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Gary J. Wolff's Blog
Gary J. Wolff's BlogGary J. Wolff's blog is my mini-journal about garyjwolff.com. It...
To subscribe to my blog (no e-mail necessary), right-click on the orange RSS button to the left and then paste the URL into your RSS reader. Or click on the Google, My Yahoo!, My MSN, or Bloglines buttons if you keep personalized home pages there. Enjoy... Cheers, Recent website updates (at bottom of the page) Feel free to share your comments below. Feb. 18, 2012 - "Big Google" + "Big Government" = "Big Brother 1984"Last week, Sitesell.com announced that the Google Privacy Petition had reached 300 signatures: http://www.change.org/petitions/google-ask-fairly-about-our-privacy Today, we're over 3000! Yes, that's right. A 10-fold increase in only 1 week. We are witnessing two massive trends that are about to meet and change the world for the worse... "Big Google" + "Big Government" = "Big Brother 1984" Think about these two inarguable facts... 1) Google owns more private information on each of us than any other public or private entity (ex., all the regular, image, and YouTube searches that we make, the content in all our Gmail, everything we do on Android and Chrome, what we say in Chat, appointments in Calendar, documents in Docs, even our locations, and on and on). 2) Government intrudes increasingly in our lives, curtailing our liberties. The result? Google releases 93% of requests for this highly private information. That amounts to betraying thousands of its users every quarter, that number growing every quarter. Google won't defend us, even though our level of expectation of privacy is very high. (We expect what we post on Facebook to be public. But we expect searches and Gmail, which can be of a highly sensitive nature, to stay private. But... Google won't even tell us that some entity is asking for the info that they have on us. If they did, we could at least defend ourselves. This is real. Put those two growing trends together and extrapolate: "Big Google" + "Big Government" = "Big Brother 1984" All week long, we've been pulling out GOTCHAs from Google's clauses in their new privacy policy, which are real risks you incur but that Google never tells you about & the kind of stuff that most folks miss, IF they even read it... GOOGLE PRIVACY POLICY GOTCHA #1 http://www.facebook.com/SiteSell/posts/306484746066742 GOOGLE PRIVACY POLICY GOTCHA #2 http://www.facebook.com/SiteSell/posts/186474214793825 GOOGLE PRIVACY POLICY GOTCHA #3 http://www.facebook.com/SiteSell/posts/242718065811659 GOOGLE PRIVACY POLICY GOTCHA #4 http://www.facebook.com/SiteSell/posts/320854741298187 GOOGLE PRIVACY POLICY GOTCHA #5 http://www.facebook.com/SiteSell/posts/232177723540866 Google's in a rush. They know it's now or never. They are stonewalling, refusing to answer questions from the media, Congress, the European Commission, and even the Federal Trade Commission (who has 20-year authority over them). Last Wednesday, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, THE heavyweight in privacy, filed a federal lawsuit. The EPIC is asking a federal judge to to compel the FTC to immediately enforce a settlement they reached with Google last year and protect consumers who will be "LEFT WITHOUT RECOURSE IF THE COMMISSION FAILS TO ENFORCE ITS ORDER." The full story is in an article in the LA Times (and other papers). Click the link if you want to read more: http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/08/business/la-fi-google-privacy-20120209 In case you didn't know, Google settled charges last year that IT VIOLATED PRIVACY LAWS BY EXPOSING GMAIL USERS' PERSONAL INFORMATION when rolling out another Google service. Google is desperately trying to get this over the goal line of March 1. Once in place, say hello to Big Brother and watch him get bigger. The petition is gaining ground. But we need to grow faster, much faster. At the end of the day, it's the voice of tens of thousands of users, quoted by the media, that can be Google's greatest pressure. So please get into the action and tell Google they need to INFORM FULLY and to ASK FAIRLY to obtain YOUR consent! To get involved, follow this action plan: 1. Read the petition: http://chn.ge/wXWroM 2. Sign it! 3. Share it on Facebook, Twitter, on your blog or website, in your e-zine, etc. 4. Embed a customized Change.org widget (like the one above) on your site or blog (contact me & I'll tell you how). 5. Keep marketing it like crazy. Strategies and sample copy-and-paste copy (or modify it), as well as more info, can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/SiteSell/posts/175453789232531 Now is THE time to use that strength, together, for the next 11 days. Why 11 days? Because March 1 is the deadline. So we need to grow the petition at light speed. Help cast that light onto Google's privacy wrongs. Wrong is wrong. It needs to be fought. By everyone. For everyone.The clock is ticking. March 1st is quickly approaching. Fight this danger as hard as you can right up to the March 1st deadline. How often do you get a chance to stop Big Brother? Really. Feb. 16, 2012 - George Clooney puts in a plug for the Honda Motor Company in a Tokyo Metro subway station... Feb. 8, 2012 - Subway sandwich shop in Tokyo grows their own leaf lettuce right in the middle of the store's eating areaIn the Subway sandwich shop in Tokyo's Marunouchi Building (丸ビル), they are growing their own hydroponic leaf lettuce right in the middle of the store's eating area. It takes 49 days from seed to cultivation, and they are able to harvest up to 20 heads of lettuce per week. Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't help but have that "back to nature" feeling, eating a fresh sandwich with pesticide-free vegetables being grown right before my eyes.
The shop is located on floor B1F, across from the
American Pharmacy. More info (in Japanese) here.
right in the middle of the store's eating area Jan. 30, 2012 - Akigawa Adventure Hiking CourseCourse: Akigawa Station –> Toukouin Temple Hiking Area –> Culture Forest –> Nishifukuji Temple –> Musashi-Itsukaichi StationSun. Jan. 29, 2012, Tokyo, Japan More details on this hiking course at Jambo International. (View all pics at a glance on a separate page here.) Jan. 19, 2012 - U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney with his newly appointed Tokyo campaign director Jan. 9, 2012 - Caretta Blue Forest 2011, Shiodome, Tokyo, JapanThis year was the 9th anniversary of this remarkable holiday illumination near JR Shimbashi Station in Tokyo. Every night from Dec. 6, 2011 until tonight (Jan. 9, 2012, the last night), this magical 10-min. illumination display was conducted every 30 min. on the half-hour. More details on the Caretta Blue Forest illlumination (in Japanese) are here. (view video in separate window here) Jan. 8, 2012 - Pics of the Mt. Nokogiriyama hiking course (鋸山ハイキングコース)Click above to view pics taken Sun. Jan. 8, 2011 of the Mt. Nokogiriyama hiking course on the Boso Peninsula in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. More info at Wikipedia. Google map is here. Hike organized by Jambo International. (view pics in separate window here) Jan. 4, 2012 - Hatsuhinode (初日の出) 2012, my first sunrise of the New Year6:58 am, Jan. 4, 2012. The 1st 3 mornings of the new year were cloudy or rainy. (view in separate window here) Jan. 3, 2012 - Mt. Hijiri-dake (聖岳), elev. 3013m, Japan's 21st Highest MountainMt. Hijiri-dake (聖岳), elev. 3013m, is Japan's 21st highest mountain, one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains (日本百名山), and the southernmost 3000m-high peak in the Southern Japan Alps (南アルプス). Pics, maps, and trail description of my Aug. 12, 1998 climb of this peak with Naoki, my favorite mountain climbing buddy, can be found on my Mt. Hijiri-dake page. Atop Mt. Hijiri-dake (聖岳) on Aug. 12, 1998 with Naoki, my favorite mountain climbing buddy Jan. 1, 2012 - NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS:1. Keep skid chains on your tongue; always say less than you think. Cultivate a low, persuasive voice. How you say it counts more than what you say.2. Make promises sparingly, and keep them faithfully, no matter what it costs. 3. Never let an opportunity pass to say a kind and encouraging word to or about somebody. Praise good work, regardless of who did it. If criticism is needed, criticize helpfully, never spitefully. 4. Be interested in others, their pursuits, their work, their homes and families. Make merry with those who rejoice; with those who weep, mourn. Let everyone you meet, however humble, feel that you regard him as a person of importance. 5. Be cheerful. Don't burden or depress those around you by dwelling on your minor aches and pains and small disappointments. Remember, everyone is carrying some kind of a load. 6. Keep an open mind. Discuss but don't argue. It is a mark of a superior mind to be able to disagree without being disagreeable. 7. Let your virtues, if you have any, speak for themselves. Refuse to talk of another's vices. Discourage gossip. It is a waste of valuable time and can be extremely destructive. 8. Be careful of another's feelings. Wit and humor at the other person's expense are rarely worth it and may hurt when least expected. 9. Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you. Remember, the person who carried the message may not be the most accurate reporter in the world. Simply live so that nobody will believe them. Disordered nerves and bad digestion are a common cause of back-biting. 10. Don't be too anxious about the credit due you. Do your best, and be patient. Forget about yourself, and let others "remember." Success is much sweeter that way. --Ann Landers, "The 10 Commandments of Getting Along with People" Dec. 27, 2011 - How to Change the World (photo
courtesy: 48days.com)
"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it. And now I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed myself first, then by example I might have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I might have even changed the world." Dec. 18, 2011 - The Last Quarter, Moonrise in Tokyo, Sat. Dec. 17, 2011, 11:22 pm Dec. 17, 2011 - Slurpees in JapanThis morning for the first time in my 2-decade-long tenure in Japan, I saw a slurpee machine in a convenience store. WOW. The 4 flavors in this 7-11 are Coke, Fanta melon soda, Fanta orange, and lemon pop. I hope this idea catches on and there are still a few around during the ungodly hot and humid days of August… Dec. 15, 2011 - A 2009 Christmas Medley by Santa MickeySanta Mickey thrills kids worldwide with Xmas carol karaoke practice.All 5 videos are in a playlist and will play continuously, non-stop. Or click on the playlist icon 
above to select the other 4 videos.(Play the entire playlist in new window here.) Dec. 4. 2011 - Mt. Fuji & the Tokyo Sky Tree @ sunset, Dec. 4, 2011, 4:58 pm Nov. 27, 2011 - Japanese University Students Use Content 2.0 Online Forum to Share their Views of the WorldThis is one of over 500 presentations, speeches, and workshops given at the Nov. 18-21, 2011 JALT international conference at the Yoyogi National Olympics Memorial Center in Tokyo. More details on this class project here: What Japanese University Students Think About...?Nov. 26, 2011 - Japanese construction zone flagmanThis is a Japanese-style electronic flagman in a road construction work zone along National Highway Route 298, in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan. Taken @ 4:34 pm, Sat. Nov. 26, 2011.Nov. 23, 2011 - Global understanding A
big high-five to the university students I had the pleasure of helping
coach recently on their 2nd-place finish in the e-presentation video
contest. As a result of their hard work, they have won a 5-day
expense-paid study tour to a partner university in South Korea for
training and exchange. Their video is the 2nd one on this page, entitled "M-students' Hot
News."
Congrats to Yuka, Masahiro, and Yuta on a job well done… Nov. 12, 2011 - ARE YOU SAILING TOO CLOSE TO SHORE?"Disturb us, Lord, whenWe are too well pleased with ourselves, When our dreams have come true Because we have dreamed too little, When we arrived safely Because we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, To venture on wider seas Where storms will show your mastery; Where losing sight of land, We shall find the stars. We ask You to push back The horizons of our hopes; And to push into the future In strength, courage, hope, and love." --Sir Francis Drake-- 16th century English sailor  (photo
courtesy: 48days.com)Nov. 3, 2011 - My Recommended Reading List My
Recommended
Reading List shows some
of the books that are either already in my personal library or
hopefully will be in the near future, and all of which have had a
profound impact or helped shape my life through the years. It'd be
great to hear if you've read any of these same books & what you
thought of them, thx...
Oct. 30, 2011 - 101-year-old Michigan woman drives 81-year-old Packard 740 roadster......and even changes the oil & spark plugs herself. Read story here & view very touching video here. Notice at the very end of the video when she steps on a little red towel to get into the car so she won't dirty the running board, then picks it up and puts it in the car so she can use it when she gets out! Precious lady!!!! 1930 Packard 740 roadster (photo courtesy: NY Times) Oct. 21, 2011 - Katie Davis, foster mom for 13 abandoned Ugandan girls (photo
courtesy: npr.org)By buying food & supplies in bulk, they have been able to get the cost of a meal down to only 8 cents, so the average $25 donation obviously feeds one child for a very long time. Amazima is also partnering with local Ugandans in implementing self-sustaining vocational programs like the Ugandan bead necklace program where women from the Karimojong tribe make Ugandan bead necklaces and sell them in the United States. Additionally, Amazima has trained and hired young Ugandans in carpentry skills, building a community playground and a chapel. To donate, sponsor a child, or read more details, pls. visit these links: http://www.amazima.org/ http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/ http://www.npr.org/2011/07/09/137348637/in-uganda-american-becomes-foster-mom-to-13-girls Oct. 20, 2011 - Tokyo sunset Tokyo sunset, 5:10 pm, Oct. 19, 2011 Oct. 17, 2011 - Mt. Norikura-dake (乗鞍岳), elev. 3026m, Japan's 19th highest mountainAlong with 7 wild & crazy Japanese guys in June 1993, we hiked w/ ski boots & poles to the summit of Mt. Norikura-dake (乗鞍岳), Japan's 19th highest mountain, and then skied down. It was without question one of the most bizarre, yet incredibly fun, mountain climbing trips I've ever made. Read the full report on my Mt. Norikura-dake page. Oct. 12, 2011 - Join rock climber Alex Honnold in his ascent of Yosemite's Half Dome, nearly 2,000 feet — without a rope.(View in separate window here.) In Sept. '08 Alex Honnold became the first person to free solo the 2000 ft Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, California. 2000 ft of climbing. 2 hours and 50 minutes (this route normally takes a day or 2). No rope. No harness. Or any sort of safety gear. 26-yr-old Alex is from Sacramento, CA and started climbing when he was 11 years old. At age 19 he dropped out of UC Berkeley, where he was an engineering student, to climb full-time. Referred to as the Michael Jordan of rock climbing, Alex is also regarded by some as the greatest free soloist who ever lived. Oct. 9, 2011 - Japanese fire drill & disaster trainingThe fire dept. comes out annually to the larger residential & office bldgs. in the city to demo emergency safety equipment & procedures to help keep citizens safe. Fire dept. personnel give up many of their weekends & receive no extra pay for providing this service to residents. Ya gotta just LOVE Japan ! (Interestingly, in Japan they still teach the mouth-to-mouth method of CPR.)(View in separate window here.) Cue marks: 0:00 Evacuation & assembly in parking area 3:15 Greeting by fire captain 4:15 Fire extinguisher demo 8:50 Fire extinguisher practice 11:20 AED demo 16:45 CPR demo 21:50 CPR practice 33:20 AED practice 36:35 Earthquake Experience Vehicle demo 41:30 Close-up of fire truck 42:30 Veranda emergency ladder demo & practice 44:40 Emergency floodlight demo Oct. 8, 2011 -"When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."--Steve Jobs (1955-2011), Apple co-founder & former CEO-- (2005 Stanford commencement address) Oct. 7, 2011 - "Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment""Washington keeps telling us our border is more secure than ever, but this detailed military assessment, by two of America's top generals, offers proof to the contrary. It's time to shed the cloak of denial and protect our citizens and national security. Would Washington stand by and allow terrorists from Canada to make daily incursions into New York? The answer is a resounding, 'No.' We expect and demand that same level of protection in Texas. It's time for Washington to uphold its constitutional duty to protect Americans on their home soil."--Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples --  Despite border security constituting the single largest item in Obama's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget, they have failed to develop a border security strategy that protects American cities and rural areas from Latin American & Mexican drug, gun, and human smuggling cartels operating inside our borders. The 182-page report, "Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment," was prepared by retired four-star Army General Barry R. McCaffrey, former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Bill Clinton and former Commander of all U.S. troops in Central and South America; and retired Army Major-General Robert H. Scales, PhD, the former Commandant of the United States Army War College. Oct. 5, 2011 - Left-behind dads take desperate measures; bureaucracy in 'land of the abducted son'I love this country dearly, but it's not doing nearly enough about the growing epidemic of international parental child abductions. Pls. continue to remember my dear American friend & his children in your prayers. There is still hope he will someday be reunited w/ his kidnapped sons. Click here to read his article published Tues. Oct. 4, 2011 by the Japan Times. When Richard Cory's 14-year-old daughter, who lives with him, tried to hand over a birthday card she had made for her 11-year-old brother, who lives with their mother, police raced to the scene to prevent delivery. (Photo courtesy: Richard Cory) Gary J. Wolff's Blog archives:
July-Sept. 2011 April-June 2011 Jan.-Mar. 2011 Oct.-Dec. 2010 July-Sept. 2010 April-June 2010 Jan.-Mar. 2010 Oct.-Dec. 2009 Website
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Main Tier 2 Pages:  What's New? (blog)  Highest Mountains in Japan  Strongest Ever Japan Earthquake and Tsunami 
Pacific Islands Travel  What Japanese University Students Think About...?  Yoshimizu's Artwork
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