The Nanny Diaries

I enjoyed a film preview of "The Nanny Diaries". According to the film promotion Web, ( http://www.thenannydiariesmovie.com/ ), the contents are introduced as follows;

“The Nanny Diaries” tells the story of the emotional and often humorous journey of Annie Braddock (Johansson), a young woman from a working-class neighborhood in New Jersey, struggling to understand her place in the world. Fresh out of college, she gets tremendous pressure from her nurse mother to find a respectable position in the business world although Annie would prefer to trade in her blackberry for an anthropologist's field diary. Through a serendipitous meeting, Annie ends up in the elite and ritualistic culture of Manhattan's Upper East Side -- as remote from Annie's suburban New Jersey upbringing as life in an Amazon tribal village. Choosing to duck out of real life, Annie accepts the position as a nanny for a wealthy family, referred to as simply "the X's." She quickly learns that life is not very rosy on the other side of the tax bracket, as she must cater to the every whim of Mrs. X (Linney) and her precocious son Grayer, while attempting to avoid the formidable Mr. X (Giamatti). Life becomes even more complicated when Annie falls for a gorgeous neighbor of the X’s (Evans) who she nicknames Harvard Hottie, and is forced to explore what she wants to do with her life.

At first I feel the overwhelming wealth of Manhattan's Upper East Side Life. Thinking of nannies in Japan reminds me of a nanny in the lyrics of "Takeda no Komoriuta (Takeda's Lullaby) ".

There are so much differences between current NY nanny and old Kyoto rural komori, not only in terms of riches, but also moral structure.

Takeda no Komoriuta (Takeda's Lullaby)

守り（もり）もいやがる　盆から先にゃ雪もちらつくし　子も泣くし

( Nanny hates season after Bon, as snow falling, child crying )

盆が来たとて　何うれしかろかたびらはなし　帯（おび）はなし

( When Bon comes, no fun as no Yukata nor belt )

この子よう泣く　守りをばいじる守りも一日　やせるやら

( The child crying so much, troubling nanny running out )

はよも行きたや　この在所（ざいしょ）こえて向こうに見えるは　親の家（うち）

( Hope going back to the home as soon as possible over this tough place )

Five Reflections

Hast thou not gone against sincerity？
Hast thou not felt ashamed of thy words and deeds？
Hast thou not lacked vigour？
Hast thou exerted all possible efforts？
Hast thou not become slothful？

五省
一、　至誠に悖(もと)るなかりしか　　
（真心に反することは、なかったか）
一、　言行に恥(は)ずるなかりしか　
（言行不一致なことは、なかったか）
一、　気力に缺(か)くるなかりしか　　
（気力は十分であったか）
一、　努力に憾(うら)みなかりしか　　
（十分に努力をしたか）
一、　不精に亘(わた)るなかりしか　　
（不精になってはいなかったか）

Five Reflections are shown in the auditorium at Annapolis, U.S. Naval Academy. They were originally devised by Vice Admiral Hajime Matsushita (Chief of Imperial Japanese Navy, Naval Academy), translated into English by Yasunori Matsui and adopted to use it in U.S. Naval Academy by Williams T. Mac, the principal of Annapolis, celebrating 200th anniversary of US independence.
I learned above from my ex-boss during stay in Jakarta. I will soon have a chance to meet him again. When it comes, I always remember "Five Reflections" and think back on my behavior.
Have I been sincere? Have I been fair in my words and behavior? Have I been enthusiastic? Have I been energetic? Have I been industrious?

9.11

On that day, September 11th, 2001, I was studying examination preparation for USCPA. When I returned home after night school, I saw airplanes flied into World Trade Center Buildings in TV live broadcasting. I was so shocked with those violence.
After that Hollywood created Counter Terrorist Unit under Central Intelligence Agency, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is fighting with terrorists in the drama 24. Now season 5 is on the air in midnight in Japan. Season 6 will soon come.
In that drama, David Palmer and Wain Palmer, who are African-American, are casted as Presidents of USA. I pay attention to the presidential election, whether Barack Obama will beat John McCain or not.

The Moon

I started watching stars around 10 years old. Among celestial objects, the moon is the most familiar satellite. The Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month of the lunar calendar, corresponding to around mid-September in the Gregorian calendar. September 14th is the day this year, though the moon becomes full on September 15th actually.
We have Taketori Monogatari, 竹取物語, Tale of Princess Kaguya, which is a 10th century Japanese folktale, considered the oldest Japanese narrative. It starts with that a mysterious girl called Kaguya-hime is discovered inside the stalk of a glowing bamboo plant. She is said to be from Tsuki-no-Miyako (月の都 "The Capital of the Moon") and she finally has to go back to there. I like this fantastic, dreamy story.
I am looking forward to the 14.3 days old moon rising at 17:06 on Sep. 14 (Sun).
Unohanaya Tsukiha Higashini Hiha Nishini ; Andy

Double Nine

According to the I Ching, nine is the yang number; the ninth day of the ninth lunar month has too much yang and is thus a potentially dangerous date. Hence, the day is also called "Double Yang Festival" (重陽節). To protect against the danger, it is customary to climb a high mountain and drink chrysanthemum wine in China.
Even numbers belong to Yin. Its qualities are characterized as soft, slow, substantial, wet, cold, conserving, tranquil, gentle, and corresponding to the night.
Odd numbers belong to Yang. Its qualities are characterized as hard, fast, insubstantial, dry, hot, excited, aggressive, and corresponding to the day.
There are nine double yang days in a year. January 1st is New Year Festival. March 3rd is Spring Purification Festival. May 5th is Children's Day. July 7th is Star Festival. Today September 9th is Double Yang Festival. It is not so popular in Japan, but it is believed most dangerous day in China. I am afraid disasters like earthquake, thunder will not come. Namaste or gassho.

Piano

I enjoyed TV program of NHK, J-Melo vol.3 showed on Aug.31 midnight. The program hostess is "Melody" and the guests are Mr. Makoto Ozone and Mr. Satoru Shionoya, who are jazz pianists highly evaluated in the world. This program is on the air in English aimed for introducing Japanese music to the world through NHK's international broadcasting.
I like piano. I started learning piano in my younger days, but I gave it up when the text score became Czerny after Bayer. I met with Keith Jarrett Koln Concert in high school days. After that, great pianists like Maurizio Pollini, Arturo Benedetti Michlangeli, Martha Argerich,Glen Gould, Yundi Li, etc. have attracted me into classic piano world. My favorite piano composers are Bach, Scarlatti, Debussy, Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven, Satie, etc..
When I come into pension life to have so much time, I will study piano again. ♪♪

Sake

A friend of mine kindly sent me an e-mail of comment for this blog. He enjoyed reading my blog of Aug. 21 " A Bar in Ginza". He loves sake, too.
Sake reminds me of Li Bai ( Rihaku ), who is the most famous poet loving sake. One of Li Bai's most famous poems is Drinking Alone by Moonlight (月下獨酌, pinyin: Yuè Xià Dú Zhuó).
Arthur Waley's version reads:
花間一壺酒。 A cup of wine, under the flowering trees;
獨酌無相親。 I drink alone, for no friend is near.
舉杯邀明月。 Raising my cup I beckon the bright moon,
對影成三人。 For her, with my shadow, will make three men.
月既不解飲。 The moon, alas, is no drinker of wine;
影徒隨我身。 Listless, my shadow creeps about at my side.
暫伴月將影。 Yet with the moon as friend and the shadow as slave
行樂須及春。 I must make merry before the Spring is spent.
我歌月徘徊。 To the songs I sing the moon flickers her beams;
我舞影零亂。 In the dance I weave my shadow tangles and breaks.
醒時同交歡。 While we were sober, three shared the fun;
醉後各分散。 Now we are drunk, each goes his way.
永結無情遊。 May we long share our eternal friendship,
相期邈雲漢。 And meet at last on the Cloudy River of the sky.
I prefer drinking sake with friends to drinking alone. I will ask him for drinking at the bar in Ginza soon. Looking forward to it.

Nowaki

"Nowaki" is the title of chapter 28 in the tales of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu. When Yugiri visited Rokujoin (Genji's house) after typhoon, she was so shocked with the beauty of Murasakinoue. "Nowaki" means typhoon.
Among 20 - 30 typhoons occur in a year, a few strike Japan every year. But no one hit Japan this year, while 12 typhoon were born. Typhoon is named with number in Japan, like typhoon No. 10. Hurricane is named with nick name, like Gustav in alphabetical order.
Monstrous cyclone in Myanmar, huge hurricanes in USA, so many thunder storms in Japan, etc. Our mother planet might scream for environmental pollution. Save the planet.

Cricket

I could not hear cicadas' singing this week. Instead crickets start singing. While cicada makes sound by shaking stomach, cricket bears sound by scrubbing wings. It is still hot, but I feel from sky that autumn has come. It is said that hotness or coldness continues until equinox day.
A man of Heian era composed a tanka in Kokinwakashu, " Akiwa kinu Ima yamagakino Kirigirisu Yonayona nakam Kazeno samusani ( Autumn has come. Crickets in garden start crying every night singing coldness of the wind ) ".
Sei Shonagon wrote in the pillow book chapter 40 "Insects" that bag warms are so sorrow as they cry "chichiyo chichiyo ( daddy, daddy) " hearing wind sound in August. Did she image that they were calling their parents name ? Japanese think insects are close fellows which let us realize seasons.

Kafka on the Shore

Kafka on the Shore (Umibe no Kafuka) is a novel by Japanese author Haruki Murakami (2002). The music of Beethoven, specifically the Archduke Trio is also used as a metaphor. Among other prominent themes are: the virtues of self-sufficiency and efficiency, the relation of dreams and reality, the specter of the heritage of World War II, the threat of fate, the uncertain grip of prophecy, and the power of nature. After a series of adventures, Kafka finds shelter in a quiet, private library in Takamatsu.
My ancestors sleep in the cemetery near Mt. Shiun, Ritsurin Park in Takamatsu. My mentor, Kukai (Kobo-Daishi) was born in this area, Sanuki. I have special emotion for there. That is why I like this novel so much. Haruki Murakami might be one of the candidates of Novel prize in literature. I am looking forward to his next work.

Japanese Government Bonds

Around 6 months ago, I thought and studied the desirable amount of Japanese Government Bonds. It is turned out that I confused annual figures and accumulated ones. Basically, equilibriums use annual figures, while the points of argument are accumulated ones.
The accumulated amount of 685 trillion Yen of JGB seems too huge in comparison with 83 trillion Yen of annual government expenditure. But the amount of accumulated financial assets in individual sector is around 1,545 trillion Yen in Japan, which is one-third of USA's.
I hope invisible hand is still valid in this so political sector.
My consideration materials are as follows :
Balance of payments equilibrium : X - M + Ki - Ko = 0
National income equilibrium : Y = C + I + G + ( X - M ) , Y = S + C , S = I
Σ S = Σ JP + Σ OS ( 1545 = 685 + 860 )
Σ K = Σ Ko - Σ Ki ( 186 = 434 - 248 )
where:
X = exports, M = imports, Ki = capital inflows, Ko = capital outflows, Y = national income, C = Consumption, I = investment, G = government expenditure, S= savings, JP = Japanese government bonds, PI = private investment

Revolution

Many nations experienced revolution. UK had Puritan Revolution from 1641 to 1649, changing from reign of House of Stuart to the Protectorate and Commonwealth. France had famous French Revolution from 1989 to 1794, ending Bourbon dynasties. China had Xinhai Revolution in 1911, ending Qing dynasty. Russia had Soviet Revolution in 1917, abolishing Tsar Nicholas II. Germany had German Revolution in 1918, from Kaiser Wilhelm II to Weimar Republic. Turkish Ottoman Empire ended in 1923 by revolution.
Did revolution happen in Japan? Jinshin battle of 672 is a kind of royal family trouble. Yoritomo Minamoto opened the Kamakura shogunate in 1192 under the authority of Tenno, which must be the power shift from aristocracy to samurai. It is said that Nobunaga Oda had tried to become the absolute despot, but in vain by assassination. Meiji Ishin (Restoration) of 1868 might be the only possibility to call it revolution, but the political power returned back to Tenno and the the fundamental character of the state were unchanged.
Shotoku prince (574-622) said, "Wa wo motte toutoshi to nasu." Peace is the noblest value. This might be Japanese basic concept.

Alumni Meetings

I graduated university 26 years ago. Thank God, I has been blessed with so many good friends. When we became more than 50 years old, some finished child care, some gave up promotion and we could have time to spare. We might want to confirm our identification. The alumni meetings are held many times in various parties, tennis circle, baseball team, seminar of Economics in University, high school, company friends in the same entrance year, etc. I will join them as many as possible.
I am now planning to arrange an alumni party for company friends. I am looking forward to seeing their aged appearance.
Meetings with old friends remind me of Bookends by Simon and Garfunkel.

Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories; they're all that's left you

Invisible hand of God

The invisible hand is a metaphor coined by the economist Adam Smith (UK, 1723-1790). Adam Smith mentions the metaphor in Book IV Chapter 2 of "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations." Smith argued that each individual maximizing revenue for himself maximizes the total revenue of society as a whole in a free market, through a principle that he called “the invisible hand".
I feel the traffic has become less nowadays, when I drive highways. The sales of cars fall rapidly all over the world. One of the reasons must be high oil price. They say that it is mainly caused by speculation and mentality. But the demand and supply balance, or "invisible hand" may cause these general trends, I think. Besides BRICs, the developing countries will need the materials more and more. Beijing Olympic Games was over successfully. I hope the one world will pursue sustainable growth.

Metabolism

Metabolic syndrome is defined as a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. There are many standards depending on countries and races. Japanese standards are following ;
central obesity: waist circumference ≥ 85 cm (male)
dyslipidaemia: TG ≥ 150 mg/dl
dyslipidaemia: HDL-C < 40 mg/dL
blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg
I don't want to follow above criteria, but I feel exercise is required to keep health. My targets of exercise are jogging 20km a week, swimming 10km a month, and playing golf a few times a month. I have no schedule to go to golf this weekend.
I must go swimming and jogging around my house. Then, be on a diet.