This week's iPod shuffle
Son Of Bazerk - This Band Gets Swivey On The Wheels
As a matter of course, speaking of hip-hop, here is a tremendous arubum which I'd like to introduce all of you. That is "Bazerk Bazerk Bazerk" by Son Of Bazerk Featuring No Self Control And The Band, released in 1991, produced by Bomb Squad.
I guarantee you that the TOUGH and STRONG voice of Bazerk drives all of you crazy. This stuff is awfully addicting.
As a matter of course, speaking of hip-hop, here is a tremendous arubum which I'd like to introduce all of you. That is "Bazerk Bazerk Bazerk" by Son Of Bazerk Featuring No Self Control And The Band, released in 1991, produced by Bomb Squad.
I guarantee you that the TOUGH and STRONG voice of Bazerk drives all of you crazy. This stuff is awfully addicting.
An oceanfront fancy cafe
I'm a regular at a tiny curry restaurant in the neighborhood of where I live, and we went to there to have dinner with my wife last night. I like to have a seat at the bar, and there are many fryers on the end of the bar. At there, I got a flyer regarding to a temporary cafe will be available at a retro house called Guggenheim House.
http://www.geocities.jp/shioyag/
Guggenheim House is a very popler retro house and recognized as a kind of simble of this area. It takes only a few minutes to Guggenheim House from our house, but I've never been to inside the house. So I've always wanted to go there if I have a chance. Apparently, it looks wonderful chance and it's now or never!
Here is the information about the cafe.
http://www.geocities.jp/shioyag/
Guggenheim House is a very popler retro house and recognized as a kind of simble of this area. It takes only a few minutes to Guggenheim House from our house, but I've never been to inside the house. So I've always wanted to go there if I have a chance. Apparently, it looks wonderful chance and it's now or never!
Here is the information about the cafe.
Men In B
To my surprise, I was asked an unexpected question from my friend who lives in the US as follows, the other day.
The question was..
I thought that the word "bras" must have another meaning other than the meaning that I know, but it does not. Other meanings which I could find were Bra and BRA. Bra is a kind of semi-firm cheese, and the other BRA stands for British Refrigeration Association. Those are unconstruable words in this case. Finally, I realized that bra means a bra.
Because I'd never heard of these kind of news around me, I thought it must be a kind of joke or something. I told my friend "No way, It's a kind of joke." But as she said, she was very serious and her husband saw it online, then she gave me a link.
After clicking the link, I could have a look at the related article on ABC news web site, but I still could not believe it. Because it's written in English, you know.
http://abcnews.go.com/business/story?id=6369603
It's possible that a cultural misunderstanding could happen in the process of transmitting information between countries using different languages.
Suppose, searching in Japanese would make it clear, I thought.
This is what I got and now I can say it's true.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=ja&rls=com.microsoft%3Aja%3A&q=%E7%94%B7%E6%80%A7%E7%94%A8%E3%83%96%E3%83%A9&btnG=%E6%A4%9C%E7%B4%A2&lr=
It's interesting to speculate as to why it happened, but for me, it will never in a million years.
PS: This information reminds me a TV spot for a car, Nissan NOTE.
A fruity man in bra is speaking something.
Nissan NOTE
The question was..
btw - have you seen the new man bras hitting japan?
I thought that the word "bras" must have another meaning other than the meaning that I know, but it does not. Other meanings which I could find were Bra and BRA. Bra is a kind of semi-firm cheese, and the other BRA stands for British Refrigeration Association. Those are unconstruable words in this case. Finally, I realized that bra means a bra.
Because I'd never heard of these kind of news around me, I thought it must be a kind of joke or something. I told my friend "No way, It's a kind of joke." But as she said, she was very serious and her husband saw it online, then she gave me a link.
After clicking the link, I could have a look at the related article on ABC news web site, but I still could not believe it. Because it's written in English, you know.
http://abcnews.go.com/business/story?id=6369603
It's possible that a cultural misunderstanding could happen in the process of transmitting information between countries using different languages.
Suppose, searching in Japanese would make it clear, I thought.
This is what I got and now I can say it's true.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=ja&rls=com.microsoft%3Aja%3A&q=%E7%94%B7%E6%80%A7%E7%94%A8%E3%83%96%E3%83%A9&btnG=%E6%A4%9C%E7%B4%A2&lr=
It's interesting to speculate as to why it happened, but for me, it will never in a million years.
PS: This information reminds me a TV spot for a car, Nissan NOTE.
A fruity man in bra is speaking something.
Nissan NOTE
Unusual occurrences in Tokyo.
Past weekend, I had been to Tokyo to attend an annual event, end of the year party at work. Generaly, in Japan, the parties are necessary to maintain good relations at work. But there is a problem.
Usually, people who lives far away from Tokyo like us are forced to get around on a tight schedule, because our company only pays for transportation, it means they doesn't assume the lodging expenses. For example, in my case, it takes approximately 4 to 5 hours each way, it was nothing but a painful weekend jaunt. After drinking a lot, most of people tend to crave to go sleep in bed as soon as possible, I think. But I could not do that. That's why I felt I don't want to attend this event if possible.
Fortunately, in this time, I had to be in Tokyo by a day before the party because I had got something to do in HQ. So my lodging expenses were fully covered as expense and I could bridge the gap. I've been Tokyo many times, but most of them were for business. So I decided to hang around in my spare time.
Firstly, I went to a Chinese noodle shop named Ikaruga in Kudanshita which my friends introduced me as a recommended one.
After having had a tasty noodle, by chance I met some Microsoft MVPs at the entrance to subway of Tozai-line, and a guy who were an employee of Microsoft happened to be there. Last time we met was at Seattle and I had no idea where he lives after he quit his job, good running into them. This was too much of a coincidence and I felt that Tokyo was a small city in fact. lol
As far as other things I did, I attended to a party (a main one!) which was held in Marubiru in front of Tokyo station (a singer KAN was singing a song in the lobby), went to NATARAJ, a Indian restaurant in Ogikubo, went Karaoke box with co-workers for social reasons, and went to Inogashira park in Kichijouji to take a walk. While I was loitering in the park, I could see some trees tinged with red tho it's already winter season. It's curious sight and I took this shot with pleasure!
I experienced unusual occurrences in Tokyo.
Usually, people who lives far away from Tokyo like us are forced to get around on a tight schedule, because our company only pays for transportation, it means they doesn't assume the lodging expenses. For example, in my case, it takes approximately 4 to 5 hours each way, it was nothing but a painful weekend jaunt. After drinking a lot, most of people tend to crave to go sleep in bed as soon as possible, I think. But I could not do that. That's why I felt I don't want to attend this event if possible.
Fortunately, in this time, I had to be in Tokyo by a day before the party because I had got something to do in HQ. So my lodging expenses were fully covered as expense and I could bridge the gap. I've been Tokyo many times, but most of them were for business. So I decided to hang around in my spare time.
Firstly, I went to a Chinese noodle shop named Ikaruga in Kudanshita which my friends introduced me as a recommended one.
After having had a tasty noodle, by chance I met some Microsoft MVPs at the entrance to subway of Tozai-line, and a guy who were an employee of Microsoft happened to be there. Last time we met was at Seattle and I had no idea where he lives after he quit his job, good running into them. This was too much of a coincidence and I felt that Tokyo was a small city in fact. lol
As far as other things I did, I attended to a party (a main one!) which was held in Marubiru in front of Tokyo station (a singer KAN was singing a song in the lobby), went to NATARAJ, a Indian restaurant in Ogikubo, went Karaoke box with co-workers for social reasons, and went to Inogashira park in Kichijouji to take a walk. While I was loitering in the park, I could see some trees tinged with red tho it's already winter season. It's curious sight and I took this shot with pleasure!
I experienced unusual occurrences in Tokyo.
As a biggest fan of GAP #2
The previous article is
http://excelblog.14.dtiblog.com/blog-entry-409.html
I was going to upload all the involved messages, but to save the strage space, I'm going to paste as text instead of the hard copies.
Gap Online Feedback (KMM83222752I28583L0KM)
from masaruk
reply-to masaruk@gmail.com
to "gap.com Customer Service"
date Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 9:22 AM
subject Re: Gap Online Feedback (KMM83222752I28583L0KM)
mailed-by gmail.com
hide details Dec 9 (2 days ago)
Reply
Dear Ed,
Much appreciated for your immediate reply and your advice really
helped. As a result, GAP Japan Customer Support gave me an answer to
my concerns. But it seems that there is differ with your answer about
your policy on an essential point, so your further assistance would be
highly appreciated.
According to the answer from GAP Japan, Gap Inc. has a fundamental
philosophy named "No Fur Policy" which restricts all the product
developments using real animal fur, except for animals for food. For
example, sheep leather should be exempt from the regulation because of
sheep is a animal for food, so GAP Japan
has been planning and selling the jackets made from sheep leather. By
the same token, because Gap Japan ascribed the items using rabbit fur
to be categorized the material made from animals for food, they
thought that rabbit fur must be exempt from the regulation, so they
had planned and sold these in Japan. After having reconfirmed, the
following things became clear. There is a viewpoint that it's
difficult to categorized rabbits as animal for food, and before that,
GAP Japan noticed that GAP Inc. regulates all the rabbit fur. From
these reason, they stopped sales of items with using rabbit fur.
It seems that GAP Japan sticks to GAP's policy based on whether the
animal is for food or not. I feel it's totally different from what you
answered to me. I would agree with your answer especially this part -
"from the animal and does not harm the animal in any way", but
unfortunately it sounds GAP Japan doesn't have such consideration. So
I'd like ask you that it's possible to let us have your policies and
criteria for animal products?
Since you wrote that you do not have access to the inventory of our
Japanese Gap, if you release your policy, I will discuss this matter
with GAP Japan.
With regards,
Masaru
from gap.com Customer Service
to masaruk@gmail.com
date Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 6:57 AM
subject Re: Gap Online Feedback (KMM83669561I28583L0KM)
Dear Masaru,
Thank you for your e-mail regarding Gap Japan products. In order to
provide you with the most accurate information, your inquiry will
require some additional research. We will send you an update as soon as
we have the appropriate information. Thank you for your patience.
Sincerely,
Maureen Coyan
Gap Inc.
from masaruk
reply-to masaruk@gmail.com
to "gap.com Customer Service"
date Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 11:05 AM
subject Re: Gap Online Feedback (KMM83669561I28583L0KM)
Dear Maureen Coyan,
Many thanks for your reply and I'm glad to get a sincere response from you.
If you need a copy of e-mail message from GAP Japan (in fact, my
friend wrote / received these for for me),
I'm prepared to send it to you as it is tho it's written in Japanese.
Regards,
Masaru
from gap.com Customer Service
to masaruk@gmail.com
date Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 7:31 AM
subject Re: Gap Online Feedback (KMM83797840I28583L0KM)
Dear Masaru,
Thank you for your email response. Per our previous email, we have
obtained additional information regarding Gap Japan merchandise and are
able to better address your concerns.
We would like to reiterate that Gap Inc. brands do not use real fur.
However, we recently had a situation in Japan where a limited number of
products were sold that were made with rabbit fur. This was due to a
miscommunication with our international sourcing partners and is an
anomaly. We have taken the appropriate steps to remove the product from
store shelves and have disposed of it in accordance with our policies.
Further, we are working to reinforce our no fur policy with our global
sourcing teams.
We appreciate you allowing us the opportunity to address your concerns
and hope that you will continue to let us know how we are doing. Thank
you again for your interest in Gap products.
Sincerely,
Maureen Coyan
Gap Inc.
http://excelblog.14.dtiblog.com/blog-entry-409.html
I was going to upload all the involved messages, but to save the strage space, I'm going to paste as text instead of the hard copies.
Gap Online Feedback (KMM83222752I28583L0KM)
from masaruk
reply-to masaruk@gmail.com
to "gap.com Customer Service"
date Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 9:22 AM
subject Re: Gap Online Feedback (KMM83222752I28583L0KM)
mailed-by gmail.com
hide details Dec 9 (2 days ago)
Reply
Dear Ed,
Much appreciated for your immediate reply and your advice really
helped. As a result, GAP Japan Customer Support gave me an answer to
my concerns. But it seems that there is differ with your answer about
your policy on an essential point, so your further assistance would be
highly appreciated.
According to the answer from GAP Japan, Gap Inc. has a fundamental
philosophy named "No Fur Policy" which restricts all the product
developments using real animal fur, except for animals for food. For
example, sheep leather should be exempt from the regulation because of
sheep is a animal for food, so GAP Japan
has been planning and selling the jackets made from sheep leather. By
the same token, because Gap Japan ascribed the items using rabbit fur
to be categorized the material made from animals for food, they
thought that rabbit fur must be exempt from the regulation, so they
had planned and sold these in Japan. After having reconfirmed, the
following things became clear. There is a viewpoint that it's
difficult to categorized rabbits as animal for food, and before that,
GAP Japan noticed that GAP Inc. regulates all the rabbit fur. From
these reason, they stopped sales of items with using rabbit fur.
It seems that GAP Japan sticks to GAP's policy based on whether the
animal is for food or not. I feel it's totally different from what you
answered to me. I would agree with your answer especially this part -
"from the animal and does not harm the animal in any way", but
unfortunately it sounds GAP Japan doesn't have such consideration. So
I'd like ask you that it's possible to let us have your policies and
criteria for animal products?
Since you wrote that you do not have access to the inventory of our
Japanese Gap, if you release your policy, I will discuss this matter
with GAP Japan.
With regards,
Masaru
from gap.com Customer Service
to masaruk@gmail.com
date Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 6:57 AM
subject Re: Gap Online Feedback (KMM83669561I28583L0KM)
Dear Masaru,
Thank you for your e-mail regarding Gap Japan products. In order to
provide you with the most accurate information, your inquiry will
require some additional research. We will send you an update as soon as
we have the appropriate information. Thank you for your patience.
Sincerely,
Maureen Coyan
Gap Inc.
from masaruk
reply-to masaruk@gmail.com
to "gap.com Customer Service"
date Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 11:05 AM
subject Re: Gap Online Feedback (KMM83669561I28583L0KM)
Dear Maureen Coyan,
Many thanks for your reply and I'm glad to get a sincere response from you.
If you need a copy of e-mail message from GAP Japan (in fact, my
friend wrote / received these for for me),
I'm prepared to send it to you as it is tho it's written in Japanese.
Regards,
Masaru
from gap.com Customer Service
to masaruk@gmail.com
date Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 7:31 AM
subject Re: Gap Online Feedback (KMM83797840I28583L0KM)
Dear Masaru,
Thank you for your email response. Per our previous email, we have
obtained additional information regarding Gap Japan merchandise and are
able to better address your concerns.
We would like to reiterate that Gap Inc. brands do not use real fur.
However, we recently had a situation in Japan where a limited number of
products were sold that were made with rabbit fur. This was due to a
miscommunication with our international sourcing partners and is an
anomaly. We have taken the appropriate steps to remove the product from
store shelves and have disposed of it in accordance with our policies.
Further, we are working to reinforce our no fur policy with our global
sourcing teams.
We appreciate you allowing us the opportunity to address your concerns
and hope that you will continue to let us know how we are doing. Thank
you again for your interest in Gap products.
Sincerely,
Maureen Coyan
Gap Inc.
Cooking with a pressure is fun.
In Japan, the earlier generations have a tendency to regard that most of household affairs should be done by wife even if she's got a job. So, we have a proverb "Men should not be in the kitchen." But now days, it seems that this proverb isn't used as it used to be. Of course, my wife assumes a variety of roles within at home. Since I've been a mainstay of a family, she has been doing most of the housework but we sometimes share the housework.
Mainly she cooks but I sometimes do for my fun. The other day, we went to the mall and found nice pressure cookers at the sales floor for household goods. We felt it was a little bit expensive for us, we told "we wish we could afford one of these."
After that, we went to a book store in the same mall and found some books for cooking with a pressure. According to the book, all the edibles introduced as articles are easy to cook if you have a pressure. I came to try using a pressure, then I went back to the sales floor for household goods and got that! This is what we got. T-fal pressure cooker named Clipso.
To tell you the truth, I've used another pressure cooker for cooking but I was a little afraid of thinking what if the lid is busted by pleasure when I'm going to open it? Also, it was difficult to look for the right time to turn off a cooking stove. But as long as using the T-fal pressure cooker, I promise I will never feel these inconvenience again. Because it has an unique smart timer device allowing you to control cooking times to the second. As well as the Tefal exclusive 'one touch' opening and locking system. These new functions are very handy for not only a man who is all thumbs like me, but also an old hand.
Last night, I cooked a burdock and konjac foods(alimentary yam paste) with this pressure cooker and it's been done better than could be expected. :-)
Mainly she cooks but I sometimes do for my fun. The other day, we went to the mall and found nice pressure cookers at the sales floor for household goods. We felt it was a little bit expensive for us, we told "we wish we could afford one of these."
After that, we went to a book store in the same mall and found some books for cooking with a pressure. According to the book, all the edibles introduced as articles are easy to cook if you have a pressure. I came to try using a pressure, then I went back to the sales floor for household goods and got that! This is what we got. T-fal pressure cooker named Clipso.
To tell you the truth, I've used another pressure cooker for cooking but I was a little afraid of thinking what if the lid is busted by pleasure when I'm going to open it? Also, it was difficult to look for the right time to turn off a cooking stove. But as long as using the T-fal pressure cooker, I promise I will never feel these inconvenience again. Because it has an unique smart timer device allowing you to control cooking times to the second. As well as the Tefal exclusive 'one touch' opening and locking system. These new functions are very handy for not only a man who is all thumbs like me, but also an old hand.
Last night, I cooked a burdock and konjac foods(alimentary yam paste) with this pressure cooker and it's been done better than could be expected. :-)
Luminarie
Today, I stopped over at Motomachi station on my way home from work to meet my wife for shopping. We promised to be there around 7, but I noticed that now we have a big event in downtown Kobe. FYI, Luminarie consists of a huge display of multi-colored, electric lights and it's a popular annual winter event in Kobe. Because I tend to stay away from crowded places, I've never seen it in person yet. Now traffic controls seems perfect, so smoothly I could go to Daimal department store where is our meeting place. I found my wife at the cosmetics section of CLINIQUE and the clerk behind the counter was very nice lady. She gave me some sample cosmetics for men!
After shopping, we went to have dinner at the regular curry shop. Accidentally, on our way to the parking, we across the main street of Luminarie!! So we could see the ocean of light. It was fantastic and we really enjoyed our date!
After shopping, we went to have dinner at the regular curry shop. Accidentally, on our way to the parking, we across the main street of Luminarie!! So we could see the ocean of light. It was fantastic and we really enjoyed our date!
Veggy Steady Go
I accepted a one-year subscription of a magazine titled "Veggy Steady Go" as a gift from my fried. The first scheduled issue was delivered yesterday. As a relished perk for the new subscriber, I got a T-shirt emblazoned with a logo for Veggy. Not tried this on yet, it seems pretty good. Thank you very much. Really appreciated.
I looked over the magazine, this issue features the vegetarian celebrities such as Emily Deschanel as well known as Bones. Her opinion was very interesting, so I'm looking forward to take a look at other contents when I have time.
I looked over the magazine, this issue features the vegetarian celebrities such as Emily Deschanel as well known as Bones. Her opinion was very interesting, so I'm looking forward to take a look at other contents when I have time.
This week's iPod shuffle
D'Angelo - Brown Sugar
Gee! I really love this sxxx!!!
Man, it' tooooo cool...
But I've never tried Brown Sugar...believe me. lol
Gee! I really love this sxxx!!!
Man, it' tooooo cool...
But I've never tried Brown Sugar...believe me. lol
As a biggest fan of GAP
Sent the following message to their customer service in San Francisco - HQ.
http://www.gap.com/customerService/info.do?cid=7843&mlink=5058,962991,7&clink=962991
Posted for my records, if they reply, the answer will be available here.
Then, I got the answer today.(6th)
http://www.gap.com/customerService/info.do?cid=7843&mlink=5058,962991,7&clink=962991
Posted for my records, if they reply, the answer will be available here.
Then, I got the answer today.(6th)
