:
If I lose half kilo a month, by this time next year I will be a lean, mean 69 kilos. I think the last time I was under 70 was the summer after I graduated, before I came to Japan, when I was working construction and subsisting on one burrito a day.
So there it is: lose one half a kilo -- just over one pound -- a month for one year.
Oh and lastly, what the hell does blood type Rh mean?
But this health check in Japan is killing me, seriously.
I weigh 75 kilos. That 165 pounds for you Americans still in the 18th century. Yes, that is too much, and yes too much of that is the squishy pillow of insulation pushing against my waistband. However according to my handy health check results, my optimal weight is 62.5 kilos. That's 138 pounds. I think the last time I weighed 138 was in elementary school.
Weight=C
Also, my blood pressure was 138/69, which is technically under 139/89 so blood pressure=A
Huh? I am borderline hypertension and I get an A, but I'm 13 kilos -- 29 pounds! -- overweight so that's a C? And what's more, EVERYTHING else is all A's, but that damn C pulls my overall score down to C.
That totally sucks.
Then again, I am a fat bastard. So, perfect timing for 2008 New Year's resolution:
If I lose half kilo a month, by this time next year I will be a lean, mean 69 kilos. I think the last time I was under 70 was the summer after I graduated, before I came to Japan, when I was working construction and subsisting on one burrito a day.
So there it is: lose one half a kilo -- just over one pound -- a month for one year.
Oh and lastly, what the hell does blood type Rh mean?
superbad
Finally watched Superbad and it was super good. I'm thinking what Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Breakfast Club were to the 80's, Superbad is to the 00's.
I'm also thinking how I always wanted a wicked set of walkie-talkies when I was a kid, and now every high school kid has a cellphone. How great is that? Techonology IS progress.
I'm also thinking how I always wanted a wicked set of walkie-talkies when I was a kid, and now every high school kid has a cellphone. How great is that? Techonology IS progress.
BBG: Singapore Hedge Fund Mecca Lures Japanese Dismayed by Regulator
The title says it all. A Bloomberg article explains why hedge funds don't set up shop in the world's second-largest economy. In two words: taxes, regulation.
Let's quote:
Let's quote:
"Japanese taxes were four times more and Singapore had a quicker approval process"
"just two weeks to get a license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore to operate as an investment manager and...started in two months"
vs.
"waited for six months to get approval from Japan's Financial Services Agency to manage its own funds"
currying favorite
Had one of those rare double-curry days. Went for the veggie curry with nan for lunch, and then tonight after work we all headed to Kenbokke for a celebratory dinner. Prawns brilliant as always, and of course the sag chicken is loverly, too. The place is so small and the waiter was off so I bussed tables in order to keep the chef busy in the kitchen and keep the food coming.
long time no cut
Finally made it to cutting practice, first time in forever. Haven't been to the dojo in over 2 months, thanks to our friends at the Ministry of Finance. Today I took my new sword for a test drive; no complaints. I was kinda rusty but the sword cut like a pro. Good profile, decent weight, ok balance (a bit tip heavy but doable.)
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