Software, Japan, Self-Actualization and me (Charles Abbott) http://www.forthecode.org Software Engineering, Japan, Tokyo, and my life. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:21:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 en Day 6 Kanji http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/02/day-6-kanji/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/02/day-6-kanji/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:21:31 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/02/day-6-kanji/ 写す (copy)
写真 (photo)

字
文字 (character)

漢
漢字 (kanji)

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/02/day-6-kanji/feed/ Day 4 Kanji http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/01/day-4-kanji/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/01/day-4-kanji/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:08:29 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/01/day-4-kanji/ 集まる (something / someone gathers)
集める (to gather something / someone)

考える (to consider, to think)

真
写真　(photograph)

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/01/day-4-kanji/feed/ Florence weekend stop http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/01/florence-weekend-stop/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/01/florence-weekend-stop/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:13:36 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/01/florence-weekend-stop/ I had a chance to drop by Florence for a day and a half when I was in the US. It was great to see my friends there.

Not only did we have lunch together, but we also spent some time on the river - and I got to try water skiing for the first time!

Charles abbott water ski
Here we go.

Charles abbott water ski start
Ok, I’m ready. Let’s go!

Charles abbott water ski 2
“I think I can, I think I can…”

Charles abbott water ski 3
“Out of the water! This isn’t so hard!”

Charles abbott water ski fail
FAIL

Charles abbott water ski rescue
Captain Amanda to the rescue.

I tried a half-dozen times or so before I finally got the hang of it. Water skiing is really fun - thanks to Brian and Amanda for taking us out on the water (Ayako even rode an intertube in the water).

Harold Lewis jet ski
Amanda was a great instructor, and I hear that Harold is an expert at water skiing himself (and was once an instructor).

Cheers to Harold (on the jet ski in the background), Trisha, Brian, Amanda, Cory, Hannah, Jim, & Shaye for hanging out that day :)

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/09/01/florence-weekend-stop/feed/ Day 3 Kanji http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/31/day-3-kanji/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/31/day-3-kanji/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:02:14 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/31/day-3-kanji/ 帰 (go home)
帰る (to return)

進む (to advance)

曜 (day of the week)

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/31/day-3-kanji/feed/ Day 2 Kanji http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/30/day-2-kanji/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/30/day-2-kanji/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:38:54 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/30/day-2-kanji/ 以 (from)
以上 (more than)
以下 (less than)

堂 (hall)
食堂 (dining room)

別 (separate)
別々に (separately)

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/30/day-2-kanji/feed/ Jet Lag begone http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/30/jet-lag-begone/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/30/jet-lag-begone/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:03:27 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/30/jet-lag-begone/ Ok, so I took an unplanned hiatus from posting here. I was quite busy in the US of A and simply had no time to even think about posting. Then, when I did have time to post stuff, I actually had no internet connection (at the one place I expected to have it).

Of course, I won’t honestly complain about not posting here. I enjoyed the break, but I know some of you were wondering if this site was an overnight ghost town - so apologies.

I wanted to write something to summarize all the things I did in the US, but jet lag has been killing me for the past few days. After work, I fell asleep for about 4 hours and woke up just now. But, now it is time for bed - and I have to force myself to sleep again.

Sleep is for the weak, the time for sleep is now.

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/30/jet-lag-begone/feed/ Today’s Kanji http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/29/todays-kanji/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/29/todays-kanji/#comments Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:58:47 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/29/todays-kanji/ 申う　(to say)
申し上げる

税 (tax)
込む ([include,] become crowded)
税込み

申し込む

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/29/todays-kanji/feed/ Rain and Sumo http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/18/rain-and-sumo/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/18/rain-and-sumo/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:49:04 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/18/rain-and-sumo/ Today it rains. Today, I have a lot of walking to do.

Unfortunately, I am missing the images I planned on posting today. I have much business to attend to today, so will be unable to post them until Friday.

So, where am I at this moment? Perhaps this will give you a clue (and make you laugh):


(hint: the clue is the guy driving the car)

And, while I am sharing videos, I might as well share this funny video Makoto showed me. Sumo wrestling the way it is meant to be:

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/18/rain-and-sumo/feed/ In the Big Apple http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/16/in-the-big-apple/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/16/in-the-big-apple/#comments Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:17:14 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/16/in-the-big-apple/ After a short stint in Chicago, I am now in New York for 2 days. My schedule is becoming very hectic, posts with photos will be made on Wednesday and Friday.

Internet connection is very unsteady here, will post again soon.

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/16/in-the-big-apple/feed/ Photo Friday http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/13/photo-friday/ http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/13/photo-friday/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:25:10 +0000 admin http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/13/photo-friday/ I few posts ago I mentioned my basketball team’s recent accomplishment at a local tournament. What I didn’t mention is that I also occasionally practice with another team. Their name, chosen by their captain, is Trans-Breakers.

A couple weeks ago there was a 3 day weekend in Japan. On Saturday, I played with my main team Hoshiigaru in a tournament (post is here). On Monday (a holiday that marks the opening of ocean beaches to the public), I joined Trans-Breakers for a tournament.

Trans Breakers basketball team in Japan

And here is a group photo after our first tournament:

Trans Breakers basketball team in Japan

We placed 5th in that tournament. Next time, both teams will place 1st :)

On another note, after complaining about the Fanta drinks disappearing from the vending machines near my apartment (and everywhere I looked in Tokyo), I found a few more bottles. Well, a case of bottles to be precise.

Fanta Pineapple Japan

A local store had these cases marked down 60% on clearance. Apparently, nobody likes these but myself. That’s OK, I ended up with a case for less than 10$. That is less than 50 cents a drink, and it is enough to last me for 2 months :D

Fanta pineapple

]]> http://www.forthecode.org/2010/08/13/photo-friday/feed/