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Alchemista - Katz Ueno

Monday, September 14, 2009

16,000 yen for New York and 21,000 yen for LA from Japan!!!

UPDATE (9/16 6pm JST): The ticket has sold out... the links below are no longer valid.

I've been researching an air ticket for my travel from Japan to USA.

And I found a craaaaazy travel agency.

Their name is Skygate.

It's Japanese online travel agency....

And I started subscribing their newsletter.

Just now, I received their newsletter....

16,000 !!!!!! yen Round Trip Ticket from Narita - New York
http://www.skygate.co.jp/airserv/PriceViewServlet?SkygGdsId=171599D&S1=priceViewByGoods

21,000 !!!!!! yen Round Trip Ticket from Narita - Los Angeles!
http://www.skygate.co.jp/airserv/PriceViewServlet?SkygGdsId=171602D&S1=priceViewByGoods

Well, the cheap ticket always has the restriction.

New York ticket: (Product ID 171599D)
  • CANNOT select which airline
  • MUST leave between Sep 23-30.
  • MUST be 5-10 days trip.
  • CANNOT change the return date.
  • No refund, no cancellation
  • Tax is NOT included (of course)
  • MUST call for availability and buying ticket
Los Angeles ticket: (Product ID 171602D)
  • CANNOT select which airline
  • MUST leave either on Sep 26 or 27
  • MUST be 5-10 days trip
  • CANNOT change the return date
  • No refund, no cancellation
  • Tax is NOT included (of course)
  • MUST call for availability and buying ticket
How to Order

They only take phone order, and their phone line will close 8pm today and starts 10am tomorrow (JST)

Skygate

03-5909-1150 (THEY ONLY SPEAK JAPANESE)

Good luck everyone.

The final deadline is by Sep 18 6pm (JST), but I'm sure they run out quickly.

If you are seeing this blog after 9/14 MON (JST), you may not be able to get the ticket.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

My Only Worry About Japanese Politics

Last weekend, I went to vote the Japanese general election. This was my 1st time that I was able to vote the Lower House (The House of Representatives).

Since I spent the most of my 20s in Los Angeles. I didn't really get chance to vote. We had to go through a very complicated paperwork in order to vote overseas. And you had to go to Japanese Embassy or Consulate by yourself to register? Downtown LA? Too much traffic and expensive parking... And you were only able to vote the parties, not the candidiate themselves.

However, from this time's general election, we could register and vote the local candidiate according to the local district. So I assume more Japanese people who live overseas had a chance to get involved the General Election.

Anyway, I'm not going to talk about the policy of Democratic Party of Japan this time, but I do have one concern..... which is the timing of hand over.



Too quick? The 20-days hand over process

15 years ago, Liberal Democratic Party once lost its ruling party position, but it didn't last long. LDP was able to gain back the power within a year. Also, since it was just a coalition of opposite parties, they had a hard time organizing everybody together.

But due to the overwhelming victory of DPJ, I think it will last this time.

But only 20 days to call the Parliament, and elect the new Prime Minister?

And under such a hard circumstances?

Hmmmm....

If you think about it, although Japan is a small country, the government is still big.

According to the number from Japanese Government Statics Bureau web site, the number of Japanese government official is over 300,000 in 2007.


It's still a huge organization.

And they only switch the boss within 20 days, whereas Obama spent almost 3 months to organize until the presidential inauguration, and he had 100 days thereafter.



In last 60 years since the World War II, the Japan have had only one ruling party, LDP, except the short period of coalitions parties era.

Japanese people are not accustomed to the switch of their ruling parties. And they won't understand how much work it may take for DPJ to learn the entire system of Japanese government.

And I'm kinda sure that Japanese government officials themselves don't understand how hard it would be either since it's been 15 years since last time.... many Japanese government officials have never experienced the switch of the ruling party.

And DPJ have overwhelming number of newly elected house members. DPJ themselves has to educate these rookies as well.


Yesterday, the upcoming Prime Minsiter, Hatoyama announced that he wants to review all the government spending of 2010 fiscal year from the scratch by the end of the year.....

Yeah... if you want to re-review the budget of 300,000 government within 3 month without understanding the entire system of the government?



DPJ may have to spend 3 month to get used to, and 100 days to really start executing its Manifest... at least

In my opinion, as the US Government usually take 3 month to switch the office..., DPJ would have to spend at least 2 month to learn the system and get organized everything.... (since it's a smaller country)

However, they already have to start working right away.... probably.... they will end up spending 3 months to get organized. And finally their actual "100 days" begins.

In my personal opinion, you will probably see the actual change in 300 days....

But I have to see how well DPJ can explain how long it will take to learn the government system, and calm the impatient Japanese people down next 4 years under such acute economy.



But it's very uncommon, and abnormal that one party rules the country over 50 years except the dictatorship.

So Japanese and Japanese government will have to pay its price that they didn't change the ruling party in the last 60 years. But I think this is necessary sacrifice to spend with the fact that we will lose the 2nd position of GDP in the world this year.

So be patient, guys. The change will come... slow but for sure...

---

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Forcing Propose Kit (For girls whose boyfriend are slow)

For the girls who has slow boyfriends

The Japanese bridal ring retail chain "Virgin Diamond" has released 「強制プロポーズセット」 which means... Forcing Propose Set for 8,892 yen on Aug 7, 2009. (Trademark pending)

When I saw the news, I was cracking up.

This set was made for the girls whose boyfriends are a little slow. So Virgin Diamond started selling these set to the frustrating girlfriends.



The set-ups

Once you (girlfriend) purchased the set, they will deliver the kit to your boyfriend's house.

Once he open the box, your boyfriend will see the following greeting card.

Congraturations, Ms. XXXX (Girlfriend's name) applied the our campaign
"Suprise Present Campaign ~ Support your love"

You are the one of lucky 80 winners~!

1st Prize - Vacation Trip to Pacific Islands 3 nights 4 days
2nd Prize - DVD Player plus ten (10) Romantic movies
3rd Prize - Overnight Train partitioned room ticket
4th Prize - For your up-and-coming day, Propose Set
5th Prize - One night Two day Zen Buddhist Tour with Love Lecture from a monk
6th Prize - Aphrodisiac Wine and Pair Glasses kit
7th Prize - Love card game - Game Candy, Special Box

And you have won the 4th prize. Congraturations!

And it follows by the instruction manual

For your girlfriend whom you think you want to be together forever.

From the web site, girlfriends should be prepared...:

If your boyfriend tells you that if he has received something, you must pretend that you don't know anything.

And if he tells you that he received Propose Set, you should laugh a little... but don't forget to add... "I hope it's true."



And boyfriends will see the following package.

Fake Engagement Ring and Box

From the web site,

" Many girls are suffering from their boyfriends are not able to buy her an engagement ring due to financial difficulty. And many girls are ended up not getting engagement ring.

Therefore, this fake engagement ring will bring a little happiness to the girls by your boyfriend giving it to you.

The ring was made of cubic zirconia which looks like diamond + platinam ring."

Okaaay. And then next.


Piggy Bank

*** This is not the actual piggy bank that they sell

From the web site

"Your boyfriend can start saving money for your real marriage. It can contain 100 of 500 yen coins, the total 50,000 yen.

If he saved up 50,000 yen, he can buy a real engagement ring from our store. Or he could try to save more and buy more expensive ring.

If your boyfriend think that he does not have anough money to buy you a ring, you could give him this piggy bank."


Okaaaay... here comes next



Engagement Contract (Promise Paper)


From web site

"This works best with piggy bank. This is the contract that states "I will buy you a real engagement ring".

It may be best if you kept it where the piggy bank is.

Also when you find your boyfriend spending a little much money, you can show this to him.

Moreover, this contract become discount coupon. If you bring this paper to our store, we will give you the discount of the same amount of this set, 8892 yen, when you purchase the real engagement ring.

So maybe you can spend the 8,892 yen to go out for fancy dinner together after you save the money from us."

Oh my god.... contract plus coupon... and you get full money back when you purchase the ring!



Moreover, they are doing this campaign.

Full Money Back Gurantee If Your Boyfriend Did Not Propose You by Sep 30



Ok girlfriends, you have nothing to lose.

Buy this Kyosei Propose Set for your boyfriend, so that you guys can finally get married~!



PS.

They set the price 8892 yen because

8 = ha, 8 =ya 9 =ku, 2 =ni.

8892 = Hayakuni = Hurry Up.



You can purchase this set at their online store. I don't think they ship it oversees... but...

Kyosei Propose Set - Online Store (Japanese only)

About Full Money Back Campaign by Sep 30, 2009 (Japanese only)



-

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Check out the current issue of Rolling Stone (Aug 6)


Check out the current issue (Aug 6) of Rolling Stones magazine (US edittion).

And turn to page 72 - "Isolated - Surfing a New Reality"

It talks about the surfing move that I was a cinematographer for~!

It was a fun memory in Papua, Indonesia last year.


--

Thursday, May 21, 2009

"Etienne" World Premiere in Vegas on Friday June 12, 2009

"Etienne!"
A Story about the little things in Life
World Premiere at CineVegas on June 12, 2009



Please join us for the world premiere of our film. I worked as a various role (mainly post-production) for this film.


Trailer



About "Etienne!"

Synopsis copied from CineVegas BoxOffice

ETIENNE! is a timeless tale of friendship between two kindred spirits on a journey through life. The catch that makes this tale unique? One of the friends is a hamster.

Richard is a shy and boyish college dropout who has just started a new job at a hotel. His best and only friend is his dwarf hamster, Etienne, whom he cares for very well. When he finds out his pocket pet has terminal cancer, he decides to take Etienne on a bicycle road trip along the California coast so that the hamster can see the world before it dies. Along the way, the two meet various colorful characters that teach them about life, friendship, and happiness.

Evoking the spirits of films from yesteryear and enriched with a phenomenal soundtrack, ETIENNE! is a triumph of pure, innocent storytelling. Its remarkably controlled aesthetic transplants the audience to a nostalgic time free from pessimism. Richard Vallejos embodies the lovable man-child of the same name and infuses him with undeniable charm. Writer/director Jeff Mizushima's passion for cinema comes out in every frame. He has crafted a rare gem in this day and age...a G-rated art film for everyone.

Related Link

Purchase A Ticket

Purchase Package Ticket  (A $40 June-12th-Day Pass to get in to the AfterParty)

CineVegas Film Festival

"Etienne!" Official Web Site (More information about the additional screenings in SF Bay Area)



-------

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The release of concrete5.3.0 Japanese, and the launch of its web site


Usagi Project is pleased to announce the released of concrete 5.3.0 Japanese version, and the launch of our web site on April, 17, 2009 (JST).

http://concrete5-japan.org

Due to the language barrier between Japanese and English, Usagi Project made a decision to distribute the package separately from concrete5's SourceForge account but through our SourceForge.jp account.

If you are interested in using concrete5 Japanese, please visit our web site.

We, Usagi Project, will closely keep in touch with the concrete5 core team to make sure that Japanese users continue to benefit from this wonderful CMS.

We hope that we can make the world the better place together with the concrete5 core team!

We, Usagi Project, are also an Open Source group, and keep looking for new members. If you can read both English and Japanese, and have extra time to help us, please visit our web site and submit your membership request.

http://concrete5-japan.org/usagiproject/



Kuniharu Tsujioka & Katz Ueno
Usagi Project


Usagi Project がオープンソース CMS ソフト「concrete5.3.0 日本語版」をリリース。初心者に本当に優しい無料ホームページ運用システム

Usagi Project は 4月17日、オープンソース CMS ソフトウェア「 concrete5 」の最新安定版である「concrete5.3.0 日本語版」をリリース、同時に日本語公式サイトを開設致しました。


■ concrete5 日本語公式サイト
http://concret5-japan.org


■ concrete5 動画デモ
concrete5 を紹介するために動画ビデオのデモを作成致しました。
http://concrete5-japan.org/about/screencast


■ concrete5 とは
concrete5 は、アメリカで開発されているオープンソース CMS ソフトウエアです。元は商用ソフトとして、130万円で販売されていましたが、昨年、オープンソース化、無料となりました。

concrete5 はアメリカの公共広告機構である AdCouncil が制作した「ルイス=クラーク探検隊200周年記念祭」のサイトのために生まれ、秒間1万ヒットにも耐えうる設計となっています。

Usagi Project では、アメリカの開発元、 Concrete CMS, inc. の協力の元、日本語版の翻訳と普及活動を担当することになりました。

concrete5 は、 HP 作成ツールを必要とせず WEB サイトへアクセスするだけでページ編集・追加・削除ができ初心者でも直感的に HP がつくれる画期的な CMS ソフトです。管理画面での操作も最小限に押さえ利便性が向上してます。

また、グループ管理機能も充実。企業やお店のホームページのみならず、学校のサークル、社内サイトなどに最適のシステムです。

前述の「ルイス=クラーク探検隊200周年記念祭」のサイトは、サイト更新者が90名にのぼりましたが、3ヶ月で完成する事が出来ました。



特徴
・管理画面を介さずに、直接ページを編集
・コンクリートブロックを積み上げるようにサイトを構築
・自由自在にレイアウトを変えられる
・ユーザーごとに編集や公開権限の設定が可能

主な機能
・画像を直接編集(picnik.com のサービスを利用)
・グループ編集・権限機能
・ファイル履歴管理機能
・簡単スライドショー作成機能
・YouTube ビデオ
・アンケート機能
・RSS 表示

ターゲット
・情報サイト
・政府・地方自治体
・企業
・NPOなどのグループ
・クラブ、趣味サークル
・キャンペーンサイト
・学校、大学
・社外・社内サイト
・その他「ホームページ」と呼ばれるもの全て



■ concrete5 使用条件
・Web サーバー (Apache 等)
・PHP バージョン5
・MySQL4.1 以上



■ Usagi Project について
Usagi Project は、オープンソース SNS ソフトウェアを開発するために生まれたプロジェクトです。日本全国にいる沢山の開発者や開発協力者が、利用ユーザたちの満足度向上や新しい付加価値を求めて日々開発を行っております。また2009年2月からは、concrete5の日本語サポートを行うことになりました。

Usagi Project はボランティアグループです。メンバーを随時募集しております。



■ concrete5 資料リンク

concrete5 の紹介
http://concrete5-japan.org/about/readmefirst

concrete5 の歴史(開発秘話)
http://concrete5-japan.org/about/readmefirst/history-of-concrete5

Usagi Project と concrete5 、 MyNETS の紹介
http://concrete5-japan.org/usagiproject/about-usagi-project

Usagi Project メンバー 一覧
http://concrete5-japan.org/usagiproject/members

Usagi Project メンバー募集要項
http://concrete5-japan.org/usagiproject/wanted

Friday, April 10, 2009

concrete5 Member of the Month!

Yay~!

I was selected as the member of the month of concrete5 Community in April, 2009.

http://www.concrete5.org/community/



Thanks, concrete5 team and Franz (CEO of concrete5)~!




-----

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Teigaku Kyufukin Letter has arrived

Today, my family received the letter from Yokkaichi City regarding Teigaku Kyufukin.




The letter consists three materials
  1. Return envelop
  2. English and Chinese instruction
  3. The Form which accept or deny your Kyufukin per household member, and where to fill out you bank account
English instruction letter followed by Chinese




The actual form where you check your household member and fill out your bank account.



For more information about Teigaku Kyufukin (定額給付金), read my related posts.

"FREE" 12000 YEN to ALL Registered Foreigners in Japan

How to Claim your 12,000 yen and Highway Holiday Discount

Monday, April 6, 2009

Softbank: iPhone Discount for Existing Users

Since February, Softbank began their huge discount of iPhone 3G. Now you can buy iPhone 3G 8GB model for almost free (with 2 years contract) called "iPhone for Everybody Campaign"

iPhone for Everybody - Softbank



"iPhone for Everybody" for Existing iPhone Users in Japan

But this is also a good news for existing Softbank's iPhone users in Japan. I called Softbank customer support to confirm, and I did renew my contract to reduce my monthly data plan today.

Effective on April 1st through May 30, 2009, the existing Softbank iPhone heavy data users will be able to benefit from this campaign.

If you are
  1. Bought iPhone 3G from Softbank in Japan
  2. You subscribe Softbank's White Plan
  3. You spend more than 5,000 yen per month for data charge
  4. You think you will be using iPhone in Japan for another year.
And then, you should definitely consider to renewing your contract.

If you are NOT existing iPhone users who spend more than 5,000 yen for data plan, just don't waste your time reading this post. It'll just add some more headache :-p



Detail of The Data Plan Discount

This campaign is not really advertised much.

But if you renew your contract now, Softbank will reduce the maximum data fee from 5,985 yen to 4,410 yen.

You need to know:
  1. You renew your contract (for another 2 years)
  2. Your data plan max charge will be reduced to 4.410 yen (1,500 yen/mo discount)
  3. You need to pay 9,975 yen cancellation fee if you decided to terminate your account within 2 years.
But 1,500 yen discount per month will add up to 18,000 yen per year.

As I am heavy iPhone App users, I've always maxed out the data fee to 5,985 yen every month. It's a no brainer. I went to Softbank today, and made the switch.



How to Join "iPhone for Everybody Campaign"
  1. Bring your iPhone, your valid Japanese ID (like Alien Regist. Card).
  2. Go to your local Softbank Service center
  3. Just tell them that you want to join "iPhone for Everybody Campaign"
  4. Fill out the form, your Softbank's cell phone number, name, Date of Birth, and show them your ID (Driver's License or Alien Registration Card which shows your address in Japan)
  5. They will renew your contract.
WARNING: This contract will renew your status after two years AUTOMATICALLY, so if you want to quit Softbank in two years, you have to show up BEFORE your contract expires and tell them to cancel when the contract ends.



Canceling This Contract Without Termination Fee

[UPDATED on 4/7/09]

So if you are ready to pay 9975 yen, you don't have to read this section.

But shibuya246 from JapanSoc,com asked me a question about Softbank's two-year contract. So I called Softbank customer center to find out.


According to their explanation, this "iPhone for Everybody" contract is AUTO-RENEW at every two years.

If you don't make any action on 25th month, you will be stuck for this contract for another two years. And you will have to pay 9975 yen termination fee if you want to cancel between 26th~48th month of your contract.


OK. So this adds to more headache... so let's take my case as an example.


I signed up for this "iPhone for Everybody" contract on 4/6/2009, and my billing cycle starts on every 11th day of the month.

If I want to cancel my contract without paying the termination fee (9975 yen), I will have to call Sofbank on 25th month which is between 4/11~5/10/2011....

But since I'm already saving 18,000 yen for a year.. I am ready to pay 9975 yen. So I won't care about the termination fee at all.



Japanese for Dummies

For those of who cannot really speak Japanese, I am just leaving this text for you. You are welcome to print this out and bring it to Softbank store to show it to them.



*DISCLAIMER:  You understand that I, Katz, will not be responsible for any of loss by using this examples.
(Although I am 100% sure that you can use my Japanese, I still need to protect myself :-))

  • 既存のiPhoneユーザーですが、iPhone for Everybodyキャンペーンの定額データプラン割引に加入したいと思って来ました。
  • I am an existing iPhone user, and I would like to renew my contract to reduce my maximum charge of the data plan
  • 私は、再び、今日から2年間の契約を締結する事を了承しています。
  • I understand that I am making another two-years contract starting today.
  • 今日から2年以内に回線を解約する場合、9975円の契約違約金が発生する事も理解しています
  • I understand that I will pay 9,975 yen penalty fee when I terminate the contract within two years.

----------
Save your money~.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

BANDAI is planning to hire more foreigners for its worldwide expansion

From today's (Monday April 6) news of TV Tokyo, "E Morning".

BANDAI, the one of the major toy and TV game company, is looking to hire more foreigners.

According to TV Tokyo, BANDAI is seeking to expand their toy and TV game business towards international market more, and they think that hiring more foreign people is one of their plan.

The news did not say any details such as what department, what nationalities, or which regions.
 
They might have wanted to announce their plan only.

But this could lead to a good news for those of who love Japanese toys and games under this recession economy.


BANDAI - Corporate Page Explaining their Worldwide Expansion plan (Japanese only)

DISCLAIMER: No other online news sources reported this, but only TV Tokyo, as on 4/6/2009 12pm (JST)