Speed is Life - Height is Life Insurance

Japan's suicide rate, already one of the world's highest, has increased with the recent economic downturn.

There were 2,645 suicides recorded in January 2009, a 15 percent increase from the 2,305 for January 2008, according to the Japanese government.

The Japanese government said suicide rates are a priority and pledged to cut the number of suicides by more than 20 percent by 2016. It plans to improve suicide awareness in schools and workplaces. But officials fear the toll will rise with unemployment and bankruptcies, matching suicide spikes in earlier tough economic times.

Source: CNN

P.S: I was hiking a few weeks ago in that forest mentioned in the CNN article - scary !!

Ryoko's Birthday Party - a full success! What a fun afternoon! We had 20 people coming to a very lovely Sunday afternoon brunch at a very cozy location. The food was great, and so were the people and the overall atmosphere. I want to thank everybody who came, Ryoko and I had a fantastic Sunday afternoon, and I think she was able to fully celebrate her birthday!

2008-05-04

This weekend was the benchmark for a good weekend, that's why I quickly have to scetch it here:

Friday evening, right after work, I went to a high-tech modern wine bar with three of my colleagues from work (Jason, Pascal and Genevieve) in Omotesando Hills, a very stylish up-scale new shopping mall that they just recently opened. We had a very nice evening and tasted a few good wines there.

Saturday I slept in late, had a very nice waking up, and then had a walk to Shibuya, where I met with a friend for coffee. Then got home, and got dressed for the evening: I was invited to dinner at one of my bosses place together with three other newbies at the company (Christian, Pascal, Genevieve). The dinner started at 7pm, it was very delicious food, very nice to meet them all in a relaxed and casual surrounding, and we had yet another few good wines.

Got to bed around 2am and up on Sunday morning at 9am, to get read for the beach. Went to Enoshima beach with lovely friends (Maya, Katrin, Genevieve, Daniela and her friend from Italy) where we had reserved a surf course from 1pm onwards. It was soooo much fun!!!! We had wet suits, so the water was not cold at all, and we were trying to surf for two hours, and I did a pretty good job :) It was just fantastic! Then got to Shibuya, where Genevieve and I met with two nice ladies (Akeba and Ramona) to have very tasty tonkatsu for dinner.

And finally I am sitting in my bathrobe at home, writting it all down and getting ready for tomorrow and yet another working week ...

2008/03/30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRv--a6dTvs

Watch this! (Loudspeakers on)