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It's good to be back on-line without the obstruction or hindrances of work. There's someone looking over not too far away... and it's quite apparent when you got your yahoo account open. Really, it's pointless to even have that yahoo account... especially cause I can't use the bloody thing from home. I even got a new private account that I pay for... but this is Japan. Full-service is as stable as a sailboat out on the wild wild sea. You basically don't get what you pay for... it's like paying for that umbrella on your shirley temple for 2500 yen. The drink itself is 500. It's all ambiance my friend. you pay for the "atmosphere"... and if you've got that atmosphere... you're here to make millions.... these days... of course... millions of yen. Perhaps, my cynicism is this lovely country is hitting a peak. Work is both boring and demanding. I really can not conclude to the either. "Culture" really means something. I've never really had a need to pinpoint such a thing... but once you start seeing your colleague -- 24 and pondering marriage and children -- breaking out and sighing in "company spirit" as she skips breakfast, lunch, AND dinner... only to reluctantly go out for a drink with the boss and another fellow colleague... only to come back to work at 11 to get cranking... you've got to wonder. Of course, we got the managing directors' meeting tomorrow... but that's still not reason if you simply had not the time to even pull things together until the clock strikes 8. I met with the recruiting manager from Merrill Lynch today with this colleague and my boss. Very Japanese fellow who couldn't even raise his head and look straight into the gaijin's eyes... but strong and glaring as we converse in some animated fashion. He gives me guidance about my profession... and makes a general conclusion that only Goldman Sachs possess the standards of "cultural" definition that's comparable to Merrill Lynch. Quite frankly, I'm learning that both Merrill and Goldman have a standard of their own. I could probably write my dissertation on this... but it's a totally different tier of standards. At least for Japan.... Yes... exciting. Hmm.. I'm sounding negative here... but I'm learning that Merrill is more rigorous to build individuals who can do the job well, but Goldman has the higher expectation of convincing the customer through a mutual effort. What a wacky place... Oh... what about the other firms? It seems as though they don't really exist in our books. No snobbishness here ;P Well, work ponderances aside, time really flies. I manage to meet up with old friends in some fair consistency. Masa... I've mentioned already... doing excellent and charming as always. We really have to go out more often together... I haven't "scammed" in a loooong while. Hotel Euge... that's what it's been lately. I'm finally having three consecutive days without guests. This is a first in a month or so. I might be catching up with some good ol' Wakei guys after all... as I will be working with him starting April. Well, random thoughts. I just have to say... it's interesting how work really grabs the greater depths of your thoughts. I wake up to look at the clock... it's 2.... time to catch lunch before I miss it. Look at outside... it's 6 and it's dark. dinner at 9, and start thinking about going home on a cab at 10... but get out near 11 or 12. Wells, I need a good book. Best, |