oops
You'll notice some broken links on the right, specifically anything that was hosted at twics. I've had my twics account since I first came to Japan 10 years ago, and they've been through several buyouts, until finally being subsumed into the monolith that is inter.net. I assumed all my web stuff would be moved over automatically, but obviously that's not the case...where o' where have my web files gone...?
minor problems
Some blogger problems recently, sorry about that folks.
And yes, it is a fine and sunny day, and here sit I in the office. Joy.
And yes, it is a fine and sunny day, and here sit I in the office. Joy.
pop goes the shoulder
For some reason everyone showed up to practice: Naganuma-sensei, Yasuda-san, Sano-sensei, Orita-san, even Niina-gosoke!
Gosoke changed clothes, pulled out his sword, and practiced by himself for a while as Naganuma-sensei drilled us through some kata and got my brain all twisted trying to figure out how to make my cuts faster and yet not try too hard.
When the 2 hour practice was over and everyone was packing up to leave, Gosoke bellowed "Ren, NOW practice starts!" and with a smile sat down in a chair in the middle of the room. For another hour he had me and Orita-san and Hoshina-san do shin, the first form. "Stop cutting what's in front of you; cut bigger, cut farther, reach, extend! Ren, you've been cutting what's right before your eyes too much ! Cut through the wall on the other side of the room!"
Now my shoulder is killing me, but at least I'm more confused!
Gosoke changed clothes, pulled out his sword, and practiced by himself for a while as Naganuma-sensei drilled us through some kata and got my brain all twisted trying to figure out how to make my cuts faster and yet not try too hard.
When the 2 hour practice was over and everyone was packing up to leave, Gosoke bellowed "Ren, NOW practice starts!" and with a smile sat down in a chair in the middle of the room. For another hour he had me and Orita-san and Hoshina-san do shin, the first form. "Stop cutting what's in front of you; cut bigger, cut farther, reach, extend! Ren, you've been cutting what's right before your eyes too much ! Cut through the wall on the other side of the room!"
Now my shoulder is killing me, but at least I'm more confused!
Butokusai
We drove a few minutes to the Kyubutokuden (Traditional Martial Arts Hall)
on the west side of Heian Jingu and got set up. After various opening speeches and some other demos, we were up. The whole thing was over pretty quickly; I cut jinrai, Tanaka-sensei did jinrai and yu, and Naganuma-sensei did a couple of double roll cuts and ended with shofu.
In the afternoon the driving group left, I and Ohtsuka-san and Kiyokawa-kun had lunch with Kiyokawa's parents, and then the three of us got back on the bullet train and were in Tokyo by 5:30.
on the west side of Heian Jingu and got set up. After various opening speeches and some other demos, we were up. The whole thing was over pretty quickly; I cut jinrai, Tanaka-sensei did jinrai and yu, and Naganuma-sensei did a couple of double roll cuts and ended with shofu.
In the afternoon the driving group left, I and Ohtsuka-san and Kiyokawa-kun had lunch with Kiyokawa's parents, and then the three of us got back on the bullet train and were in Tokyo by 5:30.
kyoto
The Nozomi 700 series Super Express Bullet Train: Tokyo to Kyoto in 2.5 hours. Smooth, quite ride. Reclining seats. Cup holder.
Got to Kyoto about 3 in the afternoon, checked into the hotel, and immediately got lost in Kyoto. Finally found my way back to the hotel and hooked up with everyone who had driven in. We had dinner at some place along the river, then back to the hotel and to bed early.
Got to Kyoto about 3 in the afternoon, checked into the hotel, and immediately got lost in Kyoto. Finally found my way back to the hotel and hooked up with everyone who had driven in. We had dinner at some place along the river, then back to the hotel and to bed early.
the miracle of modern japanese banks
Or: Why Not To Use Checks In Japan
So I got sent a 15,000 yen check from the Bank of Bali, written against the Japanes Bank UFJ.
First, I take it to the Citibank in Hiroo. Where, besides being condescended to, I am told it will cost 1500 yen, TEN PERCENT of the face value of the check, to deposit it. Their attitude sucks and they pissed me off, so I walk across the hall to Shinsei Bank, and am treated with respect and courtesy, but unfortunately they are unable to process a yen check. Dollar check, no problem, but not a yen check.
I wander aimlessly looking for a UFJ, and for the fun of it pop into the various banks I pass, seeing what the reaction is to a Japanese yen check from Indonesia. I am quite certain that one teller had absolutely no idea why I assumed she should give me actual yen money for the piece of paper I brandished. I might as well have shown her crayon doodles.
Finally found myself by Ebisu station in front of a big UFJ branch office. After taking a number (51, the board showed 40) and waiting twenty minutes, I was told I'd have to go upstairs to the foreign currency counter. It's a YEN check, I said. Much bowing and apologizing and sucking-of-air-through-the-teeth and checking with The Boss, and once again I was told to take it upstairs to the foreign currency desk.
So I went upstairs and handed the check to a woman who reacted as if I just handed her a piece of rotten meat. She immediately took it to The Other Boss, who made some phone calls, mumbled alot, and finally came towards me with much bowing and apologizing and sucking-of-air-through-the-teeth.
He said straight up, and I appreciate his candor, that I had three options:
1 -- go back to Citibank and pay the 1500 yen
2 -- send the check back and tell whomever sent it to do a direct international wire transfer instead (his personal recommendation)
3 -- open a UFJ account, deposit the check, wait 3 days for it to clear, and pay for the privilege 3000 yen (his begrudingly second recommendation)
By now I was simply fascinated by the education I was getting. Ten years in Japan and yet so much I didn't yet know.
Since I was in already in Ebisu I just hopped on the Yamanote line and went to Shibuya up to Citibank, gave them the check, and deposited 13,500yen into my account. So simple! So convenient!
So I got sent a 15,000 yen check from the Bank of Bali, written against the Japanes Bank UFJ.
First, I take it to the Citibank in Hiroo. Where, besides being condescended to, I am told it will cost 1500 yen, TEN PERCENT of the face value of the check, to deposit it. Their attitude sucks and they pissed me off, so I walk across the hall to Shinsei Bank, and am treated with respect and courtesy, but unfortunately they are unable to process a yen check. Dollar check, no problem, but not a yen check.
I wander aimlessly looking for a UFJ, and for the fun of it pop into the various banks I pass, seeing what the reaction is to a Japanese yen check from Indonesia. I am quite certain that one teller had absolutely no idea why I assumed she should give me actual yen money for the piece of paper I brandished. I might as well have shown her crayon doodles.
Finally found myself by Ebisu station in front of a big UFJ branch office. After taking a number (51, the board showed 40) and waiting twenty minutes, I was told I'd have to go upstairs to the foreign currency counter. It's a YEN check, I said. Much bowing and apologizing and sucking-of-air-through-the-teeth and checking with The Boss, and once again I was told to take it upstairs to the foreign currency desk.
So I went upstairs and handed the check to a woman who reacted as if I just handed her a piece of rotten meat. She immediately took it to The Other Boss, who made some phone calls, mumbled alot, and finally came towards me with much bowing and apologizing and sucking-of-air-through-the-teeth.
He said straight up, and I appreciate his candor, that I had three options:
1 -- go back to Citibank and pay the 1500 yen
2 -- send the check back and tell whomever sent it to do a direct international wire transfer instead (his personal recommendation)
3 -- open a UFJ account, deposit the check, wait 3 days for it to clear, and pay for the privilege 3000 yen (his begrudingly second recommendation)
By now I was simply fascinated by the education I was getting. Ten years in Japan and yet so much I didn't yet know.
Since I was in already in Ebisu I just hopped on the Yamanote line and went to Shibuya up to Citibank, gave them the check, and deposited 13,500yen into my account. So simple! So convenient!
Hammer
I love my job. There are many reasons why I love my job, and one of those reasons is the man who runs my department: Hammer.
The fun folks at work decided to give Suven a rousing send-off, so after much drinking at Excelsior Cafe, there was much drinking at Zest
, and then there was much drinking at 911 in Roppongi.
I left early. Others weren't so lucky.
Evening highlights:
The fun folks at work decided to give Suven a rousing send-off, so after much drinking at Excelsior Cafe, there was much drinking at Zest
, and then there was much drinking at 911 in Roppongi.
I left early. Others weren't so lucky.
Evening highlights:
- Hammer about to give his send-off speech -- realizing that all the beer pitchers are empty -- bellowing, as only Hammer can, "Beer!" and having four waiters arrive immediately, each with a full pitcher of beer, as coordinated via wireless headset by the manager watching from the balcony above.
- Hammer calling the name of some guy he recognized, causing said guy to stop crossing the street and swivel-head frantically trying to find who called his name, as Hammer mumbles "Green light...green light..gimme a green light...come on..." and finally laughing triumphantly as we cross the street in the other direction, leaving a swivel-heading thoroughly confused helpless pedestrian in the middle of the street as the light changes against him.
- Hammer (who is not a short man) running full speed down the street in Roppongi, pedestrians parting before him like the Red Sea.
rain
"When it rains...the roads get wet."
One of those quotes from high school. Can't remember who said it, where, when, or why. But it sticks in my head.
One of those quotes from high school. Can't remember who said it, where, when, or why. But it sticks in my head.
ropponjin
Roppongi Hills, the massive Mori Building construction project opens to the public today. Office buildings, sculptured landscapes...whatever. What I'm most thrilled about is the Virgin Cinema. THX sound, wide screen, and online ordering for all-reserve tickets. Matrix: Reloaded is playing there in June. So there. So completely there.
r.i.p.
Came out of practice last night and The Mighty Steed was fell'd. OK not fell'd, exactly, just not. As in gone. As in stolen. As in I left the damn key in the ignition.
Oh well, I'm figuring some high school kid thought it was too good to pass up and is enjoying his newfound motorized freedom. I did enough bad stuff when I was in high school that I'm sure karma-wise it all balances out in the end. But still, I miss my ride...
The Last Great Ride of the Mighty Steed. May The Mighty Steed's new owner appreciate it's buck and brawl.
Oh well, I'm figuring some high school kid thought it was too good to pass up and is enjoying his newfound motorized freedom. I did enough bad stuff when I was in high school that I'm sure karma-wise it all balances out in the end. But still, I miss my ride...
The Last Great Ride of the Mighty Steed. May The Mighty Steed's new owner appreciate it's buck and brawl.
free software
Just attended a lecture and Q&A with Richard Stallman of the Free Software Foundation.
Interesting points of view on the importance of freedom.
Interesting points of view on the importance of freedom.
beastie boys
Got up fairly early after going to bed late and had a productive morning; dry cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping (hit Nissin which we haven't been to in a while -- much nicer now that they moved the booze upstairs and expanded the grocery store.) Also cleaned out my closet, got rid of all my moldy comic books (150 yen and the used book shop!), threw out 2 bags of junk that's been sitting in the closet forever, and filled another bag with old clothing and jackets and stuff for the Good Will Donations drive at work.
Met Kev in Shibuya and we headed out the Maihama, met Stevie and Joel, got on the Disneyland monorail, and sped out to NK Hall to see the Beastie Boys close out the Free Tibet concert. They were great. Mix Master Mike is amazing, but they seemed a bit out of practice; kept dropping beats and missing intros, but it was fun and I got drenched in sweat crushed up at the front of the pit.
Coming back to Tokyo was a trip, too: half the train is Beastie Boys and Free Tibet freaks, the other half is Disneyland die-hards who stayed until closing and had bags of goodies and armloads of sleeping children.
Met Kev in Shibuya and we headed out the Maihama, met Stevie and Joel, got on the Disneyland monorail, and sped out to NK Hall to see the Beastie Boys close out the Free Tibet concert. They were great. Mix Master Mike is amazing, but they seemed a bit out of practice; kept dropping beats and missing intros, but it was fun and I got drenched in sweat crushed up at the front of the pit.
Coming back to Tokyo was a trip, too: half the train is Beastie Boys and Free Tibet freaks, the other half is Disneyland die-hards who stayed until closing and had bags of goodies and armloads of sleeping children.
friday fun
Went to iai -- last practice to be taught directly by Niina-gosoke, and it was wonderful as always. Afterwards Gosoke took us out to sushi under the train tracks, and during dinner we convinced him to not cancel the friday class!
Headed back to homebase, hit three gas stations before finding one that was still open (Eneos @ Tengenjibashi Crossing), then went up to Roppongi's Hobgoblin because Jen was in town again and heading back home tomorrow.
After a few minutes we went over to Sputnik in Omotesando for Chiori (and other)'s birthday party. Just got home with a scratchy throat from shouting over the noise, smoke-stinky clothes, and lots of pineapple juice. Neat place, though, and fun folks.
Headed back to homebase, hit three gas stations before finding one that was still open (Eneos @ Tengenjibashi Crossing), then went up to Roppongi's Hobgoblin because Jen was in town again and heading back home tomorrow.
After a few minutes we went over to Sputnik in Omotesando for Chiori (and other)'s birthday party. Just got home with a scratchy throat from shouting over the noise, smoke-stinky clothes, and lots of pineapple juice. Neat place, though, and fun folks.
head cold
Slept for 14 hours and feel much better.
Also found a great quote from an article by Max Tegmark in Scientific American:
"But an entire ensemble is often much simpler than one of its members. This
principle can be stated more formally using the notion of algorithmic
information content. The algorithmic information content in a number is, roughly
speaking, the length of the shortest computer program that will produce that
number as output. For example, consider the set of all integers. Which is
simpler, the whole set or just one number? Naively, you might think that a
single number is simpler, but the entire set can be generated by quite a trivial
computer program, whereas a single number can be hugely long. Therefore, the
whole set is actually simpler."
Also found a great quote from an article by Max Tegmark in Scientific American:
"But an entire ensemble is often much simpler than one of its members. This
principle can be stated more formally using the notion of algorithmic
information content. The algorithmic information content in a number is, roughly
speaking, the length of the shortest computer program that will produce that
number as output. For example, consider the set of all integers. Which is
simpler, the whole set or just one number? Naively, you might think that a
single number is simpler, but the entire set can be generated by quite a trivial
computer program, whereas a single number can be hugely long. Therefore, the
whole set is actually simpler."
ugh
The weather was beautiful on Sunday, so it of course dropped 10 degrees and was rainy and miserable all day Monday.
Monday evening both Hiroko and I were feeling a bit sick, and by this morning we both had sore throats and headaches. I stayed home and alternated between working on the PC and napping on the couch. Of course I had to teach iai, so I went to class in the rain, ran a couple of the beginners through the basics for two hours, and came home (did I mention it was raining?), got on a conference call, had dinner, hit the bath, and slept.
Nyquil is the nectar of the gods!
Monday evening both Hiroko and I were feeling a bit sick, and by this morning we both had sore throats and headaches. I stayed home and alternated between working on the PC and napping on the couch. Of course I had to teach iai, so I went to class in the rain, ran a couple of the beginners through the basics for two hours, and came home (did I mention it was raining?), got on a conference call, had dinner, hit the bath, and slept.
Nyquil is the nectar of the gods!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)