プレゼント

Yesterday, I got some presents!!!! Three, to be exact. I love presents! Though I don't know if we can really call these presents - just things that were given to me.

And yesterday I really needed them, because Rachael and I were feeling sad.

First, we went to the Fukuro museum in Tokyo Hands at 名古屋駅, because Rachael has been telling me about the cool bags there, and I wanted to see them.

And then we were walking over to 栄　(Sakae) when this somewhat crazy person approaches us all repeating all over and over again "アメリカは一番悪い”　- America ha ichiban warui, which means "America is the worst." For some reason, me being me, I thought that maybe this person would have something interesting to say, so I turned and was all like "Don't you think North Korea is worse." And he was all "No, North Korea's good. America is the worst." And then he just kept repeating it over and over again.

Still for some reason having faith that maybe this person could have an INTERESTING conversation about why America is the worst, I was all "Why?" And his response was "Obama. Obama is the worst. America is the worst. America is stupid. Stupid. Stupid. You're all stupid. America is the worst." At that point, I left it alone.
But it made me really sad. It made Rachael really angry, and she wanted to punch the guy. It just made me sad.

Anyhow, point being - I thus needed something to cheer me up.

On Saturday, I went with Rachael and Steven to see free outdoor concerts in 栄.

It was super fun, and Rachael and I talked a lot to the singer of alfabeto, who told us that he was going to bring us some small figurines the next day, Sunday.
And when we went back on Sunday, he actually DID bring us little figurines. I got a small blue fish, and Rachael got a cutey face little goldfish.

me, alfabeto singer, Rachael, our new fishy faces

Between lives, we went over to the jewelry shop that we for some reason frequent (even though I've never bought anything - thank you, Rachael, for buying lots of jewelry). We were talking to one of the workers there, Kazuki, and he for some reason gave me this little picture of himself as a devil. Super cute! He likes Pay Money to My Pain. I like Pay Money to My Pain. Happiness.
For now, it's hanging out in 岡崎　(Okazaki) with me for a while, but when I leave, I'll give it to Rachael so it can hang out in 岐阜 (Gifu) with her.

Then we headed back to Sound Street or Sky Air or whatever it's called to see a band called The Reviews Scorer, that we had seen once a couple months ago. They were awesome then, and they were awesome again.

After their show (during which they were all wearing t-shirts with American flags on them, and this made me feel somewhat better about things), I asked the singer if they had a CD or something, and he said yes, and to hang on. And then he came back with their two CDs and just gave them to us. He was all "サービス、サービス、内緒" and then making the "shhh," sign, like we shouldn't tell anyone.
I still have NO IDEA why he decided to give us the CDs, but I'm listening to one now, and it is amazing.

The next time they are playing is the same day as Freedom Nagoya, so I am sad that I won't get to see them. Apparently they auditioned for Freedom Nagoya and failed (which makes me super sad, as they are amazing. I totally don't get why. Though apparently they made the money sign when I said that I don't get why). I wish I could see them again AND go to Freedom Nagoya.

So then a little bit later we went over and asked them to sign the CDs that they had given us, and they were SO nice!

Me with Hiro (who is not a hero), the bassist, and Yasuhiro (who is a ninja), the drummer.

Rachael has the picture of us with the whole band. We must have talked to them for at least 20 minutes. Shockingly, they were actually the ones who suggested we take pictures.

So yes, those were my three presents yesterday! And this was supposed to be a super short blog post about that, but it has now turned into a manuscript. Sorry I'm so wordy.

And now to write more about Kristen and Shawn's visit.
以上です。

Sakae Spring 2012、 サカスプ2012 DAY 1

So, last year, I went to Sakae Spring 2011 in 栄(Sakae) in 名古屋 (Nagoya), and it was so awesome and I discovered so many amazing bands that I of course had to return again this year.

I was originally planning to only go on Sunday, but in the end I was somehow talked into going both days (I assure you, it wasn't hard) and eventually found myself in possession of a 2-day pass. Frankly, I'm glad I decided to go for both!! :-) We'll start with day 1 and later move on to day 2.

DAY 1

After work in 三好 (Miyoshi), I headed straight over to 名古屋(Nagoya), where I met up with Rachael, Mari, and Saya to get boba on our way over to the first concert of the day.

alfabeto

Since I posted their video a few days ago, a picture.



I'd seen them several times before, and each time I liked them even more and more. I think this time was definitely their best, though. I don't know if it's because they sound better inside (previously, I'd only seen 野外ライブ-outdoor show) or if it's just because they're actually getting better or because I'm starting to know the songs, but, well, they were awesome.
The bassist is amazingly psycho crazy when he plays (really, just n'importe quoi), to the point in which it almost makes me wish I were learning to play the bass and not the guitar.
In any case, they all look like they're having so much fun, and it totally makes me want to have fun with them!
Just my opinion, but I think they totally have potential to go far.

SILLYTHING

Try as I might, I can't find a video.
They played at X-Hall right after alfabeto, and we stayed to watch them because I liked the look of them. I'm glad we did, because these guys were seriously awesome. Punk rock like I think it's supposed to be, with a sound I wouldn't even begin to know how to describe. They seemed like the could care less about the crowd, which somehow fit with the image I immediately formed of them.

They also seemed crazy. I felt like I wanted to be friends with the bassist with his bleached blonde hair and short shorts (what is it with me wanting to be friends with bassists?), and I was almost afraid of the keyboardist. He was wearing a pink sweater under overalls, and the way he played kind of reminded me of:
well, you know how sometimes in horror movies, people get lost in small towns full of crazy inbred people that want to either breed with them or eat them? He reminded me of one of the people you would run into in one of those villages who would then later chase you around with an axe.
It somehow made his keyboard playing more passionate.

And the singer. Definitely gay. Quite probably insane. For the last song, they had these red and blue strobe lights flashing all over them, and he had this look in his eyes like maybe he'd just escaped from a mental institute. I seriously felt frightened for a moment. He also seemed to be chewing gum the whole time.
In any case, whatever they were trying to do, they totally pulled it off, and if they ever get around to putting something out, I'll definitely be getting a copy.

Glory Jackpot System


The first time I saw them was at Sakae Spring 2011, and after that show, they seemed to have all these groupy girls around them squealing, and at the time, while I liked them, I didn't get it. The second time I saw them, once again the same thing, and while I didn't get the attraction to the band MEMBERS, I got the music.
They have this sort-of hip-hop, electro-pop rock maybe somehow mixed in with a little bit of punk sound that. . .how to describe it. It's like when you eat a new food for the first time, and it tastes like nothing you've ever tasted before but it's like this pleasant explosion of wonderful happiness on your tongue, even though you don't really understand it. That's what their music is like for the ears. Which is probably why I didn't get it the first time, because I couldn't fully wrap my mind around it.
Anyhow, they totally rocked, and the crowd was totally totally into it.
And I might have fallen just a little bit in love with the singer, Karo (I finally get the squealy girls), who jumped down into the middle of the audience and did the doofiest yet awesomest dance ever. Rock!

going out

After that, we tried to go see 黒猫チェルシー (Kuroneko chelsea), because Saya likes them, but unfortunately the line to get into the club was super long, and by the time we finally left, it was too late to have time to go see any other bands. So Saturday was, unfortunately, a 3 band day (there was a lot of walking around between bands, because everyone walks slower than I do and I had a ton of stuff I had to deposit at the hotel we were staying at, since we were planning to go out). Still, awesome times were had.

After, we met up with Miho and Will and some of Saya's friends and headed out to Club ID - I didn't take any pictures, and thus I give you: Saya's collage.



This is already super long, so. . .Sakae Spring Day 2 to come soon (maybe even today)!!!!

Iroiro iroiro iroiro

ご無沙汰してます!

こんばんは。 And now the Japanese will stop, as no one that reads this can speak Japanese.

I love how every time I write I write about how I'm planning to start writing more often. I really really AM planning to start writing more often. . .but as well all know, plans don't always go. . .as planned.

First of all, before heading over to Tokyo, I went to Kasugai to meet up with my friend Yuuki, and we tried to go to a pottery museum (well, really it was the donburi kaikan), but it was unfortunately closed. Luckily, there was an awesome view!

And there were fun things outside.



And there was this really cool froggy thing that we tried to take a picture in front of, but unfortunately I just got us and not the frog.



Then Tokyo was AWESOME! It was so great to see Martin again and just get to hang out. The first morning we woke up and went to a Hawaiian festival.

There was this huge beautifully pink store at the metro stop where we arrived, and I got to ride on my very first unicorn.



It was awesome.

Then we watched muscular men with creepy smiles dancing around in grass skirts.



This also was sort-of awesome.

Then Martin and I went to go eat food at Hanada Rosso, and, though it was a little bit expensive, the veggie burgers were, as always DELICIOUS!!!!

Obviously, us being us, it wouldn't be an Audrey/Martin weekend together without a little bit of karaoke.



The next day Martin had to have lunch with some friends, so I headed on over to the Shibuya area for a delicious lunch at Pure Cafe. On my way, I saw this super cool flower thing.



And after lunch, since I was there, I of course had to go check out Shibuya 109.



It was Golden Week, so it was literally so packed that I could barely breathe. There was even a mega sale going on in one of my favorite stores, JSG, was even having a sale, and I didn't go. I just took a quick look around before being so overwhelmed by people that I just had to leave. On the way back to meet Martin, Kame-chan and Eita were next to each other in the subway. I was very happy. (Yes, I realize, I am a 12 your old girl in my head, but I'm sure I'm not the only one that this would make happy).



Oh, I also got to eat at Little Heaven while I was there, just one of the two best pizza places in the world (the other, was, oddly enough, in Budapest). Pure happiness. Other than that Martin and I just did a lot of being Martin and Audrey - talking, catching up, hanging out. It was so good to see him again. MARTIN, COME BACK TO OKAZAKI!!!! Back in Aichi, I got to hang out with Steven for the first time since being back.



We went to get his ears pierced. It was cool to get to hang out again. Other than that, I've just been hanging out with Rachael alot. Apparently that band Alfabeto plays at Sound Street ALL THE TIME (I asked the bassist, he said they play most Saturdays), because Rachael and I have managed to see them what seems like a bagazillion times now. The first time, as you'll recall, I liked the music, but I like it more and more every time I hear them. I don't know if it's because they're getting tighter as a group or because I'm getting more used to their songs, but I've been really into them.

Check em out:


I think I might have a friend crush on the bassist (you know, when you think someone seems cool and you feel like you want to be friends with them but you realize it will probably never happen). His name's Toshi, and he likes Hey Smith, and he's super funny and crazy and nice, and I feel like he could introduce me to lots of cool bands.

This past weekend, I went to Sakae Spring 2012, but it's past midnight, so that will be for next time (which will hopefully be SOON).

But, since I'm writing, two things: First, my sister was nominated for the AWESOME award at this Tread on Trafficking thing that she is doing. It's a super amazing cause working to help stop sex trafficking of girls, so click on the link and vote for her (it's super easy to do and will take two seconds of your time) and learn a little bit more about treading on trafficking. DO IT NOW! (and obviously you'll be voting for Kristen Baker, because she's the awesomest of the awesome)

Secondly, my friend Asha has been trying to gain money for a project she's working on using Kickstarter. So click this link and check out The Places We've Been, and if you think it's awesome, which you surely will, donate! Minimum pledge is $5 - you definitely won't regret it!

Oh, and one more thing. I am somewhat obsessed with this song:



I have listened to it about 20,000 times today. It is awesome. I can't get enough.

And until next time, which will hopefully be very soon.
お休みなさい

B-b-b-BACK in Japan!

So I realize that I haven't actually made a proper post in a very long time. Today in school, I was thinking (in Japanese - be so proud of me) about why that might be, and I decided it must be because somewhere, subconsciously, I feel overwhelmed by all that has happened since last time I posted, and I for some reason feel like I can't post again unless it is to post about everything that's happened since November.

Well, I have decided to get over that, and thus today I will start with now, and if later I feel like going in and feeling in the blanks (I took some pretty fun trips around Japan with some pretty fun pictures), it will happen. If not, not.

So anyhow, as most of you know, I have arrived back in Japan!! And the very first thing I did upon my arrival was - SLEEP! I know, I know, that's not very fun.

The next day, though, I went to meet up with my friend Rachael in Nagoya, and we drank soy bubble tea from Osu Kannon and then ended up at Sakae Sound Street, where we saw this really good band, Alfabeto. I attempted to speak to the bassist, and I realized that my Japanese had, for the most part, entirely disappeared. For example, I tried to tell him that they looked very energetic on the stage, and somehow what came out was "Everyone looked really looking forward to." Yeah. (Luckily, it's pretty much returned now, so all good.) :-)

We also some some lolitas with a little boy, who couldn't have been more than 5 years old, dressed up in host clothes. It was HILARIOUS! (For those of you not in the know, a host is basically a male escort, and they are SUPER popular in Japan.) Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me, so Rachael took pictures, which I don't have yet. If I get them, I'll be sure to upload them later.

We also saw this motorcycle dude with a poodle on his lap.

My first Friday back, I of course had to go to karaoke. I sang lots of Japanese songs, and it felt so good to be back at karaoke. :-) It's definitely one of the things I'm going to miss most about Japan. Afterward, we met up with my old classmate Cesar, who is no a proper working man in Japan. We got dinner, and it was fabulous to catch up!

The weekend after we went to the grand-opening of H&M in Nagoya. How there wasn't one before, I have no idea. In any case, we waited in a super long line to get in, and then I didn't even buy anything. Nonetheless, good times were had. :-) And Rachael bought stuff.

Then this Sunday was the Kodomo Matsuri (children's festival) by Okazaki-jou (Okazaki Castle). After a delicious banana pancake breakfast with my friend Idit, we hopped on our bikes and headed over there. There were tons of really cool looking activities that I wanted to try, but unfortunately, they were all for kids. :-(

Luckily, though, I was able to try to pound some mochi. I was pretty awful at it, but it was fun nonetheless.

Then we got to make bamboo stilts and try those out.

I was pretty awful at that as well - I think I managed to take about 4 or 5 steps total, and I have to say - I was extremely proud of myself for just that. Even though quite a few of the kids seemed to be managing quite well. I'm convived that the further away from the ground you grow the more difficult it becomes.

Anyhow, that's what I've been up to. Oh, and my first day back, it was a gloomy day, but I was thrilled to discover they were still in bloom! The next day, the rain came and chased them all away. And least I got to see them, though, if only briefly. :-)

This week in Japan is Golden Week, which is a super big celebration in Japan. As such, I've got Thursday and Friday off, and I'm headed to Tokyo to see Martin! Yes! (On a side note, Golden Week is always, naturally, abbreviated as GW, but for some reason every time I see that, I think George Washington, and I have to think a bit before I realize what it means)