New Apartment

After a month and half of searching and cramming and stressing, we FINALLY moved into our new apartment!

I don't have any actual pics for some reason, but I have a video walk through that I will upload soon, along with pics at a (soon) later date. ^_^

The apartment is amazing, and relatively large for a Japanese apartment. We have two floors, three rooms, two of them living rooms that we are using as bedrooms, kitchen, a bathroom (with shower, tub, faucet toilet) and..and...and...

AND...

This:

A TATAMI ROOM!!!  O.O  A SIX MAT, FULL FLEDGED, AWESOME TATAMI ROOM!!!!!   O.O 

I can't help but to spazz when I unroll the futon for bed at night and look around...knowing that I am sleeping in a REAL tatami room...not a replica..not a plastic room...and not a room in the Sims game.  XD   The room is complete with sliding shoji that leads to the wooded floor and closet and balcony, sliding shoji windows and a sliding door and a display area...  

*swoon*

It smells awesomely like straw.  But I personally love the smell of straw.  <3  

We ARE next to the highway, but the sound is not too much of a bother, and helps lull me to sleep at night with the humming. 

Kotatsu!

You remove the top of the table to put the blanket!

The cord

Kotatsu with a blanket! ^__^

Top of kotatsu with blanket!

 

My awesome bed!

So, until I get those vids uploaded, I will end this entry relatively (and uncharacteristically) short. :(


<3
Mimi

Arrival of FCS F-22!

Please know that this post will be very image heavy!!! <3<3<3

I didn't think I was supposed to pick up my doll until the 13th or so, so when I ended up getting a postcard in the mail from Volks saying that my girly was done, I was so excited that I wanted to pee myself! hahaha!  Unfortunately, I couldn't just run to Nipponbashi to pick her up since I had an appointment at the Apaman Shop for settling on the apartment. But I will get to those details later! lol

So, after finishing what needed done at the Apaman Shop, I nearly sprinted my butt all the way back to the dorms and then tried getting my room mates to sprint with me all the way to Esaka Station. XD  lol  But I had waited 2 months for this!!!  I had everything ready, everything I needed and wanted gathered for her arrival, and I was absolutely STOKED!

At the same time though, I was worried about the faceup.  I was not sure exactly what to expect, and my doll is white skinned and the faceup may end up being too harsh for the skin tone.  This is what bothered me the most about all of this.

The trains were not too terribly crowded when we got on, so we got to sit down for the many stops until Nipponbashi.  We had to change trains at Namba though. The bad thing about all this?

It was 2 hours until closing time and I knew there was still a walk when we arrived at Nipponbashi.  But the excitement was so much that I could barely contain myself!!   D: 

Sooo....arrival at Volks...  I nearly thrusted the papers onto the desk (lol) and the ladies were highly amused at my excitement. :)  The ladies who helped with my FCS process were there and were both just as excited as well to see how my F-22 turned out. :)  

And when they brought the box out...and opened her up...(I swear I thought I was going to die when she took her time removing the Styrofoam. XP )...and she was beautiful!  

The FCS came with some extras:  wig brush, wig oil spray, cleaning eraser, birth certificate, booklet, and faceplate. (most dolls DO come with face plates when you buy them, especially if they are from company and have faceups. The face plates are a must have to protect a faceup.)

The asked if I wanted to carry her or put her in the box and take her that way (I think...couldn't even PROCESS the Japanese because of my excitement.. ROFL ), and we ended up taking her in the box home.  They gave us a really awesome Volks Tote Bag to put the box in and carry with. :)  SUUUPER awesome! 

I ended up purchasing a wig cap for her in addition to the rest of the stuff. The wig cap was only a few yen and I want to keep her head protected from stains at all costs.

So then there was the ride home and....It.Was.Hell.

Probably seemed like a longer time than necessary since I was dying internally to get home and get playing with my new arrival. :) 

Granted, we stopped at McDonald's and browsed through Animate (as usual) before actually heading off in the direction of Esaka. 

On the train, we got in the Women's Only car.  There was this guy that got on though, and he was standing a little too close for comfort.  He would reach around the girls pretending to hold onto something as an excuse to be touching them, and then this other guy I wanted to punt when he ran onto the car and groped all the standing ladies while pretending to "push them aside" to "let him through".  =_=  OMG  Makes me wonder though..wouldn't the ladies only cars be more prone to sexual advances since men know that there are only women on the cars, and the chances that they would protest are slimmer than it seems?  Of all the women on that car, no one said anything to any of the men.  I wonder why the hell all these geezers seem to think that this form of molestation is okay?  Are they not getting it up at home?  Are they not getting anyone at all? Gee. Wonder. Freggin. Why.  *rolls eyes*

So anyway...

Getting into the dorm, I was exhilarated! I could literally feel my heart beating as quickly as it could the entire walk from Esaka Station. XD  lol   So when I got home to do the box opening ceremony, there was a huge sense of relief. But for some reason I feel as though I didn't enjoy as much as I could...I think I rushed it a little bit.  PFFFFTTTTttt!

Amanda, Shelby, Melissa, Sam and Kris were all there for it!  8D  It was a party! lol  

She is quite heavy...heavier than I expected. ^^  And absolutely gorgeous!

But the faceup was a little too harsh for her white skin. :(   However, it was not terrible and is not terrible now.  It just takes time to get used to the contrast of shading and...no pigment. O.O   

After having her for two days now, I have started to realize that it may not be the faceup or skintone that is completely bothersome, but the fact that I do not have my other doll, Akira, here to complete the couple. 

In the storyline, Artemis (Rogue's real name) and Akira are engaged, but Akira gets killed in a battle before they married.  Kuro no Hana　（黒の花） is a love story between a princess and her knight.  A romance that should have been forbidden, but they were betrothed due to political reasons.  A great war breaks out between two planets, and Akira's death marks the end of the war and brings peace. But Artemis has been left behind, and eventually she dies of grief.  Years later, she is reborn, and Akira returns as a "living" ghost to protect Artemis's reincarnation from those who wish to end the peaceful reign of the universe.  The whole story is actually quite a train wreck, and even though I have been writing it for so long, I feel that it is far from complete. 

(btw...I know this is not necessary..however...please know that all materials are copyrighted and belong to me, Aislinn Riley and/or the Celtic Rose Project.)

I ended up finding a doll for Akira before I actually found the perfect one for Rogue.  He is a 60 cm Dollcot Loon.  (Dolkot Loon Default)  His faceup was repainted by my awesome friend Lady Samhainne, with lovely smokey eyes and BEAUTIFUL, luscious lips... Akira is just stunning and I can't wait to have him next to his beloved at last!  <3<3<3  Oh the photoshoots and photostories!! 8D

So! Here is the box opening for everyone to see! :D

Box Opening Ceremony: VOLKS FCS F-22
Rogue Riley

Awesome Super Dollfie Tote! :D

Hmmm..I wonder what's'in here?

Two wigs, booklet, certificate, etc...

Instruction and Care Manual

DAW! BIRTH CERTIFICATE!

EEEYEEES!

OMG! THERE SHE IS! :D

SQUEEE!!!

<3

WELCOME HOME!

And finally!!!

I present to you....

Rogue Riley

Japan Series I

My Memories of You Series

(I am going to leave this here for now, and then update the rest of it tomorrow. :)  Plenty of things about the apartment to write!! <3)


<3
Mimi


Associated Links:
Den of Angels Gallery: Beginning of a New Era I  
Den of Angels Gallery: My Memories of You 

Volks Japan Website

Creating Dreams FCS Guide 

Den of Angels 

 

Yellow Fried Chickenz: Show Your Soul (Namba Hatch, Osaka)

(please beware of use of language in this post!  I have a gazillion emotions to portray, and no words are able to correctly portray them.  So please skip over them if they bother you. Also, please know that I will be going back and forth between Gackt and Gackt-san, so please do not take much mind to this. ^////^  I apologize if it bothers you.) 

~Close your eyes ! Feel your soul ! All your love, SHOW YOUR HEART ! ~

Wow. It's been nearly an entire month since I have updated!! D:  I am so sorry everyone!!!

So. The live can be summed up in a single word:  pure awesome.  Then again, perhaps that is two words. But either way, the live can not be described or summed up (in actuality) with mere words.

How do I feel now that I have gotten to do the one thing I wanted to do before I died?  Complete. This was the most enlightening experience for me since coming to Japan for the first time, but even THAT does not compare to the amount of completion I got from being able to be THERE. With HIM.  Oniisama...

And that is really how I do feel.  Gackt is my oniisama (I feel that oniiSAN is not formal enough. I feel uncomfortable using a less formal oniisan when referring to Gackt. I apologize if this bothers any one of you in any way, but this is something important to me, and I don't expect anyone to understand. :) So please just enjoy my review of the live. ^^). He has inspired me and helped me through the darkest times in my life.  It is without a doubt that I would not be here if it were not for him. I have dedicated my life to thanking this man, and I feel that this was one step closer to that. I can not see this man as a sex symbol (that's just disgusting). I can not fathom seeing this man as a "god" as a lot of fans like to see him as. Gackt is God.  Guh.  =_=  I get so tired of hearing that. 

Maybe it is because I have viewed the man as a brother figure and male influence in my life that I never had and never will have that I completely and totally am unable to comprehend the sexual symbolism, the eroticism, and the overall "hotness" that this man possesses.  Maybe it is because I have a deep, soul-bound devotion and respect for the man and his music that I can not think of him as anything other than a big brother.

To be able to have gone....I can't begin to describe the swell of emotions inside of me...

So instead, I am going to give you a brief recount of the day. ^^

Outside the Namba Hatch

I wanted to go with Chammy and Kris, but they didn't have the money to go, so instead I went with a friend of a friend, Base　バセ.  She is super nice and awesome! :D   She and I also have a lot of common interests, so the two of us hit off rather quickly and easily. ^^  

The day before leaving, I had gotten my hair redone. Overall, I am SUPER happy with the results. :) It is now style-able, manageable, and CUTE!! Not to mention my head feels a ton lighter. lol  I have always been fond of J-rock styles, and at LAST!!! I FINALLY GET ONE!!!! <3

New hair.

To get to the live, we had to go to the Namba Hatch. We took Tengachaya and changed trains once. The fare was relatively expensive, but we HAD to get there some way. >.<

Since we arrived about 5-6 hours early, we went to go grab a bite after we peeked in on the Hatch and looked around. :)  They were setting up the merchandise table at this time. No one else was there besides the staff.  Japanese don't usually get to a concert a gazillion hours early like a lot of Americans do, at least, not that I have heard or noticed.   There were also boxes with each of the band members' names on them, where fans could feel free to leave omiyage (gifts) for their favorite member(s). =^.^=

We walked from the Hatch, and walked...and walked....maybe it was not THAT much of a walk, but still... It was pretty far just to find a place to eat.  There was a super expensive restaurant just outside, but we did not have the money for there. >.<  So instead we went to the same gyudon place that is here in Kandaimae (not the matsuya). It was bigger, and much nicer.  There was a wall separating eating space from kitchens and counter, and another wall separating two sections of the eating space.  Base and I sat next to the wall close to the kitchen window.

(I had a bunch of stuff typed here about the awesomeness that occurred at the restaurant, but I am absolutely MORTIFIED and embarrassed and I can not bring myself to actually post it. :( )

Eating before heading to Kandaimae station.  Maria and Sam. Aren't they just so cute!! \=^。^=/

So after leaving, we went to h.Naoto... I love that lolita/punk fashion brand, and it was great to have the opportunity to go in. ^_^  

Inside the Namba Hatch about 4 hours before the show. (already taken my contact lens out. It really hurt. :()

And then back to the Hatch.

My left eye was hurting me since I first put in my circle lens.  I was wearing two different ones, both of them really old.  The blue one was fine, but the purple one had once dried out, and I was STUPID for putting that blasted thing in my eyeball. =_=   All night my eye hurt hurt HURT.  By the end, it was flaring red and I couldn't see out of it.  I removed my eyelashes (fake ones. xP)  on that side as well as the makeup to prevent further irritation.  I actually wasn't bothered that my face looked lopsided with half maked-up and half not.  I didn't care.  My eye's health was in the balance!!!  

When we arrived back to the hatch, there were four people in line for the merch table.  They nearly immediately let us all in by the time we got to the line. Perfect timing!!  

Beautiful Osaka outside the Namba Hatch

I ended up spending more than I should have. But I am a shopoholic, and I shop when I am nervous, depressed or having feelings of anxiety.  I shop to quell these feelings, and I am aware that this is most likely a psychological conditioning at this point and I should most likely see someone about it before I do the exact same thing to my bank account that Gackt-san did to Malice Mizer's all those years ago... (if you want details, GO READ HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY!!  Jihaku.)


I ended up getting a t-shirt, a muscle shirt, a pillow, a mug, a poster, a towel, and (of course) the little YFC vibrator cellphone strap. XDDDDDDDDD   Just for kicks and giggles! XD  At the end of the live, I got a cd to further support Oniisama as my usual "thank you".  

A coin locker was certainly in order.

Sooo..lining up.  When I saw where we were placed with our number (1206 and 1207), I was horrified!  D:   SO many people would be in front of us, and we wouldn't be able to see!! D:  I was beginning to think if it was worth it, and then I was able to slap myself out of the stupor and the stupid, train of thoughts. Why the hell WOULD IT NOT be worth it? I'm supporting oniisama! Even if I don't get to SEE him, at least my money is going to him and supporting him.  

But when we got to the stage, I was extremely surprised to see that we were really close to the stage.  Still had perfect view of everyone's faces, expressions, etc.  So it was NOT bad. Though I would have liked to have been closer, you can't look a gift horse in the mouth.

~You are the reason that fills me. You are the meaning that gives me all. あなたがきたから~YFC

So we are standing there, waiting for the show to start.  Gackt-san had made a commentary before the live to get us all riled up during equipment tuning.  There were issues with the drums, so we ended up running 15 mins behind schedule.  I know Gackt-san was probably throwing a shiz fit behind stage because suddenly he was standing at the edge of the stage (hard to NOT make out that arrogant posture and horrendous hair) and a bunch of technical men ran onto the stage to get the drums set. 

And the show started. 

~The end of the day begins...~ YFC

I thought JON was going to make me ralf up all the awesome gyudon I ate earlier. :(   It is not because I dislike JON because he is not "Japanese" or not "Gackt-Job", it is because of his stereotypical, Euro-western Rock-star behaviour that I can't STAND his ass on that stage!!  Gackt humps the stage or air.  JON humps his HAND... =_=  WTH?   Certainly the live is sexual, but with everything that happened with JON, you would have thought they were filming a live action Boy's Love. =_=   Not that I have a problem with it, but it was actually a bit disgusting.  Maybe again, this has to do with my feelings for Gackt that are not sexual in any way.  But still.... It was repulsing. :(

At one point, JON decided to take it on himself to butt-rape (dryly) Gackt-san until both of them acted out fake orgasms.

~Come forward. I'll be your wonder. I'll give you the pleasure. I want you. I want you.~ YFC

You know, I don't think I should have a problem with it.  I don't feel that I have that right.  They can do whatever. But you want to know how it feels?  

Imagine your mother telling you about every single escapade she's ever had in bed, in DETAIL, and then FORCING you to watch her have hot, steamy, unadulterated SEX with your father (or her lover) and then proceed to force you to tell her what other positions you want them in....

Yeah.  It's like that.  Does your brain hurt?  Do you need some bleach? Sorry, Japan doesn't have awesome bleach.  This will forever stain on the brain....

Maybe this is the overall problem?  Or maybe it is also the issue I have that JON's voice kinda sounds like a dying, screeching cat? His voice broke a couple times during some of the songs, and it was really difficult to NOT cover my ears. :(   He can sing certain songs, but his voice is not appropriate for attempting Gackt's traditional songs such as Vanilla and Mind Forest.  He had a great voice when it came to newer songs that did not involve Gackt's originals or Gackt-only lyrics. He CAN sing, but just not something that requires Gackt's extreme vocal range.

JON would rile the crowd, start little competitions, help Gackt give unadulterated fanservice, and in the meantime, get in trouble by the staff backstage..

Oh yea.  The moment JON had girls fondling his crotch, patting his crotch, and grabbing his crotch and he made more attempts to keep them touching him, was the moment that the back-stage folks pulled him off of those poor girls. It was obvious that those gestures that JON had made were NOT appropriate for a family event...despite the dry humping, orgasm-simulating, and clothes shredding happening on the stage. XD  But the touching had gone a little too far.  Thighs, abs, etc were all fine. 

At one point, the guys who were helping JON and Gackt keep from over heating accidentally knocked JON's ear piece out of his ear...he looked like he got extremely upset. >.<  Poor guy. It had to have been embarrassing (even if just a little),  frustrating, and probably messed up his count and what he was supposed to be doing. But accidents do happen. That is unavoidable.

I am not so certain that I approve of this, but I completely understand why it is being done.  Diversity, something completely new being brought to the Gackt-Job table, something fresh...I think it is a brilliant maneuver, and I think that it will cause great success.

A little more of Namba Hatch. We lined up on these steps by ticket number.

However, I do NOT think that JON was/is trying to be better or out-do Gackt-san while on the stage.  A lot of my friends seem to think so, but I don't.  After watching the way the two of them work together, they both look as though they are equally dividing the work, the crowd and both having just as much fun together as the other. :)  As much as I personally don't like some of what JON brings to the table, I don't have anything really much against him.  ^.^

I know that in Japan, fans have special chants and hand movements that go along with a certain artist.  It pleases me that I am aware of the chants and movements that go along with Gackt's lives, and so I did not feel out of place. :)  Not at all.  

The live itself actually seemed a bit short, but probably because I was so into it and HAPPY...that I couldn't think of the time or how long it took..  Though I sincerely wish that my eye was not hurting so much. :(

~I want you! I need you! Want your kiss! Anything! And if there's anytime, you make me lose my mind! You turn me on. You shoot me. I need it, on my face. My master, I'll be your slave. Every night. Every way." YFC


During the live, there was a part where Gackt-san said "Do you want me!?"  And JON looks to the other half of the venue and says, "No me! And he would start to get the fans to try and cheer for him.  Gackt-san saw him and then he looked to the other half of the venue, and said, "Hey! You want ME, right!?" So everyone would cheer on that side!  JON had his side boo Gackt-san when Gackt-san would  have his side screaming for him, and vice versa.  It was super fun!  And when we would cheer for Gackt-san, JON made a disappointed face and said, "C'MON!?! WHAT!?! NOOOO!!! NO! NO!!! D:"  lol  The whole thing was great! lol

Vanilla was super fun! Despite the odd duet, Vanilla was a high-energy, dance inducing, and smile stretching song!  <3  As always!  

Before the live, I changed (like most of the others) into my YFC tshirt and (like most others) wore my YFC towel around my neck. ^_^   

It was slightly disappointing when Mind Forest was, in fact, performed in English, but again, I think this has a lot to do with diversity in YFC and Gackt-Job.  I don't personally like the English version of Mind Forest.  Speaking of which, new English verse additions were added to EVER....Which was also a bit off-putting. >.< 

Vanilla was awesome as usual. :)  With Gackt-san's trademark flail and dance routine.

Towards the end, Gackt-san changed his dialect to Osaka-ben!  lol  It was so cute!

One thing I noticed that is different here than in the States (one of the MANY things...)...is that encores are so much different.. At least the crowds' behaviors.  They are so...QUIET.. I don't think this is good. :(  Encores should not be taken in a 'oh well' kind of way.  There is great joy in screaming "ENCORE!" "ENCORE!" "ENCORE!" Or like during Dir en grey lives back home shout "ENKORU!" "ENKORU!" "ENKORU!" It lets the band know you WANT them there.   Tells them you ARE interested.  That you are fully into their show and you don't want them to leave.  Therefore they gift you with another song or two.

When Dir en grey first came to St. Louis, they were an opening band, but because we demanded an encore so strongly, they ended up playing more songs than the headlining band.  :)  

I didn't get pictures, but cameras are not allowed in.  But I did get some pics of the Hatch outside. :)  And Base got all sorts of pictures inside. XD  I'm not sure how she did it though. :/  She got away with it and made it out in one piece. lol  

So Japan!! PLEASE LOVE YOUR BANDS!!! SCREAM FOR THE ENCORE!!! 

Another difference I noticed was that during rock concerts, there is no pushing, shoving etc......not even real ROCKING.  Hardly anyone actually touches each other..maybe it was because I was more towards the back?? But still, from what I could see, there was not much of a fuss.  I didn't move from my spot all night.  Back home, I would have shifted over to the other end of the room because of all the movement. So different.

But I am not thinking these are bad things. :)  They are merely culture differences. ^_^ 

The realization that I was actually THERE did not hit me until I was standing in front of that stage, staring at the daunting, foreboding Yellow Fried Chickenz logo in a vibrant red.  It was actually a bit creepy, and the creepy background music playing did not help the case. lol 

I cried. A lot. Knowing that I was THERE.  Actually being able to finally do this...it was and still is everything to me.

YFC Merchandise I got

ぶるぶる...lol

.

I also donated to the Show Your Heart to help with the March 11 Disasters. Thus, the Show Your Heart sticker on top of the towel. The front two are shirts. The thing wrapped in plastic is a mini pillow.

Show Your Heart is a charity created by Gackt and his team to help raise money, goods and other necessities for the disasters of March 11, 2011 and thereafter.  All proceedings go towards Tohoku region and all effected families.

There is still so much to cover about the live.  But I don't think I can FULLY cover or explain it all...that and I am really excited to post this review. lol

But until the next one, I love you all!

<3
Mimiru

~The end of the day
Boku no koe wa
As we make the way
Ima mo anata ni
The end of the day
Todoite imasu ka
As we make the way
Living for tomorrow~
~YFC

Links:
Yellow Fried Chickenz Official Site
Dears

Japan, September Updates!

It's been a while since I have updated my blog, and I dearly apologize for that. >.<  It has been REALLY busy here, and now there is so much to say.  LOL

SOoo...  For the most exciting part....

I AM PART OF GACKT DEARS....AND...

BLOODY HELL I'M GOING TO HIS YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz LIVE ON OCTOBER 27!!!!!  

....

.....

:)   I wish I could make a bigger happy face... LOL

Alright, to the more fancy stuff....Getting concert tickets is sooo difficult here in Japan. In the US, it is so easy to secure a ticket for a concert, even if it is the day of you can still get tickets depending on who you are wanting to see. But here in Japan? HEEELLLZ no.  You have to register for the fanclub (and sometimes it costs big money...), you have to register for Lawsons AND their ticket sites, and THEN...you have to HOPE you can get a ticket before they sell out, EVEN if you are in the fanclub.  Usually, concert tickets in Japan sell out within seconds of them being released. So what happens first, is the fanclub members (and SOMETIMES general public), enter to win their tickets in a lottery.  Firstly, you can't find ANY information about how the lottery works. ANYWHERE. So I am going to help yall out if you ever encounter this problem.

This is envelope for tickets/fanclub tickets/ etc

DEARS Fanclub confirmation. This is what you receive at Lawsons after you register for the club at the loppi machine.

 
HOW THE JAPAN CONCERT TICKET LOTTERY WORKS:

With Lawsons and their Ticket site, you sometimes have the option to enter into a lottery to get your ticket(s).  The lottery is usually open to fanclub members only, or fanclub members first, but either way, it is a hit or miss.  It is completely random. Winners are randomly chosen and so are the seats. The good thing about this, is that the fanclub members don't get to steal all the good seats. The bad thing is, is that you could get the worst seating in the entire house.  But that is the least of your worries. At least you have a better chance at securing the ticket. 

Now here is where it gets hard to find information.  When you register with Lawsons and their Ticket site, you have to register what bands you are interested in getting tickets and information for. Your band may or may not be registered.

Also, when you go to enter the lottery, you DO NOT PAY UNLESS YOU WIN THE TICKETS.  This information can't be found ANYWHERE in English, I tried.  I just know this from experience. If you DO win the tickets, then the money is automatically withdrawn from your credit card. 

And now it gets even more trickier...If you win, you will receive a confirmation email from lawsons telling you what you won and how to go pick up your tickets as well as how much was drawn from your account.  The tricky part? Getting the tickets.

Go to a loppi machine usually found in Lawsons. The 100円 Lawsons do not carry the loppi machine (at least not that I can see).  The loppi machine is ALL in Japanese, so make sure you have a denshi jishou, a person who can read kanji,  know your kanji, or just be really good at guessing when you go to pick up your tickets. The machine will ask you for your four digit pin to confirm your tickets, will ask you for the 10 digit confirmation you received in your email, as well as some other information about you.  Here is the most important..do NOT forget your credit card you used to pay. This is how they check to make sure YOU are the one who won the tickets, and not someone who is trying to steal them from you.  So please do not forget:

1). 4 digit pin
2). 10 digit confirmation number
3). credit card used to pay

Also know your address, phone number, DOB, etc. This is useful information when applying for fanclubs too.

Once you have your tickets, you are good and set!!

If you do NOT win your lottery, it is okay because you have a chance to purchase them later on their release date. For this, I suggest you purchase them within seconds of their release time, especially if it is for a famous artist like Gackt, Ayumi Hamasaki, X-Japan, SMAP, Kumi Koda, etc etc.  These tickets sell out within seconds of being released, so be quick and be ready!  There are actually people who wait at the loppi machines or at the computer on the ticket site, waiting for the release time to get their tickets.

Also, Japanese are obsessed with their hobbies, especially when it comes to artists that they like. So they will follow their favorite artist to every live they have all over the world. They will also purchase tickets even if they have no intention of going to the concert.  I know...It sucks...GOOD LUCK!

NIHON BUYOU

Went to my first nihon buyou lesson tonight.  I have been dancing nihon buyou for 5 years now, but I wanted to continue to learn here in Japan. I love to dance, and I love performing, so I was ecstatic to be able to continue dancing here.  

It was sooo great! I made a really awesome friend who will be joining me in my lessons. :)  She loves the things that I like too! We have a lot in common.  She is from China, but lived in Japan for 5 years now.  She likes shabu shabu, karaoke, and enka. :)  She was really easy to get along with!!!!  I can't wait to hang out with her again. ^.^

The sensei is super nice! I got served beer, some snacks... XD  And then he told me that he will teach me a harder dance because I have been doing it for a while. He wants us to perform for a big festival at the end of October. SOOOO exciting, and a bit exhilarating too.  Nerve wracking is another good word to use, I think. lol

We learned a super short song tonight, and we are going to practice it a lot. :P 



TENSHI NO SATO　天使の里

Tenshi no Sato was absolutely gorgeous! The ride to Kyoto took a little long, because we missed our station and went to the wrong one. >.<  We then had to take the bus to Kyoto Station, and get on the JR line to Sato. Tenshi no Sato was right next to the station.  When you walk in, you are bombarded with beautiful gardens and traditional entranceway. Also bombarded with a tall, modern building in the middle of it all. . . 

When you walk in, you check in at the window. If you are a VS member then you don't have to make a reservation. However, if you do not have a Volks paid membership, then you have to make a reservation ahead of time before you can come, and show id when you get there.

The shop was in the basement, and they have all of their one offs for the limited event displayed!!! <3

Speaking on one-offs... O.M.G.  They have showrooms everywhere, and they display all of their best versions and one-offs ever. Along with the limited clothes etc. It just makes you want to pee yourself. O.O  It is so amazing!  You are not allowed to take pictures though.

We met up with three very WONDERFUL ladies!  They were so nice and helpful, and we all hung out and talked about dolls for a long while! 

When we went outside, we went to the gardens to take pictures. So beautiful.  I have taken tons of pics and some video, but I am going to only upload a few of them for now.

After our visit to Tenshi no Sato, we went to a resturant in Kyoto that was famous for their pancakes. They were expensive, at about 750円　to 1000円 for two pancakes and a drink. @.@  You can also add desert to your set (in the US we call it a "meal").

But they were DELICIOUS!!  The place was at a renovated onsen, and you could tell it used to be an onsen. :)  Because of this, we could not take pictures of anything except our food. I don't have pics of my food at the moment to upload. I will have to get them from my friend's camera. :)



I think that is all for now.  Classes are super, joined Kendo and found a guy I like... lol .. .  Joining naginata club (I hope to anyway!), along with Sado club. ^_^  SUPER BUSY!!!


Mimiru


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