雪月花

The truth is, I've been so unproductive recently despite my previous convictions. It's not good at all.

Well, I've decided I've gotta make priorities. I've been moping thinking everything will come to me. It won't. We are the only people who can move ahead in our lives and we choose to either squander our time or live pro-actively. I have definitely been doing the former, but no more!

My first step is to look into colleges. That's the major one. I need my education regardless how hard it will be.

1. Education
2. Work

Doesn't that seem better? Haha. It's insane how quickly time flies when you're content with living miserably. I need to get myself sorted.

I've got everything in my hands,

If I don't move then I won't go anywhere

I've got everything in my hands,

But if I don't start it, it'll never start. 
-Fly high, Hamasaki Ayumi

I believe we aren't fully in control of our future, but we can do all we can for the present so we can achieve our goals, right? I can't go on feeling sorry for myself for the rest of my life. 

Music

Hi! Currently teaching myself how to play Don Mclean's American Pie. Please look it up! :D

Together translation

Hi! I just got done translating a song, it's still not perfect, but I think it's okay...

So, this song is called "Together" and it's really gorgeous, it was the first song alan composed and was on her debut album Voice of EARTH as a first press bonus (I think?).
I was listening to the song and I noticed I could pick out pieces of the song and understand them (much like her song Sakura Modern)... Soooo I looked up the lyrics and decided I'd try to translate the entire song and here it is:

Together - alan

Lyrics: Miki Matsui

Composition: alan

Arrangement: Yuta Nakano

To live with you, to sleep with you,
Everything that's here, I wrap it all up,
Love and dreams overflow and lead my way.

Of course, I've realized:
There has to be something important here.

We don't need such words,
When I only want to protect you,
Because, the past, the present and tomorrow,
Are certainly glowing in my breast.

The waves, the wind, the sky and even now...

This blessed rain is falling,
On the dry earth,

With you... 

Kanji:

君と生きる　君と眠る
ここにある　全てを包み込んで
愛と夢　溢れ導いて

大事なもの　あるはず
そう気づいた

言葉などいらない
君を守りたいだけさ
そう　過去も今も明日も　この胸で
輝くから

波よ風よ　空よ今も

乾いてく大地に
恵みの雨を降らして

君と…

If you notice all the errors, correct me! ;) 

錯乱 (Confusion)

When I titled this blog entry "錯乱" or "Confusion", it was purely due to it being the song currently playing, but it ties in quite well with this post.

Ringo Shiina. Alan. Ai Otsuka. Chihiro Onitsuka. Gackt. Shakira. Hikaru Utada. Regina Spektor.

What do all of these artist have in common? Other than them being singers, they're all also songwriters. I listen to so much music which is created by this type of person and it struck me as odd. I'm attracted to artists who create their own songs and play instruments, yet I'm currently not playing myself? So odd.

I've been wanting to blog for quite some time, but I've had nothing to talk about until now.

Well, my topic for today is music and instruments! Until a few years ago, I used to play guitar, but due to lack of interest and lack of willpower I stopped, but listening to the music I do made me think. I can't sing, my lyrics aren't good and I can't compose. So, before you start thinking that I want to be a songwriter, that's not an option!

You could say I've been "inspired" finally. Sometime this week I'm going to resume the guitar and aim for proficiency. So, wish me luck!

This leads me to another subject. Currently I'm half-heartedly searching for a job, but this week is going to be my last week of laziness! I'm going to start job-searching in earnest.

I'm going to end it there with these lyrics:

If you only look,

It will never be in reach,

If you only look,

It will never be yours

-Catcher In The Light, Ayumi Hamasaki

alan's first concert -voice of you-

alan is relatively new to the Japanese music scene, debuting in 2007 with the powerful ballad 明日への賛歌 (Ashita e no Sanka/A Hymn for Tomorrow) and recently had a three night concert tour. She's known for her traditional Tibetan wailing and her vocals are some of the best Japan has had in a long time.

I just watched the TV version of her concert, which aired on WOWOW yesterday an it was fantastic!

01 天女～interlude～ (Goddess～Interlude～)

02 群青の谷 (Ultramarine Valley)

03 Swear

04 BALLAD ～名もなき恋のうた～ (BALLAD ～Nameless Love Song～)

05 明日への賛歌 (A Hymn for Tomorrow)

06 幸せの鐘 (Bells of Happiness)

07 久遠の河 (River of Eternity)

08 心・戦 ～RED CLIFF～ (Heart-War ～RED CLIFF～)

09 絆 [ehru] (Bonds)

10 恵みの雨 (Blessed Rain)

11 Together 

12 Diamond

(DVD track listing is much longer)

The first part of the concert is just a video which introduces her singles which in order are:

明日への賛歌 (A Hymn for Tomorrow)

ひとつ (One)

懐かしい未来 ～longing future～ (Longing Future)

空唄 (Sky Song)

風の手紙 (The Wind's Letter)

RED CLIFF ～心・線～ (Heart-War)

恵みの雨 (Blessed Rain)

群青の谷 (Ultramarine Valley)

久遠の河 (River of Eternity)

BALLAD ～名もなき恋のうた～ (Nameless Love Song)

Swear

Diamond 

The first song, tennyo opens with alan singing Tibetan behind a curtain which has stuff projected onto it, her singing is great and tennyo, being the first song on her debut album, is the ideal song to start off the concert. When the screen lifts we can see that she's wearing a white frilly dress (I would include pictures, but I'm incredibly lazy). :\

After tennyo she sings the fan favourite Gunjou. In the middle of the song, she throws off the white dress coat (which is quite awkward, but oh well) to reveal a sparkly outfit. Reminds me of a rock star. ;)

In this she also sings Swear and BALLAD. She nailed BALLAD and Swear is a perfect crowd warmer.

The next outfit is a traditional Tibetan outfit and is gorgeous. Her vocals for Ashita are flawless (to me at least) and her wailing is strong! Shiawase was great and for once didn't bore me, in fact it sent shivers down my spine. XD

When the lights come back up, we hear the epic sounds of the orchestra playing Kuon, which is in fact her best selling song in Japan. She sung it well and the outfit was a fuschia dress with a pink flower in her hair. XD

Her next song was the Chinese version of RED CLIFF. Her wail in the middle was quite good actually. :D

She sat for the next song as it was her playing her ehru. I love to see alan play the ehru. :)

Megumi is next and alan actually comes close to crying, which in turn made me come close to crying! Her voice is so gorgeous even when crying. DX

The encore songs are next and she performs in a white outfit with fluffy boots and a beanie hat. XD

She sung her self-composed masterpiece "Together" and her most recent song Diamond. Diamond was great live, far better than the TV performances. :D

That was...my speedy review! XD

Hopefully I'll be able to get the DVD soon! :D