JDM G-Shocks and Why Multiband 6 Represents Japanese Fidelity to Time

I melt when I see JDM G-Shocks

I was never a watch guy. Never cared about brands, whether quartz or mechanical, features, looks, much less price. But all that changed when I wanted to get a replacement for my failing mediocre Fossil in the days leading up to the wedding day. Was a great time to get a new one but when pops knew, he offered to give me the Tag Heuer he got as an award for his length of service at work. Sure, it's a Tag -- so why not ? But I figured something else. That was when I noticed he still sports the generic Seiko diver he got, I think, since his first year of employment -- and you can only imagine its mileage.

Seiko. I did a quick Google search about it and came across SeiyaJapan and the amazing story behind one man's Grand Seiko. I have gone gaga about JDM watches since then. Anything "Made in Japan" and "Sold in Japan" is top quality. I knew I wanted to only wear one watch for a long time hoping I could pass it on to my son and give some backstory. Fast forward, I got myself my first JDM G-Shock -- the GW-M5610LG-8JF. I purchased it directly from TIP-TOP Rakuten (they are, unfortunately, no longer available) and arrived in the mail, via JP Post EMS, a week after ordering. I love it. Thing has Multiband 6 and can receive time calibration signals daily between 1:00am to 4:00am from 6 known atomic clock towers -- just to correct itself. WOW.

Multiband 6 to me was just a "nice to have," a welcome addition to the rare square's already-long list of features. When I got to experience Japan longer than 3D2N -- unlike last time -- I realized why every watch needs to tell the exact time, all the time! Because everything here is on-time and ON.THE.DOT. from local to intercity trains, to Shinkansens, to flights, to night or day buses, to... everything! Where I'm from, it's kind of OK to be late (sometimes). But NEVER in Nippon! Time is worth more than gold here. I think I can correlate Time with The Land of the Rising Sun now -- and why they work together in harmony -- because we could never tell time correctly if the sun only set.

Jollibee Owns NAIA Terminal 1

Chickenjoy with spaghetti and Coke Zero no ice, OK. And a Jolly hotdog classic ??

I left the motherland early last month for my Nippon dream tour and man was I delighted to have gone out of NAIA Terminal 1 -- because, chickenjoy and jolly hotdog!! Waiting 4-6 hrs for your flight overseas becomes easily bearable because #Jollibee can help set you up for a nap after your value meal.

My advice: consider #NAIA T1 as your point of embarkation next time you leave the Republic. When you get hungry or get bored (like I did and to save battery too), you literally won't have to leave your movieseat just to get food. The ordertakers aren't only very visible, they're everywhere! In the meantime, as I'm no airport operations security expert, I can't comment on any potential risk or threat around this arrangement. What I do know is it's very convenient when you're either flying solo or flying with family. No idea when this practice started. Last time I flew from T1 was Feb 2016 en route to where Starbucks was born (via TPE) for a work engagement -- and of course, on board #Airbus Hello Kitty (sorry for the shameless plug).

What happens when Hello Kitty gets reincarnated as an Airbus

Anyway, just don't eat too much @ Terminal 1! You wouldn't want any encounter with non-Japanese #washlets from TOTO® there, lol. YMMV.

First 14 Days in Japan

I completed my first 14 days in Japan yesterday the 22nd. I got in early on the 8th in Osaka @ KIX (Kansai International Airport) via Jetstar. Was my first time to fly Jetstar Japan and I must admit -- the flight attendants were exceptionally accommodating I thought I wasn't flying budget! Anyway, here's the list I made to note down some key differences between Japan and my home country -- the Philippines(!). And some side commentary on how my experiences here compare with other places I, fortunately, have visited prior.

• Almost everything expires -- including eggs!
• Always find time to drop by the grocery for the daily deals
• Always bring your own plastic bag/s to the grocery
• Do washlets have sensors ? They hit my spot on the first shot so had to contract haha ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• They throw their own trash at McDonald’s (haven't been to KFC or anywhere else)
• No security guards at malls, libraries, apartment complex, etc.
• They hand you your bills or credit card using 2 hands
• You put your cash/card on designated mini trays when paying
• They have dedicated bins for combustibles vs. recyclables (yellow vs. green)
• No baggage counters to leave bags in malls — the "trust" system
• Walkways, sidewalks, almost everywhere is blind-friendly
• Soda is relatively expensive — guess to keep obesity at bay ?
• THIS. IS. BIKE. HEAVEN. THIS. IS. SPARTAAAAAAA
• Not everything is in Daiso at least I couldn’t find a nipper lol
• They have 20K+ kms of railway and Manila can’t even get the MRT right (in terms of user experience and efficiency) *will have a separate report on this
• Drivers yield to pedestrians and bikers 99.9% of the time
• Household space heating vs. central heating
• They turn off their cars while stopped at intersections -- why ? Traffic isn't that heavy
• DVDs (and some VCDs) still live ? No Netflix ?
• Someone else's trash is another man's treasure -- true but most secondhand I've seen are mint
• EDION looks and feels like BestBuy at least for me

Now let me share some photos of these unique encounters. Images help settle some confusion from mere imagination.

Eggs do expire

Eggs have an expiration date. The closer they are to the due date, the cheaper they become -- as with everything else in the groceries here. That's why you need to get out of bed each day and head out to the nearest store to check the deals. BTW, don't be surprised if the egg yolks are orange-y vs. the yellow we're all used to seeing.

The Japanese washlet because AUTOMAGIC

Of course, the washlet deserves a special mention. Not sure if I had any prior engagement with one the last time I was here (ca. 2004) but I immediately spent time with it on my first day back. And I can't help but burn almost an entire hour because -- heated seat. ZOMG. I don't know if I can live without one now, lol.

Your average trash bin at McDonald's

They are pretty serious about waste management. There is a big poster at my wife's apartment detailing what goes where, what color of trash bag to be used when throwing all of them away, and how and when to do it, properly. I am definitely keeping that poster, bring it back home, share, and reproduce. The City of Golden Friendship -- Cagayan de Oro -- and all its residents need some garbage school discipline.

Separate. Always separate garbage.

It took me a week to get some confidence in deciding which should fall into the yellow bags (combustibles) vs. the friendly green bags or recyclables. Where I'm from, all we ever do is put all of them in one bag and that's it! We need to change that soon to prevent the next great CDO flooding.

How grocery deals look like (mostly)

Should you decide to drop by the nearest grocery store, always make it a point to look around and check the goods arranged away from the formal aisles. This is where the cheap stuff usually are. Pro-tip: check expiration dates other than price. Heck, you can even start with the expiration date since you'll mostly end up holding the cheapest in the batch. So when it expires tomorrow, better buy it now (not later) and eat it, too.

Folders or foldies

If you can't find a bike you like to take home, then you are most likely not in The Land of the Rising Sun. Just about every bike imaginable is here, like WOW. You can find folders (or foldies), MTBs, BMXs, Mom-bikes or Dad-bikes, kid bikes, toddler bikes, trikes, road bikes, weekend bikes, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-ggggggg (so I can stop enumerating)!!

Bikes on sale. Some new designs, some oldies-but-goldies...

That F6F got my attention like love at first sight... but fell out of love because, price.

Saw EABs (Electric Assisted Bikes) for the first time here!

Fat Bike by Jeep. Badass. Guess for off-roading ? Awesome.

And of course (shameless plug), my modest foldie by Asahi!

I bought a folding bike on my 5th day. Why a folding bike out of all makes, shapes, and types of bikes available here ? Because I've already owned all MTB sizes before -- 26, 29, and 650b -- and I can't use them without sporting the gears plus I can't carry them anywhere. I also wanted to bring something JDM home -- so it has got to be this Asahi Thrift-G 6-speed folder from Cycle Base Asahi. I love it and I can't wait to carry this back to the Motherland!!

Immediately night-rated after purchase because I brought the Jido & Omni CatEyes with me

Bike locks come standard with every purchase. This one's from my wife's bike.

Also wanted to share that when you purchase a brand new bike, you should also buy its license so when it, unfortunately, gets lost (or stolen), you can ask help from the police. Spent ¥500 for the green sticker here in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture.

TGIF @ Hiroshima

I am going to Hiroshima today to see the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hypocenter (Ground Zero) as well as the Peace Memorial Park & Museum. Today will be full of new learnings! Thank you, Japan, for this opportunity!!

7 Social Sins

So I saw this list at a temple somewhere in Kyoto -- just can't remember where or which one. The Seven Social Sins:

1. Politics without Principles
2. Wealth without Work
3. Pleasure without Conscience
4. Knowledge without Character
5. Commerce without Morality
6. Science without Humanity
7. Worship without Sacrifice

Some thoughts... #2 is on point. I can always relate that with corruption. That shit is big where I'm from which is directly related to #1 -- or at least in politics. It's a business out there, it's not even funny. But still hopeful that PDU30 can change the whole painting, that is, if zeroing it out is next to impossible. #3 is good. And #6 reminds me of the atomic bomb. I've read several stories about why it had to be dropped (or tested) and why Hiroshima was considered. Learned a lot about that piece of history. And that's why I can't wait to get to Ground Zero in a couple of days!

Writer Feels

So I've finally decided to come back from the other side and write again. Feels like there's tons more to share besides the tweets on TW, the updates on FB, and the photos on IG. I'll be posting more in the coming days (and hopefully months) about my Greatest Adventure yet. I left work where I have been the past 11 years and 9 months -- am actually still on PTO through the end of the month. Long story but it was my decision to make and one of the most difficult ones in my history. Anyway, I'll be writing about my sojourn in Nippon. And I can't wait to start!

Return of the Jedi-Pac

Officially coming back after a 2-year hiatus. Press release: "I got too busy with life plus the emergence of these social bandwagons - Facebook, Foursquare, GetGlue, Instagram, and, of course, Twitter. But it's time to write again and keep writing." Now I need to figure out how to update everything on here -- from the layout design to the gadgets plus if maybe I can wire my social activities here too (not just Twitter). Any leads are welcome. Let's do this!!

Donate for Typhoon Sendong Victims

Click button below --

*2/05/2017 Edit: this was the link I made to collect donations for affected co-workers at the time; all money received was handed over to our HR/ACCTG teams. 

Twitter just flatlined..

This just in: Twitter just flatlined across the galaxy. And I think it's been dead for over 30 minutes now.. we'll see what comes up soon -- and if it'll ever come back!

Nikon D90

May 13th was the day I got my D90 at Digital Walker, V-Mall, Greenhills. I got the body only as it was already too late for me to change my earlier request (yeah I know I should've gone for the kit). But anyhow, this was a major purchase for me for the year, given its pricetag. No regrets here though. I sold my D60 for the D90. As for the lens, I just got the nifty fifty--the cheaper variant only. Overall, I can say that the 50mm f1.8 and the D90 are made for each other--you'll just love the sound coming from the motor!

2 days after securing the D90, I tested it out in the "Island of Imagination"--Camiguin. Sample below:

Find more on my online gallery via http://gallery.mac.com/ricpacs

Nikon Speedlight

The last time I wrote about a speedlight was when I was deciding which one to get--between the Nikon SB-600 or the Nissin Di622. I ended up getting the Nikon speedlight in Manila last month (now you know this is such a late update!). I was satisfied with this purchase--until I found out that it can only be set as a remote. In addition, I wasn't too sure about the D60 anymore at that time since its flash can't even wirelessly command the SB-600, much less all other speedlights.

So I was looking to either push it up to the D90 or just invest in some good lenses--decisions, decisions. But since the D60 (like the D40/x) doesn't have any built-in motor, buying cheaper not-so-new lenses would be useless unless of course if I had already mastered the art of MF-ing (no, it's not what you're thinking). I can learn MF-ing, but I don't think I have much time. The newer lenses with motors would work perfectly with AF on the D60 but are more expensive. So I had to decide.

Take screenshots off the BlackBerry with it unhooked

I love this nifty little priceless app called CaptureIt. You can take screenshots off your BlackBerry with it unhooked. For those who are just new into the BlackBerry world, taking screenshots before CaptureIt arrived require BlackBerrys to be hooked up to the PC (yes, not on Macs!). But all that has changed--thanks to the TheTechMogul. For the latest version (v1.4) here's the OTA download link--just point your BlackBerry's browser to http://www.thetechmogul.com/CaptureIt/CaptureIt.jad

The above screenshot is the latest off my homescreen with RyleePac as the wallpaper subject.

*NEW* BlackBerry 8900

I forgot to update my blog that I had gotten my new BlackBerry 8900 in the afternoon of February 18th, that's 4 long days after my birthday. I had planned on getting a new one--first choice was a Bold due to its availability locally--in time for my birthday but failed. I tried to ask Globe for one even if I'd pay for it upfront but they never gave me due to some technicalities--one of which is the fact that they only offer it to corporate subscribers and I'm just on an individual (or regular) subscription, you know--but religiously paying my monthly dues... oh well.

Anyhow, thanks to another BlackBerry addict from PhilMUG (member amf), and because he posted that he got his 8900 from ebuystore.com.ph (MNL-based ebay powerseller), now you know what happened next (yup, I'm so predictable at times). So I sought the help of yet another BlackBerry addict from PhilMUG, world-renowned writer Butch Dalisay (click it for his Wiki spot)--asked him to get it for me so he can inspect before shipping it over to Cagayan de Oro (just to be sure everything's accounted for) and so he did (thank you Sir!). I just wired him the money via bank deposit. And that was it, after a day-full of waiting, the beauty of a gadget finally arrived and knocked on the door!

For more information about the BlackBerry 8900, check out its official page. Finally, I now have GPS and Wi-Fi in one device! Now, if you'd ask me where my BlackBerry 8320 went, I had it sold to a friend--after I replaced the trackball and the faceplate so it'd look new and feel new.

Which Flash Gun?

For weeks now, I've been contemplating on getting a flash gun for my Nikon D60 that I bought, I think (if my memory serves me right), last month. I still have not decided between these two, the Nikon SB-600 or the Nissin Di622. The former has more features and can seamlessly be integrated with the camera--of course, that's how it should be as they both carry the same brand anyway. Problem is, there's not even a single unit here in Cagayan de Oro.

Meanwhile, the Nissin Di622's specs look promising as well. All over the web, people who have used one claim that it's better than the SB-600, except that people haven't really answered the "can it command?" question. I guess that's up for me to find out. Here's the deal though, there's like over 7 units available locally, unit costs about PhP 9,500 but there's no warranty, not even 24-HRS! How wicked can that get!? Uh, decisions... I'm running out of time as I need to practice flash photography before I actually get my hands dirty in the real world of photography...

If you were in my shoes, which would you get? SB-600? Di622? BTW, I forgot to note that the SB-600 is about PhP 12,000 and up.

Happy Holidays!

I know I've been out of my blog for too long and it's not even funny--such a shame. But I'll try to get back to regular programming--or blogging--real soon. I know I ain't no writer but that doesn't discount the possibility that I *might have* (or may have) suffered from the so-called writer's block.

Anyway, just dropping by, real quick, to greet everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous '09! I'll be working on both Christmas eve and day but I'll be off on New Year's eve and enjoy the countdown. Enjoy the long holiday week everyone!

Be sure to take out some cash from the bank as ATMs easily run out bills...

To Blog Again

I've been busy, busy, busy. But I'm back and I'll be working on a major make-over... I hope to get that done by next week. So many things have gone on while I was off-camera and etc. And yeah, I want to take photos now (I'll blog about that later on too!). The NEW MacBooks are out and they look so kewl and everything. The new iPods have gone out too. Basically a lot of stuff have come out and I wasn't able to talk about them. Too much work for me at work (where else?)!

PS. I just got that photo off the web and I found it to be pretty amazing and very, very creative. It's called "hands with a face."

Yikes! iPhone 2.0.2 is not secure.

Password-protect your iPhone 2.0.2... and you end up exposing information coming from your Mail, SMS, and Contacts. Plus a web-browsing freebie via Safari. It turns out sliding the unlock key, even if you password protect it, will really "unlock" the iPhone.

I am just not sure if the engineers at Cupertino missed this or this was according to the phone's design (?). I don't know. Who knows? One thing I'm sure of, 2.0.3's coming will arrive ahead of schedule. Read the full story over at Gizmodo.

Nuffnang. Weird sound of money.

Nuffnang, Asia's First Blog Advertising Community, is already here! I heard about this from a blogger friend so I immediately signed up just so I could read more about it. And here's what I found out from their website:

After its massive success in Malaysia and Singapore with over 45,000 bloggers signing up in which most of them are enjoying the perks of serving ads to multinational companies like Nike, Citibank, Honda, Nokia, F&N, AirAsia and many more, Nuffnang.com.ph is officially online!

I think Nuffnang's kewl! Don't you think so? I guess I would need to up my posts a bit so I can get me some Nike ads. That's just my favorite brand of shoes, and always has been synonymous with first-choice... can't wait!

So what has sounded weird just lately? I think it's money and you get to hear the words blog, entre, adsense and (now) nuffnang. And you know what, when I ran a Google search for Nuffnang, I just find it more weird to have even seen a blog with this address: why-nuffnang-will-fail dot blogspot dot com. Weird day for me I guess.

Nuff said, nang it!

US Basketball: Worth A Pair Of Olympic Golds

Spain put on an a good show. But out in the Olympics, good just isn't good enough. Having said that, the US Men's Basketball team dubbed The Redeem Team closed out the 2008 Olympics Basketball tourney with a perfect 8-0 record and held off the Gasol brothers with a 118-107 victory to clinch the gold.

The US Women's Basketball team had also won the gold via a 92-65 beating over Australia yesterday. It's been said, and I'll say it again, the US Basketball Team is worth a pair of golds. 

For the full stories, you can head on over to NBA.com.

Know When Your Time Is Up

While scour-ing today for some random things, I came across this sort of calculator (or meter) that measures the approximate date when the Grim Reaper would have to ask you out. All you've got to do is head over to this site, provide answers to a few personal questions. When you're done, the table gets turned, and the answer to your question (take note: you must ask yourself first before you ever try this!) will be provided.

If you want to know when my time is up, this was what I got:

6/22/2053. On a Sunday? Yikes! I'd die unhappy if I ever live long enough to reach that. I would be over 70 by then. I would never wanna see me with my skin all loosed up. I don't know. Well at least the link made me wonder... and laugh.

How about you? When do you think the guy with the scythe would come to see you?