My current laptop is the 3rd generation. A few days ago, I had a chance to run my 1st laptop (2nd laptop has gone to my flatmate), and found quite a number of good old photos.
There is a little problem transferring these photos to my current PC. The old PC does not have CD burner. It can not connect to broadband either. Which leaves me the only way is to move them in to floppy disc(FD).
The capacity of floppy disc is 1.38 mega bytes(MB). There are at least 150 photos that each of them is about 600 kilo bites(KB). Yesterday I was busy re-sizing photos down to 200KB each approx. Today, finally I am ready to move them to FD, but then a new problem is found...
...My current PC does not have FD drive.(sad)
Oh my goodness, FD that had been extremely usefull in the good old time, has been kicked out and replaced by CD/DVD. This is shocking... Wait a moment! My flat mate! He has a desktop PC in his room that has FD drive, and furthermore, a CD burner. So the photos can be transfered via FD to his PC, then to my PC via CD. Perfect!
But anyway it is not the best way to transfer data now a days. Maximum photos I can put into FD is 7. I had dual task using 2 FDs with my old PC and my flatmate's PC for quite a long while.
Meantime, my old PC was flozen several times, and some photos had broken data. It wasn't so smooth opperation. When all the photos finally transferred into my flatmate's PC, I just couldn't resist making the "fanfare" sound that is recorded to my new PC, to welldone me.
In the end I had at least 20 round trips between my room and my flatmate's room. No more excersise today...
Anyway thanks Floppy Disks! You are turly wonderful.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
How do you spend Christmas?
Hi All
As always every year, festive season has come. What I do usually is to go visit my friend or invite them on Christmas eve, and then will be at home all day on the Christmas day.
This year, I will visit my Greek friend (very good friend of mine since years back) at Howth village for Dinner.
As always every year, I have forgotten again that the bus does not run until late on Christmas eve. (See more info)
We have to do the dinner in the afternoon as his place is an hour away from city centre.
Why don't I stay in his place sleeping on the sofa? (he kindly offered)
Well, next day is Christmas day, which means no public transport at all. I don't wanna be stuck at his place all day long.
I will stay at home on Christmas day, and see an Indian DVD I bought in Delhi.
My plan is not extremely exciting, but cosy and relaxed moment is my happiness.
Well everyone, I wish a very very happy Christmas and a cheerful year 2006 (year of dog).
As always every year, festive season has come. What I do usually is to go visit my friend or invite them on Christmas eve, and then will be at home all day on the Christmas day.
This year, I will visit my Greek friend (very good friend of mine since years back) at Howth village for Dinner.
As always every year, I have forgotten again that the bus does not run until late on Christmas eve. (See more info)
We have to do the dinner in the afternoon as his place is an hour away from city centre.
Why don't I stay in his place sleeping on the sofa? (he kindly offered)
Well, next day is Christmas day, which means no public transport at all. I don't wanna be stuck at his place all day long.
I will stay at home on Christmas day, and see an Indian DVD I bought in Delhi.
My plan is not extremely exciting, but cosy and relaxed moment is my happiness.
Well everyone, I wish a very very happy Christmas and a cheerful year 2006 (year of dog).
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
The Old Navy
I have an uncle I admire. He call himself "Old Navy". Many part of my character come from him. He is an amazing guy. I will tell you more about him some other time.
Anyway, I was working with him over two years when I was younger. After work, we usually go to Japanese pub. This was how I learned how to cope with beers.
Being in Ireland, I find myself in a pub in a lot of social occasions. People easily go 5pints, 6, 7, ....15....whatever. Japanese people usually have less disassembly enzyme to cope with beers, and I sometimes feel sick. It is pity as people around me are having a great time and I can not stay any longer.
Now listen to my uncle's word.
"Hidekis, do you know why every pubs have tomato juice? How many people would take tomato juice in the pub? Probably none. Strange, isn't it? Well, If you drink beers a lot more than your limit, tomato juice would save you. It works before, during, or after drinking beers. Have it with one tea spoon of salt in it. Try. It was a navy's idea, and became traditional to have tomato juice in the pub."
Ever since, I don't know how many times this bloody tomato juice saved me. Especially this week, after I came back from India, there are a lot of parties going on.
So Yesterday, I had five pints of Beer plus tomato juice with one tea spoon of salt, then a glass of whiskey afterwards.
By the way, my limit usually is four pints....
Anyway, I was working with him over two years when I was younger. After work, we usually go to Japanese pub. This was how I learned how to cope with beers.
Being in Ireland, I find myself in a pub in a lot of social occasions. People easily go 5pints, 6, 7, ....15....whatever. Japanese people usually have less disassembly enzyme to cope with beers, and I sometimes feel sick. It is pity as people around me are having a great time and I can not stay any longer.
Now listen to my uncle's word.
"Hidekis, do you know why every pubs have tomato juice? How many people would take tomato juice in the pub? Probably none. Strange, isn't it? Well, If you drink beers a lot more than your limit, tomato juice would save you. It works before, during, or after drinking beers. Have it with one tea spoon of salt in it. Try. It was a navy's idea, and became traditional to have tomato juice in the pub."
Ever since, I don't know how many times this bloody tomato juice saved me. Especially this week, after I came back from India, there are a lot of parties going on.
So Yesterday, I had five pints of Beer plus tomato juice with one tea spoon of salt, then a glass of whiskey afterwards.
By the way, my limit usually is four pints....
Thursday, December 15, 2005
My hopeless situation
I am back in Dublin. It is, I must say
Coooooooooold!
Never mind, it is of course colder than Delhi. It is Winter my friends. What I have to do now is to clean my room. It looks like a JUNGLE right now and I don't know where to start. My flatmate said it's easy, and gave me an advice;
Burn them
Right. I decided to ignore him, and started with grouping these piled up things. I prepared some boxes on the bed, and put things in order somehow. Finally I can see the floor. Ok, good start.
Later I had a dinner with my flatmate. Then, he came to my room and said
"How are you going to sleep tonight?"
He's right. I replaced these boxes to the floor and made space on the bed to sleep. Wait a second...
My room looks like a JUNGLE again!
Never ending story.... in fact, a sad story.
Coooooooooold!
Never mind, it is of course colder than Delhi. It is Winter my friends. What I have to do now is to clean my room. It looks like a JUNGLE right now and I don't know where to start. My flatmate said it's easy, and gave me an advice;
Burn them
Right. I decided to ignore him, and started with grouping these piled up things. I prepared some boxes on the bed, and put things in order somehow. Finally I can see the floor. Ok, good start.
Later I had a dinner with my flatmate. Then, he came to my room and said
"How are you going to sleep tonight?"
He's right. I replaced these boxes to the floor and made space on the bed to sleep. Wait a second...
My room looks like a JUNGLE again!
Never ending story.... in fact, a sad story.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Wanna try?
Hi there. Today, something completely different.
Here is something you don’t see in Europe everyday.
Street barber.
Here is something you don’t see in Europe everyday.
Street barber.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Horn Please
When it comes a peak time of the day, Delhi traffic goes mad.
This road usually is 3 lanes way, but when busy, all the car tries to squeeze in to whatever space is found. Now it became 5 lanes way. Most of the car drivers do not use side mirrors (many cars don’t even have them), so they make all the possible sound to alert other cars. In Europe, car horn is mostly the expression of upset or critical warning (in addition to that, we use horn for greetings as well in Japan). Signs “Horn Please” are on the trucks and buses.
This looks to me chaotic, and imagine if it happens in Ireland, there will be traffic accidents every 5 second. But here, I do not see too many accidents. Drivers are in a way quite skilled.
First week of my stay in Delhi, I was worried every second when I was on the cab, and amazed by seeing how close by side the cars come. Now to my surprise, I am used to it.
Still madness for pedestrians though…
This road usually is 3 lanes way, but when busy, all the car tries to squeeze in to whatever space is found. Now it became 5 lanes way. Most of the car drivers do not use side mirrors (many cars don’t even have them), so they make all the possible sound to alert other cars. In Europe, car horn is mostly the expression of upset or critical warning (in addition to that, we use horn for greetings as well in Japan). Signs “Horn Please” are on the trucks and buses.
This looks to me chaotic, and imagine if it happens in Ireland, there will be traffic accidents every 5 second. But here, I do not see too many accidents. Drivers are in a way quite skilled.
First week of my stay in Delhi, I was worried every second when I was on the cab, and amazed by seeing how close by side the cars come. Now to my surprise, I am used to it.
Still madness for pedestrians though…
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Thoughts on Delhi office
My stay in Delhi will soon be over. Everyday I am busy thinking
"have I done enough?",
"what can I do best for the rest of time?".
The atmosphere of Delhi office is getting so much better now a days. The Fares Department is not a place you can work on your own. Everybody must help each other and with it, whole department grows better and better. So to make a better atmosphere was one of the most important issues I have been working on.
When I first came here in Delhi office on October, still some people have not passed certificate and lots of personal competition was going on. The atmosphere was not great. But now people are more thinking about how to lift the office a better quality and trying to share the knowledge and experience each other.
Although people know that Hidekis is leaving soon, and a bit of bitter feeling comes to me and probably other people, they come and see me with a big smile and ask questions with hungry spirit to have my knowledge and experience as much as possible. Seeing them like that, I can not help loving them as if they are my younger brothers and sisters.
Except for knowledge and experiences, if there are more to learn from me, it would be a human relationship and a positive way of thinking. If anyone noticed and feels appreciated on that, Hidekis is 100 times happier than being told “Oh, Hidekis, you are a genius”.
"have I done enough?",
"what can I do best for the rest of time?".
The atmosphere of Delhi office is getting so much better now a days. The Fares Department is not a place you can work on your own. Everybody must help each other and with it, whole department grows better and better. So to make a better atmosphere was one of the most important issues I have been working on.
When I first came here in Delhi office on October, still some people have not passed certificate and lots of personal competition was going on. The atmosphere was not great. But now people are more thinking about how to lift the office a better quality and trying to share the knowledge and experience each other.
Although people know that Hidekis is leaving soon, and a bit of bitter feeling comes to me and probably other people, they come and see me with a big smile and ask questions with hungry spirit to have my knowledge and experience as much as possible. Seeing them like that, I can not help loving them as if they are my younger brothers and sisters.
Except for knowledge and experiences, if there are more to learn from me, it would be a human relationship and a positive way of thinking. If anyone noticed and feels appreciated on that, Hidekis is 100 times happier than being told “Oh, Hidekis, you are a genius”.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Far away the other side
The nearest shopping mall is about 20minutes walk from the hotel. To go there, you must cross busy road at least twice while there is no traffic light until the mall.
Crossing a road is extremely difficult and dangerous when it comes the peak time. Over 1700 people have died this year with traffic related accident. I was exhausted when I finally got back to the hotel.
Next day I witnessed that there is something doesn’t care about crossing a dangerous road.
Crossing a road is extremely difficult and dangerous when it comes the peak time. Over 1700 people have died this year with traffic related accident. I was exhausted when I finally got back to the hotel.
Next day I witnessed that there is something doesn’t care about crossing a dangerous road.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Meaning of availability
Here in India, I am training people in a new office. They are the fares department of an airline company. While they calculate fares, they also receive calls from other departments. The phone system automatically distributes calls to the individuals. In order not to receive calls, you have to tell phone system that you are not available. In Dublin office, we use a term “being on Special”, but here in Delhi office they say “being unavailable”.
One day, a meeting was about to start. I had to tell people to be “unavailable” and come to the meeting room, otherwise phone will keep ringing.
I approach a girl and said “could you please be unavailable?”.
She looked at me and said
“I AM unavailable”.
I had to notice a red mark on her forehead called “Sin-door” that is a symbol of married women.
I said
“Uh….ok, I can see that”
One day, a meeting was about to start. I had to tell people to be “unavailable” and come to the meeting room, otherwise phone will keep ringing.
I approach a girl and said “could you please be unavailable?”.
She looked at me and said
I had to notice a red mark on her forehead called “Sin-door” that is a symbol of married women.
I said
“Uh….ok, I can see that”
Thursday, December 01, 2005
What a....
As of international city Delhi, you can find things known world wide.
It looks that it is most popular to have Indian Cars such as TATA and Ambassador. However, Suzuki, Honda, Toyota, Hundai, and Scoda are popular too.
I think Pepsi is more popular than Coca- Cola.
Shops such as McDonalds, Marks and Spencer, Pizza Hut are seen.
Now look what I found in a local market…
It looks that it is most popular to have Indian Cars such as TATA and Ambassador. However, Suzuki, Honda, Toyota, Hundai, and Scoda are popular too.
I think Pepsi is more popular than Coca- Cola.
Shops such as McDonalds, Marks and Spencer, Pizza Hut are seen.
Now look what I found in a local market…
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Finally
After a month of stay in India, I finally got a food poison. This was, I think, from an not-so-fresh prawn.
First feel of vomit and stomach pain, then high fever whole night, then diarrhea following day. My friends visited me in the hotel room and one of them kindly went to chemist and buy me an energy-drink.
Guys, if you look at the instruction, those are different languages used in India. When you buy some biscuit from Lidl of Aldi in Dublin, you can see lots of European languages at the back of it, but this is only within India. I found it amazing. Hindi is not useful in Mumbai. Bengali is not popular in Delhi.
English is the best to speak if you are in the different region. Then I think it would be nice to have bilingual display on the bus though….
First feel of vomit and stomach pain, then high fever whole night, then diarrhea following day. My friends visited me in the hotel room and one of them kindly went to chemist and buy me an energy-drink.
Guys, if you look at the instruction, those are different languages used in India. When you buy some biscuit from Lidl of Aldi in Dublin, you can see lots of European languages at the back of it, but this is only within India. I found it amazing. Hindi is not useful in Mumbai. Bengali is not popular in Delhi.
English is the best to speak if you are in the different region. Then I think it would be nice to have bilingual display on the bus though….
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Second visit to India
Back in India from cold and wet Dublin.
Delhi still is hot and sunny.
By now, I'm used to some part of life in India.
I made a very good friend here. Because of him, I got to know more about culture, rather than being imprisoned myself in the expensive hotel and flipping TV channels all the time.
So far, despite everyone worried about stomach, I'm absolutely healthy. I don't know if it is because I;'m asian, or my stomach is redicurously flexible. At least, I'm careful about water here as I'm not used to it. Instead, I drink a nice Indian beer (King Fisher) almost every evening. Kanpai!
Delhi still is hot and sunny.
By now, I'm used to some part of life in India.
I made a very good friend here. Because of him, I got to know more about culture, rather than being imprisoned myself in the expensive hotel and flipping TV channels all the time.
So far, despite everyone worried about stomach, I'm absolutely healthy. I don't know if it is because I;'m asian, or my stomach is redicurously flexible. At least, I'm careful about water here as I'm not used to it. Instead, I drink a nice Indian beer (King Fisher) almost every evening. Kanpai!
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Back from Japan - busy, busy
I'm back in Dublin. It is pretty freezing here today. I'm flying back to India tomorrow. Weather tomorrow in Delhi is expected sunny 32degree for high. I am looking forward to the sunshine. Oh by the way, the wedding in Japan went very well. It was a sunny day and warmer than usual november. My brother was dead nervous. I don't remember what I said in the speach as I had enough Japanese beer beforehand though. Guys, I'll talk to you from India soon.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Back in Dublin
I am back in Dublin yesterday. No time to relax, as I am flying to Japan tomorrow to attend my brother's wedding party. I have decided to go back to India to complete the project after coming back from Japan. I have so many stories to tell you about my stay in India, but as you can imagine, Hidekis is extremely busy. So I show you one photo for now. Auto-rickshaw is a very usefull transport as traffic jam in Delhi is pretty crazy. I will talk to you soon.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Greetings from India
It has been a week since I landed in India. I was too busy everyday and had a difficulty to update news. I just quickly want to say that I am well and happy here. So many things I want to tell you about India. In general, I really like it here. People are very kind and spiritual. My project at work is going well too. I will post more news sometime soon. Bye for now.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Truth of the lowest priority Business class travel
I work for an airline. The business trip means that you will be sitting in the business class on the plane. Sounds great? In fact, company is not paying much. Airlines have those agreements with discounts. Airline where I work has a great discount with Lufthansa airlines and Austrian airlines.
But now it is the time in India that the Monsoon Season ends, therefore it is a good time for tourists. Yes, that means the flights are extremely busy, and I will be the first one to be bumped off the plane if overbooked (because of the discount). I am having a difficulty finding a nicely empty flight to Delhi. There is a slight chance to stay in Mumbai for a night as flights to Mumbai look better....
At the moment, lots of my colleagues are in Pune office which is not far from Mumbai. Wouldn't be a bad idea to see them just for a few hours too.
But now it is the time in India that the Monsoon Season ends, therefore it is a good time for tourists. Yes, that means the flights are extremely busy, and I will be the first one to be bumped off the plane if overbooked (because of the discount). I am having a difficulty finding a nicely empty flight to Delhi. There is a slight chance to stay in Mumbai for a night as flights to Mumbai look better....
At the moment, lots of my colleagues are in Pune office which is not far from Mumbai. Wouldn't be a bad idea to see them just for a few hours too.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Got a shot?? 2
This doctor became suddenly very talkative. I got a shot on my left arm, then another one on my right, while he was bla-bla-ing. I did not have a time to be afraid.
Hidekis today realised that it is not about a pain, it is the process that I used to hate. I remember that the fake smile of the nurse saying "everything's OK" but holding young Hidekis arm so tight, and remember the smell of alcohol in the ugly room.
By the way, since the doctor became talkative, I asked him "can I drink this evening?"
"ya ya, no problem"
I just wanted to believe him, and so I did went for a few pints after work.
...nothing happened.
This was my very first time experience of seeing doctor outside Japan.
Hidekis today realised that it is not about a pain, it is the process that I used to hate. I remember that the fake smile of the nurse saying "everything's OK" but holding young Hidekis arm so tight, and remember the smell of alcohol in the ugly room.
By the way, since the doctor became talkative, I asked him "can I drink this evening?"
"ya ya, no problem"
I just wanted to believe him, and so I did went for a few pints after work.
...nothing happened.
This was my very first time experience of seeing doctor outside Japan.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Got a shot??
Taxi to the medical centre was fun. The driver asked
"Which part of the world are you from?"
(Hidekis)"Tokyo"
(Driver)"Oh fantastic! You know I was there in 1964"
(Hidekis)"(I wasn't even born...anyway, carry on)"
(Driver)"I was a sailor, and was in Yokohama for 4month with 40 colleagues."
(Hidekis)"Sure you have emptied many of the barrels in Japanese pubs"
(Driver)"You know, where ever I go, they did not charge a penny after We sang this song"
He start singing a very old but yet famous song in the taxi laud. I was amaized that he still remember the melody and lyrics. Sure I recognised the song.
You know I hate Doctor, hair dresser, and taxi. Today I took two of them, but at least taxi was fun. And I did not cry at the doctor.
After having a nice time all the way to Malahide that is about a half an hour drive, the medical centre was a caos. Just too many people was waiting and I had to re-organise the taxi coming back. After one and a half hour waiting, I was finally invited to the other room. The doctor seems to be a tough guy and never smiled. I became a bit nervous. He started,
"which part of the world are you from?"
Hidekis "(oh not again)I am from Tokyo"
Doctor (still not smiling) "you have a Dublin accent..."
Hidekis "whaaaat???"
...to be continued
"Which part of the world are you from?"
(Hidekis)"Tokyo"
(Driver)"Oh fantastic! You know I was there in 1964"
(Hidekis)"(I wasn't even born...anyway, carry on)"
(Driver)"I was a sailor, and was in Yokohama for 4month with 40 colleagues."
(Hidekis)"Sure you have emptied many of the barrels in Japanese pubs"
(Driver)"You know, where ever I go, they did not charge a penny after We sang this song"
He start singing a very old but yet famous song in the taxi laud. I was amaized that he still remember the melody and lyrics. Sure I recognised the song.
You know I hate Doctor, hair dresser, and taxi. Today I took two of them, but at least taxi was fun. And I did not cry at the doctor.
After having a nice time all the way to Malahide that is about a half an hour drive, the medical centre was a caos. Just too many people was waiting and I had to re-organise the taxi coming back. After one and a half hour waiting, I was finally invited to the other room. The doctor seems to be a tough guy and never smiled. I became a bit nervous. He started,
"which part of the world are you from?"
Hidekis "(oh not again)I am from Tokyo"
Doctor (still not smiling) "you have a Dublin accent..."
Hidekis "whaaaat???"
...to be continued
Urrrgg! Injection
As I will fly to India next week, I must go to doctor to have two shots this afternoon. Hidekis, historically speaking, does hate injection. When I was 7, I had already started crying when the alcohol puff was applied on my upper arm. This is gonna be the first time to see doctor in Ireland and hopefully the last...(sigh)
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
New ! Greetings
Greetings from Dublin, Ireland. I am going to update this page mainly to let you guys know how a funny Japanese man struggling to live in the far-away-from-home Dublin.
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