3:11 p.m. Speaking of high rents, I happened to come across a website the other day, while I was searching for cheap apartments inside Tokyo, less than 30,000 yen per month. Was actually surprised to know there were such apartments, though. Not to mention these apartments are old, some nearly fifty years old, and usually not equipped with private baths or toilets, the rent is unbelievably low compared to the average rate in Tokyo. I have no specific plans to rent one in the near future, but just from curiosity, I decided to take a look at them.

I clicked on the house icon of the nearest one I could find to my office to show details. It was a smallhouse intended to share with four people. The page had some photos that you could click to enlarge, so I clicked on one, assuming it was a photo of the dining room. The next second I fell rolling with laughter. It seemed to be a dining room all right, with a white table and some red and black chairs around it however, the photo was bulged and somewhat distorted in a fish-eye. Perhaps they wanted to show they had enough room for four people, but they might have pushed too far.

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Caterpillar

2:33 p.m. Cow was out on an errand. He just came back and said, "It started raining. Thought you could have noticed it." We keep some flyers outside our office next to the door, for some interested passerbys to pick up. Cow probably had just printed a bunch of new flyers and put it outside, and well, he was apparently disappointed because I didn't take in the flyers to save them from getting wet. Oh, so it's ME again.

4:27 p.m. Cow has asked me if I've finished "Murmur." He asked me exactly the same question when I was leaving the computer for a while about an hour and a half earlier, to which I kindly informed him that I wasn't finished yet. Now he's asked again, obviosuly to urge me to finish, though he would never admit.

4:47 p.m. Am fighting my drowsiness of late afternoon, while feeling pressure from Cow sitting next to me, to wrap this up as soon as possible, so he could simply quit whatever he's doing and call it a day. Wow. How encouraging.

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Caterpillar

4:04 p.m. Obaba had another stroke last night. Had to call an ambulance and ride in it with her and JoOusama to the hospital in the middle of the night. She's now hospitalized in ICU and because of the incident, I haven't slept a wink. Am terribly sleepy. Actually have nodded off in the meeting. Am trying desperately to stay awake but ...

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Caterpillar

3:47 p.m. Body is aching all over. I had a good sleep but am suffering from sore muscles. Small wonder after carrying Obaba who weighs nearly a hundred pounds, out of the bath tub and on to her bed. It was around eleven o'clock on Wednesday when Obaba went in the bathroom, perfectly normal, for her usual dip-in-the-bath, a routine on the night before she goes to the day care center. Past midnight, I realized she still hadn't come out and went to take a look. I said something but she didn't respond, so I got closer to her thinking that maybe she couldn't hear me as usual. Then, I noticed she wasn't breathing properly. She made a faint gurgling sort of noise every time she tried to breathe in and I was sure she was in trouble. Deep trouble.

I got in the tub and tried to sit her up from fear she might drown herself, but she couldn't. Her arm felt stiff. I drained the water from the tub, rested her head against the tub hoping she won't slip and crack it, then ran upstairs to wake JoOusama. I knew I could not possibly lift Obaba out of the tub alone. I ran back downstairs to the bathroom, somehow managed to lift Obaba's body to perch her on the edge of the tub. And with JoOusama holding her upper body and me holding her legs, we carried Obaba to her bed swinging her as if she was already a dead corpse. Later, the ambulance arrived and we were all taken to the hospital.

The End

12:26 p.m. Obaba was placed in the ICU but was moved after less than a day, to the SCU whatever that stands for. Since ICU stands for ‘intensive care unit’ perhaps SCU could be something like ‘standard care unit’?

For the moment, Obaba's life is not at risk and the hospital needed to empty the ICU beds for more urgent patients. The right half of her body is now paralyzed, a damage done by the brain hemorrhage which is generally considered as rather serious, I think. The doctor had showed us a picture of the CT scan earlier, with the clot of blood almost as big as a golf ball, pressing on part of the brain that controlled sensory and motor function of the right half of one's body. Sounds quite serious, but according to JoOusama who visited her yesterday, Obaba seems to be getting better much to the doctor's unease. But then, the doctor doesn't know she has more energy than most ninety-year-olds. She even managed to say "Hai(yes)" relying on what my aunt had told JoOusama, a miracle regarding the diagnosis of aphasia. And she's already causing troubles for the nurses, pulling out the cords with her abled left hand...

1:07 p.m. Currently, am more concerned about Tulip Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas Trial) than the old lady.

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Caterpillar

4:02 p.m. Saw the recap of yesterday's Tulip Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas Trial) on TV since I've been to a class reunion last night and couldn't check out the results. My, it was an easy win for Reve d'Essor. She didn't even need to be whipped. Personally, I like Dance Fantasia more than Reve d'Essor but Ouka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) could be just as slow as Tulip Sho and in that case, I'll have to admit that Reve d'Essor would be the winner.

4:50 p.m. Am going to the hospital to check on Obaba.

7:38 p.m. Have just returned. Obaba seemed better than I had expected. I think she was able to recognize me when she saw my face, because she gave me a hug with her able left arm which must have seemed like she was putting me in a headlock. I told her that she has had a brain hemorrhage and although am not sure if she understood what I said, she nodded deeply after listening to my words. Not a bad sign, I guess.

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Caterpillar

3:10 p.m. Cow has showed me a computer graphics movie of a trip to outer space. Seems like he picked it up at Karapaia again. It was amazing. A five minute journey into the stars made me wonder if we would be traveling through space some day, watching scenes like the movie flying by. As I mumured something like that, Cow assured me instantly that even if such things happened, we won't be alive at the time. Right.

3:16 p.m. The movie was really a piece of work one would gawk at, and I almost thought I 'd spent a bit of meaningful time if Cow hadn't stuttered and blown the introduction.

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Caterpillar

3:22 p.m. Pretty chilly. Warmer than yesterday, though. At least we're not having snow. Still, they say it's colder than the average temperature around this time of year.

3:39 p.m. Since it's rather cold, I was hoping Cow would make hot cakes (larger and thicker version of pancakes) for our afternoon break. He's made hot cakes a couple of times before and that stingy Cow has even bought a bottle of maple syrup just for the purpose however, he hasn't cooked one in weeks. As I tried to encourage him a bit, he retorted saying that he cannot make hot cakes whenever one of us is not present. The eaters usually consist of Cow's parents and I, though Papa-Cow has been dragged out to work this afternoon and might not be home until late evening. Cow says all of us need to be there and ready when the hot cakes are done, but I secretly think he just doesn't want to take the trouble.

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Caterpillar

2:13 p.m. Am having trouble getting up in the morning. Have been getting up between seven and eight until last Wednesday, but the Obaba incident has thrown me out of my routine completely, and am once again struggling to get my life back together. Have been trying to go to sleep early enough to get up at around 8:00 but in vain for the past week. Maybe am still tired and need more sleep.

2:33 p.m. Have went through HowCast for brief search. According to "How to Get Up in the Morning," I will need : discipline, objectives and food. I do have good objectives, a bunch of them actually, and I certainly have food in the fridge. I could be having a little trouble with discipline, though...

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Caterpillar

4:04 p.m. I don't want to blame everything on Obaba but I've dropped my commuting pass... It wasn't until I put on my jacket to go home yesterday, that I realized my pass was not in my pocket where it should be. Searched all over the office with Cow cursing me for not keeping it in my bag, though we couldn't find it anywhere. Had to walk back exactly the same route as I took on my way to the office looking around like an idiot, in search of my pass which Cow had paid nearly 40,000 yen for and was still valid. As a matter of fact, the expiration date was more than a month away. No wonder Cow was furious.

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Caterpillar

5:05 p.m. Was going to write about my commuting pass, but there was an earthquake a little before 3 o'clock, so think I'll write about the earthquake.

According to the radio and information from the Internet, Miyagi prefecture has been hit by a huge earthquake of intensity 7 around 2:46 this afternoon. I was having a meeting as usual when the ground started shaking here in Tokyo a couple of minutes after it hit Miyagi. We weren't so surprised since we were used to having occasional small earthquakes however, the shaking turned into rolling and the rolling grew heavier by the second until we got frightened and crawled under the table. It was the first time I ever crawled under the table for protection apart from the emergency drills back in the school days. The fluroscent light hanging above our heads was swinging like it might come crashing down any minute. After what seemed like hours, the rolling gradually died down.

5:23 p.m. As of 5:23, all the railways have stopped uncertain when it will start moving again, and the capital freeway is blocked due to the earthquake. They're giving Tsunami warnings, it's getting difficult to get phone connections and we're having occasional aftershocks which are pretty frightening.

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Caterpillar

12:51 p.m. Have decided to update information on the earthquake in English. I am currently in Tokyo fortunately, working as usual, so will do my best to spend all my spare time on updating the latest imformation in English. Will also try to relay English messages for those who have Internet connection. Though please understand that I can not put all of my time in this and that the information might not be updated to the latest.

12:56 p.m. Have been thinking what I could do in times of such emergency, and have decided to do something I can do to help. I might not be able to offer much, but am willing to try. For people who have unfortunately fallen victim for the earthquake, I'd like to send my deepest sincerity. It must be tough, but please have faith. I'm with you no matter what happens. Reach out if you can. I'm listening. Many others are, too. You are not alone.

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Caterpillar

2:42 p.m. Two days after the earthquake, information are flooding in. Images of fishing ports and towns on the Pacific coast of Touhoku area virtually being swallowed by Tsunami are on every channel. As a matter of fact, I haven't been able to reach my aunt living in Ishinomaki, Miyagi. Hope she's OK.

4:38 p.m. Going to the hospital to check on Obaba. JoOusama has ordered me to get a pack of bread since they are somehow sold out in every supermarket. Why? What do they need bread for?

10:10 p.m. NHK has reported that TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) is going to hold planned outage for a week starting tomorrow, because they cannot provide enough electricity due to damages done by earthquake. Seems like details can be found on TEPCO's website.

10:18 p.m. TEPCO's website cannot be viewed.

11:53 p.m. TEPCO's website still cannot be viewed... Are they trying to create chaos in Tokyo too?

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Caterpillar

1:45 p.m. Have reached office. It took me longer than usual but Tokyo Metro (subway) was mainly operating, though not on regular schedule.

Have met an Australian mother and son on the subway, who said that they'd arrived in Shinjuku five minutes before the earthquake on Friday, and was on their way now to Narita. The mother told me that they had a flight scheduled to leave around five, and are planning to take the limousine bus from T-CAT (Tokyo City Air Terminal) at Suitengu-Mae. For those counting on limousine buses, make sure to move eralier to have enough time, since the buses are probably not run on schedule. They've cancelled all departures through Saturday and Sunday mornings, so it is very likely that no buses will be run until afternoon. And even if they run, it could take much more time than usual due to planned power down related to the earthquake, etc.

2:30 p.m. Have tried accessing the limousine bus time table, but was it was inaccessible. Too much traffic, I guess.

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Caterpillar

3:21 p.m. Cornering is spreading throughout Tokyo. Since Friday afternoon, the racks in supermarkets and convenience stores are being emptied by shoppers (and there are so many of 'em!) who, are probably worried that distribution of goods might stop due to the earthquake. I peered in at least seven shops including supermarkets and convenience stores yesterday morning, to meet Cow's request to get a pack of bread however, there was none. It started with the bread racks on Friday afternoon, followed by pot noodle, canned food, spreading like wild fire that by the evening, the racks were all empty and most of the shops had nothing left to sell.

Cannot believe such selfishness. People are left in shelters cold and hungry up there in Iwate or Miyagi. And yet these self-indulgent people in Tokyo are cornering more food than they can ever consume. What a shame.

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Caterpillar

2:35 p.m. On the other hand, people in the Kanto area are going under planned power outs of electricity. Despite the unreliable announcement of TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company), everybody is trying to save on electricity. Unnecessary lights are turned off in every homes, offices, schools, stations, stores, with some large factories and companies taking days off, even if we're not in the area announced to have a blackout. Railways are opperating with limited services, though TEPCO has assured to provide them electricity prior to others.

What's most impressive is that none of us being forced to go under such restrictions are complaining about it. Even when there's a huge line in front of the station entrance gates to prevent accidents from over capacity on the platforms, people are waiting quietly and patiently. Every one of us are willing to help and strive through this crisis, and I'm very proud to be a part of it.

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Caterpillar

2:12 p.m. It's cold in here since we're not using our heater. We're trying to save oil. It's nothing special for us, though we're willing to do as much as we can to help. Think each of us should try saving electricity, food and fuel, so that we can send whatever we've saved to the quake-hit area. It must be freezing in Miyagi or Iwate, since have seen temperatures with minus marks lined up on the weekly forecast. It's OK. We can simply wear a jacket.

2:24 p.m. Have been sneezing for a while. Attacks of cedar pollen allergy is at full throttle. Feeling uncomfortable even with the help of my magic oil, because the amount of pollens flying this year are said to be eight times as much as usual and it's been quite windy from yesterday afternoon. But still, it's not intolerable. Think about the victims of the earthquake. They're forced to have a rough time with some people suffering cedar pollen allergy on top of it all. My uncomfortableness is nothing compared to the hardship they're going through.

We can get over this. We will get over this.

The End

Caterpillar

2:40 p.m. Tokyoites are being confused by TEPCO's planned blackouts. An announcement was made yesterday afternoon, that Tokyo was about to experience a massive blackout throughout the metroplolis, because the usage of electricity was getting close to the limit of 33,500,000kw, possibly going over the supplying amount with the help of dropping temperature. Many of the workers rushed home in attempts to get home before the blackout, which eventually packed the terminal stations such as Shibuya or Yokohama.

Most of us are prepared and willing to go through any kind of restrictions related to the Touhoku earthquake, but TEPCO's announcements of the ‘planned blackout’ has so far been rather haphazard, that it's merely topping more confusion. I wish they'd become more organized and learn to plan ahead. After all, it's supposed to be a ‘PLANNED blackout.’

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Caterpillar

1:21 p.m. Have been thinking of ways to warm those shelters in Touhoku somehow without electricity or oil. And I've remembered seeing a project on TV to introduce non-electrical refridgerators to Mongolia. It was a system using PET bottles filled with black writing ink, to expose the bottles to cold air at night in order to make them release heat they've absorbed, while they were stored inside the fridge during the day. Isn't it possible to generate heat without using electricity or oil, if we reversed this system? Certainly, there must be black-out curtains (which usually have one side black) in every school gyms, auditoriums, municipal halls and the like. Wouldn't it be at least a little warmer, if they exposed the black side of the curtains to the sun during daytime, then release the heat inside after dark? Except for places with radiation risks, of course, since the color black might absorb radiation... I'll do a search on that.

1:38 p.m. Another idea I can offer is to reverse the blankets and the quilts when sleeping. Avoid heavy cotton quilts, use lighter down quilts and keep the slippery side to your body when pulling it over. Then cover it with a blanket. It will allow you to easily turn over in your sleep, which would help fluid circulation and also cut heat loss. Have been doing this for a while myself, and it really works. It's warmer and helps you wake up with a fresh head. For people in shelters, think they could make use of their down jackets instead of down quilts. Surely, they must be wearing down jackets in Touhoku at this time of season.

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Caterpillar

11:30 a.m. JoOusama has gone out to have a meeting with her brother and sister about my missing aunt. My aunt who is JoOusama's younger sister, lives alone in Watanoha, Ishinomaki. A week after the earhtquake, we still haen't been able to reach her yet. I've been checking out Google Person Finder or the photos of the victims' names list, but haven't come across her name until now. Don't know why but there are so little information on Watanoha, and we don't even know if she's dead or alive.

I thought JoOusama said she was expected at my uncles' at 11:00, though...

5:42 p.m. JoOusama came back. The meeting was not actually fruitless. They've shared information that each have gathered so far, and it seems that they've somehow found someone living in Tokyo who went to the same high school as their sister. My uncle has virtually talked to that person's wife on the phone, who told him that her husband was now in Miyagi, searching for his own sister, and that she would tell him to try to find some information about my aunt, too. Am very grateful for such kindness.

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Caterpillar

5:36 p.m. Still no word from anybody. As I was fixing myself a late lunch since have been out to check on Obaba, JoOusama suddenly announced that she is going to check the victims' names list using Tono's lap-top. She has never used a computer before, and I'm afraid she does not understand what the Internet system is or how it works, though she seems to be determined. Maybe she has been influenced by her brother and sister of their ability to collect information through the Internet. She even told me that she's convinced Tono who never let's anyone touch his things to give a ‘Go ahead.&rsquo However, the lap-top has been neglected and probably doesn't have any efficient security software installed...

5:41 p.m. Have sent a message to Cow asking which software would be best to install. Tried Skype! but he had already logged off.

6:09 p.m. Have put an urgent flag on the mail, but Cow has not replied yet. Hope he sees the mail.

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Caterpillar

4:44 p.m. JRA has announced that Nakayama and Fukushima race tracks will be closed this season due to the effects of the earthquake. Some grade races including the grade one Satsuki-sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) will be rescheduled. Here are the list of changes:

• Nikkei-sho(G2)2400m orginal schedule:Mar.26th, Nakayama  new schedule:Apr. 2nd, Hanshin
• Nakayama Hinba Stakes(G3) original schedule:Mar.13th Nakayama  new schedule:Apr.2nd, Hanshin
• Derby-kyo Challenge Trophy(G3) original schedule:Apr.3rd, Nakayama  new schedule:Apr.3rd, Hanashin
• New Zealand Trophy(G2) original schedule:Apr.9th, Nakayama  new schedule:Apr.9th, Hanashin
• March Stakes(D,G3) original schedule:Mar.27th, Nakayama  new schedule:Apr.10th, Hanshin
• Yomiuri Milers' Cup(G2) original schedule:Apr.16th, Hanshin  new schedule:Apr.17th, Hanshin
• Satsuki-sho(G1) original schedule:Apr.17th, Nakayama  new schedule:Apr.24th, Tokyo

5:08 p.m. Gee. So we're having Satsuki-sho at Tokyo race tracks. Fat chance there's going to be a double crown winner.

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Caterpillar

2:25 p.m. Farmers in the Kanto region are forced to stop shipping certain vegetables since research has proved that they contained more than average radioactive material. Does that mean these vegetables would vanish from the shelves? The media have already been ranting about spinach, broccolis, Shungiku (garland chrysanthemum), bean sprouts, milk, etc., to be effected by radioactive substance thought to be released from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

2:40 p.m. So what? The safety level of radioactive materials contained in food set by the government is made, or supposed to be made on the standpoint of, if one kept consuming a certain amount of certain food containing radioactive material for a long period of time, usually in terms of years. The news sound so sensational when it goes through screens or speakers or paper however, I think there are actually very few people who consume these vegetables or milk in large amounts every day for years. Evidently, it's hard to believe they would be of any harm as long as we ate them or drank them as we usually do. And we can always wash off the radioactive materials to half the amount with running water. So why ban shipping? Why are we not allowed to make our own choices of whether or not to buy these food?

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Caterpillar

3:57 p.m. An urgent situation has come up. Our color ink jet printer has finally broke down. I had some documents to print but now there's no chance I could print them in time for my next meeting coming up from 5:30. Will just have to print the urgent ones in black and white since thankfully, our laser beam printer is still working. Assume this printer crisis is totally unrelated to the earthquake or another rather big aftershock we've had this morning, though. Gotta run.

The End

Caterpillar

4:22 p.m. Cow has been absorbed in searching a cheap color printer. Though it seems he still hasn't given up hope yet, since he asked me if I could wait till Monday for his final decision. Apparently, he's going to take the printer apart again, and see if he could fix it one last time. In case he's convinced that it will not revive, then he would decide to get a new one, but only for a very cheap price.

4:27 p.m. Our roof veranda has somehow turned greenish yellow, by the way. Was lost in printer cisis frenzy yesterday and couldn't write about it, but have noticed it Wednesday morning. As I went out on the veranda to have a smoke, I noticed greenish yellow curves where the rain must have made puddles the day before. I gawked at the vivid color, wondering what might have done the overnight paint job, reaching a terrifying question, could it be something radioactive that the wind had carried and the rain had brought down? Though, come to think of it, I have a feeling I've heard somewhere that these things are not visible to human eyes, since radiation comes in ultra short waves of light which we cannot see. But what if it was? I'm the only one in the family who goes out on the veranda which automatically means, I have the highest risk of bgeing exposed to it...

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Caterpillar

11:21 a.m. On Thursday's TV evening news, have discovered that many people have been somewhat panick stricken with unidentified greenish yellow material and had flooded calls to the Japan Meteorological Agency, driven by fear they could be exposed to high level of radiation. The JMA was cool. They announced that the greenish yellow material were vast amounts of either cedar pollen, or yellow dust blown from China... No wonder my allergy has become severe.

11:32 a.m. As for Cow fiddling with the printer, he somehow found a site explaining how the site owner had overcome the same problem by narrowing down the cause to the fact that, certain printers stop operating after printing certain number of sheets to avoid discarded ink from flowing. After going through the process given on the website, the printer spat out a print as nothing had ever happened... Cow has shrieked a hurrah of joy, and is now busy refilling the ink.

11:44 a.m. Cow has thrusted up his fist with a cry of "Yessss!" after his final confirmation.

The End

Caterpillar

7:56 a.m. Was awakened by the squawking radio news from the next room, reporting that Victoire Pisa has won the Dubai World Cup as the first Japanese horse in history. Wow. I wish I could hear such news every morning so could get up right away. Think Pisa would play the major part in the autumn grade one races. Must not forget that until autumn, though.

3:40 p.m. Have just been running back from hospital and barely made it for the Takamatsu-no-Miya Kinen, this season's second grade one. Haven't had time nor energy to be handicapping, so just watched the race wondering which horse would win. As a matter of fact, my interest in this race long since faded when I learned that it was going to be run at Hanshin, not the usual Chukyo. I was somewhat surprised to see the defending champion, Kinshasa-no-Kiseki win the race again, which was the first ever straight wins earned in the race's history. Not even Durendal has been able to win the race twice. And Kinshasa is 8 years old! Guess the sprinters' front is still not so competitive.

7:17 p.m. Cannot believe it. Have just been locked out while going out to a supermarket only 500 yards away. I'm absolutely positive JoOusama knew I was out because I told her so when I was leaving, and she said something like, it's cold. But then she retorts to my complaints that she thought I was already home. Just can't believe her lack of concern and her lack of guilty feeling.

The End

Caterpillar

7:47 p.m. Unexpected work has found its way to our place. I came to the office around noon today, because I knew we were having a slow week. And I saw a familiar figure walking across the road from a timeworn van towards the general direction of my office, just as I was turning the corner. It was Mr. N-jima. He had brought in an urgent job.

8:00 p.m. Cow and I are working late, since Mr. N-jima expects us to come up with a draft by tomorrow. And we're supposed to have a meeting over that draft with some other person who's also involved in this project. Gees, am already having nervous knots in my stomach...

The End

Caterpillar

4:57 p.m. Was going to write about digital TV antenna. However, Mr. N-jima has arrived earlier than schedule. Actually, an hour and fifteen minutes earlier... So must start meeting. Aaargh! Aaaarrrgh! Why can't this guy move according to the schedule?? Why???

Am going to write about details tomorrow. Though no one might be concerned...

The End

Caterpillar

1:56 p.m. Mr. N-jima had brought along his subordinate for the meeting, who was apparently running the project in his company. He was a tall slender guy in his early or mid thirties, I believe, a pleasant man, easy to work with. Although Cow and I had prepared a draft of the project to which we were assigned to, he also brought a printed draft. Cow later blurted out that his work had been wasted however, the draft helped us immensely to give us the picture of what Mr. N-jima and co had in mind. So we are now working on the project energetically, with the old man threatening us to come back next Wednesday, which actually has no point since he seems to be regardless of time or schedule.

2:11 p.m. Must get back to work but before I run, we finally had a digital TV antenna attached to one of the walls surrounding our veranda. Turned out we needed boosters, but anyhow it's connected to the TVs including mine. And the best part is that Tono had paid for it. So all I have to do now, before the analog broadcast ends, or is said to end in July, is to get myself a tuner.

The End

Caterpillar

4:04 p.m. I don't want to blame everything on Obaba but I've dropped my commuting pass... It wasn't until I put on my jacket to go home yesterday, that I realized my pass was not in my pocket where it should be. Searched all over the office with Cow cursing me for not keeping it in my bag, though we couldn't find it anywhere. Had to walk back exactly the same route as I took on my way to the office looking around like an idiot, in search of my pass which Cow had paid nearly 40,000 yen for and was still valid. As a matter of fact, the expiration date was more than a month away. No wonder Cow was furious.

The End

Caterpillar