[370] I overate... - 2007/06/01 (Fri)

Somehow I ended up going out to eat for pasta with everyone today.
As usual, the table was piled with authentic pasta at it's best. (^^;)

We ate and ate and steadily more food appeared.
When we left the restaurant, my stomach felt like it was about to burst open. (^^;)
I was a little worried. 'Ugh, I'm gonna have a baby...' (^_^) *

Now who asked for that?
Not one person I know. (^_^)

Afterwards, the group broke up, and I went to see my friend's LIVE,
but man~ I was seriously worried.
Even at midnight, my stomach was still buldging. (^_^)

It was absurdly delicious,
but for the present, I don't want to see any more pasta. (^_^)

P.S. My friend seems to have gotten some conscientious comments.
For better or worse, he didn't buy a camera. (^_^)


[ * this translation is, i have to admit, blantantly wrong. the problem is, the verb used here means "to be born" but i've translated it here as "to give birth" because i have no idea why you would say, "I'm going to be born" after having eaten a lot. i can't find anything on google to help me, either, so if anyone knows, fess up. ]

[369] Continuing from yesterday (^_^) - 2007/05/31 (Thu)

I took so many pictures while I had the opportunity. (^_^)

Getting the focus right at night is difficult.
Even with a tripod, the photo gets blurry.
I've still some ways to go in my pursuit of proper photography. (^_^)

The unexpected thing about that night view was that there were a lot of riders.
Of course, men are fond of dusk, right... (^_^)
Speaking of, it seems like my fellow males and I used to go out and see the night sights all the time. (^^;)

If you're in Kansai, you have to see Mount Rokkou. *
I've myself have seen it countless times, on dates. (^_^)

'I want to see it, could you show it to me,' they say,
and when we get there, I make them promise, 'Close your eyes.' (^_^)

And just like that, I lead them by the hand up to the lookout point,
and with, 'It's okay to open your eyes,'
the night view seems to appear right before their eyes. (^_^)

Well, that's pretty standard, but. (^_^)
Seriously, the night views from Rokkou are gorgeous.
Gentlemen and ladies confessing to their loves should definitely check it out. (^_^)

For now, the night views are more for taking photos to me than they are about 'confessions.' (^_^)


[ * mt rokkou, literally the six step mountain, is situated north of Kobe, and is considered one of japan's 300 famous mountains. at it's highest point, it's ~931 meters. ]

[368] The clear weather after the rain - 2007/05/30 (Wed)

is late. (^^;)
I joined my heartbroken friend for a little drive.

Men are so sentimental.
When they get their heart broken, they want to go for a drive. (^_^)

It's nice to wander aimlessly, and get distracted, though, don't you think.
Talking with each other about love without altruism, I heard a lot of reminiscing...

Because of the circumstances, I firmly offered my 'SLR' too. (^_^)
'You might meet a new lover, so you'll want a lot of memorial photos,' I said.

Also, is there no rain that never stops? I have to believe it will end someday.

P.S. Seems he was tempted for a while by the little vacation. Obtained camera friend!! (^_^) *


[ * literally Camera friend - GET!! this is the same format they use in video games, when you receive an item. for instance Orange Gummy - GET!! would translated into an american version of the same game as Obtained Orange Gummy. it's like he's got a little checklist of where it categorize people. 'this one's a camera buddy, this one's a music buddy, this one's an internet buddy, etc etc.' i wonder how long his list of BBS buddies is... ]

[367] B-class Gourmet Exploration Party (^_^) - 2007/05/29 (Tue)

I had the 'B-Class Gourmet Party' that I've always wanted
with Food Fighter Shirota-kun, whom I introduced on the blog earlier. (^_^)

Both of us are of the opinion that
'Expensive is obviously tasty, but of course cheap is delicious, too' (^_^)
So one of us said, 'Well then, let's discover tasty B-class Gourmet in the city!!'
and we put together an exploratory committee. (^_^)

So this time, our investigation area was 'Tamachi.'
When you say Tamachi, you think, it's all offices over there, right?
Definitely a place that has no relation to us. (^_^)

That's why we dared to select it.
Specifically because it's a place we rarely, if ever, visit.

So, from the moment we got off at Tamachi Station, my heart was throbbing in my chest. (^_^)
With some research on the net and hearing some good things about it through word of mouth,
we challenged ourself to this shishkabob shop,

and the place was some massive kind of success.
I've been to some shishkabob places in the city before,
but man~ as a Kansai person, I can't believe I happened across this taste in Tokyo.
(Incidentally, the customers we were sitting at the table with turned out to be Kansai people, too. (^_^) )

Both of us left the store with a 'That was delicious, wasn't it~' and hugely satisfied.
Then we sauntered around for a bit, and after a while there was a sign 'fried beef giblets' ...

'I could eat again, you know? It'll be hard, but let's go, exploration! Exploration!'
So we took on the challenge of a second store just like that... (^^;)

Then, at that store too,
we were satisfied again. 'Ooh, sexy.' (^_^)

'Tamachi' is awe-inspiring, but of course it's a place for salary man warriors to go and relax,
so it's a town with this kind of delicious stuff... And cheap. (^_^)

The first exploration, it was '5 stars~' (^_^)

P.S. With a big shout, Hurray for B-class Gourmet!!


[note: sorry for the delay, peoples. i temporarily misplaced my flash drive with all my translation stuff on it. basically, my house looks like it was ransacked now, but i've found the flash drive, so everything else can wait.]

[366] One year old (^_^) - 2007/05/28 (Mon)

Somehow, it's a surprising amount of time.
When I started, I thought all day every day about
what to write, what to photograh. (^^;)
Honestly, it was a little discouraging sometimes. (^_^)

Everyone so kindly watching over me,
and all the affection you've given me,
it's allowed me to continue the diary this far.
I'm the one who's grateful to you.

'Truly, thank you.'

If I continued writing until the end of my days, I think that would be great.
Maybe 'We'll love you your whole life!!' (^_^)

And also, when we're all old men and old women,
we can laugh together at this place.

From now until forever, please stick around. m(._.)m

Ah, somehow when you write by yourself, various memories
and arbitrary emotions come up. In another year, I'll probably be crying.
Ah- in my case, I come by it naturally... (^^;)

Things I want to tell, things I don't want to tell,
there are so many of them
that putting 'thoughts' into sentences is really difficult...

Well, then, gradually, we'll turn the conversation to tough stuff. (^_^)

Yikes~ one year has passed, nothing's seriously matured... (*a waterfall of (^^;) )
As ever, I'm a shut-in,
and raising only 'flab' ... (*introspection*)

When you say it like that,
I'll have to try and rely on Billy. (^_^)

'A tough spirit dwells in a tough body!!'
I think I'll believe that and really try for it. (^_^)

Enjoy the Billy Diary. (^_^)

P.S. Today's toast. (^_^) 'Here's to one year!'



[note: zomg, one year!? *faints dead* ]

[365] Very soon - 2007/05/26 (Sat)

it'll be one whole year.
Crap...
I haven't thought of anyhing... (^^;)

Today was pretty noisy,
so tomorrow (or the day after)
I'll say my formal thank yous.

And have my one year reflection. (^_^)

Well then well then~

P.S. Please mellow out and have a nice vacation -ribbit-.

[364] Fantasy Buff (^_^) - 2007/05/26 (Sat)

Starting with 'Neverending Story'
and continuing to recent things like
'Lord of the Rings' and 'Harry Potter'
I watch a lot of fantasy things.

It's not that every story with dreams of fairies and magic is good,
but somehow, I'm attracted to 'Bravery' (^_^)
After all, I'm part of the Dragon Quest generation. (^_^)

With the amazing progress of science, eventually, the special effects of the movies
and the things you can do in games will become real.
How far will it progress in our lifetimes...?
Just thinking about it makes me giddy. (^_^)

Incidentally, when I saw this movie, I started to want a Dragon.
Mm? Unnecessary? (^^;)
Yeah well, they seem like charming and reliable guys. (^_^)

Soaring through the sky like that...
I have delusions of forgetting all my worries and being by myself. (^_^)

Well then, everyone, delusions in moderation, too. (^_^) Have a good weekend.

P.S. 'Pirates~' was released.
I was thinking about going to the late show, but it's sold out. (T_T)


[note: mm, pirates~. i just like the way it sounds in japanese: pie-reh-tsuu~ makes it better, somehow. also, the movie in the picture is Eragon, which i haven't seen. how is it? good? bad? ugly? on a related note, have you seen the clip on YouTube where gackt says he likes the harry potter movies? i think we know who to thank for that, now, don't we? (^_^)

on a completely unrelated note, for those of you just joining us (that's right, i'm looking at you, you silly german bbs that won't let me see the page without joining the board (^_^) ) i'll be out of town from the 5th to the 26th of june. i'm going to sweden~ i'll still have my laptop and (hopefully) the intarwebs, so there shouldn't be too much disturbance, but don't be surprised if updates are spotty this june. ]

[363] Reluctantly - 2007/05/25 (Fri)

Even as a ramen freak,
I was never good at eating Taishou ken *
and to this very day, I'm reluctant.
I wanted to try it someday, but still.

These days, I don't eat too much of it,
but before, I'd eat ramen 5 days a week. (^^;)
The famous Tokyo store has been bought out,
but the one here is still going.

So then, when I went to the convenience store,
what kind of cup noodles are they selling!!?
I've been holding off on the junk as best I can recently,
but I just bought it on impulse. (^_^)

Ah~ I wanted to eat the genuine article... (*drool*)

Incidentally, the metro area is a super closely contested ramen area,
so any store of a suitable level is probably expensive.
After questions of individual tastes, of course. If it's a popular place, I try to stay away.
Usually, there's a line... The store that I want to eat as so much I'll stand in line doesn't exist yet.
I just really hate lines. (^_^)

Well, I would definitely recommend it to Kyoto residents in my situation. (^^;)
It's 'Masterly.' When I visit my parents, I always go to eat there without fail.
I've been going since I was a teenager. To me, it's as dear as mom's cooking.
If you're sightseeing in the Silver Pavillion neighborhood, definitely check it out. (^_^) **

Ah- maybe it was eating nothing but ramen that got me the 'flab' ...? (bwahahah)
Everyone please be very careful of overeating. (^_^)

P.S. We eagerly await everyone's entries for the photo contest.
I've gotta take a trip, quick...


[ * taishou ken, literally The House of the Crushing Victory, brand ramen. their flagship store is (or was maybe) in Ikebukuro Tokyo.
** The Temple of the Silver Pavillion, a buddhist temple in the sakyo ward of kyoto, and a national treasure.

note: for those of you receiving YOU-kun's BBS emails, the one you got today reminds you that the 3rd photo contest is now officially open, that the theme is Travel, and that your entries must be postmarked between may 25 and june 11. ]

[362] Global Passport - 2007/05/24 (Thu)

Finally they came out with a new model.
At last, I can change equipment.

Until now, I've been intermittently jealous,
checking out the TV reception
and cell phone walkman features out of the corner of my eye. (^^;)

I love, so next time, I'll be going with Global Passport. (^_^)

Yeah well, when I go overseas, It'll be very convenient.
One by one, I'll stop renting cell phones overseas.
Well, how many times a year does that really happen, but still. (^^;)

My current cell phone, well, it looks a bit crumbly,
and the battery's gradually going,
so I've been thinking about doing a proper model change out anyway.

I couldn't quite deal with the Global Passport machine
so I was already half resigned to getting a WIN,
so this was really good timing.

However, as someone who's had one since the analog cell phones of the Kansai Cellular era,
the digital phones these days are amazing.
I don't use any features but the camera and the email and the calling,
so I don't need all those extras, but still. (^_^)

Why isn't it on sale right now~ (*anticipation*)

P.S. It seems like Billy is considerably popular, like he's reached a considerable point.
Seriously, it makes me want to start right away. (^_^)


[note: the Global Passport, a cell phone made by au, is yet another in the long line of hawt keitai (cell phones) that make me wish i lived in japan. it's main feature is it's global roaming capabilities. it works in various countries all over the world, including the US, cananda, israel, peru, the US virgin islands, india, indonesia, hong kong, taiwan, etc etc etc. the old model has a megapixel camera and an FM tuner among it's features, and of course, their newest model also has all the latest hawt features like TV reception and MP3 players.]

[361] Morizou - 2007/05/23 (Wed)

I put the key to my house on Morizou, *
but he never fails to amaze me.

The other day, I tried putting it together with my bicycle key
on a new key chain, but I lost it in one day. (^^;)

Well, I've been using it for more than two years, so Morizou is crumbling,
but he's still got some life left in him.

After all, he's got Aichi World Fair power. (^_^)
Man~ I really wanted to go~ (*looks off into the distance*)
That was the time when no one got a proper rest,
so reluctantly, I had to give up, but still. (T_T)

There's always the next world fair, though, right? ... Next time, I'm going!!

So then, not to change the subject, but,
Billy. As expected, I've dipped my toe in. (^_^)
It's been impossible to not buy it with all the talk going around lately. (^_^)
When I start it, I'll write a Billy Entry.

Hey everybody, would you like to enlist together? (^_^)


[ * morizou, as you can see, is a creepy little green blob thing. he is the mascot of the aichi world fair, and is purportedly some kind of fungus thing. you can see more pictures of him, and perhaps peruse his (unfortunately japanese) diary here. ]

[360] Lately... - 2007/05/22 (Tue)

If I think hot, it's cold,
and if I think cold, it's hot.
Which one is it going to be already...! (*angry*)

Won't I be able to change my closet out for the season? (^_^)

Maybe because of this capricious climate
or maybe because I worked so hard last week, but my physical condition is horrible. (^^;)
Of course, it might be excessive drinking... Eh? No, you say? (bwahahah)

For now, I'm keeping with my shut-in status,
so perhaps I'll give Billy a try to get my fighting spirit on. (^_^)
I've been completely tempted by what everybody's said about it. (^_^)

Please think about it for the rest of the day. (^_^)
In my mind, I've got wild delusions about 'Ripped Abs.' (^_^)

P.S. Because I myself certainly wasn't born with any ripped abdominals. (bwahahah)

[359] En Route Progress - 2007/05/21 (Mon)

After this, I'm having a proper drink. (^_^)
As far as effectiveness, well, there doesn't really seem to be any. (^^;)
On the contrary, it acts like food for my fat rate,
so maybe it's dangerous. (^_^)

Exept that, even though I've been eating fatty things, there hasn't been much change bodily,
so, in a sense, maybe it is effective after all.

For the time being, I'm continuing on the one case plan,
and when I'm done drinking, I try forming an opinion.

P.S. Actually, I'm still troubled about Billy... (bwahahah)
Maybe it's going to steadily wear me down. (^_^)

[358] Yikes yikes - 2007/05/20 (Sun)

When I put on my new glasses,
my head started throbbing.
I thought to myself, that hasn't happened too often,
until I went to the eye doctor's.
Sorry for worrying everybody...

Even with eyes this bad, I hardly ever
go to the eye doctor. Once in a while is fine, right? (^_^)

So, I asked sensei,
'What if I've got some eye disease?'
and when he answered with an earnest, 'Yeah-!!'
I went for a sudden examination. (T_T)

"Well, since I was a kid..." I said,
the reply was 'You haven't had an exam since then?' and only half joking. (^^;)

Well, after all, there haven't been any problems, (except for lack of sleep)
but he said,
'From now on, please get periodic check-ups.' (^^;)
You could say it's been a neglect game for however many decades until now, I guess. (^_^)
Well, if I do go for periodic visits like this time,
I'm going to have to get some shades. (^_^)

But when my eyes hurt, it's seriously inconvenient.
When I wake up, the very first thing I do is search for my glasses,
like, "Glasses, glasses." (^_^)

Occassionally, when I've put in my contacts,
the next morning, my vision is clear!
It's a seriously moving experience. "Oh- I can see." (^_^)

Ever since I was in elementary school, and I had glasses like the bottom of the milk bottle, (^_^)
they've always felt inconvenient to me.
To the people who invented contact lenses, I'd like to give you the Nobel Prize.
The first time I put them in, was deeply moving, I still can't forget it to this day.
"Amazing! I can see without glasses!!"
"Ah- but somehow my eyes feel wierd..." (^_^)

There seems to be a lot of you out there with bad eyesight,
but please, be careful with your eyes.

So says me, who does nothing but stare at PC screen. (^^;)

P.S. Well, I started touching another machine. (^_^)
Oop- and it's morning again..... zzz


[note: this series of posts has been especially adorable, ne? something about him wandering around in his bathrobe, squinting and tripping into things as he searches for his bottle-caps/glasses is way too cute for my brain to handle. it is nice to know that i'm not the only one who has trouble seeing the alarm clock when i wake up, despite the fact that it's basically five inches from my face... blind people of the world, UNITE~
oh yeah, also, post number 357? where did it go? ~the phantom post~ no, actually, i don't know. it's seriously not on yuu's site. maybe that was the post where he divulged all his deepest darkest secrets? (bwahahah), as he would say. ]

[356] The Day Dawns (bwahahah) - 2007/05/19 (Sat)

Has anyone here had their pupils dilated before?

Yesterday, I wrote in my diary, and after the usual morning,
I went to the eye doctor.

There, at the examination,
he said to me,
"These eye drops will dilate your pupils."
"Please do not drive a car after this."
and gave me the eye drops, but at first,
it felt like, 'Mm? Nothing's happening.'

He said, "They'll return to normal after about half a day,"
and the very instant I stepped out of the hospital onto the street,

'Gye~~~, SO BRIIIGHT---'

Well, my pupils were dilated, so under the sun,
I couldn't even open my eyes everything was so bright.

Especially white things. The light reflected off of them, and I couldn't see straight.
Walking out of the capital, I got skewered on the white lines of the pedestrian crossing. (^_^)

Man oh man, I had tears in my eyes the whole way home, it was really bad.
I've never hated the white pedestrian crossings so bad. (^_^)

And of course it was great weather, with the sun out like that...
It gave meaning to my precious personal experience.

Well then, everyone, try and make some dazzling memories of your own. (^_^)
And have a splendid weekend.

P.S. The pinch is on for 'Travel' photos. I'd better hurry and get out there. (^^;)

[355] The correct answer - 2007/05/18 (Fri)

was a writing brush~ (^_^)
There were all sorts of guesses,
things like horsetails or cotton swabs, so. (^_^)

Lining the two of them up like that,
gave me a strange laugh.
Like, 'What the heck are they writing?' (^_^)

Now, the house is packed with daikons,
but when my friends who don't know about it come over,
everyone gets an experience. (^_^)

Invariably, I get asked
something like 'Why daikons?'
When I say, "Well, it kind of looks like me..."
they burst out laughing. (^^;)

Plushies always make people smile, I guess...
As a Kansai person myself, I feel like I made a profit. (^_^)

P.S. Indicentally, a while back, someone said I looked like 'Kogepan' (bwahahah) *


[ * kogepan is a character literally named "pan-burned." he's actually quite adorable. http://pierrot.jp/title/kogepan/index.html ]

[354] It's morning again. - 2007/05/17 (Thu)

It's been a while since I was kidnapped by Satan. (^_^)
As usual, he's a truly tough person. (^_^)

I haven't been sleeping that much lately either,
but he's the Origin of Insomnia,
so there's really no contest with people like me when it comes to not sleeping.

He always gives me power and good stimulous. (*thank you*)
It seems like his Superman points increase with the years.

Well then, after some tasty sake, we kept at it and did some work. (^_^)
There's not a lot of sleep and a nice feeling of tension this week~

P.S. Please, everyone, seriously please get enough sleep. (^_^)
Good children don't copy cat. (^_^)

[353] After all that - 2007/05/16 (Wed)

I didn't go straight to bed. (^^;)
I had stuf to do in the afternoon, so.
Then I went to touch the machines for just a little bit before bed,
and before I noticed, it was morning. (^_^)

So, sure enough, I slept in late,
but by some accident the other person was late, too,
so somehow I was saved . (^_^)

In the evening, I went to have lunch with a musician friend of mine
I haven't seen in a while, and again, we touched off all kinds of things before I went home.

I have a premonition that I'll be staying inside more and more. (^_^)
My body's ready for a twenty-six hour nap...
I haven't slept for about three days, and my concentration's been going,
so of course, I should be knocked out.

Can someone develop for me some 'Insomnia Medication' ...
Mm, how about some 'Flab Medication' (^_^)

[352] Rough - 2007/05/15 (Tue)

I said that I would write again,
but it got to be so late...

Well, afterwords, I took a nap,
and, as everyone feared, I overslept. (^^;)

Yikes~ with all these machines to mess with here,
I don't get much sleep. (^_^)
Today, too, I'm dozing off. (^_^)

Thanks to that, though, I'm losing weight. (^_^)
Well, when you're worn out... (^^;)

Today I'm going straight to bed.
I'll try to avoid the machine room as much as possible. (^_^)

P.S. If you leave your air conditioner on for a long time, it breaks without warnning. (^^;)
Good thing it's not true summer. (^_^)


[note: haha~ yuu-kun overslept~ ... ... ... not because it's actually funny, more like, i'm late to work basically every single day for just that reason. last night i built a PC and then couldn't bring myself to leave it alone. when i finally meet yuu-kun (after a long bout with stalking and probably some arrest warrants) we're going to have plenty to talk about. (^_^) ]

[351] What now? - 2007/05/14 (Mon)

I have a bunch of stuff to do today and I need to get up in the morning,
and, if you'll notice, isn't it morning already...?

I'll just take a nap, I guess.
I'll write again later.

[350] Pudding Cake - 2007/05/13 (Sun)

It was tasty for many days. (^_^)
Of course it couldn't appear in my diary like that. (^_^)

So~ I'm feeling pretty refreshed after yesterday's talk. (^^;)
I'm a maniac for talks in that field.
I could write about it any time. (^_^)

Well, people who have their eye on that same industry can use it as a reference guide. (^_^)

Speaking of, today is Mother's Day.
Did everyone do something nice for their mom? *

It's not a big thing,
but I sent flowers every year.

When I lived with my parents,
I never remembered Mother's Day. (^^;)
It's now that I'm away that I understand,
Thank you, my parents...

At the least, you should express your feeling of gratitude at least once a year.
Thanks for giving birth to you, thanks for raising you.

Today, at least, I'll be a good kid. (^_^)


[ * literally "did everyone do some filial piety." i love confucionism, don't you? also, what does yesterday's talk have to do w/ mother's day? yuu's brain is inscrutable... ]

[349] I'm a nerd today, too. (^_^) - 2007/05/12 (Sat)

Always, I'm worried about whether or not to buy something,
but I went out and bought the thing anyway.

With Pro Tools, it's of course mainly recording,
so I wanted software that can do input with.

Being surrounded by musicians, a lot of them use Logic pro for input,
but there's not even a version for the long-awaited Mac Book Pro. (^_^)

But, really, the Intel Macs are amazing.
Mac G5 can use Pro Tools,
but on the Mac Book Pro, it crashes to the desktop.
2 years ago, the G5 was the flagship model, too...

For now, people who are starting up home recording stuff
should be fine with Digi 003 on a Mac Book Pro, I think.
Well, there are even people who use it professionally.
Inputting instruments, vocals, rhythm tracks,
mixing, you can do everything in one place.
If you're a keyboardist, though, Logic pro.

I bought Logic pro,
and I'll be learning all sorts of new things starting today...
I'll be a shut-in for a while. (^_^)

Most people think home recording is pretty simple (^_^)
but if you use a Mac, there's nothing like GarageBand.
You can make amazing tunes with just that. Plus it's simple.
People who don't want to grope around should check it out. It's fun.

Well then, everyone, have a good weekend~

P.S. Hrm~ How effective is this Billy thing, anyway...?
It seems a little tempting. (^_^)


[hello again: today's box is LogicPro 7.2, which, for those of you keeping track of YOU-kun's finances, is $900 retail. for those of you who read this post and thought, wtf is he on about, Pro Tools is basically software for people who have a hookup between their keyboard or guitar or whatever and their computer. you plug your (usually) keyboard into your PC/Mac and record directly from there. you can record with LogicPro and GarageBand too, but you can also use prerecorded loops of music, arranging them however you'd like to make a song that way, and of course, even adding your own vocals or instrument or whatever to the loops. it's about $1000, but it is hot hot hot. mm? how do i know all this nerdy stuff? didn't you know? Yuu and i are clones? (^_^) no, actually, my father does that kind of stuff. i dabbled with it in my youth, but i turned out not to be terribly good at it. when you're boring yourself with your own compositions, i think that's when you should just quit. ]

[348] Recently, in the public eye - 2007/05/11 (Fri)

I've been hearing a lot about
the Billy Diet (^_^) but
has anyone actually tried it?

When I looked into it on the net, this guy,
he seems amazingly haughty, don't you think. (^^;) *

As for me, I'm firmly in the Tarzan Magazine camp. (^_^) **
Plus, a little light training before bed.
Also, training the cardio-pulmonary system with daily hip-baths. (^_^)

It used to be, I would trek back and forth from the gym,
but I got busy, and it's gotten so I don't have the time to go.

I'll gradually turn towards summer with my fighting spirit on, drinking black oolong tea. (^_^)
Have drop this meat from GW. (^_^)

P.S. But I am thinking about Billy a little bit. (^_^)


[ * no, he does look completely haughty. here's one of the sites: http://www.rakuten.co.jp/shopjapan/651695/616400/751322/
** Tarzan, upon thinking about it, seems like such a perfect name for a body-building magazine, i don't know why no one thought of it earlier. ]

[347] Black Oolong Tea - 2007/05/10 (Thu)

My latest craze. (^_^)
I used to drink Healthia. *
I like tea that has a bitter taste.
Plus, it's supposed to curb fat absorption,
so it's two birds with one stone. (^_^)

As for me, I was raised on tea from a small tea pot, (^_^)
so there was never much attraction to
these teas that come out of plastic bottles.
This one is quite attractive, though, so it's okay.

For the time being, it's on for live testing, (^_^)
so I splurged and bought a case,
and I'm going to drink it with every meal.
I'll record the effects in this diary.

P.S. The first ten days of May have been like midsummer...
It feels like I'm in a bar fight with the sun. (^_^)
Seriously, I'm melting...


[ * literally, herushia, and the website didn't have any "fad" english logo, but i think they're trying to call that "healthy" to mind, seeing as it's a health drink. it's got some bizarre chemical i've never heard of before in it. catechin?　something.　p.s. sorry for being late with yesterday's. my camera broke and i had a momentary lapse in sanity. ]

[346] Stupid... - 2007/05/09 (Wed)

Don't you think, before I knew it, my house became a warehouse...
At first, it was just weird things collecting at my home,
but it's stuffed full for great stretches with the Wii Rally. (^^;)

It's like we can't stop once we've started playing.
When we finally notice, so many hours have passed...
We put some voluntary restraints on ourselves,
but the time passed and not everyone had played yet. (^^;)

Well, at that point, cell phone games are good.
You can play them in your spare time while you're waiting or going somewhere.
Of course, you can also play them in the bath. (^_^)

Only, you instantly forget to bring it with you. (^_^)
Or, you forget to charge it, and the battery's dead for days.

And then your cell phone becomes a warehouse for games...
Mm? A warehouse after all. (^^;)

Well, well, my DS will be seeing a lot of activity from now on, so. (^_^)
Today, too, I was in the bath for like an hour. (^_^)

I hear I can watch DVDs and TV on my PSP with wireless LAN, too,
so eventually, I'll use that. When I do, I'll have some otaku posting. (^_^)

However, clinging to the unexpected gaming posts is fine, too. (^_^)
Manga and games are keeping up a Japanese culture we can boast of world-wide.

Everyone, seriously, be careful of ruining your eyesight with games.
Eh? Should take my own advice? Yes, you are quite right. (^_^)

P.S. Oh man it is super hot...
The summer heat came before summer... (^^;)

[345] Gyakuten Saiban - 2007/05/08 (Tue)

The other day, I borrowed this thing
called 'gyakuten saiban' from a friend
who said, "This is fun." *

I've got a PSP, a DS, and a Wii,
but honestly, I don't touch them very often. (^^;)
The DS... usually sleeps in my drawer. (^_^)

But, I borrowed this long-awaited software,
and when I gave it a trial play:
This is amazing fun! (^_^)

Plus, it can be a great bath item.
Today while I was pruning in the bathtub,
I played for 30 minutes and didn't even notice.
Pretty soon, I was drenched in sweat.

People who try it, be very careful not to drop it in the tub.
As for me, I put the strap around my wrist just to be sure.

I've discovered another bath item.
Does anyone have a TV in their bathroom?
Watching movies in the bath would be cool.

After you steadily warm your body, don't forget to stretch. (^_^)

P.S. I've fallen for it, I went and bought 'Gyakuten Saiban 2.' (^_^)


[ * gyakuten saiban, possibly THE best game ever made, is better known to USA fans as Phoenix Wright, Ace Attorney. i KNEW i loved this boy!! ]

[344] Without delay - 2007/05/07 (Mon)

I went out and bought some hiking boots. (^_^)
And, wouldn't you know it, the long-awaited final day of GW,
I'm sorry to say, but it rained. (T_T)

Turning towards next month's release,
in order to reduce flab and augment physical strength,
for now on, I will be steadily climbing mountains. (^_^)

Also, in the summer, Mt. Fuji...
Well, that's this year's target. (^_^)

If I keep tup my strength, both at work and in private,
everything will be better. *
And if I take some good photos while I'm out, it'll be three birds with one stone! (^_^)

Ah- speaking of, with GW clearing,
I have some advice from me to people who are busy at work every day with no rest.

First of all, shave your sleep time. (^_^)
Extend your play time for even just one hour every day,
doing something you really find enjoyable from the bottom of your heart.
Litsten to your favorite music, read a book,
watch a movie, meet with your friends,
well, anything is okay,
but the important thing is, every single day,
to make time for yourself.

When you're busy, you think of nothing but other people,
and you completely ignore your own needs,
so if you can make room for even a tiny bit of relaxation,
it'll do wonders for your body and your mind.

Suddenly, you'll find yourself becoming calm,
and your stress will be able to vanish,
and you'll be ready for tomorrow with vitality, no mistake.

But there's no way I have time like that in every single day!
If that sounds like you, whenever you're getting ready for bed,
think of something nice for yourself.
Maybe 'Next time I get a vacation, I want to ~'
or 'Someday, I'll absolutely ~'
Even thinking about it can be fun.

I think there are a lot of people who should put this into practice immediately,
but I myself will soon be boiled away, (^^;)
so as much as possible, I'll have to use my imagination.

Ah- but, if time allows, please sleep a little bit.
If you collapse, you'll be late. (seriously)

P.S. Mysteriously, my play time is restricted to my busy times,
so my blowing my fuse times are quite abundant, (^^;)
but my body naturally balances out.


[ * literally, "everything will be come PLUS" which sounds cute, but doesn't make much sense in english. ]

[343] Higher than the roof - 2007/05/06 (Sun)

Carp streamers~♪

Ah~, it's not really 'travel.'
But I'm in a hurry... (^_^)

Well, if it stays like this, I shouldn't be in too much of a rush.
Even if it's just some pictures of 'travel' around the neighborhood, it's still good. (^_^)

Did everyone have good travels?

P.S. Today (yesterday) I reverted to being a child. (^_^)

[342] Summer Weather - 2007/05/05 (Sat)

Yikes yikes, it's really hot, isn't it.
Just a thin t-shirt in the daytime.
It's like, Hm? Where's spring? you know. (^_^)

It's exactly the climate for picnic season,
so let's all enjoy our holidays.

GW is already reaching it's final stages,
and i'm clattering along with some kind of rattling noise or other. (bwahahah)
I finally glanced at the TV, and it seems like
the whole country is doing serious business...

Aah... I should be out taking some quick 'Travel' shots...
Not sitting at home non-chalantly making chicken and eggs on rice! (hahahah)

Well, it was delicious, so it's okay, but still. (^_^)

People who leave for someplace, people who are leaving later,
it's been said many times, but have a nice trip until you get home~ (^_^)
Seriously, be careful of accidents, please.
Even I, when I ride my bicycle, am careful. (^_^)

Oop- today is Children's Day...
One day a year I can go back to being a kid...
Hm? Always, huh. (^_^)

P.S. I'll try and see the movies everyone recommended.

[341] Wailing Part 2 - 2007/05/04 (Fri)

Every since yesterday, my tear ducts have been quite loose. (^^;)
Well, I'm secretly a crybaby anyway, but still. (^_^)
I'm the type to get completely immersed in a different world when I watch movies and things.
I'm particularly weak when it comes to watching things about friendship, family, and animals.

Up till now, I've seen a few Korean movies, 'Shuri' 'Ryoukiteki na Kanojo' 'Boku no Kanojo wo Shoukai shimasu'
'Daisy' 'An Eraser for My Head' 'Guemuru'
and now I've seen 'Welcome to Dongmakgol'
and, well, these are masterpieces to make Hollywood embarrassed.
Even 'An Eraser for My Head' was written a while ago
and still, I cry like a baby.

This didn't move me as much as a usual love story,
but the wailing continued with 'Ghost' and 'The Choice of Love.'
Those of you who like a big cry during GW should definitely check it out. (^_^)

'Welcome to Dongmakgol' is a war movie,
so it will make you think.
People live by helping each other more than by wounding each other...
We must not repeat such a sad history, that's what it makes you think.

Dongmakgol...
If that's the way humans should be, there's probably no utopia...
People who are interested, please check it out.

P.S. How's your GW going? It's gotten really warm, hasn't it?


[ film notes: shuri is about the star-crossed love between a north korean spy and a south korean intelligence agent, ryoukiteki na kanojo (she who seeks the bizarre) is a romantic comedy about a school boy who falls in love with the object of his bullying, boku no kanojo wo shoukai shimasu (introducing my girlfried) is a love story about a "strong and cute" policewoman and a high school teacher, Daisy is a chick-flick about a painter in the making who meets a man while she's painting a portrait, An Eraser for My Head (which he's talked about before, and which is usually called A Moment to Remember, internationally) is of course a chick-flick about the daughter of a company president and a construction worker, and guemuru is a movie set in HanGang korea, but wikipedia japan hasn't got any other info on it, so i don't know anything else. (thanks once more to kellyn, who pointed out that guemuru is gwoemul, released in the US as The Host, a 2006 monster flick. you can find out more at the wikipedia english page.) ghost is, you know, patrick swayze, and the choice of love is the japanese title for Dying Young with julia roberts and campbell scott. ]

[340] Spiderman 3 - 2007/05/03 (Thu)

As someone who has seen the previous one, and the previous previous one,
it'd just be a waste if I didn't see this one, too. (^_^)

As usual, director Sam Raimi is good.
This time, too, he hasn't settled for just an action movie,
but has steadily constructed a human drama.

I'll hold off on the story spoilers,
but just to say, that man goes fast! (^_^)
Plus, it roused this hot feeling inside!

Well, my tear ducts are quite loose anyway,
so there was of course lots of wailing, (^_^)
but the strange salaryman-type guy who was watching next to me
was sniffling all over the place, too. (^_^)

People who will be watching their first Spiderman
should definitely go see 1 and 2.

Guys, no matter how old we are, are always attracted to heros. (^_^)

P.S. If I had a black Spider Suit... (bwahahah)


[note: YOU, honey? that last laugh was a little scary. ]

Join the Army...

... of screaming YOU-kun fans. we carry daikon plushies rather than guns. although we might kill for a Platinum Box.

... okay, your faithful translator is up a little early this morning, and it's starting to show. she did, however, manage to work through the YOU BBS pages. well, two of them. the BBS top page, which explains a little about the BBS system, and the Join Here page, where you may actually be required to know some kanji in order to put the proper things in their proper boxes. however, because not everyone has the time, patience, and/or freakishly high Geek levels necessary to learn Japanese, you will find below translations of the pages in question. why would you want to join a BBS in a language which you do not speak? well, for starters, it's required for entering his photo contests. also, i've noticed an increasing number of people leaving messages on his BBS in languages other than Japanese. languages such as spanish. or possibly portuguese, i always get those two confused. anyway, i know he likes messages in any language, and i suppose if he really wants to know what you've said, he can always ask Gaku.




5/17 edit a few of you have written to say that you're having trouble receiving your password email, and could i please translate the other bits of the BBS registration page. well of course i can! here's the "concerning password emails" or whatever i called it. it's basically just the standard stuff, make sure it didn't get caught in your spam filter, etc etc, but there it is.


once they actually get the email, nobody seems to be having trouble logging in, but if you suddenly do, let me know and i'll translate the FAQ too. let me know if you need anything else~

[339] A LIVE is a live, but - 2007/05/02 (Wed)

I went to see the
Kyai~n's Shocklet live. *

Actually, I've been going for three years running.
Three years ago, I was taken to my first comic live,
and I was completely hooked. (^_^)

The genre is different, but a pro is a pro,
and as a person who also stands up on stage,
I learned a lot.
Those two people, I seriously respect them.

Yeah~ this year, too, I've got some good motivation.
Also, I laughed to my heart's content.

People who are interested should definitely go.

P.S. Borrowing this space, to those two...
Thank you for your opening day, and for a time filled with laughter.
Please come again next year!! (^_^)

[ * Kyai~n is a two-person comedy act. you can view a picture of them here: http://www.asaikikaku.co.jp/profile/kyain/index.html
also, i was thinking i should do it anyway, but miss francesca's post clinched it, i need to translate the Join YOU's BBS page. i'll be working on that tomorrow, so keep an eye out. ]