World Order- Far Out Friday

 Every year, after watching the previous year's Danthology, I make a playlist with all the songs. The songs I can't stand eventually get deleted - rap that's too raucous, electronica with no words, Gangnam style... But other than that, it makes an awesome playlist. This year I discovered will.i.am's #thatPOWER.


I'm jamming along to the track for like three seconds, until... Wait, I've seen that dance somewhere before... Huh? That street sign is in Japanese. Oh my gosh, yes! What's the name of the crazy- skilled Japanese-guy slow-walking dance group?

 
Yeah, now I remember. World Order. Pretty sure that is NOT them in the will.i.am vid. Unless it's like their second-string team or something. The vid was filmed in Japan. I have no doubt about that. So why aren't World Order a part of it? Were they like, "You cute, but no. We can't be tarnishing our name with the likes of that not-surgically-precise thing you're doing there."

Either which way. World Order is amazing. I love how they're like, "We will just dance in the middle of Narita International Airport, the biggest airport in Japan, and one of the most trafficked in Asia. Meh, no biggie." And I love that the world tries to copy it. Even if they come nowhere close.

Looks like Japan leads the world in more than just technology.

One more vid for the road. And yeah, Japanese dating is pretty much like that.

Far out Friday - Days by Yoshida Yamada

When I came back to my tiny town in backabush Japan, I went to the bank. While there, this song came on the tv. (Hmm, do Western banks have tvs? I think all the Japanese banks do...)  The song is called Days. It's about all the ups and downs of love (and life) and it made me cry right there in the bank. I was in a translate-y mood last weekend, so I thought I'd make an English version. The NHK (tv station) animated version and the official music video are both below the lyrics.

First- two caveats. There are no plurals in Japanese, so some of the "days" might be plural, but I kept them all singular for the feel of repetition from the original. Second, Japanese hardly uses pronouns. So all the pronouns are my own doing. "He" could as easily have been "she" or "they". The bit at the end that's in quotation marks, I've written like the singers are sending a message to the audience, but it could be the grandfather or grandmother speaking to their other half.

That said, I give you "Days" by Yoshida Yamada.

Grandfather locks eyes with Grandmother, they hardly speak
They’ve passed the time cuddled together, but it hasn’t always been happy
Thick-lens glasses, wrinkly palms,
There are memories you can’t see in photos that make them laugh together

CHORUS 1
The day they met, the day they realised they were in love
The day they got married, the day they almost broke up
The day they first held their child, the day they let him go
Tears overflow
These are happy days

Grandfather never uses Grandmother’s name, even when he calls her
His angry face is his every day face, but he whistles when he’s happy
His favorite knit cap is one she knitted for him
Just like his childhood, he can’t find the words to say thanks

CHORUS 2
The day he made her cry, the day she left home
The day they embraced, the day they slept backing each other
The day he gave her hope, the day she hated him for it
The tears overflow
Frightfully up and down days
Grandfather gets sick, grandmother cries alone
“You have to tell him how you feel. Always. Everyday. Truly.”

CHORUS 1

Just count the tears.
Surely these are happy days.



NHK animated version.



Artist Official Music Video

What makes life happy, is that it's not always happy. Strangely beautiful concept.

Moments - Monday on my Mind

I went home for Christmas. Well, I actually went for a wedding. My brother and his fiancee were also in the island for a different wedding. Barring being on two different coasts of North America in August, it was the first time in 6 years or more that my brother and I have been in the same country. Then randomly, my foster sister re-appeared. And close Canadian friends were also in. So my mother decided to have a gathering at our house. It was quite literally a group of people that had never been in the same place together.

I had a really great time. Reconnecting with my sister and meeting her family. Joking with my cousins. Showing off my banana bread - which came out even awesomer than usual having been baked in an oven and not a microwave with an semi-oven-function. I six-loved my Dad for the first time ever in dominoes. (Won six games to his none.) This is a really big thing because my Dad is a domino-aholic, he's been playing for years and has even managed the National Team!

Only the next day, did my mother point out that noone had remembered to take any photos. Seriously, an unprecented event and no pics. In the Facebook age of "pics-or-it-didn't-happen" this is pure, unadultered blasphemy.

For a while, I was quite disappointed. I mean, I'm 32 and my brother is 28, and I don't think there are any pictures of us together as adults. And I don't think there are any pictures of me and my sister in existence. So, it hit me hard for a minute that I hadn't thought to take pictures.

But then, it dawned on me why I don't have any pictures of that night. I was having way too much fun. It was one of the most amazing nights of my life. I was so full of love and happiness that I felt like I might burst. I'm still disappointed there are no pictures, but nothing compares to a moment that big.


As soon as I realised that, I could help wishing for more moments. Moments so mesmerising that I don't remember to take myself out of them to preserve them. Moments so deep all the oceans in the world can't hold them. Moments so big, they pierce the sky.

Because life - it isn't really about years or months or even days. It's about moments.

Child of Fate

In honour of me turning 30 on Thursday, I'm exploring the very essence of me. So for the next week or so, I'll be writing (and musicking) about the things that make Claire Dawn.



I had to do a Career Day-esque presentation at my tiny school. It was basically me telling the kids all the jobs I've done. I figured they asked me because Japanese people tend to stay in a job for all their lives, so I've worked more places than the average Japanese person. But then, who was I kidding, I've worked more places than the average Westerner. 9 jobs in 6 fields and 3 countries? Blew the average outta the water.




I've been:

a caterer/waitress with the family catering business
a sales clerk in a department store
an officer cadet in the military
a supervisor/interpreter in a call centre
a tour guide/co-pilot/translator in a submarine tour company
a teacher in 3 schools in Barbados and 4 schools in Japan



One of the kiddles asked how I came to work on the sub. I told them it was a fluke. I'm claustrophobic. I wasn't trying to work on a submarine. I'd applied to a bus tour they operated and when the boss saw I'd been in the Coast Guard, she thought I'd be perfect for the sub. And so I got a job I hadn't applied for. A job I hadn't even thought about doing before the minute it fell into my lap.



About 2 minutes later another kiddle asked how I decided to come to Japan. Er, another fluke? I'd been on campus after graduation hanging out in Student Affairs, wishing aloud that someone pay me to travel, and one of the staff handed me an application to the JET program.

"You're a child of fate!"



I can't remember if it was a kiddle or a teacher that said it. But it struck me that I didn't look or apply for most of the jobs I've done. I obviously didn't apply to work in the family business. My Dad worked at the department store so that just happened. Ditto for the military. I was sitting at my university when a teacher friend called and told me to get to her school NOW with my resume. The only job I can say that I really went looking for was the call centre one, and that's because I needed money to buy stuff for coming to Japan.



That's not to say I'm completely passive - sitting around waiting for stuff to happen either. My mother was grumbling at me the other day about the way I do random courses in randomness and never have cause to use them. I'm a certified event planner, for example. And I did a year of Italian because I couldn't find a Japanese course. I never decided to be an event planner. But the way I live, I can't say that I won't be in a job where I need those skills.



Lots of people will think that, at 30, I should have a plan. I should know if and when I'm leaving Japan. I should know what job I'm moving into next. I should be preparing for it. I'm about to start an TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course. I figure I might as weel get qualified alongside the 3 1/2 years experience- just in case I want to stay here, or move into this field in another country. And I wirte, because some day I want people to read my work. Other than that, who knows?



Like I said, I'm not passive. It's just - how to put it?- I open the door and the universe comes sweeping in. All I can do is be prepared for it. Make myself the best me I can be. Yes, the submarine job fell right into my lap, but I got it because I'd been in the military before. I had to be qualified to take the opportunities. Apart from the first 2 jobs of course. It's hard to be underqualified as an 8-year old sandwich crust cutter/ carrot-peeler.



So that's a part of my essence too. Seize every chance I can to learn something new. Maybe some awesome position will open up in Italy with 2 weeks notice. And, oh whaddyaknow, I randomly speak Italian. It's hard work being lucky, but someone's gotta do it.

I'm a child of fate.

Introducing Cover Drive

A little over a year ago, 4 teens from my home island, Barbados created a band. They called it Cover Drive. "Cover Drive" is a type of hit in the game of cricket. Cricket looks a bit like baseball, only the bat is flat, and held downwards. Cover Drive became known for their covers of popular songs in their "Fedora Sessions"


The first Fedora Session


A cover of Kesha's Tik Tok


Bruno Mars The Lazy Song


Wotless by Kes (from Trindad and Tobago)


And, of course, being Bajan, they had to cover Rihanna. Rude Boy.

All that talent couldn't stay undiscovered for long. They were contacted by Sony after their FIRST youtube upload. While they were in talks with Sony, they were also contacted by Polydor, a UK division of Universal Music. They chose to go with Polydor, because they wanted to stay true to their Barbadian roots, and they felt that might not happen in the US.

This is their first single, LICK YA DOWN. It debuted at no. 9 in the UK.


I'm so proud to be Bajan. Rihanna, Shontelle, Livvi Franc, Hal Linton, and now Cover Drive. And only 166 square miles.

Looking forward to big things from these guys.

Aqua Timez Raibu Ibento (Live Event)!!!

I just got in from a concert with my favourite Japanese band. I am floating about a mile above ground right now. If your not a J-pop/anime fanatic, feel free to scroll through past song vids down to the goods and my "Japanese Concert Etiquette" vid.

Let me just say, it was a little weird when the organisers came out at the start and said:
"Please look around for your closest designated exit. In case of earthquake proceed calmly towards said exit..."

But I forgot about that as soon as Aqua Timez took the stage.

Yes, all there pictures look like Gap ads.

If you watch anime, you might remember them singing the BLEACH Opening 6: ALONES


They also sing BLEACH Opening 9: VELONICA, but that wasn't as popular and they didn't perform it tonight.


And they sing the ending them of the first BLEACH movie: SEN NO YORU WO KOETE (A Thousand Night Pass)


And of course, they started 2011 out with NARUTO SHIPPUUDEN Ending 16: MAYONAKA NO ORCHESTRA (Midnight Orchestra). They ended tonight with this song.

"A little spoon is enough to share out happiness." I don't know where they come up with these lines.

Weirdly, I　did not discover the band through anime. When I came to Japan in 2008, their song NIJI (Rainbow) was ridiculously popular and used to play on the PA at JHS during lunch. I remembered it because I could recognise the word "daijoubu" which means "all right". After I could understand the words, I thought it was the sweetest song ever. It's meant to be cheering someone up.
"It's all right I'm here
It's all right I'm not going anywhere....
It's all right, look up in the sky
It's all right, look at the 7-colour bridge"

One of my fave songs in the world.

Of course, it wouldn't be a raibu without the goozu (goods).

Insert a coin in a gumball-like machine and see what you get. I got a Starbucks spoof pin featuring the drummer Tasshi.

Then I bought this keitai (cellphone) strap. Carpe diem 2011 Tour. I also bought a shirt. It's in my Japanese Concert Etiquette Vid. I love the motto: A small happiness is better, because I can bring it right to you! :)

Here it is on my phone- along with Ace from One Piece, Naruto, and the famous clock tour in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. My cell phone pretty much sums up my life.

Ever wondered what are the rules at a Japanese concert? I'll enlighten you.

Chinese concert

Every once in a while, my town will bring some group to the Wa Wa Wa Domu- our community centre- and take kids from all 9 schools to see them.

Last week, we had one such opportunity with an ensemble made up native Asian instruments. I was thrilled. I kept thinking it was the coolest thing ever. The kids were mostly bored. I guess while it's "Oooo, look at the cool Chinese and Mongolese intruments!" for me, it's "Man, the stupid town always making me sit through these boring things" for them. Perception is a helluva thing.

Here's a quick introduction of the instruments:

The Niko. (Chinese: erhu. Western: Chinese Violin. )
Since "ni" means two in Japanese, I'm tempted to believe that "ko" means strings. Looking it up, it seems to refer to the Barbarian tribes from the outskirts of China. As the name suggests, it has two strings. It's a relative of the violin, and is played with a bow. Unlike a violin the soft part of the bow passes on the INSIDE of the strings. The strings are between the stick part and the soft part of the bow!

It has a high-pitched sound and can't make low notes. by pinching the bow at the very base of the strings, it makes a sound like a chirping bird. There's a hole at the back for the sound to come out.

The lady on the left is playing the niko. She's one of those crazy musicians who has all these off-the-wall facial expressions and tosses her head around so much you swear it will come off.

2. The biwa. (Chinese: pipa. Western: Chinese Lute.)
The guy on the right is playing the biwa. It has 4 strings and a gazillion frets- the little pieces of wood that run perpendicular to the strings. Both the way the biwa is played and the way it sounds are more similar to the harp than the guitar, in my opinion. As you can see, it's held upright.

3. The batoukin. (Mongolian: Morin Khuur.)

This instrument is designated one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It looks like it has only 2 strings, but it's really a bunch of strings that look like one- up to 140 strings.

It's deeper than the niko and sounds somewhat like a violin, but not as mournful. It's a Mongolian instrument, and the imstrumentalist was also Mongolian. Batoukin means "horse head lute".

The guy with the biwa asked the kids to become "国際人" (Kokusaijin). It means "citizen of the world." I was so happy, because Japan can be very isolated sometimes. Here's the full ensemble. From left to right: The Japanese pianist, the Chinese niko player, the Chinese biwa player,and the Monogolian batoukin player.

The Mongolian dude looked up in his intro and said the building reminded him of home. There's a giant dome on top of the centre- that's why they call it the "Domu". He said the one's at home were skylights though. Then lo and behold, they opened the roof! I've been here three years and I've never know the roof could open. They must just never bother.

Happy until 1999

It's Time Travel Tuesday!

When the going gets tough, the tough listen to happy music :) According to the wiki peeps, there are more than 20 songs named Happy. (I haven't featured them all.) I'm posting until the end of the last millenium today, and the rest will be up next week.

HAPPY, The Rolling Stones, 1972.


HAPPY, Jackson 5, 1973.


HAPPY, The Carpenters, 1975.


HAPPY, Rick James w/ Teena Marie, 1982.


HAPPY, Surface, 1987.


HAPPY, Bruce Springsteen, 1992.


HAPPY, Travis, 1997.


HAPPY, Sister Hazel, 1997.


HAPPY, Alexia (Italian singer), 1999.


HAPPY, Lolly, 1999.


Alright then, who's happy?

Celine Dion - Time Travel Tuesday

Last week's Whitney made me think of all my fave "Olympic Songs," which, of course, made me think of Celine. So we're off to French Canada today. Oh, and yeah, I'm totally impressed by anyone who's this fantab in a second language- the linguist in me. :)

Back in '91 she teamed up with Peabo Bryson (amazing voice, huge forehead) for the theme to BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. I Love This Song!


In '93, she taught us THE POWER OF LOVE.


96 was a great year for Celine, with 3 Canadian and US number 1's. Here's IT'S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW. (The other two number ones that year were BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME and her remake of ALL BY MYSELF.) (Also, look I found you Polish subtitles. Aren't I sweet?)


In '96, she also sang THE POWER OF THE DREAM, an amazing Olympic song. Lots of people remember the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, as the ones that got bombed. I remember the 600 children singing at the end. Seriously, 600 children doing just about anything is a tearjerker. This right here is why I need to go to an Olympics.


I didn't want to post two versions of this song. But I just love Celine's version. This is from the Atlanta 1996 Olympics Opening Ceremony. It made me want to go win a medal myself. Oh, written and produced by David Foster and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds; I'm sorry, but that automatically means awesome!


In '97, there was the Titanic theme, MY HEART WILL GO ON. You could not leave your house without hearing this song somewhere. Number 1 in every country wikipedia cares about. :)


The she told us THAT's THE WAY IT IS in 1999. Live version, because Sony is all over the music video and after 15 "embedding disabled" linkies I gave up. Makes me wonder why this song was so much more important than all the others... Wait, is she singing with 'N Sync? Hmmm.


Finally in 2002, she let us know A NEW DAY HAS COME!

Whitney (TTT)

Time Travel Tuesday!

Today we go back in time with Whitney Houston!

Saving all my love for you! 1985. (Erm, so that was 25 years ago. Does that make anybody else feel old?)


How will I know? Also 1985. I miss 80's hair :)


Greatest love of all. 1986. My fave back in the day, and still an amazing song.


Didn't we almost have it all? 1987.


One Moment in Time. 1988 Olympic Song. Olympic Songs are so inspiring.


Number 1 in the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, etc and etc and etc. Hands down her biggest tune by miles, I will always love you. 1992.


And don't forget: My love is your love, 1999.


Try it on my own. 2003. Boston Public clip.


And just last year on the comeback album, I look to you.


Hope you enjoysies :)

In a dancing mood

Been a while since I did a Time Travel Tuesday post. But I couldn't think of a better time. I'm buried under a pile of work, sleep-deprived, and my allergies are acting up. And I just feel like dancing, because dancing is a good mood waiting to happen.

So, here are some of my fave "dancing" vids through the years. Enjoysies :)

Martha and the Vandellas, 1964. Dancing in the Streets.


Leo Sayer, 1976. You make me feel like dancing.


Donna Summer, 1978. Last Dance.


Whitney Houston, 1987. I wanna dance with somebody. Look at that hair!


John Michael Montgomery, 1992. Life's a dance. "Sink or swim, you gotta give it a whirl-" great lesson for writers!



Lee-Ann Womack, 2000. I hope you dance.


Tamyra Gray, 2003. Dance with my Father. She sang this cover of the Luther Vandross hit on Boston Public, a month before the original was realeased. Took me a while to even figure out it wasn't her song, but I still love this version.


Lady Gaga, 2008. Just Dance!


Josh Turner, 2009. Why don't we just dance?


Hope you enjoyed. Keep on dancing!

Bajan songstresses take the world by storm! (MomM)

I am a Barbadian, or Bajan as we call ourselves. I come from the most Easterly of the islands of the Caribbean, Barbados.

Ten years ago, if you knew Barbados, it was because you wanted to vacation or retire there.

Now, you might know it because of one of 3 powerhouses who call the island home! Probably for the first time ever, 3 Barbadian singers have been on the International music charts.

1. Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty)

She broke onto the scene back in 2005 with "Pon de Replay". This year she made headlines after a public altercation with then-boyfriend, Chris Brown the night before the grammies.

This year she charted on the Jay-Z/Kanye collab "Run this Town" and on T.I's "Live your life"
and then on her very own "Russian Roulette".



2. Shontelle (Shontelle Layne)
The next Bajan Diva to burst onto the scene was singer-songwriter, Shontelle. She released her debut album "Shontelligence" last year. The lead single "T-shirt" made the Top 10 in the UK. She opened for Beyonce on the UK leg of the tour. This year she collaborated with Akon for "Stuch with Each Other" featured on the Confessions of a Shopaholic soundtrack. (PS I actually went to school with Shontelle. My brother went to school with Rihanna. Wow, that makes Barbados sound really small, doesn't it? lol)



3. Livvi Franc (Olivia Charlotte Waithe)

British-Barbadian Livvi Franc released her first single "Now I'm that Bitch" in mid 2009. The video, featuring Pitbull, is CRAZY HOT!!!



I also love her song "Free" because it feels like Barbados to me.



Barbados: 270,000 people (yes, we're one of the densest populations in the world), 14 miles by 21- 166 square... just a little rock... but I'm so proud to call myself a Bajan!