Now that I've learned that "the King of Pop," Michael Jackson, has spent a lonely childhood, I feel him more close, more human, not just an icon of a legendary pop star. And I feel truly sorry for his character being twisted by all those gossipings. And how disappointed he must have been to have to leave this world, when he was working so hard for his last show!

As I've said earlier, I am not a great fan of his. But I think I can see him now in a different way. He was just an earnest, sensitive person with a great talent. Perhaps in the wrong place at the wrong time. You deserve all the love in the world, Michael. May he rest in peace.

The End

Caterpillar

I've lingered on too long about Michael. Sorry for that. Right now they were promoting a small Kotatsu (a traditional Japanese, table-topped electric heating equipment with quilt covers) especially designed for pet cats.

I understand that cats generally prefer warm places rather than staying outside in the cold like dogs. I'm also aware that many modern Japanese homes don't have a Kotatsu in their homes any more. But I don't see the reason why, a person should buy a tiny Kotatsu merely for their cats. I bet the next thing they'll be selling would be make-up kits for cats with waterproof long-lash mascara.

The End

Caterpillar

I've just found out that today was Norman Rockwell's birthday on the Google search page. Hmmm. I've always admired his works full of warmth of human temperature, with a hint of sarcasm.

By the way, I saw a woman on her bike with her seemingly mother or mother-in-law, riding right beside each other this morning, as a truck approached from ahead. The women were pedaling side-by-side at an approximate speed of about two miles per hour, the mother-in-law like figure seeming apparently, that she had no intention of giving way to the truck. I watched worrying what the truck might do, perhaps blast an annoying honk at them, when it slightly swerved to the left of the narrow road about five yards in width, avoided the pair and went on as nothing much had happened. I'd never be a truck driver in this country, not that I could be one since I don't have a driver's license.

The End

Caterpillar

When I got home last night, JoOusama was in a fury. She threw pans and ladles, even a knife into the sink, letting them hit the sink so hard going, Bang, Clash, whoooz Bang! Why? What was she so pissed off about? Did I do anything wrong? My behavior must have been exactly the same as usual. Then what? What was the reason for her being so murderously offensive?

And why, why, why, is she standing silent staring at the TV by my side, while I'm so pressed, eating away my meal in a rush without a word, trying my best not to make the bad situation worse? Arrrrgh! Arrrgh! Am so confused.

The End

Caterpillar

I've been told from one of my clients yesterday, that they have a Setsubun (Japanese traditional bean-throwing event, see our "Annual Events" page also) event every year, at the small local shrine near our office. And I've learned that the priests there, not only threw small snack bags instead of beans, but also bags containing some money.

Money? Money! Money! I was about to make a dash for the shrine, scramble amongst young children for those lucky bags who gathered to bring home their treat, when I noticed in fact, that the event had already taken place on February 3rd, which was already three days ago... Hmmmn, I'll have to wait another year now.

The End

Caterpillar

Clear skies in Tokyo, but snow blizzards raging through the northern half part of the country. No wonder it's become windy from around noon. Chilly. I bet it's going to be reeeeal cold by the time I go home...Ugh.

It's good I wore my knit cap and scarf today. And I've got my down jacket that my aunt had bought me as a gift a couple of years ago. It's light and warm so it's been a heavy rotation item. Besides, Obaba has handed me down a black down half coat she was wearing till recently, since she's got a new champagne colored lighter one. Pretty nice actually, except that it's rather tight and thick, making me look like a black walrus with the hood over my head, and has a bunch of magic tapes sewed to where the zipper once must have been, for Obaba doesn't lilke to do the zippers or the buttons with her slightly paralyzed right hand.

The End

Caterpillar

10:30 a.m. Got up unwillingly to have washing done.

11:00 a.m. Laundry washed and took out on the veranda to be dried. Opened the fridge to find out that bread for toast has turned out to be unfamiliar brand. I hate it when JoOusama gets these dry bread because it get even more dry when toasted, and takes away all the moisture in my mouth while eating. Not at all tasty. Think I'll go out to the nearest Dotour Coffee and have a nice sandwich with a cup of cafe latte to cheer me up.

11:30 a.m. Sandwiches are all sold out. How could they run out of sandwiches when it's not yet noon? Though wouldn't have bought it anyway, since cannot afford the price of sandwich in addition to the 280 yen medium caffe latte. Never mind. I'll go home and make myself tomato spaghetti.

2:15 p.m. In state of shock. Can't believe tomato's got date stickers stuck directly on skin. Try peeling the date sticker off.

2:25 p.m. Stupid sticker won't come off.

2:28 p.m. In stickers-and-tapes-peeler-master mode. Didn't peel off hundreds of tapes stuck on office window when reforming the place for nothing. Am going to get this sticker off.

2:38 p.m. HA! Got sticker off without bearing a whole in the tomato with finger!

2:40 p.m. Sticky glue of sticker won't come off my nails...

The End

Caterpillar

I donned the hand-me-down half coat when I left home to have a nice cup of caffe latte yesterday, and found another trouble about this coat. It had the most peculiar smell of Obaba... So I've been spraying this smell all the way from house to Dotour Coffee, and might have made the young doll-faced girl I passed on the way put a frown on her face. Great.

As I returned home, I noticed a whitish smudge on the front hem on top of it. That adds up to my being a smelly black walrus having a white patch over my left thigh. By the way, "Bridget Jones' Diary"-like "Murmur" was a bit too long, come to think of it.

The End

Caterpillar

2:52 p.m. Searching for an apartment with one bedroom, kitchen with gas, seperate bath and toilet preferred with windows or drying facilities, closet away from toilet, bath and kitchen sink, indoor space for washing machine, and windows on both east and west side if possible, for a reasonable rent.

2:59 p.m. Have just found out that UR Chintai are public apartments, Hmmmm, offering spacious rooms for reasonable rents however, also learned that applicants must have earnings of at least 140,000 yen per momnth and 3500,000 yen of bank balance in order to apply for a room. I thought these public apartments were supposed to be for low-wage earners...Dooooom.

The End

Caterpillar

2:46 p.m. Came across a site handling information of apartments for official workers. There seems to be a list of rents, so think I'll take a look at how much they would cost.

2:51 p.m. Can not believe a newly-built 2 bdrms wth dr and ktchn is only for 26,800 yen per month, while new apartments with same layout inside the Tokyo metropolis cost no less than 80,000 yen per month at market price. As for older buildings, the rents are even lower ranging to 18,750 yen per month for a fifty-five-year-old building.

3:07 p.m. Wondering if there is a possible way to somehow repudiate tax payment. After all, official workers' earnings can be reduced considering such low rent whereas my small earnings can not be spared for tax payment, as long as I can't afford to rent even a public apartment.

The End

Caterpillar

9:30 a.m. Woke up with throat burning from thirst. Better get out of bed and start muscle training since it's said best to do before eating breakfast or after supper. But it's cold this morning. I'll stay in bed a little longer till it gets warmer and then do the training.

11:30 a.m. Still in bed. Want to fix myself a cup of green tea though someone's using the kitchen so better wait till it's finished.

1:00 p.m. Now JoOusama is using the kitchen. Guess the kids are around and she's performing a nice caring Granny cooking some food for them. Oh, well, perhaps can go jogging to the library later in the afternoon instead of doing muscle training.

1:30 p.m. Dragged myself out of bed. Can't wait any longer if don't want to make self shrinking dry-flower. Was thinking of going to the library before eating, but now it seems to be raining. Hmmm. Jogging can wait but not my throat and stomach.

The End

Caterpillar

8:30 a.m. Got to wake up but can't move an inch. Why? Why?

8:45 a.m. Remembered I had to take Obaba to the clinic, but decide to reschedule it for next week though I'll be extremely busy next week, since it's terribly cold and probably must be snowing. Apparently, someone must have pinned me to the mattress.

10:03 a.m. Am getting late. Feel terrible pain in the back of my neck and can't move my neck to get up. Make another attempt. AArrrgh! It hurts! Why? What happened to my neck?

10:48 a.m. Am now completely late for work. Pain runs up and down the back of my neck every time I try to look down to wash my face, or turn my head to check the time. Arrrgh! AArrrrgh! Finally got out the door and find it's not even raining...

The End

Caterpillar

Couldn't stand the aching of my neck, so have applied Menturm on the back of my neck. Was pretty suspicious about the effect since its ingredients are mainly menthol and white petrolatum but try it anyway. Mmmm. Very soothing.

To my surprise, the pain seems to have relieved a bit and can now turn my head without shrieking! Hurrah! Menturm power! Fabulous cure-all wonder ointment!

The End

Caterpillar

number of times fallen asleep on the electrical heating carpet since beginning of year : 12 (good), number of times forgotten carelssly since beginning of year : 28 (not so bad)

6:00 p.m. Woke up rigid and stiff on heating carpet. Seems like have fallen asleep again. Well, go down stairs to the kitchen to fix myself a cup of coffee. By the way, when has the moguls finals been broadcasted?

6:04 p.m. JoOusama asked me if I was going out. I wished she knew that I am not dashing to the library in the nick of time before her better-be-at-table-right-on-time supper every weekend, merely for her convenience to get her what she's forgot to buy despite the many occasions when I do, mainly because of being tied up with things I have to do up till the last minute, and that the library is out of service on Mondays.

6:12 Back up in my room w/ coffee. Mmmm. Nearly crashed through clean window without seeing it was shut when took in laundries from veranda. Oh yes, I've wiped it clean in the year-end cleaning up. Wiping windows too clean should be reconsidered, come to think of it, to avoid crashing into them without knowing they're shut. It can be extremely dangerous.

The End

Caterpillar

4:04 p.m. Was checking the Japanese version of Yahoo! NEWS for today's news and the Olympics info when I spotted a line that reported Japanese commedian and/or actor, Yo Oizumi had been coincidentally spotted at the normal hill qualifications and had his picture on the U.S. version of Yahoo! NEWS, with a "Hinomaru," Japan's national flag painted all over his face.

AHA,HA-HA-HA-HA! Here's a link to the picture : Yahoo!NEWS Aparently over-excited, looks pretty good, doesn't he?

The End

Caterpillar

1:37 p.m. Just been told from Cow that Nagashima and Kato have won the silver and bronze medal respectively, in the 500 meter short track finals. Hurrah! First medals for Japanese athletes! Especially happy for Jouji Kato, since he seems to have been struggling through hardships these past four years since the former Trino Winter Olympics.

4:17 p.m. Have been told by Cow that my friend Popo has posted a message on the message board about Yo Oizumi w/ national flag face painting, during my meeting with client. Overwhelmed with excitement about receiving new message but disappointed about Cow finding it first. Why does it always have to be Cow who gets new information first? Anyway, am eager and ready to spot the first fall of snow tonight.

The End

Caterpillar

9:30 a.m. Heard the TV saying that the women's curling team has come from behind and won the qualification match against the U.S. Sounds like a good start. Go girls, go!

1:47 p.m. Again, informed by Cow Grrrrr! that Daisuke Takahashi has earned third place in the short program of men's figure skating, marking his best score. Pretty excited. Wish all the best for him, trying not to think about Evgeni Plushenko who would probably win the gold medal eventually and that Mr. Passion, Evan Lysacek. HA! Can't wait to watch the free program on 19th (Japan time).

1:49 p.m. No, no, I'd rather not see it because it won't be good for my heart. Besides, will be working at that time. Is there any chance that the free program would be cancelled due to some inevitable reasons so that the results of the short program would automatically be approved as official results?

The End

Caterpillar

12:53 p.m. Cow left for meeting with his client. He's going to be out for a couple of hours, I guess. He's asked me to switch the main power of his PC off when the monitor went black, so I said "Sure."

1:07 p.m. The display monitor won't go black.

1:24 p.m. Monitor still showing Clare, the main character apearing in Cow's favorite Anime, "Claymore."

1:33 p.m. Have pressed ctrl, alt, delete key to display task manager but nothing seems to be happening... What should I do now? Regretting about accepting his request so easily.

The End

Caterpillar

Eventually, I ended up shutting down Cow's PC by pressing power button for 4 seconds... It launched in the safe mode when Cow restarted it but nothing in particular happened so that was OK. Am relieved now.

3:53 p.m. Just found out that Daisuke Takahashi has won the bronze medal in men's figure skating. Congrats! He's done the best he can and I think he deserves the medal. Nobunari Oda seemed to have had an accident of his laces being torn while performing his quadruple. Awww, not today of all days! Feel a bit sorry for him, but well, that happens.

3:54 p.m. What!? Plushenko didn't win the gold medal!? Then, who, who? Very surprised to see Mr. Passion's name on the top of the results list. Lysacek has won without including any quadruple in his program!? Gooosh, that's amazing! Wonder if they would be showing their performances on TV tonight. Very excited to watch them! Then remembered had to take a bath and go to bed because got to be up early tomorrow with a reunion coming up after work. Grrrrrr.

The End

Caterpillar

12:47 p.m. Having lunch in office watching a young Japanese comedian called "Nezucchi" on YouTube. He performs "Nazokake" which is a traditional Japanese style word game that have often been performed by Rakugoka (comedic storytellers), linking a pair of homophones in the form of riddles merely to state the answer with humor.

12:53 p.m. Mmmm. He's good! And the impressive thing is that he comes up with good answers both humorous and beautifully convincing in the blink of an eye. Have never seen anyone who performs good "Nazokake" in such a speed with various impromptu themes!

12:56 p.m. Also like him say, "Totonoimashita!" when he's ready to say the answers, and the way he says, "Nezucchi desu!"

The End

Caterpillar

2:48 a.m. Haav bbbin ta rreun-ionn, enjoooooyed it vveeery mwucchh. Juuss ffvinnisshhed watchhien "24." Wwwhaat iz Tony Almeeidaah dooin? Drrrrrrr.

1:30 p.m. Finally managed myself to get up. Am sober, with no hangovers (good), body and mind perfectly functioning, since am able to distinguish laundry and other clothes.

2:30 p.m. Clothes washed, had a plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce. Mmmm, satisfied.

2:58 p.m. Suddenly remembered that the February Stakes, the first grade one race this season would be run today. It's going to be run in forty-five minutes! Racing forms, racing forms... I had them in my bag, I think...

3:20 p.m. Red pen, red pen...! Aaaargh! "Reply" button is flashing on the Skype! window. It must be Cow... Aaaargh!

The End

Caterpillar

12:24 p.m. Going out to 7-eleven to get a bottle of green tea. Can spare some money today since didn't make it to the February Stakes yesterday. It was good resultingly, regarding that I must have bet on Success Brocken who finished third.

12:27 p.m. Noticed the headlines of... Tokyo Sports? that read, "Ai-chan 7 strokes.." Pretty sure that it was about the golf player Ai-chan judging from the Kanji character, my heart leaped guessing she might have won the tournament having checked her in third place yesterday. Though heart dropped instantly, when realized it must not have been easy for her to catch up the 6 strokes lead she had allowed Susan. Hmmm, the problem is whether it was "Ai-chan 7 strokes LEAD" or "Ai-chan 7 strokes OUT," but unfortunately, the papers were covered with other ones on top and couldn't make out. Gosh, I wish I knew!

5:51 p.m. Have found out it was "7 strokes lead!" Hurrah! Congratulations, Ai-chan!

The End

Caterpillar

4:22 p.m. Having tiny tomatos called "Amela Rubins" as snack. It's the kind of tomato that has become famous through the "Super-size Me-tomato-version" project for a TV program in which Kimutaku (Japanese idol) had been featured, also because he has had them right before he performed in the year-end "Kouhaku" (Red And White Singing Contest). I got it from one of my classmates at the reunion last week, who says he's working at the market.

4:24 p.m. Mmmmm... They're gooooood! Have rich taste, not watery, not too sour, sweet, but not too sweet. Didn't expect them to be so small, though. Aaarrrgh! Have dropped the container and tomatos went rolling over the floor! Calm down, calm down. It's going to be all right. Cow is out fortunately, and there's no one else around. No one would ever find out if I keep quiet...

The End

Caterpillar

Yesterday, 4:34 p.m. Cow went out to buy food for his supper. When he came back, he told me that he'd seen the "Amela Rubins" stacked on the nearest supermarket's shelf. Thought had heard from my classmate that they were short of supply since they had become too famous... I asked Cow how much a container was priced and he answered, "It said 290 yen."

4:35 p.m. My classmate who had distributed them to most of the participants at the reunion including all the women there, had said that a single container of them costed 400 yen at market price. He has apparently turned out to be an obsequious big mouth.

The End

Caterpillar

3:58 p.m. It's warm. Can't believe it's February. The highest temperature today, they said on the radio, has been 18.1 degrees celcius, equivalent to the average temperature of mid-April.

3:59 p.m. Suddenly realize it was already the 25th which means that February is coming to an end that automatically points out spring is right around the corner. Hurrah! It's spring, it's spring! Time to get out, go on a trip maybe, and feel alive! Though have nowhere to go nor can afford a trip... Dooooom.

The End

Caterpillar

1:50 p.m. Mao Asada has finished 2nd of Yuna Kim in women's figure skating. Think she did well enough, in a circumstance with the whole nation expecting her to win the gold medal when she's only nineteen. It's just that Yuna performed even better. She must have owed it a lot to that Canadian coach, though.

4:29 p.m. The evening paper has arrived. Disgusted to see Mao's huge picture printed. God, don't they ever realize that they were breaking her heart putting on so much pressure which probably merely comes from their self-indulgence? How come they never learn to be responsible adults who can respect other people's feelings?

The End

Caterpillar

2:09 p.m. The media pranksters seem to be thinking that the Vancouver Olympics has already been over with the women's figure skating. Actually, it's not. Kentaro Minagawa is apearing in alpine skiing and I wish the very best for him. He's been through a lot of pain including ligament rupture in both of his knees and the loss of his father, who blamed himself for his son's repeated injuries, since he suffered from the same injuries while he was a professional Keirin bicyclist.

2:10 p.m. Just heard the 2010 version of "We Are The World" on the radio for the first time. The show host had said that there were twenty-five or so artists singing. Hmmm... All I can make out was Josh Globan..

The End

Caterpillar

8:30 a.m. Awaken by the clamouring sound of Brrrriiiing! of the alarm clock ripping through the morning air. Thinking with sleepy head that it was too early to get up as today was Sunday, reached out to alaram clock, pressed it off and went back to sleep again.

10:30 a.m. Drag self out of bed remembering that had tons of work to do though it was rainy and dull.

12:50 p.m. Have been working my head off for nearly two hours after having breakfast toast, preparing for the coming week.

4:15 p.m. Think I'll just finish up replies to the messages I've received during the past week in a zip, before starting the afternoon session of work.

6:15 p.m. Enjoyed sending replies to friends too much. Haven't tapped a word for the document I need on Wednesday knowing that I'll be tied up on Monday and Tuesday! Aaargh! What am I doing?

The End

Caterpillar