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Christmas Around the Corner

With Christmas just weeks away, what will I give myself this year for a present?

When is Christmas?

I sure need another long holiday break.

What did I buy myself for Christmas?

Here's what I purchased for myself this year:

1) Rimowa cabin trolley suitcase.
2) Ralph Lauren dress shirt.
3) Nikon P6000 & SB-400 speed light.

Can't wait until next year to see what Santa brings me.

Traditional Christmas Turkey Dinner Postponed

Unfortunately, I did not cook a turkey on Sunday morning. Long story - don't ask. I might try to track down a 5lb bird later this week. If I feel energetic, I will pop down to National Azabu and see if they have a turkey in the freezer. If not, I might have to hit a few other supermarkets that cater to the gaijins (foreigners) in Tokyo. I hope that I can pick up a Butterball turkey for under $50. Gosh, I miss eating turkey with lots of mash potatoes smothered in homemade gravy.

Oh, I forgot to pick up presents to put under my Charlie Brown Christmas tree this year. DOH!! I promised my wife that I would buy her some nice gifts later. If you recall, I picked up some gifts for Jr. when I was in the Big Apple in November. I guess those gifts won't come in handy until after the little guy joins us.

Merry Christmas to One and All

I hope Santa Claus is good to all of you on this very special day. May all your dreams come true.

Best wishes,

strategist

My Christmas Tree

Finally got around to setting up my 100cm tall Christmas tree. I had to wait until I rearranged a bunch of furniture before setting up the little gaffer. I'll keep up the tree until the end of January to make up for the late display. Gee, the bottom of the tree has no presents. Definitely gotta change that tomorrow.

Christmas is my favourite time of the year. Lots of happy cheers. Lots of great food. Lots of great memories. Lots of photographs. Next year will even be better - Junior will be here.

Christmas at Roppongi Hills

Snapped this photo of Mori Tower on Thursday night. Since Friday is a national holiday I wanted to keep a memory of the dazzling blue lights in Roppongi Hills. There were hundreds of people in the courtyard snapping photos of the building and trees. The Mori Building did a wonderful job this year with the lights. I can't wait to see what they are planning to do in 2006.

CapitalistPig Asset Management LLC

Jonathan H:

Thanks for the Christmas Greetings post card. I am so happy that Mr. Capitalist Pig remembered me.

May the Good Lord bring happiness to you and your family during the Christmas Holidays and prosperity in the new year.

Best wishes,

Strategist

Next Week Cometh Christmas

I'll spend the days around Christmas re-arranging furniture in advance of Junior coming. Also, I'll head out to the hospital to visit my mother-in-law who has been admitted for a 2-3 week treatment period. I was at the hospital yesterday and it is a very bland place. Unlike hospitals in the West during the Christmas period, this Japanese hospital has no 'halls of holly' or faux Christmas trees. No blinking lights. No wreaths. Only white walls lined with clocks. Isn't it strange that hospitals have clocks on the walls? For many patients, clocks symbolize death - time is running out. Instead of clocks, hospitals should line the walls with artwork. Images to take the patients to a place far, far away.

This Christmas will be a somber one: Glad that Junior is on the way; Sad because I cannot be with my family back in Canada.

Christmas in Tokyo

Not doing any travelling during the Christmas Holidays. Unlike the previous two years, I'll stay here in Japan and enjoy the quiet and peace. At the end of the year, many of the Tokyoites leave the metro area and return home for their year-end annual pilgrimages. The trains will be very empty and the restaurants will have lots of empty tables.

So much to do over the holidays: I need to prepare the apartment for the upcoming addition to the family. Due to the limited space at home, I will break down my desk and stuff it behind the couch or shelf. I'll have to do most of my work on the couch with my laptop on my lap or on the coffee table. My desk will be replaced by the baby's crib.

Life is definitely going to change in 2006: The Year of the Dog.

Less than 5 weeks till Christmas

Christmas morning is right around the corner. Instead of buying myself something special this year, I will spend the money on getting ready for Junior's arrival. I plan to go shopping for a baby stroller and some cool clothing. Can't wait to pick up a navy blue blazer for the little guy. I did some shopping at The Coop in Harvard Square last week. Got a Harvard hooded sweatshirt for him: Mind you he'll have to wait until he is about 3 years old before he can wear it.

Look at Mickey Go!

Hey! There's the host of today's festive party. Mickey Mouse. No matter how sad you are - Mickey is always there to put a smile on your face. See you next year Mickey. Next time, I'm bringing my son!!!

Mickey Mouse Burger

Crazy huh?! Eating a hamburger made into the shape of Mickey's head. This was today's lunch.

Wonderful Day at Tokyo Disneyland

Tis the time for gift giving and exchanging thoughts of love. I know that I am a wee bit early here but - what the heck: Merry Christmas to all my friends and family.

Ten Weeks til Christmas

Hard to believe that another Christmas is just around the corner. This year I will stay in Japan. The past two years, I was back in Canuckland. I hope to spend a few days cleaning up the home and rearranging some furniture. Need to make more space available. I might have to call up the 'book buyer' and get him to bring his truck around again. Earlier this year, I got rid of some 600 books and might need to do the same again early next year.

I sure hope Apple brings out their new laptops soon. I'll hold off on buying myself any presents in December and save my money for the new laptop powered by Intel.  I'll give my wife my current G4 17-inch PowerBook.

Is it Christmas Time yet??

I sure wish it was December 25th right now. I would be sitting in front of my 1 metre plastic Christmas tree with loads of small little gifts under it. Waiting for the chance to open them up and make a mess of the living room. But... I wake up to find it is still the month of September and the weather outside will only reach a high of 25 degrees Celsius. Gee. At least it won't be as hot as it was a couple of days ago: 34 degrees C. For chrissakes! Is it still summer time? Don't answer that question.

We are more than three months away from Christmas. I am going to drop dead from the lack of REM sleep. After getting back from the US a week ago, my internal clock is still messed up. The pan-pacific travelling is starting to wear me down. I hope that a break over the new year will give me a chance to recharge my batteries. And a 'big recharging' they will need!!!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......................

Favourite Christmas Memory

I would have to say without any doubt - the day mom took us out to buy a Christmas tree, albeit it being an artificial one. I believe my parents still have it somewhere at home. I loved that tree. I was so happy that my mom spent money on it. I guess I was about 4 or 5 years old at the time. I wish I could bottle that memory and put it away for my future kids. Happy memories are hard to come by nowadays - too busy at work. Too busy trying to get ahead. Too busy trying to get that 'next' promotion. Too busy trying to get that salary raise. Just too darn busy. Christmas - gotta be my fav time with my mom.

Christmas Songs!!!

Gee, this is very helpful for me. I miss singing Christmas songs during the holidays.

(Link)

Unlike Target, I like the Salvation Army

I was happy to see a donation pot run by the Salvation Army in Shinjuku on Saturday. I dropped some spare change in the pot and got a wonderful 'thanks' from the group. I can't help but think of how stupid Target department stores are for refusing the Salvation Army to set up their donation pots in front of their stores.

Remember it is better to give than to receive. (Salvation Army)

It's beginning to look like Christmas...

everywhere I go. I can see Santas on every street corner. I can see little elves making toys for kids. And in Roppongi, I can see drunk people having a merry, merry time. I am always fascinated how drunk people get during the run up to the festive week before Christmas Day. I guess when a brand new year is quickly approaching, many people get down-right, smacking stupid. It's okay! The new year sweeps all the problems of the year gone by under the rug of forgetfullness. Things I will be happy to sweep under the rug and never to think of them again:

Not studying enough for the CFA Level I examation. Not saving enough money this past year. Not writing birthday cards or letters to friends and family again. Being a pessimist. Being sarcastic. Being stupid. Not saying 'thank you' more to people who do kind things for me.

The new year, I promise to  be a much better person.

All I want for Christmas is...

That's right. It's time to write up my Christmas wishlist.

Big Wish Items
1. $10M in cash (real cash, none of that Monopoly money)
2. Season's tickets for Boston Bruins games
3. Photo session with Chief Yahooers, Jerry and David.
4. GW's autograph on a Canadian C-note.
5. Chance to tell Donald Trump, "You're fired!"

What I am willing to receive: Small Wish Items
1. New Calvin Klein blue jeans
2. Nikon F6
3. Vacation in London, England
4. Year's supply of Starbucks Lattes
5. Year's supply of hair gel.

November 30th: 25 days till Christmas

T-minus 25 sleeps till Christmas morning.  I hope the weather back home is not too cold during my visit. I sure the hell hope I don't have to push any cars out of ditches or sit waiting for a tow truck to come and give me a boost. How I hate winter weather. I guess that after having spent so many years and winters in Japan, I have become spoiled by the relatively warm weather. Just this morning I thought it was a bit chillier than usual. This morning's temperature was nine degree celsius. To me, 9 degrees is cold! What am I going to do when I step off the plane and take my first step in knee snow on the runway tarmac? What am I to do when I see the mercury dipping to minus twenty degrees?

TDL-Christmas 2005: Good bye & See Ya Again Next Year!!

I took this photo as we were leaving the theme park. I wish I could work at TDL in the future. I love being around so many happy people and families. I guess the closest I will get to TDL is owning shares in the parent company.

TDL-Christmas 2005: Christmas Lights

Welcome to Tokyo Disneyland! This is the sign that greets visitors to the theme park during the Christmas season.

TDL-Christmas 2005: Dance Number

I really liked this dance number. Lots of great colours and dance steps.

TDL-Christmas 2005: Dancing at Disney

Great motion.

TDL-Christmas 2005: Mickey & Friends

Great show!

TDL - Christmas 2005: Mickey & Minnie

The happiest couple in the entire world... Mickey & Minnie.

Tokyo Disneyland: Christmas 2005

Mickey Mouse welcomed us once again to another evening of fun and excitement. I took this photo at the show, One Man's Dream II. I like it because the lighting used shows Mickey predominately in B&W.

Countdown to Christmas: T-minus 30 days

It is hard to believe that another Christmas is right around the corner. As mentioned earlier, this will be my first Christmas back in Canada since 1990. I wonder if my body will still remember the 'artic cold' days of December. Fear not - I will bring out my thermal underwear and wear two pairs of socks each day I head out of my parents' home. Actually, it'll be nice to be back in Canada for Christmas. I love the rush of fighting to find Christmas presents right up to the last day of shopping, Christmas Eve. And what's even better is the Boxing Day sales on the 26th. Hopefully, many of the shopping malls will put on some very generous sales for us weary shoppers. Not sure what my budget will be for this year: Each year I usually buy myself a nice present. Who better to know what I want than "me", right???

November 12th: Christmas Tree Going Up

That's it. I have waited long enough - my Christmas tree is going up tonight. Let me explain. I was downstairs in Mori Tower (Roppongi Hills) this morning and I heard my first Christmas song over the public announcement/BGM system. First, I chuckled that they would be playing Christmas songs so early until I saw a faux Christmas tree up in the Shinsei Bank on the 6th Floor. So, I gotta get home and set up my little "Charlie Brown" tree - yeah, it may be small and battered but, I have had it since 1992. It's lost a few branches over the years. I'll have to bring home some Tokyo Disneyland Christmas decorations tomorrow night and hang them on my tree.

Sleigh bells ring are you listening.... (that's the song I heard this morning). I think my most favourite Christmas song (and version) is Little Drummer Boy by Robert Goulet. My favourite Christmas instrumental is, without any doubt, the Christmas theme song on the 'Charlie Brown Christmas Special'. I picked up the video tape in the USA long ago and watch the episode each year as I carve into the turkey.

Isn't Christmas a grand time of the year???

Tokyo Disneyland Christmas Celebration

Only two more days until I can visit Tokyo Disneyland again. As all of you know, I usually visit Tokyo Disney Resort about 3-4 times a year. Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland is so much fun. I know I am a bit older than most of the kids there but, I just love seeing all the lights and happy faces. This will be my fourth visit to TDL during the Christmas season. I hope to keep this annual tradition alive. If I find myself half way around the world in the future, I hope to fly back just to attend the festivities. I'll upload some of the photos after I finish my visit. Can't wait to see to the dancing reindeer again. I hope the weather is as nice as it was last year: It was so hot in the afternoon, that I had to take off my jacket and sweater.

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Tokyo Disneyland New Year!!!

Peace be with you -

Guess, I should wish everyone the very best during the holiday season. I hope the world will be a better place in '04 and mankind will be one step closer to peace.

Pax vobiscum.

I almost forgot.....

Merry Christmas to one and all!

I hope all the bloggers at TypePad have a great holiday and find true happiness next year.

Let's keep blogging! Spread the word about TypePad and let's get a million people to join us here.

strategist

My Christmas Tree is Up!

Okay, okay... I know it is a wee bit early to put up the tree but, when you are homesick you gotta do what you gotta do in order to stay sane. I bought a 30-inch tree about 10 years ago when I was still living down in Osaka. I have kept the tree ever since. I guess I will drag the little guy home with me when I eventually return to Canada. Took a few photos of the tree and the decorations on it. Will post the photos soon. Now, that the tree is up, I wonder what I will buy myself for a present. As tradition dictates, I always buy myself something each year. Who else knows better what I truly want, right?