On the train:

I spent another day of meetings in Tsukuba. I am writing this as I ride the shikansen back from Tokyo. I am getting almost sick of this ride. I would be completely dead without my ipod and computer. So here I sit. Today`s lucky car is #5. I am in row 16 seat C which is an aisle seat. The car is full and the guy next to me is asleep. The couple on the other side of the aisle are both playing with their cell phones. Some of these people you could write a story about just by looking at them. I see another couple of women who obviously are coming back from Tokyo Disneyland. They have their souviners and even some Tokyo Bananas. Somehow I think they had more fun that I did today.
I was actually going to go to Disneyland over the weekend. However, some sudden work popped up and I found myself in Yokohama and Tokyo. So a crazy weekend to say the least. But it was ok. The weather was so beautiful that I couldn`t help but be in a little good mood. Plus after riding the trains to and from Tokyo I am very very glad I didn`t go. It would have been completely crazy full of people. But I am not sure if there is a time that Tokyo Disneyland isn`t crazy full of people.
On other news it appears I am getting affected by the prime loan issue in the United States. My house and everything is safe since I didn`t take out some crazy loan like many people did. However I got notice that my house and condo and other properties I own are having the property taxes adjusted. It appears the values have now decreased a little. Its fine to pay less taxes but I hate to see the property depreciate. I know it won`t last forever……. But I think it could get more painful for a lot of people…
Well I guess I will eat my bento and try to relax for an hour before I get to Nagoya…

Happy Trails,,,
Todd

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States. I will spend the holiday traveling to Tsukuba and attending meetings. It doesn`t bother me. Thanksgiving is a holiday where family members try to get together to enjoy a traditional thanksgiving meal. We reflect on family and blessings in our lives. Then we watch football...hehe. But its a good day to relax, overeat, and relax some more.
Yesterday a colleague who works with me told me he didn`t understand why American`s eat turkey on thanksgiving and he didn`t think turkey would even taste good. I tried to explain the tradition behind turkey but he refused to try and understand. To him it was just another commercial holiday. So it kind of upset me to think that here is a guy from Japan who is telling me from America that our holiday makes no sense and we should change it. I almost wanted to punch him! Then he had the nerve to start talking about Christmas in Japan.... don`t even start there... I am seeing Christmas things all over Japan now. I think its cool. But I also think Christmas is kind of hollow here. I mean Japan really has the commercial aspect of Christmas down. I see sales, and Christmas trees, and Santa`s all over. But it will never really capture the true feeling of Christmas that Western Countries (Christian Countries) have. It just can`t. But it can do what its good at and commercialize it and give a boost to the economy. But really the holiday has no meaning here. So my colleague who started trying to tell me about Christmas really started to get under my skin. I looked at him and told him to shut-up because he had no idea what he was talking about and I left the room. Hum.... I guess it was too direct to say but give me a break! Him trying to tell me what Christmas is about is like me trying to tell him what obon is about. Our perceptions just can`t capture the real meaning or spirit behind the holiday. Anyway... enough of that... I have calmed down now....hehe.

So Happy Thanksgiving everyone and if turkey sounds bad and you can`t understand why American`s would even eat it then go to KFC or McDonald's. Have a coke and a smile!

Hump Day!!

While Wednesday is maybe my second most un-favorite day of the week, its hump day. So thats always nice to know. Lately the weather has been so nice in Nagoya. Its cold at night but the days are cool and crisp. Just how I like it. Football weather!! But its weird to be watching games on Monday morning before I go to work. So someday it will be nice again to lay on the sofa on a Sunday afternoon and watch a good football game. I guess those days are at least a couple years away. So for now its watching football games early Monday morning while I am still half asleep and then trying to get enough motivation to get out the door and over to work. I really need a vacation...hehe. At least new years is getting close. I debated to go back to America for a couple weeks or go up to Hokkaido. Hokkaido won this time. So I will head up there for a little over a week and stay with some friends and just relax and eat the excellent food up there. So I am looking forward to that.
Well I guess its time to find my motivation to get out the door and over to work.... joy. I don`t love Wednesday but at least its hump day and after today downhill until the weekend.

November....

Well October is gone and already November. Still love the weather here in Nagoya this time of year. Really beautiful!! I was looking around itunes last night and found a new album from a band I really loved in high school. The group is called "The Church". I couldn`t believe it. I listened to a few of the new songs and was sold. It really brought me back like 20 years. I can`t believe how time flies. I looked at the picture of the band and they are so much older now. It really made me feel old. I haven`t heard anything from them in maybe 15 years. But their sound was amazing. They sounded just like I remember them and the new album was awesome!! I ended up downloading the songs. So I spent the night listening to them and kind of just relaxing.

I have had a cold for over a week now. I have tried to hold off going to any doctor but its getting worse. So I may end up going tomorrow morning if I feel the same. I think I kind of have a week immune system or something because when I get sick I always get pretty sick and usually take longer than a lot of people to get back on top. Anyway I am still alive. Just some serious congestion and headaches.

Well the Dragons pulled it out and won. I was happy. Finally a team I am cheering for is winning. This is a bad year for my sports teams.... Did I say that already?? Well its true! Next year is only 2 months away... I hope its a better year for my teams.