It Was Fun..... (^o^)/

2003/09/29

JAM Project's Shibuya concert ended without problems!!!
Well... things were really burning up, and it was hot too!!
We up on the stage were really energized, of course, but we were very surprised by the energy of the crowd.
My (solo) concerts have audiences with so much energy, too, but... It's really the first time I've ever seen such a fired-up audience outside of my own concerts.
It was my first JAM concert so I was a bit anxious, but all the JAM fans made me feel very welcome.
Also, many of my fans came, too (they easily stood out with their towels waving around). I was happy to see your familiar faces, and your cheering was more reassuring than anything else in the world. Thank you.
As a member of JAM, a solo singer, and later as part of r.o.r/s, I'll continue to do my best.

Oh, yes...
Yonekura-chan and Ishida Youko-chan also came for me to yesterday's concert, and they were another source of great support.

Blue Skies Today

2003/09/28

There are a few clouds scattered here and there, but thank goodness for the good weather. (^^)
I felt a bit like a child who can't sleep because she's going on a field trip tomorrow; I couldn't quite fall asleep, probably because I'm so excited. We're going to hit it off today at Shibuya Public Hall!!

Drawing Close to Tomorrow!

2003/09/27

JAM Project's Shibuya concert is tomorrow.
Today I'm fairly calm, relatively speaking...
Why? Because I'm practicing my latest hobby, nail art (and listening to JAM in the background in preparation for tomorrow).
I've made some "attachable nails" that fit with my clothes for tomorrow. I just hope I'll be able to put them on without problems...
I wonder how the weather will be tomorrow??
I've been to a lot of people's concerts in the past, too, but I want to look stylish, I guess. (^-^)
A lot of JAM fans are females, and it'll be hard to dress up if it's raining... Shall I hang up my teruteru-bouzu...? [1] (Or will that just make it rain more?)

notes :
[1] A teruteru-bouzu is a talisman/charm that is hung up to encourage good weather to come. But of course, that can sometimes backfire...

Yeah... Image Training

2003/09/26

Recently I haven't gotten much rest, and my physical and mental strength's been depleted a little (subjective symptoms, of course), so I spent the whole day today at home smothered in my cats, and did some "image training" for the JAM concert on the 28th.
I have some experience doing concerts from my solo career, and in those cases I've always practiced in the studio and did well with that, but there are times when I'm on the actual stage and things don't work out as well. Even when I practice in front of a mirror or behind closed curtains, the concert hall ends up being quite different... That's why I picture the stage from the audience's viewpoint and do some "image training."
Right now I'm in a fit of indescribable nervousness and excitement. |(- -)|

For Some Reason...

2003/09/25

Recently the official bulletin board has been full of stuff about "Sutadori"... But right now my focus is on JAM Project!
Yesterday and today...
We had rehearsal for JAM Project, which brings this round of rehearsals to an end.
My voice was not in good shape yesterday, since I had been recording the day before, so they let me scale back the volume of my singing a bit.
But today! We cinched it like it was the actual concert.
I have my clothes all picked out, too. (^-^) I'm very excited about this.
Also, for the DVD release we filmed some of the scenery at the rehearsal. So let's see... we'll do "image training" tomorrow and the day after and have it ready by Sunday.
To everyone who is coming!!
"Starting with JAM, there will be a lot of things for you to see and hear! I'll be working in ways I don't in solo performances, so I hope you enjoy it."

At JAM Rehearsal Today...

2003/09/22

Today was my second day, but soooommehooow I feel I got to act like myself.
Yet again I wasn't able to remember all the lyrics (T^T), but I was spot-on on my cues and my sound.
Plus, we produced special chorus arrangements specifically for the concert, so I've been practicing the harmonies with everyone at JAM.
Ah.... I'm looking forward to it.

r.o.r/s PV Shooting Today...

2003/09/21

Today we shot the PV for the 2nd r.o.r/s single.
I'm switching between JAM, solo, and r.o.r/s work every day. It seems like this PV finished up nicely, too.
Our previous one had a "sexy" tinge to it, but this time we sort of aimed for the beauty of "minerals." It might completely change by the time they put the final touches on the video, but.... Yonekura-san and I are both looking forward to it.

Also:
I was made to apply transparent lip gloss all over my face for the PV shooting (@-@). On the sides and my neck, too. It was pretty tough to remove......

School Festival

2003/09/20

We've been uploading a lot of news on makusonia the past few days, and now we've uploaded news about the Musashi Institute of Technology's school festival on Nov. 23!!
And with the "rebirth" tour scheduled for February-March of next year... our live concert engine seems to be revving up.
Ordinarily, school festival concerts are held after live tours and the tour programs end up being shortened a bit; but since this time the school festival will be happening first, I'm getting ready for it right now. And of course, I'll also perform a new song or two!! Please look forward to these next few "okui, masami" live concerts.

New Announcement Out

2003/09/19

Advanced ticket sales have begun on MaBIC (our fanclub) for the upcoming concert. However, it seems many people haven't been sent notices about this.... We've had quite a few problems about this in the past, too, and although we've tried different ways of mailing out notices, each method has had its virtues and vices. So, for those of you who can't access the bulletin board or who still haven't received their notices, please contact MaBIC as soon as possible.

JAM Rehearsal Today

2003/09/17

Today was my first rehearsal for JAM.
Well...... (-00-) I was really surprised by the massiveness of the sound.
We practiced each song from top to bottom at least 2 times each, so I think I've gotten it more or less down, but I think I overdid it and wore out my voice. (T-T)
I have to record a single the day after tomorrow (the 19th), so I've got to recover my voice between now and then!!!
When my schedule becomes really hectic, it becomes really important how I take care of myself, doesn't it......

Speaking of Which

2003/09/16

Yet again, people were jumping into the river following Hanshin's victory (I saw it on the news). [1]
It not too big of a deal, but I wonder if they're all right.
Especially since that river has a strong odor (inhabitants of Kansai know this only too well), and when viewed from above, it has a very questionable color to it.... Like there's a lot of bacteria in it. (@~@)
It doesn't seem like the odor would go away anytime soon... (T-T)

notes :
[1] Makkun is referring here to the victory of the famous Hanshin Tigers baseball team, which became the 2003 Central League Champions on Sept. 15. It's a custom (officially shunned) in Osaka to jump into the Dotonburi River to celebrate the victory of one's favorite sports team.

Today I Went to

2003/09/15

...Fukuyama Yoshiki's "Talk and Live Concert (and Handshake Party)" event in Otsuya!!
I went with MONTA-kun, whom he met when he appeared as a guest at my Tokyo Fan Get-together.
Usually, the talk portion of the event takes up most of the time, but in Fuku-chan's case, he sang, oh, 8 songs or so. (@-@)
It was an event that completely fit Fuku-chan's personality, and something I learned a lot from!
Fuku-chan, good work... (^-^)/

Today

2003/09/14

r.o.r/s appeared as a guest at a public live recording of "Horebore."
We weren't allowed to publicize it since it was a 'Secret Concert,' so we came "in secret" and sang. Strangely enough, though, Chihii and I were both even more nervous than we were at our respective debut live concerts. Why, you ask??
It's because, since we had some dance choreography, it would have been bad if we didn't seem "cool" from the very start. Also, since this was a secret performance, we weren't sure what the audience would make of us, and it made us very nervous.
Anyway, today certainly made me feel like a rookie all over again.
I hope I can use my experience today to make October 26 as great as it can be.

I Got Some Sleep! v(^-^)v

2003/09/12

Well, I got some sleep today!!
Yesterday's recording went relatively quickly and ended at 1 in the morning, so I went home afterwards and slept enough for two days.
We're going to do some TD today, but since Yonekura-san and I won't be going there until this evening, I got to sleep and clean the house a little.
Since the two of us will be working together for quite a while still, I'm going to do my best to stay cheery and healthy.

Another All-Nighter Today...

2003/09/11

I pulled another all-nighter today (the 10th).
I got back home at 3 in the morning on the 11th. Now it's 5 in the morning and I'm working on my solo work. I'll slip into the bath and take a nap!!
I'm recording again tomorrow for r.o.r/s.
Today we got a loooooott of work done! (^^)

r.o.r/s Recording Today

2003/09/10

My, it's hot! I walked for a long time in the mid-day heat yesterday, and I began to feel a bit of heatstroke coming on. I felt hot even during the night and couldn't cool down. (T-T)

Anyways, today we recorded the second single for r.o.r/s. It sounds even easier to listen and sing along to than the first was, and I'm looking forward to listening to the final product.
Oh, that's right. On Yonekura-san's website (diary), there's a picture of me holding a bottle of perfume that Chihii gave me as a 10th anniversary present! It's Gucci, too.

Returning Home at Early Morning

2003/09/08

I pulled an all-nighter yet again.
I'm now back home at 4 in the morning, on 9/8.
Today (er, yesterday) I recorded songs for a new Okui Masami album.
I've started up my solo work again, and there will be a single release as well as work on this new album. I have business to take care of concerning r.o.r/s today, the 8th, but I won't suddenly get sleepy, will I!?
I just hope I don't get circles under my eyes...

Anigemaster Wrapped Up with No Problems

2003/09/06

...and I'm now back home.
It was my first live broadcast with JAM.
It was also my first time in that particular studio (though the radio hosts go there all the time)!! It was really spacious.
In the "talk" session, we talked more about the live concert then the best album. I was so nervous (lots of lip-biting).
After a live performance from Kobe's Manga Trio-san and a guest appearance for Endou-san's birthday concert, we did a "simulated concert" for Shibuya Public Hall!
Thank you to all those who sent faxes and letters to JAM.

I'll Be Appearing on Anigemaster Tomorrow.

2003/09/05

Tomorrow (9/6), I'll be appearing with JAM Project on the cultural broadcast "Anigemaster". We'll be talking and singing a few songs live, so please tune in!!!
I'll also be singing a pre-JAM song.

I'll also be able to put in some "image training" for the concert on the 28th. v(^o^)v

It's Almost Time

2003/09/04

...to record my new solo single. Plus, JAM's best album, "FREEDOM" was released yesterday. I've been given the list of songs we'll be doing at Shibuya Public Hall, so I've got to make a spirited effort to memorize the lyrics. (^^.)
I've been so busy with JAM and r.o.r/s and solo work, the summer seems to have passed me by (although it is still hot...).

Oh right!
With all the lightning yesterday, the light rail had to discontinue service. Everyone is okay, though, I trust??