Well, its happened. A huge amazing milestone in the history of the human race. An event happened last night that has shaken the foundations of humanity to its core.
Yes.
Tony Hand bagged his 4,000th point!
An amazing feat!
After losing 3 to Sheffield twice, and the Giants, the Phoenix re-gathered, re-focused, and got back to business. Last weekend with a big win over Hull, and then going into Tony's home stomping ground and easing out the result against the Capitals. However, Tony was not able to scrape the points together to get through the magic 4,000 barrier. Leaving Edinburgh glued on 3,999.
The week ground by, and we go into a big weekend for the Phoenix. Playing teams under them in the league are must-wins. Getting points keeps them behind, and helps the Phoenix take steps up the table.
So. First up. An away trip to Hull.
Watching the updates, Hull bagged the first, with the Phoenix equalising. Left me thinking that Hull has learnt its lesson and decided to put up a fight this time! However, on the Phoneix' first goal, Hand had been awarded the second assist! Yay! 4,000! Personally, would have preferred it to have come on the back of Hand bagging an amazing goal, but somehow, getting it as an assist is kind of apt for Tony! Given the type of player he is.
Second period was quiet on the scoring front, but then in the third, all hell breaks loose! Phoenix run out 7-1 winners! With Beauregard getting the man of the match award after a 3+3 game. Guy is fast turning into a legend! We HAVE to keep him!
Good on Hull for a presentation of a bottle of bubbly to Tony after his point. And for keeping it low-key. Did not need any showy stuff. We all knew it was coming!
Well, a 7-1 win is pretty impressive. I know the Big 4 will sneer at it a little given it "was only Hull" However, as the Steelers found out collapsing to the Bison, those lower down the league should not be underestimated!
So, we roll on to the second game of the weekend against Cardiff, and a much sterner test!
Here's hoping Tony is able to add to his haul, and lead the Phoenix to another 2 points!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Land of the Rising Cellphone! Mk2
Found interesting reading on the BBC website recently, declaring that the UK leads the world in digital takeup. Even higher penetration than Japan! I must admit, I laughed. A lot. It is hard to see how. In Japan, there are literally NO analogue TV's for sale. Whenever people come to my apartment and see my thing, they laugh and inform me it should be in a museum. There are a lot of people still with analogue sets, but there is no rush to switch. Japan is not following Britain and rolling digital only broadcasts out piecemeal, they have opted for a "Big Bang" approach, when they will switch off the analogue network. Note. Switch off. The country allready recieves digital broadcasts, with analogue sets carrying a warning saying that the broadcast is analogue, and carrying a countdown clock! Come 2012, the whole country will lose analogue in one go! People will take up digital. No hurry. The country does not worry about figures about penetration, since it will be 100% by 2012. There is no choice.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Land of the Rising Cellphone!
Well, its about time to talk about technology! I got reminded about this when the BBC ran an article about cellphones in Japan! This is a country that loves modern technology. As soon as the latest thing hits the shelves, the Japanese goes nuts! My girlfriend bought her large, widescreen digital flatscreen tv about 3 years ago, and considers it old and dated! And, I can see why when Japanese tech stores are flooded with MASSIVE hi def digital tv's that are blu-ray capable.
With regards the cell phones here. Are they more advanced? Heck yes! The rest of the world is playing catch-up! Japan has had 3G phones for the better part of a decade, and Docomo is in the process of rolling out the next, next generation network. The Japanese dont go for the same branding as the rest of the planet. For example, 3G is not 3G, but FOMA. However, Japan has the highest takeup of any country in the world. Japan has a population of 127,000,000 and the number of people with FOMA phones is 104,000,000. NTT Docomo have been testing 4G capabilities, and have got speeds of 2.5gbps out of it, and have begun rolling the network out slowly across Japan. And they have begun promoting a couple of phones capable of using the 4G networks capabilities.
Are Japans phones lightyears ahead? Not any more. They are still many steps ahead, but not that far any more. Other companies and countries are catching up, building the technology into their phones. However, the technology is not as widespread, nor is it as 'complete' as it is in Japanese phones.
Just to show what I mean.
UK phones
With regards the cell phones here. Are they more advanced? Heck yes! The rest of the world is playing catch-up! Japan has had 3G phones for the better part of a decade, and Docomo is in the process of rolling out the next, next generation network. The Japanese dont go for the same branding as the rest of the planet. For example, 3G is not 3G, but FOMA. However, Japan has the highest takeup of any country in the world. Japan has a population of 127,000,000 and the number of people with FOMA phones is 104,000,000. NTT Docomo have been testing 4G capabilities, and have got speeds of 2.5gbps out of it, and have begun rolling the network out slowly across Japan. And they have begun promoting a couple of phones capable of using the 4G networks capabilities.
Are Japans phones lightyears ahead? Not any more. They are still many steps ahead, but not that far any more. Other companies and countries are catching up, building the technology into their phones. However, the technology is not as widespread, nor is it as 'complete' as it is in Japanese phones.
Just to show what I mean.
UK phones
- 5GB camera - 8GB
- video conferencing
- TV (new with Nokia)
- Internet at 3.6mbps
- GPS
- Radio
- voice recognition
- Face auto-focus
- Business card reader
- mp3
- Bluetooth/USB/wifi
Japanese phones
- 5GB is average. 8GB is trickling down. a few phones allready have 10!
- Duh!
- What phone does NOT have it!
- Internet at 5+mbps
- GPS
- Radio
- voice recognition for e-mailing and phonebook.
- Considering face recognition tech was invented in Japan...
- Business card/barcode reader
- mp3
- Bluetooth, wifi, and USB
Well, this is my phone. Fabulous in matt black. And a perfectly adequate gaming console too!
And the P906i also acts as a perfectly useable tv. Most popularly used on trains by commuters.
Also, common tech in Japanese phones.
- FeliCa. A secure cashless, cardless payment system.
- i-mode. An internet based data management system. Can use it to buy tickets ranging from the movies to airplanes!
- broad-band pc internet capabilities. Just twist the screen, and away you go!
- disaster alert. Part of every network is that there is a geographic alert system. If you are in a disaster zone, your company axes many of your phones functions leaving it with the bare essentials, freeing up network space for system wide alerts, emergency calls and e-mails.
Well, dont worry, the rest of you will get to enjoy all these things. In the future! If you are lucky! You may all go gooey over the iPhone, and Japan did too. For all of 2 months. Since then, the sales have slumped, and it is seen as just another fashion accessory. Also, Apple waited until they had the upgraded iPhone 3G before getting in to the Japanese market!
Steve Jobs took great delight in detailing what flash technology was included in the iPhone, and how it was revolutionary. The Japanese asked "Huh?"
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Solving the Credit Crunch, Japanese style!
And my second blog for today.
Kashiwazaki is not immune to current credit problems, however, in order to keep people spending money, the Japanese have a brilliantly simple answer! Take an established festival, and expand it! Today in Kashiwazaki we have a music festival, including the Sunset Riders
The Sunset Riders are, yes, a line dancing troupe! Across Japan there are various groups singing and dancing. And, because of the credit problems, Kashiwazaki decided to expand the festival to encourage shops to put stalls out and encourage a fun atmosphere. The music helps encourage people out, and then they get to go and spend money at the stalls selling food, clothes, alchohol, fish, and other stuff!
The Sunset Riders are, yes, a line dancing troupe! Across Japan there are various groups singing and dancing. And, because of the credit problems, Kashiwazaki decided to expand the festival to encourage shops to put stalls out and encourage a fun atmosphere. The music helps encourage people out, and then they get to go and spend money at the stalls selling food, clothes, alchohol, fish, and other stuff!
Including a bunch of people from the local department store busily beating heck out of a large barrel of rice! This becomes "Mochi" A sticky rice paste which the Japanese use either as a thickener, or in savoury snacks, or more popularly, as a non-flavoured base for an awesome array of sweets!
So, there you have it, if you want to encourage people to spend, lay on a festival!
Manchester Phoenix v Nottingham
Right. Couple of blogs for today!
Well, last night, the Phoenix rolled into Nottingham looking to pick up another 2 points, unfortunately, Nottingham where a lot more on the ball this time, and ran a much more physical game, with players being thrown out, and plexi-glass being shattered! Sounds like a fun game!
Nottingham, to their credit, fought hard, and pulled out a 5-4 victory. Heck, we ran them close! However, disappointingly, the Phoenix had managed to pull out a 2 goal lead in this game, only to let Nottingham bag 3 unanswered goals! This is something that has happened before, and as such, needs sorting out Tony! So, a little disappointing.
However, on the flipside, the very fact that we are able to feel disappointed with this outcome does mark a massive step forward in this team when compared with teams of yore. Last year, we would be reflecting on "what might have been" whereas this year, its more a case of "What should have been!" When you realise that, you do suddenly perk up a bit!
Well, last night, the Phoenix rolled into Nottingham looking to pick up another 2 points, unfortunately, Nottingham where a lot more on the ball this time, and ran a much more physical game, with players being thrown out, and plexi-glass being shattered! Sounds like a fun game!
Nottingham, to their credit, fought hard, and pulled out a 5-4 victory. Heck, we ran them close! However, disappointingly, the Phoenix had managed to pull out a 2 goal lead in this game, only to let Nottingham bag 3 unanswered goals! This is something that has happened before, and as such, needs sorting out Tony! So, a little disappointing.
However, on the flipside, the very fact that we are able to feel disappointed with this outcome does mark a massive step forward in this team when compared with teams of yore. Last year, we would be reflecting on "what might have been" whereas this year, its more a case of "What should have been!" When you realise that, you do suddenly perk up a bit!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Credit Crunch bites back!
Now, we have all seen the credit crunch send markets spiralling downwards, driving pension pots down and peoples investments portfolio! Some of the blame can be placed at the door of the hedge funds who just buy and sell shares. OR, more specifically, the short-selling of shares. Short selling is borrowing shares, selling them, and then buying them back when the price falls, giving them back, and pocketing the difference. So it is in their interest for stock markets to plummet.
This was their plan with VW this week. A company who's stocks where expected to sink as the car industry marks a decline. However, as the hedge funds began to borrow and sell shares, there cam a quick realisation. There was not enough shares to go around! Forcing the prices of VW to bounce up! 348%! Briefly making it the largest company in the world!
This massive jump has led to hedge funds totting up losses of £18,000,000,000!
Could not have happened to a nicer bunch of people...
This was their plan with VW this week. A company who's stocks where expected to sink as the car industry marks a decline. However, as the hedge funds began to borrow and sell shares, there cam a quick realisation. There was not enough shares to go around! Forcing the prices of VW to bounce up! 348%! Briefly making it the largest company in the world!
This massive jump has led to hedge funds totting up losses of £18,000,000,000!
Could not have happened to a nicer bunch of people...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Japan. The Myth. The Legend.
Well, thought I should do a bit of myth debunking of my own. Japan as a country is a long way from the west . It enjoys a level of living on a par with what we expect. TV's, cars, hot and cold water, etc...
However, the first step in understanding this baffling nation is that they arrived at the same level as the west, but down a completely different path! Once you have managed this 90 degree twist in your brain, then Japan starts to open up to you like a blossoming flower!
1) Japan is a tech driven society
True. They must have the latest thing! There is an inpermanence built into Japanese society. Which I think is in part brought about by a desire to catch up with the west. The west is seen as cool, and better than Japan in many regards. There is a certain amount of envy over the lifestyles we have, the freedoms we enjoy. The Japanese are still somewhat constrained by societal demands. Also, Japan is a land of earthquakes! Meaning your house is lucky to make it to 30 years without some kind of heavy damage! If a house is totalled, then of course, everything in it has to be replaced too! An example of this is my girlfriend, Yuko. She has a wide flatscreen hi def digital TV which she's had for 3 or 4 years. It works well, the picture quality is excellent, but because it is "old" she wants to junk it!
2) Technology is cheap!
False. Look at my answer above. The high demand for the latest thing keeps prices high. I have a Nintendo Wii. And its great! But people wonder if I am wierd because I ONLY have a Wii! People will have a Wii and PS3, or a couple of the hand-helds. This demand keeps prices up at the same levels the west pays. However, whilst the prices are not cheaper, you will buy THE latest, and best that is on offer.
3) Japan is safe.
True. It is quite safe. The murder rate is really low (I think its because the Japanese are too tired!), and all other levels of crime are lower. People will go to the convenience store and leave the engine running whilst they do their shopping. Of course, this does not mean Japan is a utopia, far from it, however, it feels safer. But it is adviseable to take standard precautions, especially in cities. One thing to note. Keep your bike locked... But dont panic, if it does go missing, there is a high chance it will make its way back to you!
4) Discipline.
True. Up to a point. Japanese society puts "society" first, and "individuality" second. This means you cant rock the boat. That does not mean everyone is perfect. Far from it. Kids can be bad. Good students pass entrance exams and get into good schools, and will go to good universities and get good jobs. However, if you do not pass those exams, you go into a lesser school, and the system (which is good at one end) begins to let them down. Japanese education is excellent at the top end, but it is very inflexible, so at the bottom, kids start to get left behind. These kids stand little chance of getting into the good universities, so their motivation drops through the floor. Like the west, there are good students, and bad students. However, there is a stark gap between the two!
5) They are all small
True. Or at least, it was. As Japanese society changes and moves closer to the west, they are introducing more wester nelements into the diet. Such as more dairy goods. A long time a go, diary was not that common. Now, it is. The Japanese average is shorter than the average westerner. However, given the healthy nature of the diet, they are much slimmer, and this helps create an image of a tiny people.
6) It is all futuristic
True/False. Depends on where you live. If you live in the city, then yes, it is. If you go to the country, then it is not. In the country, people hold on to the traditional way of live, roads dont get repaired that often. Thats because they suffer a lot of winter damage and earthquakes! In the city there are so many people, so the city managers have to adapt to cope with massive numbers of people. This means the introduction of technology to help speed things up!
7) Polite
OH so very true! Given "Society is first" people are polite to each other so as not to cause offence. This results in a lot of bowing and apologising. They will still help a dumb foriegner like me! Smiling and being polite, even if they are muttering under their breath about stupid foriegners! However, privacy is really important. Not a surprise in a country with such a high population density. This privacy means that some Japanese choose to almost ignore people they dont know. This is not rudeness, but that they are private and since they dont know you, they wont do anything to interefere. However, this does, in some people, lead to them doing stuff that we would consider 'rude.' There are some Japanese unfortunately, who dont like foriegners and will completely ignore us. They will try to push in in front of you in lines, etc. However, obvious signs of displeasure, outright glaring, or invading their personal space is usually enough to make them swiftly back down!
Well, I hope this helps! Japan is fast paced/slow, high/low tec, polite/rude, old/new country. And, like I said at the start, it arrived at a high, almost western style of living, down a completely different path. My best advice is to twist your brain 90 degrees. This will help you survive here!
However, the first step in understanding this baffling nation is that they arrived at the same level as the west, but down a completely different path! Once you have managed this 90 degree twist in your brain, then Japan starts to open up to you like a blossoming flower!
1) Japan is a tech driven society
True. They must have the latest thing! There is an inpermanence built into Japanese society. Which I think is in part brought about by a desire to catch up with the west. The west is seen as cool, and better than Japan in many regards. There is a certain amount of envy over the lifestyles we have, the freedoms we enjoy. The Japanese are still somewhat constrained by societal demands. Also, Japan is a land of earthquakes! Meaning your house is lucky to make it to 30 years without some kind of heavy damage! If a house is totalled, then of course, everything in it has to be replaced too! An example of this is my girlfriend, Yuko. She has a wide flatscreen hi def digital TV which she's had for 3 or 4 years. It works well, the picture quality is excellent, but because it is "old" she wants to junk it!
2) Technology is cheap!
False. Look at my answer above. The high demand for the latest thing keeps prices high. I have a Nintendo Wii. And its great! But people wonder if I am wierd because I ONLY have a Wii! People will have a Wii and PS3, or a couple of the hand-helds. This demand keeps prices up at the same levels the west pays. However, whilst the prices are not cheaper, you will buy THE latest, and best that is on offer.
3) Japan is safe.
True. It is quite safe. The murder rate is really low (I think its because the Japanese are too tired!), and all other levels of crime are lower. People will go to the convenience store and leave the engine running whilst they do their shopping. Of course, this does not mean Japan is a utopia, far from it, however, it feels safer. But it is adviseable to take standard precautions, especially in cities. One thing to note. Keep your bike locked... But dont panic, if it does go missing, there is a high chance it will make its way back to you!
4) Discipline.
True. Up to a point. Japanese society puts "society" first, and "individuality" second. This means you cant rock the boat. That does not mean everyone is perfect. Far from it. Kids can be bad. Good students pass entrance exams and get into good schools, and will go to good universities and get good jobs. However, if you do not pass those exams, you go into a lesser school, and the system (which is good at one end) begins to let them down. Japanese education is excellent at the top end, but it is very inflexible, so at the bottom, kids start to get left behind. These kids stand little chance of getting into the good universities, so their motivation drops through the floor. Like the west, there are good students, and bad students. However, there is a stark gap between the two!
5) They are all small
True. Or at least, it was. As Japanese society changes and moves closer to the west, they are introducing more wester nelements into the diet. Such as more dairy goods. A long time a go, diary was not that common. Now, it is. The Japanese average is shorter than the average westerner. However, given the healthy nature of the diet, they are much slimmer, and this helps create an image of a tiny people.
6) It is all futuristic
True/False. Depends on where you live. If you live in the city, then yes, it is. If you go to the country, then it is not. In the country, people hold on to the traditional way of live, roads dont get repaired that often. Thats because they suffer a lot of winter damage and earthquakes! In the city there are so many people, so the city managers have to adapt to cope with massive numbers of people. This means the introduction of technology to help speed things up!
7) Polite
OH so very true! Given "Society is first" people are polite to each other so as not to cause offence. This results in a lot of bowing and apologising. They will still help a dumb foriegner like me! Smiling and being polite, even if they are muttering under their breath about stupid foriegners! However, privacy is really important. Not a surprise in a country with such a high population density. This privacy means that some Japanese choose to almost ignore people they dont know. This is not rudeness, but that they are private and since they dont know you, they wont do anything to interefere. However, this does, in some people, lead to them doing stuff that we would consider 'rude.' There are some Japanese unfortunately, who dont like foriegners and will completely ignore us. They will try to push in in front of you in lines, etc. However, obvious signs of displeasure, outright glaring, or invading their personal space is usually enough to make them swiftly back down!
Well, I hope this helps! Japan is fast paced/slow, high/low tec, polite/rude, old/new country. And, like I said at the start, it arrived at a high, almost western style of living, down a completely different path. My best advice is to twist your brain 90 degrees. This will help you survive here!
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