- Never Stop Dreaming -
Living in the midst of nowhere, surrounded by forests and wild life, it`s almost impossible to deter my mind from straying into the depths of insane wishlist. Let`s put it simply, given my techie nature and the appeal of cool gadgets, I have unknowingly sunken into a state of just lustful obsession with these toys.
I want Night Vision Googles (NVGs), Thermal Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Googles, Laser Range Finders and optimum sniper rifles with complete accessories if it`s possible.
And so inevitably I have stumbled onto these uber cool gadgets by sheer luck.
AN/PVS 7 (USD$6,000) and AN/PVS 14 (USD$3,500) NVGs by ITT Industries, T14 Thermal infrared Monocular (USD$10,000) and other uber cool gadgets. Well having been to army and having handled the NVGs for tanks and armored vehicles, I could understand why those darn officers always stress the importance of handling these fragile equipment with care. And eventhough I do detest going back to army, the appeal and the features offered by these crazy gadgets are unleashing the wild side of me.
Personally I get a weird sense of gratification each time I look or virtually imagine looking through a rifle scope. The lines and distance markers in the scope just send an adrenalin charged, mad rush thru my veins. The feeling is really intense or otherwise, outta this world. So being able to move around efficently at night while being able to "see" and "detect" heat radiation from any threat or friendlies, now that`s simply mind blowing. Stealth and precision aka Predator are deadly skills that I longed to acquire but with the help of these gadgets, childhood dreams and reality are merely distorted by a faint line.
While it`s almost impossible to obtain these stuffs, let`s just say that if you don`t stop dreaming, you`d probably get there someday.
Lawrence my Bro, go ahead and drool for I am already dehydrated from constant drooling.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Death Note Nendoroids (Closed)
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Alrite the orders for the Death Note Nendoroids are closed. The stock will be shipped out to me by the end of September. Almost everywhere in Japan, the L and Misa figures are completely wiped out. The place that I got the figures, the status of the items were originally on PREORDER, then after preorders were closed, the status changed to COMING SOON and then last week, it officially changed to SOLD OUT. This means that unless you are on the preorder list, the item was NEVER available. From COMING SOON status to SOLD OUT status, there was just absolutely no way one can get the figures.
Darn...unless you want to buy them at a premium off Amazon Japan, which I have to remind you that the price is crazy, Lawrence and me are the only lucky ones to get these otherwise adorable figures.
So that`s it for the figures...now it`s just more shopping for me to get my winter gear ready.
Alrite the orders for the Death Note Nendoroids are closed. The stock will be shipped out to me by the end of September. Almost everywhere in Japan, the L and Misa figures are completely wiped out. The place that I got the figures, the status of the items were originally on PREORDER, then after preorders were closed, the status changed to COMING SOON and then last week, it officially changed to SOLD OUT. This means that unless you are on the preorder list, the item was NEVER available. From COMING SOON status to SOLD OUT status, there was just absolutely no way one can get the figures.
Darn...unless you want to buy them at a premium off Amazon Japan, which I have to remind you that the price is crazy, Lawrence and me are the only lucky ones to get these otherwise adorable figures.
So that`s it for the figures...now it`s just more shopping for me to get my winter gear ready.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Last weekend...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
For the past 2 weekends, I had consecutive off days on 2 respective Mondays. While one was a National Holiday, the other one was simply just a normal day off ( I think )...Well with no trnasport, there is nothing much I can do as I couldn`t go anywhere and I am simply stuck in my little shed. Yep that`s not a very nice thing to do on weekends but the little consolation that I got was that I had actually finished watching the anime Gundam Seed online...was diversing away from the usual CSI and I am pretty sure I will probably catch 24, which was introduced to me by my students.
Anyway, last Sat, I attended the Elementary School`s Sports Day for half a day which was great. However since everyone was supposed to bring their own lunch, I was such a dweeb to actually forget it. So out of goodwill, those kind teachers offered me some of their lunch which of course I declined. I cooked up an excuse that I had to be back home for lunch and when asked how I am getting back, I simply replied, "Well, I`d walk like I did every morning...". No hidden agenda here but simply I knew I would have a way to get home as I am not a retard to walk the full distance. But as usual, some teacher who would be SUPER kind to offer me a ride back and I would humbly accept. I guess to them, none of them had actually experience army so when they heard me walked 8 km home, most would foam at their mouths and explode in their mind figuring out how the hell I could do that.
Haha so army did do wonders after all but I detest going through it again, simply it`s just wasting my time and money and youth.
Alrite back to the sports day...yep those little kids were SoOooOooOoOo cute and I promise I will post the pics up once I get enough of my laziness due to the superb weather. Resistence is futile as the cool temperature and my comfy bed will weave magic to blur my vision, drop an anchor on my eyelids and eventually stupefy my senses...ok ok, back to the kids, their parents were there too, with cameras, mats and tents littered all around the school`s "field" (which is a gravel covered piece of land with sparse grasses.). As usual I whipped out my Canon EOS baby to fire away only to be destroyed brutally by the other cameras from the parents. Some even spotting 200mm lenses with a distinctive red circle on the tip, which is like a luxury line of lenses from Canon easily sporting a scary SGD$5000 and above.
So losing my momentum slightly, I continued to fire away salvo series of shots totalling like 500 odd shots for the day.
That`s about it for Sat and on Mon, while I was doing my usual shopping at the grocery store, the cute girl wasn`t there...*sigh* what a retard I was...ok ok I will look for other forms of cheap eye candy thrills.
For the past 2 weekends, I had consecutive off days on 2 respective Mondays. While one was a National Holiday, the other one was simply just a normal day off ( I think )...Well with no trnasport, there is nothing much I can do as I couldn`t go anywhere and I am simply stuck in my little shed. Yep that`s not a very nice thing to do on weekends but the little consolation that I got was that I had actually finished watching the anime Gundam Seed online...was diversing away from the usual CSI and I am pretty sure I will probably catch 24, which was introduced to me by my students.
Anyway, last Sat, I attended the Elementary School`s Sports Day for half a day which was great. However since everyone was supposed to bring their own lunch, I was such a dweeb to actually forget it. So out of goodwill, those kind teachers offered me some of their lunch which of course I declined. I cooked up an excuse that I had to be back home for lunch and when asked how I am getting back, I simply replied, "Well, I`d walk like I did every morning...". No hidden agenda here but simply I knew I would have a way to get home as I am not a retard to walk the full distance. But as usual, some teacher who would be SUPER kind to offer me a ride back and I would humbly accept. I guess to them, none of them had actually experience army so when they heard me walked 8 km home, most would foam at their mouths and explode in their mind figuring out how the hell I could do that.
Haha so army did do wonders after all but I detest going through it again, simply it`s just wasting my time and money and youth.
Alrite back to the sports day...yep those little kids were SoOooOooOoOo cute and I promise I will post the pics up once I get enough of my laziness due to the superb weather. Resistence is futile as the cool temperature and my comfy bed will weave magic to blur my vision, drop an anchor on my eyelids and eventually stupefy my senses...ok ok, back to the kids, their parents were there too, with cameras, mats and tents littered all around the school`s "field" (which is a gravel covered piece of land with sparse grasses.). As usual I whipped out my Canon EOS baby to fire away only to be destroyed brutally by the other cameras from the parents. Some even spotting 200mm lenses with a distinctive red circle on the tip, which is like a luxury line of lenses from Canon easily sporting a scary SGD$5000 and above.
So losing my momentum slightly, I continued to fire away salvo series of shots totalling like 500 odd shots for the day.
That`s about it for Sat and on Mon, while I was doing my usual shopping at the grocery store, the cute girl wasn`t there...*sigh* what a retard I was...ok ok I will look for other forms of cheap eye candy thrills.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wits and Guts...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Since the "death" of my bike last week, I have been forced to take extreme measures to ensure that I go to work on time and get home in 1 piece. So without any means of transport, living 8 km from the work place and 1 hour walking distance from any main districts with a house located deep in the forest, what will you do?
Well, presented with a clear and present situation above right in my face, I sorted out realistic and realisable options and weigh the risk and return factors...I finally settled with only 2 feasible options...
1. Suffer at my own expense and try to pull through without losing a limb or two.
2. Suffer at other people`s expense and never stop believing.
Given that I tend to take risk more often than usual, I took the second option...So instead of walking 8 km thru the forest with God knows what kind of animals residing in it and awaiting a high cholesterol meal like me, I hijack innocent passing vehicles...hahaha
Well literally the word is hitchhike, which till date I have yet managed to actually solicit any passing vehicles in Singapore. So with my poor bike busted, I have no other options available so hitchhiking is the only way to get a free ride. So as of today, I have successfully hitch a ride to work every morning without fail to a close proximity of around 1 to 2 km from my school. Given that I have only started this insane stint last week with respect to my entire years of existence, it`s still a hell of an experience. All the drivers are male by the way, which makes perfect sense since no sane female would expose themselves to such risks and given that a huge percentage of Japanese females are pretty shy.
Most of the time, I am pretty lucky to get a ride within like 15 mins of walking from my house and it does really help if you can speak Japanese. Chances are that if they can`t understand where you are going, you ain`t getting on board. Yesterday nite was probably the most memorable journey till now. I went to Nagano City to get some paperwork done for my VISA, and got back to Komoro Station by train at around 1800 hrs which the skies were already stripped of any light with only a very faint glimpse of barely visable golden streaks lurking on the horizon. From there, I had to ask my way around to catch a bus back to Mochizuki town where I reside as there are like 4 bus stops instantly outside Komoro`s station.
As usual I did managed to find my way back by bus by politely striking informal and unrehearsed conversations with sweet high school students in their unbelievably short skirts. Alrite, I confessed I did looked at how darn short their skirts are but that`s about it...haha.
So the bus ride was about 50 minutes and when I got to Mochizuki, I still had to walk like almost an hour thru the complete pitch black forest path as there are absolutely no street lamps. And so after walking like almost 30 minutes with no success in hitching a ride, my hopes began to whimper and the image of resting on my comfy bed seems to fade. As I begin to climb the ardous slope up the forest path, I gritted my teeth and told myself never to stop beliving while secretly plotting insane tricks to get a ride home in the corner of my mind. Feigning to be injured looks pretty tempting as the virtual imagery plays in my head.
And then a mini Kei-truck pulls up beside me after seeing my hitchhike sign...I am saved! The driver was a young Japanese dude affectionately names Terry, which I am still trying to figure out the original motive for acquiring that name. So the much scary thought of walking thru the almost impossible pitch black forest vanished instantly...
There there there...it ain`t so bad after all, a few phrases of Japanese, wits and tons of courage will solve minor issues temporary I guess...so until I get my transport, I will enjoy these insane hitchhikes...haha
Since the "death" of my bike last week, I have been forced to take extreme measures to ensure that I go to work on time and get home in 1 piece. So without any means of transport, living 8 km from the work place and 1 hour walking distance from any main districts with a house located deep in the forest, what will you do?
Well, presented with a clear and present situation above right in my face, I sorted out realistic and realisable options and weigh the risk and return factors...I finally settled with only 2 feasible options...
1. Suffer at my own expense and try to pull through without losing a limb or two.
2. Suffer at other people`s expense and never stop believing.
Given that I tend to take risk more often than usual, I took the second option...So instead of walking 8 km thru the forest with God knows what kind of animals residing in it and awaiting a high cholesterol meal like me, I hijack innocent passing vehicles...hahaha
Well literally the word is hitchhike, which till date I have yet managed to actually solicit any passing vehicles in Singapore. So with my poor bike busted, I have no other options available so hitchhiking is the only way to get a free ride. So as of today, I have successfully hitch a ride to work every morning without fail to a close proximity of around 1 to 2 km from my school. Given that I have only started this insane stint last week with respect to my entire years of existence, it`s still a hell of an experience. All the drivers are male by the way, which makes perfect sense since no sane female would expose themselves to such risks and given that a huge percentage of Japanese females are pretty shy.
Most of the time, I am pretty lucky to get a ride within like 15 mins of walking from my house and it does really help if you can speak Japanese. Chances are that if they can`t understand where you are going, you ain`t getting on board. Yesterday nite was probably the most memorable journey till now. I went to Nagano City to get some paperwork done for my VISA, and got back to Komoro Station by train at around 1800 hrs which the skies were already stripped of any light with only a very faint glimpse of barely visable golden streaks lurking on the horizon. From there, I had to ask my way around to catch a bus back to Mochizuki town where I reside as there are like 4 bus stops instantly outside Komoro`s station.
As usual I did managed to find my way back by bus by politely striking informal and unrehearsed conversations with sweet high school students in their unbelievably short skirts. Alrite, I confessed I did looked at how darn short their skirts are but that`s about it...haha.
So the bus ride was about 50 minutes and when I got to Mochizuki, I still had to walk like almost an hour thru the complete pitch black forest path as there are absolutely no street lamps. And so after walking like almost 30 minutes with no success in hitching a ride, my hopes began to whimper and the image of resting on my comfy bed seems to fade. As I begin to climb the ardous slope up the forest path, I gritted my teeth and told myself never to stop beliving while secretly plotting insane tricks to get a ride home in the corner of my mind. Feigning to be injured looks pretty tempting as the virtual imagery plays in my head.
And then a mini Kei-truck pulls up beside me after seeing my hitchhike sign...I am saved! The driver was a young Japanese dude affectionately names Terry, which I am still trying to figure out the original motive for acquiring that name. So the much scary thought of walking thru the almost impossible pitch black forest vanished instantly...
There there there...it ain`t so bad after all, a few phrases of Japanese, wits and tons of courage will solve minor issues temporary I guess...so until I get my transport, I will enjoy these insane hitchhikes...haha
Monday, September 17, 2007
Scenes of Summer - 02
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Alrite here's some pictures of the views that I see everyday when I wake up, go to school and back from school. There are also those views where I travel to the grocery store except the picture of the girl who works there. These are just pictures that are within 10 minutes from my place...well it's only the beginning of autumn so everything is still fresh and green...
Here we go...these first 8 pics are what I see everyday when I go to school which I have inevitably taken for granted...All around Mochizuki and Asashina are mainly beautiful and vast rice fields which span great distances. A sight that will cast an astonishing awe to most urban dwellers...good air, almost negligent traffic and calander quality scenery.
This is just a series of long passes which I take to school since my little humble shed is located within the forests...haha.
More scenery to enjoy...and only on a good day can you see the huge Mountain Asama in the backdrop as it's usualy shrouded by clouds. Well I will certainly be paying those fantastic ski and snowboarding resorts in the mountains in late Dec all the way to late Feb to do snowboarding...haha. I will enjoy on your behalf so please work harder and drool more reading my blog... :p
Alrite here's some pictures of the views that I see everyday when I wake up, go to school and back from school. There are also those views where I travel to the grocery store except the picture of the girl who works there. These are just pictures that are within 10 minutes from my place...well it's only the beginning of autumn so everything is still fresh and green...
Here we go...these first 8 pics are what I see everyday when I go to school which I have inevitably taken for granted...All around Mochizuki and Asashina are mainly beautiful and vast rice fields which span great distances. A sight that will cast an astonishing awe to most urban dwellers...good air, almost negligent traffic and calander quality scenery.
This is just a series of long passes which I take to school since my little humble shed is located within the forests...haha.
More scenery to enjoy...and only on a good day can you see the huge Mountain Asama in the backdrop as it's usualy shrouded by clouds. Well I will certainly be paying those fantastic ski and snowboarding resorts in the mountains in late Dec all the way to late Feb to do snowboarding...haha. I will enjoy on your behalf so please work harder and drool more reading my blog... :p
Friday, September 14, 2007
Day 40
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Log 7002H19.90.41
Today is the 40th day in the new place. As the days passes, each nite I made reflections about everything that I have done so far. Made plenty of contacts with the locals and have proven those theories that I have noted so far. Nothing actually deviates from the studies which is a good sign. Courteous, friendly, humble, polite and accomodating are common traits to note from the locals.
Am still learning about them and their cultures that are specific to each zones and sectors. Despite coming in from the "outside", common physical similarities allows me to blend in with ease and without much attention which is advantageous since close proximity is the key to unlock the essential information.
Staple here varies which are dependent on preferences. Have not actually seen or ate anything fowl so far...mandatory meals are pretty well balanced between greens (fibres) and carbohydrates eventhough sometimes I can`t seem to figure out which is the main. Tastes do varies greatly at times but still they are acceptable...have yet tried the rumoured "Never Never" which is probably mimicking some eating sounds. However, a close variant was tested and indeed, it was pretty unplesant which leaves doubts to whether the actual one should ever be tested.
The atmosphere is slightly chilly from dusk till dawn and temperature will probably go lower when there is precipitation. Winds hardly exceed 5 knots since pine trees don most of the ridges. View is breathtaking, sometimes almost unbelievable. Since now it`s only the beginning of autumn, corps like corn and rice will be harvested soon leaving only huge plains of barren land awaiting stray growth only to be covered in snow sometime on January.
Will update as necessary,
Out.
Log 7002H19.90.41
Today is the 40th day in the new place. As the days passes, each nite I made reflections about everything that I have done so far. Made plenty of contacts with the locals and have proven those theories that I have noted so far. Nothing actually deviates from the studies which is a good sign. Courteous, friendly, humble, polite and accomodating are common traits to note from the locals.
Am still learning about them and their cultures that are specific to each zones and sectors. Despite coming in from the "outside", common physical similarities allows me to blend in with ease and without much attention which is advantageous since close proximity is the key to unlock the essential information.
Staple here varies which are dependent on preferences. Have not actually seen or ate anything fowl so far...mandatory meals are pretty well balanced between greens (fibres) and carbohydrates eventhough sometimes I can`t seem to figure out which is the main. Tastes do varies greatly at times but still they are acceptable...have yet tried the rumoured "Never Never" which is probably mimicking some eating sounds. However, a close variant was tested and indeed, it was pretty unplesant which leaves doubts to whether the actual one should ever be tested.
The atmosphere is slightly chilly from dusk till dawn and temperature will probably go lower when there is precipitation. Winds hardly exceed 5 knots since pine trees don most of the ridges. View is breathtaking, sometimes almost unbelievable. Since now it`s only the beginning of autumn, corps like corn and rice will be harvested soon leaving only huge plains of barren land awaiting stray growth only to be covered in snow sometime on January.
Will update as necessary,
Out.
Thank you all...
- Never Stop Dreaming
Firstly, I want to say thank you to everyone who have sent me mails and replies regarding my post crash well being. I am really fine so dun worry and besides, having a few scars here and there are quite a fashion statement for me (Yeah right...). I am very well, alive, living off great food, snacks and sake...haha and not to mention the unnecessary attention that I am receiving being a foreigner.
Right now I am more concern over the recent spate of mind blowing news that`s sweeping both Singapore and Japan. For Singapore, it`s probably the case of Cpl Dave Teo being arrested for carrying a SAR-21 rifle while doing his uber cool shopping spree. I am not really paranoid about the tremors that hit SG due to the earthquake of Sumatra Island.
Well I really do not want to speculate or ride on Cpl Teo`s mishap but when it comes to affairs of the heart, no one can be sure what will happen next but I do know that usually a moment of folly will sealed one`s future so please rationalise with untainted sanity before taking any action.
As for the little video clip of a mask lady attacking the local paparazzi, that was totally uncalled for but I do sympathize her for being indirectly inflicted with unnecessary "fame".
Over to Japan`s side, the sudden news of the resignation of Prime Ministor Shinzo Abe was indeed shocking but like many others, it was already anticipated since exposure of the scandals within the cabinet. Still the news generated many questions and voids leading to many unfounded speculations as to why Shinzo Abe resigned.
Alrite, news aside, it`s the beginning of fall here in Nagano Ken...weather is good despite the occasional rain. Basically, it just feels like being in a air-con room in the mornings and evenings and mid day with the sun, it feels cooling like after a heavy rain. I have to start taking pictures of the magnificient scenery here before fall really comes as right now it`s just plain greenery beneath the blue sky. Soon it will be bright orange and yellow and by January next year, yes...all white and barren. I am pretty sure I will get the pictures up so do feel free to whine and complain why I am here and you are there... :p
Firstly, I want to say thank you to everyone who have sent me mails and replies regarding my post crash well being. I am really fine so dun worry and besides, having a few scars here and there are quite a fashion statement for me (Yeah right...). I am very well, alive, living off great food, snacks and sake...haha and not to mention the unnecessary attention that I am receiving being a foreigner.
Right now I am more concern over the recent spate of mind blowing news that`s sweeping both Singapore and Japan. For Singapore, it`s probably the case of Cpl Dave Teo being arrested for carrying a SAR-21 rifle while doing his uber cool shopping spree. I am not really paranoid about the tremors that hit SG due to the earthquake of Sumatra Island.
Well I really do not want to speculate or ride on Cpl Teo`s mishap but when it comes to affairs of the heart, no one can be sure what will happen next but I do know that usually a moment of folly will sealed one`s future so please rationalise with untainted sanity before taking any action.
As for the little video clip of a mask lady attacking the local paparazzi, that was totally uncalled for but I do sympathize her for being indirectly inflicted with unnecessary "fame".
Over to Japan`s side, the sudden news of the resignation of Prime Ministor Shinzo Abe was indeed shocking but like many others, it was already anticipated since exposure of the scandals within the cabinet. Still the news generated many questions and voids leading to many unfounded speculations as to why Shinzo Abe resigned.
Alrite, news aside, it`s the beginning of fall here in Nagano Ken...weather is good despite the occasional rain. Basically, it just feels like being in a air-con room in the mornings and evenings and mid day with the sun, it feels cooling like after a heavy rain. I have to start taking pictures of the magnificient scenery here before fall really comes as right now it`s just plain greenery beneath the blue sky. Soon it will be bright orange and yellow and by January next year, yes...all white and barren. I am pretty sure I will get the pictures up so do feel free to whine and complain why I am here and you are there... :p
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Macross (Valkyrie) 25th Anniversary Special
- Never Stop Dreaming -
This is especially going out to my bro for more than 10 years...Song. Yo bro I know you like Macross a lot so I did a check for you and I found a these...(click on the photo zoomer on the top right of the Yamato site for more pictures!)
1/48 scale VF-1S Macross 25th Annivesary Special (Click here for more info)
Anyway this is a really cool, special 25th Anniversary limited edition Black Macross VF-1S which will be released in Japan in Dec this year...so far the cheapest I have found is around SGD$170 before shipping and handling. Might be a little pricey bt the current conversion rate so let me know if you are interested.
And the other one is 1/60 scale Macross Zero VF-0S (Click here for more info) which is around SGD$190 before shipping and handling. Yep both these are fully transformable planes with removable pilots and realistic landing gear. Well the price is a bit of a factor and I am not urging anyone to get it but I might be getting one...just a slight possibility only.
Cheers brother...
This is especially going out to my bro for more than 10 years...Song. Yo bro I know you like Macross a lot so I did a check for you and I found a these...(click on the photo zoomer on the top right of the Yamato site for more pictures!)
1/48 scale VF-1S Macross 25th Annivesary Special (Click here for more info)
Anyway this is a really cool, special 25th Anniversary limited edition Black Macross VF-1S which will be released in Japan in Dec this year...so far the cheapest I have found is around SGD$170 before shipping and handling. Might be a little pricey bt the current conversion rate so let me know if you are interested.
And the other one is 1/60 scale Macross Zero VF-0S (Click here for more info) which is around SGD$190 before shipping and handling. Yep both these are fully transformable planes with removable pilots and realistic landing gear. Well the price is a bit of a factor and I am not urging anyone to get it but I might be getting one...just a slight possibility only.
Cheers brother...
Monday, September 10, 2007
Bad news and more of it...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Damn...the car that I wanted was sold like 2 weeks ago and the net was not updated...and I had to walk 8km from my school to my home, in freezing cold drizzle and poor visibility due to the fog in the mountains. 8km...that's like road march back in amy days and I swear I really dread those days. Can't imagine that I am actually doing it again all thanks to my bad crashed that left my baby dead. Yep I do have a bicycle with my which the really nice lady next door lent it to me in the morning but the road home was 95% uphill so there was ABSOLUTELY no way I can paddle that poor bicycle...now I am pretty screwed as to what commute I had to settle for now...walking uphill with a bicycle is not quite an option I would take...
I hope I can tide through this rough patch now...God Bless
Damn...the car that I wanted was sold like 2 weeks ago and the net was not updated...and I had to walk 8km from my school to my home, in freezing cold drizzle and poor visibility due to the fog in the mountains. 8km...that's like road march back in amy days and I swear I really dread those days. Can't imagine that I am actually doing it again all thanks to my bad crashed that left my baby dead. Yep I do have a bicycle with my which the really nice lady next door lent it to me in the morning but the road home was 95% uphill so there was ABSOLUTELY no way I can paddle that poor bicycle...now I am pretty screwed as to what commute I had to settle for now...walking uphill with a bicycle is not quite an option I would take...
I hope I can tide through this rough patch now...God Bless
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Self Diagnostics, Asthetics and Grocery Store
- Never Stop Dreaming -
After yesterday's bump, I can conclude that my self access diagnostics results are, neck ache and bruises. Nothing too serious like whiplash related injuries eventhough I do have a problem moving my head as my neck ad nape muscles are pretty much aching when I tilt my head up, down, left and right. Literally, this means that I have to move my entire upper torso to turn instead of the usual head movement that we all take for granted. Not that I can't turn my head at all but instead of the usual full turn, I can managed like a 30 degree turn before the muscles start screaming out loud. And I have a couple of bruises beneath those nasty grazes on my right knee, shin and inside tendons of my foot, other than those mentioned, I am pretty much alrite.
However, I got news that my little white scooter will spent a week getting repaired and the costs are pretty high so I have decided to put that little baby to rest instead. Will probably get a car which will take about 3 weeks and coming RIGHT OUTTA MY FIRST PAYCHECK! Damn...that's really sucky. So might just be living off some cheap food and no booze for next month.
As usual, I am a sucker for superfacial asthetics rather than practical skin deep reality so I will once again settle for a decent looking car over any 4 wheeled transportation. This time round I have set my eyes on a little 660cc Kei-Car, 5 speed manual turbo-charged little baby...Suzuki Alto Works RS/R. Hopefully I can get it...which will take a whooping SGD$1881 outta my first paycheck at the expense of my aching heart but with a huge amount of satisfaction.
Yep I have covered the first two, Self Diagnostics and Asthetics but what have that gotta do with Grocery Store? Alrite...let me fill you in, there are 2 supermarket within my little neighbourhood. Seiyu and the other one which I can't remember the name but let's just called it BEAR since the icon of the store is a bear. Well in comparision, the BEAR store is purely a food store with very little other stuffs while Seiyu have practically everything...the only difference is that somethings are priced a little differently and that's about it for things.
Here's the HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 STORE...It's just that there is this rather cute girl who works at the BEAR store who constantly check me out from the first time I went there. Yep she's really sweet...not the typical super KAWAII type but just a simply laid back rural girl. Haha...I do admit I like her smile and our little acquaintances are no more than an exchange of smiles each time I visit the grocery store. Being rather sensitive to situations around me, the second time I saw her, I swear to GOD she was wearing make up and her hair was neatly tied, which is obviously different from our first "meeting". Say let me rewind back a little, the 1st time she saw me, her occasional glances were obvious and even when I was OUTSIDE the store leaving on my bike, her glances were still obvious. And that I have inconsistent frequency to stock up my supplies so I do not really have a fixed schedule to visit the store...but each time I am there, I just can't resist going to her counter and catching her smile while I pay up...haha cheap thrills yeah...but let's just say that a smile like her's to brighten up my day is priceless, less the groceries that I bought, it's still very much worth it.
Okay don't jump to conclusions now as I do have to remind you that I am definitely keeping my choices OPEN.
Enjoy the remaining bits of your Sunday now and remember, I will enjoy your Monday Blues for you as I am LOVING every second of it here in JAPAN.
After yesterday's bump, I can conclude that my self access diagnostics results are, neck ache and bruises. Nothing too serious like whiplash related injuries eventhough I do have a problem moving my head as my neck ad nape muscles are pretty much aching when I tilt my head up, down, left and right. Literally, this means that I have to move my entire upper torso to turn instead of the usual head movement that we all take for granted. Not that I can't turn my head at all but instead of the usual full turn, I can managed like a 30 degree turn before the muscles start screaming out loud. And I have a couple of bruises beneath those nasty grazes on my right knee, shin and inside tendons of my foot, other than those mentioned, I am pretty much alrite.
However, I got news that my little white scooter will spent a week getting repaired and the costs are pretty high so I have decided to put that little baby to rest instead. Will probably get a car which will take about 3 weeks and coming RIGHT OUTTA MY FIRST PAYCHECK! Damn...that's really sucky. So might just be living off some cheap food and no booze for next month.
As usual, I am a sucker for superfacial asthetics rather than practical skin deep reality so I will once again settle for a decent looking car over any 4 wheeled transportation. This time round I have set my eyes on a little 660cc Kei-Car, 5 speed manual turbo-charged little baby...Suzuki Alto Works RS/R. Hopefully I can get it...which will take a whooping SGD$1881 outta my first paycheck at the expense of my aching heart but with a huge amount of satisfaction.
Yep I have covered the first two, Self Diagnostics and Asthetics but what have that gotta do with Grocery Store? Alrite...let me fill you in, there are 2 supermarket within my little neighbourhood. Seiyu and the other one which I can't remember the name but let's just called it BEAR since the icon of the store is a bear. Well in comparision, the BEAR store is purely a food store with very little other stuffs while Seiyu have practically everything...the only difference is that somethings are priced a little differently and that's about it for things.
Here's the HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 STORE...It's just that there is this rather cute girl who works at the BEAR store who constantly check me out from the first time I went there. Yep she's really sweet...not the typical super KAWAII type but just a simply laid back rural girl. Haha...I do admit I like her smile and our little acquaintances are no more than an exchange of smiles each time I visit the grocery store. Being rather sensitive to situations around me, the second time I saw her, I swear to GOD she was wearing make up and her hair was neatly tied, which is obviously different from our first "meeting". Say let me rewind back a little, the 1st time she saw me, her occasional glances were obvious and even when I was OUTSIDE the store leaving on my bike, her glances were still obvious. And that I have inconsistent frequency to stock up my supplies so I do not really have a fixed schedule to visit the store...but each time I am there, I just can't resist going to her counter and catching her smile while I pay up...haha cheap thrills yeah...but let's just say that a smile like her's to brighten up my day is priceless, less the groceries that I bought, it's still very much worth it.
Okay don't jump to conclusions now as I do have to remind you that I am definitely keeping my choices OPEN.
Enjoy the remaining bits of your Sunday now and remember, I will enjoy your Monday Blues for you as I am LOVING every second of it here in JAPAN.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Minor grazes and cuts...what a joke
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Alrite I am still considering if I should publish this but what the hell...ok so a while ago, around 1 pm, I was dressed and pretty much ready to hit the road to go out...then as I was cruising down a little downhill winding path, I hit a car, toppled over the side and rolled on my back. And my immediate reaction was...hahahaha what a joke. Busted the little white scooter and now I have no transport...
Not to worry too much though..I am alrite with just some light grazes and cuts on my right ankle, knees and shoulder blade. Might have a bruise or so here and there but nothing big actually. I was only doing 30km. The car had a little dent number plate and slight dent in the inner frame and that's about it...but my poor little bike took a big toll on the front but it will survive.
Well the passenger of the car roped in the cops and the cops roped in my boss and the school vice principal...big big issue that rolled outta a small collision. I thought all hell's gonna break lose but hey it ain't so bad...and now, I am still gloating over the entire matter which the other party, the cops and my pal, Grant basically sat there waiting for my boss and the vice principal to come which of course they did in like 1.5 hours later...there goes my precious sat and my sunday plans are pretty much screwed.
Damn...what was I thinking when I was going down that winding road...yeah it's was a perfect blind spot and I fell for the speed trap, doing only 30. And yeah the road was pretty narrow with 2 cars barely scraping each other if they pass by so I was riding in the middle of the road as no one would have rode on the sides. It was pretty much my fault basically as I should have been a little more conservative in my miscalculation of the situation. Guessed I am pretty much busted up now to ponder over my silly antics.
Lesson learnt...even with years of racing history, bike is JUST not my cup of tea...but then again, if I had a car, it'd have been much worse...and that my little tumble and rolled off the bike, was not done professionally. And I'd guessed that if I had actually kept my body conditioned and fit, I would have suffered less. Yeah yeah yeah, I do nothing but slack and rot, then eat and party...Bad lifestyle...but I am just plain lazy.
So nothing too much to worry as I really take this little bump as a big joke which on next week, would have huge publicity all over my school. Now I don't really like unglamourous stints to spread...I have a reputation at stake if you know what I mean...
Haha
Alrite I am still considering if I should publish this but what the hell...ok so a while ago, around 1 pm, I was dressed and pretty much ready to hit the road to go out...then as I was cruising down a little downhill winding path, I hit a car, toppled over the side and rolled on my back. And my immediate reaction was...hahahaha what a joke. Busted the little white scooter and now I have no transport...
Not to worry too much though..I am alrite with just some light grazes and cuts on my right ankle, knees and shoulder blade. Might have a bruise or so here and there but nothing big actually. I was only doing 30km. The car had a little dent number plate and slight dent in the inner frame and that's about it...but my poor little bike took a big toll on the front but it will survive.
Well the passenger of the car roped in the cops and the cops roped in my boss and the school vice principal...big big issue that rolled outta a small collision. I thought all hell's gonna break lose but hey it ain't so bad...and now, I am still gloating over the entire matter which the other party, the cops and my pal, Grant basically sat there waiting for my boss and the vice principal to come which of course they did in like 1.5 hours later...there goes my precious sat and my sunday plans are pretty much screwed.
Damn...what was I thinking when I was going down that winding road...yeah it's was a perfect blind spot and I fell for the speed trap, doing only 30. And yeah the road was pretty narrow with 2 cars barely scraping each other if they pass by so I was riding in the middle of the road as no one would have rode on the sides. It was pretty much my fault basically as I should have been a little more conservative in my miscalculation of the situation. Guessed I am pretty much busted up now to ponder over my silly antics.
Lesson learnt...even with years of racing history, bike is JUST not my cup of tea...but then again, if I had a car, it'd have been much worse...and that my little tumble and rolled off the bike, was not done professionally. And I'd guessed that if I had actually kept my body conditioned and fit, I would have suffered less. Yeah yeah yeah, I do nothing but slack and rot, then eat and party...Bad lifestyle...but I am just plain lazy.
So nothing too much to worry as I really take this little bump as a big joke which on next week, would have huge publicity all over my school. Now I don't really like unglamourous stints to spread...I have a reputation at stake if you know what I mean...
Haha
Friday, September 7, 2007
Ryuk and Yagami are now in my possession...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Alrite...just received the drop...the package is now in my possession. Well I am still taking orders while stock lasts...so here are some pics to wet your appetite...
So when the next drop is complete which ETA should be by early next month, I'd post the pics and then send them to SG...
Alrite...just received the drop...the package is now in my possession. Well I am still taking orders while stock lasts...so here are some pics to wet your appetite...
So when the next drop is complete which ETA should be by early next month, I'd post the pics and then send them to SG...
Death Note Nendoroid Updates...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Alrite here`s the updates...bad news bad news and more bad news...haha. Apparently these SUPER adorable figure affectionately named as NENDOROIDS are so sought after that it`s almost impossible to get the 1st of the 2 figures, Yagami Light and Ryuk. Since almost all shops in Japan are outta of stock and these figures are produced in limited quantity making them EXTREMELY valuable and thus, the status Limited Edition.
Even the soon to be released (End of Sept) Misa and L figure are almost all snapped up on Pre-Order Lists and Reservation Lists so most shops have closed their respective lists. But all is not lost since I am a great toy collector, I did managed to secure a set of Yagami Light and Ryuk for myself and have successfully placed myself on a Pre-Order List in some shop.
So if there is anyone else who wants the figures, I can source for it and the price for it to reach my home in Japan is SGD$91 for Yagami Light and Ryuk together. And I will then ship it to Singapore to your address directly but I will advise you on the shipping rate accordingly from Japan to Singapore...
Since Lawrence my dear brother is the first person who actually tells me he wants them, I will give him priority...so no gurantee and no promises that I might be able to get the figures...that is of course if my dear brother Lawrence decides to give them up, and I can`t get anymore, I will then have to offer his set.
Otherwise, Lawrence`s definitely secured himself a set of Yagami Light and Ryuk...
And there are some rumours that a fifth figure, REM the Shinigami might be surfacing sometime later...so don`t say I didn`t tell u...
Alrite here`s the updates...bad news bad news and more bad news...haha. Apparently these SUPER adorable figure affectionately named as NENDOROIDS are so sought after that it`s almost impossible to get the 1st of the 2 figures, Yagami Light and Ryuk. Since almost all shops in Japan are outta of stock and these figures are produced in limited quantity making them EXTREMELY valuable and thus, the status Limited Edition.
Even the soon to be released (End of Sept) Misa and L figure are almost all snapped up on Pre-Order Lists and Reservation Lists so most shops have closed their respective lists. But all is not lost since I am a great toy collector, I did managed to secure a set of Yagami Light and Ryuk for myself and have successfully placed myself on a Pre-Order List in some shop.
So if there is anyone else who wants the figures, I can source for it and the price for it to reach my home in Japan is SGD$91 for Yagami Light and Ryuk together. And I will then ship it to Singapore to your address directly but I will advise you on the shipping rate accordingly from Japan to Singapore...
Since Lawrence my dear brother is the first person who actually tells me he wants them, I will give him priority...so no gurantee and no promises that I might be able to get the figures...that is of course if my dear brother Lawrence decides to give them up, and I can`t get anymore, I will then have to offer his set.
Otherwise, Lawrence`s definitely secured himself a set of Yagami Light and Ryuk...
And there are some rumours that a fifth figure, REM the Shinigami might be surfacing sometime later...so don`t say I didn`t tell u...
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Differences in Japan...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Well the latest updates from Monday this week...Typhoon No. 9 will hit Japan soon with Tokyo probably getting strong winds and heavy rain. The place I am in, is in Nagano Prefecture and are surrounded by mountains and ridges which means that I would not be affected too much by it except for cool and long rainy days with occasional chilly winds which are probably bearable. So don't need to worry too much about me...the nature here's with me. But as of now, I am stuck indoors in my little shed with the internet being my only means of linkage to anything outside. The winds are howling and the rain beating against the glass sliding door. I have definitely got to get a car as the little scooter that I have will not get me anywhere in this weather which of course, the car will come straight outta my own pocket. Well even if I do get rain gear for cruising around in my bike, that stuff would probably not do much in winter which is like a couple of months away so getting the car is THE only option...besides, you guys would probably come crash at my place which no other public transport will take you to and then the car will do all of us good.
Schools have been pretty fun and mostly positive comments from my peers and seniors to my Boss, Nagisa San, which of course is a really good start for my otherwise new career here as an English Teacher. And learning that the JET programme, which is presumably the BEST to secure an English teaching position here that pays like ¥3,000,000. WRONG! Let me tell you...yes it's no doubt that the JET programme is screen by local Japanese Embassy and the screening criteria to select the right candidate is pretty stringent BUT...well all the JET do is just put you up in Japan and set you up with a bank account and pays you. Tha's it! They will tell you to go to places to get your applications and visas done but you have to go there yourself, go figure...there's ABSOLUTELY no one to help you and you CAN'T get a car or any transport in the first year (Correct me if I am wrong)...meaning that you have to slog your sorry ass around on public transport.
And well at least for me, getting hired by a private English school, though the pay is slightly less than the JET programme, I get proper hospitality, my Boss takes me around, sometimes treating me dinner, show me around places, go with me to schools on the first day, talks to everyone to make sure I am well taken care of, sets me up with a bike and helmet and insurance, pays my a little sum each month for my fuel, sets up my internet, aircon, heater, so to sum it up, my well being is pretty much taken consideration and I do get a hell lots of essential hospitality to make my stay in Japan a memorable one.
And trash here is a bit of getting used to...you simply can't dump everything into a plastic bag and chute them like in HDBs. Trash IS TO BE SORTED out into burnable, non-burnable, cans, recycled plastics, glass, pet bottles, etc and there are SPECIFIC dates issued by local cities for SPECIFIC trash collection. So that means that I have a FULL 1 year calander JUST for trash collection. And you can't use any other plastic bags to bag your trash...you have to BUY SPECIFIC trash bags only just to bag your trash and THROW them away...yes it's pretty insane to buy trash bag and throw them away and I am still getting used to it with bags of trash in my kitchen...Of course there are ways to get around it like disposing them into specific trash cans in 7 Elevens or supermarkets...just dun do it too often or if you must, dun become a public enemy to the local community...
Alrite...now it's back to CSI which I so happen to find and excellent site online that streams it.
Well the latest updates from Monday this week...Typhoon No. 9 will hit Japan soon with Tokyo probably getting strong winds and heavy rain. The place I am in, is in Nagano Prefecture and are surrounded by mountains and ridges which means that I would not be affected too much by it except for cool and long rainy days with occasional chilly winds which are probably bearable. So don't need to worry too much about me...the nature here's with me. But as of now, I am stuck indoors in my little shed with the internet being my only means of linkage to anything outside. The winds are howling and the rain beating against the glass sliding door. I have definitely got to get a car as the little scooter that I have will not get me anywhere in this weather which of course, the car will come straight outta my own pocket. Well even if I do get rain gear for cruising around in my bike, that stuff would probably not do much in winter which is like a couple of months away so getting the car is THE only option...besides, you guys would probably come crash at my place which no other public transport will take you to and then the car will do all of us good.
Schools have been pretty fun and mostly positive comments from my peers and seniors to my Boss, Nagisa San, which of course is a really good start for my otherwise new career here as an English Teacher. And learning that the JET programme, which is presumably the BEST to secure an English teaching position here that pays like ¥3,000,000. WRONG! Let me tell you...yes it's no doubt that the JET programme is screen by local Japanese Embassy and the screening criteria to select the right candidate is pretty stringent BUT...well all the JET do is just put you up in Japan and set you up with a bank account and pays you. Tha's it! They will tell you to go to places to get your applications and visas done but you have to go there yourself, go figure...there's ABSOLUTELY no one to help you and you CAN'T get a car or any transport in the first year (Correct me if I am wrong)...meaning that you have to slog your sorry ass around on public transport.
And well at least for me, getting hired by a private English school, though the pay is slightly less than the JET programme, I get proper hospitality, my Boss takes me around, sometimes treating me dinner, show me around places, go with me to schools on the first day, talks to everyone to make sure I am well taken care of, sets me up with a bike and helmet and insurance, pays my a little sum each month for my fuel, sets up my internet, aircon, heater, so to sum it up, my well being is pretty much taken consideration and I do get a hell lots of essential hospitality to make my stay in Japan a memorable one.
And trash here is a bit of getting used to...you simply can't dump everything into a plastic bag and chute them like in HDBs. Trash IS TO BE SORTED out into burnable, non-burnable, cans, recycled plastics, glass, pet bottles, etc and there are SPECIFIC dates issued by local cities for SPECIFIC trash collection. So that means that I have a FULL 1 year calander JUST for trash collection. And you can't use any other plastic bags to bag your trash...you have to BUY SPECIFIC trash bags only just to bag your trash and THROW them away...yes it's pretty insane to buy trash bag and throw them away and I am still getting used to it with bags of trash in my kitchen...Of course there are ways to get around it like disposing them into specific trash cans in 7 Elevens or supermarkets...just dun do it too often or if you must, dun become a public enemy to the local community...
Alrite...now it's back to CSI which I so happen to find and excellent site online that streams it.
Monday, September 3, 2007
8th Touch-Meeting Harley Davidson Event at Parada, Saku (25 August 2007)
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Alrite here's a summary of the event. It all started in Friday 24th August 2007, Grant and I rode our little farm terrorizing scooters to Saku to visit Eric and hope that he had some plans for the nite...well it was a wasted trip guzzling up almost 1/3 of my fuel. So in the end, there was no plans from Eric's side and we can't possibly go anywhere as Eric's mode of transport was his trusted Gary Fisher bicycle which of course, was unbelievably fast when ridden by Eric...SICK!
And so Grant and me rode back to our deserted town which was believed to have ZERO night life and we thought our Friday nite would be wasted stoning in our little farm shed...along the way, we kinda stopped in a quiet alley deciding what to do when there is this little pub glimmering at the corner of our eyes. In we went and so the story begins...
We begin our beers at the counter completely ignoring the rest of the other Japanese in there...and after like around 15 minutes, one of the really cool chap couldn't resist asking us where we were from as the Japanese lookalike me was talking ENGLISH to Grant, possibly the only white man in the place. We chatted with me being the amatuer translator of course...haha and there this cool chap, KENICHI promptly invited us to the event. An instant agreement was striked between Grant and me...and the rest...haha PICTURES of the event the next day of course...haha
In we come to Parada, ushered by the members of the TOUCH event which Kenichi was presumably the lead organiser. It's the 8th event to date.
Here is little Kenichi in the middle..
Kenichi talking to the fellow Harley riders
SUPER cool Kenichi San
And here is this really sweet lady who works at the little pub near my place which of course was one of the event promoters...she's HOT!
The rest of the Touch family...
Grant the man with the Green limited edition ARTICLE LION T-shirt courtesy of Kuroshishi and Samurai restaurants with the 2 event promoters...
And so the hordes of roaring Twin V engines poured in...
With hot lady bikers too...
And then came a vintage American classic...
With a bad ass driver and his family, endorsed by American, Grant!
Even the pets came with FULL gear...
And this little fella came out of the tents to catch the party...
And so here are the bikes starting off with a Kid's quad...
Of course not to leave out our SWEET little farm terrors...at the end of the Harleys..haha
At it's peak with around 1200 bikes gathered for the event from all over Japan which part of the reason this year was to help the Niigata quake victims.
Lastly SweEeEeeeeeeeT Harleys' girls (Yes these hot girls ride BIG, FAT and LOUD Harleys...!) proudly posing for me...haha
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For more future Touch Events and other Touch related information, pls visit Touch-Meeting Official Web Page.
Alrite here's a summary of the event. It all started in Friday 24th August 2007, Grant and I rode our little farm terrorizing scooters to Saku to visit Eric and hope that he had some plans for the nite...well it was a wasted trip guzzling up almost 1/3 of my fuel. So in the end, there was no plans from Eric's side and we can't possibly go anywhere as Eric's mode of transport was his trusted Gary Fisher bicycle which of course, was unbelievably fast when ridden by Eric...SICK!
And so Grant and me rode back to our deserted town which was believed to have ZERO night life and we thought our Friday nite would be wasted stoning in our little farm shed...along the way, we kinda stopped in a quiet alley deciding what to do when there is this little pub glimmering at the corner of our eyes. In we went and so the story begins...
We begin our beers at the counter completely ignoring the rest of the other Japanese in there...and after like around 15 minutes, one of the really cool chap couldn't resist asking us where we were from as the Japanese lookalike me was talking ENGLISH to Grant, possibly the only white man in the place. We chatted with me being the amatuer translator of course...haha and there this cool chap, KENICHI promptly invited us to the event. An instant agreement was striked between Grant and me...and the rest...haha PICTURES of the event the next day of course...haha
In we come to Parada, ushered by the members of the TOUCH event which Kenichi was presumably the lead organiser. It's the 8th event to date.
Here is little Kenichi in the middle..
Kenichi talking to the fellow Harley riders
SUPER cool Kenichi San
And here is this really sweet lady who works at the little pub near my place which of course was one of the event promoters...she's HOT!
The rest of the Touch family...
Grant the man with the Green limited edition ARTICLE LION T-shirt courtesy of Kuroshishi and Samurai restaurants with the 2 event promoters...
And so the hordes of roaring Twin V engines poured in...
With hot lady bikers too...
And then came a vintage American classic...
With a bad ass driver and his family, endorsed by American, Grant!
Even the pets came with FULL gear...
And this little fella came out of the tents to catch the party...
And so here are the bikes starting off with a Kid's quad...
Of course not to leave out our SWEET little farm terrors...at the end of the Harleys..haha
At it's peak with around 1200 bikes gathered for the event from all over Japan which part of the reason this year was to help the Niigata quake victims.
Lastly SweEeEeeeeeeeT Harleys' girls (Yes these hot girls ride BIG, FAT and LOUD Harleys...!) proudly posing for me...haha
For more future Touch Events and other Touch related information, pls visit Touch-Meeting Official Web Page.
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