Music

Hi there.
It`s been cloudy and rainy for a few days here in Vancouver. According to the weather forecast, it`ll continue almost 2 weeks. What`s going on! I miss those beautiful days in last week.

By the way, what kind of music do you listen to? There are hundreds of millions of kinds of music such as Rock, Jazz, Classic and so on. I`m interested in Rock, club and pop music personally especiaaly Japanese, USA, Canada and Korean.
So today, let me introduce some of my favorite musicians.


Off the first, I`d like to begin from a Canadian band.
"MOTHER MOTHER"


Mother Mother is a five-piece Canadian indie rock band originally from Quadra Island, now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Mother Mother consists of Ryan Guldemond on guitar and vocals, Molly Guldemond on vocals and keyboard, Jasmin Parkin on keyboard and vocals, Ali Siadat on drums, and Jeremy Page on bass.
I like not only their music but also lyrics. There lyrics sounds like one story sometimes which attract people by itself. You should listen to them even if you are not Canadian!


Secomd, since I`m from Japan, I`m gonna introduce one Japanese band.
9mm parabellum bullet

9mm Parabellum Bullet is a Japanese rock band formed in March 2004 from Yokohama, Japan, consisting of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Takuro Sugawara, guitartist and backing vocalist Yoshimitsu Taki, bassist Kazuhiko Nakamura, and drummer Chihiro Kamijō, who came up with the band's name. Piano pieces included in some songs are performed by Taki, while screaming is provided by Nakamura.
When it comes to technique, this band is ranked at least top 10 between Japanese bands I guess. Every song is so cool. Check it out!!!

Last one is not band. They are DJs.
Daft Punk!


Daft Punk is an electronic music duo consisting of French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (born February 8, 1974) and Thomas Bangalter (born January 3, 1975).[1] Daft Punk reached significant popularity in the late 1990s house movement in France and were met with continued success in the years following.
If you like electronic music, you`ll like their music for sure. Actuaaly I started to listen to this kind of music after I camne here. But when I listened first time, I was attracted to them immediately. Try once! You will be just like me!

By Takuma

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Hi.

Everybody, what do you know Japan? Probably your answers are "Oh, I know Sushi! That's one of my favorite food!" or "I know Tokyo. Capital city of Japan!" something like that. But wait! There are many more good and interesting things in Japan.
Now, have you ever heard about "Hokkaido"? That's a big island located at the north part of japan. My university is in Hokkaido and traveled around a lot of places and experienced many things with my friends before I came Canada.



The picture above is the one of a event called "Sapporo Snow Festibal" take place in February every year. In this event, you can enjoy hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures which line Odori Park,the grounds at Community Dome Tsudome, and the main street in Susukino. About two million people come to Sapporo to see them.

Speaking of Sapporo, do you know it? That's a one of the largest cities in Japan located center of Hokkaido.



You can see nightview like the picture above from top of a tower called "JR Tower".

Hokkaido is also famous for food especially seefood, butadon(pork and rice) and beer.


I can't forget the moment when I ate sushi for the first time in Sapporo. That was totally different from sushi I knew! Amazing!! I highly recommend that you go to Sapporo and taste it. You will know what the authentic Sushi is.




If you like beer, you are very welcome to go to Hokkaido cuz everybody likes beer there too! haha There is a event named "Beer Garden". People drink beer outside, get drunk and hang out with strangers in that event. That is so much fun!




I'll be in Hokkaido from this September. So if you come to Hokkaido, let me know and I can show around! I'm looking forward to seeing you there!!!

by takuma

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Hello.

What are you doing in your free time everybody? There are many way to kill time and have fun.
Today, I`ll talk about one of the most major ways of that. That is....movie!!

First of all, everybody knows this series I guess.


Right! "Sex And the City".
Sex and the City is an American cable television series. The original run of the show was broadcast on HBO from 1998 until 2004, for a total of ninety-four episodes. Because this show is very popular still now, movie version show ups this May. Needless to say, you should check it out if you are fun of it and even if you are not, still you should! You will be a new fun of it after ward.


Second! This movie can be enjoyed by children to adults. Super popular series.
"Shrec 3D"



Shrek is a 2001 American animated comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson and starring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Based on William Steig's 1990 fairy tale picture book Shrek!, the film was produced by DreamWorks Animation. Shrek was the first film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, a category introduced in 2001.
No wonder, this movie is being talk of the town because you can enjoy 3D as well as sophisticated story. Go theater now!


For the last, I would like to introduce this one.
"Iron man 2"



Iron Man is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character debuted in Tales of Suspense #39 (March 1963), and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby.
My friend who already watched this recommended this and told me that was really nice! Honestly, I didn't know this movie before heard from that friend. But now, I will go to watch definitely!


Which one did you get interest? Whichever you watch, you will not regret. I hope you enjoy all of them!!!!

by Takuma

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WORLD CUP!

Hello everybody.
It's a beautiful day today in Vancouver. If you don't have anything to do, you should go outside and take a walk along some beach.
By the way,do you know what's gonna happen just one month after?
That is.................Right!!! WORLD CUP!!!



This is a group league card of "2010 World Cup".
It's too bad that "Canada" is not on that sheat. But still World Cup is one of the biggest events for number of people around the world! Amazing number of people are excited about this event right now! Actualy I'm one of the people who can't wait. My home country Japan is in trouble now and it seems difficult to pass group league though haha




Anyway, let's take a look what the "World Cup" is a little bit.
The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not contested because of World War II.During the 18 tournaments that have been held, seven nations have won the title. Brazil have won the World Cup a record five times, and they are the only team to have played in every tournament. Italy, the current champions, have won four titles, and Germany are next with three titles. The other former champions are Uruguay, winners of the inaugural tournament, and Argentina, with two titles each, and England and France, with one title each.


I know what you guys felt. BRAZIL IS STRONG!! That's right. They won as many as 5 titles and there are many star player in their nationl team. But I think this world cup is gonna tough for them because they are in same group as portugal! You will associate one player when you hear name of this country. Right. Cristiano Ronaldo who was a FIFPro World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008. Definitely Portugal is strong too!! So their much will be exciting for sure.




Let's enjoy world cup together!

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2010 Vancouver winter olympic games!

Everybody, welcome to Vancouver!

Now vancouver is so busy because of 2010 Vancouver winter olympic games.

Many tourists visit to vancouver and enjoy the important and impressive moment together. Yes! You and Me, we are also in Vancouver.

How lucky we are!!

There have so many interesting places, special events and olympics games in Vancouver. So I'd like to introduce some good and free events to you! Hope it's a good information and you enjoy that during the olympic game periods.

From January 22 to March 21, the best artists from Canada and around the world will play in Genre-bendling theatre, Vancouver.

The international showcase is hosting nearly 200 artistics events throughout the city, featuring visual art, music, dance, theatre, performance art and more.

Some of the events are ticketed performances, while others, I will introduce to you, invite the public to simply stop by and just enjoy together that.

1. The magical theatrical vending machine : Feb. 12-27 / Various sites

2. Vectorial elevation : Feb. 4-28/ English bay

3. Raven Stole the sun : Feb. 20-25/ Multiple venues

4. Art Under Foot : Feb. 1-28/ Sleep country canada vancouver's public art

Regarding some events ticketed, please check the below website. It's useful website for olympic event and others.

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/

- Richmond O zone -

I recommend two programs. Music on the main stage and Holland Heineken House.

The O Zone Main stage offers,

- En Karma : Feb. 24 / 10:15pm

- Brave Waves : Feb. 26 / 3:30pm

- The Dudes : Feb. 27 / 9pm

- Five Alarm Funk : Feb. 28 / 9:30pm

It's easy to get the detailed information from the below website for you.

Don't hesitate, Just join here together!! >.<

http://www.richmondozon.com/

The holland heineken house,

The highlight of the Holland Heineken House experience is the main hall, featuring celebratory medal ceremonies for the successful dutch athletes and nightly performances by renowned Durch artists and DJs.

Open daily from 9 am till 2am, the Holland Heineken house will be an ideal palce to catch up on the latest of the olympics or simply relax with something to eat or drink!!

Wed, Feb 24 - Roel van Velzen

Thu, Feb 25 - Gerard Joling

Fri, Feb 26 - Roel van Velzen

Along with the artists listed above, house bands De Corona's and Evers Slaat Door, and the house DJ/VJ will hit the stage every night starting at 8pm. All these artists are very popular and are renowned in the Netherlands.

- LiveCity Yaletown -

On the water's edge at David Lam Park, LiveCity Yaletown, Giant screens will show highlights of olympic winter games sport coverage and visitors can enjoy the interactive olympic sponsor pavilions, vancouver house, and much more. All for free!

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Valentine's Day

Yesterday, I saw so many people carrying beautiful flowers and when I passed by the streets, most of the restaurants were full with people happily celebrating Valentine's Day. ( or it may have been the celebration of Olympics or Chinese New Year!!!)

Now I am not surprised to see kind and happy looking men buying flowers for their partners. But when I first experienced North American Style Valentine's Day I was very surprised because in Japan we celebrate Valentine's Day quite differently.

FROM WOMEN TO MEN

From my perspective, in North America, people celebrate Valentine's Day as a couple. Men and Women both as a couple try to make that day romantic. Flowers, Chocolates, Candle Dinners...etc... both partners contribute to enjoy the Valentine's Day atmosphere.

Compared to gender neutral N. American style, Japanese Valentine's Day is very gender specific. In Japan, it is girls who give chocolate to boys. It is a day for girls to confess their feelings to boys by giving chocolates to them.
I used to think this was unfair. Why should girls work extra hard and boys get delicious treats?
But now, I think that Valentine's Day is a big opportunity and chance for shy and reserved Japanese women to be courageous and show their feelings. And men enjoy a heartfelt gift of chocolate.　



COURTESY CHOCOLATE

In Japan, women not only give chocolates to someone they like. They have social pressure to give chocolates to male co-workers or male class mates. Indeed I remember every year, on 14th of February, my father used to bring two or three bags full of chocolates that his female colleagues gave him. In this case, the chocolate is not for showing love, but to show friendship, respect, or kindness. It is interesting how simple act of giving a chocolate can create cheerful atmosphere and better communication within work place or class room.
My father was not big fun of sweet stuff and My mom and I finished most of the chocolates he got. But he still seemed happy for the his female co-worker's effort and consideration.



WHITE DAY

So until now, it sounds like girls are the hard workers and boys are the lucky ones, right?

No. Japanese gentlemen also put effort. In Japan, it is a custom to give the present back to women on March 14th. It is called White Day. The present can be cookies, candies, flowers... anything.



RECENT TREND

Although everything I mentioned above is still relevant in Japan, there is a new trend.

Nowadays, boys and men starting to learn Western Culture and beginning to give chocolates to girls.

It is called Reverse Chocolate.

All in all, no matter which part of the world you are or what cultural background you come from, we all have one thing in common. We all enjoy the most romantic day of the year. V-Day!!!!

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Chinese New Year

What does people normally do on February 14th in North America? Probably most of you would say "Of Course people will have nice romantic dinner! Its a Valentines Day!" But for the year 2010, February the 14th is not only the Valentines Day, but also its the Chinese New Year Day.


Chinese New Year, also referred to as Lunar New Year, is determined by the lunisolar Chinese calendar and it usually falls between end of January and middle of February. On Chinese New Year day, people visit their families and relatives to celebrate together. People would decorate their houses with red couplets and red lanterns.


Children and juniors are provided with red envelops with some money inside by the elders. The symbolism for red envelops is to suppress or put down the evil spirit and be lucky. Traditionally the amount of money inside the red envelop should be even number (Chinese people believe that odd number is unlucky as its sometimes associated with funerals.)



Probably, the most important tradition of Chinese New Year would be the family dinner. The way Chinese people put their heart in the New Year Dinner is the same as how important the Christmas dinner is in the Western culture. People will eat or display fish. Fish is one of the important cuisine for the new years day as the pronunciation of the word fish in Chinese is the same as the pronunciation of the word surpluses. Also, in Northern China, people would eat dumplings(jiao zi in Chinese) whereas in Southern China, they make a new year cake (Niangao in Chinese). In Vancouver, you will be able to experience some traditions of Chinese New Year as there are many events happening in the city. Here are some information.




*The annual Chinese New Year Parade:
Time: Sunday, February 14, 9:30am - 11am
Place: starting from the Millennium Gate at Pender St.

*Cultural Fair:
Time: February 14, 11am - 3pm
Place: the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Courtyard

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