Thoughts on Father's Day

As for Father's Day gift campaign, some stores were advocating "Dad needs no more ties!" That message is so true. Tie is one of a few self-expressions for men in the business world. Hence, many, if not all, won't give up such a freedom and sole discretion easily.

Given the hot and humid summer weather in Tokyo, tie isn't what we need for now, either. The government has introduced "Super Cool Biz" this year. Accoring to it, a suit (and a tie) is officially prohibited from the business battle field in Japan. Hot pants are okay. I have never seen (never ever want to see) one so far though. If you go to an office with tie, you are NO patriotic.

Besides, Tokyo's offices and subways are not as comfortable as previous years. Their air-conditiongs are set at a higher temperature (some 28 degrees Celcius) than usual due to the blackout risk. Seriously such actions undercut Japan's economic growth even further.

So, all those circumstance in consideration, my wife (and baby girl) gave me a Starbucks tumbler and card. This is the very first gift I got on Father's Day. I have been looked forward to having a Father's Day gift throughout last couple of years (including my wife's pregnancy). But, now I came to think in a different way. Fatherhood itself is such a priceless gift. It is blessing. The gift is great, but I am so grateful to my wife and daughter who delivered the utmost happiness and delight in my life.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads.
Let's enjoy our fatherhood!!

"Bitter Sweet Poetry" (by Kanye West)

Starbucks Japan seems to provide some sweet treats for its customers lately.

It has been offering a "One More Coffee" campaign this year. Thanks to the campaign, any customer, who purchases a cup of drip coffee, is able to get one more cup with only JPY100 (a tall cup usually costs JPY340) at any other Starbucks store on the very same day. Initially the campaign was supposed to be only temporary from January 14 through April 13. Yet, the gourmet coffee company has extended the term, and now decided it for an infinite time period.

Last year the specialty coffee company also offerred a JPY50 discount for any customer who brings one's tumbler. It was a big deal since the stores normally discounts JPY20.

They are indeed sweet treats. Thanks, Starbucks. I really appreciate it. (Forget all those stupid, imaginable marketing strategies by the coffee store!) With Starbucks VIA, the company's new product, its financial performances have beated markets' estimate, and perhaps help introduce such discount campaigns.

Still, there're some bitter aspects for frequent Starbucks goers.
First, we won't forget that the coffee shop raised the drink prices by JPY20 or so years ago. Second, keeping the prices are not enough given a decade-long deflation in Japan. Last but not least, imported coffee beans should be cheaper in terms of strong Japanese Yen these days.

Starbucks' multi-year, private contracts with coffee bean suppliers might prevent further actions from lowering the retail prices. Reportedly the company often pays double the commodity price. Definitely, Starbucks Japan also needs money for its CAPEX. It plans to open 80 new drive-thru stores this year in Japan.

With all those facts and assumptions in mind, I can't simply welcome the infinite One More Coffee campaign. And my coffee tastes bitter. Not sweet. It's not that I pour neither syrup nor sugar in my drip coffee, by the way!! :P

Jack @ Starbucks

Starbucks now has three types of in-store product lineup targeting customers with different lifestyle.

For instance, drip coffee is definitely for a busy guy like Jack Bauer (of "24" the TV drama), who wants caffeine "right now!". The only problem is, he must be in such a hurry that time is running out before a barista to prepare for a cup in a couple of minutes. Or worse, Jack is gonna point his gun at a barista and even threat him!! He'd better get one of Starbucks Discoveries at a convenience store like Seven Eleven.

Whole bean coffee is for a noble man who has someone else to grind beans and prepare a fresh cup for him at home. But, unfortunately not for Jack and the Beanstalk. Beans won't grow over a night to touch clouds. Cuz it's roasted!!

The company's brand-new VIA is perhaps for Jack Sparrow from "Pirates of Caribbean". In Japan, this was introduced on April 14. Yes, it's absolutely quick. And convenient. The specialty coffee company says it took 20 years to develop the product. Well, to be honest, I did not notice a diffrence from others like Nestle. In the first place, I do not drink instant coffee, though.

It's always good to have an option in our life. I wonder if the marketing strategy of Starbucks is VIAble, though.

Whatever you choose, just enjoy your coffee break.
Cheers!

***

Correction: A new Starbucks store in Kichijoji is not a 3-floor. The building does have 3 floors, but 2nd & 3rd floors are open for rent.

スタバカ日誌～the more the merrier～

A couple days ago I took a day-off and headed to Azabu-juban. It was my 2nd time to the district this week as well as 1st time to the Starbucks store in years. I enjoyed breakfast there. With 3 floors, many comfortable couches and diverse customers from around the world, this Starbucks is one of the best in Tokyo.

Later the day I stopped by a Starbucks in Kichijoji for getting "One More Coffee". As seeing my receipt, a lady at the cashier noticed I was at Azabu's earlier. She told me she was working there before. The lady also told me that the new Starbucks store in Kichijoji (i.e. one at Nakamichi dori) is opening sometime before the Golden Week. Mid-April maybe? The new store will have 3 floors just like Azabu-juban's.

Thanks to Starbucks' One More Coffee campaign, I got not only a discount for my second cup of coffee but also all the stories. Priceless!

PS. Before opening its 7th store in Kichijoji, Starbukcs shut down one at the Kichijoji station. Wonder whether it's merely temprary or permanent. Cross ur fingers for the former! For now Kichijoji has 5 Starbucks stores.

スタバカ日誌〜One More Chance〜

It's been more than a month since Starbucks Japan introduced its One More Coffee campaign.

One can get another cup of drip coffee for 100 yen at any Starbucks on the same day. Given a tall cup costs 340 yen in Japan, I feel worsed off if not taking this advantage. Is the marginal utility of second cup higher than first?

During final exam week I was totally caffeinated, and now need decaffeinated.

So, to drink or not to drink, that is the question.

スタバカ日誌～thank you for smoking～

Some business folks are so good at speech. Even though I cannot recall their names, their few words are so impressive, witty and hilarious. I still remember the speech of a manager from JT, a Japanese Tobacco maker:
"To those who smoke, thank you very much for smoking. (喫煙者の皆様、いつも大変お世話になっております。)
To those who do not smoke, I sincerely apologize for some smokers with bad manners . (タバコを吸われない皆様、一部のマナーの悪い喫煙者がご迷惑をおかけしております。) "

Several weeks ago at a Starbucks, I saw a male customer smoking inside (INSIDE!!) the store at Kichijoji. Starbucks' non-smoking policy is now a common sense. I've never imagined to see such a scene.
What is worse, he didn't have his own portable ashtray, dropping ashes on a dish. He kept smoking until a cashier told him this is a non-smoking area. This is not a bad manner but lack of common sense, I would say.

Korea Sparkling 2

Can't miss it!! Korean cuisine whenever I go to Seoul. I need a couple more stomachs, though.

Start with processed meat

부대찌개

Chicken
삼계탕 (参鶏湯)

Pork
삼겹살!!

and Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeefff!!!
Here come the king of meat, 생갈비♪

then dessert comes.

팥빙수 with water melon, kiwi and mango.

wanna some more at Dunkin Donut?

Or stop by spacious coffee shops here

콩다방

and there.

My most favorite time comes at Starbucks.

별다방

I prefer living in Seoul more than in Tokyo. First of all, Seoul has Dunkin and Coffee Bean but Tokyo has neither. Secondly, Coffee Bean and Starbucks in Seoul are so spacious that a single Starbucks in Seoul is as large as half a dozen stores in Tokyo combined at least. Last but least obviously, Korean foods are the BEST in the whole world!!!!!!!!!

Back to Basics

"Life doesn't always turn out the way you plan."
And certainly this wasn't my plan. At least until last year.

Ever since having finished my undergraduate study, I always wanted to go back to the U.S. for studying at graduate school. But, I realized it's not my goal. And met my new employer who encourages employees to study foreign language, accounting, law or anything useful for the job (and future one). It even subsidizes a part of tuition. So, why not now?

Last couple months I prepared my essays, submitted documents and had interviews. And just got my admission letter this week. Starting in September, I will be back to school for studying advanced financial theory and practices.

Imagining to work from 9am through 6pm and to study weekday nights as well as weekend, I feel a bit of dizziness. Perhaps though it is more like going back to my high school days. The three years I studied from 7am through 10pm at school. Yes, next couple years will be very hard, but just like back to basics, getting academic stimulus and excitement.

Knowledge is Power.
To fuel it though needs energy. Hopefully my energy (i.e. my dream!!) is sustainable, and never dies!!

What if my gas is running out? Well, a Starbucks is just three blocks away from the school :) What to worry about?

Thank You For Smoking

I love Starbucks for many reasons, but a distinctive one which differentiates this specialty coffee brand from others is its non-smoking policy. Well, now there are many other coffee shops with non-smoking policy, but arguably Starbucks is the first to start such a rule. One, esp. non-smoker, is able to enjoy gourmet coffee and its aroma. Puff won't annoy such coffee break at all.

"Universal Mind Control"?! (it's COMMON!!)

Such a policy, disappointingly though, doesn't cover terrace area outside a store. Worse, the stores even offer an ash tray for customers who request one. Japan has a huge smoker population. As summer's getting closer and weather nicer, it's irresistible to go outside and enjoy coffee. But, highly likely to have someone sitting nearby smoking.

As I enjoying book-reading and drinking coffee this morning, a gentleman had a seat right next to me. He lit a tobacco and started to smoke. The puff flew to me, disturbing my favorite time. But, guess what printed on the back of his T-shirt. It was:

"Love Each Other, Respect Each Other"

This must be a bad joke, or a cry from marginalized smokers more than ever. Whatever the message really means, thanks for reminding me of mutual respect. Too bad that he couldn't see his own back.

"When the Sunshine Comes" (by Kero One)

Opening eyes is not hard in every single morning. Yet crawling out of a bed and taking the first step out of home are the hardest parts. These are common all over the world, but Being squeezed into a rush-hour commuter train is, HORRIBLE only if you live in Tokyo unfortunately. To many, morning ain't the end of nightmare. But, only the start of it. Real one.

Music might help you start a beautiful day.

"Good Morning" (by Kanye West)
My long-time morning alarm as well as a favorite promotion video.

"Shine" (by Laura Izibor)
The sound of piano and Laura's voice touch your eardrum softly.

"When the Sunshine Comes" (by Kero One)
The song will take you not to the downtown office but beach.

"Morning in Rio" (by Sergio Mendes)
Imagine yourself in Rio de Janeiro.

"Wake" (by Linkin Park)
The intro from LP's latest album expresses a lay of sunlight, morning agony and yawn... With the album, one can rock every single day.

Well, music ain't enough maybe. The best of best ways to jump-start a morning is to stop by a Starbucks shop and get a cup of coffee!! Then, you'll get awake from the five senses.

Morning Calm

What a shame.

Lately I realized I've spent last four years or so not listening to Kero One. It is my regret. Deeeeep one.

I go to a Tower Records once a week, and check every single new HipHop album. Yet, his first collection did not draw my attention. I overlooked it perhaps because of my immaturity. Ain't mature enough for listening to this mellow jazzy HipHop.

But, now I had a lesson. Have grown up for not passing by his second, which came out this year. Kero One's second, "Early Believers", is a perfect BGM for beautiful, sunny weekend mornings. The songs are chill but heartwarming. It appears to me that he certainly has a heritage from the land of "the Morning Calm". "Early Believers" is a music of the Morning Calm.

According to the weather forecast, Tokyo got into the rainy season (梅雨) today. That gloomy, humid rainman is back to the city again, but thank God, I got Kero One this year. The Korean American's songs will dry the dampness up with refreshing air!!

The music, with a glass of Iced Coffee blend at Starbucks, guarantees a time for meditation.

"Welcome to the Bay" (by Kero One)

For Kero One, the Bay means San Francisco, but this Bay is the other side of Pacific Ocean, Yokohama.

I'm back, and so is African Festa, with 34 African embassies, 60 NGOs, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yokohama City.


One can get a free poster, buy African accessories or enjoy a live music concert

and street music performances here

and there,

Or get an African drum lesson.

But, wherever I am, can't start a day without a Starbucks coffee!! Here's one at Chinatown. (Oh, and Ethiopian embassy was selling its coffee, too.)

and Chinese supper. (I did have African cuisine too!!)

"I'll Be Missing You" (by Puff Daddy)

Oh no. A Tully's, one of my favorite coffee shops in the town, is gone. Gone with the Winter. No notice is posted, so I have no clue whether it is permanent closing or temporary for renewal...

But, looks like the former more likely. Too shy to say good-bye?

In Kichijoji, Starbucks is such a dominant force. Within a radius of 1/2 km or so from the block where the Tully's located, there are 6 Starbucks stores.

"Hate That I Love You" (by Rihanna)

Starbucks' instant coffee, VIA, is coming to some select stores in Seattle, Chicago and London... INSTANT COFFEE!! from Starbucks not from Nestlé.

My feeling is like, Rihanna's "Hate That I Love You" or Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On"!!

スタバカ日誌 - Daydream -

So, are we gonna get the new breakfast deals of coffee and sandwich at 355 Japanese Yen ($3.95 x 90) in Tokyo starting next month as well?
"Starbucks Says Hello to a New Day With Pairings at $3.95"

If so, that would be so sweet, given that today's Tall Coffee costs at 340 Yen and Tall Caffè Latte at 370 Yen respectively!! Starbucks raised its beverages and foods by 10 to 20 Yen last July, by the way. Remember?

"Bittersweet Poetry" (by Kanye West feat. John Mayer)

Valentine's Day is coming soon.

It seems to me that this annual event in Japan hasn't been so commercialized as much as Christmas. Perhaps it is because only commodities retailers can exploit are flower, card and chocolate. There are also some compilation records of sweet love songs released around this time of a year. But, as Forrest Gump's mother said, "Life is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you're gonna get." And you never know what you're getting is a piece, a whole box or nothing at all.

Hope for the best, but good to expect the worst as well.

So, what happens to those left out? Koreans have the Black Day. On April 14, those who spent unhappy Valentine's Day alone get together and eat a bowl of noodle with black bean sauce. If you aren't living in Korea, I recommend listening to Kanye West's latest album, "808s & Heartbreak", especially songs like "Hearless" and "Love Lockdown". Oh, and "Bittersweet Poetry" is a great song as well. Also, order a cup of espresso shot at Starbucks, or that of "bittersweet" Double Mocha (Mocha with an additional espresso shot) if espresso shot is too bitter. Happy couples won't need Caramel Macchiato and Honey Orange Latte, aren't they? Oh, these "sleepless in Tokyo" (NOT this one) folks won't need caffeine to stay awake in the first place!!

Happy Valentine's Day.

スタバカ日誌 - Bean Around -

A friend of mine told me the other day that Starbucks' Christmas Blend is getting worse year by year. I totally agreed with her. Last month I tried not to order drip coffee of the blend. But, it's not the only problem. Seemingly baristas don't know how to brew good, tasty coffee lately (I'll discuss it later).

Now Christmas is over, and I assumed I would have no more problems with that lousy blend. Until next December at least. I was too optimistic. The blend is still around with a different label: "Holiday Blend". I haven't specifically checked it, but it tastes almost same with the awful Christmas Blend.

Last year we, Japanese, were shocked by such news reports that meat processors labelled a different meat and food packers changed expiration dates and origins. I'm not saying that the specialty coffee brewer is making the same fraud. But, I am just disappointed. The only good news for now is that Starbucks stopped playing all those Xmas songs.

スタバカ日誌 - Caffeine and the Effects -

"Who the hell do you think I am?!"

Everybody at a coffee shop turned where the yell came from. A woman sat with her arms folded across her chest. She was staring at a man in front of her.

Perhaps it wasn't exactly what she said, but it seemed to me that's what she meant to say. She was blaming loudly on her fiancé that he gave her only a gift for her B Day and Xmas, and also that he booked their wedding without asking her schedule. In the end, the hysteric lady even mentioned he's got to cancel their wedding and to pay all the costs.

spitfire

I wanted to advise them, "why don't you drink a cup of coffee first?" Cold coffee tastes lousy. A drip of caffeine only makes this fabulous, stylish, gorgeous fashion model-like girl even more untouchable, but it does have some effect on her boyfriend to relieve his pain: the pain of heartbreak. Or they shouldn't come to a Starbucks shop in the first place. That's why it is dubbed "the third place" not a battle field. Caffeine only helped flame on her anger.

"We Made It" (by Linkin Park feat. Busta Rhymes)

It has always made me nervous when I checked this online exam score inquiry. But, no more nervous day. I got my score today. At last. The score of Auditing and Attestation, the last section of U.S. Certified Public Accountant exams.

Because I've already passed the Examination on Rules of Professional Conduct, now I just need wait for my certificate to come, and get a new job.

This isn't neither my plan A nor B. When I quit my job last March, the original plan was to take (and pass) two sections of the exams respectively in May and July. Given my exam results last August, however, I changed my focus on finding a new job rather than on studying Auditing and Attestation, the section I failed.

But, what can I say? That's life.

Since it took longer than I expected, I feel a sense of relief rather than that of achievement. But, thanks a lot to my friends who studied together, advised and supported me. Also to Starbucks. The specialty coffee chain is my study room where I sometimes stay as long as 5 hours per day, and a cup of drip coffee always jumpstart my brain. And last but not least, my special thanks to my wife. You're my cheerleader and lighthouse.

Now, is anyone interested in offering me a good job?

スタバカ日誌 - What the third places are for -

Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks, envisioned his specialty coffee store as a "third place" where people spend most of their time besides their home and office. So at Starbucks, customers not only sip coffee but also read a book, enjoy conversation or study. If lucky, a pretty barista passes you a sample of new coffee or food, and have a little chat.

But, not all are coming to the third place for such purposes. A young college student came in to a store the other day. He was talking on the phone (I don't know how he ordered his coffee). He kept talking for all his 1/2 hour at the store. Even when he left.

For an Asian couple, the coffee chain is merely a meeting place with a roof and aroma. A couple of days ago, an Asian girl was seated without a cup of coffee. Later, her boyfriend arrived. They didn't order anything, but talked for a while, and were gone.

Only God knows if Howie expected such visitors to his coffee stores. But, if the store doesn't welcome such people, I insist Starbucks stop playing all the Christmas songs right now but rather play some pop music like Madonna's "Hang Up" and will.i.am's "Spending Money".