tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52831920406658734352024-02-08T23:32:37.963+09:00Hiro's English trainingHiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-4915782661520402222010-04-05T17:34:00.003+09:002010-04-05T17:46:04.850+09:00Iron factory field trip<div>I went to an iron factory in Soga, Chiba. That was a social studies field trip.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was very excited!</div>(17:35 - 17:45)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-37032191192972091192010-03-30T08:56:00.002+09:002010-03-30T09:03:39.054+09:00Digital Camera<div>I'm thinking to buy a new digital camera, although I don't have any urgent reasons.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div>(8:56 - 9:03)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-15833668281133605142010-03-29T17:51:00.002+09:002010-03-29T17:57:47.844+09:00Hikone trip<div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was fun to drive in mountains around Biwako.</div><div><br /></div>(17:52 - 8:10)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-11874569862624993612010-03-11T08:55:00.002+09:002010-03-11T09:34:08.127+09:00USB sub monitor<div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>It will arrive today. I am looking forward to using it.</div><div><br /></div>(8:55 - 9:05)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-84058494558224127492010-03-01T17:43:00.002+09:002010-03-01T17:52:38.755+09:00Ski tripI 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.<div><br /></div><div>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.<br /><div><br /></div><div>(17:43 - 17:52)</div></div>Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-12853954880344977682010-03-01T17:35:00.002+09:002010-03-01T17:43:29.239+09:00Resuming the habit<div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div>(17:36 - 17:43)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-70835449707234294812009-10-16T06:50:00.002+09:002009-10-16T06:58:18.019+09:00Words of Today (Hiring a Hitman)<span class="pod_body"><strong></strong></span><strong><a href="http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=7008818" class="podcast_title">ESL Podcast 475 – Hiring a Hitman</a></strong><br /><br /><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>discreet:</b> (adj) keeping a secret.<b><br /></b></span></span><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>make oneself scarce: </b>disappear oneself.<br /></span></span><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>a thorn in my side: </b>He's been a thorn in my side for years.<br /></span></span><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>down payment: </b>money paid before starting the task.<b><br /></b></span></span><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>prerogative</b></span></span>: right/privilege.<br /><br />(6:50 - 6:58)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-8481508858330424392009-03-25T08:32:00.002+09:002009-03-25T08:38:49.683+09:00HakoneI went to Hakone last weekend with my family to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. 60th birthday is called Kanreki (還暦). People who become 60 years old put on something red at the ceremony. Something red is usually a hat, a vest or both. No bouquet toss.<br /><br />(8:32 - 8:38)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-84877344716407262922009-03-12T08:07:00.002+09:002009-03-12T08:13:19.174+09:00Words of Today<div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">stimulate</span>: raise the level of activity<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">inferior</span>: lower in rank</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">pantry</span>: storage for food or dish</li></ul></div>(8:07 - 8:13)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-34898426699268260812009-03-11T08:21:00.002+09:002009-03-11T08:29:37.746+09:00Wii FitI've borrowed Wii Fit. Correctly I've borrowed Wii Balance Board for Wii Fit - the white flat scales-ish gadget. I don't have Wii or Wii Fit software.<br /><br />I'm thinking to use the hardware with my PC to log my weight. Wii Balance Board can connect to a PC. Via my PC, my weight can be recorded in an internet server. I can track the history of my weight.<br /><br />I don't care my weight actually, but connecting Wii gadgets to the network is fun to me.<br /><br />(8:21 - 8:28)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-13225789120939716952009-03-10T08:26:00.002+09:002009-03-10T08:36:45.346+09:00Words of Today (Making Business Contacts)<span class="pod_body"><strong></strong></span><strong><a href="http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6447767" class="podcast_title">ESL Podcast 448 – Making Business Contacts</a></strong><br /><ul><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>this side of the fence</b></span></span>: <span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body">I’ve never been on <b>this side of the fence</b> before</span></span>.</li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>out of my comfort zone: </b></span></span><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body">I’m a little <b>out of my comfort zone</b>. </span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>cold calling: </b>calling to someone you don't know without an appointment.</span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>prospects:</b> posibility to happen nice things.</span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>woo: </b>meet nicely - A young boy wants to woo a beautiful girl.</span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>tag along: </b>go with someone - Can I tag along when you are dating?</span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>quid pro quo: </b>do something for you if you do something for me - </span></span><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"> Sure, but there’s a <b>quid pro quo</b>.</span></span></li></ul><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"></span></span>(8:28 - 8:36)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-44925045487547181062009-03-09T09:02:00.002+09:002009-03-09T09:14:03.476+09:00TaxI filled out my tax form last Saturday. It was very boring task.<br /><br />It was not the first time for me to do this paper work, so it was a straight forward task. I also admit the task is becoming much easier every year thanks of the software developed by the department. Anyway, the task took my several hours and it was like a digging my own...<br /><br />I'm a patriot!<br /><br />(9:05 - 9:13)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-55608286424108039272009-03-05T07:48:00.002+09:002009-03-05T07:54:44.796+09:00Good morning.Woke up 6:30. Did radio taiso. Walked to the office from the station in advance of two stations from the nearest station. Wiped my desk. Washed my hands. Gargled. And writing this post morning.<br /><br />Good morning starts from good habits :) I forgot about it.<br /><br />(7:48 - 7:54)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-80853136655987836482009-03-02T09:44:00.001+09:002009-03-02T09:47:30.937+09:00Every Monday.I come late to the office every Monday. It's not intentional, but the result of my unhealthy life of weekends...<br /><br />(9:45 - 9:46)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-74359226204155160932009-02-24T09:09:00.002+09:002009-02-24T09:16:12.836+09:00Monday morningI couldn't wake up early on Moday in these days. Thus, I couldn't take advantage of early birds. Hmm, I have to sleep Sunday night in time...<br /><br />(9:09 - 9:16)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-29766737870011011532009-02-20T09:40:00.002+09:002009-02-20T09:49:07.188+09:00Nodame cantabileI'm reading comic books "Nodame cantabile". The one of main characters is Megumi Noda. She is a student of a college of music. She has a special gift of piano, but she doesn't want to be a top pianist or complete at contests. She'd rather play a song of fart.<br /><br />My wife did not want to read it at first, but now she's looking forward to reading the sequel as well as me.<br /><br />(9:40 - 9:48)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-63782654838393102362009-02-19T08:55:00.002+09:002009-02-19T09:04:26.544+09:00Two math fields I want to trainThrough reading some math books, I realized that it's worth for me to study linear algebra (線形代数) and probabilistic logic (確率論).<br /><br />Studying them is very easy. I already did many times.<br /><br />The problem is understanding the essence. It's hard to me... I studied how to calculate characteristic number (固有値), but I'm still wondering what the characteristic number is.<br /><br />Anyway I see what I should do next :) That's great.<br /><br />(8:55 - 9:04)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-47873790479237947672009-02-18T09:07:00.002+09:002009-02-18T09:17:50.610+09:00Restudy of MathematicsI'm recently reading some books about Mathematics. The level of the books are kind of high school level or beginning of university. Topics are like:<br /><ul><li>quadratic formula (二次方程式の解の公式)</li><li>arithmetic progression (等差数列)</li><li>geometric progression (等比数列)</li><li>golden ratio (黄金比)</li><li>derivation (微分)</li><li>integral (積分)</li><li>trigonometric function (三角関数)</li><li>logarithm (対数)<br /></li></ul>etc. Yes, I need to relearn these words in English too.<br />(9:09 - 9:17)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-24930317533860855352009-02-16T09:07:00.002+09:002009-02-16T09:18:45.172+09:00PollenosisThe season got started. It stops me from logical thinking.<br /><br />This is an evidence of evolution theory. We finally achieved the six sense to detect invisible micro objects. Darwin was born on Feb 12 and died on Apr 19. That also overlaps the season.<br /><br />(9:09 - 9:18)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-46092973955631604732009-02-13T09:01:00.002+09:002009-02-13T09:10:03.119+09:00BirthdaysToday is my sister and grand mother's birthdays. Congratz :)<br /><br />I usually just call them to say "get old!", but I sent presents to them this year. It's rare as well as cherry in winter. These gifts are kind of a recognition and a sympathy card.<br /><br />My sister was willing to arrange a travel with our family on next March. My grand mother is now in a hospital.<br /><br />(9:01 - 9:09)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-29090950311294682852009-02-10T09:01:00.002+09:002009-02-10T09:10:33.821+09:00Words of Today (Problems with Drugs and Medical Devices)<span class="podcast_title"><strong><a href="http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6398552">ESL Podcast 445 – Problems with Drugs and Medical Devices </a></strong></span><span class="pod_body"><strong><a href="http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6398552"> </a></strong> <br /></span><ul><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><span style="font-weight: bold;">one in a million</span>: Contaminated drugs are <b>one in a million</b></span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>birth defects: </b></span></span><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body">The drug causes <b>birth defects</b>.</span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"> <b>defective:</b> problem / This drug is defective.</span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>over-the-counter</b> drugs: drugs available without prescriptions.</span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>litigation</b></span></span>: claim to a court of law (訴訟)</li></ul><span class="pod_body"></span>(9:00 - 9:09)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-1247580936125560652009-02-06T09:10:00.002+09:002009-02-06T09:16:15.557+09:00Cherry blossomI saw cherry blossom today. I was surprised.<br /><br />One, blooming cherry in winter is unusual (although there're some sort of cherries blooming winter). Two, I was able to find it. I was just walking on my usual way. Three, I finally found a topic for this blog of today :)<br /><br />(9:10 - 9:15)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-33826923111816651392009-02-05T09:19:00.002+09:002009-02-05T09:29:48.295+09:00Re: ECRS: methods against your tasks (4)The last character S of ECRS stands for Simplify. The kiss mind. Keep it simple, stupid.<br /><br />Some tasks can be simplified and it saves your time, cost or both. Where the 80% quality level is acceptable rather than 100% quality, we should consider how much cost and time to end the rest 20% tasks. People says the cost and time is four times as much as the previous cost and time.<br /><br />(9:19 - 8:29)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-26814814462439055342009-02-04T09:47:00.002+09:002009-02-04T09:53:49.811+09:00Re: ECRS: methods against your tasks (3)R of ECRS is replace or reorder. Some people say it's replace, other people say that's reorder. Anyway changing it with another thing.<br /><br />Asking people to do it instead of doing it myself can be the best solution. Postpone (or move up) to do it as prioritization is always a good strategy.<br />(9:47 - 9:53)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283192040665873435.post-90877833031147367082009-02-03T09:11:00.002+09:002009-02-03T09:26:13.334+09:00Words of Today (Using Coupons and Rebates)<span class="pod_body"><strong></strong></span><strong><a href="http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6231221" class="podcast_title">ESL Podcast 434 – Using Coupons and Rebates</a><br /></strong><ul><li><strong>cut corners: </strong>save cost or time</li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>That’s what you think</b>.</span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>putting me on: </b></span></span>cheating me - Are you putting me on?</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">worth the wait</span><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>.</b></span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>mess around: </b></span></span><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body">I’m too busy <b>to mess around</b> with coupons and rebates.</span></span></li><li><span class="pod_body"><span class="pod_body"><b>penny-pincher</b></span></span>: A person who saves cost very much / stinginess.</li></ul><span class="pod_body"><strong></strong></span><strong><a href="http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6182006" class="podcast_title">English Café 166</a><br /></strong><ul><li>Brown v. Board of Education</li><li>landmark decision</li><li>enroll - join (to a school)<br /></li><li>desegregate - stop distinctions<br /></li><li>hairdos - hair styles<br /></li><li>down to the wire - hard even till the last / He kept studying right down to the wire (<span style="font-style: italic;">eijiro</span>)<br /></li></ul>(9:12 - 9:25)Hiroyuki Komatsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387175988311827265noreply@blogger.com0