Shonichiwa~ Destini here. I haven't said that in forever.
Firstly, thanks for all the lovely hits at ArashiAroundAmerica.net~ The web counter I have only counts unique visitors and there were over 200 in under 24 hours. That's pretty fierce!
Nextly, I've updated the website with a new page and basically a new "mission" if you will -- the Fans Database!
Fans in Malaysia built one (good going! <3) and so I said why not, it wont hurt us any.
By adding yourself to the database, we will have a growing list of fans in North America at our disposal.
Also, I've wanted to add something to the sort for the site, but I feared the idea of having to update each and every name by hand. To add, there's already a sort of database in effect at Arashi-World but I am not sure how readily updated it is. So, it's an alternative.
With this, now all the fan has to do is sign up -- and they are added! Simple as that. Makes me happy. ^o^
So please, check out the new page added to the FANS section - Fans Database and SIGN UP! Lets get some numbers showing so we strengthen our foundation!
Or if you're like me and just want results...
ADD to the database
VIEW the
database
- Bombed Spring semester.
- Saw Jun Matsumoto filming HYD:F in Las Vegas.
- Co-arranged my first fan meet -- the Arashi Secret Agency~
- Saw the Kakushi Toride Premiere at USC.
- Reluctantly got on Japanese TV and newspapers after wards.
- Organized my first fan project - Card for Arashi mini-project.
- Quit my job at Starbucks (and don't plan on running back, ever.)
- Went to Japan!
- Saw Arashi perform two nights.
- Had my credit account overdrawn by the cell phone rental company right before I had to buy goods.
- Went to language school.
- Got hit on by some drunk guy in a train station.
- Went to Keikarou and met Aibamama!
- Successfully donated the gifts + such for the Card for Arashi project.
- Saw Hana Yori Dango Final in theatres twice.
- Went to a real television station – TBS.
- Got back into Mecha/Gundam fandom. ^o^
- Organized the Arashi Around America E-mail Campaign.
- Had my e-mail read by Satoshi on ARASHI DISCOVERY.
- Organized/attended a fan gathering in Little Tokyo, CA.
- Built ArashiAroundAmerica.net.
I made a lot of new friends in fandom! That really makes me happy because I'm sure most people know by now that I'm a huge like purveyor of peace within fandom. So I'm just glad to create new friendships and alliances with fellow fans. I really hope I make some more friends in the new year!
Became a lot more clear on my career path. I know that I want to teach ESL in Japan. However, that's the goal of so many others. I realized though one day that it really is what I want to do because the thought of it at one point made me extremely emotional. I feel really passionate about it. When I'm passionate about something, I go all out. Probably not news at all. Why am I so driven?! XD
So much random stuff happened! I almost moved to Hawaii, even! It's been good times, though. I've been waiting to do this! New Years Resolutions!
- Gain weight!
- Not do any Arashi-based projects!
- Not go to Japan!
- Not do good in school!
- Have a sucky year!
Whenever I say my actual Resolutions, they never happen. So I'm saying the opposite.
This year was nice! You know, I met a lot a new friends this year -- both on and off line. I feel blessed to have been apart of so many memories as well in regards to fandom. It really warms me up! This year I did receive so many amazing gifts! Even a PlayStation 3 (to which I'm immensely grateful for! Thanks, mommy!)
However, I think some of the more simple gifts are what really made me happy. Those wonderful people who sent me gifts know who they are and I thank them with all my being! Also, just some thanks for people I've grown to know this year.
Mabudachi
Carisa: I know if terms of personalities, we are opposites. Like to some crazy degree in fact. However I think the reason why we get along so well is that in terms of being an Arashi fan, we have a lot of intense memories and reasons behind it. In a sense, Arashi gave you a voice. The same happened to me, as well! The 'Destini' you know now with all the ideas and knack or planning and wanting to get out there, speaking out, etc etc. That wasn't me a while ago. It certainly was not -- I was such a quiet person. Fact is, I still can be at times. However, I feel a huge huge need to help Arashi because they have helped me. I know you have similar feelings as well. So where we are opposite, I think our similarities outweigh it. I'm truly glad we met and did finally start talking and such! I truly treasure our friendship and I'm really proud I can say that any indifferences we've had haven't broken the bond we have to this day. To add, the gifts! I remember getting super excited at the idea of making kirinuki like Ooshima-sensei's Arashi kirinuki and I had a decent amount of images. You totally kick started me though and I really appreciate it! Then you always gave my lazy cats reason to play again! They went crazy with the mouse toys. Then I already told you my dogs will eat anything and they did! Thanks a million times over!
Nessa: I know I was supposed to reply to the comment of the really sweet Thank You post you made but once I decided to make this post, I also decided to just put my reply here. I hope that's okay? Well, it's funny that you mentioned the night we were watching YouTube videos. I know my memory sucks but I do remember that night, in fact! I'm glad to know that it made us closer -- I figured it made you think I was a weirdo! My taste in YouTube videos and all. It's interesting because the way you described me is so not how I used to be. I wonder if it is fandom that has made me so open. I wish I knew but in the same leg, it doesn't terribly matter. It's how I am now. Anyhow, I'm glad that I have grown more open because I don't think we'd be friends if I was equally as shy as you were! To add, you always mention that you wish you could thank me for helping you out with getting into Kakushi Toride premiere at USC or for other things I helped with. The way you can help me is by staying my friend. XD Corny Factor = 100%! Well I mean it. Tangible items are great but I value relationships you know. I mean you saw what I did with my CUT magazine! I really really did re-purchase it by the way! I also still swear to not give my own goods away anymore to cheer people up. T_T Point being, let's run into 2009 and conquer Japan yo! Thanks for listening to my insane rambling as well and being my "Executive Screening Process" when I come up with crazy ideas for fandom and all. Thanks for helping me with the Arashi Discography section! Thanks for offering to help me wth AAA.net's News section! I know that you tell me that I do too much on my own and that I need to learn to accept people's help. It's still hard for me but I'm trying. I'll try! <3
AGE Gumi
Emily: AGEBlue! *hugs* Thank you for sticking along and dealing with my random "angry Sho fan" tantrums! Thank you for being an epic sub team leader! Thank you for being an epic friend at that~ I really love my gift! It's so cute and I love handmade items. People say it's a way out of spending a lot of money but I don't see it that way. So thank you for my epic "Emily-Branded" postcard and my Yatterman Kewpie phone charm! >.< Now Ganchan will be with me forever~ And you're right -- we will take over Japan in 2009! Here we come, Roppongi! Johnny's Hunting Time. :D
Dellie: AGEGreen! *hugs* Even though you're in Japan, rubbing cankles with me and Emily's men....!!!!! I'm just kidding! We miss you, you know! It's hard to keep up with Arashi in Japan, surprisingly huh?! I know it was for me! I hope you kno how much we love you! You've been an absolute doll. You're hilarious to boot and you represent Aiba-wifeys like no body's business! Without you, AST-AnS Team would not be, if you think of it. The time you've but in to get subs out for fandom is truly appreciated by myself and I'm sure by the rest of the fans who enjoy them. I wish we could've all celebrated http://www.thebirthofaiba.com/ together but it's fine! I'm sure you rocked it out properly! Come back home soon! We gotta AGE it up again! <3
VOX Family: In terms of all the projects I've done, my Arashi Vox ladies and gents are the first I run to! In terms of enthusiasm as well as just utter kindness – you girls are made of it! I never like to ask for participation in an idea that I feel will bring no fruition. I don't like flops and I've mentioned so before. Even when during the e-mail campaign when I had a bit of animosity come my way, you all stuck it through with me. For that I say thank you. The reason why I know it was my Vox Family is because I know your online names! So yes, directly to you all: Thank You for sticking through this whole “Arashi must dominate America” rampage. Well. Not all that. We'll get there! Let's do our best in 2009!
I did this last year so here we go. 26 icons for the 26 year old! Aiba is epic! <3
Me and my friend Emily have a joke about how Aiba's birth is so pivotal that it should have a website named http://thebirthofaiba.com/ on which an Aiba themed ritual is carried out on his birthday. Maybe next year, hm?
Conditions
- Creator: Chesto! OR Destini OR Shourai (LJ)
- Credits: boys_paper, yuckie_chan, tons of sources for the older images that don't exist anymore.
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I apologize for the delayed post but I had to come home and recharge. The fan gathering was a lot of fun!
I'm pretty sure at one point we had at least 40 attendees. It was very exciting and we had a lot of laughs and such! There was a lot of joy from being reunited with friends that met during other occasions, as well as a lot of new friendships being made.
A more detailed report on my half will be posted soon~ I don't think it says anything that wasn't mentioned by others! ^o^ I'd say this was a decent event. Can be better, however!
In fact, another event is already in the works to that hopefully we can have more people come out. More details after I confirm a few things, but this even will be bigger and better AND posted early enough so that we can spread beyond the western tri-state area!
For Those Who Attended: If you took any photographs or videos that you are okay with being posted, please e-mail them to arashifanmeet@gmail.com!
I want to build up the Fan Section on ArashiAroundAmerica.net so that others can see the fan base & not think we are all talk. It's great to show that we are supportive both on and offline! Any media is greatly appreciated!
Also, please PLEASE double please send any suggestions for the next fan gathering! Keep in mind that this was my & my friends first event of this caliber and therefore comments and suggestions will only help us build a more satisfying event for attendees. We want everyone to come out and have fun and so we want to hear your voices!
Thanks So Much Once Again To Everyone Who Attended! I couldn't have asked for a cooler group of fans to show up! <3 Love You All! ^o^
It's the final countdown! I still can't believe this is all happening tomorrow. I sent a mass e-mail to you all but here are the details once again in case you did not receive it. Also, some added details! Please read.
I want to state first that this event is to be participated by those who have registered. If you plan on showing up at random just to 'check things out,' you need to register like everyone else.
This is so we know everyone who is going to be walking around it us. Not everyone attending is over 18 and so to have unknown people coming and going is not exactly safe.
Even though it is the day before the event, I can still take any new attendee registration. However, it needs to be in by 7PM PST TODAY. Any later will be ignored -- point blank.
Important Details
WHEN: December 20th, 2008
START TIME: 12PM
END TIME: 8PM
WHERE: Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
MEETING AREA: Weller Court (It is near the Kinokuniya in Little Tokyo)
We will have a sign! It will have the Kanji for Arashi (嵐) on it. Staff members (Alleen, Destini, and Jovi) will be arriving in Little Tokyo around 11AM so if you arrive before 12AM, that's fine!
If you have trouble finding Weller Court, your best bet would be to heard towards the Kinokuniya first.
To add, the majority of the parking structures in Little Tokyo are paid parking structures. Some are cheaper than others, but the cheapest one puts you at about a three-block walk away from Kinokuniya. However, it may be worth it to save a bit of cash for the day. This parking structure is near the incomplete train station and costs about $5 every 5 hours.
Our reservation at Oiwake Restaurant is set and ready to go! We have a registered 30 people coming along with us, but to prevent our being unprepared, we arranged for 36.
To stay within every one's wishes of our $20-49 budget, we are all signed up for the buffet special. You CAN order food outside the buffet special, of course.
The dinner buffet special is $9 per person. We have pre arranged separate bills for us all. However with a head count like ours -- please prepare money for gratuity to save the troubles of trying to scrounge up extra cash to pay for our tip.
I would say $3-5 additional dollars put aside for gratuity is more than enough. I honestly doubt it will even be that much -- however, it's better to be over-prepared.
With that, that is the new information I wanted to share with you all! If you have any questions regarding anything in this e-mail, feel free to reply to it or e-mail us separately.
We want to help anyway we can so that this event is free of...badness. :D
- Arashi Fan Meet Staff
Alleen, Destini, and Jovi
One man won for several categories. I'm not sure if one person is purposely chosen for each or if they just happen to be from a bunch of fields. Here they are below:
Nobuharu Asahara - Beijing Olympic Medalist
Takeshi Kitano - Film Director
Sekai no Nabeatsu - Comedian
NIGO - A Bathing Ape (BAPE) Producer
Takashi Murakami - Artist
Jun Matsumoto - Singer and Actor
Takashi Murakami is the same designer of the 24 Hour Television shirts this year! Sekai no Nabeatsu was on a episode of Arashi no Shukudai-kun, recently.
I love D no Arashi! It's my favorite Arashi show. I think because they went on the most locations, they were the most silly and random, and it was literally a hairstyle evolution for like every member.
I'm going to have another D no Arashi marathon
today! So here are my favorite random quotes. I may add more.
What quotes do you all like from D no Arashi?
D no Arashi #06
Ohno: Wanna go tonight? To the Bearded Girl.
Sho: What?
D no Arashi #44
Aiba: Think about it, guys. I mean have we done anything for Sho Sakurai?
Jun: For graduating from college?
Aiba: Yeah.
Nino: I sent him a mail.
Aiba: I sent him an email too, but...
Sho: What?! Wait a minute...!
Aiba: Oh, I didn't?
Nino: Don't lie about that!
D no Arashi #48
Sho: Flying squirrel has 9 points. If we wanted to keep up with "mole" like themes, right?
Ohno: I want to catch one in the air with one of those bug catching nets!
Aiba: Are flying squirrels that big in the first place?!
Ohno: Aren't they like this big?
Makes gestures of the size of a medium sized flying thing.
Jun: I think they're about this big.
Also gestures its size.
Sho: Really?!
Aiba: What, I thought they were about this size...No there's this place close to my house...
Nino: There it is again!
Sho: Just like with the moles!
Nino: No way you've seen one! You don't come from a Wonderland like that!
D no Arashi #48
Aiba: Would the light brown part move to the bottom?
Sho: How old are you?
Aiba: 21.
Sho: You don't need to know yet.
Aiba: Are bean sprouts THAT adult-rated??
D no Arashi #52
Ohno: This fish WAS REALLY CAUGHT HERE!
Nino: WHAT DID YOU SAY?!
D no Arashi #73
Ohno: Just dont start with banana!
Nino: What do you want me to start with, then?
Ohno: Decide that yourself.
Nino: That's what I did!
D no Arashi #92
Aiba: CONCLUSION! This is the happiest I've been in my life!
Sho: Iwasaki Kyoko!
Aiba: YAAAAAAY!
D no Arashi #95
Jun: A man trying on bras. With this...a man can buy them, but not try them on.
Ohno: But it's spring, you know.
Jun: Huh??
Ohno: It's the time to start over with a new self...I'm sure there are some guys who want to start over by trying bras...
D no Arashi #96
Jun: Leader~
Ohno: What is it?? You guys are cute.
Laughter.
D no Arashi #108
Nino: Tish peper!
Jun: Tish peper?
Nino: Yeah.
D no Arashi #99
Cosplay Waitress: ARE YOU ALRIGHT SIR?!
Sho: Uhh, I'll turn that question right back around to you...
D no Arashi #101
Nino: So now it's 9 to 9.
Aiba: It's turning into a good race.
Sho: The match is getting exciting.
Nino: Yeah. But the thing you have to wonder about is the prize you get
at 10. What do you guys what? You should probably say it ahead of time.
Sho: I think Ohno should get that one thing...You know...the Hokkaido thing.
Ohno: Oh, land?
Laughter.
Aiba: Land, huh?!
Jun: Land??
Ohno: No, it's really cheap.
Nino: You know, he said he wants to open a bread shop. You wanted a bread shop, right?
Ohno: 3.3 square meters is only a few hundred thousand yen.
Nino: You've looked into it that much?!
Ohno: I'll take that, then!
Jun: You can't even make bread, can you?!
Laughter.
Nino: That's the problem! He wants a bread shop, but he can't even make bread. He doesn't even know how to make it...
http://www.arashiaroundamerica.net/fanmeet/
So, it's the final week! This Saturday is the day of days! The day where fellow fans can flail and shout and...flail amongst each other! The day where you can buy Myojo and point and say, "AH MAH GAH I LOVE THAT PICTURE." Erm.
SO. Final head count thus far: 26! I'd implore those visiting that even if there is a small inkling that you may attend, please register!
This Wednesday, badges are being printed. I will only be printing badges once. With that stated, at least if you register and can make it, a badge will be printed for you. If you wait until Thursday or so to register, you'll be without a badge.
Interested in our ichiban turnout so far?
Team Aiba - 5
Team Matsumoto - 7
Team Ninomiya - 6
Team Ohno - 5
Team Sakurai - 2
...where all my Sho fans at? ;_; More for me? ^o^ That's all! E-mail us if you have any questions at all! See you girls on Saturday!
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