I was late to the party!!!















All friends there were drinking... TOO MUCH!
We all were drunk. Sort of.
So it was quite fun! Very sure.

I have a plan... going to Osaka on Friday for business.
Is that going to be rough? I think so.
Why?

Look at this:



Looks like another "Irene" coming to Japan. Tyhoon in this case, not hurricane.
Yeah, seems direct hit to main island of Japan.
Surely, Osaka and Tokyo would be facing strong wind and tons of rain.

Well, I do not think that there is any space to postpone the meeting... no choice then.
Hmm. Not quite exciting...

If I still can get Osaka for meeting, I may NOT be able to return... Who knows?

Lots of thoughts not helping me much... and I turned the PC off tonight thanks to MoonFlower's suggestion.
It was to have easy dinner with bottle of wine tonight. Perfect recommendation!







It was a GREAT gumbo dish with Italian sparkling wine (spumante). Perfect match!!!

Gumbo is American dish, isn't it??? MF made a great pick out of cooking book.

Sort of beginning? Already began?
It is all about the project... new one for me.
Yeah, now I am assigned to a project and I started working of preparation phase by myself.

I of course cannot share with you hereby of the details of work. Though, I am quite excited about doing something new and interesting.
Is that going to be hard? I bet it would be. Otherwise, client won't take up such thing to the consulting firm like this. Hahaha.

I hope I can find some comfortable zone that I can enjoy myself facing up the pressure that can be given by the objective or even client.

I will run through the timeline and can bring some value up to the client. I am going to do that.

Today, somehow i felt muscleache... do not know what really caused it...
You know, I didn't get any exercise for a while... surely not yesterday or day before.
Why this?

No clue... but yet true that I feel big pain in many parts of body... like back, shoulder, low back, etc.
Hmmm... don't know what happened to me.

I would like to think that I am getting old the least.

Sunday is almost over... meaning another week ahead! Oh boy...
Anyhow, I'd better tell you that I had a fantastic time with friends today!

Thanks to my friend "Morizo" (nickname, of course), we got free tickets to:

Melos Philharmonie - The 16th Concert at Kioi Hall

Conductor: Nobuaki Nakata
Program:
1. Carl Maria von Weber - "Oberon" Overture, J. 306
2. Joseph Haydn - Symphony No.103 in E-flat major, Hob. I-103 "The Dramroll"
3. Robert Schumann - Symphony No.3 in E-Flat major, Op.97 "Rhenish"

Man, it was so wonderful music that I listened today.
The orchestra members are semi-professional... They have job to work everyday and spend time practicing for this annual concert!

You know, this whole thing really made me think... why?
That's because those people on the stage do such fun thing that they dedicate their life to in addition to daily work. What about me? I have a job... but no more.

Seems like they're spending more profound way of living...

Maybe this is something missing in mine... Never think that kind of thing for yourself???
It was so timely and moving...



Thanks to my friends who went to the concert together! It was fun!



after-concert dessert... as just needed!

One more thing for today.
Just picked up my watch... with new battery in it and works just fine...



My Paul Smith watch. Look at this purple face! So cute!!!
The Cooler the weather gets to, the more often I put this on my wrist.
It's coming for sure and shortly... just around the corner.

What anniversary???
It is 1st year anniversary for our home...

Last year - August 26th to be precise, MoonFlower and I moved to this new home.
The other side of Koiwa area...
It already passed whole year and thank god - we didn't have any major problem to us and to home itself.

We certainly live in peace... and harmony? I think so.

Still not renewing many stuff in the house such as...

Fridge... still old and small. Almost 6 years old?
Washing machine... ditto. small, not enough capacity for laundry for two.

Maybe this year or early next year, we should plan to bring new home appliance to make our life a bit easier.

This gathering.... with those particular members was rare and happened tonight!



It was because Ryuji, in the middle, made full recovery from ill. He was quite talkative like used to be and we all smiled and laughed with him. His tone was perfectly like old days!

Welcome back!

Almost end of Summer... at least August!
How's it going?
Had team weekly meeting this evening which was extended half an hour or so...

Obviously, this DEPRIVES me of my time for assignment and other works!!! (BANG!)

Not really trouble... but surely troublesome... why?
I have to look into some work that belongs to OTHER team than mine. Meaning, I still have to listen my boss... Though not only that... I have to spare my time for other directors.

Wait. How does this work?
This is something new to me and I am surely going to expose myself to some hardship about how to act in order to meet different expectations set by different directors.

Good sign to experience managing things in appropriate manner?

Wish me luck. I yet expect this kind of nature to be surrounded myself for at least one month or two.
I do not have choice.

Well, this is the way to survive under severe weather which is created by the organizational complexity?

Apple.
Steve sent a letter to notify the Board of Apple that he cannot act as CEO any longer. So he quits. Better say, he has to resign by some condition... probably health? Yet he will remain within Apple community.

This means that direction won't be adjusted much as far as he is around.
All he depicted for future roadmap will be carried out... As far as that goes, Apple still remains in the center of stage in the competition.

Thus, no immediate impact except market's concerns about the future of company and some stock decline. Apple users surely can be excited by up-coming new products for sure.

Let's hope that Apple be staying "Hungry" and "Foolish."

Couple days ago... in my blog, I shared of my favorite drama called "Commander in Chief," old American show aired back in 2005 or so. I saw the episode #18... and that was it!!!
Misunderstood as there were 22-24 episodes for the 1st (and still only) season. In fact, there was 18!!!

I glued my face to the TV screen for full hour... story developed even more interesting toward future... and no further than it? Oh boy... such a disappointment. Truly.

Apple's Jobs resignation and no more Madam President... too bad!

Some readers thing that MoonFlower and I live spending so much money for luxury living.
Totally untrue.
You just see lots of neat food pictures taken for home dinner with bottle of wine or so. That is only piece of our life style... not the whole.

So tonight, I decided to take picture of ordinary supper... which is the proof that MoonFlower and I live in "FRUGAL" lifestyle. Please note!

Hi folks. Heard about the earthquake hit the East Coast...
Unbelievable!!! Never thought that it would occur in anywhere other than California.
Some news said that people even abandoned the cars and walked home??? Gosh.

Hope every one of you reading this is safe and secure.

This is something old for you sure... but still new to me.
This is my topic for the day here.

It is about the drama still on air in Japan... called "Commander in Chief."
As per Wikipedia, the show was aired in US around 2005-06.
Somehow, this is airing in Japan for now.

I liked the show a lot! Very cool.
I used to like the "West Wing" and "Commander" seems following that legacy. Hahaha.
In some future, we may see such woman in the power. Who knows?



Something I like about that particular drama:

- the dramatic way to resolve issues emerged to the President by episode
- very human touch described about the First Family... very American!
- severe political conflict and battle between President and Speaker of the House

I just saw the Episode #15 or 16... antoher 10 to go or so.
Yeah, I know, this drama come to an end after 1st season.
Even though many nominations in prestegious award / recoginition and Geena Davis did a wonderful job and even won the Best Actress in the Golden Globe... the 2nd season never came to the reality. Why? Why not?

Anyhow, I at least intend to see the rest of the seasons... either watch on TV firsthand or tape it when cannot make it.

Maybe if I can spare much time at a time, I should rent the whole season of the "West Wing" which is another favorite of mine and I had never watched entire season of any. Hahaha.

Another favorite in US drama... is certainly Ally McBeal.
Yeah, computer graphic "Dancing Baby!"

Fun part of the series... between 1st and 3rd season. My thought.

Hi folks.
For me, the weekend is over... while you're still enjoying so much yourself... (presumed: in US).

I didn't do much except going out to Yurakicho-ward for window shopping with MoonFlower.
It was her idea... so we did so very late afternoon.
It was rainy outside and didn't make us feel to do something special.

MF wanted to look around about clothes... ended up buying nothing.
Instead... I picked up couples of socks for myself. It was on sale.
Also, small thing now helps me a lot...



This jewelry tray helps me to organize all cufflinks that I have.
Not really big collection... these are all I have (for certain!).

Never realized that designs are all similar... except some.
Meaning that I should look for more in terms of variety of designs, etc.
I should seek more unique design to this collection. Hahaha.

You know, cufflinks are not aways expensive and it wouldn't be that tough to widen this collection with limited budget. Will see how this effort would result.

Hi folks!
Surely I drank quite... Good time really made me forget about how many glasses I was coming to. Hahaha.
Thus, slow morning. I didn't do anything much except sleeping in.



In the afternoon, some home repair took place for us.
To make full recovery from the recent incident... that wine glass flew over the kitchen!
Needless to mention, that glass contained some wine... you know what I mean.

So new still same design wall paper is put up and covered.
Nicely done!



For dinner, another bottle was opened.
Italian wine. I t was sparkling one...
It was very tasty!!! Sparkling was not that strong and decent.



Good ham was selected to the salad... I picked it up on the way home...
I went to shop for bringing my briefcase in... They said that it would take a month or so for completion.
Oh boy, taking much longer than I simply expected.

Will be free of charge? Donno yet.

For main of the supper, it was pizza...
Made by MoonFlower? Out of Freezer??

Nope. Came from Domino. It was pretty good!

If you have been royal reader of my blog, you don't need me to brief of Kirk... my old friend.
Yeah, Kirk is my friend since Atlanta time... over 10 years or so.
I somehow didn't keep in touch so well with this fellow... totally my fault.



Kirk is back!!! Good to see ya!



Selected a perfect place for seeing Kirk... local tavern.



I had never ordered tempura in this place before... but ti was pretty good!!!

Time was quite priceless for sure...
Old friend and I kept talking about things from the past to the present.

Surely, not too long toward next time...

My briefcase is yet fairly new... I think I bought this about 2 months ago or so...
Today I found something wrong with it.



This is my briefcase... only 2 months old...



I found that leather coverage is not enough and the inside can ben seen like this...
Oh boy...

Maybe I put too much heavy stuff in... and carry around.
But this can be from the bad design???

This is not European brand or anything. Purely, domestic... Japanese one.
Will see if this is to be fixed or not... free of charge for doing so or not.

I feel a bit shocked... I really liked that bag.

Sorry for my bad (hand) writing!!! Can you really read it???

It is already end of it? Yes, indeed!!!
One week off for me is going to be completed today!

Tomorrow, I have no choice but resume to work. I have to seek new project and get ready for it... whatever may be.

Today, I didn't do special things... instead, I had to take care of many minor things.
Things to be organized and things to be discarded. Could be both.
Lots of paperwork stayed on my desk are now cleared... scanned for paperless!

I do not have a big scanner home. Instead, I have handy one. This is really convenient and GREAT BUY.
Costed me only 70 dollars or so. I can take it with me if I have to. Perfect gadget.

You know, I do not even have thousands of paper work... only some.
It means I have to scan some paper time to time... Today it was the day for me to do so.

Forgot to mention it yesterday... my buy from the mall.
Bought a new shirt for myself.



Very rare I buy such stuff in such color, don't you agree?
My choice of color is more vivid like red, pink or purple. How come???
Hahaha. I do not have good answer. I happened to pick this. Grey. Hehehe.

August 15th - big memorial for the nation of Japan... World War II Memorial.
The day when the Emperor Hirohito declared that Japan lost the War.
At noon, the silence for the prayer is everywhere...

I've got a sort of "wake up call" from my boss who knew that I am still off till tomorrow.
"You're still on vacation, right?" he asked...
Of course, I told him that he was right. Hahaha.

Anyhow, it was quite job-related and important issue.
Otherwise, I spent time watching TV - high school baseball championship.
Many good games are on and really took my attention.

For the afternoon, MoonFlower and I went out for window shopping to LaLa Port Funabashi.
Took us about 30 mins by car and we just walked around in the mall.
I picked up several ones for myself while MoonFlower had none for herself.

We didn't come back from the Mall, directly. Instead, we stopped by Urayasu.
Sounds familiar to you? Urayasu... the place I used to live while working in logistics industry.
There was a ramen noodle shop that I used to go every Thursday for supper... by myself.

Tonight, I wanted to go to that place... which I hadn't been for years.
MoonFlower came along with me.



Same noodle... same atmosphere of the noodle shop.



This thick noodle really reminded me of my old days... very interesting!
Of course, it was very tasty!!!
I surely will go back to that shop soon...

MoonFlower went to nail shop early in this morning and I followed her.
I was "supposed" to get massage for relaxation. Though, the place next to the shop she was receiving the service was pretty crowded and I gave up to get massage.

I spent (killed) the time, while waiting for her, in the cafe alone. Good to have iPad handy. Hahaha.

After several stops for her errands, we ended up in a restaurant nearby. 2nd visit for ourselves.
In fact, we have never been to this restaurant for supper / dinner. Always (somehow) for lunch.
(do not ask me why so... surely soft to my wallet!)



Very nice and simple interior.



Very cozy restaurant for sure.





Selected today's pasta... with pork and asparagus.



Surely sweets is extra...



Very good lunch indeed. With full of laughs with MoonFlower... I sounded crazy...
You know, where we live is edge part of Tokyo... not really fancy place.
However, still somehow we find such good place for us to spend time together... Very nice.

MoonFlower and I opened a bottle of wine at the evening...
It was French - Bourgogne one.
Produced in 2005... this was EXCELLENT!

Last bottle - it was Pinot wine... which was great... but this time, white one was very impressive as well.
My gosh... two in a row... good ones kept coming.
All were the choice by MoonFlower. She's got a good taste.





Bourgogne is really good... to both of us... we happened to come to good ones... another one likely???

What's up?
Somehow I received numerous phone calls to my work cell phone today.
More than ever... and all callers - my peers did not know that I was off from today for a week.

Hahaha. That's okay. No one's fault.

Even though I was inside the house all day long, it seemed very hot outside.
TV news tells that so many people were brought to ER because of such strong heat.
Oh boy... everyone should stay cool!

I know, we still do have power use restriction and efforts we have to make - save power to keep our society running! But health is our fundamental and primitive needs... let's make ourselves sustainable first.

I watched TV pretty much all day long in the room with AC working. Hehehe.
High school baseball on TV really caught my attention.
Champion from West Tokyo area - Nichidai III played very well.
That school is top in the reputation in this national championship and very renown for good ball team all the times. Looked like those boys were pro!

It won 14-3 against champion from other prefecture today.
I will check out the next game for this ball club. I want to watch more and see how it would play.

Strong Yen really returns quickly after some mitigation action took place recently.
Now back on 78 yen against a dollar. I guess, the market really shifts to support much stronger for Yen...
That's my speculation because of instability of US dollars along with unclear monetary policy addressed by US government.

Tomorrow I have no special plan... except some gathering among friends over dinner...
Thus, I surely will go outside, contrary to today.

From tomorrow for a week, I will be off duty. Yes, summer vacation is here.
No (yet some?) plan, no money - nothing. But I will enjoy myself to be relaxed as much.

August
Wed, 10th - staying home
Thu, 11th - some gathering with friends
Fri, 12th - House of Mother-in-Law's I
Sat, 13th - House of Mother-in-Law's II
Sun, 14th - Dinner with MoonFlower?
Mon, 15th - open
Tue, 16th - Resuming some work

Today after work, some drinking spree was hold. Hahaha.
It was upon the project completion. Good and fun drinks.

Wait.
I have so many gathering over drinks nowadays...
I should be careful how much to drink.

Though, drinks are surely needed under this kind of crazy summer. Hahaha.

Dinner was ready!
It was Hayashi curry over rice. My request came true thanks to my wife.
She had never made this before... and carefully read the recipe for today's dish.



Hayashi Curry over rice...
Wonderfully made and tasty!!!



Some salad came along. Very Asian taste.

Very hot summer day...
No AC turned on but ceiling fan worked...
I was wondering if fan would cost much cheaper than AC... Any idea???

Summer is obviously here...
No particular plan for the day, MoonFlower and I decided to drive our car down to some place we had never been.

It was Koshigaya Lakeside Mall. Shopping complex for (ordinary) mall, outlet mall, and movie theatre.
Of course, we went to outlet.
It was about 30-minute-drive from our apartment. Not too far.



Today's pick - sandals. I know, summer is already here and my summer "readiness" came here a bit late. Hahaha.



Same for MoonFlower. Her readiness is associated with mine.



Home wine for the day.
My favorite "Pinot Noir."
Perfect to summer like today.



Produced in 2003 - perfect choice made by MF. Thank you!!!



Around 7pm, home delivery from Ogaki...
Ogaki's famous summer sweets... Mizu Manju were sent by my father in Ogaki.



Here we go!!!





It were jello... Red beans sweet inside.

Good shopping and the day was finished with good wine and sweets! Wonderful.

It was "belated" celebration for MoonFlower's birthday.
Her birthday dinner took place near our house... but unfamiliar place for both of us.
"Hashimoto" was the place.

It was authentic Japanese for dinner.







"Morning Glory"









































Many dishes and given small portion each...
After all, we both were surely full!

Seems that MonFlower was fond of this food and happy. Very good!

Happy Birthday!!!

Already August... even though weather were like rainy season still.
Well, I bet that it would catch up soon... probably later this week. Big hot summary days are just coming up!

For me, I took day off for today and tomorrow. Better not to think anything related to work (however in fact, I still do.)

I finally got a chance to go to Ricoh’s service center for camera repair. Located in Ginza area.
Well, what I found out was that those scratches on the screen monitor of the camera... couldn’t be fixed unless whole new display replaced. Would cost me about 12,000 yen or 100 USD.

Too much... I cannot afford. Camera itself is worth 300 USD or so for now. Too much investment for old camera. So I instantly gave up.
I know, those are “scratches” and nothing matters to camera’s functions. I still can take pictures fine. Only bothering is that it is hard to see the monitor under the sun. Well, I’d better suck it up.

I should make a stop by at the big electronic store like Yodobashi Camera for watch repairs. I’ve got two. Paul Smith watch needs a new battery and Casio’s G-Shock needs new band.

I forgot those watches to take with me... hahaha. Maybe tomorrow.

Late night earthquake warning was very shocking, wasn’t it???
The center of quake was in Shizuoka... indicating Tokai Earthquake. It was actually not.

Still M6.5 was large enough... and scary. Hope this won’t lead to major one like one in March.
You know, 3.11 Earthquake had some warning... M6 level earthquake hit the same area two days before on March 9th. Hope this won’t be the case.



Late night view from my home... Very nice summer breeze... hope this peace continues...