You don't know my name vol.2

Here're some more homonyms from the ones I posted last November; Japanese last name has a different meaning in Korean.

Kaji (加地): eggplant (가지)
Hori (堀): waist (허리)
Iseki (井関): son of a xxxxx (이 새끼)
Tashiro / Shirota (田代/白田): I hate 'em all (다 싫어)
Yano (矢野): hey, you (야, 너!)

Anything else?

Sorry, Sony

Dear Sony,

First of all, congraturations for your victory over Toshiba's HD-DVD. I'm not a passionate blu-ray supporter, but am so releaved to hear the news 'cause I, and many other consumers alike, don't have to worry about which high definition DVD to buy any longer. As if "a failure is the mother of success", you have done your homework after miserably defeated by the videotape format war of Betamax and VHS decades ago.

You have a reputation of always offering consumers a second option: Betamax in videotape, blu-ray in high definition DVD and omg (or Atrac3) in digital music formats. However, those options have resulted in some inconvenience among consumers.

So, after defeating Toshiba, now it is your turn to admit your loss to Apple's iPod. I've been using Sony's net walkman for more than 7 years. However, you've been betraying such a loyal customer like me for several times such that:

1. "Omg" (this doesn't stand for Oh My God, by the way), your own digital music format, is incompatible with iPod's "aac" format,
2. Mora, your online music store, had finally cut the prices after Apple launched iTunes Store virtually in Japan,
3. Mora's music coverages are still unevenly concentrated on J-pop music (I prefer Amerian HipHop), and
4. There are no available PodCasting at all.

Unless you change your arrogant marketing strategy, I have to purchase an iPod before the switching cost gets higher. This is my last warning.

my jukebox

Sincerely,

Your Loyal Customer (for now)

Wrap n' Roll

Gyoza Dumplings
Inspired by recent news about the poisoning in frozen dumplings, my wife and I cooked some 50 hand-made dumplings last weekend. Still, they were different from the ones we usually make since the round dough for gyoza dumplings was sold out!! Instead, we bought rectangular dough (for wonton) for wrapping ground pork and chopped vegetables.

Korean Rice Roll (김밥)

Also inspired by Eho-maki (恵方巻), we made a dozen of Korean rice rolls on Feb 3 (節分の日) 'cause I prefer Korean rice rolls to Eho-maki. Plus, don't know how to make the latter. By the way, Eho-maki literally means "lucky direction roll". One has to swallow a roll facing this "lucky direction", and cannot slice the roll and say a word while eating it. Of course, the roll is NOT designed for food fight.

"Good Life feat. T-Pain" (by Kanye West)

Good Life consists of, at least, "Fantastic 4" ingredients.

1. Good music like tonight's show performed by Sergio Mendes (Can't wait for the new album coming soon this month!!)

2. Good concert hall or jazz club like Blue Note Tokyo (I really appreciate its NO SMOKING policy)

3. Good meal (Don't order too many foods and drinks at Blue Note Tokyo 'cause they are a bit expensive; but delicious)

4. Company you can share your joy of music with

Welcome to the good life...

Now throw your hands up in the sky. (it's snowing again!)

www.bluenote.co.jp

www.sergiomendestimeless.com/

PS. Kanye, Congrats for your Grammy nominations! Tomorrow's gonna be your BIG day!! You "got to shine!!"

http://www.grammy.com/

"Every Breath You Take" (by Sting)

While coffee aroma like new fresh ground coffee is great, the smell of breath after drinking a cup of coffee is not. So, do not forget to have a piece of mint or gum after sipping coffee. As Sting says, somebody's watching (and smelling) you!!

Every breath you take
Every move you make

Every bean you grind
Every sip you take

I'll be watching you

By the way, Sting is a great musician in that his songs are covered by Hip-Hop/R&B artists such as:

• Puff Daddy's "I'll be missing you" ("Every Breath You Take")
• Craig David's "Rise & Fall" ("Shape of My Heart")
• Black Eyed Peas' "Union" ("Englishman in New York")

Anything else?

Last Samurai

Samurais are gone a century ago. Although I learned kendo for several years (a long time ago), I'm merely a businessperson and Virgoan (i.e. not macho)! Still, I felt samurai spirit in my blood last mid-November when:

I read a New York Times article at Starbucks in Manhattan, reporting Starbucks' first time drop in customer visits. Then, I realized I've been dedicating my samurai-like loyalty to this Seattle-born gourmet coffee shop for seven years or so.

So, just fill my tumbler with joy and coffee. I'll be "there."

"There" refer to: primarily Tokyo (such as Kichijoji, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Meidaimae, Shimokitazawa, Narita, Haneda, Azabu-juban and more), Chicago and Manhattan. In Seoul, I would rather go to Dunkin' Doughnuts, Coffee Bean or Krispy Kreme. Sorry.

Sleeping Beauties

Tokyo is sleepless. Even though JR and Metro subways stop rendering their services around 1am, a lot of people are staying up all night. Some people miss their last train to go home. Their alternative destination would be capsule hotel, manga cafe or karaoke bar unless they are able to afford a taxi to go home. Others are just working during night time. So leave them alone. However, there are still others who work just so hard (or too hard) that they suffer insomnia.

There must be so many experts' opinions for curing it, but I came to the conclusion that music might be one ever since I went to the Tokyo Opera City and the Tokyo Metropolitan last month. Well, Hip-Hop is not the only music I listen to, dude. The concert halls are great places to listen to live classical music. And to sleep. Isn't it nice to have an elegant, delicate classical music not only when you fall asleep but also when you wake up? I saw many peaceful faces. I did not fall asleep, by the way. I just made a deep "bow" to show my little appreciation for music, you know...

So, don't rely on your sleeping pills but go to a concert hall and have a sweet dream. However, for those who wanna sleep, just don't snore while the orchestra is performing. Also, for those who do not, don't wake your fellow up by kissing!

http://www.operacity.jp/

http://www.geigeki.jp/

PS. Thank you, Sleeping Beauties, for inviting me to such a wonderful concert.