It's All a Part of the Journey

I have a friend who is a multi-millionaire. He is a very intense, dedicated and hard-working man. He is a great inspiration... He also is, perhaps, a bit crazy (but aren't we all?) The guy is a one-man business cyclone! He works constantly and has been rewarded for decency and that hard work.

"Rick" (not his real name) is the kind of person that people either love or hate. I've met some people who seem to hate him (he seems to not care). But I've also met lots of people who really love him. 

It seems the people who have bothered to take the time to really get to know him, really respect him. I do. respect him, but I say that being with "Rick" for too long can be a tiring experience because he is probably one of the most intense individuals you'll ever meet.

One day, I went to Rick's office and it looked as if he had just come from the dentist. He was wearing a sort of brace on his jaw. It was obvious he was in pain. He could hardly open his mouth.

I said to him, "Rick! That looks very painful. Are you alright?"

Rick smiled to me, put his hand on my shoulder and, while hardly moving his mouth because of pain, he said, "It's alright, Mike. It's all a part of the 'journey.'"

He means the 'journey of life.'

That moment so impressed me! It impressed me so much that I have adopted it into my life philosophy and it is what I tell my friends and loved ones when things (business & life) aren't going well...

And, these days, what business is going well? So, recently, I've been saying this to a lot of people. I also find I am always reminding myself of the same thing; All this pain is part of the journey.

All this pain is part of the journey.

Wow! You don't know how much that thought impresses me. 

I can admit that, my work life hasn't gone well for over 5 years now. I think I'm not alone in that area and it's been the same for most since 2008.... Things are difficult for everyone...

I think we have to always remember that this is all part of the journey and that, if we do right, and live right by other people, God and ourselves, then there will be a reward at the end of the rainbow.

When others complain to me about problems at work, and they sound like they might be depressed, I remind them (and remind myself), 

"It's alright. It's all a part of the journey."

Isn't Japan Wonderful?

Another vignette that shows how much better life in Japan is than life in the "Greatest Country in the World." 

A letter from a friend:

Hi Mike san,

Seems like you've been busy.  I hope everything is OK in your life.   Your blogs seems less frequent, so I was wondering.

Something happened here tonight that I thought you would find interesting.  It's a small thing, but I believe it represents the spirit of Japan.  There's this certain sake that my wife and I like and it's only produced in the springtime.  It's called Do Pink.  You probably never heard of it, but it's tasty and bubbly and a powerful nigori (unclear) style. Its made in Hachimine, Akita pref.

The local sake guy ran out of it and we couldn't get more than two small bottles.  My wife searched the internet and found a liquor shop about 90 minutes away that carries it.  She called them and had them send 4 isshobin (the big bottles).  A few days later, a deliveryman brought it to our house, just a few minutes ago in fact.   I noticed we didn't have to pay upon receipt so I asked my wife if she already paid the storeowner.  

As it turned out, she had not paid.  The storeowner sent us the 4 bottles, paid for delivery, and simply put an invoice in the box.  Of course, we'll send him the money.   He doesn't know us at all, yet he trusted us to make payment. 

Could you imagine this happening in a certain large, greatest in the world country?  Store to home delivery of alcohol simply would not be permitted without great difficulty, if at all. Never mind the fact that no one sends anything, especially booze, without being paid in advance.

Isn't Japan wonderful!

Your friend,

Andy 

Delivery of alcohol and no pre-payment? Yep. That's Japan - even in 2013.

Basically says it all, doesn't it?

Japan Economy: The Beginning of the End

Thanks to Zerohedge.

Christine Hughes sums it all up perfectly, for Japan, "The Math Is Stacked Against Japan - It's Not 'If', It's When."

Click here to watch the video: OtterWood Observations on Japan, May 2013

And to remind my detractors and to pat myself on the back, I'd like to point out that I said EXACTLY the same thing nearly six months ago on Dec. 29, 2012 when this mad policy by the Abe government was announced:

Here's Why A Weak Yen Will Destroy Japan

The clowns in the LDP think a weak yen will rescue Japan's faltering economy by making exports cheaper... Sounds good... That is, if there anyone to buy Japanese goods.

I fear that the weaker yen will be the last straw in breaking the Japanese Economy. Here's my reasoning why... 

China and Japan are in a row over islands. Boom! Down goes exports to Japan's biggest trading partner. Please refer to the NY Times article, "Japan Trade Suffers as China Ties Deteriorate":

"Shipments to China, which is Japan's biggest trading partner, tumbled 14.1 per cent as demand dropped for Japan-branded products..."

Also refer to Japanese Car Sales Plunge Amid China Rage.

Europe is in no condition to be big spenders on anything as Euro states are already in deep recession.

The USA isn't in good shape either as it is in recession too and Japanese cars aren't selling well due to Fukushima and other issues.

Gee? So what will a weak yen certainly buy for Japan? Answer: How about a 10% increase across the board on energy imports?

Read the rest here: Here's Why A Weak Yen Will Destroy Japan

My Interview on WHDT TV Concerning Bitcoin

I was on TV in Boston and Miami being interviewed about Bitcoin and some other things. I hope I didn't sound too much like an idiot.

(Something might be funny with this link. If you don't see the video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XF7wd_Mfjk)

Amazing! Trained Goldfish Synchronized Swimming in Japan

There's this old guy in Japan that trains goldfish. Really! This is pretty amazing. Watch these four goldfish swim in formation.

The TV program is from China but the guys on camera are most definitely Japanese. This is a very cool trick but it is not trick photography as I have seen this with my own eyes in Yokohama before.

Pretty amazing:

Bitcoin? Mt.Gox in Serious Trouble

"You folks who think that Bitcon can somehow "replace" national currencies without the consent of the nations involved have rocks in your head." - Karl Denninger

This came to my mailbox a few hours ago from the grapevine:

[*** NEWSFLASH: In another demonstration that the United States is no longer the Land of the Free, the Department of Homeland Security has just seized the US bank accounts belonging to Mt. Gox, the world's largest Bitcoin exchange. This certainly underscores the importance, once again, of diversifying internationally. ***]

This confirms the story:

Homeland Security seizes account of largest Bitcoin exchange, Mt. Gox

".......The warrant that DHS used to seize the funds in Mt. Gox’s Dwolla account has just been published, and it points to a significant problem with the service. As Ars Technica details, when Mt. Gox owner Mark Karpeles opened the Mutum Sigilum account with Wells Fargo, he was asked if Mutum Sigilum LLC was a business engaged in monetary services. From the warrant: 

The application asks several questions; to include, “Do you deal in or exchange currency for your customer?” and “Does your business accept funds from customers and send the funds based on customers’ instructions (Money Transmitter)?” Karpeles answered these questions “no,” indicating that Mutum Sigilum LLC does not deal in or exchange money, and that it does not send funds based on customer instructions. Money transmitting businesses are required by 31 USC section 5330 to register as such with FinCEN. According to FinCEN records on May 6, 2013, neither Mt. Gox nor the subsidiary, Mutum Sigilum LLC, is registered as a Money Service Business. 

Whoops."

Read the rest.

Oh, and please don't send me emails telling me that I don't understand how currencies work. It seems that the folks at Mt.Gox are the ones who need to study up in that area. (Disclaimer: I know that Mt.Gox is NOT Bitcoin, they are merely the biggest Bitcoin dealer in the world, handling 80% of all trades).

As Karl Denninger writes:

So you as a merchant want to take Bitcon, er, "Bitcoin", right? You want to put your money into this "currency" -- right? 

Um, you might want to think about that again: The Department of Homeland Security appears to have shut down the ability to use Dwolla, a mobile payment service, to withdraw and deposit money into Mt. Gox, a Bitcoin trading platform. A Dwolla representative confirmed the move to Betabeat. Chris Coyne, cofounder of OKCupid, posted a screenshot of an email he received from Dwolla, stating that due to recent orders from the Department of Homeland Security, Dwolla cannot complete the bank transfer to Mt. Gox. 

Or FROM Mt. Gox. And by the way, this is not something that only the US govenrment can pull. Any government can and will do this as soon as it decides to. Without notice or recourse. Don't like it? That's nice. What do you intend to do about it? Whine on a mailing list or forum?...

...FACT: The only "rights" you have are those that you are willing to enforce by whatever means are necessary in favor of every citizen equally.  

Everything else is a privilege and privileges can be withdrawn at any time by the entity that granted them. Since the list of those rights that you, the sheeple, are willing to enforce is in fact the empty set because at best you demand claimed "rights" for yourself but you refuse to enforce them for everyone or even worse, you demand that government prohibit for others the same freedoms you demand for yourself, you in fact ownnothing, all the way up to and including your own body. 

That, by the way, includes so-called "money" you claim you "invested" in Bitcon. 

And..... it's gone.

Crowd Funding? WTF? Yes!

I started producing, directing and co-hosting a 5 hour Friday morning FM radio show on 76.1 InterFM. The show is entitled, "WTF?" 

.....What!? That's not a foul name? "WTF?" Means, "What the Friday?" (Kind of like "TGIF" means, "Thank God it's Friday" and NOT "Thank God it's F*cked!") Heavens! What kind of a people have you been hanging out with? Now, go wash your brain out with soap and water! What if your mother ever found out what you were thinking? You should be ashamed!

Anyway, the show is going well. It's not your typical Japanese FM radio show (boring) and we are loud, laugh and play loud music. You can see the WTF? program web page here. http://www.interfm.co.jp/wtf/index.php?mode=fri&id=32

The other day, we had a gentleman by the name of Yu Sasamoto, the head cheese of WESYM, as a guest on the show and he told us about "Crowd Funding." You might have heard of Crowd Funding but weren't too sure of what it was. Yu explained it all to us. 

Crowd Funding is a way for people (without deep financial backing) to get their fans and friends to help fund their projects. It's a boom in the west and just starting out in Japan.

Being the kind of guy who doesn't quite understand this new-fangled "Internets" thingy, I decided that the best way to learn wasn't reading the "Users Manual" but by just jumping in and doing it! So we started our own Crowd Funding effort.

In this effort, I want to do three things:

1) I want to fund a product for program merchandise 
2) I want to help build a buzz for my program
3) I want to help build "community"
4) I want to take the extra proceeds and help out my favorite charity: Children with Incurable Diseases (That's me as Santa!) (If that link doesn't work, use this: http://modernmarketingjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/12/santa-claus-visits-hospital-for.html)

The campaign just started yesterday and I think it is going OK! 

Crowd Funding seems like a great idea and I want to do more if the future! See below the actual page for our effort. Crowd Funding is cool!

Japan's Radio Show X Crowd Funding: Engaging with listeners.

About the Project

Hello Japan!

I am Mike Rogers and I have a show every Friday on InterFM, a radio station in Tokyo.

Our program was renewed this April and is delivered to those who look forward to Friday every week. Don't forget to tune in!

For most of us, Friday is a great day just before the weekend. That's why the phrase TGIF (Thank God It's Friday). On this happy Friday, we have a great show called WTF!? What The Friday.

The show airs every Friday mornings with George Williams and Taro for 5 hours, providing the hottest info on music before anyone else along with easy listening music such as cross over Jazz. We only air once a week, so don't miss it. You not only get a great start to your Friday, but also get great information to make the most out of your weekend.

So why are we starting crowd funding on WESYM?

We want to create cool & fun goodies, as well as, events with our listeners and crowd funding is a great tool to make this happen.

Would you be interested in a private party on a cruiser with great food and music with the WTF!? Staff and listeners? Anything is possible.

For starters, we came up with an idea to create an original magnet that you can stick on your fridge. People who support the project will automatically get a cool WTF!? magnet.

We want at least 200 supporters for this project! So, help us spread the words to make it happen!

What? You rather have a T-Shirt? No problem. We can start another project or add a gift to this project.

Crowd funding is all about a community of fans or supporters making a fun idea a reality. It is somewhat similar to the European soccer team Barcelona being supported and funded by its fans. For us, our supporters are our listners. We would luv to create something with our supporters that everyone can enjoy and be a part of together.

Don't be shy if you have great ideas on what we can do together. Will be sharing ideas on a regular basis on WTF!? What the Friday!

◇ Return to the project supporters;

500 SEEDs will get you an original WTF!? Magnet. This is to show you are an official member of WTF!? What The Friday

You get TWO magnets for 500 SEEDs. One is signed by George, Taro and Mike. Another one is for you to either keep or give it away to your friends!

*When we exceed the required SEEDs to produce the magnet, we are to donate them to"Children with Incurable Diseases"

http://www.nanbyonet.or.jp/

▼ We plan to use the design below.

Check out our program blog as well!

http://www.interfm.co.jp/wtf/blog/

Happy Mother's Day! "Pendulum - Tekken" Wonderful 3 Minute Animation and a Song for Mom!

It's Mother's Day in Japan. Everyone! Call your mother and tell her just how much you appreciate her and all she's done for you. Tell her you love her.

After that, hug your spouse and kids!

They (and you) won't be here forever!

My dear friend Ken Nishikawa sent me this wonderful short animation of life in Japan. 

The story shows a pendulum in a clock swinging back and forth as it goes through the life of a young man and woman who meet in high school then grow up, get married, have a family then die. It is very touching. Enjoy!

Also, I'd like to play you what I think is the best Mother's Day song (perhaps the only one) ever made.

I want a mom that will last forever.
I want a mom to make it all better.
I want a mom that will last forever.
I want a mom who will let me, whatever.
I want a mom to take my hand,
and make me feel like a holiday.
A mom to tuck me in at night,
and chase the monsters away.
I want a mom to read me stories,
and sing a lullaby.
And if I have a bad dream,
To hold me when I cry.
I want a mom that will last forever.
I want a mom to make it all better.
I want a mom that will last forever.
I want a mom that will let me, whatever, forever.
And when she says to me, she will always be there,
To watch and protect me, I don't have to be scared.
Oh, and when she says to me, I will always love you,
I won't need to worry, cause I'll know that it's true.
I want a mom when I get lonely,
and take the time to play.
A mom who can be a friend,
and find a rainbow when it's gray.
I want a mom to read me stories,
and sing a lullaby.
And if I have a bad dream,
To hold me when I cry.
I want a mom that will last forever.
I want a mom to make it all better.
I want a mom that will last forever.
I want a mom that will let me, whatever, forever.
I want a mom that will last forever.
I want a mom to make it all better.
I want a mom that will last forever.
I want a mom that will let me, whatever, forever.
I want a mom, I want a mom, I want a mom to last forever.
I want a mom, I want a mom, I want a mom to last forever.
I want a mom, I want a mom to last forever.
I want a mom, I want a mom to last forever.

My mom died in a bizarre car accident 17 years ago. One day she was here, the next second, she was gone. Everyone! Appreciate the wonderful woman god gave you! I miss you mom!

Japanese Bras Perform Better Than Japan Central Bank (Or Japanese Tits and Economics)

I do a 5 hour live radio show every Friday....

The big topic today was the "Abenomics Bra."

(True story) a company has come out with the Abenomics bra. It is supposed to help Japanese women support the economy by lifting and separating... (Yeah, lifting 2% - like Abe's inflation target - and "separating" like "Separating you from your money)... Really. I'm not making this shit up. (How the hell COULD you make this shit up?) See? Please refer to "The Abenomics Bra"

This blows my minds. This news was announced yesterday. This morning the JPY (Japanese yen to US dollar) rate was ¥100.60 to the dollar.

As of this moment, the yen is ¥103.31 to the US dollar.


I guess bras work just as well as Japanese Central Bank intervention for screwing up the economy.

Don't believe me? See this for the few idiots who think my prognostications on the Japanese economy (and Bitcoin) are wrong: Japanese Government Bonds Halted Limit Down; Yields Spike To 10 Week High; Worst Day In 5 Years 

Lotteria Ramen Burger Review

The fast-food chain in Japan knows as Lotteria has come out with a new product and it is called the "Ramen Burger" it comes with miso soup. 

Here is my restaurant critic's review. It's just one word:

No!

Thanks to Toshitaka Taniguchi