An annual Japanese meeting

There was an annual Japanese get-together on Saturday. I did not count exactly but probably over 25 people showed up at a pub in the city center of Dublin.

It is interesting to get to know Japanese people who decided to come to Dublin to live. As majority goes to UK, they have stories to tell why they come to Ireland.

Some likes Irish music like me, some do not like too popular places among Japanese such as London. Some even like specifically Irish accent.

This time, I was a little silly. I kept drinking rather stronger German beer in the pub and rather quickly I was quite pissed. I remember that I was talking to 4 or 5 people, but no more. What was wrong with me? I don't know.

So I did not get to know many people this time. Ah, shame on me.

Oh, I remember I was talking to a French guy in English there (he was a boy frend of a Japanese girl). I found it was easier to speak English. There is certan way to talk to someone for the first time in Japanese. I talk sometimes too frankly I guess in Japanese to anyone. And I can feel that sometimes people think it is too much or I am a bit strange.

Anyway that's beside the point. The following day I wasted half a day to recover from hungover. Never again.

Well I am going to bed now, once I finish my beer. (Will I ever learn?)

Playing with animation program

One day, I was playing with GIF animation program. I have published to my friend's website for limited period (5years aniversary of his home page). Unfortunately his page is completely Japanese, but you can still evidence the silly design which I made.

You can click HERE to see it.

The picture of the page was taken when we recently travelled around north west of Ireland. See the contrast of the road sign and the car beyond. We laughed so much when we saw it and even turn our car back there to take a photo.

Poor thing

Boring....

Oh, couple of days ago, I was ever so bored.


So without thinking, I switched on my laptop. And without thinking I reached a webpage called


CG(Computer Graphics) for poors

Why poors? Never mind...

I started to be interested. According to the website, usually for CG, you draw something on the paper, then scan it into PC, then color it with painting software.

As I do not have scanner and, more importantly, I do not have a skill to draw something.

So without thinking (again) I was drawing something on my PC.




A self-portrait (Hidekis)

Yes, very poor.

If you know my face, it might give you a fun....

Travelling abroad

Last Saturday, it was absolutely spontaneous idea to go abroad for a day.

Hidekis and his flatmate were having a breakfast.

flatmate: "We are running out of beer in the garage"

hidekis: "Really? We should go abroad and buy it soon then."

flatmate: "Why not today?"

An hour later, we are on the motorway. About one and half an hour later, we were outside republic of Ireland. In short, we were in the Northern Ireland.

By the way, there is no border control, in fact, it is difficult to know when exactly you crossed the border. If you are careful, there are some significant change you can find once you are in the North.

First of all, the road sign is mostly white and red, whereas it is yellow and black in Ireland. Speed limit changes from Kilometer to Mile. National road changes from N to A. Road maintenance is better in the north, etc.

Beers are cheaper in the north. From time to time, we go to the border town "Newry" to buy loads of beer. Ever since we started doing it, we drink at home more often than going to the pub. Well, beer was cheaper, but I am not sure if the cost of petro for carrying beers spoil the feeling of great saving in the north.

We came back to Dublin late afternoon. Then, I immediately started having a beer.
By the way, after that, I became sick. It was not a cold, it was something to do with my stomach. Until now my stomach is not working properly.

Go west 6

The hotel was not busy as it is off peak season. The public Onsen bath at the hotel was all for me. A huge bath tub, sauna, Jacuzzi, and massage... I was taking a long leisurely time there. This is my happiness, taking a japanese style bath. All my tense on my shoulder seems to be gone. My blood is purified.

Take a look at some of the Onsen Photos here.



Following day, we are at Katsurahama beach. Facing toward Pacific Ocean, many brave men stood here with great ambition, in the end of Edo period.

Ryoma Sakamoto is one of these brave Samurai. I have a great respect to this man. He had eyes to see the future. He had a tender heart. He was a Samurai who never want to kill anybody. He had the broadest mind.


I do not remember how many times I have come and visit his statue here in Katsurahama in the past. Too many. I get a bit of his power in me, and then go back to wherever I have to.

I will go back to Ireland in a week, and I hope this time I become a bit more braver.

Following evening, I and my mother headed back to Tokyo by Sunrise Express again.
My grandma was sad when she came to see us off at the station. She is very old. Whenever we have to go, she could not help thinking "this might be the last time to see them". I was trying not to think about it and give her a great smile saying "see you soon".



Go west --fin--



P.s.
I found a fish looks like a dog, at Katsurahama Marine Park.


Do you agree?

Go west 5

"sorry..."

Hhm?

"we are at sorry...."

Um...Nonsense.

Hah? My body was shaking like a boat on the rough see.

My mum was trying to wake me up. We are approaching to Gomen Station where we are suppose to get off.

50minutes journey on the local train from Oosugi to Gomen, I was deeply asleep. Funny thing is the name of the place Gomen. It means in Japanese "sorry".

The tram train from Kochi city ends at Gomen. At the front of train, there is a big sign of "Sorry".

Here my uncle was waiting for us. Then we went to our ancester's graveyard in the middle of mountains. On the way, there is a local viewing point called "todoroki waterfall". I have never heard about it, and thought that it should be a small waterfall.


Actually, it was quite a view. As far as I remember, I have never seen a waterfall like this. It has two basins of a waterfall. It is making an amazing sound of water.

Todoroki means "roar". The water roars a lot here.
Examining rocks around me, I found they are quite fragile. The water has easily changed the shape of rocks around there in the history and made this extremely unique feature of the waterfall.

As I was quite tired, we hurried to the hotel that was booked by my aunty. After picked up my aunt, cousin, and grandmother, we are now 6 people.


This is a state owned hotel on the hill above famous beach called Katsurahama. We are finally in Kochi. I must tell you more about this beach and an important person for me and Japanese history that has to be waited until the next episode.

Before closing today's episode, I would like to introduce a modern Japanse toilet widely known as "washlette", that was found in the hotel.


After you finish your job there, you press a button. Then....I guess, I don't have to explain.

Buttons are designed indevidually for men, and women. If you press a wrong button then,... I guess, I don't have to......

Go west 4

Sorry guys, I have been away and could not update this page for a while.

Where was I? We have just arrived at Oosugi, right?

"oo" means big, and "Sugi" is Cryptomeria(known as Japanese Cedar). This village used to be called just "Sugi". Then why it became bigger Sugi?

About 15minutes walk, there is an entrance of the hill leading to Yasaka shrine. Hmm.., I might not like it...


My mother was counting how many steps she had to climb, but half way through, it could not be bothered anymore. They are simply "too many".

Well, it is worth climbing up there to the shrine. In the centre of the shrine:


"Oosugi of Sugi" (A Special Natural Monument of Japan)

There are 536 Natural Monument, including 30 Special Natural Monument. This is one of the oldest Sugi tree. This tree is over 3000 years old.

In my knowledge, the trunk of Cryptomeria is rounded, and grows very straight towards the sky.

This "Oosugi" Cryptomeria is not rounded, not straight, and very thick and powerful.


There are places in the nature where you feel most comfortable, probably depending on your childhood experience.

Is it a mountain? or ocean? What is it for you?

For me, it is a Forest. I feel a power especially from large trees, touching its skins and listen to its life.

I came here only to see this tree. My mother enjoyed it too.

"OK, we are satisfied. Let's go back home."

Of course, I am joking. My grandmother(waiting for us in Kochi city) would have kicked me if she heard what I have just said. Meanwhile, my mother realised something wrong with me....

You remember?


Hidekis did not sleep almost at all last night.


I was almost asleep while I was walking. I think this is it. I need a rest.

Go west 3

7a.m.

Outside is getting brighter and more visible. I noticed that we are right now crossing the Great Seto Bridge right this moment.


What an amazing architecture. Now it takes only 15minutes to cross over the Seto Inland See.
I also remember the good old time I had to cross the see by ferry everytime I go to Shikoku Island. The ferry used to be National owned. There was a traditional Udon noodle bar on the ship I looked forward to, while one hour sailing on the beautifull sea with the view of lots of small islands to see.

Sunrise Express does not go to Kochi. We arrived at Sakaide and changed trains there. At Sakaide station, when a train approach the station, there was a music on the platform to warn passanger. The music was good old "Seto no hanayome (bride of Seto)". Nice welcomed feeling. Now I do feel that I am back in Shikoku.

On the way to Oosugi, my first destination, the train passes a great senery called "Ooboke valley". I can not imagine how human could build a train track on the valley like this...


"the next station is OOSUGI"

This is it! Let's get off the train. I wanna show you something...

-to be continued.

Go west 2

After SunriseExpress departed Tokyo on time, I explore inside of the train.


This is called Carpet Car. You can lay down without sleeper supplement ticket. We took this on the outbound.



And for inbound, we took a private sleeper. A blanket, pillow, and Yukata (onepiece pyjama) are provided.
There is an alarm clock and electrical door key. It was quite comfortable.

After checking the lounge, vending machine, and smoking area, I went back to my place and opened a can of beer.


Oh, I love train journey.


Train has passed Atami. It's almost midnight.

By the way, Hidekis is known as a well self-organized man (I don't know why), but often forget the most important things.

This time I finally realised a very important issue regarding a sleeper train journey....







.....I CAN NOT SLEEP (due to my jetlag)



I should have simply taken a day time bullet train (big tears).

Go west

I was born in Kochi, south west of Japan. Sometimes I visit my grandmother there. This time I took an overnight sleeper train from Tokyo.


The most economical way is to take the overnight bus. The overnight bus in Japan usually is quite comfirtable. But to my surprise, my mother had decided to come with me which I did not know.

A young and good looking man like me (who said that?) would quite be ok with the bus journey, but probably it is too hard for my mother. So, I decided to take a sleeper train.

Sleeper train in Japan used to be called "blue train".

(yes very blue)
But the one we took was the new generation of the sleeper.
When a beautifully colored 14coaches overnight train "Sunrise Express" appeared at the platform number 9 in Tokyo station, I was quite excited.


Well, this can not be called "blue train" anymore, can it?

A 900 kilometre journey was about to start...

A new time zone again

Hi All

It's been a long time. How are you guys?
I came back from Japan to Ireland on Wednesday.

I heard that it is depend on person whether if jetlug would bother or not.

My case it is quite hard to get used to a new time zone. Dublin and Tokyo has 9hours time gap. I woke up at 2 a.m. this morning and could not sleep again.
For me, it will take about 10days to recover.

Japan was colder than usual. New York (stayed one night) was extremely mild. Dublin is quite mild as well. I wonder how it is like in India...

Time is 3:30 p.m. I am getting tired already. I do have some more news about my stay in Japan. Will be updated soon.

For now,
Good night...

11cm Snow in Tokyo on last Sunday.

Forgotten photos for three years

I have mentioned about my old laptop sometime in December. The photos I found in there are quite nice. They are for my holiday in Scotland.

On the 2nd day of holiday I was at the south of Highland. Such a wild scenery...


Magnificent, is the word I would describe.

Then I drove in to a very narrow road beside the hill. Driving into a valley, suddenly the fog was rapidly growing around the car. It was so sudden...
Moment later, the fog covered the area completely and I could not see the thing.

All the sudden, a police woman appeared from the middle of nowhere, and gestured "wait for a while".



After a while, again the fog was going away so so rapidly, and I thought I was drunk.

I asked the police woman, as I was totally confused:

"What have just happened?"

She said,

"Ah, it was an artificial fog. They are filming a scene of Harry Potter up there. Well, the road is now clear enough. You can go."

Oh, really?


So this is a photo I took on the way, going through a valley.


After the holiday, I was wondering what was that strange building for in the movie, and couldn't wait for the movie released.

If you have seen the 3rd eddition of Harry potter, it was a hut for a professor Hagrid who teaches about "dangerous creatures", you might have already noticed...


---Well guys, I am flying to Japan tomorrow. While I am in Japan, I might not be able to update this page. But please check from time to time.

Ridiculously cheap.....can't complain

Now my date for holiday is fixed. I will be flying to Japan on 11th January.

By the way, I have to buy a separate ticket from Dublin to London. My flight from Dublin to London (60minutes flight)....

9 euro.

London to Dublin....

1 euro....

Tax?

about 60 euro.


This became quite normal in Europe. I will definitely have a heart attack when I have to fly domestically in Japan. From Tokyo to Kochi (90minutes flight)where I was born will probably cost around 350 euro round trip...

So I will take a coach (long distance bus), I think.

A technical issue

For those who reads Japanese, the problem on my Japanese site has been sorted. The old version at hidekisjp.blogspot.com was formatted as Universal UTF-8 code. A lot of Japanese PC that does not support UTF-8 shows a blank screen.

The new one at hidekiss.blogspot.com is now formatted as Japanese Shift-JIS which should not be a problem. Anyone who does not have Japanese Operation System but do have Japanese font installed, please use new version and encord it as Shift-JIS.
The old version will not be updated anymore.
Sorry guys, it took a long time to figure out what was a problem.

For Delhi people, if you still can not get to the garden, send me an email. I will send you a link to the page.

Best regards

A Happy New Year...

...to you all.
And thank you for supporting and your comments on this page in 2005. I will continue writing news around myself. 2006 is the year of Dog. Japanese year is Heisei 18. Anybody who were born in 1910/22/34/46/58/70/82/94, this is your lucky year. I wish the year 2006 will bring you a wonderful time.

I am still not sure when and how long I am going for holiday in Japan (hopefully as soon as possible). Will send you some update from Japan too.

Take care.

Dramatic reunion with Floppy Discs

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.

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).

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....

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.

Wanna try?

Hi there. Today, something completely different.

Here is something you don’t see in Europe everyday.



Street barber.