Out of it...

I watched the Academy Awards Monday night on TV. It was live on WOWOW Monday morning but I had to work. So no chance. I came home Monday night and found it would be on again. So I was happy to watch it. I can`t believe now how much I have missed as far as the movie scene in the US. I didn`t know any of the movies that were up for an award. It surprised me. Man!! Where have I been?? I guess Japan is really behind when it comes to a lot of movies. I think Japan pretty much gets the large blockbusters but not the average show I guess. Anyway, I was a little disappointed I didn`t know anything about the movies. So I have a lot of catching up to do when I get back to America.

I may go back to the U.S. in a couple weeks so I hope to see some. The problem is I may have to go with a Japanese colleague here. So that sucks because although I would go back to Utah and stay at my house, I would still have to baby sit him and take care of him. He is the type of guy that will just expect me to take care of him over the weekend. I have lots of family and friends and a few people I need to see during that time but I guess I will have to drag him along.... my ball and chain I guess!!

Lately I have been so frustrated at doing business here. I think now more than ever I am really understanding the different approaches Japanese and American`s take in business. It frustrates me to have to have so many long detailed discussions to solve a problem. American`s generally just do something and go from there. But here everything has to be drawn on a white board and discussed then get someone elses approval and discuss and then another persons approval and discuss before any action is taken. A 4 hour discussion would be over in 20 minutes in America. I am not saying thats wrong. I am only saying from my perspective as an American it frustrates me. Still I see a lot of merit in how business is approached here. Still it just frustrates me a little. But I guess when in Rome......

It snowed over the weekend here in Nagoya. I was really surprised to see the snow. Its the first time I have seen it snow here and it snowed all day. It gave me a good chance to just stay home, relax, and get caught up on some things. But wasn`t able to catch up on everything.

While it snowed all day Saturday, Sunday was sunny and by Sunday late afternoon it was almost all melted. So that was a quick winter..... Meanwhile, back home in Utah I hear they are having the winter from hell. I think this is the most snow they have had on record. I heard even some ski resorts had to close because of too much snow... Thats hard to believe but I guess its true. I picked a bad year to be here. I think skiing must be the best its ever been.

Anyway, once Feburary starts I am always getting ready for spring. I don`t really like the spring but like the warmer weather and being able to go outside without a coat. Especially after Valentines day. After Valentines I feel like winter is really over and spring is on its way. In another 4 weeks maybe the weather will be a little warmer and people will be a little brighter as well.... including me! But now its tax time and this year is a pain doing taxes from Japan. So once thats over I will really be ready for spring.

Deathbed...

I have been on my deathbed now for the past few days. I have been so sick. I guess I got the flu. I thought I was doing good but nope..... Anyway... finally today I am feeling a little better. I guess I was so busy last week and this week I never really had time to rest and get better.

Anyway... so I am really far behind on everything. My job, my emails, my work I do from home, my homepage, my life...hehe. Now I guess I get to try and start catching up. Man its been crazy!

So I watched some of the elections today on TV. Its getting interesting. I am kind of an Obama guy. People have been asking who I like. Well so far him. He is fresh and the US really needs some fresh air!! So we will see how it goes. But I like watching the election races. Today is super tuesday. I think someone on the republican side may take it. But the democrates are still up in the air.

I guess I can get up now and start catching up...

Sleepless in Tsukuba...

I have been in Tsukuba all week this week. Its been terrible. I caught a cold and have basically been not feeling good all week. Now I am in my hotel and so tired and sick I just can`t sleep. Its been a crazy week! At least tomorrow is Friday and I can relax over the weekend. I really need this weekend. But I wish I was in the states this weekend. Its Superbowl Sunday this weekend and that means football and lots of food!! But I guess I get to watch the big game for an hour Monday morning live before I have to go to work. So if its a close game that its going to be really tough to go to work...hehe.

I am in the middle of reworking my english homepage. Its been a pain and I lost so much data on my computer a few weeks ago I have been trying to retrieve everything and get all my information back the way it was. I hope to have it done or near done before the end of the weekend. We will see..... its just been crazy!!!

The weather here in Tsukuba is beautiful. But I have been too sick to even really enjoy it. So maybe I can get some sleep tonight and feel better tomorrow. Who knows.....

Oh man its been a while!! Where do I even start??

I went to Hokkaido for the holidays. I had a really good time! I stayed at some friends house. We ended up doing a lot of eating, skiing, shopping, and watching movies. It was just what I needed. But I think I ate too much. I forget how good the food is there! Also how easy it is to get around and just live. I really miss it there.

I went skiing a few times. There was a big snow storm the day after I arrived so the snow was excellent the while time. Great skiing!! So I had a good time. I wanted to see so many people but just got too busy playing...hehe.

I then got back here and work the first week was hell! I have been so busy ever since with new projects starting up. But its going ok. Just too busy.

Then last week my computer died. I had to to back up everything and do a recovery. It took me almost 2 days to complete it because I didn`t have a lot of time. But finally got it all done. So now my system is running good as new. So its been crazy but good. Now I am back to reality. It sucks. I am really ready for another break. But I guess thats a while down the road again. I did get some news my parents are coming over during golden week to see me. That will be nice. So I guess they will stay a week with me and then go up to Hokkaido to be with some friends up there. It will be fun to show them Nagoya. They don`t know this area at all.

Well thats it for now. I am back unfortunately....hehe. But did get refreshed and ate tons of good food!!

Ahh yes Saturday. I needed this day! Its been a couple of tough weeks but I am still alive. I have been wanting to go back to the states for Christmas for various reasons but its not going to work out. I already had my airline ticket to Hokkaido and now its possible to even get a ticket. I am kind of down about it but I will at least try to relax at some onsen in Hokkaido and enjoy some fresh fish. So next week will be good. But my thoughts are elsewhere.

I talked with my family this morning and they all seem to be ready for Christmas. Kids are getting excited in America and companies are now basically closed for the holidays. I can`t believe its almost a year now since I moved here. Where did the time go?? If I can hang in there this next year I may actually survive.

I had a friend send me this link. http://glumbert.com/wii/view.php?name=baddayoffice I totally relate to some of these guys in the office...hehe. Well maybe not to that extent but I think we have all had times where we are ready to throw the computer out the window!! I have and sometimes I wish I could throw my boss out the window with the computer....hehe.

The collage football bowl season is now underway also. I am missing the games... My University won their game last night so thats one good sports story for me this year. I have been saying all along it was a terrible year for my teams... maybe it will end on a good note.

To close to home....

Its been a little while since I last updated here. I haven`t gone anywhere. Its just been a crazy week filled with some complex emotions. I lost a really good friend a couple months ago. He was hunting and got hit by lightning while sleeping in his tent. It was tragic.

I got word last week another dear and precious friend has cancer. This is a very big shocker for me. I grew up with her and she has always been a very big part of my life. A very important part of my life. It appears she has some cancer around a major artery. Its impossible to operate and it looks like all treatment has had not effect. She is very sick just from the treatment. Last week the doctors and specialists told her she had maybe 8 to 15 months to live. It tore a hole in my heart. I am kind of in a situation where I really want to go home now. She is very close to my family so they are with her almost daily. But its tough. There is a saying that when one person has cancer the whole family gets cancer. I think I can understand this now. Its getting very tough on everyone. So its just really a hard time right now for me. I haven`t had the energy to do much. I am going to work and basically just hanging in there from day to day. No motivation. I am not sure what my motivation would be right now. To be honest anyone who knows me knows I have had some serious bad luck in the past with a few things in life. The last few years have been really good. But life is like a roller coaster. It goes up and down and the ride ends too quick. One thing is that I have been really close to my parents especially as of late. So this has been a blessing in my life I am so thankful for. Anyway, don`t want to get too deep here. Just opening up a little. But that is as far as it goes.....

Well the holidays are around the corner. I really want to go back to the US now but won`t. I will stay here and go up to Hokkaido and try to relax and forget some things. Life is tough I guess but life it life. Everyone has a drama. Anyway all in all I am doing good and have really enjoyed the fall weather in Japan. Really beautiful!!