Happy New Year!!!

Just wanna send a big "Season's Greetings" to everyone out there.

Be thankful for what/who you have, for the friends who understand/know you (and still stand by your side regardless), and for waking up to another fantastic Christmas day. Remember, there are thousands of others around the world, not to mention in our own countries, who struggle each day trying to scrounge up a piece of a leftover sandwich or a moth-scourged blanket...all this just to be able to wake up the next morning somewhere other than the city morge or worse. It's so easy for us to take what we have for granted, never appreciating the fact that we could be worse off...financially, medically, romantically, etc.

Be thankful...

Funny...is it just me, or do I seem to update my blog everytime I come back from the electronics shop with a new gadget or what!?  Well, YES...the new winter line of cellphones from Softbank came out this month, and (as expected), I rushed to the store windows to get a glance at the phones I'd previously only read rumors about in the nerdy chatrooms and weblogs. (Where else can one expect to find credible, up-to-date info on soon-to-be-released electronics here in Japan?) Although there are numerous models in the line up, each one with higher specs than their previous versions and new array of functions and capabilities, the 930SH (from Sharp) immediately caught my eye because of the 2-tone color theme of silver and violet...ring any bells, anyone?

Yup, the ol' VAIO "505" series from Sony. I remember when I'd first started working in Japan years ago and the new "505" laptop series was the ultimate laptop choice. I'd bought my first "505" then upgraded about 4 or 5 versions, each time a newer model came out. The silver and violet combination, for me, pretty much represented the cream of the Sony crop. After numerous VAIO laptops, I chose the cool black-rubber (before Lenova) IBM Thinkpad, probably influenced by "The Matrix" days. However, the next upgrade brought me back to Vaio (and again and again), until 2 years ago when my brother encouraged me to buy a Mac. I started out with a black Macbook and last year upgraded to a Macbook Pro. (Not that I need or can use the high specs or anything, it's just nice knowing I have something that can kick ass if needed. lol)

Getting back to my cellphone escapades, I upgraded to a Windows-type cellphone earlier this year simply because (after stopping by the electronics store on the day of its release and making the mistake of asking if there were any in stock) I was told by a sales lady that there was only one more black model in stock...I was immediately reeled in by this line and replied, as if by synaptical reaction, "I'll take it!" I took it home and toyed over it for about a week...and then repackaged it back in its box, where it sits in the back of my closet up to this very day. I'd realized that there were numerous disadvantages with this new phone (no infrared, no character-mode, lower pixel-rated camera w/no flash, etc.) that normally would have made me think twice about buying one...had I only read up on it before its release day. Anyway, I continued using my previous cellphone afterwards...until 2 weeks ago!

Now, I'm a happy camper again...but for how long?

After skipping 3rd generation of Nanos, I brought myself to replace my current 8GB 2nd Generation Nano with a new one based on three factors: new body design, double the memory, and video playback. Instead of opting for my usual choice of black, I was immediately drawn to the silver model when I visited the electronics store. There was no doubt about it...I had to have the silver model to match my Macbook Pro.

After bringing it home, I immediately loaded all my mp3s into it and downloaded some favorite MadTv clips and a couple of movies (Ironman and Hancock) for viewing.

So far, it's working smoothly and I haven't stumbled upon any bugs yet...let's hope it's a keeper!

Fortunately, I'm back at the office again this morning, pumped full of painkillers and antibiotics...thank God & Buddha for the painkillers! After a dose of these baddies, I pretty much blend in with the normal (ie. Able to stand/walk fully erect) groups of people walking around the city.

Yesterday was the first day of my 38th year on the planet!
I only have my family to thank for their sacrifice & love、 my friends to thank for their trust & loyalty、 my partner Koji to thank for his patience & support、 and God to thank for all the above.
Here's to a terrific 38!!!

Long time, no write (as usual)...but I got a new laptop! The past few weeks have been hectic, with the start of the new school year and all. All my Bettas have died but the guppies gave birth to a batch of fry and they've all pretty much survived the "run away from the hungry mama" stage. Koji and I are as tightly knit as ever...next Monday we're going to Disney Sea!!!

What a while it's been...boy, do I miss my xanga blog! Well, I recently purchased a new cellphone...the new 912T from Toshiba. Thinner, all stainless steel body, 3.26 mega-pixel full-function camera, 2.8" screen, One-seg digital TV, ...what else could anyone need in a mobile phone?

I know, you're probably thinking, "Oh my God! What planet do you live on?" But this is what happens when you're living overseas and the only access you have to current American TV sitcoms is tidbit clips scattered over the Youtube channels. Still, lucky for me I have a Japanese friend who bought the entire Q.A.F. DVD collection and happened to lend me a few episodes after a slew of "Catch, you've GOT to watch these!" I watched episode #4 (my friend had, for some reason, lent me the 2nd DVD of the first season) and found myself glued to the TV screen. The intriguing storyline, colorful cast, and generous graphic scenes were overwhelming! The next day, I immediately sent my pal an e-mail, practically BEGGING for the rest of the collection. Michael is too cute for words!