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Ore no Buloggu
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Tuesday, April 29, 2003 |
Saturday was Kentaro's daughter's school teacher's birthday party at Motown 2 in Roppongi. I know, I know .. it's a long story. Motown is like Hard Rock Cafe, except a Motown version (duh!). The party started pretty mellow. Good food, good conversations, and a few drinks. Jeanne received a nice Louis Vuitton belt (Takashi Murakami design .. STOP mentioning his name!) from all the parents. Got a nice cake with ALOT OF CANDLES ;)
The ladies decided to goto a male strip club. OK, fine. Hung around Motown for about an hour. The place was starting to get packed. Our table got invaded by Chinese and Canadian people. Then the ladies returned .. WASTED! The Chinese and Canadians were swept aside by girl power. I felt like we were in a new club. I guess the strip club got their blood flowing or spiked their drinks. More madness ensued.
(click to see larger photos) ** Got more photos, available upon request **
  
Here's what I remember: Flamenco dancer romancing Jeanne, strangers from all around joining in the craziness, Canadians buying a round of Kamikaze shots.
Then for some reason we decided to go eat. We crashed a restaurant across the street from Almond (pronounced Ah-mondo in Japanese). Stayed there until about 5AM .. Jeanne's passed out, barely making it to a taxi. She ended up crashing at Kentaro's place. Shirley and I got home after transferring at 2 or 3 stations. I couldn't sleep the next morning cause had the bug inspector, and bed delivered .. ahhh, at least I got to sleep in a bed FINALLY.
NOTE: If you plan to party in Tokyo and don't have a car, you'll end up partying till the morning. One reason is that most trains stop around midnight. Once you're past the 12 o'clock mark, you're in for a wild evening. It amazing how many people are catching the first trains back home. All hung over with red eyes.
1:58:30 AM 
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Saturday, April 26, 2003 |
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Friday, April 25, 2003 |
Is this the world's first MMMORG (Massively Multiplayer Mobile Online Role Playing Game)? Can we call it 3MORG instead?
 
(Photos borrowed from Dwango's Press Release without permission: 505i screen shots, pre-release shots - disclaimer saying might be different from actual release.)
A company called Dwango has a press release in Japanese about Ultima Online for iMode. If I'm translating this correctly, part of the title says something to the effect of "Be the first to play this game by using the new 505i series phones". The release continues stating that Electronic Arts and Dwango have agreed on working together in distributing the mobile version of this game. Dwango has acquired the license for the distribution of the mobile (for cell phones) version. Dwango will start the distribution of the 'Ultima Online Mobile' service to DoCoMo iMode 504i, 504iS, and the new 505i series of keitais. They are planning to launch this service after the 505i phones are released (which should be mid-May - see my last post). The PR goes on about when UO was established and mentions that as of March, 2003 there are over 100,000 users in Japan.
There's more , but I'll let you translate the rest.
Some features of the mobile version of the game:
- save your pet or monster into the cellphone wallpaper appli. The pet/monster will be affected by various factors such as the amount of battery life, and signal strength. (only available through the 505i phones) Like depending on the battery life, the pet will have different equipment or if the phone is out of range the pet won't be able to heal/maintenance.
- mentioned that chatting won't be available, but exchanging of goods will be part of the game
2:19:08 AM
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Check out these features for the new 505i series of phones coming out mid-May:
 For details goto DoCoMo's official site, mouseover Current Information, click on What's New, click on Apr 17, 2003 Introduction to 505i series terminals now online, and then click on 'Click here for the introduction' link.
Another article on 505i's launch on Wireless Watch Japan.
Sony Ericsson's SO505i model looks wicked (photo borrowed from ZDNet Japan, more photos there). More photos at Mobile Burn. I gotta switch carriers. I'm currently on JPhone, but these 505i phones makes me wanna switch. I've been manipulated by mobile feature envy. I'm not the only one .. checkout the voting results for the new keitais.
Macromedia is pushing Flash as THE NEXT UI: PC Browsers, Mobiles, and Game Consoles (PS2). They're at an advantage, because most content providers already use Flash. Java is the closest competition, but programmers are expensive. Where's Microsoft? In the automobiles ...
1:07:48 AM
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Tuesday, April 22, 2003 |
Clues into LV's popularity.
L*V Takashi Murakami Pop.
Every spring for the last several years eternal wunderkind Marc Jacobs has crafted the must-have accessory for venerable fashion...
[Chanpon.org]
Link to LV site: Collaborates w/ Takashi Murakami for the 2003 Spring Summer Collection
Tokyo Shoes: Who Owns Japan?
 What do Japanese people love about LV? In Oahu there are swarms of Japanese tourists in both stores. They're one of the main reasons that many brands setup shop there. I can understand if something is a fad, but what is it about these brands and the swarm mentality that has lasted for so long? How long will this LV momentum last? I suspect as all fads not much longer and LV is MILKING IT all the way.
Gotta admit, when I go into the stores I am tempted to get something (if I had the mula .. would definitely get me a suit, shoes, belt, briefcase, wallet, and a trunk). My reasons are: the styles are not too "out there" like Chanel's, and the closest fashion brand that might be affordable .. if that makes sense.
Note: notice the comment posts on both the champon and Tokyo Shoes sites, "You can purchase LV Louis Vuitton Murakami Rainbow replica handbags from: www.famous-bags.com". I thought this was funny. Using comments for guerrilla blog marketing.
Photo stolen from takashimurakami.com.
11:47:24 PM
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Monday, April 21, 2003 |
Ok .. followed a link from Weblogs and power laws to Steve's onepotmeal blog post regarding "A-List" blogs. Fabio's comment on the bottom of the post makes me want to follow two more links: Adam Greenfield and Anne. Following these conversations reminds me of newsgroups .. following the threads. Now these threads flow through blogs. The scary thing about some blogs is that (like mine) many are centralized. If a "hub" goes down alot of these conversations will disappear.
3:01:47 AM
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The MauiBoy sent me a link to some X2 movie clips, 13 to be precise. I was an X-Men fan in Jr. high school and for period after that. In my collection phase .. comics, sports cards, thinking about keeping these things in "Mint Condition" for a hundred years and then making a fortune. Actually, if I remember correctly I started collecting comics with a series called "Secret Wars". Natsukashii! Friggin NERD.
12:12:23 AM
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Saturday, April 19, 2003 |
After Clay Sharky's paper visited Jason Kottke's post titled "Weblogs and power laws". Ooo! (my brain overheated .. I need an upgrade .. a Mod chip .. anyone)
I paused for a minute on the section, "But what are weblogs competing for? ...", and asked myself this question. Am I competing? I gotta admit I constantly check for comments, look at the Referers, goto Google searching for "ore no buloggu", and checkout my BlogShares. Checking my digital popularity (getting digitally slapped in the face.. ego level dropping). Competing for eyeballs. Want to be heard!?! ... Is that what's pushing me to post in a subliminal way? Ponder, ponder, ponder ... hmm.
Thinking about UltraBob and Gary's "Brain Fart" posts.
5:19:21 PM
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Listening to the book Linked, I keep hearing the term Power Law. It seems like a major part of network theory, but I never stopped to see what a graph would look like. Came across Clay Sharky's paper today (through Joi's blog), which has some Power Law graphs. Aha! (that's my little brain working, it's a bit rusty .. kinda slow, I admit)
11:36:27 AM
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Thursday, April 17, 2003 |
OK .. I'm blogging about the blog party. And yes .. Everyone else has also, but I can't help it. It's in my Asian genes to be part of the group.
I met Shirley-chan @ Harajuku around 21:45 and we headed toward Zest. That's where the Tokyo Bloggers Meetup was, but from 19:00 till 21:00 (I think). We got there around 22:00 .. the place was empty. I asked the waitstaff ,"Where's the big group of gaijin". Found out everyone left just a bit before we got there. I knew that there was a chance that the group headed over to Moda, because of the thread on the Yahoo! Groups list about Joi DJing there. We walked and walked and walked and walked and walked. For like a day. We finally got there and found the gang and DJ Joi.
- As soon as we entered met Tomo-san of Moda .. another ASIJer (that's Shirley, Joi, and Mie).
- Got to 'Talk Story' with Ian of DomoDomo about his new Do-MoBlog (using Kevin's system MFOP .. Moblog For Other People)
- introduced Mie to Shirley .. both ASIJ people .. did you find your jacket Mie?
- briefly chatted w/ UltraBob about XBox and AsoBitCity .. for your next visit to Tokyo let's get together for a drink or coffee or visit AsoBitCity!
- I don't remember exactly what Paul and I were talking about, but it was regarding the Honda Cog commercial. Oh yeah, and chatting w/ Gen about the Big Island, Mauna Kea, and black line inside of the Milky Way (the 'Shadow').
- Stuart .. did I mention that I met Stuart at antother party about a week ago!?! At the other party we had a conversation on Blogs (duh!), and how it's so wierd to meet people after reading their digital mind.
- Global enterprises and the communication problems with so many people in between was the topic w/ Kevin of Bastish.
- Rudeley introduced myself to Nadine of Tokyo Shoes .. sorry, I know it was wierd, but it was the alcohol .. honest >)
- WWW2002 in Honolulu .. I met Olivier of the W3C again. Chris Kanemura (Webmaster of Honolulu Advertiser and works w/ DougE) and I went to a Birds of a Feather meeting at the WWW2002. That's where we met Olivier. Also the whiz kid .. not at the feather. That's two people I remember from the event in Hawaii.
- Tokyo Bento .. the famous ahhhh ... I forgot his name!?! The alcohol was in full gear .. it was the alcohol. BAD BAD. DAME! DAME!
- Adam of V2 and Joi .. didn't get a chance to chat .. hopefully next time.
- Forgot the rest .. shi-shi in the Bamboo bushes, and rode the very last Yamanote train to Shinjuku and hit the last Chuo line back to Ogikubo .. Shirley was the guide.
Photos of the madness
11:29:33 PM
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Ok, I've never played it yet .. but here's a link to an article regarding Final Fantasy X-2 Screen Savers (in Japanese). Thanks Kentaro. And here's the link to the official site. Game's story looks interesting, but I didn't really like the FFX game. You're stuck playing their story to the tee. I have to admit the FFX CG animation is mind-blowing, so FFX-2 must be as good or better. Is FFX-2 worth buying a Japanese PS2? Or wait till DougE gets here for a Mod ;) Oh yeah, the colored PS2's are out also, hmmmm .. What else kewl Japanese PS2 games are out there ... the taiko game?
11:09:29 PM
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Wednesday, April 16, 2003 |
The Matrix Reloaded .. the Final Trailer @ Ultra 1000 x 540 is AWESOME! It's a 100MB file, but worth every bit. I gotta go back to the states in May for this one. Thanks braddah Joe for the update. I must've watched this trailer about 10 times now. They're getting better at merging various technologies into movies. Let's see how they do with the game.
Enter The Matrix .. PS2, XBox, and PC versions are my choices. Eenie meenie minie moe. The XBox or PC should be the way to go. Damn, I'm like rhyming. A lyrical master. Peace out homes .. Ola Le Vato! The trailer looks good, but you know how that goes. Alot of hype and no PLAY. Hope it doesn't suck.
The Animatrix .. checking this out now. BRB. Ok, the third episode is my Fav. The style was kewl. Plus the snow scene, but the first episode came close.
12:19:55 AM
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Tuesday, April 15, 2003 |
Honda Cog
I am so proud to present you with an advert for Honda I did NOT work on but still manages to be bloody great!!...
[IN-duce] KEWL 'CM' (That's what Japanese people call TV commercials). I didn't know what a cog was .. Dai looked it up. It's the tooth of a gear. Or that's one of the definitions. Here's the link to the video.
12:12:17 PM
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Fry me to the moon.
Engrish.com is a website that collects funny translation from English to Japanese amd other languages. Some are really cracking. Poor girl wearing a "I'M COCK" sweat-shirt. And for those of...
[IN-duce]
The person who runs this site lives in Hawaii. I heard it gets massive traffic. I wonder what it's like now?
4:01:30 AM
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AHHH! It's tax time again and I've procrastinated till today again!?! I'm using Intuit's TurboTax for the Web, but it seems like I can't file an extension electronically. The IRS's site must be swamped, cause I can barely access it. OK .. finally finished my extension by calling E-file by phone.
Why do we go through this ritual every year? What's it like in Japan? I hope not the same.
3:00:28 AM
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Friday, April 11, 2003 |
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Thursday, April 10, 2003 |
I got myself a Suica card yesterday. Currently the Suica cards are used as passes for JR railways in Tokyo. The Suica card system will eventually be installed in many stores in the stations to pay for various goods/services. Docomo iMode phones will support this system by the end of the year "Docomo Suica". Instead of having an IC card, the technology will be inside the keitais. The technology behind Suica is by Sony and is called Felica. Hong Kong's rail/subway/taxi systems also use the Felica technology.
Here are the multiple ways of paying for the JR fares:
- Buy a ticket from a machine. Usually you would look at the rail map above the machines to see where you want to go to check the price.
- Get a Teiki, which is a prepaid fixed destination pass (i.e. Teiki between Ogikubo and Yotsuya, you can get on and off anywhere between these points as many times as you want). (1st photo of the light green pass)
- IO Cards are prepaid passes, but unlike Teiki the destinations aren't fixed. The fares are the same as buying tickets except the advantage is you don't have to buy tickets everytime you want to go somewhere. (2nd photo)
- Suica cards! This is an IC card that can function as both a Teiki and IO. When you travel between your usual set route it knows not to subtract any amount, but when you need to go somewhere else it'll automatically subtract from the IO prepaid amount. (3rd photo)
(click to see larger photos)
  
Here's a video taken today of how fast the Suica card is:
- Suica (Windows Media 240x180 stream from Playstream)
Some links to Suica info:
1:17:15 AM
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Wednesday, April 09, 2003 |
mobile content services.
from Nooper in Japan. Mailing list, mail checker, date reminder, rain alert, website update watcher are some of the services offered free of charge. You only pay for the data/packets...
[IN-duce]
Just signed-up for this free (well, pay for the data packets) service through my J-Phone. Gonna use Nooper's service to check my work email and have weather info mailed to me. WEATHER info .. never had that in Hawaii! Better watch my phone bill .. check how much it costs to receive email.
12:43:33 AM
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I take the JR Chuo line to and from work everyday (see previous story for subway map). That's Ogikubo to Yotsuya and back. On the way home tonight the Chuo line was stalled; therefore, I had to switch trains to take the Sobu line. This and listening to Linked made me think about IP packets taking various methods to get to it's destination. I was an IP packet flowing through the Internet (subway/railway system) finding a way to get to my destination. Are we packets for some greater being .. like how we use browsers to search data, is there something/one using us for a purpose we can't explain? Ok, maybe I had too much alcohol ;)
12:10:25 AM
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Monday, April 07, 2003 |
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Saturday, April 05, 2003 |
Moblog Conference.
"It's official! The moblogging conference will happen on Saturday, July 5th 2003 at SuperDeluxe..."
[Based On A True Story]
I decided that I need to get more involved with all the kewl events going on in Tokyo. You can share online experiences, but actually meeting people and sharing ideas is "mo bettah".
12:37:41 PM
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Thursday, April 03, 2003 |
"BlogShares is a fantasy stock market for weblogs...". Just setup my account and claimed my blog. You can setup an account without owning a blog. Had to post this link and image to claim ownership of my blog.
10:19:35 PM
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Monday, BA had it's Hanami party at the park I always pass on the way to work. I never knew those trees were Sakura trees! Look at the photos from my 3/28 post. They're the same trees just 4 days before the photos below.
(click to see larger photos)
  
 
There were all kinds of parties at this park (it rained today, so no parties). BA's one had a Mahjong table setup. Some parties were really decked-out with lanterns and lighting to see the Sakura trees better. Another party had a huge Oden area in the middle of their area. Note: Someone's gotta go to the park early to save a spot. The Oden van (above photo) is not part of any party, but I guess knew alot of people would be at the park for Hanami .. kept going up and down the street with very iritating Enka songs.
The Sakura will only last for a little over a week .. and since it's raining we might not have any more chances for HANAMI parties >(. Saturday .. hopefully Saturday's weather will be OK. Just walking by the trees or seeing them from the Subway brings smiles .. cheeck to cheeck :)
3:31:05 AM
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I finally got around to adding the BlogRolling webservice to my blog. It's totally kewl. You create an account on their site .. create a BlogRoll, which is like bookmarks (or Favorites for you IE lovers) .. add blogs to the BlogRoll .. and plop in the code that calls their webservice into your blog. Everytime that someone updates their blog your BlogRoll shows some type of personally set notice.
Joi Ito's blog mentions about a Uber-Genious "kid" .. Aaron Swartz. The reason this blog entry caught my attention is I saw Aaron at the WWW2002 in Honolulu. During the conference I wondered about Aaron. What is he like. I should have taken the chance to make conversation, but I was too happy meeting Tim Berners Lee and getting a photo with him. I think Aaron was the youngest guy there and I'm glad that I can now look at his blog to find out more about him.
How are these posts related .. Aaron is co-author of RSS 1.0 spec .. BlogRolling uses RSS. That's kewl how things connect .. Totally LINKED!!
2:20:48 AM
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Visited the new 
