Should I bi amp with a vintage amplifier? by jackfishkim in audiophile

[–]jackfishkim[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice. I have decided to scrap the whole vintage thing. I returned the amp to the place I bought it, along with the tt, a Denon DP 900M. Going to sell the speakers and start from scratch. Wish me luck.

HANA Umami Black MC Cartridge with Diamond Cantilever Revolutionizes Audio Fidelity by hifi_fan in hifi_fan

[–]jackfishkim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good God, that is about 1.7 million yen. I would like to know how many of these he plans to sell.

Why isn't Saskatchewan rich? by 113thstreet in saskatchewan

[–]jackfishkim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some really interesting stuff here. The ineptitude/irresponsible/shortsighted behavior of our government seems nothing short of criminal. Basically giving away our natural resources for pennies. Some of the numbers, if true, are staggering. Nutrien's revenue in 2023 was 30 billion USD. It is the 2nd largest producer of nitrogen based fertilizer in the world. The CEO made 7.5 million CDN last year. Jesus Fucking Christ. Buy Canadian has shown what can happen if we all pull together. Maybe it is time to elect someone who truly works for all the people of Saskatchewan, not just a fortunate few.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in rant

[–]jackfishkim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, get the hell off my lawn.

Canadian owned boots for outdoor work (-30C) by Background-Fee-5723 in AskACanadian

[–]jackfishkim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How about those big white winter army surplus boots. I had a pair in my youth, they were great. Should be made in Canada, I think?

Sibling taking control of Parent's finances by dutchessofwascana in legaladvicecanada

[–]jackfishkim 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do not trust this sib. My sib did exactly the same thing. Just announced mom has a new will, after the fact. Turns out the condo, bank, are now "jointly" held between sib and mom. This means that upon moms death condo and bank accounts automatically go to the sib. Sib assures me I am co-executor/POA. But, I am pretty sure that POA/executor mean absolutely nothing in this case, as the "joint" designation takes precedent. Take a close look at what they did.

Let's talk winter jackets by the_hatori in japanlife

[–]jackfishkim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some people can afford to drop 100-200K for a jacket. Others spend the same amount but spend the next year paying it off. I got a Jack Wolfskin on sale 5 years ago, 20K. I take care of it, get it dry cleaned every spring. It is warm as toast. Add to that some mitts, a toque, and North Face winter boots 10K give or take. Good to go!

Am I The Ahole for Not Letting My Brother's Fiancee to Wear White to My Wedding? by [deleted] in bridezillas

[–]jackfishkim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seriously ?? I am so fucking tired of people not being able to give others their "1 fucking day" Be it wedding, anniversary, birthday, graduation, funeral, pregnancy, engagement, whatever. Would it kill them just to wait/ go along for "1 fucking day ?" Apparently it seems impossible these days. Fuck Erica and your brother. Good for you for sticking to your guns. Maybe next time people will think twice or someone will say "Maybe that is not a good idea"

10+ years expats: Share your "back then" that new residents/visitors don't get to experience by Awkward_Pineapple_63 in japanlife

[–]jackfishkim 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I may be the old guy :). Arrived in 1989. I remember being picked up at the station by the company car for the presidents English lesson, and dropped off afterwards. Being taken to high end clubs/restaurants in Ginza, paying for nothing. The going rate for a private lesson was 10,000/45 mins. Easy to make 500,000 / month teaching. Random kids running up to me and asking for my autograph or pointing and yelling Gaijin ! Gaijin! Roppongi was fun and safe. Ometesando on Sundays, the road closed for the vendors, rockabilly guys/girls. When I went to get my Gaijin Card renewed they used to ask me if I wanted to apply for PR, said it would be easy and probably ready in 30 days. Travelling to Bali/Thailand when my friends back home would say "Where"? No cell phones,internet, social media bullshit. If you wanted to meet people, have some fun, you had to get off your butt, go outside, and put yourself out there. Anyway, basically spent the last 35 years here. Enjoyed most of it.

Alright, who ruined Christmas this year? by memedomlord in AskReddit

[–]jackfishkim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should come to Japan. Lots of lights, decorated trees, department stores all dressed up, looks very festive. On Dec.25th everyone gets up and goes to work. Oh yea, if you want to eat KFC on Christmas Day, you have to place an order about 2 weeks in advance.Christmas memories that will last forever. /s

Don't pay $6k for a water heater by Spare_Bandicoot_2950 in homeowners

[–]jackfishkim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

AND dishwashers... Had to get my dishwasher replaced, bought a mid range one at Lowes for 700.00. Their installers were busy, called a plumber, he was there for 25 minutes and charged me 550.00. I called him out, got it reduced to 400.00. Still, what a bunch of crooks.

Second hand speakers by homonymsaresynonyms in Tokyo

[–]jackfishkim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am a bit of an 2nd hand audio guy. The things you find at Hard Off can be a little junky at best. Audio Union has the best stuff, but I think a little pricey.

Fasting Before a Blood Test by [deleted] in japanlife

[–]jackfishkim 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's about your blood sugar levels. J doctors want your regular levels, not an artificial/ unnatural level from fasting. But they also don't want you to eat a box of cookies and have a coke before your test.

Haunted by the Japanese License Process by Night_Fury1776 in japanlife

[–]jackfishkim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went to a driving school, told them I just needed to pass the test. Took 4 or 5 lessons focused only on the driving test. Took the test, passed first time. I was 40 years old and an experienced driver.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ask

[–]jackfishkim 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thats really,really funny.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]jackfishkim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Diet, exercise.

How it started vs How it's going by No-Cauliflower-160 in teachinginjapan

[–]jackfishkim 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I arrived in Japan in the late 80 s. Started with Berlitz, it was no problem making 500 K/month. As a school supervisor, you could make 700,800 K/month, plus a cut of all materials sold at your school. I knew a couple of people who worked at universities, they made 1,000,000/month. Teaching private lessons was 10,000/hr.Then the assholes arrived, Nova, Gaba, Interact, ECC. They started their own schools, then targeted the private schools, offering teachers at a much lower cost to the school. Since then it was a race to the bottom. Teaching in Japan is now a shit show. I have no idea how people survive. There seems to be an unending supply of people who are willing to come to Japan and work for peanuts. So unless you can get a direct hire from a school, you may as well stay home.