Setting for a new year roll

I bought new text books for learning foreign languages such as Chinese, Korean, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. I need to settle my time schedule, balancing the working hours and the time for study... seems tough. But try and see how it works.

Personal Thoughts On Greece

In the recent market, Greece is a main topic. I do not know quite well what is happening in Europe to deal with this matter, I mean how serious it is.

There is a sort of limitation to collect information on Greece. I understand its deficit is getting bigger, and its amount is approximately 12% of GDP. The grade of Greek's bond was down, and this is the point of recent move in the market. Many market players predicts that downgraded bond will be sold by many investors. Based on this assumption, people start moving from Greek bonds to other safety assets.

That is what the market interprets.

Some people say why Greece is matter. The size of economy is relatively small, and other organisation or countries can save them. Maybe some investors just use this matter to sell Euro...

I am not sure the reality. However, it is the real that Greece makes the market up and down. One example of globalisation.

Michael Moore's movie "Capitalism"

I went to a movie theatre to see Michael Moore's latest movie, "Capitalism: A Love Story". I think his way to edit many other films into his movie is getting tired. And his way to approach toward the security guards seems unfair a bit. I mean, it should put toward the CEOs in banks.

Anyway, I understand those are very tiny things to discuss on this matter. This movie is not showing any surprising story but it is actually important enough. It lets us to take in consideration what has happened in the US to bail out bank business and who win and survive in this turbulence.

What is the relationship between the government and Goldman? Why the stock historically declined after the day the bill was rejected?

I felt I needed to research more about the US system.

One of my sources recommended me to watch this in a movie house because I could feel the current US atmosphere and the reason why Obama and Volcker put the regulation policy on financial sector. And I feel it now.

A sense of privilege among journalists in major media companies

I have annoyed a sense of privilege in media industry. What kind of privilege? Well, when you read articles on movies introducing newly released, I can feel some sort of negative vibes... sorry for abstract expression. I feel like I can see the behind process to publish those types of articles.

When I read an interview with Michael Moore recently, I have noticed that it is a timing to release his latest movie. That is why he came to Japan, and there were some "coordinators" to put articles on him as advertisement. Yes, advertisement.

I agree that Michael's points of view is interesting, and I want to read what he is trying to reveal or think for his next. At the same time, I start to guess the writer may communicate the people in advertisement agencies, who show the movie before releasing. And it is always for free. They tend to say "if you don't see this movie before interview, we cannot allow you to have an interview with him". In addition, they may say after reading articles, "your article is too small even we provide long interview time so we will reconsider your offer next time".

Friday is just the day before newly releasing new films. When you see the newspapers evening editions, you can see many movie articles. The writers actually write movie articles including interviews with celebrities. This is the privilege. They can meet and talk with celebs, and sometimes get signs from celebs.

But, is it really important to collect information on newly films especially major movie companies? What about the small but important insights not on commercial basis? If you are a journalist and have a certain philosophy on culture, it is hard to just follow the advertisement.

Travelling

I went to Nagoya the other day. It seems different from Tokyo, especially they seem to love big things. If you go to the Nagoya station, you can see a big tall building and that is the Marriott hotel.

There are huge restaurant floors next to the Marriott, and the ad board is so big. It makes me feel joy. It is important to let us feel to spend money there... and the message seems like a big thing is a great thing.

Addicted to you tube

Jan 8th was my first holiday of this year. I was addicted to you tube to check 70's/80's music. It would be so great if many contents provider distribute music and videos through the Internet much more. I can collect much information through the sites like You Tube. Great days now compared with 70~80's.

I should read more books... not checking you tube. I need to clean my room, maybe tomorrow.

Hard Work and Gathering with Friends

Today it was almost over 20:00 to finish my task at the office. And I felt so tired but I went to my friend's party to celebrate new year. On the way to the place, I almost fallen into sleep. But once I got there, I had fun very much. Stress in my mind was diminished, Very great moments.

Will the Minister of Finance Resign?

Today's afternoon, the news which the Minister of Finance, Hirohisa Fujii discussed on his health situation with the Prime Minister was reported. A politician tends to hide a fact of illness generally, so I predict Fujii will resign soon. According to media's report, his decision whether or not he will stay his position is up to the Prime Minister. Well, can he make his own decision?

Japan's new government seems to get the complicated maze. Hatoyama always faces with big decisions.

1st work day for this year

Today was the first day for work this year, and it is a kind of smooth start. Some colleagues seemed sick a little, and the tension at my office is not so high... that's okay for me. I could concentrate my work.

I stayed there from 7:00 to 19:00... and tired to adjust the daily work flow. Not only writing articles or collecting stories, but also taking care of others' schedule took much time. It is learning and training process for me to be a matured person... this is the way to make myself understand the situation.

Having my own time as much as possible

Tomorrow is the first day for work. Having my own job is a great thing and I understand I should not complain about going to work. But honestly speaking, I am feeling I want to take holidays more.

Thinking of my daily life, it starts from 5:30 in the morning. Approximately, I stay at the office about 13~14 hours. Free time to consider something tends to be in the train and home. I enjoy the conversation with parents at dinner time and it takes about an hour. Sleeping time tends to be 5~6 hours. A day is 24 hours, of course.

Cutting the working hours seems the best way to have my own time. I should see things weekly or monthly basis so that I can manage my time more effectively.

Step Forward

I am staying my home away from works completely. Very calm and stable... checking the Billboard all American yearly Top 50 of 2009, watching Eki-den, a series of marathon, going to a post office to send Nenga-jyou.

What is the most important thing in a life? I say it is joy, in other words human connection through communication. I will try to take it more aggressively this year. I mean not waiting for something passively.

New Year 2010

New Year 2010 has started. I have stayed with my parents and played around with my brother's son and daughter. They made me laugh so much and find the nature of human being. I found that human being was originally pure and believing others... and why it tends to be changed?

Anyway, I will try to look at the bright side of human much more than before this year. And I will try to trust myself a little bit more.

December is busy, always

Based on my experience, December is always very busy. Media provides the reflection of the year as feature stories. I need to work until 30th of this month... The workplace makes me sick, to be honest, but I really feel great to talk and drink with friends. I really realize I have been saved by friends and family members.

Life Goes On!

Recently, I hear some stories which made me feel how hard a life was. Today I feel so tired and want to go to bed. However, I have something to do before sleeping. Thinking of a life, preparing for memory cards to record programs...

When I feel so alone, I have to admit my tendency. I tend to envy others' lives. The way of thinking is like this: while I am struggling, others seem nothing to worry about. Then feel like it is not fair.

But I am getting to understand the meaning of a life a little. Not only pursuing my own goals, but also accepting a reality also brings me a joy or calm feeling. There are something not to experience but it is hard for us to avoid every that kind of thing. It is a matter of one's resolution. Saying is easy and doing is tough and difficult. I know. I am feeling that not chasing the perfect in everything will be the way to make myself feel better.

twitter boom

Some of my friends have started to open their own twitter site recently. It's like a kind of boom. If you have a Facebook account, it seems similar with the "what's on your mind?" part on the SNS.

It will be convenient to write down as a memo for myself. And it is suitable for mobile users to write in short messages. I am thinking of short message version of Feel the Globe. It will not be structured one, but just a collection of ideas when it comes out.

Michael Jackson's This Is It

It was a documentary and I assume it was aimed to shoot for the private use, say, check the moves from the third person's view. At the beginning, I can see the explanation which mentions the film was for Michael Jackson's library.

Through the movie, I can see MJ's professionalism. He seemed very sensitive when it comes to music, rhythm, dances, vocals and the like. It was interesting to see his way to give his requests to staffs. He said "I am not blaming you, and this is the love" (I am not sure the exact words because I was relying on translation into my native language) . When he wanted the high sound of guitar, he talked to a guitarist with saying "this is the best part for you, and this is the moment you can shine at the stage".

The show at London has become an illusion... never be shown in public. How sad he has already gone and we cannot enjoy his live show anymore. His message is the importance to look at oneself before complaining somebody.

Seeing his performance of "Wanna be starting something" makes me weep. The beautiful song "This is it" brings me the fact that this is the last song and he has not lived here. Each dancer and backing vocalist carried his or her life to his stage, so the live show was expected to be the collection of people's dream and professionalism. MJ said the show should be a journey from the daily life. I can understand that he put himself into creating the stage.

Miss the talented genius.

Recalling my life in the UK

I have been working so hard this week because of many events to write, and covering some colleagues who has been absent from work for a while. Doing jobs makes me step forward as a professional writer, but honestly, I need time to rest.

Well, today was off, so tried to see Michael Jackson's This Is It at a nearest movie house but the ticket was sold out. I could not wait for the next showing so gave up.

In Leeds, the price was around 3~4 pounds to see a movie. Seeing movies is one of the easiest entertainment for students. Easy to go there with friends, and easy way to excuse to have dates.

Anyway. I decided to have a healing time for myself. Went to a department store and took a massage course for an hour. The price was cheap and the people who provide massage were mainly blinds. He said my shoulder and waist were so hard. I understand I need to be away from PC and take some nice sleep.

Accept a man in a state of depression

I am working with a man in a state of depression. Some people tend to say he or she in the situation is a nature of dependence on somebody. It is case by case, but we need to keep in mind that he or she is struggling to deal with the disease.

From a view point of a profession, we need to move on no matter how one feels. A professional has its own responsibility to its customer. But as a team to provide something to society, each need to be tolerant to forgive somebody's weakness. Hard to practice, but this is the way to save a person in depression.

1 Dollar = 89 Yen

When we look at the currencies, the dollar seems to be declined. As a result, the yen has climbed higher from this summer, and has reached 89 yen level last Friday. It is for the first time since this February.

Strong yen is not a bad thing, according to some politicians. Japan faces with a problem of natural resources. Japan does not have so many kinds of natural resources that it has to import from foreign countries. It actually seems good to import with cheaper prices under the strong yen.

In the late 80's, Japan was in the strong yen days. Many entertainers came to Japan to do their shows such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, the Rolling Stones... etc. Japan's economic growth in 1987~88 was 5 or 6%.

Now it is quite lower than those years, and it has been supported by the exports toward the US or China which put the stimulate policies to their economy. Is it suitable to pursue the strong yen policy at this moment? There is an argument that making its own currency weak will lead to protectionism.

The current Japanese new government seems to try to change its economic structure not relying on exports. In other words, it may seeks the way to be independent in terms of economy as much as possible.

5 days off

I have had 5 days off until today. You can tell how I feel now... not wanting to return to work-mode. Works always require me to act more than my level, so I tend to get tired at the end of the day. Believing in contribution to society through my job is the only way to keep working.