Tokyo 2001 - 2004
Following on from Tokyo 1999 - 2001. 2001 August was when I joined Amazon but will leave the nitty gritty details for the "Working in a Corporate IT company: Amazon and Microsoft" article.
This is was the view from my office at Amazon on a warm autumn evening.
dannychoo.com back at the end of 2001 was looking like this. More about the evolution of the site in the History of dannychoo.com article.
In 2002 dannychoo.com took on yet another look n feel influenced by my time working for the scientific journal Nature.
Back to the end of 2001 where we were still living in our first apartment after arriving in Tokyo. I remember how some of our gaijin friends would giggle at how small our sofa was.
Many apartments in Japan have tatami mats - some like them and some don't because they give off a distinct smell. I personally like them and sleeping on them during a sunny warm Sunday afternoon is priceless.
Tatami do wear out quicker than carpets though. We don't have any tatami now but I will make sure that we have at least one tatami room in the next house that we build.
Are you a tatami yay or nay? Can you buy tatami in your region?
As our apartment was more of the traditional style which don't have beds. We slept on a futon which we stuck outside on the balcony when the sun was out and folded away in the cupboard during the day.
The wooden door frame holds traditional Japanese slides which one can remove - you can just about see them on the right of the photo. These are made of paper and folks with kids need to replace the paper covering very often ^^;
In 2001 we switched from NTT Docomo to AU - mainly for the ability to use our phones outside of Japan. At the time, hardly any Japanese phones could be used overseas.
The job at Amazon had me flying around quite often and this little bugger saved me life.
More pics of the old place.
Our first TV that served us well for many years. Still using VHS tapes at the time.
Some of my team members at Amazon. I made a point of taking them out for lunch every week and whenever we went we would do the group photo thing.
For those who are wondering, apart from Japanese nationals, I also hired Filipino, Taiwanese, Shanghainese, and Australians into my team who had web, program managerial, coding, marketing experience. Their Japanese level was fluent - would not have hired anybody who could not speak Japanese as they just wouldn't be able to function in the company properly.
At a shrine near our place in 2002.
In 2001, I started to become interested in 3D graphics. Put this together in a landscape generator called Terragen - and I now find out that they also have a Mac version too!
this is another example of what you can do with the package and there are more examples here. Extremely easy to use.
Another Terragen piece.
I chose 3D Max to learn how to build 3D stuff. This is my all time fave space vehicle - the Vic Viper. Do you dabble in 3D work?
Another one of my 3D Max renderings. Took me months to learn how to make the tunnel. Its basically a cylinder with a map attached to it and then many tweaks of lighting. Cant remember how to do it though orz.
Out for din dins with the management team at Amazon and some of the senior folks from Amazon HQ including Diego Piacentini (Senior VP International Retail), Greg Greeley (VP World Wide Media). Me in the blue shirt next with Diego next to me.
This pic sure brings back a load of memories.
Management team at Amazon Japan including Jasper Cheung (Country Manager) to my left and Lauren Kawasaki (VP Entertainment) above.
Harajuku back in 2002-ish. When in Tokyo as a visitor, I would come to Harajuku often to buy a ton of idol photos - especially of Nishida Hikaru in bikini. Hikaru-chan in bikini below.
Was either at the end of 2001 or beginning of 2002 where we moved to our second dwelling in Tokyo. We was now on the Inokashira line near Shimokitazawa in what the Japanese call a "mansion." A mansion is basically a block of apartments where the exterior is usually made of concrete.
The place we lived at before was called "aparto" which was short for "apartment" and is usually made of wood.
We chose a mansion because I wanted somewhere quiet - I thought it was going to be concrete between each dwelling. While the exterior was concrete - the walls were wood. Very thin wood where you could hear people next door sneezing.
Are dwellings like this in your region too?
Was a small cosy apartment but much nearer to work. I could get to the Amazon offices within 30 mins which is considered a very short commute for Tokyo.
5 Windows machines at the time ^^; Would not touch a Mac.
We lived in this apartment until we moved to Seattle in July 2004.
2002-ish at Mount Takao San.
I wasn't really a blogger at the time and didn't take many photos either - something that I regret. How often do you find yourself taking pics of stuff?
I think it was in 2002 when I started to grow my hair long.
Was into airguns at the time. Went looking for a Socom after playing MGS but it looks like everybody else who was playing MGS also went looking for one - they were sold out everywhere!
Ended up getting this P99 instead.
The device of the time - IDE drive cloner.
Was either end of 2002 or beginning 2003 when we got our Plasma. The retail price was about 800,000 yen at the time but paid about half price from a seller on Kakaku.com.
There was a time when then display would just cut out but a guy from Panasonic came to dust down something inside and it works fine now. Who said that Plasma's don't last long?
Didnt like carrying a load of adapters when on a business trip so this was how I chared batteries - USB charges the Gameboy and from the Gameboy charged other batteries.
2002/2003 was the first time I went skiing - and injured my ankle which had me limping for months ^^;
Went twice after and injured myself both times - my wife done her leg in too. Couldn't stop laughing when I looked at us both limping back to Tokyo ^^;
Looks like we wont be going again any time soon.
You is be skiing when the snow season arrives? I remember the folks in Seattle used to leave work at 3PM (!!) to go skiing.
2003. My office at Amazon Japan full O Star Wars stuff. Even though I lived in Japan for many years, I wasn't really into moe.
Akihabara in 2003-ish.
I think this was either summer 2003 or 2004 when I got my first Gundam - GFF GP01. Up until then I had zero interest in Gundam. Watched Stardust Memory and got hooked on Gundam - wanted more.
I was asked if I would to relocate to Seattle with Amazon to manage a software development team. I accepted as we thought that it was a step that we needed to take in our lives. Before relocating, I moved into a different office.
By summer 2004 my GFF collection had grown.
Thought it was cool at the time - a wireless vacuum cleaner. Battery only lasted for about 7 months.
And then it was time to pack up and move to Seattle. Our second international move.
Amazon shipped all our belongings to Seattle. We had two shipments - a few hundred kilos for important stuff (like Plasma ^^;) and the rest by boat.
We came to Japan with only the blue n red suitcases and ended up with a load of junk after ^^;
The thing is that we are quite good about getting rid of useless stuff. Most of the boxes contain daily life stuff like hygiene, toiletries, clothes, books etc.
After all the boxes were taken away, we handed back the keys and said goodbye to our place that was our home for a few years. We were now literally homeless with no permanent address.
Before leaving for Seattle, Amazon put us in a hotel overlooking Shibuya - took this on the night before we left. This wallpaper (also available in the wallpaper pool) was my desktop image for my duration in Seattle - I missed Japan a lot.
Have you bee through an international relocation with either your work or family? What was the experience like? Did you have a culture shock on the other end?
Will talk about our experience in depth in the next article.
Some more pics that we took just before we left.
The decision to leave Japan for Seattle was a tough one but felt that it was something that we had to try out in our lifetime.
After living in Seattle for 5 months, I completed the project that I was working on and after many months of thinking about it, I requested to be transferred back to Japan. The plan to have us permanently in the US didn't go accordingly - I missed Japan too much.
in July 2004 we arrived in our new home - Seattle. We stayed in one of the tall buildings you see bunched in the middle of the photo overlooking the harbor.
Next I will talk about my time in the US with Amazon.
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
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student , otaku and awesome blogger
http://otakudan.com
i don't like carpet or tatami mats but hard wood floors are great, in my opinion.
Head Lackey and Scape Goat
I suspect that the mats would be better for the winter, though, as wood doesn't retain heat very well. I recall needing to wear shoes when visiting my grandparents house because their wood floors were horribly chilly in the winter.
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Wow, very neat apartment for your first arrival in Japan, pretty much organized, love how you decorate your space ^_^
I can spot a Fujitsu, HP, DELL & Toshiba Tecra laptop, isn't it?
Reading this chronicle does make me feel & enjoy the flow of DC.com deeper & better ^o^
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
You got all the machines correct apart for the Toshiba ^^;
Lover of Akiba!
http://vincentosshrine.com/
Wow Danny, I don't like domestical moves, and you're asking if I like international move??? OMG! Please, thank you very much! Come another day lol
Don't know Seattle, but I think anywhere of Japan is the better place to live (I lived in Asuncion - Paraguay, Chihuahua - Mexico, Hamamatsu, Minokamo and Ushiku - Japan)
Student
http://yellowguy89.blogspot.com/
well I guess moving from south korea to the u.s would be considered an international move but thats when I was super young so I dont really remember anything of reference to a big culture shock or change. The picture of the bathroom is cool, I dont know why, it just is.
http://akari-nyan.deviantart.com/
Don't like moving a lot...Nice Gameboy charging idea..>w<''
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
Didn't know that stuff like that works ^^; I mean since different batteries have different voltage ratings on so on.
College Student
http://www.figure.fm/home/NGEunit01
I spot my old HP nc6000 laptop! It might have less power than todays laptops but i like it's design. I moved from the Philippines to the US back in 2003. I thought Anime died on me at that time since i couldn't find anyone with any Anime related hobbies and i don't have internet at that time also... ^^;
http://thetruemelody.wordpress.com/
I like tatami mats, personally. Though I dunno where you can get them where I live... =/
And we just switched from carpet to bamboo relatively recently, so I don't think we're going to be switching again for a while.
And thats a bunch of laptops. (yeah, I don't know computers at all. whatever. :D)
IT-Architect, SysAdmin, WebDesign and Coding, Virtualization (VMware + NetApp)
http://www.milkdrop.de/
Hmmm interesting once again... though with my future plans i really ponder how international moving works. I did move a lot across germany... rent a truck and get stuff going - no problem... but... international? Uhm... no clue how to get my things from A to B actually. ^^;
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Ever visit, I'll take you to a firing range to fire real guns sometime. You'll love it. Winter time we can try snowboarding instead of skiing, so you can injure both legs instead of one. ^^;
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
"Never again."
Name that quoter.
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Err... You got me. Mrs. Choo? ^^;
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Arnold in Commando ^^
Full-time student へへ
http://www.kenleewrites.com
i hear having wheels on tatami tends to wear them out faster - the tatami i mean.
just wondering, was your star wars and gundam collection part of the few hundred kilos of important stuff? ^^
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
In the first shipment we sent the plasma, figures and some clothes. Looking back, I would have taken the daily toiletries instead ^^;
Student, part-time slave
http://yakuri.wordpress.com/
I haven't tried tatamis yet, but given my partiality towards anything asian I will most likely love them.
I like how you took everyone for food regularly, it's a great way of knowing your co-workers and taking group photos is very nice too, you can have a good memory of each stage of your work life.
I hope I can have a rich work-life like yours, since I'm not very sociable to begin with ^^U
SUPER OTAKU, manga-ka, Illustrator, Domon Kasshu fanboy, Konata's male half, Megas XLR fanboy
I'm not social either Yaku-oujo-sama
student
http://sector6slumjunkshop.blogspot.com/
i've been studying in different countries for my primary, secondary, and tertiary education but Thailand is always my home and where my family is:)
Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
http://koiaichaku.com/
The evolution of Danny Choo continues!!!
So you've been into blogging for 7 years...
Most people would have stopped in like 3 years or so...
I do love those graphic art you had on your old site!!!
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
this is the first time i see danny in another colour other than black. ^^;
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
LOL, u notice that too, the only 1 in Blue color collar shirt ^o^
The Sword of Magus
http://daichouginga.blogspot.com/
LOL, true enough. ^^
Student & Authorized Chicken Slapper
http://www.otakuinternational.com
I find your way of charging batteries to be quite clever, never thought of doing something like that. Just curious Danny during the posting of this articles time period, how was Akihabara? Is it like what it is today being an Otaku holy grounds? Just curious because ur last post indicated Akihabara during that time frame wasnt like what it is now.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Akihabara back then was more of a place to get PC parts and the like. There were no maids or cosplayers at the time.
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
Does it still have a lot of PC/electronics stuff now? Or more to otaku stuff/maids etc.?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
More of the PC /electronics I would say but still a load of moe.
Lover of Akiba!
http://vincentosshrine.com/
yeah, everywhere you moves, can see moe... and maids, or some guy doing female cosplays (ouch my eyes!)
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/
When I was in Akihabara in 2003, I went purely because it was the famed "Electric Town" and I wanted to buy a new Japanese electronic dictionary. There were no Gamers, Animates, certainly no maid cafes ^^
Remember being annoyed in mid 2004 when I kept reading about the new "wave" of maid cafes and other otaku-related shops suddenly opening in Akihabara, since I had just been there recently and barely missed the beginnings of Akihabara's shift.
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
another nostalgia bomb
have you used Bryce3D before?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Tried many and probably did try it for a while.
Also tried Lightwave and Maya too but found Max the easiest to use.
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
U talked about regretting not taking more pix, it is the same with myself, but at the time when I wanted to record everything in pix I only had an automatic film camera lol it was a gift from my parents for doing well in my studies at the time I think ^^ When I got my first digital camera (with quite a bit of my work savings) I took so many pix that the camera finally expired after about a couple years :P
Student
http://solarburn.blogspot.com
why they dun sell air guns in singapore.... damm.......
College Student
born in japan and lived on the navy base there for 8 years. moved to seattle for a while. then here in san diego, ca. been missing japan ever since i left and visited once for vacation with my friends. its my dream to go live where i was born. yokosuka, japan!
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/
Man I would kill to live in another country, especially now with our economy in the toilet and all. :P
Can't wait to read about your time in Seattle, it's a pretty tame city though. Wouldn't mind living there myself... though I would miss California... unless I lived in another country. ^_^
???Confused???
Didn't think much about pictures in the past...now that I'm older views tend to change...good times...
Online Shop
http://wildarms.egloos.com
I don't mind tatami but old tatamis have such a distinctive smell that makes me feel weird sometimes.
My family made an international move from Korea to US almost 20 years ago. I was only like 12 years old at the time so it was more exciting than scary. I did not speak English fluently but I eventually did so did not face too much problems. My recent domestic move was much difficult with all my collections rather -_-
http://www.marvinryan.com
I remember my father had Japanese tenant once, he had all the flooring changed to tatami mats. he always keep the place so clean that my dad said one could eat food off the floor. ^^;
love that CGI ship of yours, especially with the image of it parked on top of a building. ^^ great idea with the series battery charging. ^^
All round good guy and musician
I think everyone here would like to give Mrs. Choo a very big round of applause for her supporting you so well throughout your career. I hope, Danny, that you appreciate your good lady's input into your being able to share with us the rich life you have led so far.
May those who have smiled upon you both continue to do so.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
We make decisions together ;-)
I was going to ask, when you say "we" do you always mean yourself and Mrs Choo, or did you stay with friends/roommates? Sorry if this sounds really nosy it's just all the photos are of you and your colleagues.
Custom Pc Builder, Muppet, Pyromaniac, Demolitions Expert, Guitar Slinger,
http://myspace.com/dyingoblivion
I have never moved house in my life - It woulda been nice when i was a little younger - going to a nicer place to start over again :) otherwise is my turn to find my own place n reach for the stars
流浪人
I've only been through six international moves, so far. May do number seven in April.
Funny that you were in Seattle. I might've passed by you back then, and never have realized it (I head back there once a year to visit friends and family). ^^
流浪人
Oh, and while the Vic Viper is cool, the R-9A still beats it...^^
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
R-9A - is that the RType?
流浪人
Yup...^^
It's the Arrowhead (from the original R-Type). I loved the Vic Viper for it's slick design (and Gradius III was just tons of fun), but the R-9A has always been my favorite game fighter.
The Silver Hawks from Darius were pretty neat, too...^^
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
I dont like how you loose ALL weapons when hit before a boss - the reason why I didnt like R-Type ^^;
Hang on...Thats the same with Nemesis ^^;
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
But I like that ball thing that you can attach to the back n front of the R-9A
流浪人
The Force mod is cool...^^
And R-Type was always a hard game, but that was part of the fun, too...^^;
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
My All time fave shooter is Axelay for SNES. When you got hit you would loose the weapon you was using at the time meaning that you still had another two to battle on with.
流浪人
I remember playing Axelay at my aunt's house in Sapporo...I kept getting killed in that game... T.T
*LOL*
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
Wow.... still can't believe how different the site was before now.... I've moved :counts: 5 times I think... have always lived in Norfolk. Parents don't come from Norfolk though lol.
IT engineer
http://secretzone81.wordpress.com/
Reading this article sure make one bring up old memories.
By time i decide to go back to Singapore, I think I will too cherish the memories I have here ^^;
oh.. that GBA battery charging is idea!
Electrical Engineer
i am moving to tokyo for work this coming Sunday, my work has only given me a shitty budget for my relocation costs so it's giving me a big headache deciding on what to pack >_<
when i was looking for an apartment, i was actually trying to find an apartment with tatamis hehe.. but then my friends have all started to tease me about being like Hideki (Chobits) and living in one of those types of apartments haha.. ended up going with a newly constructed apartment instead heh
SUPER OTAKU, manga-ka, Illustrator, Domon Kasshu fanboy, Konata's male half, Megas XLR fanboy
We need persocoms!!
Multimedia Technology Student
http://thehappyninjadrawn.wordpress.com
In 2000 my dad got a job over in Saudi Arabia, so my whole family relocated over there. It was a major culture shock when we got over there. It wasn't like anything that I had imagined, it was a good experience being over there.
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
I like tatami mats... but they are just too expensive here in Brazil.
Imported stuff, shipping, taxes. It's almost like paying to have a gold plated floor.
Nice pics and article Danny!
pervert
so did you spend more time looking out the window admiring the scenery or working
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Looking out the window while pretending to work.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
And working while pretending to look out the window.
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
Me and my family only moved once and it was only within the city. I was little back then so I can't really remember how I felt at that time. I might move permanently to the country where I will work x_x
I can't believe you weren't into moe back then. It came as a shock to me when I read it here XD
Navy Recruit
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=519499924&ref=profile
haven't made international move (yet,but soon though) only moved domestic, to indiana and Miami,Florida. out here some apartments have wooden walls but mainly thick drywall. not familiar with tatami mats either. never really started taking pics until 1-2 years ago since I am leaving I need memories. wow how dannychoo.com has evolved great job on that danny. I applaud you on another great story danny.
Dyslexic Social Studies student, struggling gundam modeler and gamer
Nice to know more about you Danny! You really did go through a lot!
We also have something similar to the tatami which we call "banig", it also has similarities with the tatami and I can bet that they have almost the same smell. Also materials can also vary depending on what region they are made form..I always used to have my afternoon naps with my favorite mat when I was still a kid, aah good times...
Graphic Designer / Multi-class-worker-character
International move! yay!
It's just a dream to me, to move to tokyo in a travel trip, and so, if there is a chance, stay there for some time.
To reach that objetive, I'm studing and working in Pub. & Marketing and Japanese as well =P Hope that helps me in my dream ^^;
Graphic Designer / Multi-class-worker-character
*studing jap as well*
Web Designer & Game Developer
http://www.naffworld.co.uk/blog/
Seriously cool 3D work Danny, modelling detail and texturing way beyond anything i've ever managed and my degree was in 3D Computer Animation & Special Effects!
These days I've been using the old 3d skills to model how my house will look when finished to try and inspire myself, it's not working.
http://www.naffworld.co.uk/blog/?cat=11 <- few bits there, cinemas gonna be amazing I hope :D
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Nice! Did you take that pic in your header?
Web Designer & Game Developer
http://www.naffworld.co.uk/blog/
Certainly did! It was taken during my trip to Tokyo last October, back again in a few weeks - can't wait! The pic itself is actually a really tall portrait shot but it has so much going on that it crops into a nice header. Think it's a sidestreet somewhere in Shinjuku near Donki Kingdom!
http://www.naffworld.co.uk/IMG_3239.jpg <- Full pic in case you're interested :)
Editor
http://cavalock.blogspot.com/
thanks for the great insight into yr working history. Luv the Star Wars office! ^;^
Your (un)usual student
I like tatamis!!!!But i guess my parents don't *sigh*...I wish parents are not in the way,and that way,i'll be a true Otaku!!!but i think i'll pass when it comes to moe....just animes and figures
Not defined by my occupation
I helped my wife move from Japan to the US. Does that count? I tell ya, it was much easier to move her than it would to move me! I've got way too much stuff (mostly toys/models/tools).
Treasure Hunter
http://dayjobnuker.com
I'm looking forward to your Seattle days. I have spent most of my life in two places: Tokyo and Seattle and I miss Tokyo like you wouldn't believe.
former Emperor of Britannia
http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/
tatami is more for me. Carpets stink on certain occasion and i really dont like that kind of smell. Nice article. A blast from the past is definitely an interesting read.
Otari Vader, Sith Lord for Hire, will fillet Makoto Itou for free
http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/
Haven't been through an international move but I had to stay in an apartment for a little over a year while our house being rebuilt after a fire.
NEET
http://austrianotaku.com/
I don't know if I would be able to buy tatami mats here, but they wouldn't really be fitting anyway^^
Dwellings with only wood walls? No, I don't think theres somthing like that here.
Although skiing is like a national sport here in Austria, I haven't been skking since years.
An international move? Moving to Japan would be a dream, but without beeing able to speak Japanese and beeing able to work as ???it isn't somthing that seems very realistic for me atm.
International Student
International move? yup, many times, from holland to england then to Hong kong then to malaysia now in Beijing. but i want to live in japan in the future... so in UNI i will learn japanese... do u think i wud be able to speak fluently after uni?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Its never too late but starting out younger will be beneficial.
Hospital supply manager and Gundam pilot in training
Wow!! Amazing post desu!! I never moved really far from where I live. I hope I'll have the chance to experience it once in my lifetime. (to move to Japan of course!!) Man , Danny-san, I just ovethose Shibuya pics!! Thank you very much Danny for sharing these memories with us!! Arigatou gozaimashita!!
Hospital supply manager and Gundam pilot in training
Sorry for double post ** love those Shibuya pics**
Student
http://yny-u.com
You have been at this a while.. It is interesting to see older versions of the site.
College Student
http://nategreene.wordpress.com/
Makes me wonder, some times when your in a region speaking another language different then your own you tend to forget things in your native tongue. Did you forget some Japanese while in Seattle? Or catch yourself speaking in Japanese accidently?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Yes - my Japanese started to sound very odd indeed ^^;
But being in Tokyo, I find that I forget English words. I know the Japanese term but cant remember the English term. My English accent also sounds odd now ^^;
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Yayami mats are a yay for me, I like the smell and I agree that sleeping on one is the best feeling ever!
Mmm... Hikaru in bikini... Are there any recent pictures of her or has she retired?
I haven't been through an international move before... Still a long time before that happens LOL
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
LOL WTH are yayami mats?!
I meant tatami...
Student
http://paradise.honest-lies.com
International moves suck in so many ways. Especially at a young age. Was moved to the UK at age 7 and often it feels like I don't belong to either culture. Also miss family, never had the chance to have childhood friends, miss certain foods....it's difficult. Can't wait to get out of the UK though (to Japan) and restart somewhere new as an adult : ) I think when it comes to international moves it's better to make them when kids are uber young or even better as an adult who can make the decision themselves. International moves do have their benefits of course : )
Also- Very interesting posts these!! Looking forward to the time in the US one : )
University's Slave
All my moves have been between the same two states. XD Kind of weird, but that's the way it panned out.
I've never encountered tatami in person, so I can't say whether I like it or not, but the durability sounds like the thing that would really vex me.
Informatics(ComSci-ish) student/self-taught graphic designer and illustrator
http://picchar.cerestia.net
Moved to Canada a couple of years ago. So far so good ^_^
I want to try and live in Japan for a while though.
Kendo Kid / 大学生
http://makocat.deviantart.com
Since my love is for Japan and Games I took notice of the above and about photos and your ship in 3DMax. I'm going try to make that ship in Spore now. ^-^
Pokemon master
http://thecococafe.wordpress.com/
Always nice to see more of "Danny's past" articles.
The "both limping back to Tokyo" was oddly cute. xD
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
http://gndynames.wordpress.com
I moved to Canada eight years ago (Which is, relatively speaking, a long time, since I only turned 18 this year). I've not been out of North America in all these eight years and am a bit reluctant to visit China (though I wouldn't mind Japan for obvious reasons). My English and Chinese are both quite good, although I try to speak in Chinese more because I don't want to forget it (which is sort of why I'm doing F/HA translations by myself). It's weird though, people who hear my English thinks I was born here, and people who hear my Chinese thinks I just moved here.
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
http://gndynames.wordpress.com
Danny you really worked for Nature? I can't recall how many times I cited their articles for my high school papers. Awesome!
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Sure did.
student
http://www.gunpla-inochi.com
All that relocating and moving around... Even though it is spread over a long period of time, it still sound exhaustive to move so many times ^^;.
I know that distinct smell from tatami mats and I love it! it's that "country" sorta smell and I think it's cozy to sleep in. Houses are similar to what you described in Japan although I think we have a bit more insulation with the wooden walls.
Danny, I really wonder... if you've chosen to stay in Seattle, how would that affect DC.com's future? How much different would this site be? Seattle Dancing Trooper perhaps? It's an interesting scenario to ponder about ^^
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
I only really started to blog when I got back here.
The blog functionality went up just before I left Seattle and was blogging about gadgets and Gundam.
At the moment I cant imagine living in any other country right now ^^;
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/
i am sure i said thie before, but i have never been overseas my entire life. :(
my family has always been a thrifty one and going on a trip was deemed as a frivolous luxury we could not afford. We are a tad bit affluent now, but we have yet to find the time to venture beyond this country hurhur.
posts like this are some reason why i deemed a camera absolutely necessary. Ya can't go on life without reminiscing the past, albeit there's certainly more room for improvement in my photography skills...
on a side note, i think i am yearning for a long haircut... looks kinda cool in a black suit...
IT, Programmer, Otaku, ...
http://blog.jpopdb.org/
You had a great view at Yoyogi park and Shinjuku from your office at Amazon!
And in that hotel in Shibuya too.
I like tatami mats and japanese doors very much myself, and would love to have them in my house later.
I would miss Japan too if I worked so hard to finally get there and then to be transferred permanently to another country...
Student
Interesting read, thanks as always:)
Student
Hmm nice article once again but I have something I have to ask. Am I the only one who is slightly annoyed that the text that comments/describes a certain picture comes before the picture in question and not after? It really isnt a big issue or anything but I find it slightly annoying since on 99,5% of web pages I read it's the other way around, pic first and text under it. It always takes me few minutes to adjust to read-dannychoo.com -mode to really follow what's going on :)
After thinking it for a while it might make sense to have the picture before the text as one would think that pictures are more interesting and at least pics attract our attention first. So now when Im first attracted to the picture and look it through I have to look higher again to read the text while I could continue reading down for the text that belongs to the pic, think it would make reading a bit more enjoyable and I think that's why majority of sites also have text and pictures in that order.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
You are the second person thats mentioned that out of thousands ;-)
But I will look into changing the design.
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
i too prefer to see the pic first then read the text. but that's not a major issue, i got used to it. ^^;
Artist
Really interesting article Danny, keep them coming.
Personally I've never lived outside the UK, but I've been to Japan many times (I was last there about a month and a half ago) and I always miss it a lot. I'd love to move there, but getting a job there with only passable Japanese skills like mine seems like mission impossible. I shall keep studying.
http://hi5lo5.blogspot.com/
Great pics as always. Thanks for the link to Terragen. It looks like I've got a new app to fiddle with over the next while. =D
Popular Culture Vulture
Never stayed long in another country - longest times are on biz trips - 3 weeks max. If ever possible, I would prefer to travel to as many places as possible to experience as many cultures as possible.
The Sword of Magus
http://daichouginga.blogspot.com/
Nice article as always. Looking back at the past is always interesting in my opinion. Just done my first international move lately, and it's kinda hard to leave my home country and my past. Even after a year, homesickness still pangs my heart. I'm amazed at the courage you and Mrs. Choo have to make many movements around the world. But in the end, you came back to Japan, because Japan is not complete without Danny Choo. ^^
SUPER OTAKU, manga-ka, Illustrator, Domon Kasshu fanboy, Konata's male half, Megas XLR fanboy
Hell YEAH, Without Danny we wouldn't have this kickass site, and our lives would be miserable!!
Graphic Design student | Receptionist | Otaku
http://sukidesho.blogspot.com/
It's always nice to read of your achievements and take in your advice ^^
To blog for more than 3 years, constanly updating your skills and adapting to life in another country, you really are an inspiration to us all, Danny.
.NET/Web Developer
http://scrumptious.animeblogger.net
I love reading life stories of other people. Especially when it involved travel. ^^ Reading yours make me see myself doing the same thing in the near future.
Must be nice to make an international move. The only move I've ever made was a domestic one. heheh!
Ronin - Looking for #1
http://unit-1978.deviantart.com/
Wow, that was a great write up Danny. Very interesting, I look foward to reading more when you post about living in the U.S. and working with Amazon...By the way keep throwing in some Gundams...Zeon prefereably :)
houkouonchi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/red_mango/
I have not done any international moves but my parents have. As for me I did cross continental moves, my father was in the Coast Guard. We moved From New Jersey to Hawaii then to Virginia, then to Alaska then to New York then finally to Florida. All these moves occurred before my 14th birthday.
Game Designer
http://www.myspace.com/moose_house
I do 3D stuff all the time, but I can't afford any good software so I'm stuck with blender which is very difficult to use.
Cook, avid manga reader, avid video game player
http://blogbygene.blogspot.com/
holy man enoff comments. iv never been through an international move yet, i probly will though next summer assuming i dont finance a car before then. Umm the move would be 2 liverpool england with my brother (not really my brother, hes practically family though).actually that would be my 3 move aswell which should be kool.
US Navy Sailor
http://punynari.wordpress.com/
Do to my occupation, I travel quite a bit and will no doubt make 1 or 2 international moves before my time here is up. Though, the only things I have are my uniforms, a very small amount of civie clothes, laptop, ds, and a camara. There not alot of room on a warship for xboxes and tvs naturally.
Lowlife
http://www.mistakesofyouth.com
I'm considering doing the English Teacher In Japan thing after college, and one thing I'm concerned about is the transportation of my figures. Any Hot Tipz for movin' stuff like that overseas?
Student
Wow Danny, what you did was awesome. I would love to live in work in Japan! Maybe one day I'll have that chance.
Graphic Designer
its a dream of mine to go live and work in japan :( i soo wish i could T_T im originally from Colombia (South America)and thanks from family things i had to move to the US Florida and i had to leave so many things behind. at first sucked so much but now it doesn't sucks but my goal is to move to japan Some day!
Looking for Work
I wish I really could move to Japan. Everytime I look at the photos here on DC.com I sigh and think "Maybe some day.."
Also makes me wish I had taken more of an interest in the previous skills taught to me in college. I really should pursue my web design hobby more..
I really enjoy reading about your life and looking at all the cool pics ^_^
Restaurant and foodindustry student
WOW., danny your space been changhed so much... nowdays you have so much computer and other stuff... but i heard that you moved in other basement... The startrooper thing and other things you doing helped you to live better life than few years ago... am i right??