GB Mojito

On November 23rd Golden Bomber's new single "Yowasete mohiito" was released! And I got my copies in the mail around a week after it's release~ I'm saying copies because I didn't just buy one, but all 3! types this time… Even though the songs are the same, but each has different videos and the DVDs are what I'm buying the singles for anyway. Plus, I got a poster and photo card from cdjapan because I bought them together! I'm definitely not regretting it! The DVDs were seriously long and really fun to watch (as always with Golden Bomber!) and I also love the songs and PVs.

Each single by Golden Bomber has the lyrics on individual member cards (for the 2 DVD types only) and last time when I bought A&B I had luckily enough gotten all 4 members but this time I didn't get Kyan ;_;… got two of Kirishou. But I got my favorite member, Jun so I'm happy! ^^ 

I can easily say Golden Bomber are my favorite band right now. The only maybe band I'm seriously following and buying stuff from. Even though I have many bands I love listening to and watching their shows etc. 

Of course I don't even need to point out that this does not include Miyavi because for me he is on another completely different level xD

Recently I went and tried subbing to english as well… which ended up being really hard, because not only do I have to translate the meaning but also correctly hear the words. Although, I think it's great practice and if I could even just a bit translate the many funny things that haven't been translated for people that can't understand japanese, I'd be happy. Even though I'm sure there should be mistakes. 

I also still have to study japanese hard to move forward!

magazines & STRONG

Yohey new blog after 9? months xD
What have I been doing the past months? I seriously need to start writing more...
I love to go back and read my blogs from years ago so I need to write more for the future too!
I've realized I can now read and understand around 80% of japanese magazine articles(even though it takes time and I get tired) so I bought a few...

and falling more and more in love with Golden Bomber ♡ (that's why all the mags are with them lol)
Their monthly live shows, blogs and whatnot are definitely something to look forward to every time... ah won't the day I can see them live too come soon enough please >.< )

Miyavi's new single arrived a few days ago!
His guitar and style is amazing as always
I'll be honest though, it's his voice I like to hear with his guitar the most and since I bought the limited edition for the DVD there is hardly any of it in it...
So now I need to get the regular ed. too, for the MYV exclusive version....
Probably will get it from iTunes when I go and put money in a wallet card, since my credit card has expired and they don't take debit cards -_-

WHAT'S MY NAME? Golden hour

This time CDJapan's EMS took 9 days to get here. Not that bad compared to some other things (like MIYAVI's 2011 calendar I ordered with a friend that took nearly one month and also had to pay 70 euros for custom clearance fees because of the company's fault >.< but I won't go there...) and 雅-MIYAVI-'s new single is in my hands! This time I ordered with 2 other Co-MIYAVI friends from here, so I still got 2 more unopened left to give them.

I didn't really buy MIYAVI's single for the songs... I've already got the WHAT'S MY NAME? from the album and while the different bass player collaborations are really amazing, what really made me buy it, is the extra DVD! Which I haven't really had time to watch yet. I'll definitely do so very soon though.

Same goes for Golden Bomber's new album. But maybe a bit less there, since most songs I didn't have before. This was my second purchase of theirs, after the "また君に番号を聞けなかった" single. And I am not disappointed in any way. I've come to really love this band! I could even go and say they are my favorite band right now, or maybe tied with Alice Nine (MIYAVI isn't a counted as a band of course :P)!

Inside the package was also the free V!NYL SYNDICATE magazine! And this time it had Golden Bomber's Kyan Yutaka inside! Yay xD

I can't wait till I watch both the extra DVDs! but that's gotta have to wait until after I go meet with the co-miyavi friend to give her her copy too.

Winning from coupons in CD/DVDs

It's not often that I win things. But this time I did! And where it really matters to me.
When Japanese artists release new stuff there are several papers inside the CDs and DVDs most non-Japanese speakers ignore. Thankfully I stopped ignoring them since I'm able to understand basic Japanese and decided to send off the coupons with the help of my Japanese sensei's friend who would return to Japan and could send the hagaki needed with the coupons, and a co-miyavi friend in Japan who let me use her address.
The winnings are:
A big poster from WHAT'S MY NAME? and a DVD titled:
"behind the scenes of NEO TOKYO SAMURAI BLACK WORLD TOUR"
With several backstage scenes and few on stage performance shots. Running at around 21 minutes it's not a full DVD but definitely enough to fully satisfy a co-miyavi!
Oh I just love backstage stuff. It started from a rehearsal and Okinawa showing several of his stops on his Japan tour last year. Many funny and interesting scenes with his crew and staff.
Once again brought me back all the great memories I made from going to his FC trip and 4 stops in Japan!
It finished powerfully with an amazing performance of "SURVIVE" from Sendai darwin.
Makes me even more excited (if that's even possible) for his upcoming lives in Europe!

Art on the ice

European championship just ended yesterday. The exhibition was today and what a pleasant start with Stephane Lambiel, doing a program like only he knows how!!
It's really nice when even after he's quit competing in championships there are chances to watch him on TV.
This year's european was pleasant but far from the best I've seen. It was certainly entertaining as always though. I love it when my favorite skaters I've known and loved for years win, but I just can't stop loving it when young people win for the first time! This was the case with Florent Amodio. When he knew he was first, he didn't stop jumping everywhere and hugging people (including the cutest hug with Brian Joubert, who I still don't like...)
While good technicals and jumps are nice, what I love in figure skaters is when they skate freely with the music like they are meant to, when they look like they enjoy what they are doing,  having an artsy or amazing feeling. Something I can't find in Brian Joubert. And that's where my dislike for Joubert, and where my deep love for Stephane comes from.
(Video is Stephane from a show in 2010)

U.S. Championship is running on right now... and I found a site to watch the men's finalists online! running off to watch right now~