Hunkabutta Archives
03.13.02

click to enlarge      
click to see larger version

click to see larger version

click to see larger version

click to see larger version

Since there has been a lot of discussion in Monday's comments about working here in Japan, and also because the experience is still fresh in the minds of many hunkabutta readers, I am posting some pictures of the office that I worked in while in Osaka.

The pictures above are of the second office we used. We moved there after we outgrew the first one, and even though it looks like we're pretty crammed in there, it was actually a big improvement from the first place. I think that I told you about the cramped conditions of the first office in an earlier post.

The thing that really seems odd in these pictures is that everyone is using notebook computers. There wasn't a single monitor and box on the project. I'm not sure exactly why this is, but I can make a few guesses.

The team was hastily put together and a lot of people just brought their own personal notebooks along from the regular employer's office. Also, notebooks save space. They're easy to rent and transport. Finally, they're just plain popular in Japan because they're small and most people use them at home. A lot of people don't have the space at home for a desk with a monitor, box and keyboard. A laptop can be put away in the cupboard when it's not in use.

I don't want to give you the wrong impression about my working conditions. My regular office, at Netyear, is quite spacious and modern, and my schedule is generally fairly reasonable.

The project in Osaka was just an interesting exception, but one that I thought some of you might be interested in.

Comments?
10 comments so far


03.11.02

click to enlarge      
click to see larger version

click to see larger version

click to see larger version

click to see larger version

click to see larger version

Today's pictures were all taken yesterday when I spent the afternoon showing my friend Davy around Tokyo. I worked with Davy while in Osaka. Among various other charges, he functioned for a brief period as de facto project lead and was a welcome bastion of information and organization in a sea of Japanese allusions and partial explanations.

Davy had to leave the project last week to return to Europe (he's from Belgium), but he managed to find a few days before his departure date (which is today) to tour around Japan a bit. He spent some time in Kyoto first, and this past weekend he came to Tokyo. I got back from Osaka Saturday night, so I only got a chance to show him around a bit on Sunday afternoon. Sunday evening he had to return to Osaka to meet some people and to catch his flight.

Davy and I, and his local office colleague Asako, walked all around the busy streets of Shibuya, up through Harajuku where we stopped for lunch at the sunny, open-aired Cafe 326. After lunch we went for a pint at Scruffy Murphy's pub, where, incidentally, I found out about a new open mic jam session that I'll definitely be going to. After leaving the pub we visited a student art gallery which is in one of the funkiest buildings in Tokyo (Spray painted neon colours and capped with rows of red road cones), then up through the chaotic teenager shopping street Takeshita dori (street), on through to Meiji Shrine nestled deep in it's own little forest, and finally to Yoyogi Koen (park) to see the dancing rockabilly troupe and sundry fashion freaks who put themselves on display for photographers.

I think that he had a pretty good time considering that it was only one afternoon. We really packed a lot in.

Maybe the pictures will give you a sense of what we did that afternoon, or at least I hope they will.

Enjoy.

Comments?
14 comments so far


03.09.02

click to enlarge      
click to see larger version

click to see larger version

click to see larger version

Just got back in to Tokyo.

They wanted me to stay on in Osaka but I told them that I couldn't. Jack and Karen will be back in a couple of days -- Yay!

Very sleepy now, so off to bed.
Comments?
2 comments so far


03.07.02

click to enlarge      
click to see larger version

click to see larger version

click to see larger version

You know what? We totally missed Hunkbutta's one year birthday. It was on February 26th.

I was so busy here in Osaka that it totally slipped my mind. That's too bad because I had a few things planned for the occasion. Maybe when I get back to Tokyo I'll do a 'Favorite Photos From the First Year' gallery. Do you have any favorite Hunkabutta photos that you'd like to see in a best of Hunkabutta gallery? If you do, let us know about it in the comments.
Comments?
10 comments so far