Finally watched the second film. It's just as brilliant as the first one. Interesting, vivid, funny and very touching. I don't know why it took them 12 years to film the sequel but it was worth it for sure.
Just in case you're interested: The movies tell of the hardships of a man from Pakistan and his mixed family living in England of the 70's. They are wonderful.
At my TSR site I got 5004 thanks. It's a lot, ne? But the thing is the total number of downloads is 230081. So basically it's 2%. That considering the fact that thanking only requires to press one button AND you actually get point for it that you can use for various things. That's people for you.
You know, honestly when I founded this community I had very little hope that these two are in a relationship or anything like it, but the more I watch and translate the more I begin to have a feeling that there actually might be something going on. I'm afraid to fall into this trap again but it's not like you can help it.
I'm about 80% sure Shou is not completely straight and as for Tora... that's more complicated.
It reminds me of the whole YunJae drama and it scares me. Just like Jae, Shou is not good at hiding his emotions while Tora is. I know I'm overanalizing things again but it's in my nature. The whole shift of leadership affair made me worry. And it's not becuase Tora did not become a leader, it isn't that important, but the fact that he backed out at a crucial moment. If Yunho's problem was that he was too attached to his responsibilities, Tora's is that he tries to avoid it. But unlike Yunho I actually happen to like Tora a lot and he's a very practical, free-spirited person so I really really hope I'm just overanalyzing.
EX.ua ушел в оффлайн. График траффикогенерации провайдера Гигатранс, на которм размещался этот сервис файлообмена, бесстрастно зафиксировал его отключение 14-15 по Киеву. Оперативно проверить, появившиеся слухи об "аресте серверов" ex.ua - не представляется возможным.
My comm only has 76 members but I looked through people's profiles and it's pretty amazing - the cultural diversity. There are people from: Brazil, Thailand, Hungary, Canada, UK, US, Italy, Singapore, Philippines, Germany, Bulgaria, Japan, Romania, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Greece, France, Russia, Chile, Mexico, Netherlands, Australia. And that considering not all people state their country. Like, wow. Globalization can sure be fun.
Been meaning to post it long ago. I wanted to make a top 5, but I can't find a worthy 5th contestant. Anyway. Disclaimer: the rating is very biased and personal.
#4 My latest bias and a gorgeous man with beautiful pensive eyes.
MORE #3 I don't particularly like the guy and I don't find him especially attractive either but I just couldn't not include him. His stare is really something.
#2 Finding a proper photo without stupid contacts is really hard - it has to be either a movie promo or taken before '95. I really wish he'd show his naked eyes more.
#1 The absolute winner of this staring contest. Even just by looking at the pictures you feel like he looks right through you.
Watched the Diabolos concert. Waah~ Now that was the time. Compared to that the concert I went to seems like a joke. Surely enough it makes me a bit sad how things have gone wrong since. It was after Diabolos that things began to deteriorate. Redemption was a great song. So was Returner even though it was a total Mind Forest rip-off. And after that... Well, Jesus was probably the only song that rocked and was original. The rest of the album was kinda lame. And then YFC happened. Don't even want to talk about it. I had a faint hope that when he goes back to his solo it will be half-decent at least but Graffiti sucks big time. It's the first time I don't watch promotional appearances because I can't stand the song. But no matter how disappointing it gets I will never diss him. Because he is Gackt. Because he mad 5 albums full of songs that are worth more that many bands's whole discographies.
I considered standing in the middle not a good enough reason in itself, but now that both of them are on the same page it's more than legit)
My darling fearless leaders, so so proud of you!~
Both of them came such a long way to be where they are but now pimpin' the middle is well-earned. Don't mess with the blondes. Once fidgety and unsure now they are strong and graceful lead vocalists and leaders of two very successful bands.
Ok, so now a few days passed and I'm ready to write about the matter in detail.
First of all, I have to say I'm kind of proud of my fandom. I saw some stupid posts on tumblr and was worried that people will begin to argue and the peace shall be broken but basically everyone seems so cool about it. Everyone has their own views and preferences but in the end people say it's the band's decision and they respect it. I was, like, "WOW. I can't believe everyone is so reasonable and mature." Hello, K-pop.
But now the main part: my RAW and MEAN judgement on the matter. I'll write my thoughts and feelings to each member concerned in a direct manner. It is pointless and insensitive but I just need to write it all down for my own sake. I don't want to rub my opinions (no matter how accurate they may be) in people's faces because it will only hurt someone's feelings. Instead I'll just write this here and let it rest.
Nao: There were rumours about health problems and I really hope it's not the case. YET if it's not, what is? My first reaction made me want to be really mean. Like, "Really, Nao? Even you finally realized that you're no good to be a leader". Yes, it's mean but it really makes me laugh when people say it must have been so hard on him. I mean, come on, in terms of tasks within the band he couldn't have overworked. I know we can't see the whole picture, but the part we can see speaks for itself. Saga writes music more than anyone else, Hiroto writes a lot of the music and manages the merchandise, Tora writes music and hosts two shows and manages the interviews and Shou writes all the lyrics and creates artwork and designs outfits and the overall imagery and being the MC and now he began to write music as well. And Nao? Judging by his blog he spends half the time eating snacks and taking pictures of it. Tora also once jokingly said that Nao seems to have too much time on his hands as he's the only member available at all times. Also some people say "but he founded the band" and I want to argue with that. A band is not a facebook account. You can't just press the 'create' button and say: "I made a band!". In reality Tora and Shou were looking for band members just as Nao and Saga did. In the end it was Tora's determination that made this band happen and Shou's name that crowned it. I really don't want to diss Nao and stuff but I always wondered how the hell did he become a leader in the first place. Tora: I'm disappointed in you! Seriously, you were supposed to take that position and you damn well know it. I know you didn't want to be the leader and you want to be an aid to everyone else but isn't that what leader should do? I mean Shou didn't want to be one either and after listening to Asian bands for so long I find it a little weird to have a frontman and a leader in one package. Anyway, if you look at comments and interviews Tora's the one who talks and manages the process and he does it very well. You can also tell he actually enjoys being bossy. Maybe I'm overaanayzing but it almost seems like he has some sort of phobia. Shou did say once that Tora is very reliable but he doesn't want to be relied upon. It's kind of ironic, I've been ranting about this whole leadership thing for a while now and now this happens. I don't know any other band who did this and what do you know? But I really believe in it 100% that Tora had to do it. It was a perfect chance, it had to be him, but oh well. He must have had a good reason.
Shou:Let me love you!~ That is all. But seriously I'm really proud of him. Obviously it had to be either him or Tora. My fangirling aside I do believe he knew Tora's issue whatever it was and sort of saved him, like: "I'll do it!" He always said he liked being the second-in-command and obviously it was a hard decision for him. I bet some 5 years ago he'd never agree to it. But now he's ready. He's grown so much in this band and he's become mature and confident so I'm sure he'll do great. I really believe in him. Darling, you're going to be a progressive O-type leader! ^^
Anyway, I'm quite curios how this will affect things. I know Shou said it doesn't change anything, but it has to change something othervice why would they do it? We shall see it soon. Things might get even more interesting.
Apparently Hyde and Gackt made a promise to each other that if one of them dies the other shall make a song and pass the royalties the the deceased's family. I don't even know whether to think of it as sweet or slightly creepy.
Also THIS:
Q. How did you feel when you worked as an actor for the first time? Do you want to do it again? A. "I wasn't planning to do a movie at all. I just wanted to work with GACKT. I was embarrassed to perform as an actor. But I made a promise to a certain director to do it one more time if he writes a story I like."
The hell happened to jyj_intl at lj? Went to find something on the manage page and saw it deleted along with two other dbsk-related comms. oneyoosu.com doesn't work either. That kind of freaks me out. RIP, jyj_intl. You were so young yet.
It goes without saying that Hyde is one of my favourite artists and I love his music. The truth is... I was never really much interested in his personality. I'm fascinated by his beauty and voice, but I never associated myself with him and he hasn't been an influence on me personally. I suppose this is why Gackt always meant that much more to me.But on and off stage personas are two very different things and should be viewed as such. Both have their own charms.
Anyway, to me Hyde shall always be an icon. He's an amazing vocalist and a brilliant songwriter and I will always admire him no matter what.
Lately my mind has been restless, going back in time to a place where something very important began. It was exactly 6 years ago on a Sunday like today that I went to a meeting that changed my life forever. It was a regular meeting of the Kiev J-Rock club - G.R.A.I.L.S. Out of my readers at the moment perhaps only one person was once a member. Ah, I'm feeling so old. The club only existed for a short time, a little over a year, but it became something very important to the people who were a part of it. For my part, I remember well that for the first time in my entire life I felt like I found a place where I belonged. I remember thinking: "THIS IS IT."We were all really young and a little bit crazy each in our own way, naive but not at all innocent and when we got together it was really fun. The thing is we didn't talk about music that much but whatever we talked about we understood each other and that was the most precious thing.
There were a few dozens of us and I never found out the real names of most. Makes it awkward if I meet someone by accident. We hugged when we met and parted and it fascinated me because honestly even though there were many people I really meant it every time. Well, at least before some newcomers arrived and things started to fall apart. But I'm not blaming anyone, nothing good lasts forever.
We made 5 parties in total, I think and I sang in 3 of them. We had karaoke and contests and stuff and it was sometimes lame but some times really cool but all in all it really was a place of our own. Then the arguments began and fractions and in the end it was inevitable, really. Eventually half the people gave in to the J-Pop invasion and the other half went back to the anime community and it was the end of it.
I have 1970 files in my G.R.A.I.L.S. folder which is mostly photos and I also have videos from 2 of the parties. I surely can't post any of that though since I don't want to infringe anyone's privacy so I'll post flyers instead.
As I write about it heavy feelings weight down my heart and there's a lot of pain embedded so I try not to give in to all the memories still so vivid in my mind. But I don't want to forget because it was a very important part of my life and a huge turning point. I'm grateful for everything that happened for it brought me here but hopefully for now my mind can rest and move on. R.I.P., G.R.A.I.L.S.
My 8 GB USB flash card died today. Guess I overused it. RIP, Flash, you were loved. Yes, it had a name. Also I've got two phones and two phone numbers at the moment. I feel like a celebrity XDD But actually it's really inconvenient - charging and carrying them and stuff. Mum says I should just give up on my old number but I can't bring myself to. I quite like it and I'm used to it since I've had for about 6 years. In a way I find it quite a nuisance to text everyone on my contacts list and inform them of my new number. But really there aren't many people there and in the end it's just sentimental reasons, one more bridge I'm not ready to burn just yet.