Uncertain Times hit the Clique
2nd February 2009, Monday
Mt. Asama at the prefecture of Gunma had erupted last evening, another meteorological hindrance that could jeopardize our trip in a week's time...yeah right...
If that crazy yen rate didn't stop us, nothing will....
The final piece of the trip preparation jigsaw was settled as we looked up Chiaki on Saturday to purchase the JR East pass.
We had intended to change the money but at 1.685, reluctance was still within me to budge... perhaps when the time draws ever so near, would I condescend to part my S$ to the Indian money changers...
After helping out La Tendo at the AFA 2008, I think the good people there wanted to give us a treat and could only jump on the occasion of the Lunar New Year to give the helpers a treat.
The main treat as it turned out was a karaoke session which of course by this juncture, I am jaded by the mandarin pop crooning that warrants our hard earn cash into it.
I went abit later than the others hoping to catch the gang just before dinner but was coaxed to attend a concert given by the usual entertainer, Vincent.
Over another nice vegetarian dinner which filled us to the brim, we talk about almost anything from Kaka's fallen transfer to Manchester City to who the hell are in Dragonball GT, Vincent's secret video watching behind Miyano's back and a little on the current economic climate.
Although it has yet to hit us directly but with a bulk of us in the semi conductor industry including my missus (Chan and YH are the others), they had already had the brunt of force annual leave-taking, pay-cuts and taking no-pay leaves... all the measures to at least ensure employment in a bleak market with decreasing demands.
Bryan's electronic industry still unscathed but the signs are ominous...let's hope not...
As for the rest of us in the government-linked sector, things still look pretty stable for the upcoming year with perhaps try to curb the audacity to wish for handsome wage increment or at least a decent bonus although we can almost guarantee that Karen's teaching line will be pretty sound.
As for retailing itself, considering La Tendo's goods are generally luxury collectibles surely will be one of the first thing ailing middle class collectors with a shruken pay-check or pocket money would give up without any consideration.
The escalating yen rate is not helping matters and for the past few weeks I had been comparing prices with other retailers with my fellow collectors, as usual because it seem like our good friends had been over-charging people ($30 at one instance).
We had been very frugal with pre-orders these days with the likes of Chan even concentrating on what to collect...perhaps I should follow suit eventually...
I wonder the shop is badly shaken from the downturn but with the recruitment of another staff, it doesn't seems so...well all the best to them and most importantly a sound Year of the Ox for the gang career-wise and of course everyone is good health...
Mt. Asama at the prefecture of Gunma had erupted last evening, another meteorological hindrance that could jeopardize our trip in a week's time...yeah right...
If that crazy yen rate didn't stop us, nothing will....
The final piece of the trip preparation jigsaw was settled as we looked up Chiaki on Saturday to purchase the JR East pass.
We had intended to change the money but at 1.685, reluctance was still within me to budge... perhaps when the time draws ever so near, would I condescend to part my S$ to the Indian money changers...
After helping out La Tendo at the AFA 2008, I think the good people there wanted to give us a treat and could only jump on the occasion of the Lunar New Year to give the helpers a treat.
The main treat as it turned out was a karaoke session which of course by this juncture, I am jaded by the mandarin pop crooning that warrants our hard earn cash into it.
I went abit later than the others hoping to catch the gang just before dinner but was coaxed to attend a concert given by the usual entertainer, Vincent.
Over another nice vegetarian dinner which filled us to the brim, we talk about almost anything from Kaka's fallen transfer to Manchester City to who the hell are in Dragonball GT, Vincent's secret video watching behind Miyano's back and a little on the current economic climate.
Although it has yet to hit us directly but with a bulk of us in the semi conductor industry including my missus (Chan and YH are the others), they had already had the brunt of force annual leave-taking, pay-cuts and taking no-pay leaves... all the measures to at least ensure employment in a bleak market with decreasing demands.
Bryan's electronic industry still unscathed but the signs are ominous...let's hope not...
As for the rest of us in the government-linked sector, things still look pretty stable for the upcoming year with perhaps try to curb the audacity to wish for handsome wage increment or at least a decent bonus although we can almost guarantee that Karen's teaching line will be pretty sound.
As for retailing itself, considering La Tendo's goods are generally luxury collectibles surely will be one of the first thing ailing middle class collectors with a shruken pay-check or pocket money would give up without any consideration.
The escalating yen rate is not helping matters and for the past few weeks I had been comparing prices with other retailers with my fellow collectors, as usual because it seem like our good friends had been over-charging people ($30 at one instance).
We had been very frugal with pre-orders these days with the likes of Chan even concentrating on what to collect...perhaps I should follow suit eventually...
I wonder the shop is badly shaken from the downturn but with the recruitment of another staff, it doesn't seems so...well all the best to them and most importantly a sound Year of the Ox for the gang career-wise and of course everyone is good health...
Japanese word of the day: 削減される(retrenched) Surely not a word anyone wants to hear this year
posted by Kei at
1:42 PM
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