Preface
It has finally started to get a bit warmer. How are you all doing?
I usually play tennis indoors, but after more than six months, I enjoyed playing tennis outdoors! Perhaps because I’m used to playing tennis indoors, it was a bit challenging to concentrate on the game with the sun shining in my eyes during outdoor play.
Now, let’s talk about the topic for this month!
News
Akira Toriyama, the Famous Creator of Dragon Ball, Has Passed Away
For those who may not watch much anime or manga, you might have heard of Dragon Ball or Dr. Slump’s Arale-chan at least once, haven’t you?
The original creator of these works, Mr. Akira Toriyama, passed away on March 1, 2024, due to acute subdural hematoma, as reported by Toriyama’s production company, “Bird Studio,” on the 8th.
Dragon Ball, which has been beloved worldwide for 40 years since its serialization, is set to release a new installment, Dragon Ball DAIMA, in the fall of 2024.
In addition to manga, Mr. Toriyama was also responsible for the character and monster illustrations in Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger, leaving behind numerous charming characters.
Originally starting his career as a designer, Akira Toriyama later transitioned to become a manga artist for Weekly Shonen Jump.
His overwhelming design sense and manga depictions have undeniably influenced many succeeding manga artists.
While it is incredibly saddening to lose someone who has created such wonderful works, these pieces were undeniably a significant part of my childhood.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Toriyama.
Free Ride from London to New York without a Passport!?
In recent years, there was a foreign YouTuber who gained attention by introducing methods for fare evasion in Japan. However, this time, the story involves a man who might surprise everyone.
Craig Sturt, a 46-year-old unemployed individual from Slough, Berkshire, visited London’s Heathrow Airport on December 23, 2023. Typically, passengers purchase tickets and complete check-in and baggage drop at the counter. However, Craig had not bought a ticket, and without checking in, he headed to the airport’s security checkpoint.
During security checks, passengers are required to present their boarding pass and passport. Craig had neither, but he managed to seamlessly pass through security by closely following the previous passenger.
Even though passing through security is one challenge, the next hurdle is presenting a passport during boarding, right? However, Craig, once again, closely followed the passenger in front of him, proceeded to the boarding gate, and managed to board the plane without showing his passport.
Despite concerns about boarding a fully booked flight during the busy Christmas season, Craig found available seats due to a passenger missing a connecting flight. He was able to comfortably sit down without having a proper boarding pass.
Once on board, passengers are rarely checked for their passport or ticket during the flight. After enjoying complimentary in-flight meals, Craig landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on December 24.
Upon disembarking, Craig failed to present his passport during the immigration inspection. This is when his misdeeds finally came to light, and he was arrested by American police.
Living for Free in a New York Hotel for 5 Years Using a Legal Loophole
In recent times, the cost of living in New York has been rising at an astonishing rate, with rent being a particularly challenging issue for many New Yorkers.
However, using a legal loophole, a man who stayed for free at the renowned New York hotel “The New Yorker” for 5 years and even claimed ownership of the hotel has now been prosecuted by the authorities.
The man in question is Mickey Barreto.
After moving from Los Angeles to New York, he learned about the “Rent Stabilization” in New York, which allows residents of buildings built before 1969 to demand a 6-month lease.
Defendant Barreto stayed at The New Yorker for $200 a night in June 2018. After paying for one night, he made the audacious claim that since he paid for a night, he was a tenant and demanded a 6-month lease from the hotel.
Of course, the hotel rejected this demand, and they even removed Barreto’s belongings when he persisted.
Although his initial lawsuit claiming illegal eviction was dismissed, Barreto won the case when he appealed to the state’s supreme court, where the hotel’s lawyers did not appear.
Even after gaining recognition for his right to reside in the hotel, due to the hotel owner refusing to negotiate a lease, Barreto reportedly continued to live in the hotel without paying rent until July 2023.
However, authorities were not concerned about this freeloading aspect! According to Manhattan prosecutors, in 2019, Barreto uploaded fake documents to a New York City website, claiming that ownership of the hotel was transferred from the “Unification Church” to himself.
Furthermore, he allegedly demanded rent from one tenant, registered the hotel under his name with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for water and sewer payments, and behaved as if he were the owner.
The hotel’s actual owner, the Unification Church, filed a lawsuit against Barreto in 2019 for false claims.
The legal battle is still ongoing, but the court has prohibited Barreto from acting as the hotel owner.
Nevertheless, Barreto continued to claim that he is the hotel owner, submitting documents to New York City’s information system in 2023, asserting that the hotel’s ownership was transferred to him. Subsequently, on February 14, 2024, he was arrested and charged with submitting false property records.
Pick-up
How to Use ChatGPT
I’ve created an article about the trending topic of ChatGPT.
Please feel free to give it a read!
William O’Neil’s How to Make in Stocks 1-8
I’ve written a series of articles covering William O’Neil’s growth stock discovery method from 1 to 8 this month.
If you’re interested in growth stock investment or if you’re not satisfied with your current investment strategy, please take a moment to read this series.
Gadget/Lifehacks
Jme
How do those of you living in the United States typically watch Japanese news, variety shows, dramas, etc.?
In North America, the well-known 24-hour Japanese channel ‘TV Japan’ is a notable option, but its service is set to end on March 31, 2024.
As a successor to ‘TV Japan, a new video streaming service called ‘Jme’ has been announced and is scheduled to begin service on March 20, 2024.
The subscription fee is $25 per month, and the service is provided over the internet. Unlike TV Japan, there is no need for a cable TV or satellite broadcasting contract.
A distinctive feature of Jme is that it can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere with an internet connection, using devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.
As I don’t have a contract with cable TV or satellite broadcasting, this is a welcome service update for me, and I’m considering registering for Jme!
Personal Finance
I’ve been closely monitoring the recent surge in AI-related stocks. What stocks do you currently own in this sector?
My portfolio is currently heavily invested in AI-related stocks, resulting in significant fluctuations in both gains and losses.
Here are the realized returns on individual stocks.
- ELF: 100.93%
- POWL: 21.36%
- NSSC: 3.66%
I believe there is still room for further growth, but as the recent price movements have stabilized, I decided to sell my long-term holding in ELF that I’ve had for about a year.
Here are the stocks I currently hold:
I usually try to hold the same stocks in my Vanguard IRA account as well, but due to fund transfers and other factors, the portfolio is currently different. In addition to the mentioned stocks, my Vanguard IRA account also holds SMCI and NVDA. Although I might have entered the NVDA position slightly later, it meets the criteria of my screener, and its fundamentals are solid. I believe it will rise to at least the current stock price of SMCI.
Shop/Restaurant
Boris & Horton
It’s my pleasure to introduce Boris & Horton, a unique dog café in Manhattan, located in the Lower East Side. I’ve been visiting this café regularly on weekends seeking relaxation.
For those who love dogs, I highly recommend stopping by this place! Not only are there adorable dogs at the cafe, but customers are also welcome to bring their pets, creating a lively atmosphere with a variety of canine friends.
Unfortunately, as I was writing this article, I came across some sad news. It seems that the café is on the brink of closure due to financial difficulties. At the moment, they are managing to stay afloat with funds raised through crowdfunding, but the future remains uncertain.
I sincerely hope that this urban oasis can continue providing comfort to various people for a long time to come. Let’s hope for the best for Boris & Horton!”
Boris & Horton 195 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 Mon-Sun 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Postscript
I was able to update as planned every month, and I hope you enjoyed it. Regarding the guitar practice I mentioned in the last month’s afterword, unfortunately, it became a three-day habit.
However, I continue to go to the gym three to four times a week, take Spanish conversation lessons twice a week, and so on, so I am satisfied with the continuity.
Also, a person I met through tennis introduced me to a recreational indoor soccer group, and I participate every Tuesday at a place called The Ground in China Town.
Although there are still some cold days, the temperature has become quite warm, so I want to actively engage in activities such as forest bathing and exploring the city.
Well then, until next month’s update, I hope everyone is doing well!”
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