As some people say: It's an honour for a brand to be blatantly copied.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
UI Complexity
If removing the child lock from a massage chair is too much for a long term resident and a native, then I think it's fair to say that it's too difficult to use.
Cowboy Kim
Mr. Haataja solving the intricacies of a horse riding simulator. Of coure this is an item which should be in every respectable home, along with a heated toilet seat with wash function and a massage chair.
Quantity Over Quality
Unfortunately, this applies to a lot of the advertising turned out in Japan. Photo: Travel agency in Nagayama.
Matsuri Time
Sanroku festival in Asahikawa, last week. Mainly involved tents dishing out fried food and cold drinks, which was nice.
Not So Guerilla Gardening
The english speaking blogsphere's had a few items recently on Guerilla Gardening in Japan; People turning whatever little patch of dirt into veggie plots. It's of course pretty cool, but also a pretty common practice here.
Tokai Uni Open Campus
Spending a lazy morning in Tokyo after a slightly hectic week in Asahikawa. Getting married there meant quite a few visits to and by the local extended family.
Had a chance to drop by Tokai Daigaku one afternoon to say hello to all the staff and teachers, who were busy hoarding high school students on summer holiday through creative workshops, such as silkscreen printing.
Had a chance to drop by Tokai Daigaku one afternoon to say hello to all the staff and teachers, who were busy hoarding high school students on summer holiday through creative workshops, such as silkscreen printing.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Belly of the Whale
This is where I'm sitting at the moment: Kansai, domestic departures hall, near gate 22. Flight to Sapporo leaves in a few hours, and still got a train ride to Asahikawa to keep the evening interesting.
MD 11
Kansai International is a surprisingly progressive airport. First time I find free WLAN in a place like this. Me likes.
So, last night I boarded one of these old birds, and had a bit of a bumpy ride to the outskirts of Osaka. Still managed to sleep for around four hours of it, which is something of a record for me.
So, last night I boarded one of these old birds, and had a bit of a bumpy ride to the outskirts of Osaka. Still managed to sleep for around four hours of it, which is something of a record for me.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Rare Moments
Getting up and going out before pretty much anyone else. Refreshing, as long as I don't have to do it every morning.
My procedure to cheat jet lag is the reason again. Contrary to what the Dopplr box on the right says, I'm not in Asahikawa yet. Won't be until tomorrow night actually. After a week in Asahikawa there will be one week in Tokyo, which for a change isn't full packed with stuff to do already before getting there. By then I'll be traveling with a better half though, so fun random activities like late night train-surfing might be out (or who know's, haven't asked her yet). A few days in Osaka before we catch the flight back to Helsinki, and then it's back to the everyday grind.
Got to start packing, I guess.
My procedure to cheat jet lag is the reason again. Contrary to what the Dopplr box on the right says, I'm not in Asahikawa yet. Won't be until tomorrow night actually. After a week in Asahikawa there will be one week in Tokyo, which for a change isn't full packed with stuff to do already before getting there. By then I'll be traveling with a better half though, so fun random activities like late night train-surfing might be out (or who know's, haven't asked her yet). A few days in Osaka before we catch the flight back to Helsinki, and then it's back to the everyday grind.
Got to start packing, I guess.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Up Next
Some Spanish goodness for the Krups to chew on: Hacendado's grade 4 (out of 5) strenght Espresso Natural.
A nice crema, but at first the overall taste was a bit mild. This allowed the nice nut flavour to come through, though. Got thicker towards the bottom, and finished with a good, almost, but not quite, bitter kick. I brewed it as a double in a quite tall cup, so should try a single in a Koko cup next to see if the taste evens out.
A nice crema, but at first the overall taste was a bit mild. This allowed the nice nut flavour to come through, though. Got thicker towards the bottom, and finished with a good, almost, but not quite, bitter kick. I brewed it as a double in a quite tall cup, so should try a single in a Koko cup next to see if the taste evens out.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Look, No Hands!
Look, No Hands!
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk
And it's not the coffee maker that's playing Strauss, by the way, it's just there to add to the drama of German Engineering.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
My New Porsche
Kvik HQ in Denmark sent me this new cool Siemens (a Porsche Design, if you couldn't tell from all the brushed metal) as a way to say sorry for their local store messing up my kitchen delivery, and through that, my holiday plans.
Getting seriously serious in the coffee making department at home. The only fault with the Siemens is that it doesn't make espresso. Maybe I should take one to work.
Getting seriously serious in the coffee making department at home. The only fault with the Siemens is that it doesn't make espresso. Maybe I should take one to work.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
New iTable
Again some instant design. Done by combining an extra length of kitchen work surface with some skinny legs found at Ikea.
Being smaller (100x61cm) than the previous table, it will hopefully be impossible to stack as much papers and random stuff on it as before.
Being smaller (100x61cm) than the previous table, it will hopefully be impossible to stack as much papers and random stuff on it as before.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
That's More Like It
Almost all the pieces are there now. Just a lot of small details to take care of during the weekend and next week. And some left for after the holiday.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Running Water, Finally
Sink got here, and everything fit together after a little sweating.
Waiting for the new washing machine and stove now.
Waiting for the new washing machine and stove now.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Progress? Not Much
Been spending an invigorating week fighting a store manager for some basic customer service, which he seems to be incapable of providing.
Luckily I got the Kvik head office in Denmark involved early on when things started going pear shaped, and they seem to have got some wheels turning. Expecting the lost sink early next week. It's already caused a hell of a logistics problem regarding the hike we planned with Mikko, though.
Luckily I got the Kvik head office in Denmark involved early on when things started going pear shaped, and they seem to have got some wheels turning. Expecting the lost sink early next week. It's already caused a hell of a logistics problem regarding the hike we planned with Mikko, though.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Something's Missing
Bloody kitchen company forgot the sink. Major bummer, and meant we didn't get it all done with Mikko over the weekend, as was the plan. Still not done, and no idea when Kvik will deliver what's already been ordered and paid over a month ago.
Last Week
Agenda:
Monday -paint ceiling
Tuesday -paint walls
Wednesday -applly wallpaper
Thursday -lay down a new floor
And I was at work every day too...
Monday -paint ceiling
Tuesday -paint walls
Wednesday -applly wallpaper
Thursday -lay down a new floor
And I was at work every day too...
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Trench War
The neighbour turned up the volume of her stereo after I started hacking this trench for some new wiring into my kitchen wall. Wonder why?
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tear It Down, Patch It Up
The living room walls are beginning to get back ino shape. Might get around to sanding them smooth during next weekend.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Cafe Cochon
Situated in the new part of Forum, Cochon looks promising with table service and a bakery counter. The espresso they pour is seriously bitter stuff, though. I'm all for a strong taste, but by principle I'm against having to add sugar to the coffee. If it isn't right from the beginning there's little chance of improvement through additives.
Besides, those chairs are only good for giving your kidneys a massage. Not for relaxed and comfortable postures.
Besides, those chairs are only good for giving your kidneys a massage. Not for relaxed and comfortable postures.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Basso Festival
Basso Festival
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk
1st Sweco Segway Grand Prix
The hit of our office recreation day.
Surprisingly quick to learn, and pretty intuitive movements. If I'd improve something it'd be the turning interface, which is now a twist-switch in the left handlebar. Would be nice to get that activated by body weight too, like the forward and reverse movement.
Surprisingly quick to learn, and pretty intuitive movements. If I'd improve something it'd be the turning interface, which is now a twist-switch in the left handlebar. Would be nice to get that activated by body weight too, like the forward and reverse movement.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Almost Matching Helmet
Hue is a bit off, but when you've got such a cool ride I doubt it matters much anymore.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Kitchen Going Wild
That's the current state of things, and as they say: It's gonna get a whole lot worse before it get's better.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Enough?
Been looking around for a new stove, and this being an old building with old wires power consuption is an issue. The slightly worrying thing is that some stores tell me it's no problem, while others say the opposite. Guess I'll have to contact manufacturers directly.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Evolution
The 3D puzzle is pretty much done. Next comes the implementation, but that might take a while.
Mobile Observations turns two years old today, by the way. Otherwise business as usual.
Mobile Observations turns two years old today, by the way. Otherwise business as usual.
Culturally Correct
Business card dispenser doing the correct Japanese thing of handing over your card with both hands.
Monday, May 12, 2008
MoA 08
It's that time of the year again.
Somehow, it always let's me down a bit. Maybe bacause I've written a masters thesis, including a concept design part, already. Maybe I don't see an MA -level work as anythin incredibly fancy anymore. And unfortunately many works each year fall short of even slight fanciness. Many would be more at home at a graduating exhibition of some vocational college or something. I'm not claming that all the MA's turned in at my old university were academic masterpieces, but they are also not given a fancy exhibition and big advertisement.
I'd give it a 30% interesting, 30% nice and 40% "nice" -rating this year. Still, well worth the money, since it's free entry.
Somehow, it always let's me down a bit. Maybe bacause I've written a masters thesis, including a concept design part, already. Maybe I don't see an MA -level work as anythin incredibly fancy anymore. And unfortunately many works each year fall short of even slight fanciness. Many would be more at home at a graduating exhibition of some vocational college or something. I'm not claming that all the MA's turned in at my old university were academic masterpieces, but they are also not given a fancy exhibition and big advertisement.
I'd give it a 30% interesting, 30% nice and 40% "nice" -rating this year. Still, well worth the money, since it's free entry.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Advertisement Makes Happy?
Lufthansa covered a lot of bike seats on a rainy day. Naturally advertising cheap flights to some warmer, less rainy location, but still manages to be nice to people at the same time. A rare achievement.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Leaving a Mark
Peeling off some layers from the wall revealed proof that someone's been this deep before.
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