Masa aka Sekimura

Japanese Lesson: 化ける (to transform oneself)

You learn the kanji 花 (hana) or “flower” at the beginning of your kanji study. If you take this character apart, it can be divided into 廾 (kusakanmuri) and 化 (ka). Back in the day people must have thought, “the  green leaves transform into red and white.” That’s why the symbol transformed as “the 草（廾）(kusa) that changes”.

...snip...

How about when a 木 (ki) or “tree” transforms 花 (hana) or “flower” like? It becomes the kanji 椛 (momiji). In autumn, the maple leaf changes into red and yellow colors like a flower. The Japanese made this character 椛 by describing the appearance.

via blogs.japanesepod101.com

Be honestly, I didn't know the character 椛 but it's quite interesting and beautiful way how it has been created. I've never imagine that a tree could transforms into a flower.

Apple iPad gets a Lifetime Purchase Limit‎

Guy #1 — “I’m sorry sir, but you have reached your lifetime limit of iPad purchases and will not be allowed to buy any more.”

Me (anticipating that statement) — “Is the iPad limit per person? Per credit card? Per household?”

Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit.”

Me — “What does that mean? Can I use a different credit card to buy it? I’m buying this for a friend.”

Guy #1 — “You are not allowed to buy this iPad.”

Me — “Uhh… is it ok if I have a family member or friend come to buy it for me? My reservation doesn’t expire until 6:00 PM.”

Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit.”

Me (suddenly realizing what he’s saying) — “Wait, what? Lifetime? What does that mean?”

Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit of iPads and will not be allowed to buy any more.”

Me — “I’m banned from buying iPads? I know there’s a shortage right now, but I can’t buy any more once there’s plenty of stock?”

Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit.”

(photo by kominyetska on flickr)

via www.protocolsnow.com

Having heard some Japanese people doing the same thing for friends in Japan, to tell the truth, I've also got a warning of Email iTunes Gift limit after purchasing $50. Although mine is not lifetime limit, It's lame. Apple tastes bitter these days, doesn't it?

Anyhow, I loved this comment on it :)

McDonalds should start doing the same, helping the world to slim fast!
Sorry, but you have reached your lifetime limit on BigMacs...

Should I have bought that Apple Product?

Currently, Apple's stock is at an all time high. A share today is worth over 40 times its value seven years ago. So, how much would you have today if you purchased stock instead of an Apple product? See for yourself in the table below.

via www.kyleconroy.com

Really interesting and thoughtful research. You'd have got 73% capital gain by purchasing stock instead of getting iPhone 3GS and tweeting "OMG, It's fast!" with a boastful smile B-]

Of course, it's true that we needed (or had) to buy them to make such a high stock price. So, what we can do now is buying a same amount of stock when you buy an Apple product. :-)

The Central Subway is slated to open to the public in 2018

Yesterday, it's sunny and warm again so that Garth suggested to go to the Yerba Buena Garden for lunch. Hell yes. On the way to go there, we saw several construction sites on 4th St. It has been a while they keep digging like a crazy prairie dog at 4th and Bryant and the sidewalks in front of Whole Foods Market. Now what, they are digging at 4th and Folsom and the intersection at Moscone Center?

Seeing that, Garth said "It might be a part of the T-Third muni line subway project". Having these SF financial issues and MTA rising fees, I was skeptical about how could they do that. After a bit googling, it turned out they got money from the Fed gov and now they are relocating utilities right underneath the 4th Street as a start of phase 2.

The project named "The Central Subway" and here's a image pulling down from their web site.

It seems like T-Third will dive into the ground at 4th and Townsend in front of UPS store. And Moscone Center, Union Square and Chinatown will have a underground station.

It's exciting even though I've already have enough mazy underground experiences in Tokyo. Hopefully, they will manage the damn traffic jam, in which it's easy to get hit by a car, at 4th and King during the constructions

No pooping sign

こちらのサインは、昨日のものより、さらに和みます、、、

via www.zakkanews.com

well done.

21+

photo.jpg

Hey, ya fergot La Yogurt: How to pronounce Eyjafjallajokull

Here’s the lowdown from a native speaker at the Icelandic consulate, who would give only her first name, spelling unknown but pronounced Becca. Take a deep breath.

EY-ya-fyat-lah-YOH-kuht

The “EY” rhymes with the word “bay.” The “k” is softer than an English “k,” almost like a hard “g.” And the “t” at the end kind of sticks for a second and pulls away with a hint of a glottal “l.”

EY-ya-fyat-lah-YOH-kuht

Say it soft and it’s almost like, “Hey, ya fergot La Yogurt.”

via cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com

Ok, now you guys go to Six-A-Phone and say the name on the phone.

What I ate in Japan

These photos make me hungry again. I'm kinda having seafood hangover though.