I remembered that there were more of the same sort of crime besides the ones I wrote here yesterday.

The bus hijacking comitted by a junior-high kid because he was annoyed being what-for by his father, and the stabbing by a man who has been insisting that the victim, who used to be his home room teacher in his junior high school days, was to blame for his poor social adjustment. There even might have been more...

Regarding that the random stabbing at Akihabara happened on the day of Yasuda Kinen (June 8th), there have been more then 5 more similar crimes going on since then, which is less then 2 months...Isn't that too many? Such crimes lookinf all alike? Again, it makes me think the media must have been influencial.

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Caterpillar

It was comparatively bearable these couple of days, but today was extremely hot again.

In such enormous heat, young part-time workers were passing out coupon magazines called Hot Pepper around the station. I'd take my hat off for their work. Perhaps because of the heat, some of them seemed unable to articulate properly. As I listened closer, I realized that one of them was saying "Poppeppa" instead of "Hot Pepper". What's "Poppeppa?"

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Caterpillar

I received an e-mail from a friend who has been checking this "Murmur" every day (thanks for viewing!). It said, that my friend has also felt the same about the media inflaming crimes in Japan.

Such as the case of someone cutting the flowers of parks and gardens, or the orgies that goes on every year at some Coming of Age Ceremonies, that are also must have been fueled by the media. And those cardboards often used in TV programs which they call, flip cards! What do they need them so much for? It's such a waste of paper. And YOU suggest being earht-friendly? Well, yeah, I've always been thinkin' that those oil company ads making an earth-friendly appeal were pretty much conflicting.

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Caterpillar

It's been over 90 dgrees fahrenheit since yesterday. Enormous heat rises up from the asphalt when you walk outside. Once in a while when the wind blows, it feels like sirocco...

So I understand, I mean his feelings are understandable. But I think you shoudn't do that old man, at least in front of other people. Well, he was stroking his bald head with his just-bought can of beer to cool himself down...

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Caterpillar

I couldn't write this "Murmur" yesterday, since I was quite busy. Recently, I've been unexpectedly busy both on business and personally. Though the sad thing is, that my wages don't increase according to the busyness. I'm not sure whether because I was so busy, but I happened to notice my calendar on the desk still showing the July page. What was I doing, five days have already passed since we entered August...

Oh, well. I guess it could be thought that my life is somewhat enriched(?) in a way. Thank God, thank God.

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Caterpillar

I don't know whether it's because of my busyness or not, but lately I seem to forget things a lot. Well, actually, I originally was a forgetful person since when I was a kid, and besides, I'm not forgetting the actions that I've made, so I think I'm not having demention yet (hopefully).

However, when I visited my friend's house the other day, I forgot to bring the yearbook which my friend had asked me earlier to bring with me, and I had willingly agreed to it. I didn't even notice that I had forgotten the yearbook, not until it became a let's-see-what-you've-got sort of mood...Oh, geeez, what am I doing?? My friend didn't invite me into her house just for nothing, you know.

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Caterpillar

I was surprised. As I got on the train, a young man in his early 20s was carrying a backpack exactly the same as mine. Don't it seem like a miracle regarding the possibility of meeting someone like that, in Tokyo where there's so many people?

Besides, mine was bought quite a while (think about a decade) ago. Well, my backpack's already coming apart at the seems here and there, and I've been trying to put the strap part and the pack part together, doing some sewing myself. The zipper also must be getting pretty tired, 'cause it opens on its own whenever it's grumpy, though I've closed it earlier. And I've never even imagined of seeing such a backpack (of course, his was much cleaner) during commuting...

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Caterpillar

So it finally started! The Beijing olympics! Though the pool play for soccer (or football) have already begun ahead of others.(^ ^;) Oh, gee, I've been looking forward to this day so much! Because the scene of athletes from all around the world competeing, always leaves me great impression and gives me courage.

I believe all the athletes have finally reached their grand occasion, after going through extremely hard trainings that must be way beyond my imagination. I wish they won't be afraid of the results and take that plunge, for results, I think, are just a form of data(information). No matter how the outcome may turn out to be, I believe it will certainly enrich the rest of their lives. So please, don't be afraid to make it happen.

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Caterpillar

Results, I think, are a sort of form caused by something that has already occured. The judgement of whether that form (results) was good or bad relies totally on each person. What I want to say is that there is no good or bad in the results itself.

What's most important is how you accept those results that you've reached somehow, and what good use you can make out of it, to reflect it on the rest of your lives. After all, we're all living. And we have to live on no matter what the outcome may be. Sorry, I spoke too grand today.

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Caterpillar

Weight lifter Hiromi Miyake, who has been expected to become the first medalist among the national team, finished 6th place. In the interview, she said that her ex-bronze medalist father who has been struggling together with her, was disappointed and angry at her performance, but regarding her results finishing 8th position in the former Athens game, I personally think that she is certainly improving.

Meanwhile, Ryouko Tani who was expected of the firs gold medal among the team, however, was defeated in the semifinal of the 48kg women's Judo, though she managed to defend the bronze medal winning the consolation match. Additionally, Hiraiwa, who appeared in the lightest class in place of the former champion Nomura, was knocked out in his first match. See, I told you. I wonder what the All Japan Judo Federation's gonna say now.

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Caterpillar

Last night, Obaba whimpered "No one ever praises me when I'm trying so hard." So I complained to JoOusama, that it was she who drove Obaba into such desperateness by stopping to cook her meal. As usual, JoOusama could not stand this and went into a rage. Having such a great chance, she yelled out her problems all on me.

As I was feeling terrible being yelled at for things that I can't possibly help in any way, there came in the news of Uchishiba winning the gold medal in Judo. He did it! And today, Kousuke Kitajima won the gold medal in 100m breast stroke, with an additional world record to go with it! YYYeeess!! He's done it! That guy's really done it!! Great job, guys, great job well done!

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About the results of the men's team competition for gymnastics which I've been caught up in all morning. Woww, they won the silver medal! They've fought well. Well, some people might say that it could have been better if they'd won the gold, but regarding that the point rating system has changed after the last olympic, making it easier for the Chinese team to score high points, I think they've done their best. Besides, they desrve to be admired if they were able to perform "beautifully" a target the team has been trying to achieve.

In women's Judo, Ayumi Tanimoto sent by the Japan Judo Federation cheating team as Ryoko Tani, made it past the 3rd match. Hm. I think I'd forgive her and the federation if she brings back a gold medal.

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Caterpillar

You've really won a gold medal, Tanimoto! All right, I give! Great job! Well, basically it's the Judo Fed that's to be blamed. Tanimoto herself got over back injuries and stop-at-home to achieve this second straight win. The final match sure was a sweet victory finishing with an "Ippon". Congrats!

The women's soccer team, Nadeshiko Japan, also perforemed fantastically under pressure. Great job, girls! You got the boost, let's keep it up and fight with all your might in the final round! Especially for the boys that copped out. Women's badminton doubles was a remarkable feat too. That's the way, girls! The softball team managed to win the first pool. That's a start, way to go. And today, cooonnngratulationnns!! to Takeshi Matsuda in men's 200m butterfly! As for tonight, I'm counting the baseball pool match with Cuba on you, Hoshino.

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Caterpillar

Today, there was the final race for Kousuke Kitajima's 200m breast stroke coming up, and Keiji Suzuki was gonna appear in the Judo's 100 kilogram calss, and, and... I've been excited since morning until I knew that Keiji Suzuki, the former champion, was beaten in his first match. Whaaat?! He appeared again in the consolation match however, he was defeated again before I even caught my breath...

Oh, boy. What happened to him? It's a pitty that I couldn't see his Uchimata (inner thigh throw). Well, he was saying himself that he was not as highly motivated as he used to be, after the Athens Olympic. Mybe he wanted to quit. But I suppose he couldn't because of the surrounding expectations. As for Kitajima, he missed the new world record by 0.13 second, though he earned himself 2 gold medals as well as his second straight win. This guy is something.

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Caterpillar

Yeah! I'm having my sumer vacation from today! Though it's only three days including Saturday and Sunday. Oh, well, it's not even been an year yet since we've started this business, so I feel thankful to be able to have vacations. Thanks, Cow. And now, I'm absorbed in the Olympic games without reserve.

The defeat of judoist Keiji Suzuki yesterday, turned out to be disappointing. The performances of the Japanese men's judo team can not be called impressive so far. It may have been for this reason that the national team coach, Jin Saito's removal was announced. Um..I think the Judo Fed should be removed instead of Saito..after all, they couldn't send in a Japanese Judo judge, what are they here for? And why the hell aren't the Judo matches held on Tatami in the first place?

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Caterpillar

It would probably be the last Olympic for Tamesue. That's why I've been writing about him hoping that he would somehow bring his career to a successful conclusion, but unfortunately, he vanished away in the preliminary.

He shotted out at the start which is his usual race style, though he lost his form balance completely reducing speed in the latter half of the race. He couldn't even qualify. It's tough to admit, but I guess that's the best he could do now. Tamesue suffered from injury this season, wich almost automatically placed him in danger of losing his chance to make it to Beijing. Regarding such things, I think it was his present best performance. Thanks, Tamesue. Up till now, you've fought so well and so hard. For 25 years. You've given us so much courage and hope.

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Caterpillar

Geez, it was touching. Chiharu Ichou, in the lightest class in women's wrestling, has been striving to win gold medals together with her younger sister Kaori, since she's finished with silver in Athens. She scored a dramatic upset victory this time in the semifinal with her biggest rival, however, it seemed that she's burned out there. Her medal turned out to be silver again.

Because she was only a step away from her goal, finishing 2nd place was personally a disappointment though, Chiharu appeared on the podium with a radiant smile. "These 4 years I've strived with Kaori was the best years of my life. So this medal may be silver, but it's gold to me." Yeah, yeah. No matter what people say, it's the most precious glittering medal you've earned yourself, there. Congrats, tears, tears.

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Caterpillar

My summer vacation is over. It went by in a flash. I kept the TV on being absorbed in enjoying the olympic games for almost all day. I enjoyed watching the women's wrestling held yeterday, too. The matches of Kaori Ichou and Kyoko Hamaguchi. Woow, it was greeaat!!

I'm not actually convinced with that new color-ball-lot kind of rule put to use from this time, but Kaori's victory overcoming the adverse condition of such matter of luck, could be called true strength. As for Kyoko Hamaguchi, she did fail to win the gold medal which she held as her goal still, a bronze medal after suffering from injuries or judging errors must have been the same as gold. Meanwhile her radiant smile was gold for me.

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Caterpillar

The Japanese women's soccer team, Nadeshiko Japan, lost the semifinal against America. Disappointing, but there was a big gap between the two in both technique and skill, so the loss of the game isn't surprising. Nadeshiko is going to take on Germany in the third-place match however, the Germans are ranked higher in FIFA ranking and Nadeshiko are expected to fight hard to win. Still, regarding that they wouldn't have been able to fight the 6th match if they hadn't worked as hard, I wish them to play in their own style without being caught up in the German style. Especially, as not to regret later.

Anyway, I'm in no mood to work...it's like I'm still in a vacation mode. I seem to lack motivation. Well, how about a present of sweeping victory over China, Mr. Hoshino?

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Caterpillar

My motivation of work was pretty low yesterday. But as I was talking about the olympics with Cow, we came to a conclusion that those athletes who stand on the podium, must have been standing there after going through tremendous hard work, so hard that my and Cow's puny little brains can't even imagine.

Yeah, really, they have. I suddenly realized that compared to them, what I've been doing was nothing. Not even close to their effort. I've been complaining too much that I'm not making enough money, or that I don't have enough day-offs without making much effort. No effort, no results. It was that simple.

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Caterpillar

Well, even if you've gone under hard work, that doesn't always mean that you get the results you've imagined. Really. No matter how hard you try, it doesn't mean you get a rewarding result. Though I've been thinking that successful results could be earned by hard work until recently. And I've finally noticed that this is not exactly correct. Stupid me. It's the opposite. You should look at the results, find out what's missing and work hard to achieve that. In that sense, it could be said that there's a possibility of lacking effort, when you don't get a satisfacory result.

While I've been dwelling on the virtues, it seems like the Japanese softball team has won the consolation death match between Australia and made it to the final! It's the last match. Give it all you got, girls! You're really a great pitcher, Ueno.

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Caterpillar

Great. The softball team finally won the long-cherished gold medal! Gee, those girls really worked hard and did a great job. Tears, tears.. It may have been a long and tough road for them until now, but it's also been a 12-year-old cheering for me too. Congratulations girls, you really didi it.

Now it's the boys' turn. Yep, baseball. I concentrated on the radio but unfortunately, the team bore a patheical loss against Korea in the semifinal match... How could they have played so bad? I'm too disappointed that I don't even feel like writing any more.

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Caterpillar

The national baseball team collapsed losing even the 3rd-place match between America, eventually settling for the 4th place without winning a single game in the final tournament. Well, such result must have been inevitable regarding their poor performance in the preliminary. Since I was terribly disappointed at the point of yesterday, I didn't even feel like watching today's match between America.

It's unbelievable and also pathetic indeed, that the champion team of WBC(World Baseball Classic) has suffered such a crushing defeat. What's past is past, but it makes me feel regrettable when I come across the idea that there might have been a different way to fight. Of course, I had wished the team would've avoided the chance of my feeling this way now...

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Caterpillar

The Beijing Olympics that has been held from August 8th, is finally closing tonight. Since it was a big event held only once in 4 years, I've been fully entertained by all those spectacular performances almost ignoring my job. Sometimes swinging between hope and despair, I had a wonderful time making use of all kinds of media that I could think of; TV, radio, and Internet. I even felt a little like I was actually "participating" in the Olympics myself. I think I was lucky enough to be a part of such excitement and to experience many, many, moments of...frustrating games, miserable feelings, tears of joy, and of course, glory.

I'd like to truly thank the athletes for giving me the chance to share such moments. Thank you all, really so much!

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Caterpillar

The Olympic has finished and there's only a week left of their vacation for the kids. Last weekend, I came across an article about a summer vacation in Finland titled "Spare Time Help Children's Growth" on the Saturday's evening issue of Asahi Shinbun. Here's how it went.

Completely free from homeworks let alone Juku(Japanese cram school), the writer's son has been complaining that he had nothing to do during his 2-and-a-half-months-long summer vacation. However, the writer finds her boy absorbed in reading adventure novels by the end of the vacation, who used to have trouble reading picture books for just a few pages. The article ends off saying that despite their complaints, children find something interesting to do, feel things from it and grow all right on their own. Hmm..I'd definitely wish Japanese parents to read this article.

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Caterpillar

I haven't got much work done from morning. Successive days ofwatching the Olympics has driven me into poor sleep again. And I haven't been able to shift things back into its normal rhythm. Well, to tell you the truth, I originally was nocturnal. I drop off from time to time during the daytime whenever it's not that busy, that's true. It's really is a problem that I become wide awake at midnight.

Perhaps I can't get rid of it so easily, since it's a learned habit over the years...though I've been trying to go to sleep earlier before the Olympics had begun. And here I go drooping my head again... gee, I'm pathetic.

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Caterpillar

I got a box of "Chinsuko" from one of my clients. It seemed like he'd spent his ummer vacation at Okinawa with his family, and he's bought us a box of "Chinsukou" for Omiyage(a souvenir or gift). I've heard of this confectionary before but I hadn't had a chance to see it nor taste it. I only remembered the name because it sounded a little obscene in Japanese.

I tried it right away and hmmm..it tasted a like.. shortbread. They say famous confections don't usually taste good, but this one wasn't that bad. Though I'd definately prefer them with something to drink...

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Caterpillar

Did you know that PSP(PlayStation Portable) could be used as a car navigation system? It's said that PSP could be attached and used as a car navigation system by downloading and installing a specific software. And it's not just a plain navigation system. It guides you in several different major Anime Character's voices!

The software is called MAPLUS Portable Navi 2. You will be required a larger memory card of about 1-2GB to download street maps however, it will guide you for example, in Amuro's voice (from Mobile Suit Gundam) like "Uh..what I want to say is that..well, i..it's supposed to be a left turn about 500m ahead!!" Though it's in Japanese. Well, I guess you can have fun with it for a while.

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Caterpillar

We had a terrible downpur last night. The rain was so heavy that I thought the old wooden house in our neighborhood might be washed away. Perhaps because of the unusual weather occuring worldwide, recently it comes down in buckets when it comes down. It rains cats and dogs for about 15 minutes, then after a couple of ten minutes' interval, it starts raining heavily again without any warning. Last night was like that too, and the road in front of our house almost turned into a river. Additionally, thunder was rolling all night through.

It wasn't like this before, as far as I can remember. Well, I won't be surprised if it was because of the weather rockets that China had fired during the Olympics.

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Caterpillar

We had another downpour again last night. It still wasn't raining while I was at work, so Cow and I had been saying jokes that I might get caught in the rain by the time I get closer to my house, and I really did.

Speaking of rain, JoOusama hasn't been telling me to "Bring an umbrella," for the past two days. Geez, she's formidable. Needless to say, I thought ahead and brought my biggest umbrella.

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Caterpillar

Sumer vacation for Japanese elementary school tend to be rather short, compared to that in America. Generally in the U.S., summer vacation for elementary school is from around the middle of June to the end of August, while in Japan it starts from around the 20th of July, usually ending by the last day of August. Of course, there may be differences of school terms between both countries (new terms begin from September in the U.S., whereas Japanese new term starts from April) but still, Japanese children's vacations are shorter.

As I asked the one of my acquiantance's son who goes to an elementary school, whether he's finished his homework to bring to school tomorrow, he answered, "What do you mean, tomorrow? School's already started." It seems that his school has already started from the 25th of August. It's grown even shorter...I feel sorry for them.

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Caterpillar