Oceanshaft

Wow, was watching the news last night when Softbank made a bold move in the battle between the handphone companies.

Today marks the start of number portability for mobile phones in Japan. Up to now, it's been predicted that the change in market share for each of the 3 major companies (NTT DoCoMo, au, Softbank) will be minimal. Even so, all three have been gearing up to increase their slice of the pie. But Softbank's sudden press conference on the eve of the big day really made an impact. The head of the company came out in person to announce that Softbank users would pay no fee for local phone calls to other Softbank users. That's zero yen, and a very big factor in Japan, where calling fees are so high most people use emails as the main form of communication.

A bold move, and they managed to keep it under wraps till now. Now we know the real meaning behind all those 「予想外」 commercials. New versions were delivered to the television broadcasters just yesterday too, apparently.

Of course, conditions and limitations will apply to the zero yen discount, but the sudden announcement, made after DoCoMo and au had already held their press events, really had impact.

So I go down to Tenjin and contact the others beforehand, asking if anyone wants to go for a simple dinner, maybe Ichiran, since the newcomers haven't been there before. Lo and behold, some of them have homework, and it ends up being just the three oldtimers. We abandon the idea of Ichiran and go for teishoku instead. Then sojourn to a CD rental place and finish off at Seattle's Best Coffee, where, as it's approaching closing time, the sandwiches are going for 200 yen instead of their normal price. In Japan, everything closes early, so we end up standing in front of the station gates and talking till it's time for the last trains and buses. That's still rather early by our standards. Yeah, it was a good night out, though.

Friday - went to Dazaifu and Koumyouzenji. (The leaves were not yet red though. Might go again later, just like last year.) Friday night - welcome party for the new foreign students at Ijiri dormitory. Saturday afternoon - helping a friend move. Saturday night - welcome party for the new foreign students at Kashiihama dormitory. Was really tired by Sunday afternoon.

This week, will have to go down to Tenjin as my digital camera is acting up. Also a road trip somewhere, hopefully. Experiments start next week, have to get ready for that too. Softball game with my department on Saturday too.

Hey, Yahoo! mail just changed it's interface!

Today's a holiday, so it was a long weekend. Friday night, had 月見 with the other M2s since it was Mid-Autumn. No, first, in the afternoon I and the other M2s from my lab drove all the way to the other side of Fukuoka to eat Hiroshima style okonomiyaki at 8989 （ぱくぱく）. Then on the way back we bought the drinks and food for the party. Played a little bit of softball, then it was on to the party. The first round was outdoors, then we moved indoors. Good chance to meet up with everyone as usually everyone's in their labs.

Woke up on Saturday and went down to church to join them for the homeless feeding. More than a hundred (by my estimate) homeless people turned up this time. The weather's getting colder, so the menu was basically hot soup （豚汁） and rice. And bananas.

Sunday night, met up with Deru, Del, St., J, V and Y for karaoke. Went for the 4 hour pack at Shidax. Good to have some more karaoke kakis around now. Incidentally, this year we have 3 new S'porean exchange students, Y, V and E. At least I've managed to meet up with all 3 of them, especially since the other Sg guys are out of town right now. And I've introduced them to Deru, who has been kept busy satisfying their internet addiction from his room. Thanks, bro. Picture of 3 of the guys follows:

The last few days have been kind of exhausting. Well, exhausting is overstating it. It's a strange kind of light tiredness. Friday saw E and D's family leave Fukuoka. Woke up at 6 am to make my way down to the airport. On Saturday it was the turn of M and N's family. Didn't have to wake up at 6, but my day still started early. And continued with a full day at church for a cleanup. Sunday I went to church, then helped someone pass a television set to another someone, proceeded to meet a Singaporean exchange student who just arrived and then had dinner with some friends. And today went down to the airport again since C was going back to Thailand. Another Singaporean is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

None of the above is particularly tiring. As it is, it's nice to be busy with activities. Can't make out if I'm tired or slightly euphoric. Probably from a lack of sleep.

Well, I already know of two Singaporean exchange students coming here this semester. If there's anyone else, give me a shout.

My sentences are more disjointed then usual.