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.
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