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I’ve put up some pictures of the Sake Museum and the Halloween rehearsal. Click on the links below to view them.
Enjoy!
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04Nov
Tags: Aimachi
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04Nov
This was a weekend of drumming! No other way to cut it and no other way I’d like to have it.
Performing is my favorite part of the entire marching activity. That’s what made this weekend as fun as it was. We performed two days in a row. Unfortunately, we have to wait over a month before we get to do it one more time, but for now, I’m still enjoying the time we had this weekend.
Both shows were in the same place we’ve had our two previous shows. This was good because I’m very familiar with the space we were performing in. The biggest variable we usually have to deal with is the surface we’re marching on (this doesn’t vary much at all when we perform inside) and the acoustics. These were actually some of the worst acoustics I’ve ever had to deal with but I knew what to expect. All in all, the show was much better Sunday. The bass line sounded better, I personally had a better show, and some other funny things - like Christmas tree ornaments falling off the props in the middle of the performance - made for a fun time.
When we got back to Aikiyo, we unloaded and Sekine said his words on the weekend. He then gave the band the week off from rehearsal. People were pretty excited about that. Personally, I have no problems with rehearsals. It’s a chance to drum.
Anyway, at this point I was pretty tired. I was expecting to get back to my room and go to sleep and it wasn’t even 8 pm yet. Instead, I tried fooling around with Kio’s sweet electric drum set he has set up in my room. I finally figured out how to get my iPod music playing with the drum set. Almost four hours later, with my iPod battery all but gone, I got off the drum set. I went over to the cafeteria, made myself some food (it was now after 12 am, so much for going to sleep early), and then came back to the Domehouse to hang out with the guys for about an hour before I finally made it to bed.
Today is the church festival so I guess all the Americans are going to lay low. Maybe I can finally go get a dresser and bring it into my room. My clothes have been sitting clean and folded on the floor since I moved into the Domehouse!
Tags: Aimachi
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02Nov
Sorry it has been a couple days since I posted. I haven’t been terribly busy, I just haven’t maintained any kind of groove that would have me sitting at my computer wondering what I can do next with my time - if that makes sense.
Let’s start with Halloween. It was great! Most of the band dressed up in costumes. It was exciting to see everyone embrace our American tradition and have some fun together. My costume was pretty awesome and I have a new found respect for what it means to be a women. Not only were my clothes very uncomfortable, but the process to get completely ready (make-up and all) took forever and was very tedious. I’ll have some pictures of it up soon.
Thursday we spent a good part of the day in the gym helping make more props for the show. The overall design of the show is starting to get over the top, but in a good way. In case I have neglected to mention, the show title is “Christmas in New York” so there is a lot we can do to bring out the theme. They are also taking several of my suggestions to help enhance to show musically and visually. I enjoy sharing my input on things like this. It really helps my creative side flourish.
Yesterday we went into Handa City and toured a Sake museum. Apparently, Handa City was really well known for producing Sake. The museum was small but informative and there was a tasting at the end. Many of the Americans enjoyed this part.
Everyone was up early this morning for the morning service followed by driving into Nagoya City to help clean the main Aimachi church. This is a very extensive cleaning that happens once a year.
begin: rant
Unfortunately, several people were complaining a lot of the time about being there. I think people need to start being more grateful for everything Aimachi is providing for us. They fly us here, give us free room and board, and take us all around Japan at virtually zero cost to us. How can these guys feel they have the right to complain about anything? It’s pretty eye-opening to see how low some people can think. These are the members of the group I’m trying not to associate myself with. I enjoy embracing everything there is about Aimachi and Tenrikyo religion out of respect and because very few foreigners ever get this chance. It’s a shame these other guys are missing that.
end: rant
We have a show later today (leave here at 3:45) and another tomorrow in, where else, Nagoya City. These are our last two shows before finals December 16th. I’m very excited for the finals show because Dan will be there to see it, and more importantly, because it means we can begin our week of running amuck together in Japan!
Pictures are soon to follow. Stay tuned!
-C
Tags: Aimachi
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