Towa's OHP Diary
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36 : 10 . 29 (Saturday)
November is already here; it's too soon. Lately, the sun has been setting too early -- I can't stop thinking about it.
This time the pictures on "Towa No Me" are playback-ish. I took them of 4ge's Room last year in October. Since those days, the 4ge Room that I knew has gone through interesting changes. 4ge's Room is often rearranged. 4ge basically has a hard time throwing things away. He seems to be the type to keep things, so various things lie about.
I don't have any pictures of it, but there was a time when cute dolls like Teletubbies and Chimpanzees hung quietly from the ceiling. I also remember a time when various Liqueur was all lined up; there was such an adult feeling.
Nothing but equipment and the like that has become useless fills the entry hall. Usually becoming huge mounds; it's like a warehouse, so basically there's this overflow of things. My room is the perfect contrast. In my room there are very little if any decorations. I prefer simple rooms. Someday, I would like to put together a room that is monotone with an adultish atmosphere. I do have a washitsu*-type room, but it's as though you could say "What?! This is a washitsu?" because of the various things decorating it. (Laughs)
* [] washitsu - japanese style with tatami mat floor.
Back to what I was talking about, even though I took some pictures of 4ge's room, I was able to take pictures of nothing but some dark equipment and small put up things. You can't really tell what kind of room this is from just these pictures. 4ge loves X FILES, so I was dying to confirm if this was true, and thus went ahead with it.
4ge's got to be obsessed with something, but you can't tell so easily. It seems that right now he's obsessed with the game F-Zero. There was a time when he was completely addicted. Lay and I are also obsessed, so the three of us would compete. It's from this kind of game, that I can assume 4ge also likes F-1. It's really surprising.
He's always been various and posessed an enigmatic part, but when you're with him, he's very kind. Of course, the other members are kind too (Laughs) But 4ge doesn't really say it, yet his other side is considerate of other people, I think. And with that, he doesn't get angry easily. I want to follow his example of not having a quick temper. Though he does seem to be in a bad mood when he feels physically bad. (Laughs)
It is that kind of 4ge who I first met about five years ago. Together, we've performed in Fatima, and have stood on the same stage again, which was a wonder, but it was with each other in Fatima that we really grew. While being supported by all of you Downers, of course. 4ge and I joined as members, but we love Fatima and Downer just as much as Kanoma, Mizuha, Lay. Joining was a different experience though. It was being able to play again together that was great. Together, let us keep Downer's spirit as we try our best in the future. I want to go drinking with 4ge once in a while too (Laughs) As the heavy drinker of Fatima, Byebye.
Today's Words:
"The current 4ge Room seems to be different again. If it isn't a bother, Downers please mail pictures of what you're proud of that's in your rooms."
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35 : 10 . 12 (Wednesday)
It's already becoming cool, isn't it? Downer-tachi, I've been receiving mail from you saying how the night is growing cold so I need to be careful not to catch a cold. It's all very nice mail but the season is also changing for you so please be careful as well. This season's [ Fall ] food has appeared, and I want to eat plenty of delicious food and I want us all to keep moving forward on our paths.
This time 4ge did not come but the four of us were editing the images for the DVD. We just wanted to check how things were working out and so we met together. It'll probably take more time than was thought to make sure that the work comes out as good as we want it to. Because we had cameras in various places, and when we go over it in detail deciding whether we should use this or that scene, it seems endless. The biggest problem we had was thinking on what we should do. Since this live time is very long, it is taking awhile, so Downers please wait. And so we have these image-editing meetings together, hoping that we can finish by the end of the year. We'll have to hang in there! It's the same for the sound portion, but Lay has an amazing plan in mind for the images. When we were together, I felt as though the 'artist' was renewed.
Well, the pictures for this time were taken at the image editing meeting and they were pretty bright. But on the way home, the pictures that I took in Lay's car were dark. The members told me my keitai was pretty bad ( laughs ). And Lay and Kanoma both said that their keitais could take lighter pictures. And when they took them they really were ( smiles ) . . . . . . So, there's also that. Here are the pictures:
1) Lay and Mizuha in the middle of image editing
2) Lay and Mizuha and Kanoma in the middle of image editing
3) A shot of the back of Kanoma's neck
4) Image of Downertachi
5) Image of Kanoma
6) A side shot of Lay and Mizuha and Kanoma
7) Dandy Lay
8) Cool Lay and Mizuha
9) Smiling Kanoma ( From Lay's perspective )
For my next entry, I wonder if I should put up the pictures that I took when I visited 4ge's home. Still thinking about this. Bye bye.
Today's Words:
"However many years pass, what Downertachi and Fatima created together will never fade."
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33 : 9 . 23 (Friday)
It's gotten cool recently. This change in season means it'll be easy to catch a cold, so Downers please take care.
Not too long ago, I went with Lay to a musical instrument store, and I bought a bass. I'm not switching to the bass because I bought it; I played the bass, not the drums, in a band when I was in High School. Naturally, we were a cover band, and quite unskilled. (Laughs)
I think the bass and drums are similar because they are the essence of rhythm. When I had played the bass, I saw the drums and wanted to study them, and then I wanted to change playing the bass, so I bought drums.
I'm in the same situation now. While listening to CDs, there are things [that bass does] such as casually played phrases and how complicated the rhythm should be ... I think that by adjusting to what I hear [from what I've heard], I think I might be able to learn these things myself.
But I want to quickly grasp music, so I can be on stage, and be showered in light and the sounds of your voices. I want to strike the Downer-kon [tr: soul] inside Downer's, and I want to feel the sense of unity in that sound.
Watching people's lives has made my body ache [to perform]; since it's not easy to consent to a band, right now I have no choice but to steadily continue [playing]. I'll do my best. Please be patient. Byebye.
Today's Words:
"Although many obstacles stand in your way, continue to persist. Diligently!"
Today, at SCISSOR's oneman at Ikebukuro Cyber, should I kind of debut as bass? Those that are coming, tell me what you think. Byebye.
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30 : 08 . 26 (Friday)
The day after I played support drums on the 23rd, I met up with the members to once again work on the DVD. Seeing the shot from the second floor, I think the atmosphere was conveyed. Overall, "dorii . maazu" was the highlight. Entangling the piano version of "muchina inochi e" with Kanoma's beautiful singing voice was fun! Image editing is exciting! Though first we must refine the sound in detail.
In the last installment of "towa no me," I didn't fully describe my current thoughts and what might be in the future. Why did I write such ... maybe it was because I played at the same hall for 6.28 and 8.23, though for completely different reasons. And looking at that writing, I said to myself, it was because I had all of you Downers that I was overwhelmed with feeling.
Since the 23rd, I've taken a break from support drumming. And so, for those Downers who mailed me with the question, "Will you be playing for Ayabie's September Tour?" At this point in time, I'm not going to go. I'd like to help elsewhere, but I'm not sure if there is any need, so I don't know yet. When I know, I will notify everyone on "towa no me." Because I know many Downers are waiting.
Recently, I've received mail from Downers who've started working, and pursuing their dreams. Therefore, it might be impossible for them to go to lives often. There have been many changes in circumstance for Downers, as well as for myself. Changes in state of mind, situational --- we're all going through these. Even simple changes, such as from junior high to high school, or becoming a university student.
I will honestly miss those who can't make it to a live. It will be a reality, once you are gone from the audience.
Though, you might not be able to come, someday will come. Even if you're unable to come, the soul of Downer will continue to live within Downers because you will remember us as we were. You only live once. You must have no regrets, and want to move forward aggressively. My drums, the music that is completed by us and Downers --- it is Fatima that remains inside Downers. I say this, and it is good to let feelings out, it is good to laugh or smile, it is good to heal, you become a kind of form, it's practically essential, and experiencing such is what's most important. Of course, what I am from now on is my own music.
Downers, your support through email and letters ... Thank you. It's almost been 2 months since the Grand Finale. There aren't any real band formations, yet before my eyes there is a wall that I will climb over; I will try my best. Thank you for your support. Byebye.
Today's Words:
"Typhoons and Earthquakes, these disasters might be unexpected. Please take care."
