Iron Man 3

Finally… got a chance to go to movie.
Yes, it is Iron Man 3.

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Already seen this movie?
Just wondered why this movie released at this time of year???
Christmas… too early to think about. Hahaha.

Anyhow, this movie of series turned out to be a bit disappointing.
At least seemed so to myself.
Too many Iron Men!!!

Wanted to see more humorous Tony Stark!
Not serious man or straight man like him in this movie.

Too much commercialism in this movie can be another criticism.
Oracle, Audi, and what else… hahaha.
Well, is there another Iron Man like 4?

Oh before that, the Avengers 2 is surely coming up.
Well, I sure hope that funny Tony is to be back.
Just 2 cents from one fan. Hehehe.

Tokyo German Village

Not Germany as a country - today it is Village.
Like a theme part located in Chiba - called Tokyo German Village.
Not precisely Tokyo… but it is okay. We're so used to it.

Like Tokyo Disneyland… which is on land of Chiba, not Tokyo. Really.

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Phlox subulata is something we went to see.

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Peak is already gone… blossoms are limited today.
No wonder that no many photographers at sight.
Though, it was totally okay. We enjoyed ourselves.

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Traffic control pod is like German flag. Pretty neat.

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Tons of families were enjoying the sun light by playing some sports, etc.
Good family place for sure.

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Carpet of tenderstem broccoli!!! Very beautiful.

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MoonFlower insisted to get a ride on to Ferris wheel.
300 yen for one person older than 4 years old.
Not 40 years old, okay!

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Still German three colors. Neat!
And I have no objection… followed MF for a ride.
Ride lasted about 10 minutes or so. Not bad at all.

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More flowers.

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Not many roses… yet some.

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No more ride like boat. Hahaha.

Then we went on to outlet shopping mall after the Village.
Shopped some.
Let you know of them later.

Stopped by unique shop for coffee.

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The shop sells ceramics and coffee beans.
Those ceramics come from different parts of Japan… very expensive. Surprisingly.
While waiting on two kinds of coffee in our purchase to be grounded, we got free coffee.

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Hadn't had any coffee in Japanese ceramics like that for a long time.
Cannot even remember of last time. Interesting experience for sure. Nice!

Really enjoyed 1st half of Japan's Golden Week.
Safe drive back home at late night, too.
See you tomorrow.

Heavy GW Traffiic!

Left home for mother-in-law's place at 8:30am.
Usually 1 hour drive or so.
Today… different just because of Golden Week.

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Heavy traffic! Too heavy.
Made the destination at 10 after noon.
Longer than 3 hours. Too bad.

Before doing things planned, lunch became 1st priority.

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Soba or Japanese soba noodles was the selection.
Pretty good!
Plus, some tempura. Excellent!

This food made us do things as planned very smoothly. Hahaha.
Went to cemetery… yes, visited to a grave.
Shopping for in-law. Too many stuff, hahaha.

I went on to walk the dog with MoonFlower.
Good exercise for sure.
Diet? Helped? Hope so.

GW2013 Begins

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Another Book - BOM?

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40th Birthday

Yes, many of readers coming by to read it all about me everyday (?) know...
It was my birthday. In fact, 40th. Yeah, big FORTY.
Time has really flew and still flying at even faster pace.

My last decade was the most dramatic period in my entire life.
At age 30, I was here in Japan, already. It was 2003.
It was the time for job change.

The company I was working for was acquired by major.
I felt like I should look for different yet better opportunity for developing my career.
So I went on.

The next job was totally different but opened my vision so much.
I gained so much different perspective toward how things work in organization.
This spontaneously became THE motive for studying even further.

Thunderbird MBA became one of the most precious treasure in my life.
Through the people from different corners of the world, learned alot.
To be frank, I learned more from people than from lecture / case study. Hahaha.

True, though.

MBA opened many different doors and I decided to take consulting career.
It is now longest career in my life.
I came to the most enjoyable job then.

During this decade, getting married is surely another milestone.
My life became much more entertainment.
Rather than living alone, MoonFlower and I make everyday life more fun.

I really appreciate that. She has been good partner since day one.
No complaints. Just hope that this keeps going. Happy

I saw many different worlds through the projects.
Many countries visited. Seems more to come. GREAT!

So today another decade just begins.
With tons of birthday wishes from different social medias and Internet,
I am very... very... (let me type this one more) very thankful!

Here is my big THANK-YOU!

Coworkers gave me a gift as a surprise.
It was of Japanese idol group AKB48 calendar pack.
They hoped me to be embarrassed to receive something kinky item.

Sorry, fellas. I liked it! Really. It was cool.

I think that there are two types of gifts for happiness.
One is obvious.
You get what you like to get... exactly what you really wanted.

The other one is a bit unique.
Something you like but you do not buy.
It'll be fun to have that; I yet hardly see the value worth spending own cash.

Making sense?

This box of gift is absolutely the latter one. GOOD!
Although, I didn't get a chance to open to check it out. Will do soon.
Back home from work quite late...

MoonFlower prepared some foods for me along with this:

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Cool. My favorite. Half-size bottle is perfect. Happy

MoonFlower allowed me to use the champagne glasses. Totally rare yet special!
Fabulous!

Well, Japan's biggest holiday season is just ahead.
No big plan but holidays do not hurt! Winking
Let's finish it up tomorrow, quickly!

For closing, I thank you for all wishes sent to myself and even in your mind!

Working Dinner

Day before my birthday, really.
Meaning, Birthday Eve?
Not sure we call like that? Hahaha.

Work was flat. Under control.
Though, some event took place over dinner.
It was working dinner.

Everything was in English… and some German.
It is because some German guy was present.
Yeah, fancy international business! Winking

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Table is located in fancy place in the restaurant. Great over view.
You can see neat garden just before you.
Helping a good appetite. Don't you think?

Had a glass of bear and ate plate of veal.
Though, I spoke more than ate.
On the way back home, I felt like questioning to myself…

Have I just finished dinner, right?

I must have eaten light. Small portion of foods for sure.
Plus, I consumed lots of energy speaking! Hehehe.
Was good working dinner for sure. Happy

Yes, still wearing Jawbone UP everyday… every moment.
Except the time while taking shower for sure, though.
I can share some result. Sleeping order.

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Slept for 5 hours and 18 minutes. Long? Short?
Deep sleep was 3 hours and 8 minutes. More than half of entire sleep.
NOT sure that this is ideal result or not. Need to learn of sleep.

UP alarm was off at 6:12am.
According to this data, I was already awake. Huh, interesting.
I was probably half asleep in bed. Hahaha.

Book, Photo, and Pen

Hi folks.
Quite busy today… because I had to prepare some presentation slides for Friday.
It isn't for my meeting. Though, important.

I took full responsibility to prepare the document which is finally ready today.

Probably minor adjustment after this.
Meaning, big relief for me. Hehehe.
Yes, it was quite pain for a while since the moment of the assignment.

Tomorrow, I expect to get busy for another stuff…
Oh one after another… positive cycle! Winking

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Today's reading (of course, after work!) - "Understand the Call Center and Help Desk"
It was good reading…
Help Desk stuff isn't something that I didn't know. (double negative, huh)

However, I wanted to know more about the Call Center. This really caught my attention.

Random reading is part of what I do because I borrow books from local library…
Good idea, don't you think?
Photo composition book that I introduced yesterday - I finished reading, already.

Too bad that it didn't cover the topic how to shoot the foods in good composition.

One last thing - please watch this Youtube. This is quite fascinating.
If you're ever Evernote user, worth to consider purchase.
I should check the item out… really.

Even you're not gadget lover, you can easily imagine many scenes of use in ordinary daily life.
If you're student, it can be really good buy!
The way you take notes is no longer the same manner. Totally different practice with this pen.

Interesting, huh.

Anyway, please watch. You'll be astonished if never seen it before:

Photography Study

Hi folks.
Worked a bit late tonight… came home later than usual.
Was around 9pm. MoonFlower made home before me today. Not competition, though.

Reading over one thick book from local library.

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Title "Digital Camera - Photo Composition"
Something that I would like to learn more about.
Taking photo is surely part of my life… since I post many photos on this blog.

Posting many… I like to to post many good ones.
Thus, I'd better learn how to do it better.
This reference book tells how to compose the photo with lots of explanation and comparison.

Interesting techniques are also introduced. Cool.

This book was and yet is still very popular among library goers.
I actually waited for longer than 3 months as far as I remember!
My turn is until next Friday - I should glue my face to this book for better understanding. Winking

In fact, I have many books from library for now.
How many?5 books in total. 2 due this Saturday and rest for following Saturday.
I'd better get busy reading! Hehehe.

Work was somewhat tight… some due is up. Though, under control.
Cannot wait for pay… pay day is just around the corner!
Immediately getting paid, the fund is obviously cascading to MoonFlower. Hahaha.

Music Instruments: Shamisen & Tabla

How's it going, folks? MoonFlower and I slept in and missed the delivery in the early morning.
We woke up around 9:30am. Hahaha.
Anyway, made a quick call to delivery person and he came back in hour or so.

Thanking him for making two trips! Winking Yes, we know, it is all out fault.

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Delivered wine bottles from Enoteca.
I made online order completed late afternoon. Yeah, it was Saturday afternoon.
Very fast delivery - next day without any extra cost. Good deal.

In the afternoon, we had periodical fire alarm inspection home.
Nothing went wrong and alarms in every room proved working properly.
Good.

Late afternoon… around 4:30pm, we went out to Chiba.
Dinner and music live tonight at friend's restaurant. Cool, huh!

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Supper dish prior to music. Two free drinks included.
Beer first and another drinks.
MoonFlower went for another one and I joined. Chose and drank red wine. Good enough for me! Winking

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Live music - Indian music instrument (drum) called Tabla and Japanese guitar - Shamisen.
Interesting combination and unique music!
Those players were just before me within 1 yard or so. Indeed!

Dramatic sounds for several hours! Fascinating!

It were like jazz session. They never played together before today.
Though, managed perfect music in harmony. Wonderful session it was. Really was.
Ver unique, huh!

Wearing the Jawbone UP all day now you can see what data gathering...

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110% of sleep - target 6 hours and actual 6 hours and 37 minutes.
138% of walk - target 8,000 steps and actual 11,098 steps.
15 items eaten for 1,557 kilo calories.

Interesting enough? This is only on dashboard and you can see more in details.

In the music session, I found another audience wearing black UP. Already that popular?
Hehehe.
Will see how else around me has such cool gadget like that!

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Home-made cake by MoonFlower.
This is my birthday cake according to her!
Really? A bit early… Hmm.

All right. That is it for today.
See you tomorrow!

Another Collection Just In

After a month with friend's place - my (another) fountain pen is back!!!
Yes, it is being "perfectly customized just for me."
Friend runs his own nib-customization shop which brought a big fortune.

Nib can be anyway you like it.
This is 2nd request to him after Delta Dolce-Vita pen.

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This time, not new pen. One from my collection.
It is Cartier pen. Yes, expensive stuff for me. And the favorite.
Nib was medium - and requested to make it fine but italic.

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After received in mail, I refilled the ink right away!
Tried to write some words as experiment.
OH MY GOSH!!!

This is not longer merely pen. This is LUXURIOUS WRITING INSTRUMENT!!!
More than I previously imagined. Way too cool!!!
I cannot thank my friend Michael enough.

Due to this fashionable result of my pen customization, it is necessary to celebrate!
Hahaha.
No direct relation to dining event for our household… but just opened a bottle.

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Selection was of Italian Chianti.
MooonFlower is busy over the kitchen. Hard and lots of work!
(Yes, I am definitely quite thankful for that.)

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This is fish… cannot see, huh.

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Ate too much in addition to drank to much. Hahaha.
Good Saturday night spending peaceful time with wifie.
Weather is not much cooperating… but need to find out way to have fun.

Jawbone UP purchased

I'd better share my condolences - to the father of my American sister.
Yes, I have met him several times and recently heard that he passed away.
Very sad.

Precious memory from the time I met him - like big beef like a golf ball and Japanese garden that he was proud of.

Well, it is definitive true that those who took good care of me while in US are getting old as we all do.
Yes, I am turing to be Big 40 next week.
In addition to my (own) parents - American family is part of my concern.

Really hope Janice (Mom), Nannie, and all others are in good shape for long time from now on.
Will keep my fingers crossed and keep in touch.
Hope another chance to visit them soon.

Today's work - had some critical moment via tele-conference.
It was to Germany.
I worried a quite bit about understanding German-accent English…

My such worries were in vain.
The German lady over the phone spoke perfect English without any heavy accent. Hahaha.
What about the work? Bet it was all right. At least for time being.

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Finally, it is a release date today for Jawbone's new product called "UP."
This is digital gadget which is yet wearable.

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Just like that.
I chose blue even though MoonFlower said, blue isn't nice. Hahaha.
Her opinion does matter most of the times… but not hers is it! Hehehe.



What can this device do?
This is like health gadget can measure how many steps you walked or how much calories you consumed.
Also count how many hours of your sleep and how much for deep and shallow of sleep (or sound/light).
You can download app from web to your iPhone. Works on it.

Why do I need it?
Well, I just start watching out the calories so that I can control over my diet. Hahah.
Will see.

Home Drunker!

Good food really accelerates my drinking habit.
Wait, habit? Hahaha.
At least MoonFlower and I had several drinks over the food at home tonight.

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Good food with some good drinks… over lots of laughs!!!

Mitsui Outlet Mall

Thanks to friends!
Had a special discount at Banana Republic.
30% off on top of every single discount available at outlet shop.

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This is equivalent to gold card to me! Hehehe.
Here are winning stuff from my shopping today:

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Three above plus one pair of pants which already gone to alteration.

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I beg MoonFlower to stop by this old ramen shop for supper tonight.
I used to come this place every Thursday night after work.
Yeah, near old apartment where I used to live.

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Nothing ever changed. Really same ramen still today!
Good reminder about old days that I was working in logistics industry. Happy

New and Good Place Just Found!

In Shinjuku area - found new place for me to dine in.
Very small place.
That place serves excellent food like those:

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Just half year ago - opened by a guy that I know over Internet.
It was first meeting with him.
I kept a promise to him that I would come and eat.

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Beef!

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Polk!

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Chicken!

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See, everything that came before me was super duper delicious!!!
The location - hard to tell.
Though, I surely check it out and go back. Happy

Great night. Just like that.

Working Hard or Hardly Working

New convenience store opened near the office.
And saw a big character idol was waving just outside of the store.

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Called "PONTA." Cutie mascot of some card point service available at that convenience store.
Sorry, I do not have a membership.
I use Edy - a competition. Hahaha.

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Lunch was Thai food.
Good memory… no longer part of my life / career / entertainment? Hmmm.

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Dinner took place in a restaurant.
MoonFlower worked over time and we met in the train station.
Decided to eat out for supper. Light chore day for her. Winking

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My "chore" type thing is to refill the ink to fountain pens of my collection. Hahaha.
Only three tonight.

Stayed Home due to Weather


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Tokyo Dome

Dragons lost a big game with Giants. Too bad.
Swept with 4-6. Seemed close game. Not exactly.
Giants hit so many while few by Dragons.

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Starter Ohno didn't have good control of his pitches over the base.

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Rookie Sugano performed excellently. Came to grab his 1st career win today.

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Dragons still in progress how to compete in this season.. needs to figure it out.
Today's result was not good… but still early stage in this season yet. Happy