My World. My Space. My Soul.

I just watched an episode of All About Paper, an infotainment show which re-ran on Channel News Asia. Surprisingly, even a 2008 show can be refreshing! It showcased on how paper can be a material used for functional home furnishing. The episode featured three products made from paper. They are Honey Comb Lamp (pictured), FlexibleLove and Recycled Paper Table.

The Honey Comb Lamp is made from denguri paper. It is a type of paper used in Japan. Out of the all three products, it is the cheapest at 41 USD (white) and 60 USD (red). The way the paper lamp opens up reminds me of the lanterns we carry during the Lantern Festivals. I commented to my mom about having one for any events in the house. When not in use, it can be packed away with minimum space taken up. It is available at designboom shop. I probably be getting one. The only consideration that I have is where to put the lamp in my house. It is cluttered as it is without having anymore white elephants. Endoh asked an obvious question on plurk: Will it burn? Well, I say, have some faith in the designer.

The FlexibleLove is a chair made from recycled honey-combed paper. It can sit up to sixteen people at any time. It can be a good conversation ice-breaker, but at a cost of 500 USD. The Recycled Paper Table can be customised to individual’s needs. However, it comes at a hefty 3398 USD.

Picture credit: designboom

I managed to eat at Shodoku: Street of Japan outlet at Hereen 3 days back. My superior treated me to lunch there, otherwise I would not be going there. It took over Marche premises and adopted the same concept of having a central ordering area. The concept does not work as well as Marche, in my opinion. There was a lack of variety of food as the theme is Japanese. At least Marche had a wider theme and thus more food to serve. The food is not bad, but the experience was horrible.

We order grilled salmon and cod. They served us just the fish. There was no offer of rice made by the staff when we first ordered and I had to go back and ask for the rice. The staff is from PRC and I think who did not go through a rigorous service training. Another colleague had to “self-service” his bowl of noodles and he complained why there is a service charge of 10% then?

When we exited the store, there was one cashier and a long queue. There are 3 counters and only one is opened. The cashier had to go over to the other POS machine to get change for someone ahead in the line. Whatever had happened to accountability? It was lunch time and the store should be expecting more customers than off-peak period. There should be at least 2 cashiers operating. And oh, it was hot in there. Who turned down the air-con in there?

Ratings:

Food: 7/10
Service: 3/10
Ambience: 4/10

I would rather head down to the Shodoku area in Jurong Point. At least there is a better service and ambience there.

Being in a multi-national company, I get to be in contact with colleagues in other countries. One of the countries is Japan. Despite being immersed in the world of anime and manga (yes, I am a closet otaku), I still cannot figure out Japanese names.

Western names usually go <GivenName> <FamilyName> (Jim Carter), whereas Chinese names are in the order of <FamilyName> <GivenName> (Cao Ge). A variant of Chinese name happens when Chinese adopts English name, be it being baptised or for convenience: <EnglishName> <FamilyName> <GivenName> (Gary Cao Ge), or <FamilyName> <GivenName>, <EnglishName> (Cao Ge, Garry). Some simply drop the Chinese portion of the name for convenience, Gary Cao.

However for Japanese name, what is the sequence? In anime or manga, it usually goes <FamilyName> <GivenName>, ie. Uchiha Sasuke. Correct? Simply as it is? No. In the business setting, as I have learnt the hard way and despite of asking on Plurk (it is in private, even if I link it, most cannot see it anyway), it is the other way round, <GivenName> <FamilyName>, ie. Sasuke Uchiha. This is in line with the Western naming convention.

It is so confusing.

Also known as Aitai by Yuzu for those who watched Ghost Friend (d-addicts). It is the OST for the show.

I can’t believe how hard it can be to find the full official music video of this song. Pffft, apparently the record company does not believe in viral marketing. The song is making waves on the Net.

Anyway, here is the 45-second long snippet that is released by the record company (video host: Youtube). And, below is the full version of the song from IMEEM.

Yuzu – I Miss You

Lyrics: Kitagawa Yujin
Music: Kitagawa Yujin

If wishes can come true, which one should I make a reality?
I’ll answer without hesitation, I wish I could see you once more

Petals color the season outside, they’ll bloom vividly again this year
Now I’m walking all by myself through this scenery you loved

Though we hurt each other without understanding in those naive days
I realize now that we were wrapped up in true love

I miss you, I miss you, I’ll never forget you
You’re still here in my heart
Thank you, thank you, words aren’t enough
May these emotions find their way to you

My eyes narrow in the morning sun, a new daily routine begins again
But before I know it, I’m searching for you even though you’re gone

You would smile without saying a word, your gentle smile
You taught me the pain and joy of life

I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed, my voice won’t come out
I see your figure in the sky
We cried, we laughed, we walked together
The footprints we left behind will last forever

Ah, this endless life of new meetings goes on

If wishes can come true, once more…

I miss you, I miss you, I’ll never forget you
You’re still here in my heart
Thank you, thank you, words aren’t enough
May these emotions find their way to you
Your voice, your warmth, your gentle smile
They’re here in my heart, I miss you

ゆず – 逢いたい

作詩：北川悠仁
作曲：北川悠仁

もしも願いが叶うのなら　どんな願いを叶えますか?
僕は迷わず答えるだろう　もう一度あなたに逢いたい

外は花びら色付く季節　今年も鮮やかに咲き誇る
あなたが好きだったこの景色を　今は一人歩いてる

理解(わか)り合えずに傷付けた　幼すぎたあの日々も
確かな愛に包まれていた事を知りました

逢いたい　逢いたい　忘れはしない
あなたは今も　心(ここ)にいるから
ありがとう　ありがとう　伝えきれない
想いよ　どうか　届いて欲しい

朝の光に目を細めて　新しい日常が始まるけど
気付けばどこかに探してしまう　もういないあなたの姿を

何も言わずに微笑(ほほえ)んだ　優しかったあの笑顔
生きる苦しみ喜びを　何度も教えてくれた

溢れて　溢れて　声にならない
あなたを空に　想い描いた
泣いたり　笑ったり　共に歩んだ
足跡　永遠(とわ)に　消えはしないさ

嗚呼　果てしなく　また巡り逢う命

もしも願いが叶うのなら　もう一度…

逢いたい　逢いたい　忘れはしない
あなたは今も 心(ここ)にいるから
ありがとう　ありがとう　伝えきれない
想いよ　どうか　届いて欲しい
声も　温もりも　優しい微笑(ほほえ)みも
心(ここ)にいるから　逢いたい

_{Translation provided by quartet4.net}

Thanks to the power of Twitter, I came across two Youtube videos.

The above video is promoting Singapore as a tourism spot, the Japanese way. It is creative and original. It makes me laughed out at the potential misunderstanding that the spout off Merlion’s mouth is for bathing, is not! Although the video is intended for the Japanese market, it does a little more to attract me to travel to Japan for a tour or two, via ANA.

The second video is about how the United Airlines broke his guitar and through, what Chinese termed as, tai-chi their way into not approving the claim. To paraphrase: Hell haveth no furry as a musician’s wrath. I pity United Airlines. This viral video has more than 130 000 views and 80 honours all in 3 days. In addition: this is just part one of the trilogy:

They didn’t deny the experience occurred but for nine months the various people I communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate me for my loss. So I promised the last person to finally say “no” to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world. United: Song 1 is the first of those songs. United: Song 2 has been written and video production is underway. United: Song 3 is coming. I promise.

Talk about negative branding through consumer power.