I live in Tokyo, Japan with my family in Tokyo and in the U.S. New Jersey, Maine, Florida,and Colorado. We’re spread out, seeing the world. But I do want to see them sometimes so getting us together can take a momentous event. It does happen but not often enough. My idea is for everyone to get online with a webcam and just video conference once in awhile. I have a webcam but noone to talk to, sounds sad. I’ve tried to convince the to get a webcam (nowadays they’re so cheap). I’ve included some text from the article I linked to, maybe I can get something started. This blog is about conversation and ecology, I can’t think of anything less wasteful then video conferencing.
I got a Christmas gift I’ve been waiting for. I’ve said on this blog in the past that I live in Japan transplanted from the East coast of the U.S.. I love Japan but I have this annoying habit of caring and missing my family, you don’t know my family. I want to stay in touch with them so my gift to myself was a Belkin Wi-Fi Skype phone. I’ve had it a day but in that short time I’m impressed with the voice quality on my end since it’s updateable I’m sure every future updates will improve the quality. I’m sure the voice quality suffers going from a analog phone system to all digital. Let me say that the voice quality suffers barely noticeable. Check it out and there maybe after Christmas-sales going on now.
Financial freedom sounds good. My wife had a great idea (besides marrying me) on what would be a good start on creating a family business. Of course my inflated ego won’t permit me to do a family business but it will have to be global. First start with the US and Japan, I have experience there. Next lets add Europe (lived in Germany for 2 years) and might as well add Australia and New Zealand (english speakers). I found a company that will sell there on eBay and Amazon (for a commission). Dies that …
In Shibuya there is so much weirdness that most people don’t even pay attention to the strange sights. Yesterday I was a strange sight in Shibuya. My sisters back in the US are creating a tribe, I have my share of nephews and nieces. They’re coming to the age where their schools are introducing them to the world at large. I wish I had that sort of encouragement when I was that age, I guess I had some since I call Tokyo my home. Back to the kids. The one thing their classes are using is a character called Flat Stanley. He travels the globe and the kids get the views of different cultures through his eyes. Neat idea. Many of the classes take it an extra step and have the kids send Flat Stanley to a distant relation to get a photo and maybe some words. In my family I am the distant relation, so far I’ve gotten two request to take Flat Stanley and show him Tokyo except my niece’s class had the kids make a paper life-size cutout of themselves hence the strange sight I displayed in Shibuya. In my laziness I took care of all the requests in one photo session. I hope the kids grow up to be airline pilots cause I have a lot more of the world to see.
I’ve made Christmas inquires to my sisters about what my nephews and nieces might like for a gift. I can’t believe I did this. It’s freaking November, way to early to think of Christmas! I blame this on my girlfriend. Japan is a crowded place, more so in cities like Tokyo (10,000,000 residents). If you want anything you have to plan ahead. She’s Japanese and isn’t happy unless something isn’t planned at least a month ahead of time. I hate planning ahead. I once called a travel agent and asked them what flights were available tomorrow. When the agent asked me were I would like to go, to her befuddlement I told her any flight to a warm place. I hate planning ahead. Now I have a Japanese girlfriend that thinks its insane not to be prepared at least a month ahead of time. I think I make things interesting for her, if not annoying. Good thing she’s not an “I told you so” kind of person ’cause she’s often right.
Where was I? Oh yeah, Christmas. I’ve already spotted some Christmas decorations on buildings but not as bad as in the US. Are they still decorating for Christmas as early as January? Back to my headlong crash into adulthood (I’m 37). So now I’m planning for Christmas, with this planning a justification that lets me sleep at night is that buying toys in Japan takes time to ship. Yeah, that’s it. The girls like pokeymon and that stuff from the source (Japan) makes for good bragging rights on the schoolhouse playground. The boys are younger and they wouldn’t appreciate the “international” flavor of anything I could buy for them here. Guess I’ll go to Amazon and get something there and get it shipped for free. You have to understand, I am kitchi (cheap) and there are a lot of children (10 kids). Don’t really know what to get Mom and I’m not telling you either. If you’ve got an idea some leave a comment.
Arthur Clarke is a science fiction writer of long standing. He has been published for over 50 years with his most famous work as the basis for 2001: A Space Odyssey. A great scientific mind that thought of a ring a stationary satellites to orbit the earth, this belt was named the Clarke Belt and is the basis for our modern telecommunication system. He had many predictions that our part of our world or on the horizon of mainstream use. This entry isn´t about Clarke but to mention a prediction of his that I feel is on the verge of becoming true. I called my mom today, Clarke didn’t predict that but he did predict that long distance telephone would be free.
I called my mom from Tokyo to Florida, spoke for 40 minutes and it cost me .029 cents per minute. Wow, it´s cheaper to call Floride (or anywhere in the states) than it is to call my friends in Tokyo. This was done by a Internet protocol called VoIP (voice over IP), a telephone call using the internet. The sound quality was good, I need a better headset but it was a clear telephone call. I know this is old hat for many people but since my home has two computers running the Linux and OS X operating system there´s not much available. I found Mac2Phone and was pleasantly surprised at talking to family. The timezones are still a hurdle but I can deal with that. Now I hope they don’t get the idea I´ll make this a weekly habit.
Come party on our 161-foot yacht for a late-night Halloween Bash on The Hudson River. We’ve got something for everyone. Enjoy live bands on our Liberty deck, dance the night away with DJ Max Mayfield, DJ Ralphie C, and also DJ Disco Dave on our Atlantic deck. Relax on the Riverview deck with DJ Victrola or mingle while enjoying the Manhattan skyline from our Moon deck. The party begins at Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken, NJ, at midnight (easily accessible by ferry from NYC). Costumes are recommended, but not required (we’ll be giving away prizes to the best, most original costumes). As an added bonus, book before October 15th and receive a special early bird rate of $55 per person. Space is extremely limited, and these cruises typically sell-out quickly, so don’t wait too long to be part of the Halloween Party of the Year!
