[538] Oh, right... - 2007/12/31 (Mon)

This is my announcement of this year's best three memories. They're private until the end, but...

First, at number 3...

'First Dance' (^_^) It was seriously stressful. (^^;) My head was filled with static. (^_^)

And at number 2...

'First Photography Exhibit' (A collaboration, but still) It was so great to meet everyone. (^_^) Someday, a one-man show!!

And the great number 1... Definitely!!

'Climbing Mt Fuji' (^_^) Maaaan, I am so glad I climbed it. It was really hard, but I want to climb it again next year, too. (^_^)

On the work front... Number 3 is 'Matsusaka Beef' (^_^) That was the best flavor of my life. (^_^) I'm so glad we did some stuff there... (^_^)

Number 2 I can't forget, 'Hakugin & Yasokai.' Let's make some splendid memories together next year, too.

And number one is of course 'Asia Concert.' Music crosses national borders. Thoughts are transmitted through sounds. That's what I felt in that moment.

Well, a few jokes mixed in (^_^) but they're mostly things like this I think. This year, too, we talked about all sorts of things, and got splendidly busy. (^_^)

Next year... Make no mistake, we'll be busy again, but. (^_^)

Well then well then, let's head for the red and white and relax for a while...

Let's make next year another good year filled with nice smiling faces. (^_^)

P.S. This Year's Drawer Fertilizer: (bwahahah) First, Billy. (^^;) Then there's the Wii..., oh yeah, and the PS3... (^^;) Maybe I'll get them out for New Years...? (^_^)


[ happy new year everybody! akemashite omedetou gozaimasu~ ]

[537] Secret Weapon (bwhahah)- 2007/12/31 (Mon)

Well, we'll get there somehow anyway. (^_^) The Back Pain Band... Destined for greatness. (^_^)

Next year's goal is to strengthen my back. (^^;) There haven't been a lot of years without back pain, so it'll be a relief...

As for this year, it can't really be New Year's without the red and white, * so please don't forget the promised jump. (^_^)

Well then well then everyone have a good year~


[ * red and white being traditional japanese colors of happiness and celebration. ]

[536] Three days left!! - 2007/12/29(Sat)

Bracelets, they're pretty popular. (^_^)

Only three more days of this year of tears and laughter. Really, this year went fast, huh...

Let's spend it with no regrets, what little remains of this year.

'This year's dirt stays in this year.' (^_^) ... If that's so, it's time for a major spring cleaning. (bwahahah)

Well then, those of you having end-of-the-year holidays (major jealousy) please take it easy until next year. (^_^)

[535] UFO? - 2007/12/28 (Fri)

The lure of 'Yuuhou' (bwahahah) *

Fi, finally it's ready. Hosho's newest work, the so-called 'Yuuhou.' (^_^)

Yeah, someone out there has some good sense, huh? And no small amount of collaboration with me. (^_^)

This time, the motif is decisively 'dragon.'

Until now, when you mention dragon motif accessories, I can think of all kinds of examples, but they're all pretty much the same, and none of them really hit home.

But, as someone who visits the Kuzuryu Shrine every year without fail, I always wondered if there wasn't some must have item out there just for me. (^_^) **

For that reason, we made this with a design I was pleased with. (^_^)

When Hosho-san first saw the finished design, his face lit up, like, 'Wow, this is great, really, this is amazing!' and I forgot about the entire rest of my life. (^_^)

The 'Human' and 'Lily' goods will make you say, nice! but 'Yuuhou' ... is the best!!

You should definitely check the goods out at least once. Truly, this stuff is amazing.

Hosho-san, thank you for the lovely must-have item.

Everyone, may your fortune rise next year like the ascending dragon. (^_^)

Well then, I slowly return to my rest. (^_^) Only four days left in the year...


[ * i was wondering for the longest time what the hell he thought was so funny about this, until at last my synapses got up their ambition and crossed the vast distances to say a passing hello to one another in the inky void. yuu hou = yuu country. i'm pretty sure i have to own some of this stuff now. also, thanks to Emi, who pointed out the correct pronounciation of da goods. i love the font of info that is the readers of this blog. (^_^)
** the kuzuryu shrine, the shrine of the nine headed dragon, is that shrine he mentioned earlier this year with the torii gate standing out in the middle of the lake. something about it being a great place for a wedding, i think he said...

oh yeah, also. the email from yuu's BBS this afternoon was about a new line of accessories with clear crystals in them that started selling... today i think it said. bad me, i deleted the thing. ]

[534] Presents (^_^) - 2007/12/27 (Thu)

Finally, walking has become feasible. (^_^) After three days, it seems I'm ready for some kind of come-back. Maaan, thank God. (whew)

So, on to snowboarding. (^_^)

I've been using them for for something like four years, my snowboarding boots, but they really hurt my feet a lot. I thought they'd get better if I broke them in, the more I used them, but the other day I finally went out and bought new ones. (^_^)

The season when I bought my earlier boots was all wrong, they didn't have most sizes, and trying to make little compromises on that is no good. Seriously, gliding in pain is hell.

This time, I tried on I don't know how many, and selected the ones that fit my own feet right to a tee. Well, actually, I was aiming for a stylish end product, but without the proper size, there were unexpected expenses, (^_^) so everyone, never compromise on your shoes. Pleasing your feet is the most important.

However, even this world has evolved quite a bit in only a few short years. I sort of accidentally bought a replacement full set. (^^;)

Yeah, properly patient. (^_^) I don't have much longer to go on my current board. (bwahahah)

There's no time in this season, so how many times will I get to go I wonder... I'd like to go at least 10 times. (oh please)

Well then, thank you all for your end of year wishes!!

P.S. There are a lot of makers of snowboards, but if you want a recommendation, it has to be BURTON... They're great! (^_^)

[533] Chicken Ham Postscript - 2007/12/26 (Wed)

A really amazing lot of people have back pain. Probably has something to do with being born a bipedal human being. Even with how many years of chiropracty and acupuncture, it continues its circuit, and I always believe I'm cured, but. (^^;)

It always comes back right when I've recovered, like, whew, and forgotten about it. Maan, let's all take care of ourselves, okay.

So, the essential chicken ham. If you look it up on the net, I think you'll find recepies with various prescription, but I'll outline it for you.

Prepare
Chicken Breast meat (Must be breast meat)
Sugar
Salt
Pepper
Zip Lock bag
Saran wrap
A pan in which you can entirely submerge the chicken meat
Extras (^_^)

First, remove theskin from the ckicken and rub in a teaspoonfull of sugar. When moisture appears, repeat the process, this time with salt. An ample tablespoon should be good. Similarly, rub this in thoroughly.
To close, rub in a little bit of pepper, and seal it in a zip lock bag with as much of the air taken out as possible.

So, leave it alone for two or three days in the refridgerator. (^_^) If you try to touch it and it's got a sort of crunchy texture, your preperations were OK. Wash away the oxidised fat. (Water about 32~33 degrees) * After that, soak it in a salt water mixture (about 1.5% concentration) for 30 minutes to an hour. Incidentally, I soak it for an hour.

Firmly wipe it dry with kitchen paper, roll it up in Saran Wrap like a maki roll with as firm pressure as you can. Candy wrap the ends, and, taking the air out from inside, shape it up like a ham. Ideally, wrapping it round and round like an octopus would be good.

After that, put in the water and boil it 30 minutes over low heat, about 70~75 degrees, or you can put it in simmering water and leave it for 6~8 minutes with the lid open and the flame up until it comes to a boil again, I think either way should be fine. If you don't submerge the chicken meat completely in the water, it won't work, so please be careful.

When it cools down, take it out, put it to bed in the fridge for up to half a day and voila, 'Chicken Ham' is complete!!

When you boil it, make holes with a toothpick in the wrap, and you'll get a nicely flavored chicken stock. If you don't make holes, the stock won't form, but the flavor of the chicken will concentrated in the ham.

People's tastes are widely scattered, so please try some fine tuning a couple of times of the boiling time and salt mixture. Mine was only a little salty. If you add mayonaise, it's delicious. (^_^)

If you cut it the middle is a just a little pink, like a ham. The flavor might be described as chicken-style ham, too.

For people who've never made it, definitely take up the challenge, and please tell us youre inpressions.

Well then well then~ Only one more week in the year~


[ * all degree mesurements are of course in celcius. after all the cooking tips he spouts, a) i'm going to start referring to him as Cooking Mama, and b) i'm going to put recepie translation experience on my resume. ]

[532] Hii, Hii, Hoo... - 2007/12/25 (Tue)

When you're in pain, it's the Lamaze method. (^_^)

Also, going to the toilet has become a major event. (^^;) Seriously, being an old man is trouble...

Reluctantly, I had to give up on the live (T_T) but at least I was able to rescue the chicken ham. (^_^) While I was up for a trip to the toilet, I boiled some water, and left the chicken ham as it was (^_^) in the simmering water with a little bit of salt, and then turned off the heat and covered it and waited a few hours until it was cooled, and then it was finished.

To tamper or not to tamper, the Leave it Completely Alone play had the better merits (^_^) and I had some great success with some street photos. (*joy*)

By the way, what are you doing for Christmas? (bwahahah)

Well, at this rate, I'll have to wait about two days. Once I'm able to walk, I'm going straight to the doctor.

If I can rest a day, it'll get better little by little, so everyone be careful.

However, seriously, I've got to do something about my lower back. Standing, sitting, sleeping, they all hurt. I can hold my back pain, and I've experienced not being able to move time and again, but for first timer's, it's pretty frustrating.

When I first had pain like this, I had my cell phone at my bedside, since I couldn't even stretch my hand out it hurt so bad. Plus, when I inevitably trudged over to the bonesetting institution that was right before my eyes and ear from my house, (usually about a minute) they handed over a compress and said, 'Bed rest, three days.' (^^;) That time, with even walking unreasonable in the end, it was about a month until I made a complete recovery. (^^;)

Yeah, this time, I'll behave. Besides the making of the chicken ham. (^_^)

Well then well then everyone, please definitely try the chicken ham challenge. (^_^) It doesn't require much labor, and if it was delicious with the leave it alone play I've been describing, you can't go wrong. Definitely for people without much time!!

P.S. Santa-san... Did you come? (^_^) I bought myself some snow boarding goods. (^_^)


[ also, i just realized his iron chef reference from the other day. between this, lamaze, and his general kookiness, i've become utterly convinced that i must visit his country and undertake the serious task of ninja stalking. (^_^) ]

[531] Merry Christmas... - 2007/12/24 (Mon)

Everyone... The truth is, in the end...

I threw out my back... (^^;)

Oh, you certain person, don't get any ideas, you. (^_^)

Maan, it happened so suddenly. Without any kind of prior warning, the instant I got up from the squat, the pain came with a 'Ping ping!!' ...

Yeah, this Christmas Day, I'll be bedridden. (^_^)

Illumination... I won't be able to go take photos... The Chicken Ham... Left alone even longer... The live... Even if I have to crawl, I want to go, but...

Aah... You might say it's a 'Leave it Alone Play' for myself... (^_^)

For the time being, I'm going to lie down and curl up into a ball and go to sleep.

It's gotten cold, so those of you with back pain should really take care of yourself, please.

Also, please have a lovely Christmas.


Well then well then, from a real old man (^_^) 'Merry Christmas!!'


P.S. Hosho-san's One-san's Shuu-kun. (^_^) Isn't he rediculously cute?


[ certain person!?!?!? oh my lord, imagination, please be still. (^_^) also, the dog's name means Illumination. how perfect! ]

[530] It's been a long time - 2007/12/23 (Sun)

A reunion with Hana~ Maaan, he's gotten so big...

Today I had a little saucepan convention and year end party with the people from Chimaera. We ordered out special for the chanko of Chanko Wada from the other day, and it was, again, delicious. (^_^)

And again, the 'Flab' seems to have increased. (^^;)

Let's all take care of ourselves this time of year~

Well then, enjoy the time off at the end of the year.

[529] The Second Day... - 2007/12/22 (Sat)

Nothing but Leave it Alone plays. (^_^)

I pickled the meat, but it sucks all the moisture out, and I have to be patient patient until it gets crunchy...

Aah~ I want to eat it soon~ (^_^)

The Leave it Alone play is harsh, huh... (bwhahah)

Well then, have a lovely weekend~

P.S. 'Platinum' ... That is the only thing I didn't want to watch... (T_T)


[ aHA! purabo == platinum. yes, duh. i didn't even know it came out. i'm a bad fan, ne. ]

[528] At the moment, - 2007/12/21 (Fri)

Today's theme ingredient is 'Chicken Ham' !! (^_^)

Man, I haven't been cooking for myself lately, so the other day I used 'Chasiu' for the first time in a long time, but this stuff is really good (^_^) and of course, cooking for myself again felt sooo good, I repented. (^^;) So this time, I'm going to try and prepare Chicken Ham. (^_^)

You might ask, what the heck to you do with Chicken Ham. Prepare → Leave it alone, Boil → Leave it alone, there's a high ration of "leave it alone" plays, (^_^) so even busy, I can make it.

Things that can be delicious, up! If a couple of days pass without even a word, it'll be a declared failure. (^_^)

Speaking of, it'll be New Year's soon. It's been a long time since I've had any New Year's food...

Only ten days left!! in this year~

[527] Sweet Talk - 2007/12/20 (Thu)

The third question is, unreservedly, 'What perfume do you use?' (^_^)

On that particular day, I had used either Calvin or Bulgari, but more 80% Gaultier.

For things like that, you know, perfumes for men aren't very good. The aroma should give a sweet impression, but most of them have a nasty funk smell. (^_^)

Women's aromas are basically nice (^_^) and Gaultier is a lady's perfume, too.

My history with fragrance is really long! When I was in middle school, it was TakuText (bwahahah) oh and 8x4 (^_^) and when I was in high school, it was DUNE, and since I've become an adult, I've gotten into Eternity.

And Gaultier, well, isn't that a nice bottle? (^_^) Aromas that are sweet and elegant are good, of course, but this bottle caught my fancy right away. (^_^)

My hunch lately that my fragrance ha been a little devilish. (^_^) The other day, in the line at DonKi (^_^) with a catchphrase like, 'To catch a man, use the aroma of a little devil,' I tried a little sample, and yes, it was truly inviting. (^_^) It was an impulse buy. (^^;)

Everyone, definitely get yourself a good scent~ The smell posts are long in these parts. (^_^)


[ also, i'm wondering if he realizes the leanings of his fan base. i'm sure he's the kind of guy to intentionally egg us on. (^_^) --ok, you guys pass me SO by in the knowledge of perfumes. i can't believe one of you even identified it from the bottle alone. (^_^)

--edit: ok, well, i took the "Satan" out of there and put in "devil." as much as i like the Satan, it wasn't the same kanji he uses to refer to Gaku, it was the one used in the next sentence for devil. the other option was better for my imagination, though... ]

[526] Prohibition (^_^) - 2007/12/19 (Wed)

A MegaMac, I finally ate one. (^_^)

Yeah well, really, the size wasn't just a joke. For the first time, one hamburger was enough to fill my stomach. (^_^)

Hey, is that okay to eat in the middle of the night? Actually, I was running around so much during the day that I forgot to eat any meals. (^^;) Aa... Not healthy, huh... (^_^)

This burger, it might be a little intense for a girl. First off, they'd have some trouble getting the massive thing in their mouth, it'd be like a slapstick comedy, to the point where they couldn't eat it.

For the gluttonous among us, I heartily recommend it, though. (^_^)

Well, please savor the huge taste at least once. (^_^) You'll be moved for a while. (^_^)

I wonder how many of these I should have... (bwahahah)


[ does that piece of bacon look like a tongue to anyone else?
--edit: okay, the tongue burger disappeared in shame or something for a while, but it should be back now. let me know if it runs away again. (^_^) ]

[525] Compact Camera - 2007/12/18 (Tue)

Actually, it's usually the second question, but 'What camera do you recommend?'

Honestly, this is the most difficult. An SLR of course, but for those girls among us, you have to carry it around, so something small and light would be best.

As for me, I use my CANON EOS Kiss DX for a substitute, but I've also go a few others, a Nikon D40, an Olympus E-410, and a Pentax K100D. I bought them for about 5~70000 yen with the lens kit. Except that if the price doesn't come down, getting into SLRs is difficult.

The winner then would be a compact digital in the 30000 yen range. So it follows that each company has put out a considerable number of them. Of course, there's the old stand bys of Canon and Nikon, and for digital functions, there's Sony, Panasonic, Casio and the like, an overwhelmingly home made lot.

Well, try them out, select one with good zoom, length of battery charge, size of LCD screen, ease of use, start up speed, things like that, and after that, the more you carry the compact digital around, the ratio of design to fuctionality importance increases a lot.

When you go to buy from the camera store clerk, try to look at it and touch it for a little while, and it's no problem if you buy the first one to catch your fancy.

Your impression won't change once you buy it. (^_^) Just that, personally, as a CANON user, I recommend, their IXY, or maybe the Fuji FinePix. (^_^)

After that, budget permitting, something like a Ricoh GR digital would be good. For that price, you could just go ahead and buy a cheap SLR (^^;) but used as a mono, it's an extraordinary compact digital camera.

Choosing a camera... There are really many kinds of machines, so well, if you think about all of them, it'd be trouble, but isn't it fun to worry about all that? (^_^)

If you buy one, it's even better~ (*tempted*) Have a Christmas present as a reward to yourself. (^_^)

Also, in the honeymoon,while you're taking pictures left and right all over the place, please take something for the next photo contest, alright? (^_^)

Well then well then~

P.S. Incidentally, the camera in the photo is a GR film camera.


[ a) mandatory overtime is also the devil's own tool.
b) the email sent from yuu's BBS the other day was a thank you for people who came to the 12/8 and 12/9 thing, and also the announcement of another such event "due to popular demand" on december 23 and 24 (so merry christmas to those of you close enough to the shinjuku mitsukoshi store to go to that), and lastly an urge to donate to the BONDS juvenile institute for the handicapped fund.
c) what a coincidence, i was thinking about getting a fuji finepix... ]

[524] Christmas Party - 2007/12/17 (Mon)

Today (yesterday) we had our Christmas party a little early. And the cooking, well... They did promise Chinese cooking. (^_^)

I haven't slept in almost three days, so the shaoxingjiu * surprisingly sent me for a pin. (^_^)

Man, continuing the tradition of China last month, it was also a cayenne pepper meetup. (^^;) It's been a stream of meals lately... (^_^) I was drunk and wide awake all at once. (^_^)

With all this, this pregnant-looking belly would do well with a detox, but oh well. (bwahahah)

It's heart-warming, or rather, my body's on fire. (^_^) It was a whole night of that.

P.S. 'Lily' is good, but 'Human' is nice, too, don't you think? (PR) Eeh, another week has passed since that. Two weeks left in this year!!


[ * chinese rice wine ]

[523] The Line Up - 2007/12/16 (Sun)

I got nothing but alcohol the other day. (^_^) The picture doesn't even cover it all, either. (^_^)

Man~ How many months will I be drinking for? (^_^) Or maybe how many days in a row... (^^;)

Does everybody here like shochu? As for me, I started on beer, and I've wondered all over the place, with umeshu, shochu, awamori, wine, Japanese sake, malt, bourbon, cocktails, brandy, (^_^) but I've been solely on umeshu and shochu for a couple of years now.

In the beginning, I thought potatos weren't worth drinking, but they became worth drinking after KumoKirishima, natural cultivation, Mitake, and the Festival of the Weaver. Up to this point, I've tried about 100 varieties, I think.

Even some kinds of alcohol are rich, and shochu, too, is quite rich. *

Ah, for people who thought the 'Junguro, unfilitered' I introduced earlier was tasty, they're proper connoisseurs. (^_^) On the day I drank it diluted with water, that was a whonk. (^_^)

For tuber beginners, there is 'Umi' 'Tominohouzan' and 'Mogura.' It's pretty easy to drink potatoes.

Actually, even during a break today at work, you might be able to have a cup and a lie down. (^_^)

Everyone be careful of overdrinking, though~ Giving your body a break is important too~

Well then well then, it's cold outside, but please pass the holidays with heart-warming times.

P.S. I know a lot of people who go by the 'One Day, One Meal' plan (^_^) but although you certianly will become thin, I really couldn't do it, I just don't have the endurance. (^^;) Everyone, diets in moderation, too~


[ * he literally says 'deep' here, but it's more like how we would say wine is full-bodied or has a nice bouquet or something. yuu apparently likes the ones that keep his taste buds working hard. ]

[522] A Conversation on Diet - 2007/12/15 (Sat)

At the meet and greet, a lot of people asked me, 'How do you get so thin?' (^_^)

I, too, wonder how I get thin, although if pressed, I'm not too worried about 'flab. (^_^) If you ask fundamentally why people get fat, it's because they consume more calories than they expend. I think chiefly, the balance of demand for and supply of nurishment has been removed.

Please try and re-think ... Do I need to snack between meals? Do I need to eat and drink so much? Does the meal balance need to be so one-sided?

Please try to remember the natural world. It's rare for an animal to worry about obesity.

Essentially, if they eat a balance of nutrition in good moderation, a human shouldn't grow fat.

But, in this busy modern society, the good decision to eat three balanced meals a day can pose difficult problems. Besides having self-control about the things you want to eat, the build-up of stress can be a vicious circle.

So first off... Lower the number of carbonated things you drink and substitute water. For people who drink a lot of canned soda, this alone can have big impact. * Things like health drinks or vegetable juices are fine, too. Also, please drink at least 1 litre of water a day.

After that, you should walk as much as possible. Motion should continue both before and after. (^_^) For now, please try to start walking. You can stop using the elevators and escalators, too.

You should seat in a hip bath every day. Sweating enhances the body's self-renewal. Don't forget a moisture supply though. Your flexibility will be at its best just out of the bath. This is the first step to overcoming fatigue and makes getting thin easy.

As much as possible, stop snacking between meals. Eating before bed especially is the worst taboo. For people who have a hard time getting to sleep on an empty stomach, try eating something small and healthy with a low calorie count.

And finally, don't stop after one month, or one year, or even two years. Even if you become thin in a short while on an extreme diet, if you rebound, you'll end up right back where you started, after all, you know? Continuing through everything is the victory. Take care of it by yourself through a range of things you can do every day.

These are just fundamentals, and you might not get any thinner with these tips, but at least you shouldn't get fatter. For people who have already been practicing these steps and haven't gone beyond maintaining the status quo, there's only adding to the momentum and cutting down on meals.

When I get fat, of course, the first reason is excessive eating and drinking. But it's usually unintentional overdrinking. (^^;) So I'm wondering exactly how long it will be until the flab passes. (bwahahah)

Let's all watch out for each other's health~ (^_^) Humans have no greater funds than their body.

Well then, have a nice weekend.


[ * i'm sorry, is he speaking directly to me here? (says the girl with the three-cans-of-dr-pepper-a-day habit. (^^;) )
-- also, typos are the devil's own tool...]

[521] Ooo - 2007/12/14 (Fri)

This is the Takashima limited edition 'Finest Quality Morizou' !! This is some kind of precious stuff...

Actually, the present finally reached my house the other day, and it's an amazing quantity, so we'll see if I can finish it off, little by little.

This alcohol, the list price only is about 5000 yen, but still, for shochu, I think that's a pretty high class price, although with this market, the high premium brands are fetching 3~100,000 yen.

Maaan, thank you thank you. I will pray to you every day. (^_^)

I wanted to start drinking it right that instant, but... As you might expect, I couldn't start drinking at a moment's notice. If I opened it, you'd never hear from me again. (^_^)

Incidentally, the truth is, I'm back at work since yesterday, so there is no drinking. Today my work use Mac had some trouble, just for an instant, but still. (^^;)

I drank about 2 liters of water hoping to recover from my prolonged hangover before I went to bed.

Well then, it's back to rehabilitative work for me. (^_^)


[ thanks to everybody who mentioned my typo the other day. i'm not sure what dtrinking is, but i'm pretty sure that it is not the translation for nomu. (^_^) ]

[520] Hair of the Dog (^_^) - 2007/12/13 (Thu)

I had a third day hangover, so I had some hair of the dog that bit me. (^^;)

Maan, I went over to see an old friend from Kyoto, and he's still the same laid back at home. (^_^)

There was a lot of guy talk. (^_^) And a lot of drinking of strong drinks.

Eventually we pulled out the futon. (^_^)

I guess it'll be another day of hangover... (^_^)

Well then well then~


[ futon in this case is more like, little floor relaxing pillow thing than american-thinking bed thing, so unfortunately, we'll all have to pull our tongues back. (^_^) ]

[519] Haa... - 2007/12/12 (Wed)

I seemed to have used up all my power, and today I'm dazed. (^^;) Incidentally, I've got a second day hangover. (bwahahah)

I think it'd be a good idea to read the entry, hear a lot of joyful voices and then revise.

However, I'll smile like a diviner or a South Korean caricature or something. What kind of image does that bring up for people who don't know about it...? (^_^)

If I'm not about, Of course, we really should make some music!, is that a problem? (^_^)

Sort of a 'Wolf in sheeps clothing,' to quote my personal favorite phrase.

But if there are constantly 'wolfs' than you don't need that, do you?

Speaking of, recently, it's been all about 'Ookami' ... (bwahahah)

Well then well then, everyone take care of yourself.


[ things i do not know include but are (certainly) not limited to:

whether he's referring to the wii/ps2 game Ookami (which absolutely rules, by the by) and
what he was on about with the handshakes yesterday. did they have a concert in kyushu? ]

[518] Shime... - 2007/12/10 (Mon)

I drank some. (^_^) Thanks to that, I have a hangover today... Burp... (^_^)

Man~ we were all seriously wiped out. The hours pressed on, and we waited for a while.

As for me, my right hand was completely dry and crackly. (^_^) After that, for two days, I lost about 2 kilos.

Doing handshakes make a good diet, huh? (^_^)

Well, setting the jokes aside,

This time just started, and I was fairly tired, (^_^) things like that, you know, since I was in the midst of meeting them, I was actually really moved.

Everyone's love was firmly transmitted~

Also, thank you everyone for your tributes. (^_^) I have enough shochu for a year and a half. (^_^)

Meeting with me, everyone gave me joy, and I was encouraged by everyone, with them saying, 'Try your hardest!'

Man~ I thought, isn't it the case that I was getting flabby? (^_^) Ah, did somebody pinch me before they went home? (bwahahah)

Even now, look~ (^_^)

Well then well then, in the end, everyone connected to Vivre, the shop managers, Chanko Wada-san, the people of the Chimaera Crew, Hosho-san, and also, everyone who came out special, even those who came out from the neighborhood,

truly, truly, truly thank you.

Let's meet again~

[517] A horse? - 2007/12/08 (Sat)

Today is chanko & motsunabe. (^_^) Chanko Wada, we went to. Seriously, it was absurdly delicious. In the excess of tastiness, I unintentionally gulped down some drinks. (^^); Yeah, it's already turned into a gourmet tour. (^_^)

Man~ we were all seriously wiped out. We had more and more chatting, but thanks to that, it was a big success. (^_^) Before I noticed, the hours had trotted past.

A lot of souls were smoking (^_^) but I got a lot of love. Tonight, I shall go to sleep warm and pleased.

Everyone, our long-awaited once in a lifetime meeting, was very relaxed and really quite nice. I could hardly take it anymore, all that bullying. (bwahahah)

Let's have an enjoyable time tomorrow too. And don't overdrink everyone!! (^_^)

P.S. I am absolutely instituting an OFF meeting~ ... I was fired up. (^_^)

[516] At the sandbar - 2007/12/08 (Sat)

I ate some crab. (^_^) The season's just started.

At first I heard a lot of 'Isn't that a bit much?' from the staff, but as could be expected, they were frightened on the rebound, with, 'So easily...' Well it was crab... Man, it was really good. (^_^)

Afterwards, well, the place was the place, but I thought they were charmed by the back of my head, but I obediently headed for a business meeting. (^_^)

At last we arrived in Kyushu, but just when I try to drink as much shochu as I can, they decide to set it all aside for Sunday. (^_^) But if I did drink, meeting everyone should be a face slap. (^_^)

If you have any recommendations on shochu bars or shochu taverns, definitely let me know. (^_^)

Well then, I'll get a little sleep before a gradual packing.

Well then well then~

P.S. Fukuoka is, as always, an energetic and lively town. Just walking the town makes me all trembly. (^_^)

4th FotoCon Results Announcement!

[ here we go ladies and gentlemen! photo contest results! ]

Grand Prix

contributor: tsuki-san [which means Moon]
YOU comment: Even within a simple composition, various stories can be hidden. Things that are eternally the same... Of course! Love, right, love!!

award: YOU autographed photo + YOU homeprinted sticker.


Chimaera Prize

contributor: Yumiko-san
hosho comment: It's like you have the protection of a dragon god.

award: YOU select bracelet [earth] + YOU homeprinted sticker.


Hosho Prize

contributor: mari.-san
hosho comment: Unchanging love...

award: Hosho handwritten paper (Hosho HP note select) + YOU homeprinted sticker.


Special Prize

contributor: ken2007-san
YOU comment: Wonderful technique. This picture makes me want to go for a visit to this place.

award: YOU select photo stand + YOU homeprinted sticker.


Honorable Mention

contributor: Suzuka-san
YOU comment: Somehow, like this, it gave me a feeling of nostalgia... Please continue taking good photographs.

award: YOU homeprinted sticker


Honorable Mention

contributor: Aako-san
YOU comment: The sky's gradation can't say anything. These colors don't quite pop.

award: YOU homeprinted sticker.


Honorable Mention

contributor: Katatsumuri-san
YOU comment: A French evening sun... Nice, isn't it. I want to go overseas too...

award: YOU homeprinted sticker


Honorable Mention

contributor: Rita-san
YOU comment: A magical evening sun. A sea firefly... I want to go here too.

award: YOU homeprinted sticker


Honorable Mention

contributor: ShinShin-san
YOU comment: It would be nice if the colors popped just a little more. The composition is splendid.

award: YOU homeprinted sticker


[ so there you are everybody! congrats to everybody who won! ]

[515] I'm hungry... - 2007/12/07 (Fri)

I went for the water-only lifestyle, but when I got back from a meeting, I was invited out for some monjayaki (^^;) and I didn't dare say no to them. (^_^)

I tried not to eat that much, but in order to deceive my appetite, I drank a lot of Hoppie. (^^;) I became the drink but don't eat type.

Man, now I'm so hungry. (^_^) Truly, those monja, they were tasty... (bwahahah)

Well then well then, I'll enjoy my once in a lifetime encounters with everyone~


[ * monja are defined by my dictionary as "savoury pancake with various fillings, thinner than okonomiyaki. ]

[514] Results Announcement!! - 2007/12/06 (Thu)

To the people who won, my true congratulations. And also thank you to the many people who entered.

Maybe because the theme was so good this time, it was hard to decide which of the photos was better than the others. The skill level steadily climbed as the pictures piled up.

Even though it was just a little, I got to taste the atmosphere of the moment, and this time I tried to make a particular fuss over the presentation of the photographs. To the staff who responded to my annoying request, truly thank you. I'll borrow this space to express my gratitude.

Even when the sunset looks the same every day, the moment captured in a photograph will never come again. The people who participated happened upon the best sunsets and evening suns, didn't they? To the naked eye, it certainly is delightful scenery. Please capture it along with the photographs in the album of your heart.

We await a lot of entries next time, too. Please continue to take good photographs after this, too.

P.S. Photographs and first impressions are once in a lifetime, huh...


[ yay! congrats to everybody who won! and good job everybody who entered, too. i'll get on the contest results probably tomorrow. let's just say 8.30 am - 5 pm? not my ideal hours. (^_^) ]

[513] Junk post - 2007/12/04 (Tue)

My latest fad. (^_^) This, it gives you that cheap sweets feeling that I'd rather not discuss. (^_^)

My friend who's from Tokyo said to me, 'I used to eat them way back when. They taste like a small-time candy store.' Or something like that.

I've never had that experience, but this flavor did give me a little bit of an understanding. (^_^) I unconsciously kept eating, one, two, three. (^_^)

Aa... I'm going to meet everybody quite soon...

This flab has absolutely got to stop!! ... (major (^^;))


... For the next three days, I get nothing but water...

Seriously, do not pull any copy catting with good food!!

P.S. My eyes stopped on the 'To the Proprietor' section. Eh... I don't really remember, but I know I was drooling... (bwahahah)

[512] Inadvertently - 2007/12/03 (Mon)

When our flight landed the other day, they opened up my bag with all my face lotion and other liquids in it, and they confiscated every last bit of it at the airport. (^^;)

I guess they did say you couldn't carry anything more than 100 ml on the plane.

It couldn't be helped, so I had to go straight to Matsukiyo (^_^) to buy some, but they were out of the liquid stuff, so I tried some moisturizer cream. As for how this one compares to the liquid version, it doesn't seem to be of any weaker moisturizing power, and it is quite easy to use.

But, seriously, the airport was strict. If the container is over 100 ml, it's instant seizure. The actual amount of its contents don't seem to be related.

Well, it's terrorism prevention, so I guess it can't be helped. Either way, I'd need some new stuff, so. (bwahahah)

When I go somewhere, I usually pack a stuff suitcase, but on the return trip I was just thoughtless...

Everyone, please be careful when you go overseas. It seems girls especially have a lot of cosmetics.

Well well, let's put on our game faces for the weekend. (^_^) Pack, pack... (^_^)

P.S. Gradually my body's growing accustomed to the changing season. (^^;)


[ well, i don't know what's up with 'pack' but i just wanted to say, i think that american camera friend must be wearing off on him. his posts have contained a lot more english lately. he always writes it in katakana, so i guess there's no way to really point them out, but i have tried to retain the actual english words. so, if a phrase seems a little odd, that might be why.

-- oh, also, i just got a new job, and the training is full time, so things might be a little slow while i'm having to wake up at ungodly hours of the day, but i get home fairly early in the evening too, so hopefully i'll be able to keep up. yay $11/hour! ]

[511] Yakkinikuu~ - 2007/12/01 (Sat)

I went out to have some! (^_^)

I can't really have a chat in English, but I found my American camera friend there, (^_^) so we met up.

We wanted to go out together and take some photos, but today, I'm afraid to say, we couldn't get our schedules together, so we had a meal only meeting.

We haven't seen each other for a while, so we wanted to show each other our photographs, and even without words, the moment was quite a rush.

Maaan, hobbies surpass national borders. (^_^)

When I said it would be Christmas season soon, so I'd like to go out and take some photos about Illumination, he said something like, 'Have to go out and buy a tripod tomorrow.' (^_^)

We'll be a couple, setting up our tripods together night after night...
If you see us, please tread softly. (^_^)

Well then well then~ Only one month to go in this year!!


[ corrections to the gnarly parts of this entry provided by the lovely and wonderful ally. ]

[510] Yikes - 2007/11/30 (Fri)

The title was completely unintelligable...

Ah well, nihao!! (^_^)

[509] I like X !! - 2007/11/30 (Fri)

First off, I can report that I have been safely repatriated. (^_^)

Maan... Last night, I had way too much spicy food... (^^;) My stomach is still on fire. (^_^)

Of course, Sichuan cooking is nothing if not v e r y spicy... It was like, Wow, this is serious! (^_^)

The sad thing was, I've gone to China and Korea this month, but I didn't have enough time to take pictures of anything. (T_T) I held on to my camera and went out, but...

Of course I would like to go abroad in private. Either way, I don't want to only go for work.

Now that I mention it, all of my overseas visits thus far have been for work. (^^;)

We should all take a trip for New Year's or something, shouldn't we? People who haven't left Japan definitelyshould try it at least once. Life is experiences, after all. (^_^)

Well then, have a good weekend~

P.S. Word, civilization, national borders when you climb over everything, when you want to convey thoughts, music is really wonderful, don't you think.


[ thanks everybody for the well-wishing! the job seems pretty good. their attitude is good, at least. also, terribly sorry i didn't post them in order. i started translating it and then got distracted and then my memory was apparently overwritten or something. those darn fleshy memory devices, absolutely no data security. (^_^) ah well, i guess that's why i can alter the post time postumously. bwahahah! ]

[508] PhotoCon - 2007/11/28 (Wed)

This time was quite troubling, too... Everybody, your skills have improved~ (^_^)

Natural beauty truly is wonderful, you know, and I was reminded of it again.

The evening sun and light of sunset featured in these pictures, that moment, that one instant... The feelings were so deep I thought I couldn't look at even one more picture.

So you'll have to wait a bit for the publication of the results.

As for me, after this, I'm going on another business trip. (^_^) It's been a while since I've been to Beijing, it'll be fun. Well then well then~

P.S. It's a little early, but it's almost a year and a half...
Even as busy as I am, I hope it continues.

[507] The Day That Ended The Season - 2007/11/23 (Fri)

My skin's been doing fairly well despite that, but these past two ~ three days it's gotten suddenly dry. (T_T)

It's all run away like an avalanche, like all my good skin completely dropped off, and my whole face is a grumbly rustly mess. (T_T)

So... If you think about it, it was the last day of the season...

Accordingly, I'd think there are going to be a lot of people around me with colds. (^_^)

Truly it is already winter...

I should be becoming 'flab' (^_^) Ah, no?

Thus the skin. (^^;)

Things like this always show up on the last day of the season. Well, I haven't caught a cold this time, and I don't intend to. (^_^)

This is the Short Sleeve Effect!! (^_^)

Man, seriously, not wearing long sleeves... Aaacold... (^_^)

Well then well then, we've got a three day weekend, so please enjoy yourself to your heart's content.


[ 11/26 - looks like yuu decided to take his own holiday to heart. (^_^) the email those of us who are members of the BBS received this week is to announce a yuu photography & hosho collaboration event! from the 23rd of november to christmas day at a gallery in fukuoka that i am not familiar with, complete with a yuu meet & greet on the 8th and 9th from 15~18 (that would be 3~6 pm). you can buy some hosho goods and get a picture signed by the man himself. if you're in the area, please check it out for the rest of us! ]

[506] In the drawer - 2007/11/22 (Thu)

Which reminds me, the report's a little late.

Actually... I bought a 'PS3' (^^;) Finally, wouldn't you say?

Maan, I was always patient, but how many months ago and I finally picked one up. (^^;)

This things, for an AV otaku, this is certainly a super machine! *

It plays blue ray discs, SACDs, and even does a fair job with existing DVDs, and to make matters worse, it plays games, too!!

It's a machine like a true dream, but when I actually went to buy it...

with no games, with no blue rays, without playing SACDs, before I knew it, it became drawer fertilizer. (^^;)

Then, you know...

before I knew it, the new style's not going to be released, is it?!!

... Plus it's gotten cheaper. (T_T)

Man, truly, digital evolution is fast. (^_^) Truly, I use a bunch of machines...

Ah, speaking of, one more chunk of drawer fertilizer...

'Wii' ... (^^;)

... It'll have to wait for the new year. (^_^)

P.S. This morning was absurdly cold, wasn't it. I'm going to have to put on long sleeves eventually here. (bwahah)


[ * AV as in AV/electronics, not as in AV/porn. (^_^) ]

[505] New Type (^_^) - 2007/11/21 (Wed)

I got it in Korea. It's a little girly, so this is maybe Daikon-kun's girlfriend?

Before you laugh, there's a cord attached to the back and when you pull it the leaves move and make a clattering racket. (^_^)

Man oh man, that had me refreshed for a while. (^_^)

Well then well then~ Now I've introduced you to my new friends. (^_^)

P.S. A surprising number of people like Shochu. I would've been happy with just a few. (^_^) Until I stumbled upon potato shochu, I couldn't drink shochu, but now I'm completely in the shochu camp (^_^) and a reporter for the discovery of its delicious taste.

[504] Drinking PART 2 - 2007/11/20 (Tue)

Lately, Umeshu's been the main one, but actually there is some Shochu that I'm into.

And the name is 'Junkuru' (^_^)

Until recently I hadn't heard much about the brand, but I learned about it from monky of Shochu mania, and tried some as a test, and my reaction

'What the heck is this!!!'

The taste bowled me over. (^_^)

The aroma of mellow potatos, the refreshing taste, the mild stuff didn't feel like 37 proof alcohol. This, this was on a whole different level than the potato stuff I'd had until then. *

I think more than a few people like potato shochu, but along the same lines as the other day's Umeshu, I definitely definitely recommend it.

Man, I was changing to Umeshu after all that, and it seems I went and drank this stuff after all. (^^;)

Except, you know, even the Umeshu from the other day, you can't find at the store very much. Yeah, it always goes down with a plunk. (^_^)

I think there are many who go shochu style, usually straight or on the rocks, but lately I've been learning about the 'choi mizuwari' style of drinking from some people in Kyushu, which is adding a little water to it on the rocks, and that's pretty tasty too. (^_^) **

It's hard to get a hangover with shochu, so everyone please, have a nightcap. (^_^)

P.S. Really recently, I haven't been drinking that much... (^_^) I'll just have to hold off (^_^) until the year-end Hell party. (bwahahah)


[ * well, yuu says 37 degrees, and frankly i've forgotten how the proof system works, something about half as much percentage or something? so it's quite possible that this shunkuru is only 18.5 proof or that the system the japanese use is based on something else entirely, so let's not take this particular sentence too literally, mkay?
** choi mizuwari means a little bit of water-diluted-whiskey, so i would imagine the little bit of water yuu mentioned includes some whiskey. what a hard drinker! ]

[503] saranheyo - 2007/11/18 (Sun)

I have safely returned from Korea. This time was quite a rush, too. Everyone from Korea, thank you for your fevered encourangement.

This time, you know, during our stay, I had my first drink in a while. (^_^) You can't have a spicy meal without some alcohol, (^_^) so it was the usual thing. 'Chamisool, chuseyo~' (^_^) *

After three days of eating and drinking, it was full throttle on the flab production. (^^;)

Man, I love Korean food, but eating it is always a slam to my stomach, like, 'I'm pregnant...' (^_^) This time, too, I seem to be pregnant... (bwahahah)

From tomorrow I'm on a strick self-imposed diet. (^_^) Because I've got to get ready for China. After that is Fukuoka, and I won't be able to gulp it all down like it's 'Autumn Appetite' time. (^_^)

I got power from everyone, and I got some Asian ginseng. (^_^) Starting tomorrow, I'm going to go for it!

Well then well then~

P.S. We got back, and suddenly Japan's cold too. I guess it is becoming the season for winter prep after all...


[ * like, the title, i'm assuming this to be korean. chamisul specifically seems to be an alcoholic drink. way to go on picking up the local langue, yuu!
-- update? yes. those of you who can speak korean (jealous, by the way) have informed us that the title means 'i love you' and that chamisool, chuseyo means 'shochu, please.' yay for multi-linguists! ]

[502] GaPOW!! - 2007/11/16 (Fri)

The theme was 'Sunset' I guess ... (^^;)
But photos that don't have the sun in them are OK!!

P.S. I'm afraid cloudiness...

[501] Clattering Along (^^;) - 2007/11/16(Fri)

When you're busy, one day really goes by in a flash, you know. In the time it takes to say "Ah!" half a month has passed... And there's only a month and a half left in this year.

We're crossing the long-awaited 500 posts threshhold, so sorry for the recent stagnation. (^^;)

By the way, hasn't the first half gone by so unexpectedly? Things like 500 posts, when I started, I couldn't imagine, but now I should be thinking of the 1000 posts commemoration.

If I keep up like this, it'll be the summer of the year after next probably, right? Hey, maybe cherry blossom viewing time. (^_^) I'd like to make some noise with everybody with a bottle in one hand..., except for work. (^_^)

Oh, right right, did you take Evening Glow pictures? The day I went to take a photo, there were magnificent clouds (T_T) so it became evening without ever having an evening sun. (*bitter smile*)

We await a lot of entries this time again.

Well then well then everyone, this weekend I'm going on a business trip, (^_^) so I'll post when I get back.

P.S. Furthermore, I have discovered and easy to drink Kurozu drink!! It's quite attractive with those 'Kurozu Diet' letters! (^_^)



[ that's right, peoples! get 'em in! USPS flat rate internation priority envelopes will get your photo and info to japan in 6-10 days for $11.00! ]

[500] Ume Sake - 2007/11/13 (Tue)

A surprising number of people make umeshu at home, huh? So I say, but I think my grandmother used to pickle some things, too, in the old days.

Today, as a surprise for you, the drinker, (^_^) I think I'd like to introduce Umeshu.

Umeshu has a strong sweet image, and as far as heavy boozers go, they shouldn't drink too much of it.

Society is having a Shouchuu boom these days, and so I think sweet sakes are gradually being weeded out.

To you who doesn't drink Umeshu, we say, 'How can it be so good for you... when it tastes so sweet!' (^_^) *

Definitely give this 'Plum Sake' a try. Until a few years ago, this Umeshu stuff seems to have been something of a rarity outside of wholesalers and restaurants.

With the sourness and richness of the first mouthful, I thought, Mm? What is this? but with the encouragement of those around me to keep drinking, I soon became a slave to this flavor. (^_^)

This sourness, aroma, and the good flavor that is born from Japanese sake, it gave a feeling that this was definitely 'Plum Sake.' This item is also suitable for use in cooking. (^_^)

Maaan, I've been on an Umeshu kick lately, and I've been drinking all kinds of Umeshu, but Umeshu truly is deep. And I'm safe from hangovers. (^_^)

For people who don't like sour things, I'll introduce some sweet things another time.

Sake is the remedy for myriad ills, but please be careful of excessive drinking. (^_^) I should probably tell that to myself... (bwahahah)

P.S. I seem to be getting a lot of pleasure from my day job. (*grin*) Kurozu Power, it is, Kurozu. (^_^)


[ * yuu's decided to go advertising writer on us today, so i've tried to double it, but i suck at ad language, so you'll just have to imagine. thank you. (^^') ]

[499] Kurozu - 2007/11/11 (Sun)

is a difficult voyage. (^_^) Well well, please try and drink it without any of that kind of prejudice. After all, I find plum juice quite easy to drink.

I started drinking it thinking it would be a step on the road to fatigue recovery, but there were unexpected byproducts. (^_^)

Recently, I tried switching from sake to unmeshu. (^_^) Alas, I was again introduced to tasty umeshu. *

Or you might say, I started to want to soak my self in some spirits. (^_^)

Well then, everyone, have a nice weekend. As for me, I'd better go out and get some shots of the evening sun...


[ * umeshu = a) sake with plums b) unripe apricots soaked in spirits. also, what a hideous week to have a laptop meltdown. good luck on the photocon everybody~ ]

[498] Well..., - 2007/11/07 (Wed)

People who dislike it probably won't like this, but...

I could have drunk it before, too, but because it's apple vinegar, I'm slowly becoming accustomed, and Kurozu has been subjugated.

Seriously, don't drink this stuff undiluted. It'll give you a good whonking. (^_^)

By the way, since it's a vegetable drink, it can be drunk as an alternative to health drinks and nutrion drinks, although, even now I'm not much for soy milk. (^^;)

There's nothing I can't drink, but I wouldn't really want any shoyu. (^_^) Seems I don't want any kind of seasoning. (^_^)

For now, as far as the Kurozu effect goes, I'll try drinking it for a while to get a sense, and report back later.

Incidentally, I'm drinking black Oolong tea even now. Yeah, I'm mischievious. (^_^)

P.S. To mention a trend, bad skin in one breath. (^^;) Of course, eating habits are important, too. Oh yeah, and sleeping habits. (bwahahah)