I miss your awesome public transportation system.
I miss the fact that you have a fuckload of convenience stores within walking distance of almost everything.
I miss being able to drink legally.
I miss being able to text my friends in Japan.
I miss seeing people randomly dressed in traditional clothing.
I miss the random (to me) festivals.
I miss my friends in Japan.
I miss being able to go to (relatively cheap) clubs or shows.
I miss seeing the mix of traditional and modern architecture.
I miss people-watching in Shibuya and Shinjuku.
I miss spending hours with friends in an izakaya.
I miss real karaoke places.
I miss being able to see stars at night, and night actually being dark in the summer.
Even though I hate it there sometimes, the fact that I'm going to school there is awesome.
I can't wait to go back.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
We are the Tri-P!
MYUJI'S BIRTHDAY LIVE/PARTY WAS AWESOME.
Since I didn't post about it, I'll explain who Myuji is. Myuji is a singer. His voice is amazing. He did the opening theme for the anime version of X by CLAMP (you can hear the song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO2ALzHVYgE). He's the son of Kuwana Masahiro (famous Japanese singer) and Ann Lewis (famous half-Japanese singer). By famous, I mean famous in Japan. His siblings are all also musicians or singers. He's got an awesome voice, he's hot, and he's somehow not a douche.
His current band is Tripolysm, he's the vocalist and guitarist, with Daigoro on drums and Chaka on bass. Apparently, those two used to be in his backing band when he was solo, now they're just a regular band together. There's also a fourth guy who plays with them sometimes, I think his name is Hiro, he plays guitar. They've preformed in America at SakuraCon (the big anime convention in Seattle).
I saw Tripolysm for the first time on April 1st. It was at a place in Roppongi called Club Edge. I met my friend Maria there while I was waiting for the doors to open. She introduced me to Myuji before the show. I got nervous, so I probably sounded like an idiot when I talked to him. The first opening band was cool, and I got to meet and talk with them afterwards (this is the band where Homare is a guitarist and Kisha is the vocalist). The second band was pretty good too, they were a bit more jazz and less rock.
Finally, Tripolysm was starting. I was right in front of the stage. When the curtain went up, I was standing in front of Chaka. About halfway through their first song, I felt hands on my back. Homare moved me to right in front of Myuji! I was surprised, but happy. I didn't know any of the words to any of the songs, but dammit, it was awesome. When Myuji threw guitar picks to the audience, he handed me one. Like, walked up to me and put it in my hand.
Since it was April Fool's Day and Myuji knows what that is, he decided to tell us that the band had a new fourth member, then proceeded to pull out a small rubber chicken, hold it up to the mic, and squeeze it repeatedly. That sound was awful.
Afterward I got to meet Chaka and Daigoro. Chaka's effing adorable! Maria was babbling to him about me and my tattoos, and he said "Misete" which kinda shocked me (it's a blunt, almost rude way of saying "Show me"). The reaction from Japanese people to my kanji tattoo has never been negative. Daigoro's favorite band is Tool! And he also likes Otep and A Perfect Circle and other bands I like. He's also really tall for a Japanese guy. They all signed my CD, even though Myuji spelled my name wrong in katakana (the alphabet they use for foreign names and words), but I didn't care. I made the guitar pick into a pendant and put it on the ball chain with my Dir en grey fanclub coin. =D Myuji saw my Punisher shirt, got all excited, and showed me a picture of him with a Punisher hoodie on. XD
It was an awesome time. Pictures are on my facebook page.
Myuji's birthday was on the 8th. I met up with Maria at Harajuku Station, then we walked to the venue (Crocodile). Again, pics are on my facebook.
It was super crowded. Apparently the place is famous, I guess a lot of famous (both Japanese and foreign) people go and or preform there. They actually had crocodile meat on the menu, it was expensive.) A bunch of opening acts were there, including some chick from Myuji's futsal (indoor soccer) team (Tokyo Cherries), a comedian-type dude who apparently is famous on Japanese TV, a girl from Kagoshima (where my friend Aimi is from), Myuji's sister, and his father, Kuwana Masahiro. Kuwana-san's voice is still amazing. Myuji's sister and father did a duet, Kuwana-san sang solo, and he also did a duet with Myuji. It was great. Then Tripolysm preformed. Encores were called for both Kuwana-san and Tripolysm.
Next was the birthday/afterparty. This consisted of singing Happy Birthday (in English), eating, drinking, chilling, and guests getting hit with cake and/or champagne poured on them. I narrowly avoided it. Myuji wanted to as a "send-off present" to me (he knows I'm headed back home), and I dared him to do it, but he didn't. He promised he would next year.
While I was talking to Daigoro during some down time, Chaka came over to us and told me in English to take Daigoro home with me. I think Chaka likes to say things that make people blush. Maria totally has a crush on Chaka, but the hot bassist got married a few months ago, so the poor woman doesn't stand a chance. (His wedding photos are sweet, he had his multi-colored braids in during the ceremony.) Chaka had to leave early because apparently his great-grandfather died, so he had to make it to the service.
I showed my guitar pick pendant to Myuji. I think he liked it. =D
There was this very *ahem* provocatively dressed woman there (think white dress with black bra and panties). She kept hitting on Myuji, acting drunk off one drink, you know, typical slut status (before you criticize me for slut-shaming, she kept acting provocatively as well, flashing her panties, pretending to blow things, rubbing Myuji's crotch, etc. Kisha kept asking her to stop, because he's cool like that ^_^). He went all frat boy on her, pouring beer all over her. It was hilarious. Of course, this only made her dress see through. The boy's a bit of a perv, not enough to be creepy, just enough to be amusing.
Everything died down and we cleaned up. The floor was absolutely disgusting, so everyone busted out mops and rags. We all cleaned up (not just the venue staff).
I said bye to Daigoro, then to Myuji. I said I'd see him in the fall, he said he'd be waiting for me and he gave me a Tripolysm sticker. I put it on my phone, which also has a pic of them preforming from that night as the screen background.
It was a great night/morning.
I can't wait to see them again. They have a show in Daikanyama the day after I leave (*cries*). I hope their next CD is done by the time I get back.
They're all really cool. I don't know how they're not famous, but maybe it's because there's fuckloads of bands all trying to make it big in Tokyo.
Myuji's homepage (outdated): http://www.myuji.jp/
Tripolysm's webpage: http://web.me.com/myuji/tripolysm/TRI-P_top.html
Since I didn't post about it, I'll explain who Myuji is. Myuji is a singer. His voice is amazing. He did the opening theme for the anime version of X by CLAMP (you can hear the song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO2ALzHVYgE). He's the son of Kuwana Masahiro (famous Japanese singer) and Ann Lewis (famous half-Japanese singer). By famous, I mean famous in Japan. His siblings are all also musicians or singers. He's got an awesome voice, he's hot, and he's somehow not a douche.
His current band is Tripolysm, he's the vocalist and guitarist, with Daigoro on drums and Chaka on bass. Apparently, those two used to be in his backing band when he was solo, now they're just a regular band together. There's also a fourth guy who plays with them sometimes, I think his name is Hiro, he plays guitar. They've preformed in America at SakuraCon (the big anime convention in Seattle).
I saw Tripolysm for the first time on April 1st. It was at a place in Roppongi called Club Edge. I met my friend Maria there while I was waiting for the doors to open. She introduced me to Myuji before the show. I got nervous, so I probably sounded like an idiot when I talked to him. The first opening band was cool, and I got to meet and talk with them afterwards (this is the band where Homare is a guitarist and Kisha is the vocalist). The second band was pretty good too, they were a bit more jazz and less rock.
Finally, Tripolysm was starting. I was right in front of the stage. When the curtain went up, I was standing in front of Chaka. About halfway through their first song, I felt hands on my back. Homare moved me to right in front of Myuji! I was surprised, but happy. I didn't know any of the words to any of the songs, but dammit, it was awesome. When Myuji threw guitar picks to the audience, he handed me one. Like, walked up to me and put it in my hand.
Since it was April Fool's Day and Myuji knows what that is, he decided to tell us that the band had a new fourth member, then proceeded to pull out a small rubber chicken, hold it up to the mic, and squeeze it repeatedly. That sound was awful.
Afterward I got to meet Chaka and Daigoro. Chaka's effing adorable! Maria was babbling to him about me and my tattoos, and he said "Misete" which kinda shocked me (it's a blunt, almost rude way of saying "Show me"). The reaction from Japanese people to my kanji tattoo has never been negative. Daigoro's favorite band is Tool! And he also likes Otep and A Perfect Circle and other bands I like. He's also really tall for a Japanese guy. They all signed my CD, even though Myuji spelled my name wrong in katakana (the alphabet they use for foreign names and words), but I didn't care. I made the guitar pick into a pendant and put it on the ball chain with my Dir en grey fanclub coin. =D Myuji saw my Punisher shirt, got all excited, and showed me a picture of him with a Punisher hoodie on. XD
It was an awesome time. Pictures are on my facebook page.
Myuji's birthday was on the 8th. I met up with Maria at Harajuku Station, then we walked to the venue (Crocodile). Again, pics are on my facebook.
It was super crowded. Apparently the place is famous, I guess a lot of famous (both Japanese and foreign) people go and or preform there. They actually had crocodile meat on the menu, it was expensive.) A bunch of opening acts were there, including some chick from Myuji's futsal (indoor soccer) team (Tokyo Cherries), a comedian-type dude who apparently is famous on Japanese TV, a girl from Kagoshima (where my friend Aimi is from), Myuji's sister, and his father, Kuwana Masahiro. Kuwana-san's voice is still amazing. Myuji's sister and father did a duet, Kuwana-san sang solo, and he also did a duet with Myuji. It was great. Then Tripolysm preformed. Encores were called for both Kuwana-san and Tripolysm.
Next was the birthday/afterparty. This consisted of singing Happy Birthday (in English), eating, drinking, chilling, and guests getting hit with cake and/or champagne poured on them. I narrowly avoided it. Myuji wanted to as a "send-off present" to me (he knows I'm headed back home), and I dared him to do it, but he didn't. He promised he would next year.
While I was talking to Daigoro during some down time, Chaka came over to us and told me in English to take Daigoro home with me. I think Chaka likes to say things that make people blush. Maria totally has a crush on Chaka, but the hot bassist got married a few months ago, so the poor woman doesn't stand a chance. (His wedding photos are sweet, he had his multi-colored braids in during the ceremony.) Chaka had to leave early because apparently his great-grandfather died, so he had to make it to the service.
I showed my guitar pick pendant to Myuji. I think he liked it. =D
There was this very *ahem* provocatively dressed woman there (think white dress with black bra and panties). She kept hitting on Myuji, acting drunk off one drink, you know, typical slut status (before you criticize me for slut-shaming, she kept acting provocatively as well, flashing her panties, pretending to blow things, rubbing Myuji's crotch, etc. Kisha kept asking her to stop, because he's cool like that ^_^). He went all frat boy on her, pouring beer all over her. It was hilarious. Of course, this only made her dress see through. The boy's a bit of a perv, not enough to be creepy, just enough to be amusing.
Everything died down and we cleaned up. The floor was absolutely disgusting, so everyone busted out mops and rags. We all cleaned up (not just the venue staff).
I said bye to Daigoro, then to Myuji. I said I'd see him in the fall, he said he'd be waiting for me and he gave me a Tripolysm sticker. I put it on my phone, which also has a pic of them preforming from that night as the screen background.
It was a great night/morning.
I can't wait to see them again. They have a show in Daikanyama the day after I leave (*cries*). I hope their next CD is done by the time I get back.
They're all really cool. I don't know how they're not famous, but maybe it's because there's fuckloads of bands all trying to make it big in Tokyo.
Myuji's homepage (outdated): http://www.myuji.jp/
Tripolysm's webpage: http://web.me.com/myuji/tripolysm/TRI-P_top.html
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Augh
I'm so sorry I suck at updating.
Missed the LM.C shows cuz I need to save money. Sad panda. Did, however, go with Erin to this crazy indie VK live thingie in Kabukicho (that place is weird during the day). It was fun. Hooray hot bands and good music. As a side note, VK-obsessed Japanese middle school girls scare me.
The Japanese friends I've made here are very supportive, especially Aimi and Tomoaki.
I've gotten to hang out with Homare, the adorable guitarist of my friend Kisha's band. Gonna see him again on Friday. I got to hang out with their band in a recording studio a couple weeks ago.
Back in April, I saw Myuji and his band Tripolysm live. It was great. This Saturday is his birthday concert; I can't wait.
Been staying with Masaki, but now I'm at Michael and Jamie's. It's nice to experience parts of Tokyo that aren't Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Harajuku.
I wanna go to the zoo in Ueno~!
I'm both happy and sad about going home. There's so much shit I need to do when I get back.
Been to Atom a few times. First time sucked, second time was awesome, third time was acceptably fun. The second time I went, apparently it was their anniversary, so this dude dressed traditionally got up on stage and started playing the motherfucking shamisen while electronic music played in the background. Later, I got to witness a club full of Japanese people do the YMCA. I was cracking up.
A lot of old friends/acquaintances back home are getting married, are pregnant, and/or have children. Seeing as how most of them aren't terribly older than I am, I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. When I'm talking with my female Japanese friends, I feel like I'm not a real woman. They're all girly, and they all can't wait to marry and have kids. I'm not very girly, and I never want marriage or children.
ARGH BOY ISSUES. I'm not going to go into that further. I'm still single; that should give you, dear reader, some indication as to the status of my love life.
It's been so hot lately. I'm afraid I'm gonna melt. The Japanese all stare at my because I keep rolling up my pants and wearing tank tops. Maybe I'm more pale than I thought?
I've been slowly overcoming my irrational fear of subways.
Living out of suitcases sucks. Especially when you're lugging three of them around on the trains here.
Being over here, I've gained an even greater appreciation for my iPod. I get very cranky when it dies, especially on long train rides.
My feet are all icky. I suppose that's what happens when you walk/stand on trains everywhere. Pedicures here are like $90 though. Eff that. I'll wait till I get home where they're around $30, thank you very much.
Being in Japan has made me realize a few things about myself. Whether that's good or bad, I'm not sure yet. Maybe next time I post, I'll share some of these realizations.
I had pancakes the night before last =D And HOLY CRAP I miss macaroni & cheese.
I need to find new earrings, 8 gauge, that look somewhat professional. Somehow I don't think that's gonna happen. Every time I go to BME, it makes me long for new piercings and tattoos. =/ The career I want the the body mods I want don't go together very well. How I can rectify this, I've no idea.
Later!
Missed the LM.C shows cuz I need to save money. Sad panda. Did, however, go with Erin to this crazy indie VK live thingie in Kabukicho (that place is weird during the day). It was fun. Hooray hot bands and good music. As a side note, VK-obsessed Japanese middle school girls scare me.
The Japanese friends I've made here are very supportive, especially Aimi and Tomoaki.
I've gotten to hang out with Homare, the adorable guitarist of my friend Kisha's band. Gonna see him again on Friday. I got to hang out with their band in a recording studio a couple weeks ago.
Back in April, I saw Myuji and his band Tripolysm live. It was great. This Saturday is his birthday concert; I can't wait.
Been staying with Masaki, but now I'm at Michael and Jamie's. It's nice to experience parts of Tokyo that aren't Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Harajuku.
I wanna go to the zoo in Ueno~!
I'm both happy and sad about going home. There's so much shit I need to do when I get back.
Been to Atom a few times. First time sucked, second time was awesome, third time was acceptably fun. The second time I went, apparently it was their anniversary, so this dude dressed traditionally got up on stage and started playing the motherfucking shamisen while electronic music played in the background. Later, I got to witness a club full of Japanese people do the YMCA. I was cracking up.
A lot of old friends/acquaintances back home are getting married, are pregnant, and/or have children. Seeing as how most of them aren't terribly older than I am, I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. When I'm talking with my female Japanese friends, I feel like I'm not a real woman. They're all girly, and they all can't wait to marry and have kids. I'm not very girly, and I never want marriage or children.
ARGH BOY ISSUES. I'm not going to go into that further. I'm still single; that should give you, dear reader, some indication as to the status of my love life.
It's been so hot lately. I'm afraid I'm gonna melt. The Japanese all stare at my because I keep rolling up my pants and wearing tank tops. Maybe I'm more pale than I thought?
I've been slowly overcoming my irrational fear of subways.
Living out of suitcases sucks. Especially when you're lugging three of them around on the trains here.
Being over here, I've gained an even greater appreciation for my iPod. I get very cranky when it dies, especially on long train rides.
My feet are all icky. I suppose that's what happens when you walk/stand on trains everywhere. Pedicures here are like $90 though. Eff that. I'll wait till I get home where they're around $30, thank you very much.
Being in Japan has made me realize a few things about myself. Whether that's good or bad, I'm not sure yet. Maybe next time I post, I'll share some of these realizations.
I had pancakes the night before last =D And HOLY CRAP I miss macaroni & cheese.
I need to find new earrings, 8 gauge, that look somewhat professional. Somehow I don't think that's gonna happen. Every time I go to BME, it makes me long for new piercings and tattoos. =/ The career I want the the body mods I want don't go together very well. How I can rectify this, I've no idea.
Later!
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