Chris Leone

• 21Mar

  March 21 - Things are heating up

  Aimachi No Comments

  Ok, so this is the kind of weather I like. 60’s, warm sun, light jackets (if at all).

  Niiiice.

  First, if you haven’t had a chance to check out my new blog (Chris’ Idea: Idea to Success Blog) you should go do that now! Most of my “blogging energy” has been put towards this over the last week. In fact, most of ALL my energy has been going towards this or something related.

  Second, the visa situation is resolved ::cue audience applause:: Keith and I will be traveling together to the wonderful and always adventurous South Korea.

  We’re leaving on the 28th and will be there for two nights. This trip will be similar to the one I took last time - it’s arranged through a travel agency and is part of a group package. Meaning they’ll bus us around to different places and one or two meals will be provided by the agency. My last experience in Korea was interesting. I didn’t have any wild fantasies about going back, but the weather is more pleasant and I know what to expect, so maybe I’ll have a little more fun this time around.

  Third, the American staff is here for the last time as we start to polish our show. This means I’ll be busy all weekend. The drumline writer is here for 10 days and one of the visual designers and pit arrangers is here through the weekend. Last night’s rehearsal was run by the visual designer, Tim Fairbanks and it went great. We are comfortable enough with our show to start making the little adjustments that will do a lot for the final product. The bass line is continuing to lay down some good beats and I think the rest of the drumline is starting to catch up

  I can’t begin to describe how lucky I feel to have been part of Aimachi this year. Not only have I gotten to live in this amazing country and meet so many wonderful people, but getting to spend time with and pick the brains of our American staff, who are regarded as some of the world’s best, has been a dream for me. These are people who shaped the activity I’ve fallen in love with over the last 8 years.

  I hope all of you who read this are doing well back home. Feel free to send me an e-mail and let me know all about it! (caleone@gmail.com)

  Later!
  Chris

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Tags: Aimachi

• 12Mar

  Wednesday, March 12

  Aimachi No Comments

  First off, I’d like to apologize for the large gaps between my posts. I know many of you reading are close family and friends and enjoy checking up on my “doings” in this wonderful country. Over the past few days I have been very busy preparing for the conclusion of my time in Japan and more importantly, the new chapter in my life that awaits back home in America.

  To begin, I’ll update you on the news of today. I arrived back in Japan on January 3rd and was given a 90-day tourist visa. This means the visa I’m currently on expires April 2nd, or 11 days before the drumline will be flying over to America for our WGI competition. Through the internet, we learned that we may be able to extend our visa for another 30 or 90 days by visiting the Immigration Consulate. To give you an idea of what this place is like, it makes the DMV seem like the McDonalds PlayPlace. Today was our second time going there. The first time was to initially apply for the visa and yesterday we received mail to come back for a decision. Keith was granted an extra month on his visa (which just recently expired) but I was denied any extension I have two options: 1) travel outside of Japan and re-enter on another visa (assuming they will grant me another) or 2) fly home on April 2nd and meet up with the group in Chicago 11 days later. I’m not too happy with either option as traveling abroad will cost a few hundred dollars and flying home early would mean missing out on several, VERY important rehearsal days. I would put the value of those rehearsal days above the cost associated with traveling abroad, so assuming I can get one more 90 day visa in Japan once I re-enter, that’s what I will plan to do.

  Moving on…

  I am very EXCITED about life post-WGI. I am rigorously exploring several career opportunities and look forward to taking the next steps once I return home. As I said in my last post, I won’t get into specifics, but I will say I have a fire inside of me more-so than ever before and I can’t wait to get going.

  But for now, it’s time to drum and do my part to make this group something special - literally, rehearsal starts in 30 minutes.

  Great things are on the horizon.

  Great things are happening now.

  Life is good.

  C

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Tags: Aimachi

• 06Mar

  Friday March 7th

  Aimachi No Comments

  Spirits are high.

  Two of the last three nights, I’ve laid in bed too excited to easily fall asleep. Have you ever had that feeling before? Playing off a quote I found yesterday, maybe this is because my reality is more exciting than my dreams. Sounds a little cliche, but I still like it.

  No monumental event has happened per se, but I’ve been getting very excited for what lies ahead, all the while enjoying the moment.

  My life is simple here. I have two responsibilities - the Aimachi Bass Line and finding a job post WGI competition in 42 days (!!!).

  Let’s start on the bass line:
  We are having a blast. We are a group of 5 guys who immensely enjoy being around each other and even with the thick language barrier, we seem to communicate very well. Our two hour rehearsals are enjoyable start to finish and we finish each night stronger than the night before. I feel very confident this is, and will continue to be, one of the strongest sections in the ensemble this season. Considering it was the complete opposite two years ago, I think we have a lot to be proud of.

  The job front:
  I don’t like to get to detailed in this area, but I will say I’m pushing along with enthusiasm and clear vision of what I want to do. While this may seem vague, it has personally re-lit a fire inside.

  I’m so excited for what lies ahead…

  C

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Tags: Aimachi

• 03Mar

  The past two weeks

  Aimachi No Comments

  Well, this nasty cold has finally started to break and I’m feeling a lot better. A lot has happened since my last post, so I’ll summarize a little…

  Mom and Dad’s trip here was fantastic. After they spent their first few days in Tokyo, they took the bullet train to Nagoya. We spent the next two days either on our own or with Sekine taking us around town. While my parents were in the Nagoya area, Sekine let us stay in a new apartment he purchased for “foreign VIP” guests. It was so nice to sleep in a room with heat!

  On Thursday, we travelled to Kyoto with stops along the way in Tenri and Nara City. It was nice getting to show my parents some of these places you wouldn’t normally think to visit on a trip to Japan - I’m speaking about Tenri specifically. As I’ve said before, Tenri City is to Tenrikyo people what a combination of the Vatican and the Garden of Eden is to Catholics. The next town over, Nara, has many interesting things to see as well - and feeding dear along the way is always fun.

  Kyoto was as great as always. My favorite place was the palace of the Shogun which Dan and I were about 5 minutes late getting to see when we visited there in December. After seeing this palace up close, it made me want to read my book “Shogun.” I’m halfway through this 1200 page epic but I’m determined to finish it while I’m still in Japan.

  When we dropped them off at the train station on Saturday it was a little sad, but we knew we got the absolute most out of this trip.

  I’m really happy both my parents and my brother had the chance to visit me here in Japan and see what the last 6 months of my life have been like. I’m also happy my situation has provided them the opportunity to see this beautiful country up close - not only as a tourist, but as someone immersed in the Japanese culture.

  The week after their visit was more or less quiet. On Thursday, Michael Gaines flew in to help us finish out our show. The weekend was incredibly busy to get this task completed, but it was worth it. We are very excited about what we have to bring over to America in 40 days - wow. 40 days left.

  I know when this is all over, I’m going to miss it a lot. In fact, I’m already starting to miss it. I won’t miss the days of having nothing to do, I’ll miss sleeping in, I’ll really miss all the drumming, but most of all, I’m going to miss the people. The people here are really something special and it breaks my heart to leave them - especially when word got out I was considering staying here after WGI. Now that my plans have me coming home and staying there in April, I have to face the reality of leaving these people I’ve grown so close to over the last 6 months.

  I’m anxious for the great things that are ahead once I return home, but for now, I’m focused on these next 45 days. I know how much I’m going to miss all of this, so I’m determined to never let a minute go to waste.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Tags: Aimachi

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