177. recollect

The past two weeks being back has been pretty alright, I wouldn't say I hate it completely because I was happy to meet up with some friends and attend one of my closest friend's engagement.

The first week, I went out with little sis for a Rurouni Kenshin movie marathon, though we could have watched it easily in Tokyo, we chose to watch it here because of the subtitles. We watched Kyoto Inferno in the morning and The Legend Ends on the same day in the afternoon, it was fun because I hardly go to the cinemas in Japan.

 I met up with some of my friends on the same week too. I hung out with someone I used to date (we were never a couple) and actually enjoyed my time with him more than I did when we were dating, probably because I was a mess back then. He said he was happy I changed so much and for the better. I'm glad we got to catch up. I also hung out with Mad until 2am with her fiancee on a different day. Even though I've just seen her in July, we both felt that the 3 months felt so long. There was a ton of things to talk about since there has been a lot of things going on in our lives.

On that same week, my dad came back since I was here. He was back for a couple of days, so we went out for dinner almost everyday. He left back to work on Tuesday, and I have been home more. I went shopping for winter clothes with mom on Thursday and just yesterday, was my Mad's engagement party. She looked so pretty and happy. I'm honestly so happy for her, I don't have to worry about her that much anymore since I know  her fiancee will take good care of her. We had so much Indian food and cake, I was stuffed. I was glad to catch up with Sam too since we haven't seen each other in years. Mad, Sam and I were always together in art college. We were just talking about the past and how much we've grown. Here's a picture I stole from Mad's instagram. :)

I just realised how many pretty friends I actually have :3

I will be on the plane back to Tokyo later tonight and I can't be any happier. I love my friends here but I love my life in Tokyo more. Everytime someone asks me if I'll ever move back, I always have the same answer : a very stern, no. Then they would ask me how my life is in Japan and I think the smile on my face is enough to tell you how much I love it.

Can't wait to be back there, since it's Autumn when the weather is lovely.

176. gravitation

I'll be heading home for 2 weeks later tonight, honestly I am not looking forward to it because I don't really like that country but I have to attend my friend's engagement and it'll be nice to be back for a little bit since being with guys is getting to me. 

On Wednesday, I went out to look for a present for my friend who is engaged and it was really hard. It doesn't help when you're with clueless guys. In the end, I got her something art history related since she is now working at a well-known gallery. I met up with H with my friends at an izakaya later on. He was with his band mates since they were promoting their new single. It was nice to talk to new people again but I was the only girl again, so it was a little difficult at times. 

Last night, I hung out with H again. We went for supper and we went to Harajuku at almost 1am since I've been telling him I want to see him do that. The streets in Harajuku is especially empty after 10. We were just talking about a lot of personal things and things that have been bothering us, with relationships and stuff like that. I'm really surprised he likes most of the stuff I like. Though I listen more to heavy music, I really love indie as well. Art, films and the like. He's the same too, even though he is in a metal band. We were talking half way and he was asking me when was the last time I actually kissed someone, I told him probably 4 or 5 years ago and that I don't allow people to kiss me easily. At that moment, he just leaned his head over and kissed me. 

I was really surprised and happy I guess. I don't know where this is going with him but for the most part, I hope we stay friends. We hung out till about 7 in the morning, and I gave him a kiss on the cheek when we were about to part. He really does surprise me more than he should, I don't know if that's a good thing.

I don't know what to think or feel with H, I'm so scared because of the stuff that happened in the past. But I just hope even if nothing romantic happens between us, I just really want to stay friends. I hate when people just cut you off and it becomes awkward and it definitely does hurts more.

I have some things planned out in November already. Tim Burton's Exhibition will be hitting Roppongi's Mori Art Museum until February, so I'm really excited about that. I'm still contemplating on going to Knotfest because it isn't fun when you're alone though H said he'll try to hang out with me, I doubt he will be free. I'm also going to see Girugamesh in Yokohama. The only thing I'm dreading is the other bands playing with them since things got messy with one person from one of the bands. Other than that, I'm really excited to see Girugamesh. I've been listening to them since they were visual and am really happy they decided to take this route and are gravitating towards the more "normal" rock scene. I don't really fancy visual that much. 

My mom is visiting in December since it's her birthday! I can't wait to bring her around and spend her birthday with her since I missed it last year. Also, lynch.'s 10th Anniversary show will be in December so I'm looking forward to that. I actually secretly hope that they will change their music path and be like Girugamesh where they aren't visual, doubt it will happen since Hazuki loves Kuroyume (Nagoya-kei). They don't sound that visual to me but they are categorised under "visual". It's hard to explain to people what I actually listen to. Like when H asked me about my favorite band and I said lynch., he asked "You like visual?" I don't like visual, just lynch.

It's become increasingly hard to explain to people since they just assume you like visual. Then they would ask how about Dir en grey, or MUCC (which they are freakin' amazing live by the way, also MERRY)? Yes, I listen to visual sometimes and the GazettE was my favorite band until I discovered lynch. and went back to my "normal" self. Then it becomes even more difficult to explain what I listen to exactly because I don't really like all the English bands in the scene right now. I try to listen to them sometimes but I can never fall back into it. I used to be so crazy over those bands when I was younger but now I feel like I've outgrown them. Fuck, I don't even listen to H's band. The only band that I really like is lynch. and THE NOVEMBERS. Sometimes other bands will be repeat for a while but it hardly lasts.

And I just realised I'm rambling too much, so I'll sign off now and continue packing my luggage.

175. teeeef

29th September 2014, Monday

It was little sis's last day in Tokyo, and even though we were so tired from the whole week of travelling, we decided to spend our day at our usual hang outs, Harajuku and Shibuya. We went to have good sushi at Shibuya Mark City, then slowly, did our usual stuff. She wanted to go to The Roastery one last time, damn her and her coffee.

After that, she did some last minute shopping in Harajuku and bought a pair of shoes. I cut my bangs again, this time the guy who usually cuts my hair, curled it as well. Oh my god, I look so different. T__T We just walked around as she bought some stuff for her friends and had dessert at Silkream. We wanted to go to the bar to stay out a little later but they had an event, so we went to And People.

She's come to really love Tokyo and told me if she can't get the job that she has been trying out for a couple of times now, she would want to work in Tokyo and stay here for at least 2 years. She told me that her current boss (she works part time at a cafe) told her that she should travel when she's young and if she really likes Japan, she should live here for a little bit.

I know it's kind of selfish of me to want her to stay here instead of getting the job she really wants but hey, she's my sister and having her here would be so nice. Currently, I've only got guys around me and in a way, it's getting to me. Yes, I do love them for helping me with my love life (lol) but I need girl time.

Oh yes, I finally bugged little sis enough to take purikura with me. I don't fancy it much either but we did it just for laughs. I already miss her but I'm gonna see her pretty soon, so it'll be alright. I loved having her here with me for the past (almost) 2 months. I honestly needed her because I've been having a hard time getting over some stuff. Her being here helped a lot. Even though I'm not completely over that stuff, I'm hoping the current guy I'm seeing will help me forget about it all. But.. it doesn't help much when they kinda know each other, the music circle is so small here in Japan and especially the English/Japanese heavy music scene.

Argh... life. Argh... band guys.

174. little finds, kyoto

28th September 2014, Sunday

Both little sis and I didn't have any thing planned out for Sunday, we were really on the fence with going to Miyajima or Lake Biwa, which is the largest lake in Japan, but Miyajima was too far and Lake Biwa was too difficult to get to, so we decided to head back to Kyoto.

We didn't know what to do in Kyoto but little sis and I settled for going to Arashiyama. I was there in June and liked it a lot and thought it would be good to go anyways since there's a river. We arrived at Arashiyama before 11am, and walked straight to Togetsukyo Bridge. We didn't want to strain ourselves out anymore since the whole week was pretty crazy.

173. shout at the devil, lynch.

27th September 2014, Saturday

We got up early again since the check out time was 10am. We were dreading to wake up so early since we were really tired from the week. After checking out and getting onigiri at the konbini, we went to check in to another hotel.

Since it wasn't check in time, we left out luggage there and went to walk around. Thankfully, the hotel is only a 2 minute walk away from Osaka Big Cat. We had coffee at a nearby cafe and went around Shinsaibashi. We didn't do anything exciting since we really didn't want to tire ourselves out before the show.

We got some frozen yogurt at about 2 in the afternoon and got back to the hotel at about 3 and finally checked in. We left the hotel at coming to 5 since the doors opened around that time. We didn't get into the venue until about 5.30-ish.

I always hate the waiting time before any concert because that would be the longest 30 minutes ever. Little sis was trying her best to find ways to get to the front but we only got to the middle but when the lights went off, everyone went crazy and we got pushed to the third row. The show started at 6 and they opened to GALLOWS, followed by (to my surprise) alien tune. They were good as usual, I can't really expect anymore from them after seeing them for what seems to be a million times.

I loved all the songs they played in the earlier part of the concert, I'm glad they played EVILLY and melt, it's little sis's favourites since she hasn't seen them in a long time. I'll always love seeing them play INVINCIBLE.

When they got to the middle of the live, and started playing slow songs, I was really surprised that they played an illusion and forgiven. I was expecting them to play OBLIVION and RING again since they were still promoting their new album. As I've said so many times in previous entries already, I was more than happy they played an illusion. Little sis was laughing at how excited I was when the guitars started during that song. It was my first time seeing them play forgiven as well.

After forgiven was AMBIVALENT IDEAL, I haven't seen that live in a long time. I actually love the live version way more. I really enjoyed myself at this concert because I had little sis, and I haven't headbanged in a long long time, so it was really fun. I was just a little bummed out that they didn't play Adore since it has been stuck in my head lately. I wish they didn't play TIAMAT back to back. They have been doing that recently.

Photos from http://tour14.lynch.jp/

The live house was quite small, but Hazuki said there was actually 800 people there and he was happy it was sold out. Their MC time went on forever (again) since Hazuki always talks too much. At least he is nice to look at, haha. 

After the show ended, little sis and I were too tired and went to a cafe nearby and ended the day with Taco Rice and Sangria. "Any holiday or trip to Japan wouldn't be complete without lynch. " - as quoted by her.

They are and will be my favourite band for a long long time.

172. acidpops and spiders, osaka

26th September 2014, Friday

We checked out of Hotel Nikko at about 10am and made our way to Universal Studios Japan. It wasn't too far from the city unlike Disneyland or Disneysea (they're not even in Tokyo but Chiba). Once we got out of Universal Studios City Station, there were a ton of shops and restaurants. There was even a JUMP Comics shop and a Moomin Stand which sold bubble tea. I wanted to try it but couldn't wait to go into Universal Studios so I saved that for later.

Immediately at the entrance, we were greeted by all the Harry Potter banners. Little sis and I got super excited.

171. silver and gold, kyoto & osaka

25th September 2014, Thursday

We didn't have to get up too early to get to Kyoto since Nagoya was only half an hour away by Shinkansen. Thankfully, the weather cleared up and it was bright and sunny again. We checked out of the hotel, got bento sets at the station and was on our way to Kyoto by 11am.

Since I've already been to Kyoto a couple of times, once last year and once this year, little sis decided that she didn't want to go to somewhere that I have been. We got to the tourist information centre and put our bags in the lockers nearby and bought an all day bus pass around Kyoto. The bus pass covered all the must-see sights in Kyoto, so we thought we could go to most of it if time allowed us.

We went to Ginkakuji (Silver Pavillion) first and wasn't too impressed, it was actually kind of small but had a zen garden and some small hills which you could climb up to which had pretty nice sights of Kyoto.

170. an illusion

After contemplating to get another tattoo for a couple of months, I finally got it done last week in Nagoya at 8 Ball Tattoo Studio. I got my very first tattoo there by Yashin, who I've hung out with a couple of times with Yuri. This time Yashin wasn't in the studio, so I got it from another artist who was there, Yusuke. 

During the time when I wanted this tattoo, I was down because of the things happening in my life. I was very confused with all aspects of life. Love, career, where I would actually want to live for next couple of years, Japan or go back home to Australia. Everything then seem so faraway now, I just wasn't in a good place and wanted something to make myself feel better. 

I was listening to an illusion by lynch. (still my favourite band), it's actually my favourite lynch. song. I've been falling asleep to it for years now. I don't know why I never looked up the meaning of this song. But when I did, the lyrics hit me really hard and I told myself I had to have this song on me, also to even out and match my until i die tattoo (also a song by lynch.).

The whole song actually means a lot to me, but this phrase really explained everything and how I see my life.

ねぇ　いつだって泣いて笑って　時を越えて
二人でいる事が当たり前で
もう帰らないなんて解っていても　どこかで
あの日の二人にもう一度なりたくて

Hey, always crying and laughing. I cross time. 

It's only natural for us to be together 

though I understand why you're no longer coming back 

Somewhere, someday, 

I want for us to happen again.

There are so many things and people in my life that I want to happen again, even my love for lynch. has faded away quite a bit because of certain things but I want those feelings to come back again. I have thought myself a lot of things by loving them, and grown up a lot in the last couple of months. I only hope life keeps getting better and less confusing. 

It was also fitting how they played this song on the same week I got the tattoo. I haven't seen them in 3 months and went to see them in Osaka last week. The tattoo was so fitting in a way that, I'm more than happy to have it here with me. I lost myself in their music again at their concert and am reminded how much I actually love them, musically.

This tattoo along with the other one, both have so many good memories with it. I'm glad I didn't get it sooner but later. Everything in life always happens for a reason and we just have to wait it out to see what the reason is. 

Words still can't describe how much I love this band.

169. in the rain, nagoya

24th September 2014, Wednesday

We slept in a little since we planned to have a day to relax in Nagoya. We left my apartment at almost 11 in the morning and arrived in Nagoya at almost 3 in the afternoon and was greeted with the pouring rain. Definitely something I wasn't expecting because the sky was clear for the last two days.

We went straight to Meitetsu department store which was right next to Nagoya station and got up to the 9th floor to try some Hitsumabushi. This was my fourth time in Nagoya and I've never tried it. Yuri and I are always running to Osu to get cheap taco rice, lol.

When we got to the restaurant, there was a long line. So we just waited, and we waited for about 40 minutes to finally get a table but it's worth the wait because the eel was sooooo good. It puts having eel in Tokyo very unsatisfying. We ordered eel omelette since it was their speciality at this restaurant and two small Hitsumabushi sets.

You had to mix the rice with a couple of things and you could ask for their special tea to add into your rice. The tea has a soup like base which was really interesting. Both little sis and I enjoyed the unagi a lot. We left not long after finishing our meal to 8 ball Tattoo. 

It was pouring outside which made going around Nagoya really hard. We took a while to get to the tattoo studio because google maps kept messing up. When I opened the door to get in, Hiro looked up and went "EH!!! Lyyy~~", his expression was really funny. He was holding onto a kitten which I thought was super cute. I told him I dropped by to say Hi to Yashin but Yashin wasn't around, I actually wanted to get another tattoo from him since he did my last one. 

Hiro told me Yashin would only be back on Monday, and by that time I'll be back in Tokyo already. So I told him it was okay that I get it from another artist and he introduced me to Yusuke, who was in the studio at the time and agreed to tattoo me. Luckily, it wasn't difficult in explaining the tattoo because he could speak English really well, he told me he lived in Australia for 7 years, going back and forth Cairns and Gold Coast. 

Little sis was so cute looking around, it was her first time ever in a tattoo studio and I introduced her to Hiro. We just chilled around and played with the kitten until Yusuke was ready to tattoo me. We got into his studio and noticed there was a "Be Strong" tattoo that he designed on the wall for one of his customers and little sis laughed. 

I don't know if it is, but "Be Strong" is one of lynch.'s song titles. I was getting a lynch. song tattooed on me, so we thought it was really funny. Yusuke was saying that his customer that wanted that tattoo is a "gay boy", lol. He said normally when you tattoo stuff like "Be Strong", you'll never "Be Strong". Also, he said he particularly doesn't fancy white people getting kanji tattooed on them. He told me he and Yashin would laugh about it later on after finishing those kinds of tattoos. Definitely made little sis and I laugh a lot.

Getting the tattoo didn't hurt either this time since it's still a small piece, he finished it in about 15 minutes and I was really happy with it. We hung around the tattoo studio since there was no one there for a little bit and continued playing with the kitten until about 5 in the evening and left for Sakae. Both of them said またね〜 to me and left under the heavy rain.

It was still pouring when we got to Sakae and checked in at the hotel. I wanted to take little sis to Osu and show her around but the rain didn't allow us to go. So, we settled on going to Piggy Cat Diner somewhere nearby but, it was closed again. -__- In the end, we went to Komeda's where we got the coffee milkshake and teriyaki sandwich and I'm glad little sis liked the milkshake! 

After dinner, we went to Starbucks to get some cake and went back to the hotel and had an early night's rest. I was bummed that it was raining so hard in Nagoya because I really wanted to show little sis around, oh well. Maybe next time!

I can't wait till the next time I am in Nagoya again, thinking about the future makes me really happy.

168. i want it all, kamikochi

23rd September 2014, Tuesday

It was another early start for us since the journey to Kamikochi would be a long one. We got up at 7am and went to have breakfast at the dining room before hitting the shower. We checked out at 9am and waited around for the Ryokan staff to get their car ready to drive us to Matsumoto Station.

The weather was really good that day, clear blue skies and the temperate was just right. I really liked the weather in Matsumoto but I can't imagine how cold it would actually be down there in winter?

Last one before leaving!

167. fireside, matsumoto

22nd September 2014, Monday

Little sis and I got up really early to get on the Shinkansen to Matsumoto. It wasn't particularly difficult to get there but it took a lot of travelling time. We had to change trains a couple of times, from Kami-Itabashi to Ikebukuro (15 minutes), Ikebukuro to Tokyo (25 minutes), Tokyo to Nagano (90 minutes), then got on the Shinano Limited Express from Nagano to Matsumoto (50 minutes).

We got bento sets at Tokyo Station since the journey to Nagano was a long one. Once we got off at Nagano station, we were so happy because the weather is much cooler than Tokyo, it was only 20 degrees at 10 in the morning. We got on the Shinano Limited Express for Matsumoto and the view from the train was amazing, passing by many towns, lakes, rivers and farms. It felt like 2010 again, my first time in Japan.

We finally arrived at Matsumoto at 12 noon and went to check in at the Ryokan, the view from the Ryokan was so pretty because you could see the mountains faraway and it was right next to a river. You could actually rent bicycles from the Ryokan for free and cycle around Matsumoto city but I can't cycle to save my life so we just waited for the bus to arrive to bring us back to Matsumoto station.