Canadian pavilion webcam
June 26, 2005
It’s us on webcam from the Canadian pavilion at the Expo. Look for us on the 5-6pm link, second picture. A full write up of the Expo to come.
EDIT - 2005/09/21
Because they’re going to the photos off when the expo ends, here’s a copy I saved.
Shedding Clothes: Road To Change
June 20, 2005
June 20th. With the end of June comes a few new habits. I no longer go to work with a coat and on the way home, I undo the top button and tie my tie a little looser than normal. Unfortunately I work for a company and live in a country which upholds fairly conservative dress codes. While I heave and nearly undress in the elevator ride back to my apartment (sorry for that mental image), I’m reminded of the Cool Biz campaign.
This campaign is a move by the government, namely Prime Minister Koizumi and members of the cabinet, to have government officials shed ties and jackets during the summer in an effort to reduce the use of air conditioning. It’s a small move towards compliance with the Kyoto Protocol I guess. Read more about this campaign at the Japan Times Online site. So far only one official has broken rank on this campaign.
The way I see it, it’s more of a small step towards losing the conservatism that has gripped this country since post-WW2. Department stores are offering summer gear for the salary man with short sleeve shirts, ties with this rubber cord holding it together, and a more stylish selection of clothes for office use. I’m hoping this will be a catalyst for change - change that should be embraced - by this growing population that reminds me of oh so many 50’s movies.
First, lose the ties and jackets, then instead of fearing the growing number of non-Japanese people in Japan, adapt and work together with them. Instead of holding on to so many customs and traditions to choke the frail minds of those learning the culture, simplify. One day, one day, our young Japanese work force will know the meaning of Casual Fridays. Until that day, take it off, salary men!
Disease
June 14, 2005
At what point does complaining become so infectious that it becomes chronic? When does it become so consistent that you are deemed negative? At work, especially on my floor, there are those who are so negative about their job that it sickens me to hear it day after day. It used to be harmless bitching that promoted a sense of community but after so long now, it’s just old.
When the best part of work is when you’re not doing it, and when you’re faced to do what you’re paid to do all day, you become so upset and at times visibly angry, I think it’s enough. Why they punish themselves I don’t know. I hear the same thing: “It’s easy money” or “This is the easiest job I’ve ever had” and yet, when faced with a full schedule, it becomes ugly. I hate to break it to you but you chose to be here. You are responsible for this. Many times they blame it on them. They shafted me. They screwed me over. Why punish yourself so badly when you can so easily leave by resigning and finding something better?
I find it very immature that people don’t own up to the consequences of their decisions. I choose to be here and hence, I choose to accept the results of my decision. There will be things out of my control and because they’re out of my control, I choose to not let them affect me to the best of my ability. I won’t feel too bad that I wasn’t born handsome nor intelligent - these were out of my control. However I choose to make the best of what I have amd try as much as I can.
I’m beginning to realize that negativity is a viscious cycle. Negativity breeds negativity. I don’t think I’ve ever seen people from this group ever break out and make their lives better for themselves. They talk about it, they say they can do better, they have some very good and very feasible plans. All, however, is for nought.
I’m planning to avoid this group as best as I can now. It’s like a toxin that will one day affect me for the worse.
Update
June 07, 2005
This update is about updates.
You will have already known that I am not updating as much as I used to. No one real reason can explain this but a multitude can, a multitude which I’m not interested to speak about now. Regardless, I am trying to change this. I want to update. I still like writing on my little blog.
I think what will help is if I start with a fresh look on my page. This page has enjoyed existence for too long. I must look back at the days when I’d change how this webpage looked every 2.1 weeks and then lament how bored I was with the design. This time will be slightly different though. I’ve tested Wordpress 1.5 (the latest release) and I’m planning to use that in the next facelift. I’m also planning to abandon the use of tables as much as I can and rely on CSS as much as I can. I have never been happy with the photo gallery so I’m going to change that. There will no longer be a webcam seeing how my webcam has stopped functioning for so long. Most importantly, I think I will be moving domain name. Yes. JVision has served me well but it no longer has the same meaning as it did when I first got it.
Rest assured that this will not be a drastic and sudden change. For some reason, I find myself becoming busier and more loaded with work as time goes by lately. I’m dipped into a few projects at the moment and my page has dropped in priority. One day though…
Published
June 03, 2005
About 2 months ago, a writer from the Kansai Scene magazine mailed me and asked why I blogged. Lo and behold, in the June edition, I have a small blurb and a picture of my webpage on page 7! You can see my lovely about picture quite clearly. This magazine is a free pickup around town. I found out my response was actually used when a couple people mentioned they saw me in the magazine. My lifelong dream of being published has finally come true.
Here’s a scan. My pic was in the gutter of the spread so there’s a big line running through. My written response is on the top right. A clearer picture is here.
The entire response that was printed was,
(Why do you blog?)
“Officially, it’s a way for my friends and family to keep up with what I’m doing in Japan. I can post anecdotes and adventures about Japan and then have responses and queries through comments. I like putting up pictures taken from my keitai to show how fascinating and weird Japan can be.”
I’m adding a couple seconds to my fifteen minutes of fame!
