This is a long post and it's in Japanese. I'll translate it later (or something):
Update: Here is the translation. I also corrected the Japanese (below).
Translation note: I tried to translate with the tone of what I wrote in Japanese. I think it comes back out quite a bit different from the way I write in English. What do you think?
Last Thursday I visited Los Angeles and stayed with one of my college friends, Matt. We had a great time. I have added photos to my photo album on Facebook.
Thursday
The plane landed at LAX at 1:00 PM. The sun was shining and the weather was perfect. Since Matt was still on his way back from Arizona, I ended up waiting at the airport by myself for a little while. I was really hungry, so I looked for a place to eat. LAX is pretty confusing and I got a little lost looking for a restaurant. It turned out that they only even have restaurants at the International Terminal, so it turned out to be quite a walk. By that time I was totally starved, so I went to McDonald's where I was sure I could get food right away. Eating at McDonald's--which was my first job--brought back memories from high school. But the food wasn't very good. That's too bad because I really liked McDonald's as a kid.
When Matt arrived, we piled into the car and drove to Matt's apartment, which is in a beautiful city called Santa Monica. There were palm trees the whole way and I immediately got the feeling of being in California. Once we got to the apartment, we immediately set off again, this time for the beach. It was about a five-mile bike ride to the beach where we went for an eight-mile run along the beach shore. Matt also likes running, so it was a lot of fun. As we ran beside the shining ocean which reflected the setting sun, Matt and I talked quite a bit. It was fun to catch up.
Friday
In the morning Mat and I went running again. This time we ran four miles (about 7 km). After that we went rock climbing at a really beautiful park. It was great to see so much nature, full of trees, rocks, springs, and waterfalls. Of course, the pictures are better than this explanation.
The climbing courses were mostly geared toward beginners, so there were plenty of routes I could do. (In rock climbing, there is a scale that goes from beginner, 5.3 or so, to very advanced, such as 5.11.) We mostly did courses in the range of 5.8 to 5.9. Of the three courses I attempted, I was able to get to the top of two of them. I guess I have gotten a little better.
Matt, on the other hand, is a pretty advanced climber, so he was able to take care of the more difficult role of lead climbing. That allowed me to do the safer method called "top-roping." (Lead climbing is a method where you climb to the top while attaching your rope to anchors as you go up. Once a lead climber gets to the top, the route is set for top-roping.)
In the evening, I went to dinner with some Japanese co-workers in the Los Angeles office. The seven of us had a pretty good time. We went to a Yakiniku/Izakaya where we stuffed ourselves with Japanese food. (A yakiniku is a place where they serve Japanese-style barbecue. An Izakaya is a Japanese-style bar/tavern.) We had a lot of different Japanese food such as edamame, Japanese meatballs, takoyaki (octopus dumplings), and Japanese-style barbecued chicken (yakiniku). The crab was my favorite.
日本語版を添削し、英版も書いておいたので、英語か日本語を勉強している方はぜひご参考まで。
先週木曜日にロサンゼルスへ旅行に行って、大学時代のマットという友達に泊らせてもらって、月曜日まで一緒に楽しんでいました。写真はフォトアルバムに入っています。
木曜日
飛行機は午後１時にＬＡＸ空港に到着。太陽もでていて、天気は完璧。マットがまだアリゾナ州から帰ってくる途中だったので、しばらく一人で待つこ とになっ た。お腹がとてもすいていたので、昼ごはんを食べるところを探し回った。LAX空港はちょっと解りづらくてレストランを探すのにちょっと迷った。国際線 ターミナルにしかレストランはないみたいだから、結局かなり遠くまで歩なければならなかった。その時にはもうお腹がペコペコだったので。初めてアルバイト をしたマクドナルドで、高校時代を懐かしく思い出しながらたべていた。しかし、ハンバーガーもポテトもあんまりおいしくなくて、健康によくないし、また食 べたい気持ちにならなかった。子供の頃はすごく好きだったのに。ちょっと残念。
マットがついたら、車に乗り込んで、マットのアパートがあるサンタ・モニカと言うきれいな町まで運転。やしの木がいっぱいで、すぐにカリフォル ニアにいると思えた。アパートに着いたらすぐ海へ出発。浜辺まで自転車に乗って５マイル（８キロ）走って、そして海岸線の道を８マイルぐらいランニングし た。マットもランニングが好きでとてもよかった。夕日が写るキラキラの海を見ながら、マットといろんな話をして、とても楽しかった。好きな子の話をいっぱ い聞いて、相談にのってあげた。＾＾ 僕は彼女もいないし、今好きな子も別にいないから、マットの方がしゃべっていたような気がする。でも、とても面白 かった。マットの兄弟が皆結婚しているので、できるだけはやく結婚したいと思っているところがなんとなくかわいらしくて、楽しかった。
帰ってきたら夕食は日本食もどきのレストラン「Ｃｕｒｒｙ Ｈｏｕｓｅ」で豚カツカレー。
日本で食べるカレーとちょっと違うけど、マクドナルドより１０倍ぐらいおいしかった。その後マットの友達とアルティメットを２時間ぐらいやり、買い物をした後帰ってすぐ寝た。
金曜日
朝からまた（友達の）マットとランニング。今回は４マイル（約７キロ）。その後ロッククライミングに出かけて、とてもきれいな公園に車で行った。 自然がいっぱいのところで、木や岩、泉、滝のたくさんある、とてもきれいなところ。この説明より写真のほうがわかりやすいと思う。
クライミングのコースはほとんど初心者程度のレベルで、ぼくでもできるようなルートが豊富。（ロッククライミングではスケールは初級の５．３から 上級の５．１１まであるけど、主に５．８～５．９ぐらいのコースを登った。）トライした３つのコースの中で２つは問題なクリアできたので、ちょっとは成長 していると思えた。
マットが上級者で、難しいリードクライミングの役割をしてくれたので、トップロープという安全な方法でクライミングすることができた。（リードク ライミングというのはロープをアンカーにひとつずつ入れながら、登ること。頂上についたら、最後のアンカーにロープを入れる。その状態になったら、トップ ロープの形で登れる。）
夜には会社のロサンゼルスオフィスの日本人の同僚と夕飯。７人でにぎやかな集まり。本多屋という居酒屋／焼肉屋で本格的な日本食をお腹がいっぱいになるまで楽しい会話をしながら食べていた。枝豆、肉団子、レバー、たこ焼き、焼き鳥などなど。カニが一番おいしかった。
29 March 2009
25 March 2009
How much do Japanese businessmen spend on clothes?
I have been trying to get a better sense of business culture in Japan, so I have been reading some different articles. Today during lunch I stumbled onto an interesting guide on business dress which includes a table of average money spent on clothing items (prices are per item*):
Suit: $550
Eye glasses: $330
Briefcase: $250
Shoes (1 pair): $175
Belt: $71
Shirt: $51
Necktie: $51
Hairstyle (Haircut?): $37
Socks (1 pair): $7
Total: $957
*Converted to USD at exchange rate of JPY ¥100 = USD $1. Numbers are rounded because I am lazy.
Ok so that may seem pretty reasonable if it wasn't for the fact that I am definitely going to need more than one shirt, at least two suits, a few ties and a bunch of socks, etc. I'd also like to know if this survey was done in Tokyo or other parts. They say that while a person from Osaka will spend their last dollar on food, someone from Tokyo will spend their last dollar on clothes. In any case, I think I will get my shopping done before I go.
Suit: $550
Eye glasses: $330
Briefcase: $250
Shoes (1 pair): $175
Belt: $71
Shirt: $51
Necktie: $51
Hairstyle (Haircut?): $37
Socks (1 pair): $7
Total: $957
*Converted to USD at exchange rate of JPY ¥100 = USD $1. Numbers are rounded because I am lazy.
Ok so that may seem pretty reasonable if it wasn't for the fact that I am definitely going to need more than one shirt, at least two suits, a few ties and a bunch of socks, etc. I'd also like to know if this survey was done in Tokyo or other parts. They say that while a person from Osaka will spend their last dollar on food, someone from Tokyo will spend their last dollar on clothes. In any case, I think I will get my shopping done before I go.
22 March 2009
Why is the Internet (Google, Facebook) full of scam ads?
Has anyone else noticed the large portion of incredulous offers on Google Ads, Facebook, and other sites, such as offers for free Macbooks as well as ways to make thousands of dollars from home?
Many of these online advertising networks have a great deal of information about their users--I expect they can target ads better than almost any other advertising medium available. Yet, even given all of that targeting capability, why are they so often focused on promoting Internet scams? Is it really true that Internet scammers are willing to pay the most for their ads because they generate the greatest return of any Internet advertising dollar spent?
I think credit card companies also offer people a service which on the average does not benefit its consumers on the whole, and yet this industry generates huge revenues.
Why is our culture so dependent on these programs? Does the existence of these kinds of programs support a case for incorporating behavioral economics into policy decisions, by factoring in human beings' limited rationality?
Many of these online advertising networks have a great deal of information about their users--I expect they can target ads better than almost any other advertising medium available. Yet, even given all of that targeting capability, why are they so often focused on promoting Internet scams? Is it really true that Internet scammers are willing to pay the most for their ads because they generate the greatest return of any Internet advertising dollar spent?
I think credit card companies also offer people a service which on the average does not benefit its consumers on the whole, and yet this industry generates huge revenues.
Why is our culture so dependent on these programs? Does the existence of these kinds of programs support a case for incorporating behavioral economics into policy decisions, by factoring in human beings' limited rationality?
13 March 2009
Fun grammar fact of the day
I've mentiont to my friends before how I like condensing down words into less syllables to sound more powerful, e.g. Towel -> Towl; Darnet -> Darnt; Erik -> Erk.
Today I learnt that this acceptable grammar in some cases:
Today I learnt that this acceptable grammar in some cases:
[Learnt and Learned] are alternative forms of the past tense and past participle of the verb learn. Learnt is more common in British English, and learned in American English. There are a number of verbs of this type (burn, dream, kneel, lean, leap, spell, spill, spoil etc.). They are all irregular verbs, and this is a part of their irregularity.Writing the irregular ones out, they look like this:
burned, burntOf course, it is my goal to increase the number of verbs to which this rule can apply and make English more powerful-sounding. I appreciate everyone's help in conscientiously using versions ending in "t" as often as possible. If you stumble across any really good new words which work well replacing "ed" with "t", please leave a comment.
dreamed, dreamt
kneeled, knelt
leaned, leant
leaped, leapt
spelled, spelt
spilled, spilt
spoiled, spoilt
08 March 2009
YEEEeeeEEEeeeSSS! Asobi SEEEeeeKSU!
Asobi Seksu came to Minneapolis this weekend and played at 7th Street Entry, a very hip little venue. It was the most amazing performance I have ever been to and created an experience I will never forget. As it happened:
The night really begins with the cover band, Belle who is on tour for their very first time. Belle immediately wins over the audience with their charming lead singer/keyboardist, Olga (?), who proudly and adorably declares "We're from New York, just like Asobi Seksu!" After a very fun and quick set which left us all wanting more, they clear the stage for their friends who very obviously created this touring opportunity for them.
The lackluster moment of Belle clearing out is quickly replaced as Asobi Seksu's petite 5-foot Japanese lead singer/keyboardist/frontman, Yuki Chikudate, storms in and starts to throw large drums, keyboards, and other equipment into place while the other band members shuffle in with their guitars, hooking up cords and firing up the amps.
Before the audience fully realizes Asobi Seksu has taken the stage, James Hanna is already filling the air with his famous shoegazing reverberated guitar texture which is punctuated by a booming kick drum and undergirded by a continuous flow of heavy bass guitar rhythm. The thick cloud of noise all but overwhelms the audience just as Yuki's beautifully clear and sharp voice cuts through like sunlight. Shining through the haze of electrical guitar, Yuki is the brilliant beam of light whose transcendent voice reaches in and touches the audience with tender Japanese/English imagery of grasping for fading love (2), reaching for disappearing memories (2), and holding to scarcely received acceptance.
In a continuous flow of sound, lights, and noise, the band spins out a fast and complicated weave of guitar textiles with chilling timing and haunting echo reverb which pulses through the air as James moves about the stage and builds energy by turning to face his drummer to time instrumental climaxes. (Yes I thought he was doing the overdrive thing. I play too much Rockband.) Yuki continually shatters the cloud of noise with her piercing yet beautiful vocal prowess all the while she keeps up with impressive fingerwork on the keyboard, often using her only spare hand put in the characteristically distinct chimes with a low-tech hammer dalcimer while somehow managing other bells and percussion, literally tossing aside finished instruments. Despite her transcendent voice, Yuki is all rock-and-roll with the rest of the group, jumping around and tossing and shaking her black hair through the noise-saturated air. The band continues seamlessly through the entire set, handedly maintaining incredible momentum as they play without a single break in the performance. Yuki consistently jumps up the to mic to pipe in a sweet "Thank you" as the applause and cheering climbs to a roar, just before the band again overtakes the roaring applause with their next piece. Yuki finishes off the final piece by slipping over to the drums mid-song to deliver a powerful solo that demonstrates the complete dominance she with which she awed the audience the moment she carried the drums onto the stage.
It is clear the band has come a long ways since their self-titled debut album which although contained all the same key raw materials, did not so well showcase the sophisticated guitar patterning, nor operated so well-timed and united. Most importantly, however, Yuki's enchanting voice echoed clearly through the noise and the despair to lift and awaken a tired, emotionally- and economically-depressed Midwest audience.
After the show I was able to steal a few minutes of Yuki's time for a brief conversation. I was able to get her attention by calling out in Japanese, though most of our conversation took place in English. I asked her whether their new album, Hush, would have the lyrics in it, since I have been desperately searching for them. (As you may remember from a previous post, I love to think about the many possible meanings for their lyrics and find the best possible translation for them into English. Several more of my translations are available here, where you can also see how I am missing all the lyrics for Hush.) She walked me over to their merchandise table and showed me the albums. She explained how they wanted their album cover to be very minimalistic, so they only included artwork and no lyrics, "so, we had to make it hard for you this time." I replied, "I see... BUT I am still going to figure them all out." She then grabbed one of the vinly albums and said, "see there are, however, really beautiful pictures and art." I replied that I whole-heartedly agreed and explained how I think the art on their new album is absolutely amazing. I wish I had brought cash with me to buy one :(. And it had completely slipped my mind that Erik offered to lend me money if I wanted to buy something. I am definitely ordering it now, but I would have so much preferred buying it directly from Yuki and maybe even getting it signed. I also told Yuki how I was moving to Japan and asked her whether they'd be coming to tour there. She said they finally got signed with a record company in Japan (which I had already read about) and that they hope to tour this summer and in the future! I am so excited to maybe see them there someday! I told Yuki that I was really happy to have met her and she sort of nodded in acknowledgment. I was hoping for a smile or a "nice to meet you too," but I guess a nod doesn't seem too bad when considering she's a Brookyln girl. Of course, a nod is a really long ways from a kiss on the cheek. How did my sister manage that?
This concert was so important to me. I have been able to push through a difficult week of long workdays because I knew seeing Asobi Seksu was waiting on the other side of it all. I believe the inspiration and hope I felt in Yuki's reassuring voice will push me through many more.
The night really begins with the cover band, Belle who is on tour for their very first time. Belle immediately wins over the audience with their charming lead singer/keyboardist, Olga (?), who proudly and adorably declares "We're from New York, just like Asobi Seksu!" After a very fun and quick set which left us all wanting more, they clear the stage for their friends who very obviously created this touring opportunity for them.
The lackluster moment of Belle clearing out is quickly replaced as Asobi Seksu's petite 5-foot Japanese lead singer/keyboardist/frontman, Yuki Chikudate, storms in and starts to throw large drums, keyboards, and other equipment into place while the other band members shuffle in with their guitars, hooking up cords and firing up the amps.
Before the audience fully realizes Asobi Seksu has taken the stage, James Hanna is already filling the air with his famous shoegazing reverberated guitar texture which is punctuated by a booming kick drum and undergirded by a continuous flow of heavy bass guitar rhythm. The thick cloud of noise all but overwhelms the audience just as Yuki's beautifully clear and sharp voice cuts through like sunlight. Shining through the haze of electrical guitar, Yuki is the brilliant beam of light whose transcendent voice reaches in and touches the audience with tender Japanese/English imagery of grasping for fading love (2), reaching for disappearing memories (2), and holding to scarcely received acceptance.
In a continuous flow of sound, lights, and noise, the band spins out a fast and complicated weave of guitar textiles with chilling timing and haunting echo reverb which pulses through the air as James moves about the stage and builds energy by turning to face his drummer to time instrumental climaxes. (Yes I thought he was doing the overdrive thing. I play too much Rockband.) Yuki continually shatters the cloud of noise with her piercing yet beautiful vocal prowess all the while she keeps up with impressive fingerwork on the keyboard, often using her only spare hand put in the characteristically distinct chimes with a low-tech hammer dalcimer while somehow managing other bells and percussion, literally tossing aside finished instruments. Despite her transcendent voice, Yuki is all rock-and-roll with the rest of the group, jumping around and tossing and shaking her black hair through the noise-saturated air. The band continues seamlessly through the entire set, handedly maintaining incredible momentum as they play without a single break in the performance. Yuki consistently jumps up the to mic to pipe in a sweet "Thank you" as the applause and cheering climbs to a roar, just before the band again overtakes the roaring applause with their next piece. Yuki finishes off the final piece by slipping over to the drums mid-song to deliver a powerful solo that demonstrates the complete dominance she with which she awed the audience the moment she carried the drums onto the stage.
It is clear the band has come a long ways since their self-titled debut album which although contained all the same key raw materials, did not so well showcase the sophisticated guitar patterning, nor operated so well-timed and united. Most importantly, however, Yuki's enchanting voice echoed clearly through the noise and the despair to lift and awaken a tired, emotionally- and economically-depressed Midwest audience.
After the show I was able to steal a few minutes of Yuki's time for a brief conversation. I was able to get her attention by calling out in Japanese, though most of our conversation took place in English. I asked her whether their new album, Hush, would have the lyrics in it, since I have been desperately searching for them. (As you may remember from a previous post, I love to think about the many possible meanings for their lyrics and find the best possible translation for them into English. Several more of my translations are available here, where you can also see how I am missing all the lyrics for Hush.) She walked me over to their merchandise table and showed me the albums. She explained how they wanted their album cover to be very minimalistic, so they only included artwork and no lyrics, "so, we had to make it hard for you this time." I replied, "I see... BUT I am still going to figure them all out." She then grabbed one of the vinly albums and said, "see there are, however, really beautiful pictures and art." I replied that I whole-heartedly agreed and explained how I think the art on their new album is absolutely amazing. I wish I had brought cash with me to buy one :(. And it had completely slipped my mind that Erik offered to lend me money if I wanted to buy something. I am definitely ordering it now, but I would have so much preferred buying it directly from Yuki and maybe even getting it signed. I also told Yuki how I was moving to Japan and asked her whether they'd be coming to tour there. She said they finally got signed with a record company in Japan (which I had already read about) and that they hope to tour this summer and in the future! I am so excited to maybe see them there someday! I told Yuki that I was really happy to have met her and she sort of nodded in acknowledgment. I was hoping for a smile or a "nice to meet you too," but I guess a nod doesn't seem too bad when considering she's a Brookyln girl. Of course, a nod is a really long ways from a kiss on the cheek. How did my sister manage that?
This concert was so important to me. I have been able to push through a difficult week of long workdays because I knew seeing Asobi Seksu was waiting on the other side of it all. I believe the inspiration and hope I felt in Yuki's reassuring voice will push me through many more.
05 March 2009
NoooOOOoooO00oooOOOooo! iPoOodo!
For someone who seriously worries they may not feel so happy on the day their first child is born as they did when they brought home and opened their forever-desired iPod, you can imagine the horror felt when it fell out of their pocket today and would not turn back on.
I AM SO SORRY!! plus i am a repeat offender. i somehow lost my first iPod in the abyss of the movie theater. if i let something so precious to me slip out of my pocket and go helplessly barreling toward the cement floor of my parking garage, i obviously have serious problems when it comes to taking care of things. in my defense, i have not been in the best state of mind. i have stayed up virtually the whole night for three nights this week trying to do whatever it is exactly i do at my merciless job. then again, maybe this is just another example of not taking care of something--myself. i hope my body is also still under warranty.
I AM SO SORRY!! plus i am a repeat offender. i somehow lost my first iPod in the abyss of the movie theater. if i let something so precious to me slip out of my pocket and go helplessly barreling toward the cement floor of my parking garage, i obviously have serious problems when it comes to taking care of things. in my defense, i have not been in the best state of mind. i have stayed up virtually the whole night for three nights this week trying to do whatever it is exactly i do at my merciless job. then again, maybe this is just another example of not taking care of something--myself. i hope my body is also still under warranty.
04 March 2009
Bloggers love blogging, especially about blogging.
I am included. The best advice I have found on blogging comes from Penelope Trunk in her Guide to Blogging. She starts by explaining how blogs can be useful:
Lastly, Farhad Manjoo (who writes a hit-or-miss technology column at Slate) reviews a book on bloggin in this article.
I think the best blogs make lots of useful connections. Often when I come across something interesting, it reminds me of something else I heard about which, in turn, reminds me of something else. A blog which can connect one interesting idea to other related ideas is very useful because it allows me to hear an idea in context of the buzz of the rest of the net. Plus, this is how I find new blogs to follow. Penelope has great advice on how to use links.
What advice do you have about blogging?
A blog is a great way to figure out what you want to do with yourself because writing regularly is a path to self-discovery. And a blog is a great way to build a network of people who respect you for your ideas, so it is the perfect tool for helping you to attain your goals and dreams, when you know what they are.I also like some of the things Tyler Cowen has said about blogging:
Lastly, Farhad Manjoo (who writes a hit-or-miss technology column at Slate) reviews a book on bloggin in this article.
I think the best blogs make lots of useful connections. Often when I come across something interesting, it reminds me of something else I heard about which, in turn, reminds me of something else. A blog which can connect one interesting idea to other related ideas is very useful because it allows me to hear an idea in context of the buzz of the rest of the net. Plus, this is how I find new blogs to follow. Penelope has great advice on how to use links.
What advice do you have about blogging?
Grow faster, hair!
I had to add a comma to the title of this post because at first it looked like I was running an online pharmacy. I would hate to disappoint you guys.
This is the look I am going for:
I am definitely not there yet and the pressure from co-workers to cut my hair is increasing. I gotta hold out for it! I am sure once my hair gets long enough for this awesome style my co-workers and clients will have no choice but to accept this as a legitimate, bona fide hairstyle for the professional services industry.
This is the look I am going for:
I am definitely not there yet and the pressure from co-workers to cut my hair is increasing. I gotta hold out for it! I am sure once my hair gets long enough for this awesome style my co-workers and clients will have no choice but to accept this as a legitimate, bona fide hairstyle for the professional services industry.
At least your city is not Milwaukee
As someone who has always placed the hometown of my dad at the butt of every joke, this article from Monday (March 3rd, 2009) caught my attention:
BusinessWeek: Milwaukee among nation's unhappiest cities
The article mentions "Milwaukee was ranked the 11th unhappiest city in the country... Milwaukee ranked 19th in depression and 16th in suicide rates. Property and violent crime ranked 17th, while the city ranked 30th in divorce rates."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
