Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday, once it got to evening, there was really heavy rainfall.

But, it really didn't go on for that long, so the time it was actually awful outside was quite short.

Today will just be partly cloudy, maybe?

Yeah...that's one aspect of being in the rainy season...

So, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions again today.

So, the first question is...

Do you have anywhere that you think it would be easy for a woman to live in Tokyo after moving all by herself...? (What kind of question is this?!)

Hmm...
It's been ten years now since I've moved to Tokyo myself, but that doesn't mean I really know a lot about a lot of places here.
Honestly, I don't really know much about anywhere, except where I lived now and where I have lived before, but if a woman is living somewhere all by herself, wouldn't it be best for her to live somewhere that's close to a train station? It might be a little noisy, but on the other hand, I think you could have a lot of peace of mind knowing that there are a lot of people passing through, even at night, so it's safer when you're by yourself.

So, the next question is...

At my high school, all the third year kids have to be in a play for the culture festival. If it were you, Papa, what kind of role would you want to play? It doesn't matter if it's a concrete idea or an abstract one...just tell me, please ♪ By the way, I want to be the witch or the villain in our play (laugh) Thank you for answering!

I remember having to do a play when I was in elementary school. I remember playing the role of the sick king of some country somewhere. But, if I think about being in a play now, I think that an easy role for me to play would be a character who is a little bit older?

So, the next question is...

Until just a little while ago, I had an RX-7! Because my father is a big fan of Initial D, I got to really liking sports cars! Shuji-san, have you always liked sports cars?

I suppose I have, but I think my fondness for sports cars was brought on by the influence of my older brother. My older brother also owned one of the old RX-7s (an FC-3S).

So, the next question is...

shuji-san, have you ever played “Drummania”, that game that you see in game centers a lot? (It has a simple drum set, and then you have to match your playing to the beats on the screen...) I'm really interested in what it would be like if real pro drummers played it!

I've played it a few times.
But, I'm not very good at Drummania.
Of course, after playing it a few times, I've gotten to where I can manage it, but since I only play it maybe once a year, I still have some way to go before I get good.

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.

So, for today's Tamu-chan, since it's been hot, she's been really gulping down water lately...so here's a shot of that!



[caption: “It's hot, so I'm thirsty.”]

By the way, there's someone's foot in there, but let's just not pay any attention to that part...(^▽^;)

So, that's all for today!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

It was nice weather yesterday.

From the morning on, the sunlight was constantly shining down and making it hot.

But, since the weather was nice, I took Tamu-chan out for her walk early in the morning.

Of course, when it's so hot in the afternoons, we can't go out~

By the way, today's weather is cloudy with a chance of rain...

Yeah...it's just what you'd expect from the rainy season...

So, I'll be answering more of everyone's questions today.

So, the first question is...

Shuji-san, do you play any other instruments other than the drums? You do give the image of “I am a drummer!” though...(´・ω・`) If you do play any others, please tell me what they are!ヾ(＠°▽°＠)ﾉ

I'm sorry to say that I can't play any other instruments outside of the drums...≧(´▽｀)≦

So, the next question is...

My daughter, who is in middle school, likes one of her friends of the same sex...but I was a little surprised to hear it anyway! Basically, when my daughter plays with other kids, she glares at the ones she doesn't like, and makes fun of them a little. The one time I saw her really staring someone down, it was so scary! Shuji-san, have you ever fallen strangely in love for another man?

Unfortunately (?), I haven't personally experienced that myself to this point. (^▽^;)

So, the next question is...

Right now, I'm studying acoustics at a vocational school! I'm learning PA recording, lighting, composing in Pro Tools, the real basic, fundamental stuff! (^O^) In learning this, I finally understood just how many staff members someone needs even for the basic components behind a song. When Janne performs at a large venue like the Budokan, how many staff members do you need? If it's okay, please let me know (^O^)

When we do concerts on as large of a scale as the Budokan, if you include all of the part-time workers who assist us, the number of staff members are countless. I think you've learned a lot of things going to a school like that, but it's thanks to all those people who are working behind the scenes that we can relax and concentrate on giving our best performance.

So, the next question is...

I started the drums when I was 15, but I'm not very good at them yet (It's been about a month since I've started)...so, here's a question for you, but about how long does it take until you are able to play? Please tell me how long it takes just to learn one song ｍ（＿）ｍ By the way, I only practice about 2 or 3 hours a day...

Since I got this question some time ago, I think that they must be able to play something by now, but to be entirely honest, I think each person is different in terms of how long it takes them to learn a song. Actually, when I was starting out, it was impossible for me to copy songs exactly, so I would just shit out 8 beat patterns as fast as I could in the beginning. After all, I thought, even doing that I was able to play something...
Also, since it doesn't mean you're a bad player if it takes you a while to learn a song, please give it your best practicing from now on!

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.

So, for today's Tamu-chan, even in her room it's been a little hot...so when she runs around, even just a little bit, she starts to stick out her tongue!



[caption: “Since it's a little hot, I'm just doing some thermoregulation...”]


Since it was really hot and sticky even when it got to be the evening yesterday, I finally turned on the air conditioner.

...even if it was just for dehumidifying.

Ah~ I guess it will get even more depressing from now on...

It is so depressing, isn't it...


So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday really was a lovely day, with not a cloud in the sky.
It looks like that weather will continue today.

Which reminds me, when I was watching the weather this morning, the forecaster was saying that there are a lot of times that the weather clears up after they have declared the beginning of the rainy season.




Which also reminds me, I forgot to write about this yesterday, but Tamu-chan, who loves her walks so much, looks like she's still anxious to go out for a walk even when it's raining, so I bought her a raincoat.



And it's a little bee!

Isn't that funny?

I actually really like stuff like this.

The one I bought before, of the watermelon, and now the bee, is proof of that.

Of course, occasionally I'll buy her some really cute, girlish clothes too.
Other than this, they had some other fun ones, like a rhinoceros beetle, a stag beetle, and a dinosaur.

So, then, here's Tamu-chan, feeling a little hot after a long time running around!



[caption: “It's a little hot, but it's still fun!”]

But, it looks like she has fun after I run around with her.

And then, Chachamaru-kun has been terrible about keeping in contact with all of you, but he's become quite ferocious lately (laughs).

Since he bites at his cage whenever I put him in, like “Let me out!” I put up a wooden fence for him to gnaw on to protect against malocclusion.



Then here's Chachamaru-kun...



[caption: “I'm really not a bad guy, I just want to go out and play sometimes!”]

Every day, our home was so noisy.


So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday I thought it might be raining all day, but even though it was still raining when I got up, it cleared up by evening on.

Also, it looks like today is going to be nice weather, too.

Clearing up just as they announced we're entering the rainy season...maybe their announcement was a little early...?

So, anyway, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions today.

So, the first question is...

I think of this when I look at your drumset, but shuji-san, you play them a lot, don't you!! I'm a drummer, too, but I can't do it that much (laugh) How long have you had that set?

No, no, no...
I'm sure you can play too.
There are a lot of sets out there that are tougher than mine...
By the way, I've had my setting since about our major debut or so.
I think it was probably around 2000 that I got the setting I use now...though lately I've been thinking I might want to change it a bit.

So, the next question is...

shuji-san, have you ever been out and just suddenly ran into an acquaintance? If you have, what was the one encounter that left the biggest impression on you? For some reason or another, I run into acquaintances all the time, and it's a little embarrassing to have all kinds of people I've known just find me in all sorts of places (^_^;) If you've ever had an experience like this, shuji-san, I'd like to hear about it ☆

Personally, that doesn't happen to me very often.
I'm the opposite, where I'm the one finding people everywhere.
For example, at the pachinko parlor...(^▽^;)

So, the next question is...

Shuji-san, what memories do you have of your school sports festival? It's been on my mind, so I'm asking you.

The school sports festival I still remember, as you may expect, is probably the last one I took part in in high school maybe? At the beginning, I really didn't want to do much of anything, so I just joined the cheering squad...but I remember the practices out in the riverbed well.

There, I fell in love with a girl who was on the squad...
(Yeah~ I was young then~)


So, the next question is...

I wanted to ask you this, shu-chan...will you still be able to watch Janne's DVDs when the televisions switch to high definition? Or, do I have to buy a special player?

I don't think that DVDs have anything to do with the switch to digital TV, so I think you'll probably be able to watch them...(^▽^;)

So, one more...

shuji-san, how do you wash your car? Is there anything you have to be careful of when taking it to the car wash? I am careful not to scratch the body of the car, but since I am a self-taught washer, I'm worried about my beloved car. If it's okay, please tell me what you know.

I wash my car all the time, but I'm actually very sloppy at it.
I think things like, “My car has to be clean!” but I don't really pay that much attention to small scratches or anything like that.
So, lately, I just take it through the car wash instead of doing it myself. (^▽^;)
But, since they're a lot better now than they were when I had my first car, you can get through them without damaging your car at all.
For me, who is really bad at washing a car by hand, it might be better to do it that way.
But, washing a car by hand also takes a lot of time, doesn't it.
For now, if you're worried about scratching it when you wash it, wouldn't it be best to get a cloth that won't damage it (as much as it can be safe, anyway) and use that?

So, this is where today's questions end.

So, for today's Tamu-chan, lately she's been sleeping in her strawberry bed quite a lot, but I've become aware of the fact that she tosses and turns badly in her sleep.



[caption: “Could it be that I sleep strangely?”]

Tamu-chan has always slept like this, but she snores quite a bit, and sometimes does something that you'd call talking in her sleep...≧(´▽｀)≦


So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.



Yesterday, they were asking in the newspaper if the Kantou region was really going to be entering the rainy season soon, and then it really did, didn't it~

Ah~ The most depressing season of the year has arrived.

It was okay yesterday because it didn't rain, but it looks like the rain will go from morning until night today.
Or rather, as I write this entry (right now, it's a little past 1 am) it's already raining...

If it keeps on going like this for a month, it'll be all sticky all the time...just thinking about it is depressing.


Anyway, they announced the start of the rainy season yesterday, but Apple also announced the new iPhone and MacBookPro. I don't really have that much interest in the iPhone, but I really want the new MacBookPro! For now, I have an iBook at home that I can use just fine, but since it looks like you can only install the new OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) on Macs that have onboard Intel processors, I won't be able to install it on the iBook I have at home.

So, it looks like I'll want one even more after September, when the new OS will come out.

But, since I haven't really been using my laptop as much lately, I really don't know what I'm going to do.

It might just be that I'll end up saying, “Okay, if I win big at the slots, then I'll buy one!” (^▽^;)


So, when I was wandering around the Apple site, I found something!
As for what I found, well, to put it simply, it's an item that lets you charge your iPod and listen to it in your car!
Honestly, the one I have in my car right now has stopped recognizing anything, even if I use my iPod nano, so I haven't been able to use it in the car lately, but I've done one better by getting the thing that I found yesterday! With it, I'll be able to use my new iPod in the car.

Furthermore, the price was reasonable.

Those of you who are interested, why don't you go check it out?

Apple Store

Of course, I clicked there too!

Maybe it will get here quickly?


So, then, for today's Tamu-chan, there's no excuse for it being the same as yesterday's, but here she is again sound asleep!



[caption: “It's natural to be tired after a walk...”]


Honestly, this picture was taken after her walk, but before we went out, she was the general of being rowdy...but seemed satisfied enough, or suffice it to say that she was tired when we got back.

Since Tamu-chan really does like her walks, I'm really worried about what will happen during the rainy season when there are a lot of rainy days.


So, that's all for today!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.



Yesterday was a pretty cloudy day, wasn't it.

Today's forecast looks cloudy, too.

It looks like they've been saying that Kyuushu has officially entered the rainy season.
So, does that mean it will get to Kantou soon, too?
But, looking at the weather over the next few days, it doesn't seem strange at all if we did.


Anyway, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions today.

So, let's begin right away from the first question...

shuji-san, what do you think of girls who use male language? I often unintentionally use male speech...is this strange?

Male speech...does that mean the words that I use? Or, do you mean that you often use strong, brazen language? Either way, it's no problem for me, personally.
On the other hand, it might actually be easier for me to talk to men.
But, if you get to liking someone, and they ask you to stop speaking like that, you might be able to fix your language. ≧(´▽｀)≦

So, the next question is...

shuji-san, is there something that has happened to you at a part time job, or at work, that you've never been able to forget?

Let's see~
I remember all kinds of things, but I think the thing that sticks out the most is something that happened back when I worked for ○○ Solar, and that was the happiness I felt when I finally signed the contract that made it so I was an official member of the company.

Since it was quite a long time between beginning work for the company and getting an official contract, it was a doubly happy moment for me.

So, the next question is...

This is a question for the shuji-san who likes slots. There are three kinds of machines: ♪① Pure ② AT ③ Stock
Shuji-san, which do you like the best? Also, please tell me your favorite machines from all of them (・∀・ ) As for me...① Juggler, Don-chan ②Kemono, Kintarou, Gabuchare, Aladdin ③ Neuromance Planet (*ﾟｰﾟ*)

Of course, I think I like the older models more because I've been feeling unsatisfied lately with the 5th generation machines.
By the way, the first machine I ever played was a brand new fourth generation machine, “New Pulsar”. And then, the machine I liked the best of all a long time ago was made by Yamasa, “Time Cross”. And then in the AT machines, of course, my favorite is still Kemono. I can't get enough of the music.

Then, in the stock machines, maybe “Kyojin no Hoshi” and “Hihouten”?

For those of you who don't know about slots at all, I guess this is like “The what now?”

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.

Then, for today's Tamu-chan, I don't know if she's still tired from yesterday or what, but since she slept for the entire day, here's a picture of her sleeping, even though I don't know how many times I've taken pictures of her sleeping anyway!



[caption: “Is it bad to do nothing but sleep all day?”]

No, it's good to do nothing but sleep. (^∇^)


So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

It looks like my neighborhood saw some morning rain yesterday, but it didn't rain during the day at all.
Since today's forecast is partly cloudy, it seems like it'll be clear part of the day, and then raining.

So, then, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions today.

So, let's begin right away from the first question...

This is a question for you, shuji-san, but which season do you like the most? I like spring the best ☆

As all of you know, my favorite season is summer. (You didn't know, you say?)
But since summer has been really sticky as of late, it may get to where it's not my favorite season anymore...(^▽ ^;)
There's a great possibility that my favorite season will change next year.

So, the next question is...

shuji-san, what kind of cell phone do you have? Also, what kind of cell phones do the other members of Janne Da Arc have? If you have time, I'd be glad if you answered o(^▽^)o

About a year ago, I wrote about changing my cell phone here on this blog, but right now I have an NTT DoCoMo N906i.

Before, I always went out and got a new phone whenever there was one to be had, but since they come out all the time these days I think I'll just use what I've got until I can't use it anymore.

By the way, as for the other members, I think we're all on DoCoMo with the exception of you.
But, I don't know what models of phone they all have.
Coincidentally, I believe you is on au.

So, the next question is...

Does ka-yu really not smoke cigarettes?? I've seen a lot of pictures of him smoking...

That's right, he really doesn't smoke.
But, he used to smoke before, so I think those pictures have got to be old ones.
I really think that ka-yu is amazing for being able to give up smoking!
I really respect him.

So, the next question is...

shuji-san, you really support Hanshin, but are you interested in any other sports?

Well, other than baseball, I often watch track-and-field events, which I was involved in myself quite a bit when I was in junior high.
But, because they're only shown on TV for the Olympics or the Athletic World Championships, I don't really get to see them that often.

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.

So then, for today's Tamu-chan, I have the third installment of the Walking Video Series, that has been posted to rave (?) reviews.

Walking THE MOVIE 3

I really thought I'd take her to the dog run, so we tried going to the place we went that was deserted before, Jounanjima Kaihin Park, but yesterday there were a lot of dogs there, so I gave up on the idea and took her to a walk around a public park instead. But, it felt really good to walk around Jounanjima Kaihin, with the refreshing sea air.

I wonder if we should try going around the places in the residential areas of Tokyo just once?


So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday, it was nice to finally have a day with nice weather, wasn't it.

I hope it goes on for a while!

Today it looks to be cloudy again.

Moreover, it looks like there may be rain tonight.

The Kantou area hasn't quite entered the rainy season yet, but I'm greeting it in short sleeves. ≧(´▽｀)≦


Anyway, since it looks like Tamu-chan's period is finally over, she's really come back to herself and is full of life again.

Moreover, even though we had planned to have the rest of her baby teeth taken out when she was spayed, it looks like they've all come out on their own and made room for pretty adult teeth!

Good, good!

So, with that in mind, I took her out for a walk in the afternoon, and then to the dog run for the first time in a long time, in the evening.

But, since it looks like she'll still be in heat for a while even though her period is over, we went in the middle of the night, when there were sure to be no other dogs around...when would there be no other people around~? (We ended up going at around 2 in the morning.)

Just as we thought, there was no one around, and she was able to enjoy playing in the area usually reserved for larger dogs.

It was to be expected since she hadn't been to the dog run in a while, but she ran around quite a bit, and looked like she was having a lot of fun.



[caption: “There's no one here, but it's still fun~!”]


Then, when we got home, as usual...



[caption: “I played a lot today, so I'm tired...”]

She fell fast asleep in her favorite strawberry bed. (*^▽^*)

So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

We had some rain yesterday afternoon, didn't we.

Even though it wasn't that humid, it was still pretty miserable somehow, wasn't it.
Since it looks like the weather will be returning to something nice with an increase in temperatures, those of you who are going out, please do be careful not to get heat stroke.

So, then, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions today.

So, let's start right away from the first question...

I'm currently taking correspondence courses while working a job after dropping out of high school at 16, and I live alone. My living expenses, food expenses and tuition costs are leaving me at the very limits of my budget, and it doesn't look like I'll be able to buy a drum set any time soon...orz
shuji-san, how did you come to buy your first drum set?

I was actually really late in buying (putting together) my first real drum set.
Since I got it together because I joined Janne Da Arc, I think I was around 22 or so.
At the time, I was working while doing activities with the band, but since unlike the person who asked me the question I was still living with my parents rather than living alone, I had my allowance garnished and took out something of a loan for it.

But, I didn't get everything in the set at once, but bought it all a little bit at a time.
So, if you want to know about my first drum, it was a snare, followed by a tam-tam, and then I got the bass drum last to complete the set.

Of course, I know the feeling of wanting to buy everything at once, but I think it's also okay to do it the way that I did.

So, the next question is...

I give names to everything that I'm attached to, not just pets.(・ω・;)← Shuji-san, what do you give names to?

I get the feeling that a long time ago, I named my bike and motor scooter.
But, since I don't remember what names I gave them, it could be that I named them out of something other than personal attachment. (^▽^;)

So, the next question is...

I heard that you had a job at the time that you joined Janne Da Arc. So, here's something I'd like to ask, but why did you decide that you wanted to be the drummer of Janne Da Arc then? If you remember your mental state at the time, please tell me about your experience.

This is a question I'd hear a lot when I did my drum seminars at the vocational schools, but in high school I was in a band with the serious thought that I would go pro, but I had no idea how one went about becoming a professional musician. So, after I graduated high school, I stopped my band activities, found a job, and continued drumming as a hobby.
Then, as a result of the previous drummer of Janne Da Arc leaving the band, that's when they contacted me, asking me if I'd play with them. Since I had aspired to go pro in high school, all those feelings came flooding back, and I became an official member of Janne Da Arc, upon deciding, “I'll try this out until I'm 23, for now...and if nothing comes of it by the time I turn 23, then I'll give up being in bands for good!”

By the way, as for why I decided on 23, I thought that it would become harder to get life back on track if I continued too much after 23 and nothing came of it.

Isn't it true that as young people, we have all sorts of dreams that just become nothing but dreams after you reach a certain age, anyway?

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.



Then, for today's Tamu-chan, I wonder if she's getting toward the end of her period? For some reason her appetite is coming back and she's feeling a lot better, so I took a picture of her enjoying the chicken stick I gave to her!



[caption: “Of course, chicken breast is delicious~!”]

Watching Tamu-chan enjoying something that looks like it's so delicious to her makes me happy, too!



So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

It was raining all day yesterday.

Today's weather forecast said that it should clear up in the afternoon, but we can't say for sure.

Even though there may be some of you out there thinking, “Even though we fought so hard to get to the weekend...”, tomorrow may be sunny, so just do your best to make it through today.

So, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions again today.

So, the first question is...

shuji-san, you play the slots, but do all your friends at the pachinko parlor know that you're shuji, drummer of Janne Da Arc? ﾍ(ﾟ∀ﾟ*)ﾉ

Yes, all the regulars know that I'm the drummer of Janne Da Arc. But since everyone there aren't really fans of Janne Da Arc at all, their attitude doesn't really change toward me knowing that I'm a professional drummer. So, they just talk to me like a regular guy.

So, the next question is...

Didn't you design all the covers for the fanclub magazines, shuji-san? I really like them, so I want to see your work come back!(・ω・)

Thank you.
It makes me really happy to hear that you like the covers, that aren't even really that good!
But, there's no plans right now for me to start designing the covers again, but maybe it'll show up if I just suddenly feel like doing them?

So, the next question is...

Right now, I'm taking drumming lessons from someone who is about 58 years old. He's a really good teacher, and I've been studying under him for four years. But, all the songs he uses are from 30 years ago. I've tried bringing Janne Da Arc band scores for us to use, but he just doesn't even look at them. Is it possible that maybe my teacher can't play them? Should I get a new teacher, or continue to learn the basics from him...? shuji-san, please give me your advice.

Oh dear...he just ignored you?
But, if it's a man-to-man sort of lesson, it could be that he's taught several people that way, and that might change if you keep working with him. If you were to take lessons from several people, though, you may not be able to learn the same things that you can just staying with one person...but it's also possible that if it's a one-to-one lesson that your teacher just isn't that good at playing heavier songs. I think that even for me, it's hard to say that when I am 60 years old that I will still be able to play Janne Da Arc songs the same way that I can right now.
But since I can't tell you whether you should change teachers, this is all I am going to write about this...just that you should think about it carefully and make your own choice.
Also, he might be more willing to listen to you if you come to him not with the idea of changing the songs, but instead asking him how they should be played!

So, the next question is...

shuji-san, on the right hand side of your drumset, you have your pedals for your double bass and the stand for your high hat, but what's the other stand for?

I think you'll know if you take a close look at the gallery on my homepage, but on my set, right above my ride cymbal, I have another high hat. So, I have one more pedal to use with that one.

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.

So, for today's Tamu-chan, since it was raining yesterday we weren't able to go on a walk, but I took her with me to the pet shop in Odaiba, and the people working there told me that she was cute, so she seemed pretty satisfied. When she's pleased with something, Tamu-chan's face looks like this.



[caption: “It was rainy today, but I'm still satisfied.”]

Am I the only one who thinks it looks like she's laughing coldly at you?

So, that's all for today!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday was of course cloudy, but it was really hard to tell what the weather was actually going to do, wasn't it?

What's more, they're forecasting rain from now until the weekend! Will we soon be rushing into the rainy season?

To be entirely honest, this is the time of year I hate most of all.
I wonder if there's anyone here who actually likes the rainy season?
Of course, I know that without the rainy season, raising crops would be really inconvenient and everything, but I just can't come to like it.

How about all of you?

Anyway, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions today.
So, the first question is...

shuji-san, when you have to play two bass with a dual pedal, and also when you're playing with the full set that you usually use at shows, how much of an interval do you allow between pedals? (Sorry for asking a question that's so hard to understand...maybe one stroke of your sticks? Or do you have them a shoulder's width apart?)

That certainly is a little bit of a hard question to understand, isn't it. ≧(´▽｀)≦
For now, if we keep it simple, I guess my setting is more on the wider side.
First of all, since the bass drum is fairly big, they have to be spread out a bit.
And then the next thing is how they look.
In short, there's no way that you can have a setting that is close together with 26” bass drums.
You have to set them at an angle. But, if you just do that, to me, they look bad from the front.
I've said this before, but to a drum fetishist like me, a set that looks uncool just won't do at all. (That's just my own personal preference.)
So, if you do all of that, the pedals have to be some distance apart; so when I play with the double bass, the pedals are just set up to be at more of an interval. If it's a twin pedal, the joints are spread out quite a bit.
But, since that's just how I do my setting, please find which one works best for you.

So, the next question is...

I've heard that vocalists have to take special care of themselves for the sake of their work, like not smoking, and having a good diet so that they can preserve their voice...and if they can't do that, that they should at least cut back to only using 1/10th of what a normal person would. So, shuji-san, is there something that you refrain from doing for the sake of your drumming? Also, do the other members of Janne Da Arc have anything that they are temperate in?

That's true, there may be a lot of things that vocalists have to be careful of.
In my case, I don't really notice anything too special, but if I had to say something, I would say that I have to be careful not to strain my muscles. I'm sure that I heard somewhere long ago that drumming can be bad for your joints (but I don't know if that's actually true or not), so after that I started doing weight training to keep my muscles in shape. But, since I'm pretty macho anyway, maybe that doesn't have much to do with it...(what are you saying?!)

So, the next question is...

This is a question, but do you listen to Janne Da Arc songs in your car? Also, do you sing Janne Da Arc songs when you go to karaoke? Please tell me! (^o^)

Since I listen to my iPod on shuffle while I drive, of course there's some Janne Da Arc on there. But I almost never go to karaoke. (^∇^)

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today!

So, for today's Tamu-chan, lately she has been being sleepy, because she's felt pretty sluggish lately.
So, here's a shot of her looking like she's going to go to sleep!



[caption: It's not that I feel sick or anything, I'm just a little tired...]

Though I'm sure it'd be nice if her period would end too.

So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Recently, it's been uncertain weather, as it has been going between sunny and cloudy.


Hmm...the weather report hasn't really been accurate lately. Maybe I've been tired...

For now, though, the forecast says that the weather should be something like yesterday's.

But it can't just be me who thinks that it might be nice to have clouds, just so that it's not so hot, right?



Anyway, yesterday I went to have my hair done for the first time in a while.

When my hair starts getting really long, it sticks up in back, and everything just turns into one connected mass.

This is when I know it's time to have my hair done.

So, as always, the before and after...

First, before ↓




↓ And then after.




It may be hard to tell from the picture, but because summer is coming up, some parts of my hair have become lighter.
If you clean up your hair, then it makes you feel refreshed and new too~

Anyway, now we move on to Tamu-chan, who has gone from being a girl to a woman without any problems, but yesterday she was a little more docile than usual.
Also, her appetite has decreased a little.

I did some research on the Internet, and it looks like dogs who are menstruating do start to feel sick, and it is common for them to have no appetite.

But, since Tamu-chan still loves her walks, and we were able to go, I waited until the middle of the night when there wouldn't be too many other dogs around.

It looks like once the bleeding stops, she'll go into heat, but for the time being, maybe I should keep her away from other dogs for a while...

After all, that's just good manners when it comes to being a pet owner...so Tamu-chan isn't able to go to the dog run for a while.

But, even though she does like walking, maybe it's okay because she might not like other dogs being able to chase her at the dog run very much?

So, here's Tamu-chan, in a shot I just took of a sleeping posture she has a lot!





[caption: “Is the way I sleep strange?”]

She seriously crashed, fast asleep just like that...≧(´▽｀)≦

So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

It was nice weather yesterday, wasn't it.

It looks like it will continue today.




Anyway, everyone, thank you so much for your messages of concern about Tamu-chan.

But...Σ(ﾟдﾟ;)

Somehow, Tamu-chan entered puberty yesterday after I finished writing!
I thought, “I wonder why she's licking down there...” and sure enough, her period had started.
Was it entirely by chance, or was it because she didn't want to go to the hospital...? (Eh, though I guess it's got to be a coincidence...)

For the time being, I waited until morning, and called the vet about if that would keep them from being able to do the operation, or if we should wait until it had finished just to be safe.

Eh, but that's what it looks like anyway.

So, we received a lot of caring comments from people, but her surgery has been postponed.

The hospital said it would be okay if they saw her in two weeks, but I think I'll wait until she has really settled down.

It was a bit of a waste of everyone's caring words...(^▽^;)

So, here's Tamu-chan, looking like “But it's not my fault...”



[caption: “It's not my fault...”]

She went to sleep hiding her face.

Then, at the same time, Chachamaru...



[caption: “It has to be hard on Tamu-chan too.”]

As ever, he was taking things at his own pace...≧(´▽｀)≦


So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday, the weather was something like that you could say that it wouldn't rain, and then there the rain was!

I think today might turn out to be nice weather.

But, yesterday, I felt like I had to take Tamu-chan out for her walk, so we went at night.

Lately, the weather has been bad, so I haven't been able to take Tamu-chan out on her walks...but actually, she's checking in to the hospital today.

As for why, it's so that she can be spayed.
Actually, the other day I stopped by the vet for something, and they told me that if I have no interest in having her bear puppies, it may be a good idea to get her spayed at around 6 and a half months or so. So, I thought about it, and as a result, arranged to have her spayed today.

Also, if she were a boy, it would be an outpatient procedure, but for her, she has to stay in the hospital overnight.

So, since she had to check in to the hospital last night, I felt as if I had to take her out on her walk.

Also, it looks like they'll be removing the rest of her baby teeth during the operation, while they have the chance.

As I've written before on this blog, a lot of them have come out naturally, but it looks like the rest of them need to be removed since her adult teeth have already started coming in.

So, do your best today, Tamu-chan~!

So, for today's Tamu-chan, here's a shot of her satisfied (?) after her walk, since she fell asleep in her strawberry bed for the first time in a while!



When she gets back from the hospital I will give all of you a report~

So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday, rain was falling in Tokyo, but not all the time, making it quite uncertain weather.
So, I couldn't take Tamu-chan out on a walk.

Since it looks like the weather will finally be making a recovery today, it looks like we'll be able to go today.

But since the forecast also says it may get hot, maybe we'll take our stroll at night?

Anyway, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions again today.

So, the first question is...

This is really sudden, but Shuji-san, do you have a manga you recommend? I can't really seem to find any good ones...please tell me some! ☆0uo艸*●)♂*

I have the feeling I've answered something like this before, but since my tastes in manga may have changed between now and then, for now I'll just answer it again.

At the moment, I really like “Bakuman”, which is currently in Shounen Jump.
Also, just like before, I like “One Piece” and “Kochikame” as much as ever.
But, I haven't bought them as separate volumes.
Eh, there are times I do buy them, but I'm the type to wait for the whole series to finish and then buy it all at once so I can read it all.

So, the next question is...

I'm thinking that someday I'd like to have a rabbit as a pet, but is there anything that you've noticed while you've had one yourself? (^^) When I kept one before, I ran into a lot of problems, because I didn't know much at all about them...(..) If it's okay with you, please do tell me for this time ♪♪

That's right, when I had Cocoichi, I didn't really know much at all at first...looking back on it now, I think it would have been better if I would have known more from the beginning. For now, with Chachamaru, I'm making sure not to give him too many treats. As for why, when I first had Cocoichi, I gave her a lot of treats—but for rabbits, if you give them too much, then they never want to eat the grass that is better for them.
So, Cocoichi ended up with malocclusion (where the teeth do not line up with one another well).
So, with Chachamaru, I'm doing my best only to give him grass and his rabbit food.
For that reason, right now, he's very healthy.

So, the next question is...

Shuji-san, what's the fastest song you play??

As far as Janne Da Arc's songs go, I think it's probably “WIZARD”.
First of all, “WIZARD” has a tempo of 180, but I might be able to play it faster.
But, lately, it might be a little tiresome to play such fast songs...(^▽^;)

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.

So, for today's Tamu-chan, she's had to start taking medicine to prevent filaria, beginning this month. So, I immediately gave it to her with a treat, as well as her flea and tick medication that she takes once a month.

Her flea and tick medication is the kind that is applied to the skin on the back of her neck, but after I put it on, I noticed that her fur was like this...



Can you see?

It looks like it's a little wet.

With this dose, it's the second time she's had the flea and tick medication put on, but it looks like Tamu-chan really doesn't like medicine much.



[caption: The back of my neck doesn't feel so good...]

Eh, but since that's just fate if we're going to be taking walks outside, give up on trying to get me to let this one go.

So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday, it rained a little in the morning and evening, but there was a period of no rain in the afternoon.

So, I was able to be free at that time, and took Tamu-chan out for a walk.

I wonder if Tamu-chan is satisfied now.

Today, it looks like it's going to be cloudy, but with times where it won't rain...so I'd like to take her out again at those times.

So, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions again today.

So, the first question is...

shuji-san, what do you think the place you go after death looks like? (What's your image of Heaven?) It's a strange question, but I want to hear what kind of world you imagine that place to be.

All of the sudden, I ended up with a bit of a crazy question like this.
Eh, since I'm really not someone with spiritual strength, this is just something more like what I'd like it to be, or what I like imagining, but I think it'd be nice if it were somewhere wonderful, a world free of grief and pain.

What about you, everyone?

So, the next question is...

I can't play the left side of a twin pedal very well...(;^_^A So, if you have a special setting I can use for the angle of my foot board, or beater, or something...please let me know! In enough detail so that I can refer to it...(^o^; Since I think this kind of thing is really individualistic anyway...(;^_^A Also, I think I just need a lot of practice...

That's true, I really can't say that one setting is good over another because it does depend on the individual person, but in general I leave both pedals pretty loose. Furthermore, the left one is looser than the right. But, the beater is at an angle side-to-side with the right pedal.

Since pedals now come with a lot of different settings, please try out a bunch of different ones and find the best setting for you.

So, the next question is...

In amateur bands, there are a lot of people who are unaware of the importance of bass. In the end, they say things like that they don't need a bassist. Professional musicians can't say that, can they? I too, even hearing the necessity of a bass, can't say for sure one way or the other. Shuji-san, what do you think? Please answer!

Ehhhhh? ＼(゜□゜)／

There are really people in bands who say such a thing?

I'm a little surprised to hear that, but maybe it's because the sound of the bass is a little subdued?

So, because of that, there may be beginners who would say such a thing.

For those people, I think it would be good for them to hear a song with the bass in, and then the same song without it.

If they do that, then I think they should become aware of just how important bass is to a band.


So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.



Then, for today's Tamu-chan, when we came back from her walk, I thought I'd give her a treat...but I thought I'd try getting her to shake hands! Since I tried to record it, everyone please take a look.

A bit of a smart one

If I have treats, then there's a 100% success rate with this, but since it's only about 50~60% without a treat, I want to do my best so that it will be 100% even without treats.

So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday kept up the pattern of rain, didn't it.

It wasn't so bad at times in the evening, but my timing was never right, so I wasn't able to take Tamu-chan out for her walk.

Today they're saying it's going to rain most of the day, but maybe it'll be okay in the evening?

Anyway, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions again today.

So, the first question is...

I've been thinking about this for a while, but shuji-san, is it better to speak of you respectfully, or casually? I'm younger than you are, shuji-san, so I've always spoken of you respectfully, but do you see that as too stiff? If it's okay with you, I would be glad if you answered ☆

I don't really care one way or the other.

Eh, but naturally, if I am talking to someone directly who is older than me, I do use respectful language...but if it's not that, like comments or something, then I think either way is fine. Eh...but it might be a little offensive if people don't watch what they write and be too rude...≧(´▽｀)≦


So, the next question is...

Out of all the songs you play, shuji-san, “Ueta Taiyou” is my favorite...but is the equipment you use to make that sound different from the ones used in other songs? Or is it just that your playing style is different? Are there other songs you play with a similar sound? Sorry for asking such a strange question.

I think my basic equipment is all the same.

But, if my memory serves about the percussion that enters into that song, I get the feeling that we used a lot of added effects. If I'm mistaken, I apologize.

But, I'm sure that I use the same basic set to play it, as far as the drums go.

So, the next question is...

I'm a big fan of the popular game “Monster Hunter” to the point that I call myself an otaku, but do you have something, shuji-san, that you're so crazy about that you could be called an otaku?

Let's see...
Well, if I had to pick one, you may be able to call me a drum otaku.
No, maybe I'm a drum set otaku...?

So, the next question is...

In this CD recession, are there certain artists, or certain things, that make you buy a CD? Also, what things about musicians captivate you into buying CDs? I want to refer to this myself, so...(*ﾟ.ﾟ)ゞ

Actually, lately, I haven't been buying CDs much either.
Almost all the music I have, I download from the iTunes Store.
But, I don't really know what captivates me about certain musicians...but there are a lot of times when I'll go into a store and not browse the general sale racks, but instead go to the corners dedicated to certain artists~

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.

Then, for today's Tamu-chan, because we haven't been able to go out on walks lately, I wonder if she's disappointed? She gives me this face a lot.



[caption: Since I can't go out on walks, I'm so bored...]

I want to take you out so much~ I'm sorry~


So, that's all for today...
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday, it rained all day in Tokyo.

It looks like this rain will keep going for the next 30 days...

If that's true, it won't just be Tamu who gets stressed out...


So, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions today.

So, let's begin right away from the first question...

I thought of this looking at shuji-papa's diary, but shuji-papa, can you play keyboard?? (・◇・) I'm sure that the other members and kiyo-chan know if you can or not, but please tell me if you can play keyboard! (*^▽^*)/

Unfortunately, I can't play keyboard.
I can't play any instruments other than drums.
But, I can play parts of X JAPAN's “ENDLESS RAIN” and BON JOVI's “RUNAWAY”.
I wonder about the other band members? I've never seen them play keyboard, but maybe the rest of them can play...?

So, the next question is...

At the beginning of last year, you declared you were going to go on a diet, shuji-san.
Are you still walking all the time? I still am, amazingly (laugh)

With walking, I too, am keeping up with it...amazingly ≧(´▽｀)≦
But, since it's become something of a daily routine with Tamu-chan (except for when it rains), I'm getting a lot of exercise.

So, the next question is...

When I watch you, Shuji-san, and other professional drummers, I notice that you keep rhythm with your left foot...but if I do that, I can't keep the other rhythms together. Shuji-san, how do you do this? Please answer!

(This refers to that so called “ghost motion”)
It's not that you absolutely have to do that.
Moreover, if it makes it so that you can't keep rhythm, I think that it's best not to try too hard to do it.
Since I just noticed myself that I do that, it's not something I do consciously at all. I think that it's something that just naturally comes out of practicing opening and closing the high hat, perhaps.

So, the next question is...

Be honest! Who is the most popular member of Janne Da Arc? (〃^∇^)

Well, if it's for being handsome, then it's got to be me~

Well, I'd like to say that anyway, but that's not really true. I think that the most popular member has got to be our vocalist yasu, naturally.

So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.

So, for today's Tamu-chan, I gave her a shampoo yesterday here at home, but no matter how many times I do it, she really doesn't seem to like the shower...so I took a picture of the pouting face she always gives me after I finish shampooing her!



[caption: I don't like baths very much...]

Actually, after I took the picture, I called Tamu's name a bunch of times, but she wouldn't come anywhere near me.

Eh, but right in front of her was...



[caption: Hm? You want something?]

Chachamaru...so that might have been why...≧(´▽｀)≦


So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

Yesterday was nice weather too, not too hot and not too cold.

Though it might have been a little cloudy...

However, unfortunately, it looks like they're forecasting rain today.

Maybe that will make Tamu-chan a little stressed?

Anyway, since I thought I should let Tamu-chan run around as much as she wanted yesterday because of the rain forecast today, I thought I would take her to our usual park in Odaiba, but actually...do you all know what they have in Shiokaze Park, right next to Odaiba Kaihin Kouen?

Actually, in their Sun Plaza, they have a life-sized Gundam!

It was in the news a little while ago, so I knew about it, and I thought that maybe I'd go and see it when the building on it was done, but yesterday night when I decided not to go to Odaiba Kaihin Kouen, I saw it!





Since it's still under construction, they don't have the night illumination on it yet; so the pictures may be a little dark and hard to see, but those are its legs.

Even though it was just the legs, it really does feel life-sized!

I'm really looking forward to when they get it all done.

By the way, I think the exhibition will begin on 7/11 and go through the summer holidays.
(Since I'm really not sure about this, please go look up the details on the web, okay?)

Also, during that time, it looks like it will be lit up at night, too.

Which reminds me, Tamu-chan wasn't on the sand, but the Gundam display was on this huge lawn, so we were able to run around there. It was nice to see that she got just as excited running around on the lawn as she does running in the sand.

Since I was running along with her too, today, this old man is a little tired.

Moreover, since there's construction going on, the way back was really congested...

But, yesterday, I went to the TSUTAYA on my way home...



And rented this...

I've only seen the commercials, and thought it looked good...so I wonder how it'll turn out?

Then, after she finished her meal, Tamu-chan as well...



[caption: Soon I'll be going to sleep...]

Plopped down next to me for a rest...

So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]

Everyone, good morning, this is shuji.

It's nice to have such good weather continue for these two days, huh.

Maybe it's because it's not very humid?

It looks like the nice weather will continue through today, as well.

Anyway, I think I'll answer more of everyone's questions again today.

Let's begin right away from the first question...

I know that you like the lineup of 777, but if that's the case, why do you update at 8? If you have time, I'd like to hear your answer (*´∀｀*)

I think those of you who have been reading my blog from the beginning already know this, but at first I didn't update at times with matching digits. But, since I found out that with Ameblog you can set your updates to post at a specific time, I started doing the updates at times with matching digits. However, because there are a lot of people who get update notifications in their email, I thought that 7:07:07 might be a little early, so I settled for 8:08:08.

If it were me, I think I'd get a little ticked at being woken up at 7 every day, after all.

So, the next question is...

Right now, I'm trying to get my driver's license, but I'm so frustrated because I can't seem to do it （/TДT)/ It looks like there are even a lot of men who only have their AT licenses, but they still get people asking them why they don't have their MT yet. (*´Д｀)=з But, the car I'm using until I get my own is my dad's, which requires an MT license to drive, and right now it's in the shop anyway, and I really don't want to deal with the frustration of all that...do good drivers like you, shuji-san, always have an easy time getting your licenses?

That's right, I went straight through driving school and got my license on my first try without any retakes. But, one of the teachers told me that people who do that are often the ones who get into accidents...

And, just as you'd expect, you're talking to a guy who got into a pretty serious accident shortly after getting his license...（;´▽｀A`

So, it might be a good thing to have to go to school over and over and fix your mistakes!

So, the next question is...

There's someone I like who plays drums, but I don't know the technical stuff at all. I want to have this in common with them, but where should I start studying? Thank you for your answer.

How wonderful of you!
To want to study something so that you can have something in common with someone you like...!
Well...since I think just reading a manual may leave you wondering about what you just read, why don't you try picking up something that every drummer has to have read at least once, like “Drum Magazine”? Since something like “Drum Magazine” is different from having a manual full of diagrams, I think it'll be easy to read.



So, I'll leave the questions and answers there for today.

So, for today's Tamu-chan, there have already been people who have noticed that lately Tamu-chan's black hair has been getting lighter and lighter, and is almost gone now.



Since I've already become aware of her growing up in a bunch of other ways, I look forward to seeing what else there is every day.

Lately, her body has been getting bigger too, and now she weighs a little less than 2 kg.

Though that's a little heavier than expected...so, she can't wear the clothes I bought for her when she was little anymore. ≧(´▽｀)≦

By the way, the picture below was taken around April 1, and the black hair on her head was still about this dark.



After having not looked at Tamu-chan when she was younger for a long time, she really is different now...


So, that's all for today!
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[Original Entry]