新着記事一覧 | Get Me Outa Here!

Hiroshima

Well, I've been following Hiroshima observance all week. I really appreciate that I spent the time at Hiroshima. I feel very close to the feelings of those observing the anniversary when I read of the various places that people are gathering. And I remember those places in detail. ...Furthermore, I remember Hiroshima as a wonderful, beautiful place and I think that is an honorary statement to Japanese resilience and determination. I think that I was raised to always think, "Wasn't 'Hiroshima action' a little extreme?" But I have now found that a president portrayed as a hero in our American History courses is, in my mind, one of the dumbest presidents we've ever elected. And I don't say that in a mean way. I mean...the combination of the man and the time just made him and a few others stupid about how to handle a response to an attack. I guess I still cannot understand how, in a time that we were a more religious country than we are now; and the part of our religion that allows retaliatory violence only allows, "An eye for eye...".

Aug 8, 2005

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Remembering Where Many of America's Habits Began

Greetings all! As I listened to a talk show host discuss in disbelief, an issue that I have written about in this blog, it occurred to me that maybe I'm a little too hard on America! So first, let me explain... Of course, most American's roots are in Europe. And almost daily, I hear public comments such as:1. "If you don't like the American media's way of "entertaining" rather than "just reporting the news, you should experience the British media. They are far worse!2. "There is no comparison between a British liberal and an American liberal. British liberal are much worse! (Meaning, "Anything goes-no rules-no discipline.")3. American education policy has deteriorated to a "feel good" experience for students, teachers seldom being allowed to distinguish "absolute wrong" from "correct". Well, I'm just "reporting" what I hear, and I cannot necessarily agree with each of these thoughts because I am not experienced in British life. However, it is the last statement that I wish to relate the talk show host of last night's comments. The talk show host simply reported a news item coming from England. The Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) in England has begun an effort to never use the word "fail" regarding a student's work. (Just as my previous writing disclosed that red ink has been eliminated for marking "incorrect" in some American school systems, because it is "emotionally damaging". So too is the word "fail" to be eliminated in British school systems, because "fail" is too harsh for the young mind-according to PAT.) So you may ask, "How will British teachers express failure without the word "fail"?" The answer, also provided by PAT! "Fail" will be referred to as "deferred success". Well, you've got to laugh about that one, don't you? :D:D

Jul 26, 2005

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Unlimited Resources?

The other day, while Re-yan and I discussed air conditioning I was quite surprised to be told that 82F（27.8℃） was a temperature quite adequate to set the thermostat, in Japan. Because, I set my air conditioner at 80F（26.7℃） in America, and I am called "quite eccentric" because of setting it so high. Air conditioners in America are generally set at 72F（22.2℃） or 74F（23.3℃）. Furthermore, it's not uncommon at all for air conditioners to be turned on in May and "forgotten" until October. Never turned off. The air conditioned temperature in our famous Wal Mart stores is like winter in Kyoto. Often, I will park my car and as I walk past other parked cars, people may be in those cars waiting for someone. The car will be running-air conditioner on. I can take the time to do a little shopping, etc. and as I return, the cars will still be in place-air conditioner running. In the winter, many Americans will dress in shorts and T-shirts and then complain that the house is "too cold". Answer for many of them? Turn the heat temperature to 85F（29.4℃） or so. This winter practice is not just limited to Americans, though. We have many foreign students from the Mideast, India and Africa. They will dress during our winter, as they do in their country in the worst summer heat. And then they will complain to their landlord that something is wrong with the apartment or the heat because it's too cold or the heating bill is too much. I can remember when America did not take air conditioning and heating for granted. This is a change that has occurred in the last 20 years.

Jul 25, 2005

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"How Modern Times Have Changed"

In the book of "Bushido", it is said of "Courage, the Spirit or Daring and Bearing", that "Parents, with sternness sometimes verging on cruelty, set their children to tasks that called forth pluck that was in them." Contrast this to today's American child, who is likely not to be exposed to even a red mark signaling "incorrect", on a test. "Red is a vivid depiction of an error and therefore, emotionally cruel." In my opinion, the parents greatest love is to expose the child to a world that can be cruel, while the child is still under the protective wing of the parent. The other choice is to hide the cruelty of real life in the world from the child, and cast the child into the world at adulthood unprepared, unconditioned, uneducated as to "life's ways" and therefore, unlikely to survive with the best quality of life possible.

Jul 12, 2005

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Train

After many train/car crashes that have killed many people in the United States (including the girl at my office crossing a few years ago), laws have been passed that result in what you often hear... That is, the sounding of the train horn basically during the entire time a train is within city limits boundaries. Oh! But now....a law is being debated that will establish quiet zones because the trains are too noisy! Aren't the quiet zones what we had when everyone passed a gazillion laws about "laying" on the horn so people couldn't miss the fact that a train was coming-and wouldn't be killed? Yes! That's what I grew up with-"train quiet zones"! So, what's it going to be? Huh!?

Jun 27, 2005

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"More Rights Lost in "Free" America"

Today, our Supreme Court upheld a rule that will now allow local governments to decide that they have a better use for our personal property (house and land), and they can condemn the property and seize it for their own personal (and selfish) development. First, understand that our Supreme Court is made of appointed judges with terms that don't expire. If you were appointed to one of the highest positions in the land, knowing that you couldn't be fired wouldn't you too, likely abuse your power just a little? A little....? Come on now. ;) Add to these judges unlicensed power the fact that many of them are of the "free wheeling, no boundaries, no rules except rules that can be bent and broken" liberal party, and we have a judiciary that is tearing America apart. In fact, you should know this; American constitution and law states that this judiciary is to apply the law in accordance with our constitution. But what this judiciary body has been doing is rewriting the constitution to fit their own "no rules-no morals" agenda! Now, back to the land matter... As recent as last weekend we were shown video secretly brought out of China and to the United States. The video was that of Chinese farmers that were not giving up their land to the Chinese government. So, the Chinese government hired "gangs" and armed them to attack and drive away or otherwise kill the farmers. Let me state the purpose of the Chinese situation again: "To provide the opportunity for China's government to seize the personal property (house and land) of the farmers for their own personal (and selfish) use." Now, let me once again state the purpose of the United States Supreme Court ruling today: "To allow local governments to decide that they have a better use for our personal property (house and land) and they can condemn the property and seize it for their own personal (and selfish) development." You compare-you decide. Meanwhile, I'm directing my attention to "getting outa here"!

Jun 26, 2005

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Men created equal?

Several baseball teams of an 11-12 year old boys tournament left a tournament because one particular team was "too good". The tournament directors supported "the quitters", telling the excellent team that they should play somewhere else. This phenomenon of attempting to "equal the playing field in all aspects of American life" has become particularly annoying to me. The concept is a major effort supported by the political party of which I AM NOT affiliated, thank God. While there is an effort to raise the confidence and abilities of those at the lowest achieving levels of our society-which is a noble action-the effort is equal in attempting to lower the achievements of those who are very successful and truly excel. The goal is to achieve a society that is equal in abilities, skills, income, and class, regardless of whether the individual has achieved their full potential. The belief is that if we eliminate the stress of competition and the disappointment of "losing", life will be easier and less stressful. This concept parallels the concept of American education that I recently wrote about. That concept of education is often referred to as "dumbing down". That is, lowering the expectations and results of the high achievers, or otherwise removing them from the spotlight so that others are not placed in a position of attempting to achieve the same level of success but in fact, experiencing the "pain" of losing or failing. And these concepts, my friends...are more reasons that I've got to get outa here....

Jun 21, 2005

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Musical Baton

1. How much MB or GB of music files do you have in your pc? About 7 GB on PC, and 20 GB transferred from PC to CD that I listen to on PC. 2. What are you listening right now? Marc Grauwels and "Music of Japan" 3. 5 songs that you usually listen to or that you have some memories. (Reeyan、you have to help me here....)1. Bon Jovi and something about "...you're the one..."※えー、わかりません。そんな歌あったー？2. Something about "...moon over New York City (Kobe)...." ※Christpher Crossの「Mr. Arthur's Theme」ですねー。3. White Sunday※レベッカです～。およよ。4. Something about taking the morning train (memory-seldom listen to).※シーナ・イーストンの「9時から5時まで」のテーマ曲、「Morning Train」です。日本にいるときに朝これをかけてたら腰振って踊ってました(笑) それが思い入れのある曲なわけー？(笑)）5. "Harem" by Sarah Brightman 4. The last CD you bought? Aiko Shimada and "Oyasuminasai" (Downloaded CD for a price.)※5人を指名とのことですが、リンクしてくださっている方にお願いしようと思います。ゆきぷさんPotato★Momさんよろしくお願いしまーす！（り～やんのページを参考にしてね♪）

Jun 19, 2005

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"I Didn't Learn English Very Well-I Have My Own Language"

Over the last 10 years or so, I have established and accepted the fact that apparently, English is being taught better in foreign countries than the country in which it is the native language-America. However, with some extra effort those that are victims of our public education can usually find the correct way to speak-in spite of what our education has not taught them. I'm always amazed that a person, knowing they will be on the television and their identity and words will be displayed for thousands-even millions-of viewers to see; fail to spend any time at all in preparation for the camera. Last night, a pleasant, young Missouri country boy was asked about the effect the dry spring weather was having on his farming community's crops. He explained several things that I, educated as to proper grammar and speaking, could not follow. And then, as if the boy knew that what he said could not be understood by even the most attentive native English speakers, he tried to summarize his discussion of this year's dry weather with this short sentence: "What I'm saying is, this summer will be 'drougthful'." :D Try finding that in your English dictionary! :D (Actually, you probably will find it because if we say something incorrectly about three times, we'll put it in a dictionary, anymore.) Just get me outa here. ;)

Jun 13, 2005

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"Surely-Angels of the Devil"

In Webster County Missouri this week, two children (siblings) six and twelve years old were found walking along a highway, pushing a shopping cart filled with bags and back packs of clothes, and their other belongings. Physically unharmed, they were extremely distraught, as one may imagine. The children's mother and live in boyfriend had kicked them out of the house. The mother woke them up early one morning and told them to leave. We have now seen pictures and heard part of the story of these two "inhuman" beings. The appearance of these two "low lifers" are as if they both are in the final stages of cancer, and chemotherapy has taken its toll. But in fact, they are addicted to methamphetamine and a variety of other drugs. They live in a small, trashy "trailer house" in the countryside. The yard is grown with weeds and trashy, as well. The children have provided graphic detail of what drugs their mom and her boyfriend use and how they use them. The children were also distraught because their 1 1/2 year old sister was left behind. And, the children were also distraught because it is their feeling that if their mother gets into trouble over this, she will kill them.Get me outa here....

Jun 11, 2005

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"Free is Never 'Free"

I stopped at Kroger for Coke yesterday, and a girl I saw and know gave me some mints. She was kind of cleaning her van right there in the parking lot!Well...I should have suspected that if she is "cleaning" and "giving me things while cleaning"...the mints may not be so fresh. They aren't.....:(Get me outa here!

Jun 1, 2005

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America-Land of the Free (To do whatever you want...?)

In the state of Tennessee, a mother has been indicted by authorities for hiring a stripper for her 16 year old son's birthday party. Now, one could possibly argue that government should stay out of family business. However, since it was a party her son had many other friends from other families, at the party. The stripper completely "unwrapped" and danced for quite some time around all of the boys of age 15 or so. Still, she probably wouldn't have been caught...but she also took pictures of "the event". When she took them to the local drug store, which also develops film, employees at the drug store that knew the boys families questioned the appropriateness of what was revealed in the pictures. I had to unwrap my present myself, at my 16th birthday party...Get me outa here!!

May 30, 2005

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American Security

Several months ago, cigarette lighters were banned from flights out of America. The Zippo Lighter Company said this policy was hurting their business. The Zippo Lighter Company lobbied the United States government concerning this matter. This week, cigarette lighters are once again allowed on flights out of America. Nice to know the Zippo Lighter Company is dictating American security. Get me outa here.....

May 28, 2005

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American Holiday

In my profession, I can only make money when decision makers, managers, and network managers are at work. A policy that I LOVE about Japan is that holidays have a precise beginning and end. I could count on scheduling work to the last work hour before the holiday begins, in Japan. Now, let me tell you about America: May 31 is Memorial Day-originally a day to honor war veterans that have passed on but more recently, a day to honor all whom have passed from this life. This is how Memorial Day holiday is supposed to work: Typical workdays to the end of Friday. Saturday, Sunday and Monday are holidays, unless Saturday is a typical workday anyway. This is how Memorial Day is actually being "observed": 1. First, I noticed that my phone was not ringing. I picked up the receiver to be sure the line was connected. It was. (I normally receive calls from other companies and small businesses.)2. I stepped outside to remind myself with the view of car filled office parking lots, that everyone around me was working just as hard as I, today. But when I looked around the parking lots, they appeared as they do on a Saturday afternoon! The government workers next to my office didn't even come to work today...Thursday!3. I've made numerous calls where I was told, "(Name) began (his or her) holiday early." Hearing that, I was actually delighted because I was POSITIVE the person would return to work on May 31. When I announced that I would call the person on May 31 I was often informed, "Oh, (he or she) won't return until June 6th. !!!!!!4. Now, for those that are already gone today, Thursday, for the ONE DAY holiday, many of them left not at 17:00 yesterday. And the minority that will work through tomorrow will not work until 17:00 tomorrow. Rather, they left work or will leave early on the last workday before their "one day but now what could potentially be an eleven day holiday"! Is this hard to follow? You should try to work in this environment! You will read that Americans have less holidays than most countries of the world. And that is true. The DESIGNATED holidays on our calendar are less than most countries of the world. But, Americans are very good at turning an eight hour workday into a six hour workday, a one day holiday into a three day....or 11 day...holiday! A one hour lunch hour into a two hour lunch hour....etc. I think that by the end of the year, we have had AT LEAST the same amount of holiday time as those countries that supposedly have more holiday time than America. But with one, big difference do we have at least that equal amount of time; it's with total disorganization, lack of a dependable schedule and I promise you...not the best business results because someone is "always missing"! Get me outa here!

May 27, 2005

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"American Logic"

The Missouri Legislature just finished debating two potential new laws: 1. Shall police officers have the right to look into your car and, if you are not wearing a seatbelt, stop you, write a ticket-possibly bring you to court, and fine you? The theory being, "If a person is not going to take care of themselves by preventing possible death in a car accident, then government will. Besides, others count on you being alive, and argh argh, blah blah, gruff gruff...." A noble idea, to be sure. But read on... 2. A law has been in place for as long as I've been alive, that requires motorcycle riders to wear a helmet. Why? Because an accident while not wearing a helmet is almost sure death. But at the same time the seatbelt law was being debated, the law concerning helmets was being debated to revise it and NOT REQUIRE the motorcycle rider to wear a helmet. Why? "Because we should have a choice." Now...read 1., and then 2.,...1., and then 2.,.....several times. Logical? Get me outa here.....

May 25, 2005

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