02-03 – 11:15am

02-03 – 11:15am

So much for staying under budget. I went out last night after work and met up with Hillary for a drink, which turned out to be a pretty expensive night, like all other nights I’ve ever gone out for a drink. I’m at 98% of my budget. At least I’m not over. I can manage this, but, it will take some serious willpower. Now I must do my laundry. Ready go.

Today is laundry day. The weather is nice again thankfully, and sunny, providing for ideal dry-age. Tomorrow and Sunday evenings are packing and cleaning days, and Monday is move in day.

The yen has continued its plummet down to ￥118.5 today, a sign of a continuing trend towards my paycheck being worth essentially nothing come Feb. 15 when I will send money home. Thankfully, with the emergency money my parents were kind enough to float me last month, I should be able to cover all my expenses without too much trouble, but all the same the state of the economy concerns me. It’s amazing when you deal in international business how much the local current events can have an effect on your life. The LiveDoor scandal, though primarily concerning Japan, has put me, and I imagine many other foreign workers at a distinct disadvantage with the position it has put the Japanese economy in. I wouldn’t be concerned so much if I were sending money here, or a ForEx trader, but no. I’m on the losing end of this one.

The Nagareyama Line is apparently famous, I found out when I mentioned the name of my stop to Yuriko yesterday when we got to work. Everyone seems to know where I am going to live, when I mention Hiregasaki. Unfortunately, the Nagareyama Line is more infamous than famous, seeing as its claim to fame is that it has ridiculously inconvenient last train times. Most days last train is just before midnight, on holidays last train is 11:10pm. That’s some bullshit. I am going to have to come up with a better plan for staying out late. Maybe that will involve buying a bike.