4.12.10

COMM III FINAL VIDEO!


done. done. done!

22.11.10

::VeNOMOUS MiLK::

I'm finally back in LA. I was only in Tokyo for a week, but it surely felt way longer than that... Probably because everything was so jam-packed, and I was on a constant hustle hustle. I'm going back in a month and a bit, and I can't wait for that.















::SCHOOL::

Same old. Same old. Being a week away from Otis is truly disorientating, and now I have to do everything to pick up where I left off... Which, at a glance didn't seem too bad. That is, as long as I can conquer my big bad type book. Making a run to Kelly Paper tomorrow, as well as binding my book...

My video is close to completion though, which is one thing I can feel relieved about.



I can't wait till I can relax and take a breather... That is, for a little while.

17.11.10

::Meet me at 6% DOKIDOKI, dahlin.::

During the course of Harajuku's huge renovation- the overpowering appearance of "fast-fashion" stores such as H&M, Forever 21 and the like, many underground/subcultural stores have closed their doors and disappeared from Harajuku. Needless to say, the closing of SEXY DYNAMITE LONDON (which, I have been a fan since my teenage days) was a huge shock for myself, and the complete change of the Harajuku landscape, such as the closing of the GAP building (featured countless times on street snaps), and bigger malls being constructed on Takeshita street did nothing but break the hearts of Harajuku kids, me being one of them.

But one thing that never changes in the back streets of Harajuku is the presence of 6% DOKIDOKI, which celebrated its 15th anniversary just the other day! Although 6% DOKIDOKI has changed is location once, the concept of it has stayed strong. Serving fans of "Kawaii" fashion from all over the globe, 6% has become a landmark of Harajuku.

Gentle Reminder: 6% DOKIDOKI usually does not allow photographs without permission- I was kindly given permission by the staff for blogging purposes. Please, please respect this policy if you ever visit the store. (However, shop girls may be open to get photos taken, so please ask!)


{The enterance to the store. Prepare to get a seizure from cuteness overload}



{The current mannequin on display. I happend to be wearing the same raglin sleeved shirt. Now I want the skirt. And the hat. And everything else.}

{If SENSATIONAL KAWAII can't describe this store, I don't know what other word could.}


I still remember the days when 6%DOKIDOKI was located in a smaller building, and was how you had to climb up a very steep staircase in order to get to the store (When I was 13, I almost tripped and fell down those stairs) Although the store is now located at a different place, and now is a bigger, bright pink building, what's "inside", both metaphorically and literally, have not changed. I got the same feeling of my heart prancing as I set my foot inside the store. A lot of things I loved about Harajuku have sadly either changed or disappeared, but I truly wish that 6% DOKIDOKI will stay the same, despite its surroundings transforming drastically.



5.11.10

::girl power!::

This week has been another eventful, productive and busy one.

::hello, new friend!::
{I'm not a DSLR}

As the semesters progressed, I was in desperate need of an upgrade for my camera. The lab's cameras were always checked out, and I didn't have the $$$ for a DSLR, either. But alcazam! Thanks to my recent birthday celebration monies (= many thanks to my family), I was able to finally get an upgrade! Expect more high-resolution, high-quality photos! ha!


::grandma craft::

{soon to be animated}

After sophomore reviews, I had been haunted by one of the instructors' remark that my work was "grandma craft"-y; Part of me knows I shouldn't be too influenced (aka butt hurt) by crits, but that one got me hard. I almost wanted to stay entirely away from hand-done craft, solely relying on the computer. But I found myself struggling to do so, and not being able to connect with my work as well as I could be.

But! Thanks to the lovely Hazel, who has not only been a dear friend but an amazing teacher and mentor to me, I'm slowly but surely embracing my true love again.

All I know is, I'm gonna make my video kick some serious ass.



::R.S.::
Currently attempting to tune into Ryuichi Sakamoto's concert/North-American tour final. Technology has surely advanced, hasn't it...

Slightly bummed that my streaming crashed as he was playing "Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence", but alas...





25.10.10

::museum, poster, tshirts...::

The past week has been another yet busy+eventful+fun+drastic one!

MUSEUM::

{l to r: remains from my dinner, Montana}

{beautiful pink-toed tarantula<3>

{I'm a sentimental little bastard!!}

Our second museum-visit of the semester was to the Natural History Museum. I've never been there (after living in LA for 2 years...) It's definitely a spot I want to visit again when I have more time for a good sitting down+sketching... As much as I love being in graphic design, I do miss the time+capacity I had to sit down and doodle for long periods of time... I need to pick up my sketchbook more often!


IL FAIR::
{l to r:: Vanesa, future-NGB member?, Gigi and Patty}

I offered to help out the IL fair for NEIGHBOR GAP BRIDGE, my integrated learning studio class. As much as I don't enjoy waking up early and having class 8~11 on Friday mornings, I've started to love my class, especially because I get to mingle with people that aren't from the 6th floor, haha. Free breakfasts are always a plus too.


{Hazel making t shirts}

Hazel taught me how to do spray-paint tie-dye! So easy and fun! I got my stockings + shoes blasted with paint, but who cares? I need to make more of these!

{l to r: Mr. Minature Pony and I}

Only at Otis IL fairs. Animals galore. However this semester, there was only 1 goat, and no llama. Sadness.


::POSTER::

{l to r: scandalous posters and the scandalous mind behind it}

My posters for the FILM FESTIVAL assignment are now on display on the sixth floor. How I miss the days in high school when my work got censored...


ZINES::

To take a break from my hectic work schedule, I made some zines, limited to five copies, and distributed them to people I like, and people who would understand (+ accept) my crude sense of humor. More zines are to come in the near future!




11.10.10

::Weekend-->SchoolWe{a}ek::

So... The past week has been hectic, as usual. But also productive and packed with fun, so I have nothing to complain about!!

THURSDAY::


{The birthday man Mr.Mossay observing my posters}

{posters, b/w and tiled.}

The first phase of THE FILM FESTIVAL assignment for Comm. III is winding down, and I handed in my pre-pre-final editions of the posters last week. The "Fuck it, Imma do what I feel like doing" attitude worked pretty swell for me, and quite honestly, these might be my most favorite project I've worked on since entering Comm. Arts. They were revised, and will be printed out in color/tiled for next week... Exciting, exciting!


{Series! poster}

My beautiful roommate Lacey was dragged into my poster (I love victimizing my friends for my work, don't I!) and the wonderful Whitley shot some amazing shots for me. However, these shots are also encouraging me to get into better shape. Oh noeees!


FRIDAY::
{vertical action}

THAT happened, thanks to the wonderful work of James at Body Electric Tattoo and Piercing on Melrose.


SATURDAY::
{art makes me happy, especially when it's by JT!}

I purchased a piece for the ever amazing JT Steiny from his ever amazing show I STARTED A WAR at the New Puppy Gallery, and was delighted to receive my piece in the mail! JT was gushing about the romantic-aspect of the USPS (or rather, receiving things via snail-mail rather than other ways...) and now I feel as if I can sympathize with that. Time to write letters! ...But again, I don't know a lot of friends' addresses...
{when racial stereotyping goes right}

I offered some help for Lane's poster project, thinking that it would be something fun. I get a text, run over, and am greeted with a stack of origami papers, and requested to fold paper cranes. Just to make things clear, I may be Japanese, but I am the WORST person in Japan when it comes to origami. And paper cranes? Those things are pretty hard core. I had to fold a bunch when I was in high school because our school went on a trip to Hiroshima, and thus, every student was required to fold paper cranes to donate to one of the memorials... I cried. With a little internet research (yes, I had to look it up), I managed to fold some cranes...


BONUS::

{Me and Bill Murray}



6.10.10

::Featured on SWEET STREETS::

I'm currently being featured on the SWEET STREETS blog , go take a look if you dare, and listen to my babbling...

30.9.10

::Life at the big O!::

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25.9.10

::Meet me in San Francisco, honey.::

Shortly before SWEET STREETS, I was requested by Sebastian of 6% DOKIDOKI to follow them on their world tour in San Francisco; needless to say I was both overwhelmed and honored. (Turns out that I'm a fan of Sebastian longer than the majority of girls that work at 6%, because I used to be a reader of his column "What is Lovely?" in KERA! magazine, from its first issue)

I left LA via airplane on Wednesday, and unfortunately my flight kept on being delayed due to the foggy weather in SF... Once I got there, mama Caro picked me up from SFO and I was dropped off at NEW PEOPLE, where my first job awaited.
{l to r: moi, Sebastian, Patrick}
This was my second time translating Sebastian's talk show, so things weren't as challenging as the first time, but as always, it's not easy to try to keep the speaker's subtle nuances as close to the original when translating... Hopefully I did a decent job for the listeners!

{Mausy Mausy Mausy Maus.}
The ever amazing Amy and Kevin were kind enough to let me stay at their kitty palace, where I suffered from constant allergy attacks, but was instantly in love with their lovely kitties. Although my heart fell for Little Brother (who has his own little tune, which is still stuck in my head dun dun dun), my favorite was Maus, a nihilistic, misunderstood but lovable bad boy. He seemed to open up his heart for me, and as Amy was telling me that he liked me, he gave me a kiss. With his teeth. Yeeeouuuch! ...But I still love him.

{l to r: Yuka, Michelle, moi, Trevor, Caro, Vani, Sebastian}

{l to r: American Cupcakes. I miss you already.}
{世界の皆と電話する〜♪増田セバスチャンでーす!!}

There's no such thing as "enough" partying when you're with the DOKI DOKI family. Almost every night I was eating delicious food. $$$ was flying out of me, but my taste buds were crying in glory. American Cupcakes def turned out to be one of my favorite spots in San Francisco, I'm coming back for sure!!
I also got to spend a couple nights with the DOKI DOKI crew as well; which meant BONUS, I got to see the shop girls in their bare faced glory. Obviously it was a strict NO PHOTOS PLEASE policy (haha), but let me say one thing. THEY ARE ADORABLE, NONE THE LESS. Esp Vani, since I first bumped into her sans maquillage when I came out of the shower, and she was coming out of her bedroom, and she squealed "Oh no, I don't have any make up on!". I told her she looked just fine, and there was nothing to worry about, since we were the EYEBROW-LESS SISTERS. ...Saori and Kedama, Sebastian's assistants, kindly told me I had a Anna Tsuchiya-look when I was sans war paint, but I think they're a little too kind.

{obligatory tourist shot. One item I regret not buying in SF}

{l to r: Michelle, our new boyfriend, moi}

{michelle and I busting out our cameras on our ride to the Wharf}

And then I had some break from working and headed to Fisherman's Wharf with Michelle and Caro! I love the tacky touristy-crap there, as well as the incredible food (YAY FOR CALAMARI and FRESH BOILED SHRIMP!)

J POP SUMMIT::




{l to r: My new gay husband Trevor and I}

Then came the SERIOUS WORK DAY at J POP SUMMIT, held at NEW PEOPLE. It was truly a busy day, early wake up time and bustling around until late at night! The event was a great success, and I could tell that a lot of people loved the show. I was truly lucky to be a part of all of this, and was so proud as I watched the audience from the stage.

{l to r:: Vani, Sebastian, moi and Yuka}

Then came the last day with my new family. It was last minute chatter and fun times, as I found out Sebastian was close friends with 阿部サダヲ (Sadao Abe) since middle school (!!), one of my favorite actors of all time. I gushed my love to Sadao to him, and he told me that he was always jealous of him because he was more popular with the girls since middle school, although he's a "shy boring guy" (according to Sebastian, that is). However, he promised me to arrange a meeting with him and I when I go back to Tokyo. OH NO!! ...but my heart sank as he told me he was married and has 2 children. Oh noes.

{autograph,bitches.}

I also got super lucky and bumped into Mori Chack, the creator of Gloomy bear!! I've been a great fan of Gloomy for years now, and snagged an autograph using my SEBA-PASS (セバパス。Short for "Sebastian-Pass", a magic pass you use using Sebastian's name. I introduced myself as Sebastian's translator, and voila, no need to spend $125 at BABY, and I got my autograph free of charge. muwahaha.) Mori Chack spotted my Gloomy hand key chain, which turned out to be a FAKE. Super embarrassing moment. I was in more shock because it was a gift from a friend of mine, and he consoled me by telling me "If that's the case, it's real." (Either way, he told me that it was made so well that only his assistant or him would be able to tell) He was a super nice guy, and I blurted in out my Osaka-ben (happens when I'm super nervous), which seemed to impress him. haha.


{Vani, Yuka, DOKIDOKI fans and I during the fashion walk}

Overall, + needless to say, I was super happy to be a part of such great tour. I made so many great friends, and got to be a part of what I used to be a mere fan of. Kedama and Saori told me by now I was no different than a shop girl, Vani thanked me countless times, and Sebastian told me I was a part of the DOKI DOKI family now. It was more than just hard for me to leave SF, and even though I clenched my teeth and tried as hard as I could not to cry, I couldn't help myself when I saw Saori crying. ...Don't cry!! We're gonna have an even more CRAY CRAY time in Tokyo when I'm back there!! ...and I was en route to Angel City.

A big thank you to those who were super hospitable to me while I was there! And a big big I miss you to all my SF peeps! Hopefully I can see you all once again, very very soon!<3>