Now, the Turino olympic was over. It's no doubt figure skating was the highlight for Japanese. Japan awaited the first medal and ShizukaArakawa made it! She must savor the taste of her triumph and the significance of her achievement. To tell you the truth, Miki Ando is my favorite skater. She is voluptuous. But I have to admit that her skating is awkward for the very best skater and lacks of sophisticated performance. It's easy for even nonexpert to find out her inaccuracy. To the contrary, Arakawa's skating was perfect. No one can beat her. Figure skating has been dominated by Europeans and North Americans. I'm very happy that she became the first Olympic gold medalist from Asia.

Yesterday, I went to see my mother in the hospital who is suffering fromsenile dementia. She can not tell even her son's name. But shenarrowly recognizes me. She's been already there for two years. I makeit a rule to see herevery two weeks. But yesterday was a little bit unusual for me. I gaveher some snacks and juice as usual . We chat for a while. Thing happenedwhen I was about to leave the room. I rolled her wheelchair to herfavorite place at which she spend almost whole day. I said good-bye. Iasked male nurse to unlock the door. The door is locked to prevent patientfrom prowling. I went out the room. The male nurse locked the door again. Iwaited for elevator coming. But it took relatively long time to come tothe floor. THEN, she appeared by the door and gazed me. Shemaneuvered her wheelchair to the door by herself. I almost burst intotears. I waved my hands again and again. Apparently, her infirmity of oldage are aggravating little by little. I can't help feeling blue.

I'm not crazy about comic at all. But the only one which fascinates me is"1,2 no Sanshiro". This comic was published more than 20 years ago. It is still ingrained in my mind. Recently, the comic was republished as another title -- "Fighting detective". The subject was transformed from wrestlingto detective. But there is the same length of humor among them. Today, I borrowed it from my colleague and read it on a train. I couldn't help reading it. I've criticized adults who read comics on the train. But I can't blame them any more.

I periodically see a doctor for my gout once a month. So far I don't have any paroxysms at all thanks to my strong effort to reduce high calorie food and to abstain from beer in which purine bodies are normallyfound. I achieved 4Kg reduction in my weight. It's not so hard for me toeat less any more. Way to go, Taka!

First gale of the spring!? Strong wind hit Kanto area today. It might be the one. It's called "haru ichiban" in Japanese as a herald of spring. Get your ass here! I can't wait.

Now, I have some kinds of leeway in my mind. Long busy period on the job makes me feel like doing nothing. The time has gone, the song is over, though I'd something more to say.

This year's resolution is that earning 1 million yen a year in the stock.I got 800 thousands yen as last year's result. Now I'm aiming at achieving more.There are three reasons why I play the stock market.First reason is simply to make profit from stock market. For example, 800 thousands yen profit. It's almost identical to each bonus.This additional income helps us to have some kinds of leeway. Besides, it's very effective to make money.The procedure is extremely easy to speculate on the net. 10 minutes operation is good enough a day to watch the stock price and its transaction.Second, some stock brands provide hospitality programs for stockholders. It's very useful. Shareholders are given some free coupon. For instance, Watami -- Izakaya franchise chain.Third, it's important to move with the times. To invest, we need to keep track of what happen in the world.Condo scandal shakes Japan. Architect Hidetsugu Aneha's confession in mid-November that he fabricated earthquake-resistance data for condominium complexes and hotels sent shock waves across the nation.It means that stocks of construction industry would fall. As being predicted, those dropped in stock. But it's a good timing to buy.Like this, we need to be sensitive to the current affair with opening own antenna.In conclusion, playing stock is a good way to earn money and watch the movement. As proverb goes, killing two birds with one stone.

Visiting Guam at the end of the year has been an annual event for us.Literally, no rest for the wicked other than this period. My life has been so hectic since last January.Father-in-law passed away due to cancer. Taking care of my parent suffering from senile dementia. Two projects needed finishing before leaving Japan.I hope it might be accepted to go on a trip to relax for a change. Why Guam? There are two reasons here.First, it's so convenient to go. Just three hours flight. Without any significant jet lag.Besides, we can experience almost all the same tropical atmosphere as in Hawaii.As another option for the destination, there might be Saipan on the table. In fact, I've been to Saipan. But I'd opt for Guam.Guam is more sophisticated than Saipan. In some reasons or other, I felt some kinds of poverty in Saipan. A little bit of dingy, lackluster downtown makes me feel so. Anyway it's no doubt that both of them are cozy.Another reason is to contract a friendship with a family we met several years ago in Guam.This time, they arranged the accommodation for us. The room I stayed at was more luxury than I expected. Thank my friend, Jeff(^^)I consider it a privilege to have known them other than the relationship on the job. I bet this kind of opportunity makes me have wide varieties of perspective. Let's say, family bond, radiance of youth, waning my strength, language and so on.I noticed that I've always been in same environment based on the job. As proverb goes, hard work and no play make Jack a dull boy. I must avoid becoming such a guy.
Photo: Jeff is windsurfing

On my way to Guam, I read a magazine a airline provides to kill time. I noticed that English is brilliant to describe as might be expected.But there are a lot of things to learn from them for non-native English speaker. Especially, a way of describing in advertisement is excellent.Let's take headset ads. -- "BOSE" for example.
"Whether it's the engine roar inside an airplane cabin, the bustle of the city or the distractions in the office, Bose QuietComfort headphones help them fade softly into the background with the flick of a switch. You can savor delicate musical nuances without disturbing others."
It's simple and straightforward to understand for readers. I'm afraid my writing is far from that level.

Here are the photos of USB memory characterlized by "Hello Kitty". Those indicate the character plate dropped. It seems that that plate is attached with chemical glue or something like that. This plate was accidentally
removed , but WITHOUT ANY STRONG POWER.

I'll talk about my experience and activity to improve English.I hope this could be used as some kinds of reference.I'd like to mention why I'm so enthusiastic about English. My biggest reason is as following:
I wand to be able to listen and pick up English properly.I want to be able to express my idea and mindset profoundly.I want to be able to argue in English deeply, not superficially.
Unfortunately, I'm not in environment of abundant English . I don't have bunch of opportunities to use English.Among this circumstance, how do I improve my English faculty?
By taking English exam., I keep measuring my progress in English. For example, TOEIC and Eiken 1st grade.The chart indicates my progress in TOEIC. Recently, I achieved over 900 scores out of 990. It was a long way to reach for me.I'm not satisfied with this level. Aim higher! As proverb goes, Ambition makes people diligent.I've never lived abroad. I'd like to challenge what kind of high level I can reach at.

Could anyone check my English, please?(^^)

In RF receiver, magnetic-coupling from a local oscillator causes self-mixing. This phenomenon generates large DC offset at the mixer output. It ends up malfunction at the system level. Although there are some factors to cause the self-mixing, the most possible reason is the leakage from on-chip inductor used as a part of tank circuit for the local oscillator. The inductor essentially spreads the magnetic flux abroad. It becomes serious problem in case of this leakage penetrating into the loops formed by the Power/Ground line or the input at the Low Noise Amplifier. To overcome the self-mixing, we propose novel shape of inductor. We name it “Back to Back Anti Phase Inductor”. This shape contributes to the reduction of the magnetic-coupling.

We went to "Roppongi Hills". This was my wife's request and the first time to hang around.I felt the same wave of some kind of European city. Buildings are modern and neat. Probably 20% of pedestrians are foreigner.I noticed just one blemish in that city. That is living cost. Let's take food cost for example.I can guess that business person needs to spend about 1000 yen for lunch. I can't believe it.At the canteen at the company I work for, I can have lunch/dinner with 450 yen. If you deliberately pick up dish, 300 yen is good enough. It's located in suburban area though.

I'm afraid we missed the chance to beget children. In some reasons or other, we procrastinated to become a parent.It's physically impossible for my wife to be pregnant at this time. Her body is removed the function to gestate because of surgery of uterus myoma.In retrospect, we should have had our children. What made me feel? Two reasons here.First, I begin to envy somebody having their children. The other day, I visited one of my colleagues in Kagoshima pref.He has two kids who are keen to football, swimming and English. He and his wife strongly dedicated themselves to support their kids.I could see their demeanor I've never seen in our office. But I felt the smell of "Family bond".Now I'm thinking that I wish we could have our kids.Besides, I can guess NO kids and relatives attend my death. I have a little worry about having to rely on help from others.Even if we have kids, I won't give them trouble for my care. But at least I want someone to be in at my finish.

"DNA modification" Some people criticize this technology is still unreliable and dangerous. Especially, it's controversial issue in terms of ethic point of view. For example, clone of human beings is acceptable? Definitely, it's morally no. But I strongly support this technology. We have already used artificial hybridization for producing crops for a long time. There is no difference between DNA and hybridization in essential. Besides, if we take huge merits of DNA modificationinto our consideration, negate argument is trivial. Needless to say, we should be cautious about this issue. Owing high technology doesn't always mean that human beings may adoptthis technology for everything. As proverb goes, "Too much of one thing is not good."

"Koizumi -- Who else?"Personally, I had long voted for the DPJ but I voted the LDP this time because I want the party to stop bureaucrats from wasting money.I want politicians to go forward with the structural reforms first. An economic recovery would follow the reforms.Therefore, the LDP's stratagem concentrating on postal privatization worked well.Besides, Mr. Koizumi's explanation helped me understand what people's money was being used for.And I have hope that he will make a change. I believe he did a good job advertizing his campaign in the media.His successful playing of the media game drew massive numbers of urban "floating voters" to the LDP.On the other hand, the DPJ had no detailed counterproposal in response to Koizumi's policies.Anyway, I hope they push forward their reforms. The burden will fall directory onto our shoulders if nothing is done.

Today is the Sept. 11 general election day. Definitely, I'm going to vote. There is no more time I'm interested in the election than this time.Whether LDP remains its power or DPJ gains its seats. Hmm....I can't wait for this evening result.

Last Friday night, I and one of my best colleagues I feel affinity with went out drinking. We talked about the issue I previously posted.That was the article excerpt from Wall Street Journal 050629 -- "At Sony, Rivaliries Were Encouraged; Then Came iPod".He expressed his interesting perspective as following:Ex-CEO, Mr. Idei had STRONG opinions and was good at appealing his STRONG mindset. A lot of people recognized it easily.From business point of view, he might not be able to bear fruits. But he accepted tons of criticises inside/outside Sony and didn't excuse himself.However, his successors were not so clear about their own ideas. This is one of the reason made Sony into plunge.After chatting, I found analogy in the Prime minister Koizumi. A lot of people criticize him that his idea is too unrealistic or too aggressive to accomplish.But I recognize his appealing point apart from bad/good. It's crystal clear to me. There are no politicians other than Mr. Koizumi. Other politicians and political parties might emphasize their own opinions. But those are too weak to me. I don't know why.It's better than nothing.

What do you think about Sony? What kind of image do you have?I can guess a lot of people have positive images in a sense.But the reality is that it runs into a problem that is all too common at the electronics giant.There are many levels of hierarchy for making decision. Employees are overly cautious and conservative.Their transactions are redtape. For example, I've played a role as a coordinator between Japan and affiliated company abroad.Two sides encountered some conflicts over even trivial issue. I sometimes had a hard time between the two. Japanese engineers want to keep their traditional ways which have been accepted among them for a long time.They don't like breaking their existing rules. On the other hand, American/British engineers tend to question Japanese way and urged me to change their rules.I tried to be in neutral as much as possible. But American/British engineers ideas were logical to me at that time.I thought Japanese engineers should have plenty of courage to change the status quo, guts to break down an old custom.This is what people in the world expect for Sony. I know it's easier said than done.

A couple of days ago, news conference of Mr. Nakata, who is one of the most renowned football player was on the air.A lot of medias praised his English. He speaks English fluently and describes his mindset in detail.He is also good at Italian. Apparently he is polyglot. He might have a sense of mastering foreign language. He made a big effort to improve his faculty. But I take it for granted.He's spent much time among multinational players. He might need foreign languages including Italian, Spanish, English and so on to handle communication problem.Environment is a key factor. How I can make an enviroment by myself is also another issue.