[306] From Shirokane - 2007/03/31 (Sat)

I'm going...
on a business trip to the snowy mountains for a bit...

Well, I'm already there, I guess, but... (^_^)

-Told to the manager.

[305] Today's menu - 2007/03/30 (Fri)

A late good evening to you. Full speed ahead to flab. (^_^)

Today I tried the challenge of kainabe with meat.

There wasn't any ginger in the fridge, so as a last resort, I cut up some garlic and stir-fried it with pork.

In kainabe with meat, I use a sweet bean paste called Tenmenjon, but bean paste along isn't very good seasoning,
so I seasoned it by stir-frying the pork beforehand in shoyu and just a touch of sake. *

So, if you mix the bean paste with stif-fried cabbage, the flavor of the shoyu and garlic flows out of the kainabe with an indistinct sweet smell.
It wafts up. I've got an affinity for things like sweet bean paste.

And then, as a final mark, the all-purpose green onion, used in all my stir-fried food. Quickly sprinkle some into the left over heat
in the frying pan and stir.

Even with Chinese-style fried rice, even with fried vegetables, the taste of the all-purpose green onion comes forth and the flavor of fried foods are taken up a notch.

And then, the perfect addition, standard wakame soup. These days, flavor can be brought out with even the simplist techniques. **
Torigara soup, sake, shoyu, mirin sesame oil, seasame seeds, wakame hackberries, beaten eggs, and it's complete. ***

Just today's menu. (^_^)


[ * shoyu is a type of soy sauce.
** wakame soup is seaweed soup, but it just sounds better when you say "wakame" rather than "seaweed" don't you think? (^^')
*** torigara soup is a type of powdered soup made from chicken bones, and mirin is a type of sweet sake used in cooking.
zOMG YOU-kun! i'm exhausted now! =(>_)> ]

[304] Taiwan version - 2007/03/29 (Thu)

So it seems.
If you look closely, it's a little different.

Daikon-kun finally steps into Asia. (^_^)

Yesterday, when I was working on the miniature photo,
I came across him, and thought,
'Ah, I'd forgotten about trying to make this post.' (^^;)

Really amazing, Daikon-kun. (^_^)
He crossed the sea, with a Donburako, Doburoako... *

If he goes around the world like this, it could be interesting.
No matter where I go, people see me
and say, 'Oh～、DAIKON !!!' ... (^_^)

It's a little worrisome, huh? (^_^)

P.S. All of a sudden my skin got rough, and a little blue. It's coming~ (T_T)


[ * as far as i can tell, "donburako" has no meaning, it's like, dum-dee-dum. it's said by four jolly guys on a peach in the momotaro story. ]

[303] Photoshop Elements - 2007/03/28 (Wed)

Actually, when I bought Photoshop Elements,
I didn't know how to use even a bit of it. (^^;)

But there was no sense continuing on like that forever,
so I checked out a retouching site on the web,
and tried playing around a little with some photo methods.

'I'll pick a miniature style landscape photo,'
is really all I did,
but with image processing, it's fun, huh? (^_^)

P.S. It's a street scene photo I took from Taipei 101.


[note: sorry about being late on yesterday's entry. my brain decided to go on vacation a couple months early, i guess... (^^;) ]

[302] Patience. - 2007/03/27 (Tue)

A Cup Ramen before bedtime
is of course a land mine,
so sleeping had to wait...

When I went to the convenience store, this was my first time seeing one like this,
so I ended up buying it,
but when you think about it, I was in the middle of a flab escape. (^^;)

Well, I've only got a little while left until I have to be in Shirokane, *
so despite the late hour,
some mischief is necessary. (^_^)

If you noticed, finally this diary
has passed 300 entries, and 10 months...
Everyone, you've come here an awful lot, haven't you.
Writing the occasional super frank statement (^_^) must be a lot of effort,
so let's be friends from here on out, too.

Well then, can I get to sleep whilst battling my appetite...?

P.S. I was a relieved to hear the reports of 'Safe' from people in the disaster area.
Thank you for writing in at such a serious time.


[ * Shirokane is a harbor district of Tokyo, especially famous for being home to the private Meiji Gakuin Christian University. ]

[301] The temperature - 2007/03/25 (Sun)

is going up, huh?
It couldn't wait five days for spring.

Everybody's waiting for the overwhelming cherry blossom viewing,
but over here, I've got things to do. (^^;)

On the net it says Monday's expected high is 20 degrees. *
Soon, I'll be able to put away this electric carpet... **

Well, I guess it depends, with my weak constitution. (^_^)
It can go ahead and snow after tomorrow...

P.S. Everybody who was in that earthquake is ok, right? ***
I'll pray for everybody's safety.


[ * this would be 68 farenheit
** yes, carpet. i think i need an electric heated carpet!
*** that would be the one in hokuriku, which is an area in central honshuu along the coast of the sea of japan. ]

[300] Nomadic Art Gallery - 2007/03/24 (Sat)

And how did I want to go! (^_^)
So I went, like, smo~oth.

Yeah yeah, it's been a while since I've had a good sight-seeing trip.
The exhibition works, including the building,
everything overflowed with the spirit of Fine Arts.

When I took my first step into that place
I stepped into a world completely different from this one.
Rather, you might say the feeling was divine.

I wasn't there even an instant,
before I slipped into a trance. (^^;)

People who are interested should definitely go.
The fine arts are really wonderful, aren't they?

P.S. One step into the BBS and I got a taste of that warm spring feeling. (^_^)
Everyone's a romantist, even the guys. (^_^)


[note: zomg 300 posts! yaaays~]

[299] Maiden Camellia - 2007/03/24 (Sat)

That's what it's called.
To everyone who looked it up,
thank you.
It was neat. (^_^)

All the buzz made the BBS a lot of fun yesterday. (^_^)
Man~, while I was writing it down,
I had another delusion. (^_^)

Old memories come bubbling out...
When I was really young...
Or something. (^_^)
Making a confession in person isn't really possible for me,
I get embarrassed. (^_^)

On to the delusion...

A snowy night, two people in the glow of a street light.
With a phrase, 'It's cold, huh,' they head for home,
to share a warm cup of coffee with each other.

'I'll walk you all the way to your apartment...'
The moment the two of them board the elevator,
a tight embrace from behind,

'I like you...'

How was that? (^_^)

P.S. At this time, we are taking applications for the best confession of all time. (^_^)

[298] Kansai-ben - 2007/03/23 (Fri)

The celebrated rush. (^_^)
My confession, in standard Japanese,
would be something smoother, like
'I like you,' or 'I love you.' *

If it's Kansai-ben, though
it would have more of a feeling like,
'I, I, I like you, you know?'
A little embarrassed, I guess. (^_^)

Yeah, when I make a confession in Kansai-ben,
it's like that...

Maybe a whispered
'I like you...'
close to their ear. (^_^)

Ah-, some more delusions. (^_^)
Quick! Lie down! (^_^)

P.S. I don't even know the name of this flower, I just took a picture.


[ * see yesterday's note on grammar and dialect. also, i suppose those three phrases in yesterday's PS should have been variations on "I like you," but unfortunately, "I like you" and "I like it" are the exact same phrase, and since i had no idea what he was on about... ]

[297] The Vernal Equinox - 2007/03/21 (Wed)

Did you go somewhere to play?
It seems that even in Tokyo, the cherry trees are blooming,
so soon, we'll be able to hear summer's footsteps.

Today's picture is a bit of a departure, but oh well.
Yeah, usually it's the shut-in stuff. (^_^)

Going out to take a photo
had to wait patiently until the cherry trees bloomed.

Until now, the changing of the seasons
felt like the time for broken hearts. (^_^)
These days, I enjoy myself when the seasons change.

Even though I've been busily busy every day lately,
suddenly, I looked up at the trees on the roadside, and thought,
looking forward to the blooming of the cherry blossoms, that's a good feeling, too.

Ah- just wait about 10 days into spring. (^_^)
When the snow disappears, I'll be sad. (^_^)

P.S. I've got a Kansai-ben confession. (^_^)
'How nice' 'Lovely' 'Delightful'
How Old World of me. (^_^) *

[ * oh man, this PS was a pain. (^^;) here's what's going on: Kansai-ben is the dialect of Japanese spoken in the south-west of the main island, mainly the area around Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto. it's got a reputation for being laid back and elegant, in opposition to the fevered business pace of Tokyo. what i ended up translating here as "how nice, lovely, and delightful" are actually just different ways of saying "I like it" in kansai-ben. what i've put down as "Old World" in that last line, is [honwaka] which actually means, peaceful or pleasant, but in the sense of, "It's old and elegant and therefore promotes a sense of peacefulness. so there. *faint* ]

[296] Oh-... - 2007/03/20 (Tue)

Look what I found. (^_^)

Yeah, when I woke up this morning, I was starving.
So I went and got myself charmed by the
'35 Year Anniversary Limited Edition.' (^^;)

Instant ramen in snack form...
Don't I know this is the worst kind?!!
If I keep this up, I'll be on the fast track to become the King of Flab... (^^;)

Ah, but at last, for once, I ate a small portion.
When I first got home, my stomach was always MAXed out. (^_^)
Now, I'll be patient and eat moderately. (^_^)

It'll be alright, being pinched...
I'll get defiant. (^_^)
'What do you mean! Being flabby feels good!!'

That's what I say, but when I actually get pinched,
I collapse, yelling about, 'Wah! Flabby!!'
so, 10 days later, I'll try some mischief. (^_^)

So then, gradually we change from the days of delusion
to the days of sit ups. (^_^)

P.S. Today's phrase:
'I know you like junk food, but no eating it.'

[295] Again and again - 2007/03/19 (Mon)

The cold days continue.
Tokyo just had its first snow of the season the other day. *
Is everyone rid of their jet lag from LA?
And none of you caught a cold from the temperature changing from summer to winter?

I'm finally on a healthy Early to bed, Early to rise
lifestyle, thanks to jet lag. (^^;)
Also, with such an abrupt change, I'm feeling chilly every day.
Of course, not waking up in the middle of the night, the trend would be generally bad. (^_^)
I'm not accustomed to waking up while it's light outside. (^_^)

Well, I'm already sleepy today, too, but
even I am getting a little worried at my childish level.
Ah- do kids these days stay up late...?
I stayed up late, too, when I was a child, and it always made my parents angry.

That 11 PM would come around, and
'Shabadaba, shabadaba~♪'
Even now, it's burned into my mind. (^_^)

Sorry... Again with the old jokes. (^^;)
I'll probably dream about it tonight, that theme music... (^_^)

P.S. Anxious for a trip to Egypt, I did some investigation,
and a tour stands at about 1,000,000 yen. **
I should start up an Egypt Savings Fund right away. (^_^)


[ * spring traditionally starts on feb 4 in japan
** about $8500
and no, i unfortunately don't have any idea what show he's talking about. (T_T) ]

[294] Daily Delusions - 2007/03/18 (Sun)

Thank you for the many delusions.
There are wonderful trips waiting for everyone, huh?

Seems there are a lot of 'Countries I want to visit' for me, too.
I want to go around to the world's historic ruins,
and the World Heritage sites,
and the trip I want to go on most is the 'Outer Space Trip.' (^_^)

It's got to be pretty... The Earth as viewed from space. (delusional)

Well, back in reality (^^;) maybe Egypt.
Of course, I'd like to see the pyramids at least once before I die.
They've been around for so many thousands of years it's really amazing,
and I'd like to try and experience their historical importance for myself.

I've heard about a hundred times that you can't take in their whole expanse with one look...
For a while, I'll sate myself with grand delusions, I guess. (^_^)

P.S. I eat them even in Japan. (^_^)

[293] Gradually - 2007/03/16 (Fri)

Is my jet-lag cured yet?
I've been awake since 4 am. (^^;)

I don't even remember what time I went to bed yesterday.
Today I'll have to try and wake up. (^_^)

For the time being though
I have a feeling it'll be more like
'No sleeping, no sleep, no...Zzzz' (^_^)
so I'm trying to post before that happens.

Today's picture is LA's 'Union Station.' *
This station doesn't look anything like Japanese ones, you know?
It's even got a restaurant where you can eat dinner in the station.

Speaking of, I didn't get to ride on any foreign trains.
Even buying a ticket seems like a pain, even though the trips do seem fun.
Doesn't it just seem like you can savor the feeling of 'Travel' ?

Aaah, again with the delusions...
Running through the southern Alps on a train with camera in hand...

Somehow trains give me that European image.
It's just me, huh? (^_^)

Today I'll pass the time with 'Countries I want to visit.' (^_^)
Let's all expand on our dreams. (^_^)


[ * which turns out to be on the National Register of Historic Places. not that that has anything to do with anything, i just think it's cool. :P ]

[292] Zzzz... Huh! - 2007/03/16 (Fri)

I'm fading fast. (^^;)

But, Japan's still cold, huh?

Even in Los Angeles, it's still chillier than I thought it would be,
but on the last day, when we went to the Desert Hill Outlet Mall,
the temperature was more like a 35 degree midsummer day. *
I felt like I'd suddenly been warped into summer. (^_^)

Everyone, don't be tricked into getting a cold by the temperature fluxtuation.

As for the differences between USH and USJ, ** well, I've only been
on the Jurrasic Park ride, but it was similar to Japan. Even with allowances for being dripping wet. (^_^)
Except, with the site being so extremely huge, getting to see the whole thing was a serious challenge.

Because I always come to LA for work, this time I wanted to come for play.
For a while, I sated myself with grand delusions, but (^_^)

Alright then everyone, have a nice morning~


[ * on a grammatically nerdy side note, it turns out the japanese have a word for "a day on which the tempurature excees 30 degrees Centigrade" and that word is manatsubi. 30 C is about 95 F.
** that would be Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan. i don't know why, but it took me a long time to figure that out. ]

[291] So long Los Angeles - 2007/03/14 (Wed)

And also 'I'm home' (^_^)
I have safely returned to Japan.

Yikes, I was seriously tired. (^_^)
And of course I was relieved to get home.

Everyone who participated should get a nice rest, too.
I'm already feeling sleepy tonight. (^^;)
I still haven't finished unpacking my bags though.

Ah, I'll start my excercise regime tomorrow. (^_^)

[290] At last - 2007/03/13 (Tue)

I can go home to Japan...

If I stayed here any longer,
I'd pass beyond 'flabby'. (^^;)

Yikes~ I got seriously chubby. (^_^)
Every day, there were huge piles of food, so, yeah.

Good thing, too, I couldn't pick them up. (^_^)

Alright then, to Japan!!


[note: oh MAN that big mac looks yummy! it's hard to imagine Gackt scarfing down a big mac, but somehow, it seems perfectly normal for YOU-kun. (^_^) ]

[289] Sorry to have kept you waiting. - 2007/03/12 (Mon)

Yasoukai safely finished. *

Actually, as far me,
my first overseas trip was to Los Angeles.

Also, my first overseas recording,
and my first professional job,
so a having a yasoukai in a land with those kind of memories
brought back very deep, strong emotions for me.

The staff from back then came to the yasoukai, too,
like, 'We were in the presence of a pro.'
Things like that make me so happy. (^_^)

So, everything started here.
Another instance of 'Don't forget where you came from.'
And it reminds me to keep trying hard.

I wonder where'll I'll be next year, huh?
I'm sure I'll meet a lot of smiling faces next year, too,
and have a lot of fun.

P.S. Yesterday, I lost all the photos I've been taking when I uploaded them to my PC. (^^;)
Tomorrow, I'll have to take a bunch more.


[ * yasoukai literally means Night Image Meeting or something like that, and i really don't have any idea what he's on about. near as i can tell, it's some kind of dears only event??? ]

[288] Snack time (^_^) - 2007/03/10 (Sat)

Everyone, we seem to have safely arrived.
Please enjoy Los Angeles as much as you'd like.

As for me, my appetite has remained unaffected,
even in the apartment, and so I'm munch munching on snacks. (^^;)

These, potato chips and cookies, are standard faire for me,
and although you might not exactly say it's delicious,
it's become strangly habitual.
I feel like, if I start eating, I won't stop. (^_^)

You can generally find them in supermarkets or convenience stores,
so people who want to get flabby should definitely try it. (^_^)

Let's not increase my Flab Friend count at least. (^_^)

And you can buy them even in Japan.
There are plenty of supermarkets that deal in import foods.
Whenever I miss LA, occasionally I buy and eat some. (^_^)

Coca-cola in one hand, potato chips in the other, this is the highest combination,
so please be careful. (^_^)

[287] Jet Lag - 2007/03/09 (Fri)

Whever I'm in Japan,
my whole life seems like jet lag,
but of course, this time it is jet lag.

My body says it's time to get up,
but my mind always says it's time to go to sleep.
I end up stupified for the whole day.
Eh? I'm always like that? (^_^)

Ah, I came here and got fatter in one day. (^^;)
Maybe too much cuisine. (^^;)
No matter what I ask for, it's always in super big portions.
Well, as a Food Fighter, it makes me happy, but. (^_^)

Again, flabby-flab...

P.S. Have some Los Angeles sky. *


[ * see notes on yesterday's entry concerning name changes. OMG! could i possibly be in the same country w/ YOU-kun RIGHT NOW!!!??? ... ahem. sorry. ]

[286] Into those greedy little hands - 2007/03/06 (Tue)

We're playing at Los!! now. *
This year, too, I'll try and have fun meeting a lot of smiling faces.

We've played at Ross plenty of times,
but it's still a nice place. It heals with its non-chalant atmosphere.

It's like that in my favorite movies, too.
There's a lot of,
'Ah- look at this scenery!'

Please enjoy yourself until we get there. (^_^)

Oh, and seriously, don't go out at night by yourself.
For a woman walking around at night, even in Japan, it's very dangerous.

If I can make a report while I'm there, I will, so have fun.


[ * (3/8) at first i thought this was some kind of bar or something, but in light of the following day's picture and other intarweb rumors, i believe he's discussing Los Angeles. "Los" is short in Japan for LA. ]

[285] Bath time - 2007/03/05 (Mon)

Smells good~ (^_^)

Thanks to everyone, I spend every bath time
having fun. These bath meds, they're only one part.
My stock of bath meds fills up an entire cardboard box. (yay!)
Truly, I'm deeply thankful. (^_^)

'Which one should I use today~'
Just thinking about is fun! (^_^)

Of course, my favorite is LUSH. *
LUSH has been my favorite for a long time,
so it's like getting a little present.
I need little presents, too, you know.

Definitely give LUSH a try.
And the soap bath bomb smell great too. I recommend those.
It's definitely for those with a smelling good fetish!!

Tonight, maybe a LUSH bath bomb, hm? (^_^)


[ * i believe he is referring to this popular cosmetics store. ]

[284] Precious... - 2007/03/05 (Mon)

Bath time is hobby time. (^_^)

I completely don't have any time to go picture taking,
so only my maniac level is rising. (bwahahah)

Even talking to my camera friends,
they deal with my meddling, saying,
'Yuu-kun, wow, you're beyond knowledgable...'

This is the kind thing that'll give me a big head, huh? (^^;)
Honestly, take photos, take photos, and then take some more photos.

Right now, I'm taking nothing but snapshots,
but really, as for what kind of photos I'd like to take... I have yet to answer my own question.
'I want to take good photos!' is a little vague.

For now though, it's bath time. (^_^)
Ahh, reading reading...

[283] Hometown - 2007/03/03 (Sat)

Chasing a rabbit on that mountain, Fishing for little carp in that river,
Dreams running around even now. Hard to forget my hometown. *

When we arrived in Nagasaki, I took pictures during the car ride from the airport into town.
Suddenly, I had that song in my head.

I don't really have any memories of chasing rabbits or fishing for carp, but still. (^^;)
Whenever I hum that song, somehow I get homesick.
Things like that, they just grab my chest. (^_^)

The importance of hometowns...


[ * this is actually a rather famous children's song. ]

[282] Ho-! - 2007/03/02 (Fri)

Since I was already making the effort for sponge cake. (^_^)

High school days are precious...
I often hear from people things like, 'You were popular, right?'
and 'You had the girls dripping off of you, right?'
but honestly I was so unpopular you might even say "completely" unpopular. (^^;)

In those days, I was totally immersed in bikes and bands,
and I didn't go to school much, so I basically just played around like a little rascal.
And when I tried to meet girls, I was instantly rejected. (^^;)
Now that I think about it, it's really nothing but memories of being jilted... (bwahahah)

Even during graduation season, I was moving on from a girlfriend,
and that's why I was crying during the ceremony. (T_T)

... Well, even if it wasn't much fun, it's in the past now. (^_^)
These days, everything seems like lovely dazzling memories.

It's better to keeping loving and getting hurt
than not to love anyone for fear of being hurt.
Time passes, and the tears we shed change into gems... or something.

Everyone, please have a lot of good loves.
Well then well then~


[ personal p.s. i really have no idea why the previous post was wanking out like that earlier. maybe it was just my browser or something, but that second line just did not want to be where it should. ]

[281] Wait a minute - 2007/03/01 (Thu)

The tour goes to Nagasaki (^_^)

I was just in Fukuoka for the event the other day,
but this time, it's a business trip.

Yeah~ My dear missed graduation ceremony. (^_^)
Reminds me of my high school days.
These days, I'm resurrecting memories that are beyond dazzling and they're bubbling out,
getting me a little misty-eyed. (bwahahah)

Also, the truly delightful smiling faces of my alumns
remain very impressive in my heart.

In order to fulfill a dream, we turned to the limitless potential within us
and ran with it...
It's not a big surprise, but please, from my heart,
but start taking advantage of it even a little.

Plus, we graduated, we can have precious memories
as graduates, this is how we proudly think of ourselves.
The world's changed, but let's do it together and follow our dreams.

I think about leaking the details to the media,
but you'll have to wait a little while for that.

[280] A meal~ (^_^) - 2007/02/28 (Wed)

The second in the Peeping series. (^_^)

Today, I had take-out dinner at work, (^_^)
but when I'm at home, it's almost 100% cooking for myself.
It used to be that I didn't like cooking at all, but.

Of course when you cook it yourself, that's when it's most tasty. (^_^)

Well, but, I'm someone who doesn't have much time for cooking,
so, I can only make stuff that's ready before you can say, So.

Again, there's no time to do so, but I should open a cooking course.
My cooking philosphy, simply, is taste. (^_^)
Even people who aren't good at cooking can be good at making simple recepies.

P.S. 9 months already!! it's been. Thank you for all your congratulatory words.
Gradually we're getting to one year, we're entering sight of it.



[ seriously? one year? oh my lord, no wonder my head's about to explode. (^_^) actually, i wanted to borrow this space, as YOU-kun would say, to thank everybody for putting up w/ me. the good news is, i'm finally up to date after a marathon session of translation (it's about 3.30 AM here right now. good thing i'm nocturnal by nature). the bad news is that it's now officially march and i'll be writing twelve short stories this month as part of beveled-edge's march madness. it's down from fifteen last year, and i've only got one YOU-kun post to do a night, so hopefully you sweet dears (ahahah. gackt pun not intended) won't notice anything, but rather than promise anything, i think i'll just pray. (^_^) ]

[279] You are quite right. (^_^) - 2007/02/27 (Tue)

Who is that, peeping around in my house? (^_^)
He really does give that impression. (^_^)

Maybe his skin is troubling him, I think,
but he's not trying any particularly effective medicine.

Faithful face-washing, faithful skin care, taking vitamins,
no matter how long you do it just right, it seems to be wasted time...

Being a man, I'm not supposed to have these kind of concerns,
but of course with this skin, there's nothing that surpasses beautiful skin.

The ones with the best skin have a well-regulated lifestyle and diet, and no stress,
so with my life, it's basically useless. (^^;)

Ah, all in good time, the customary reporting back on live test results.
Actually, it doesn't feel very effective yet. (^^;)
I'm halfway to a suntan from the snow, though, so...

Certainly the moisture contiunes to feel nice.
Well, I keep thinking, 'Beautiful skin won't come overnight,'
so just a little more testing.

P.S. Everyone's really nice on this site.
Every time I get down, I'm cured by everyone.
I'm try super hard more and more. (^_^)



[only one more! omigosh omigosh omigosh!]

[278] My apologies - 2007/02/25 (Sun)

Last night was a shameful sight,
I'm terribly sorry. m(._.)m

To be honest, after the Shamo live, I didn't remember... (^^;)
This morning when I woke up, my clothes were on the hotel bed as they had been.
'Gya~, I didn't do it.'
So today was a whole day in introspection mode.

Of course, since I couldn't participate in the launch,
the fun night in Fukuoka came to naught... (T_T)

I guess I was tense because of the song. (^_^)
I overdid it on the strain, and I hardly ate all morning.
Due to that, I had a whole bottle of sake on an empty stomach...
I was already staggeringly worn out. (^^;)
Well, it seems everyone got to have a good time,
and that's a big relief,
but really, I'm so sorry...

However, really, yesterday's dancing was amazing.
Fukuoka is absurdly talented.
Dance and music, the genre is different, but as some who stands on the same stage,
it was really a delight to watch.
Incidentally, Zabieru was the victor for me. (^_^)

Lesson: If you're going to drink sake, don't.
From here on out, take care.

To conclude, to everyone who participated,
'Thank you.'
Have fun at the next event!!

[277] HA!! - 2007/02/23 (Fri)

Today is Fukuoka.
Too bad, I'll have to shave. (^_^)

Everytime, I'm good for nothing on the stage. (^^;)
To me, though, this Darts event feels a little off. (^_^)
We're really close physically, and I can even see the faces of the people in the back plainly.
M? Shy? I'm actually very shy. (^_^)

Everyone have fun tomorrow, too.
Let's have a hot night with steady drinking. (M? No?)

Well then, I'd better get ready...


[OHMYGOD I CAN SEE THE END!!!]

[276] Today's dinner (^_^) - 2007/02/23 (Fri)

The tour machinery is back,
so I took the opportunity to tidy up the machine room,
and do some maintainance on the home recording system.

The software is steadily getting newer,
and my machines are steadily getting older,
their behaviors and enviroments and so forth are getting to be unusable,
it was pretty serious.

I ended up calling up the company support.
Time opened up somehow, and I was afraid I was going to have to throw the whole PC out...

Incidentally, last setup,
I tried the for-profit version upgrade, but it didn't seem to work.
I felt like writing them about dealing with the proper installation,
but, well, the PC itself is a new model, so it can't be helped...
Looking at this aspect for a while, and it got me thinking. It's a good balance for my main system.

Ah, it's become a difficult story, huh. (^^;)
It certainly felt that way. Today I was using my mind and my body, and I got hungry,
so I made a lot to keep up with the rhythm. (^_^)

Pork Kimchi (the lastest fad), been sprouts and fried eggs,
pork miso soup, konnyaku hot and salty stir-fry, if you'll notice there's really too much. (bwahahah)

I've been eating out a lot and doing a lot of take-out, so homemade stuff is nice to have.
Even if you eat the same things, cooking for yourself will reduce your weight.

So then, everyone, please get proper Cinderella sleep. *
As for me, I can't possibly, but... I'll lie down until morning anyway. (^_^)


[ * no, i don't know what that means, either... ]

[275] I bought it. (^_^) - 2007/02/22 (Thu)

I finally bought the long yearned for carbon tripod.

Yeah well, taking the opportunity while I was out developing some film,
I loitered around a tripod store.

Then, the sales person says,
'They're on an inventory reduction sale.'
'The discount is off the displayed price, so-'
How could I not give in to the sweet temptation. (^_^)

Yes, the price point is a nice savings,
and the assortment, too...

so I ended up saying, 'Ugh, I'll take it.' (^^;)

With this, I should be able to do a night view properly. (^_^)
From now on, I'll go out picture taking with my tripod in one hand.

Oh- take care not to be talked into stuff. (^_^)

[274] Ugh... Sleepy... - 2007/02/21 (Wed)

I came back from the studio,
thinking I would continue yesterday's setup,
but my eyes won't stay open...

Honestly, the install is tiresome.
Registering the things, collecting the serial numbers,
I feel like, aah, just give me the automatic recognition of the web.

In particular, I have a lot of foreign-made music software,
so registration and everything is all in English, *
and even getting to be able to use the software properly is a bother.
Well, it's probably and anti-counterfeiting measure, but it's becoming more complex year after year.

Plus, even with a proper installation, if you don't have the upgrade,
the software becomes unusable,
and then you're in a staring match with the web page.

Aah, I'm sleepy again. (^^;)

Once again, the hard struggle is to be continued... (^_^)


[ * you need a translator, YOU-kun? *raises hand* (^_^) ]

[273] The evolution of digital - 2007/02/20 (Tue)

There was a brief time when I was diligently
using up a large sums of money and buying home recording machines,
but now, with the tremendous progress of PCs,
it's gotten so you can make a demo tape
with just a notebook PC and some little tiny machines.

Digital cameras are like that, too, but honestly,
the progress of digital things in general is quick.
The price is growing steadily cheaper, and the quality is rising.

Now, with one PC, you can do it all,
music, photos, movies, drawing, everything.
Even people's commications have changed,
due to the internet.

With this one machine, you can do
all sorts of things.
Makes you wonder about the direction of digital.
The reasons we manipulate machines, or are manipulated.

Even while I say those kind of self-important things,
I'm fighting hard to set up these machines...

Yes, still more being manipulated by machines. (^^;)

Still, just like my cell phone, I've gotten so that I can't do without my PC.
For instance, without my PC, I couldn't put up this diary...

For the time being, I can't finish the set up either way. (^^;)
Seems I've got a little more fighting left to do.

[272] I'm home again. - 2007/02/18 (Sun)

Yeah, I had an urgent business trip. (^^;)
As you might imagine, there were snowy mountains involved. (^^;)

Actually, we're in the middle of recording,
but the boss gave the word, so I was kidnapped... (bitter smile)

I heard we were supposed to have a mild winter this year,
but the night before yesterday, the snow was blowing something fierce, wasn't it...

I said something like 'What mild winter?'
and ran down the pristinely white street.

Good... I safely arrived...
And when I got back, the snow had vanished from the street like it was all just a lie.

Incidentally, I tried out the lens I got the other day.
I took a shot of the sky's expanse, and I'm feeling good.
Mr President, truly thank you!!

So then, I'll be an indoorsman for a little while again. Go for it!

[271] My apologies. m(._.)m - 2007/02/16 (Fri)

I'll be closed for business for a while.
If I can update, I will.

[270] The path to beautiful skin!! - 2007/02/15 (Thu)

I got it from the hair and make-up people. (^_^)
Everyone's so generous. (^^;) I'm truly thankful.

I've only been using it occasionally when I wear make-up,
but already my skin is looking great~

If I start using it every day...
The path to beautiful skin requires diligence. (^_^)
Lately, my dry skin has been awful, so it's right on the mark.

Uh-oh, for beautiful skin, sleep is important.
Well, I like sleep. (^_^)

So, it's a little bit early, but, sweet dreams. zzz...
Oh- I'll report back later on the live tests. (^_^)

[269] A second shot at presents!! - 2007/02/14 (Wed)

Wh, what? I got a high-class lens from the president of Chimaera.
Plus, he said to me, 'I'm delivering some official business papers,'
and when he came, he had a Yodobashi Camera bag in one hand!! *
A nice little surprise. (^_^)

Mm~ it's that lens that I was always worrying about whether I should buy it or not,
so it was a shock. I was thinking that
I was going to buy it as a little present from myself to myself (^_^)
so good job, President-san, you've got perfect timing.

Actually, even when I went to by the SLR I use now,
I was like, 'I want it, but I'm worried~'
As someone who was considering, I'm as happy as I could be.
With this, my camera friends have increased by one. (^_^)

With the lenses all accounted for, I shall go buy myself a tripod for my own present. (^_^)
I want to take pictures of things like the night view and the night sky, and I'm basically a nocturnal person, so... (^_^)
Right now, I can't use my mini tripod for trips, it's a little unreliable.
Well, there's just one worry. Some tripods can get expensive. (^^;)

After this, it's becoming spring, and when I take pictures of the cherry trees in the evening and stuff, it should be very pretty...

I'll have to polish my skills more. (^_^)


[ * a popular Japanese camera chain store. ]

[268] Excatly what I wanted - 2007/02/12 (Mon)

A Mac turned up at my house. (^_^)
Of all the surprises that came with my birthday this year,
this present was the biggest one.

Thank you, Santa-san. (^_^)
It feels like O-bon and New Year's Day all at once.
Of course, it's as you would expect. Satan is the supreme ruler, so he's a generous man. (^_^)
What the heck am I supposed to give him in July... (^^;)

So then~ Intel is the best~ (^_^)
Of course, there's a world of difference from my iBook.
This Mac has to be used carefully used for work.
It's too good for everyday use.

Incidentally, the Rirakuma right in the middle there, *
I got from a UFO catcher.
So I say. Actually, I went to the arcade by myself. (^_^)
Somehow I got it in only one try. Lucky, huh! (joy!)

Yeah, all my secret desires revealed in this diary. (^_^)

Well then, even touching the new Mac feels like tampering...
My indoorsman-ship is fun once again... (^_^)

P.S. Is that right... I'm way past old guy.
More like 'Old Ma~n' (^_^)


[ * more usually spelt rirakkuma, that little bear thing is another creepy mascot character. try here for more creepiness. ]