Craig “hachiroku” Mercer – Page 10 – The Mercer Family Adventures

Dec 23 2004

Emperor Akihito’s Birthday

Today (Dec.23) is Emperor Akihito's Birthday! So it is a day off for everyone in the Ogino household. I think we might hit the driving range (next door) and get some exercise today.

It's kinda weird having a holiday so close to Christmas, when Christmas isn't a holiday (at least it is on Saturday this year so most of the family has the day off).

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • News •

Dec 23 2004

Reflection on shopping in Osaka

Osaka I have been shopping a few times with Kana since we got to Japan and there are a few things which I find are quite interesting.

First thing you notice when you go to the shopping centre is the Parkade Traffic/Security guys (which I like to call Traffic Cops even though they are not cops). They are very courteous, bow and point using an orange baton which way you should be going. It is kind of nice seeing 4 or 5 people employed to help people park. But then again like Kana says, who aspires to be a parking cop!!?!

Next thing you will notice in the shopping mall is the noise level. They are Christmas tunes playing over the loud speakers, and there are little ghetto blasters on a shelf in the meat department screaming out something barely intelligible, and all of the TVs are blaring out commercials for the stores you are in. I thought shopping in North America was boisterous, but we got nothing on the Japanese. Shopping in Japan is truly an amazing experience.Read more…

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • Osaka (大阪) •

Dec 20 2004

December 6 by Martin Cruz Smith

December 6 Harry Niles is a man on a mission, to get the last plane out of Japan before all hell breaks loose (aka the Pacific War begun with the sneak attack on Pearl Harbour).

The setting is Tokyo, December 6th, the eve of the attack on Pearl Harbour. Harry, having been born to Baptist Missionaries and grown up in Japan is at odds. On the one hand he speaks, eats and lives Japanese. He has a Japanese girlfriend and owns a little bar known as the “Happy Paris”. On the other hand thoughRead more…

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • Books on Japan •

Dec 16 2004

Starbucks in Japan…hmm hmm, Good!

Kana and I travelled down into Osaka to got to the Immigration Bureau to see about my Visa stuff and afterwards we went shopping in a mall nearby where we found a Starbucks.

Starbucks in Japan is, well, Japanese. They greet you at the door and hand you a menu while you wait in line. They bow and thank you for your business when you leave. It is a very nice experience all around.

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • News •

Dec 13 2004

Mercer Adventures page added

Hey All! I added a new Mercer Adventures video page today (retired in 2012 as they’ve been incorporated into the blog). Kana and I have been taking pics with our digital and the odd snipit of video. I think they are a cool way to show a little of our life here in Osaka. Enjoy.

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • News •

Dec 12 2004

The Mercers Website goes live

Web After taking a full week to recover from the 17 hour time change, it's time to launch the website. Some things are still under construction and some will be updated regularly. Don't Miss It.

I am also planning on starting a little regular news item on here called "Reflections" which will be my little contribution in trying to reflect Japan (and in particular Osaka) through my eyes.

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • News •

Dec 7 2004

First Day in Osaka

Hello All!

Just a quick note from Kana and I to let you know we made it to Osaka safe and sound. We are both totally wasted with the 17 hour time difference and all, so when we get a little more with it we will send a little more detailed email.

Sorry for taking so long but we had to go into downtown Osaka today to a place called Nipponbashi in order to buy a computer case (I brought all the guts with me) and a flat panel monitor ('cause apparently the regular CRT monitors we have in North America are sooooo obsolete)!

Anyways I am including a couple of photos I took this morning, one from the side of the Ogino house where you can see the driving range nets in the background and one from the back patio showing a cool looking palm tree.

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • Osaka (大阪) •

Dec 6 2004

While on the way to Osaka…

This is for all the Scotch drinkers out there. While en route to Osaka, Kana and I dropped by the the duty free in the Vancouver airport to pick up some Scotch. To my utter surprise I saw a triple pack containing Dalmore, Lagavulin and (drum roll please) Isle of Jura.

This was the first time I have ever seen Isle of Jura in Canada, and I hoping it won't be the last. I will let you know what the taste is like when I finally crack the bottle.

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • Osaka (大阪) • • Tags: Single Malt

Nov 25 2004

Last day at Vigil Health Solutions Inc.

Vigil Health Solutions logo
Well, well well. Vigil Health Solutions (www.vigil.com) has been my employer for the past year. Today I said “Sayonara” to my Vigilante Compatriots! I know you will all miss the Timbits, but I am sure Edgar & Brett will keep you hooked up! Good luck to you all and thank you for the card and the Tim Horton’s Coffee. BTW Jacquie, my last name is Mercer not Horton! LOL

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • News •

Nov 15 2004

Moving to Osaka

Osaka
Kana and I will be moving to Osaka (Kishiwada City to be exact) on December 6th. If you haven't already, please sign up and join us in the forums.

By Craig "hachiroku" Mercer • Osaka (大阪) •

Sep 6 2004

Scotch Fest 2004

2004 Scotch Fest — 3rd Annual Scotch Fest Poster (2004)

Auk wee I, Once again tiss time
to rattle the claymores and fill the Quaich.
Then let the flowing Quaich go round
and boldly let the pibroch sound
Till every glen and rock resound.

All wee clansmen and women are welcome
to the Third Annual Scotch Fest 2004.
So bring your See ya Jimmys

7:00 PM AT 3045 ALBANY Sept 25th 2004
Hope to see ya all then.cheers Kirk