"Get Your Money Up" (by Keri Hilson)

以前このブログでも触れましたが、今大学院で学んでる講義のひとつに租税法があります。税金てなんかネガティブなイメージがありますが、租税法的に自分の夢を語ると：

「所得税法第9条第1項第8号に該当する非課税所得をもらえるようになること。」

同項第13号でも良いんだけどね〜。まずは目指せ、8号!

しかし、こんな時代なので、目下同項第14号の金品がちゃんと給付されるのか心配…。おっと、そんな心配する前にしっかり勉強しなきゃですよね!!(^0^)

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所得税法 （最終改正：平成二一年七月一〇日法律第七四号）

（非課税所得）
第九条　次に掲げる所得については、所得税を課さない。

八 　外国政府、外国の地方公共団体又は政令で定める国際機関に勤務する者で政令で定める要件を備えるものがその勤務により受ける俸給、給料、賃金、歳費、賞与及びこれらの性質を有する給与（外国政府又は外国の地方公共団体に勤務する者が受けるこれらの給与については、その外国がその国において勤務する日本国の国家公務員又は地方公務員で当該政令で定める要件に準ずる要件を備えるものが受けるこれらの給与について所得税に相当する税を課さない場合に限る。）

十三 　次に掲げる年金又は金品
イ　文化功労者年金法 （昭和二十六年法律第百二十五号）第三条第一項 （年金）の規定による年金
ロ　日本学士院から恩賜賞又は日本学士院賞として交付される金品
ハ　日本芸術院から恩賜賞又は日本芸術院賞として交付される金品
ニ　学術若しくは芸術に関する顕著な貢献を表彰するものとして又は顕著な価値がある学術に関する研究を奨励するものとして国、地方公共団体又は財務大臣の指定する団体若しくは基金から交付される金品（給与その他対価の性質を有するものを除く。）で財務大臣の指定するもの
ホ　ノーベル基金からノーベル賞として交付される金品
ヘ　外国、国際機関、国際団体又は財務大臣の指定する外国の団体若しくは基金から交付される金品でイからホまでに掲げる年金又は金品に類するもの（給与その他対価の性質を有するものを除く。）のうち財務大臣の指定するもの

十四 　学資に充てるため給付される金品（給与その他対価の性質を有するものを除く。）及び扶養義務者相互間において扶養義務を履行するため給付される金品

"Empire State of Mind" (Jay-z feat. Alicia Keys)

Putting on an Abercrombie & Fitch,
sipping a cup of fresh Dean & Deluca's coffee, and
listening to "Empire State of Mind",

I feel NYC no matter where I am. (well, I'm in Tokyo, and my last visit to Manhattan is two years ago.)

PS. Big thanks to Maco-chan. The coffee is so smooth and delicious. As studying Real Option, I've been thinking an option to abandon Starbucks and end an column, スタバカ日誌!?

Best Albums of the Decade

Rolling Stone posted the Best 100 Albums of the '00s and the Best 100 Songs of the Decade. In the former, a score of albums I have are listed, and more in the latter.

In other words, I:
1. am a trendsetter,
2. am a trend follower, or
3. should subscribe to the Magazine.

Anyways, it's remarkable all the four albums of Kanye West are on the list!!

A Happy New Year

Paid a visit to a shrine on New Year's Day

Been to Mt. Fuji on the next day

and got recharged

With all the parties until New Year's Eve and visits to a shrine and to Mt. Fuji, My wife and I had a wonderful winter break. I feel fully charged to start a new year.

A Happy New Year!!

"Partytime" (by Missy Elliott)

We moved into this new apartment last March, but are now finally ready to welcome our friends. It's a beautiful, fine, perfect day for a party.


My wife cooks. I help. Uh, you know, not much. Stuff like peeling potatoes and dish-washing. Also, entertaining (or bothering?) her while cooking.

We primarily serve genuine Korean dishes. This is today's main menu: 버섯전골 (Mushroom Hot Pot).

A table for 5 and us.

Sofa So good

And a comfortable couch. Sometimes you can see some Sleeping Beauties or Sleeping Buddha on it. Today we're very lucky to find a Mermaid.

Dear friends, thanks for coming today. And we're await for more to come. You are welcome. Make a reservation!

Best Songs of the Year

2009 will be remembered as the year of the change. And of a new start.

The Obama administration took office in January as well as the Hatoyama in September. Personally, started a new job in January and to go to business school in September.

Also, the past year was very fruitful for me to meet great, favorite, new songs. Not quite sure whether it is because the releases of many great songs just happened this year or because I tried to find ones harder with some reasons. To my long list of favorite songs short, however, here is the one of the top ten.

1. Life Is Good (by DJ Deckstream feat. Mos Def): Make me very positive.
2. Empire State of Mind (by Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys): Make me miss NYC!
3. Special (by Snoop Dogg feat. Brandy and Pharell): Although Snoopy isn't my favorite artist and his latest album has just released this month, this song is SPECIAL.
4. Make Her Say (by Kid Cudi feat. Kanye West and Common): Lady Gaga isn't my favorite either, but her catchy, pop song can be a great HipHop.
5. Energy (by Keri Hilson): Charge me.
6. If Tonight Is My Last (by Laura Izibor): a live is greater.
7. Alive (by Black Eyed Peas): BEP is still alive.
8. Decision (by Busta Rhymes feat. Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, John Legend & Common): With all the musicians listed, a great song guaranteed.
9. Wavin' Flag (by K'naan): As once a political science major, and a friend of Somalis, wish the peace come to the Horn of Africa. I might take part in it. Who knows?
10. Keep Pushin' (by Kero One): Nice one.

Best Wishes for the New EAR to y'all!!

Merry X'mas

Today isn't a holiday in Japan. So, I got a day-off not to celebrate Christmas but to get my season's greeting cards flying: designing a card (by my wife), printing and handwriting a message. Season's greeting in Japan is supposed to arrive on New Year's Day (not on or before Christmas). Seems like I worked harder than I do at my office :)

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year to all!!