Nobu's Diary

On Saturday, the day of return to Japan, I could visit Hanmonten, the border between North and South Korea.
　
　　
I heard that Korean nationals have never been permitted to visit there because of block exile to North Korea.

There were long-continued strict wire fences and many soldiers around river and near the border area.
　　
We can't see those scenes in Japan, and we never be drafted into the army.
 　
　
But, to be honest, I was nervous not because of such situations, but because I took some photos secretly in no photo area:)
　　
What interesting was that I got old North Korea bills there.
 

　　

I heard a recorded discussion with the famous professor in Seoul and typed up the minutes for this research team.
　
Before that, I had read his book in order to deeply understand his viewpoint on Korean business management, which helped a lot to complete my work.
　

I'm going to play golf in Ibaraki prefecture tomorrow after a long interval.
　
In preparation, I practiced at a golf driving range near my home this morning, but, sadly, balls went right and left as if for the first time.
　
So I told myself that if I enjoyed golf with my friends in good weather, that was enough for me:)
　

久々のゴルフは、日焼け止めでも持って行けばよかったかと思うほどの最高の天気の中で会話も楽しくて、ゴルフの出来を除いては大満足(^^)
　
そして、ホールアウト後にゆっくりとお風呂に入り昼食を食べて帰ったのに、家に着いたのがなんとまだ２時前。
　
なんか今朝から茨城にいたのがうそみたいな感じ(^^;)
　
　
そして、家に帰ってすぐに今日の２つ目のイベントである、東京都知事選の投票に行ってきた。
　
いつも思うことだが、投票用紙は本当に滑らかな書き味の紙を使っているけど、あれは何か加工してある紙なんだろうなあ。
　
　
それにしても、体中が痛いこと痛いこと(笑)
　

It was nice today, so I went out for lunch with my colleagues.
　
While walking near Yurakucho station, I found a variety of colorful flowers in the flowerbeds.
　
　
Then, I dropped in Bic Camera in order to see how they were running the store under saving electricity.
　
They didn't take drastic measures for now, but they must change their approach in summer.
　
　　
I'll be able to take a pleasant walk in the months ahead.
　

My wife put strawberries into liqueur.  She and I may enjoy it after two months.
      
When I saw the bottle filled with the fruits, I remembered the impressive scene of my favorite book.
　
Could it carry us to the world of "Anne of Green Gables" if we drink the strawberry wine?
　

Backstage tour to JAXA's Tsukuba Space Center had been postponed due to the quake-related situations.
　
In the end, I received an announcement that it was cancelled, but, as the alternative for the tour, I found a 3-D jigsaw puzzle of Blue Earth enclosed.
　　
Now, it's time to read "Let's go to the space, brother! (Uchu-Kyodai)" ^^
　

　

チビが念願の単眼鏡を手に入れたので、鳥を見に石神井公園までサイクリングに行くことに。
　　
約１０キロの道のりを行き帰り共に１時間１５分というゆっくりとしたペースだったが、車道を走ったのは車のあまり来ない道を少しだけで、大体は歩道を走れたので危ない感じもあまりなくてよかった。
　
　
公園では、ヒヨドリが桜の蜜をすって枝を散らすたびにヒラヒラと花びらが散るという、春ならではの風景などとってもいい感じ(*^^)
　
手漕ぎボートに挑戦したいというので池の中央に出てから席を替わってみたところ、最初はなかなか思うようにいかなかったが最後は何とかかんとか進むことができた。
　
　
これで、事あるごとにボートに乗りに行きたいということ間違いないな(^^ゞ
　　

It's been a long time since I last went to Shibuya for drinking.
　
My friend invited me to the amazing izakaya restaurant, which was so popular that it was hard to get a table without reservations despite the large space.
　
　
Surprisingly, to get there, I had to walk out the door of the opposite side of the building, and then had to cross a dim bridge in this photo.
　
Many visitors must get lost!
　

My wife and I saw a public newsletter for coming local elections, which showed over fifty candidates.
　
To tell the truth, unlike general election, we both don't know even the names of them as well as their career, so we have no choice to vote on Sunday.
　
　
Because I have no party to support now under recent situations, what does it mean to participate in this election?
　
This could be the key to many young nonvoters.
　

I'm planning to go my first fly fishing of this season on GW camping at Forest Park Adatara for 10 consecutive years.
  
So, I made some flies after a long interval struggling with aged eyes.
 
　
The flies I tied are called "Dry Fly" which is adult mayfly(Kagerou) imitation.
　 
While I was tying them, I imagined that I put the fly as softly as a natural on the surface of the mountain steam, and then a trout would strike my fly!
 　
I can't wait!
　

When I went to a shoe shop at the underground mall in Tokyo station, I was impressed with the offer of free shipping service.
 
Thanks to it, I could easily buy two pairs of shoes because I didn't have to bring the package back to my office and to my home.
 
And it took only one day to deliver.
 
　
I felt this was also the differentiated marketing strategy for the business district executed by the successful chain store.
　

I was invited to the completion ceremony of Snow Peak Headquarters, a cool designed eco-friendly building located in the huge camping ground in the suburbs of Sanjo city in Niigata.
     
On the way, I found water-filled rice fields, falling cherry blossoms, fresh green on the hillsides...what a wonderful working environment!
　
Interestingly, I saw the staff members wearing suits with a feeling of strangeness because I've always seen them on the field:)
　

Every TEPCO bond, amounted to over five trillion yen, is covered by general mortgage, which means that bond investors have top priority over other creditors such as this disaster victims.
　
Therefore if TEPCO files for bankruptcy, it would be almost impossible for suffering people to get compensation.
　
It's never an option in this situation.
　
　 
Though it's common knowledge among financial circles, many Keizai-Hyoronka, economic commentators, have insisted on TEPCO's bankruptcy.
　
The irresponsible commentators have to learn correct information, or they should leave their business.