Iron factory field trip

I went to an iron factory in Soga, Chiba. That was a social studies field trip.

When I went to Soga for other purpose, I saw the iron factory, which was located further away from a long straight load. I decided to go to the factory soon after I saw it. I found the web page of the iron factory, and they had excursion tours.

I saw a process of hot rolling. The huge machines stretch heated iron block. The initial thickness was 30cm and the temperature was 1100 degree. It finally became less than 1mm and was cold down to 500 degree. Yes, it was still hot. The block shape was transformed to a roll like a toilet roll.

I was very excited!

(17:35 - 17:45)

Digital Camera

I'm thinking to buy a new digital camera, although I don't have any urgent reasons.

I considered to buy a single-lens reflex camera because many my friends had it and they told me that I could take fabulous pictures compared to compact cameras. However I would buy a compact camera. I am not sure whether I want to carry around a single-lens reflex camera.

(8:56 - 9:03)

Hikone trip

I had a three days vacation last week from Wednesday. I went to Hikone (not Hakone) Siga with my wife. Siga is famous as Biwako lake. I rented a car at Maibara, shinkansen station. It was my first drive in Japan for three years. I sometimes drive a car when I go to U.S. for business, but I did not want to drive a car in Japan.

It was fun to drive in mountains around Biwako.

(17:52 - 8:10)

USB sub monitor

I ordered a USB sub monitor for my office. A USB sub monitor is a PC peripheral. You can add an extra monitor to your PC, even though that PC does not have a secondary outlet to a monitor. A USB port is used instead. My ordered USB sub monitor does even not require a power socket. USB port also supplies the power.

It will arrive today. I am looking forward to using it.

(8:55 - 9:05)

Ski trip

I went to Naeba, Niigata with my coworkers as a ski trip. The last time I skied was 4 years ago. There was not a ski trip last year. Two year ago, we went to USJ for some reasons. Three years ago, we skied except me. I just preferred enjoying a hot spring.

I tried a short ski in addition to the normal ski. For short ski, you use shorter ski boards and no poles. People say it is easy control. It could be true. People had never said I had to use my muscle much more, but it should be true. I am afraid that I have not got the muscle ache yet.

(17:43 - 17:52)

Resuming the habit

I stopped going to the English school and lost the good habit of writing diary in English. I resumed the lessons and started the diary again. I realized that any creativity needs audience.

The rule of this diary is the duration of writing should be recorded and be within 10 mins per day. However, I might violate this rule today and only today because I forgot writing any articles till today. So I need to write some articles in bulk.

(17:36 - 17:43)

Words of Today (Hiring a Hitman)

ESL Podcast 475 – Hiring a Hitman

discreet: (adj) keeping a secret.
make oneself scarce: disappear oneself.
a thorn in my side: He's been a thorn in my side for years.
down payment: money paid before starting the task.
prerogative: right/privilege.

(6:50 - 6:58)