スタバではトールを買え（Buy a "tall" cup of coffee at Starbucks）

"スタバではグランデを買え (Buy a "grande" cup of coffee at Starbucks)" is one of best-selling books lately. But, I would say, buy a "tall" cup of coffee at Starbucks: スタバではトールを買え. Why?

Just think about the principle of declining marginal utility. It's not always true to say, the more one gets, the happier one is. No one can drink a gallon of coffee at once. "Grande" size might be able to maximize your total utility, but it is most likely that your incremental utility will be less than the one you can get from "tall" size.

Also, coffee is different from beer or coke. Many would not drink coffee in one gulp but sip slowly. A "venti" or "grande" cup of coffee will get cold unless you drink fast.

Now all you have to do is:
To bring your tumbler with you not only for getting JPY20 off but also for a nice cashier's filling more than you ordered. Hence, it is preferable to bring a "grande" size tumbler for ordering "tall" size. Note: it is also possible that the cashier fills your cup less than the amount of "tall".
So, just cross your fingers and smile at the cashier as much as you can. Good Luck.

"First Love" (by Hikaru Utada)

It was 1996 when I fell in love with her at my first sight in Manhattan. Later in 1998, I had a rendez-vous with her in Midwest. She looked so beautiful and gorgeous as before. Yet, I was so timid that I rather chose to flirt with other girls, giving up dating with her.

Torn my heart apart, I came back to Tokyo in 2000. It didn't take a long time for me to realize she's in Tokyo. To tell you the truth, she came to Tokyo even before I was back!! Meeting once means only accidental (偶然). Twice means necessary (必然), but three times means inborn (自然). In other words, it's a destiny. I couldn't be shy any more. I took a brave step.

I couldn't stop loving her. Now I'm totally committed and faithful. I meet her every single day.


She is Starbucks Coffee. My life-time commitment will last forever unless the coffee shop won't be "McDonaldized". But, to be honest with you, I've already had an "adultrey" with another lady. Her name is "Coffee By Design" feat. 7 falvors of Da Vinci Latte such as Funky Monkey and Casco Bay Berries.

www.starbucks.com/
www.coffeebydesign.com/

Beefeater

Had a business trip to the US last month. During the trip, I had:

• Kansas City Strip 12 oz. in Kansas (by the way, Kansas City is in Missouri, not in Kansas)
• Chinese food (such as beef stir-fry) in Kansas
• Mexican Beef Burritos in Chicago
• New York City Strip 12 oz. in NYC
• Galbi, Korean style grilled beef ribs, in NYC (K-town)

Oh, did I tell you this was a BUSINESS trip? And I have nothing to do with beef industry, by the way. Plus, I don't drink "Beefeater".

"You don't know my name" (by Alicia Keys)

There are some homonyms of Korean AND Japanese. So, for those who plan to visit Korea, be aware that your name might have a different (and sometimes hilarious) meaning.

For instance, Tajima (田島), a Japanese last name means "I won't give you a ride" in Korean. As such,

Kajima (鹿島): Don't leave (가지마)
Ojima (小島): Don't come (오지마)
Kanda (神田): I'm coming (간다)

Onda (恩田): Somebody's coming (온다)

Komine (小峰): I'm worried (고민해)

Nagano (長野): Go out (나가, 너)

Shimada (島田): Too bad, or I'm sorry (to be honest, I cannot come up with a good translation) (심하다)

Seki (関): Son of a xxxxx (새끼)

Best Songs of the Year 2007

And I'm so sick of Christmas songs
So tired of cheers (at 忘年会 or party)
So done with wishin' (a merry Christmas and a happy new year)
You were still here
Said I'm so sick of Christmas songs
So sad and slow
So why can't I turn off the radio (at a Starbucks Coffee shop and everywhere else)?

inspired by Ne-Yo's "So Sick"

The new year 2008 is coming soon in one month, and there are some more albums to be released yet. But, here are the best songs of the year for those SO SICK of all the Christmas songs everywhere!

"Because of You (remix)" by Ne-Yo feat. Kanye West
A perfect R&B song tastes totally new by a spice of Kanye's opening rap. Prescribed for weekday nights.

"Dream" by Common feat. will.i.am
The music video is mixed with an inspiring speech of Martin Luther King Jr. Prescribed for weekday mornings.

"Mi Swing Es Tropical" by Nickodemus
Most of you must be familiar with this song because of a tropical iPod CM. Prescribed for weekend afternoon.

"Umbrella" by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
Prescribed for rainy days without an umbrella.


Also, check albums such as:
Kanye West's "Graduation"
Consequence's "Don't quit your day job"
Linkin Park's "Minutes to Midnight"
Chrisette Michele's "I Am"
Common's "Finding Forever"

"Forgive Them Father" (by Lauryn Hill)

Ever since I (or my wife, to be precise) made a trip plan to visit Ise, Mie prefecture of Central Japan, I've been looking forward to visiting Ise-jingu (伊勢神宮), famous Shinto shrines, and buying "Akafuku (赤福)", rice cake with red bean jam. However, a week before our visit, Akafuku was reported to have violated food safety regulations and suspended its business.

Everybody's taking a photo at "Akafuku"

They say, sorry

Forgive them father for they know not what they do. (Lauryn Hill)

"Ring the Alarm" (by Beyonce)

Now cell phone subscribers are over 100 million out of 127 million in Japan, and over 2 billion out of 6 billion in the world. I'm not the only one who gave up installing a fixed line telephone at my home several years ago. At the same time, payphone has been disappeared from the streets. But, I haven't felt inconvenient until my last visit to Chicago in the early this month.

As always, I didn't rent a cell phone at the airport. Although I had to make several phone calls this time, I assumed I could find a payphone on the streets. But, the first problem was that I couldn't find one! Secondly, almost no Chicagoans knew where a public phone was!! What is worse, even when I found one at last, I didn't have quarters and couldn't find places for exchanges!!! Later, I bought a $2 phone card, but wasn't able to make local calls for long enough!!!!

So, when you travel overseas:

1. Get dozens of quarters,
2. Rent a cell phone,
3. Find a nice person you might be able to borrow his/her cell phone from (Thanks a lot to a girl, at a Dunkin' Doughnut store, who let me use her Razr for free.), OR
4. Just give up making a phone calls (I don't like making a phone call partly because I have traumatic work experiences at a call center.) and be free from digital connection.

말조심

When I had lunch at a Japanese restaurant in Chicago last week, there were Korean dad and daughter chatting next to my table. Dad was talking in Korean and the daughter in English, but both were mixing the other language as well. I was barely listening to their conversation, but was surprised to hear the daughter saying to her dad "뭐라고?" I believe she just meant "what did you say?" It's so rude in Korea but it might not be in Koreatown.

By the way, Chicago's Policemen are riding on horse (말), bike or segway. So, watch out horses and others.

여러분~ "말"조심 하세요!

good 2 B home

Here're photos from my first return to Chicago since May 2000. Ain't enough time (and places) to sightsee. Plus, was too exhausted to have Chicago's deep dish pizza. After all, I realized American cities are not for sightseeing but for living. Still, it was good to be home and to see the windy city hasn't changed a lot. The Millenium Park is the only exception.

Millenium Park in Oct 2007

http://www.millenniumpark.org/

BGM: Common's "Finding Forever", Rhymewest's "Blue Collar" and Kanye West's "Graduation" (all from Chicago)

PS. Thanks to Mayumi-san and Ben.

OX (true or false) quiz

Q: These are pot stands. True (O) or False (X)?
Q: これらは鍋敷きである。○か×か?

A: True (○)

YIELD
Summer hasn't yet given its way, but autumn is coming soon.
And 김치찌개, 부대찌개, 된장찌개, 해물탕, 순두부찌개, 육개장, すき焼き、水炊き、おでん、etc. are coming soon as well!!

PS. Thanks to Tomi for the pot stand X!

I love ME

and WI and NY.

Portland, Maine in March 2006

Wish upon a star: Episode 2

Can't believe plain bagle is gone like a UFO!
Can't believe cinnamon raisin bagle is served without cream cheese (nor butter)!!

Now all I can do is to wish upon a twinle little star, and
buy no bagle but a cup of coffee at Starbucks in Tokyo every single morning as always.

Know thyself

「つもり違い十カ条」（高尾山薬王院）

一．高いつもりで低いのは　　教　養
二．低いつもりで高いのは　　気　位
三．深いつもりで浅いのは　　知　識
四．浅いつもりで深いのが　　欲の皮
五．厚いつもりで薄いのは　　人　情
六．薄いつもりで厚いのは　　面の皮
七．強いつもりで弱いのは　　根　性
八．弱いつもりで強いのは　　　我
九．多いつもりで少ないのは　分　別
十．少ないつもりで多いのは　無　駄

I go to Mt. Takao a couple times a year, but haven't noticed the above.
http://www.city.hachioji.tokyo.jp/languages/english/sightseeing/mt_takao.html

By the way, this list reminded me of "Dekalog", a polish film series in 1989, inspired by the Ten Commandments.

Chi City (and Mr. West)

Purchased Kanye West's new album "Graduation" last weekend.
Also got Common's "Finding Forever" last month.

Now all I need is Chicago's Deep dish pizza!!

www.kanyewest.com/
www.common-music.com/

西遊記 (Go West!)

Delhi, India in March 2007

"A Dream" by Common feat. Will.I.Am

2 bad that:
1. The movie "Freedom Writers" wasn't showed in the theaters in Japan.
(have to wait until November for the DVD release)
2. The song is not available at Sony's Mora Store*
(only I can do for now is crossing my fingers)

Note:
"A Dream" is a soundtrack song of the movie, by the way.
(I posted video links on the right for now)

*Sony's Mora is an online music store like iTunes Store

Reality bites

Pretzel and Coke, my favorite combo

CAUTION!!

"My mother always said when you're eating pretzels, chew before you swallow" (George W. Bush, in January 2002)

Don't skip your breakfast!

1. Push the button



2. Get bacon

Dadakko (だだっ子)

If you are visiting Tsuruoka, Yamagata (山形県鶴岡市) in August:

It's a bit late to see alpine plants on Gassan (月山). (It's still nice, though)


Don't forget to bring your bathing suit.


But, can't miss "Dadakko (だだっ子)", the best selling sweets of Yamagata. It must be named after "dadacha-mame", Yamagata's specialty green soybeans. But, "Dadakko" also means a spoiled, unmagageable kid. So, don't be Dadakko even if you miss the best season to see alpine plants and forget a bathing suit. Oh, and unseasonal "summer" oysters are good as well.

Work hard but not too hard

If you're tired of working, the top priority is to take a vacation (It's a vacation season!!). But, unfortunately, many Japanese (incl. myself) are not brave enough to take a long, long vacation (not days but weeks!). According to a survey by the Economist, Finns enjoy 44 days off per year while Japanese salarymen get 18. Yet, note that the survey includes public holidays and Japan has some 15 or so public holidays...

So, here are my tips when you want stop working:
1. Have a break have a kitkat (I prefer Snickers, though)
2. Watch the movie: "the pursuit of happiness"
3. Listen to Consequence's "Don't quit your day job"

In my office, there are some living history of workaholic Japanese. But, as seeing my boss hospitalized last month, I reminded myself of the words: "work hard but not too hard".

Where's Waldo (or Wally)?

Best town to live with your family
Best town to live by yourself
No.2 town to raise your kids
No.2 town to live after your retirement
No.4 town to take a walk

The town is Kichijoji, my favorite town for last 20 years or so (i.e., since I was 10).

These are the results of Nikkei's survey in the late June; answered by approx. 6,000 people in Metropolitan Tokyo (Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures). And this is where I spend most of my weekends. It's ONLY 30-minutes' walk from my apartment! (Mostly I take an Inokashira line to get there, though)

If you wanna see me, find a man just like Waldo (or Wally). But, note that most of Japanese men look like Waldo. Catch me if you can, and I'll buy you a cup of Starbucks coffee. No venti size but short...

Wish upon a star: 星巴克咖啡 (Starbucks Coffee)

Reportedly, Starbucks was kicked out from Beijing's Imperial Palace. (It was the Palace who invited Starbucks, though.) Seems like China has another "Great Wall." The problem is, this one is invisible.

But, to prevent it, Starbucks just needed a couple more stars, I guess. (Hint: check the Starbucks logo and China's national flag) Or just make a wish upon a star :)

날아라, 병아리 (Fly, Chick!)

Can you believe Haneda Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world?

Ever since Haneda gave up Tokyo’s main international hub in 1978 to "notorious" Narita Airport (the new hub is approx. 4 times farther from Central Tokyo than the old one!), Haneda has been an airport for domestic flights.

For last several years, however, Haneda is taking back some of international departures and arrivals (In the meantime, there has been flights to Taiwan, though). Unlike Narita, hard-working Haneda operates 24 hours per day. Since Nov 30, 2003, flights between Seoul and Tokyo have been shortcut by those between Gimpo and Haneda. Plus, starting from this October, air travel to Shanghai will become more convenient as well. Seems like this workaholic airport is trying even harder.

It is reported that even more international flights will be available in 2010 by constructing a new runway. Haneda Airport, a.k.a. "Big Bird", will become a real "Big Bird" at last, hopefully. I took flights to Seoul from Haneda (only) a couple of times, but they were irresistible. Less-time-consuming ground transportation compensates a little bit expensivethe flight costs. Time is money.

No Narita Go Haneda. (Haneda needs not only pave a new runway but also renovate its lousy international terminal, though.)

By the way, "Hiyoko" (which means chick) is one of most well-known souvenir sweets in Tokyo. "Hiyoko" maker should start thinking a new sweet　whose name is Chicken (or Big Bird).

Gone

Pepsi Ice Cucumber's gone.
It wasn't bad, though. Not at all. Tastes like a melon soda "lite".

raison d'être

Busy with making your living? Then, stop and check the followings.

What if you're given only 24 hours to death? This controversial comic book describes the society where the government picks one out of 1,000 people to death at random. Such death sentence is legalized to educate people to respect the value of life. Sounds horrible, isn't it? But, as reading "イキガミ" ("ikigami", the sub-title is "the Ultimate Limit"), you'll see a different aspect. I think we're just too stupid to realize the truth: "life is short."

What is the most precious memory in your life? What if you can take only one memory for the afterlife? If you're not sure, watch "Wonderful Life" (or "After Life" in English) (1998). Sorry, I wanna explain the movie more, but I barely remember the story since I watched it a long time ago. Still, it's a good movie!

If the above two seems too serious, then laugh and cry by reading "椿山課長の7日間" ("Mr. Tsubakiyama's 7 days") by Jiro Asada. This is one of the best books I read last year. The novel became a movie last year as well. I haven't watched yet, though.
7 days mean a grace period after the death. If you have a good excuse, you can go back to this world. But, given the body of somebody else, you're identification is kept confidential. Given 7 days, you might be able to wrap up your life.

Unless 24 hours or 7 days is enough, live hard happily not to regret.

76 (nana-roku) sedai

A couple of years ago, "76 (nana-roku) sedai" was a frequently quoted word among Japanese media. Literally, it means 1976 generation. They were born around 1976, and are successful entrepreneurs of IT business.

The two books I've been reading lately reminded me of the word. I was impressed (and a little shocked) how young the authors are and what they have achieved.

One is "ハーバードMBA留学記" (Studying at Harvard Business School) by Daisuke Iwase. Having earning a distinctive honor at the school, he's launched a new insurance business in Japan.

The other is "産業再生機構　事業再生の実務　第I巻" (Turnaround Business by the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan Vol.I). The book is compiled by scores of authors whose ages weren't specified in the book, but according to the introductions of authors, at least 8 out of 45 in total are my generation, I suppose. Reportedly, the IRCJ, founded in April 2003, successfully finished its mission last June, handling 41 turnaround deals (incl. Daiei and Kanebo) and accumulating the profit of over 30 billion yen.

Myself is another "76 sedai", by the way.

虎者死留皮 人者死留名
Can I live like the old Chinese saying?

No Wife No Life

African Festa

If you live in Tokyo, experience Africa once a year!
African Festa is held at the Hibiya Park, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by the African embassies. There are many embassy and NGO booths. You can not only buy some African accessories and foods, but also meet African people (and some strange Japanese) living around Tokyo.

If you missed last weekend's, then see you next year!

http://www.africanfesta.com/
(Sorry, it's only in Japanese. I wonder why this website has no English pages.)

Hop Step JUMP

Jump is:

1. a favorite weekly manga (comic) magazine during my teenage
2. a favorite song during my 20s (the Van Halen's song was released in 1984, though)
3. a favorite Korean "comic martial arts performance" for now (I watched the performance in Seoul last April, and love it! Couldn't stop roaring with laughter)

If you wanna watch the performance (the last JUMP), check this out:
http://www.hijump.co.kr/
By the way, it is playing in Japan now.
http://www.jumpjump.jp/

what's next...

thinking about next blog topics.
searching for new ideas.

Cool Biz

CoolBiz is starting soon in Japan. This is the only Japanese government policy I've ever appreciated. The policy has freed businessmen from tying a necktie during Tokyo's mist-sauna-like summer. Hallelujah!

And some real "cool" (or freezing) biz are getting hot here in Tokyo.

A new frappuccino, Azuki Frappuccino, is coming soon at Starbucks.
I'm not a big fan of frappuccino series. My favorite is today's coffee (hot or ice). This is my conclusion from a 7-year Starbucks "worship". My stomach is not "macho" enough (because I'm a Virgo?!) to handle an espresso shot included in Caffè Latte, Caffè Mocha, Cappuccino, Caramel Macchiato and so forth. What is worse, I have lactose intolerance! Plus, I can't drink Soy Latte either. Seems like I have some allergy to it. Albeit such limitations, I still love Starbucks. According to my wife, I don't love Starbucks but myself at Starbucks. Whatever.

Anyways, I only wonder... if the new frappucino is better than Korea's 팥빙수, shaved ice with sweet condensed milk syrup, azuki beans, jelly, rice cake and fruits. Maybe not. That's my bet. If I have to choose Starbucks' frappuccino, Cold Stone's ice cream or 팥빙수, I definitely pick the last. Cold Stone people I met in the States were so nice, though. When I first (and last) visited the store, an employee gave me every single tea spoon scoop for tasting almost all the ice cream. So, I had enough even before ordering. One of sweetest treats I've ever had.

By the way, when is Starbucks America's Orange Crème Frappuccino and Orange Mocha coming to Japan? I also wanna try them. Perhaps only once.

Circle of Life: Burger King and... (posted on May 6, 2007)

A couple of weeks ago, as visiting Seoul, South Korea, I was delighted (and a little excited) by finding out what Japan has lost for a long time. It's neither historical buildings nor traditional lifestyle but Dunkin' Donuts and Burger King.
Once the two American fastfood retailers had launched their business in Japan, but withdrawn due to unsuccessful operations (I'm not quite sure about the facts though). But, reportedly Burger King is coming back this summer alliancing with Lotte, one of Korea's largest conglomerates. Lotte was first established in Tokyo by a Korean Japanese.

How about Dunkin' Donuts? I guess (it's only my guess and WISH) the doughnuts company has been thinking about the return, especially after seeing the successful start of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Tokyo. Plus, Dunkin' Donuts is a big sponsor of Boston RedSox at which two Japanese pitchers have started their MLB career this year. Every time their match or interview is broadcast, Dunkin' Donuts logos are here and there. To me, it seems like the Donuts company has already started its marketing for Japan.

If Dunkin' Donuts reopens its store in Tokyo, we will be benefitted hopefully by:1. having a less waiting time at THE Krispy Kreme store. It has been manipulating a marketing strategy and only opened a single store since last December. But, the company might quickly open new stores if its rival decides the reentry into the Japanese market.2. having less lousy food menu at Starbucks As a specialty coffee store, its coffee is awesome, but its food is aweful: expensinve and not tasty. Hopefully, the coffee company will renew its food menu.

To me, Starbucks is the best coffee and Krispy Kreme the best doughnuts. But, if I have to choose a set of coffee and doughnut, I'd rather go to Dunkin' Donuts.

PS. Did you notice that title came from Lion King's soundtrack, "Circle of Life"?

"Shin" City? (posted on April 14, 2007)

On March 7, PricewaterhouseCoopers released its first interesting analysis: "Global City Rankings". This is, according to PWC, a comprehensive research of the largest 100 cities to make the rankings based on estimated GDP at Power Purchasing Parities.

My hometown, Tokyo, is ranked at the top in 2005, followed by New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Paris and London. PWC also estimates a global city ranking in 2020, and surprisingly, the largest is Tokyo again, and the city's estimated GDP at PPP is similar to that of Canada or Spain.

Although I've been to neither Paris nor London, the ranking in 2005 is understandable. However, it seems to me that 2020 ranking is overestimating Tokyo's potential. Also, the city might have some advantage in its larger land (and crammed) than other global cities.

In my opinion, Tokyo needs to improve, at least, two things: a good airport infrastructure (incl. access to it) and ethnic diversity. I'm sure whoever have visited (or lived) the town do agree with me for the first point. That is a part of reasons why I voted for Shintaro Ishihara in last weekend's Tokyo governor election. Yes, his policies and attitudes have been controversial, but his bid to host the Olympics games in 2016 will surely vitalize the city. (The only concern is a possibility that the governor, SHINtaro Ishihara, takes advantage of his position, misusing and messing the state government, and making Tokyo "Shin" City.)

Regarding ethnic diversity, this is a little complicated, but people gather where opportunities are present. Later, on March 20, PWC released another report: "Cities of Opportunity". The results of Tokyo are not as impressive as the global citites' GDP report, but they are more accurate and trustworthy. To me.

Glocal Warming (posted on Feb 28, 2007)

Everybody seems conscious about global warming now, partly thanks to Al Gore's "an Inconvenient Truth." But, did you know that the COLD war had prevented the planet from global warming for a long, long time?

Okay, no more joke.

Anyways, what each of us can do for stopping global warming is a tiny thing. Still, that's exactly what we have to do right now. Here's an example.

Last weekend I went to a sushi restaurant in Tokyo for having dinner with my friends. You know, sushi is one of grrrreat Japanese cuisines that uses neither electricity nor gas. We got there around 7pm, but a score of people were already lining outside the restaurant. We had to wait for more than an hour on a freezing and windy street. (Maybe it was a little less cold thanks to global warming, though.)

Then, we found a cause of global warming there! A huge stove was warming the planet just in front of the restaurant. So, my friend and I decided to stop global warming by blocking it, and many others (all those strangers in the line) joined us. I was so impressed. I felt so good. And warm.

Think Global, Act Local.

PS. Many thanks to Tomi and his wife for waiting in the line for a long time even before I arrived.

Analyze This

The title is nothing to do with Robert DeNiro's movie "Analyze this" (Japanese title is "Analyze me"), but just my self-analysis. I don't need a psychiatrist like Billy Chrystal.

Indecisiveness is one of my characters. That is the biggest reason for having taking more than one year to start blog. I believe, I've been just too busy, and had no topic for the blog, though.

I've been familiar with this character. In order to change myself more than a year ago, I bought a book, "Decision Making" ("決断力") by Yoshiharu Habu, one of the most famous Japanese chess players. Have I read the book? Nope. Not even a single page yet.

I know. It's just opening the book and turning a page. Take a step forward. So simple. But, buying the book was a huge step for me. Perhaps.

Best Albums of the Year (2006)

Here is a list of the Best Albums in 2006 and how to enjoy 'em at a Starbucks Coffee shop (in my biased opinion, of course).

1. "Timeless" (Sergio Mendes)
I'm not a big fan of Brazilian music, but Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am did an excellent job!! He transformed a Brazilian music into a new HipHop.
Recommended with Today's Coffee, with a spice of cinnamon, OR Soy Latte in weekend mornings.

2. "Once Again" (John Legend)
John still looks a little childish, but this album is mature. My favorite songs are "Heaven" and "P.D.A."
Recommended with Caffè Mocha with an extra espresso shot at weekday nights.

3. "St. Elsewhere" (Gnarls Barkely)
"Crazy," a smash hit from this album, knocked me down. The song makes me crazy!!
Recommended with Caffè Latte mixed with Tazo Chai Tea whenever you're depressed at your office! The cup definitely cheers you up!!

Looking forward to meeting new, great songs this year!
No Music No Life!!

PS. I own neither Starbucks coffee stocks nor Tower Records, by the way. Just a fan.