2011/03/19＊Takuro
Seems like they’re still working hard at the power plant tonight. Just like yesterday, I’m praying today.
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I went on a walk this afternoon. Don’t really remember exactly what I did, I just stared at the skies and at the dogs as I prayed silently. I was at a park, you see. Was a sunny Tokyo today as well. I think you know this already, but our planned appearance at Rock no Gakuen on the 21st has been cancelled. Very unfortunate. I was looking forward to our first performance in over 3 months as much as you guys were. I look forward to playing Rock no Gakuen the next opportunity we get. Right now we just don’t have the means to. Can’t be helped for the time being. There’s nothing we can do, even though we’d really like to perform because at the end of the day, the best thing a band can do is to play live. Although I talked about saving our strength for later and all that, I’m also itching to play live. What “saving our strength” means in essence is, for example, practicing both slow tempo and fast tempo picking, and for me as the vocalist, well, doing my situps, practicing playing while singing, etc. The new album is going to have a whole new set of challenges as far as all that physical stuff goes. My body needs to be prepared, too.
As it got completely dark, I prayed for those working at the Fukushima power plant. This is a good chance for those who’ve never prayed before. Let’s pray together. You can do it whichever way you’d like, it’ll be fine as long as you think good thoughts. Probably. I’m constantly thinking about the people who were at the disaster areas and how we’ll definitely meet one day. Both the people who’ve been to 9mm’s lives before and those who I haven’t come across in my life. In the surely not-so-distant future when you’re all ready to stand up, when you’re thinking you’re short of a few really loud guys who’ll make you get you in a crazy party mood, please let us perform for you. Our power on stage is our only redeeming feature. I’m certain we’ll cheer up everyone. Let’s meet there for sure. Time for me to head off to sleep together after a few silent prayers. Good night.
2011/03/17＊Takuro
Japan’s self defense forces, stay strong!
Ah man, I should have Twitter for this stuff. From tomorrow I’ll try my best to properly go for sentences with less than 140 characters. I wonder if the power plant’s calmed down. The people of Fukushima and the neighboring prefectures must be full of worry. Here’s to hoping they could at least get their things delivered to them. Continuing to pray for the people who passed away. See you tomorrow.
2011/03/17＊Takuro
It seems Tokyo’s now in electricity conservation mode. I’ll turn this off.
All those who exhausted and making their way back home, be careful and return safely.
2011/03/17＊Takuro
Clear weather in Tokyo today, too.
I was thinking about this when I woke up this morning. Right now, all of Japan has priority seating. The rule is, “give your seat to those who need it more than you.” It’s affixed to the window. Those of us who can stand on our own legs, let’s give our seats to those who can not.
Let’s give our seats to pregnant women and the elderly, people who are hurt, little children and people carrying heavy luggage.
It’s possible there are people who might think, “Who the hell are you to tell me that? There’s no one who needs a seat more than me. Give me yours.” Let’s give our seats to these people as well.
The people who say these things… rather than the people in the shaking train who are light-headedly fighting it out until the next station, the people who say such things are weaker. Perhaps their intentions are to never get up from their seats again, because it sure feels to me like they’re headed nowhere.
We can all have times of great weakness. However, I dare say that no matter how bad it gets, there are people out there worse off than you. The people who announce that “more than anyone else, they’re at the edge of the world“… that’s exactly where they’re nailed down to.
“Give your seat to those who need it more than you” is a guideline I think I’ll live by. I think that’s what even the people in extremely harsh living conditions are thinking right now.
It seems today will be a long day, too.
Hoping for there to be at least some good news.
2011/03/16＊Chihiro
『Dear Bonaparte』
Napoleon, Your Highness. You once said this:
“There are only two forces that unite men — fear and interest.“
Certainly, I think it is so.
However, Emperor Napoleon.
Those of us who value courtesy and kindness are a little bit different.
In times when our fellowmen are hurt or our friends are crying out for help, we always unite without thinking about what’s in it for us.
That’s the people of Japan.
All the more at times of disaster like now.
Right now, everyone’s looking for ways to help the country.
Everyone goes about it their own way, but all are doing their utmost best.
What, you’re saying that’s not written in your dictionary?
Then add it in there, damn you:
“The people of Japan help one another.“
But, Emperor Napoleon… nowadays foreign countries are wonderful, too.
Forgetting about things like country borders or race and aiding Japan, it makes me glad.
I reckon it’s since we all came to be born under the same blue sky on the same Earth.
…Huh? That’s not in your dictionary either?
I guess the things in 19th century France might be a little too outdated then.
Well, actually, just write this in there:
“Everyone across the Earth helps one another.“
2011/03/16＊Takuro
The last I heard from the news reports, the number of people saved is already above 9,700. Though there hasn’t been much more reports since then, that is seriously great. Everyone in our self-defense forces and rescue teams is working as hard as they possibly can. Only, the regions facing the Sea of Japan in the Tohoku area look to be getting colder tonight and they also seem to be getting power outages, so I’m very worried.
I guess it’s not good to write just about the earthquake, so one more thing.
I’m reading Haruki Murakami’s Zatsubunshuu¹. It’s the same type of book as Zou no Shoumetsu (The Elephant Vanishes) and Mekurayanagi to, Nemuru Onna (Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman). Feels smooth to the touch. His speech at the Jerusalem Awards is included, too.
Hoping for good news to be plentiful tomorrow.
¹ No official translation yet after a quick look on Wikipedia, so I’m leaving as is.
2011/03/15＊Takuro
At home, watching the news on the power plant. There’s really unsettling reports on the radioactivity levels having gotten higher, but it’s important we stay calm. Quietly waiting to hear more on where the situation goes from here.
2011/03/14＊Takuro
Good evening. This afternoon, the band were able to make contact with the last of their family members. To everyone who worried for us, thank you very much.
In addition, we had a meeting. After our talks with the four of us as well as staff, we came to the conclusion to save our strength. The time when the band and our music can be useful will surely come later. And when it does, we’ll have a great performance waiting for you.
An acquaintance of mine from Zankyo Records who was in one of the disaster areas in Iwate is worried that there isn’t enough information on the news about the essential items that people over in those areas are in need of.
So, I just wrote these down as I watched TV. I think it was Mr. Haga from Minamisanriku’s Board of Education who listed these. Of course, it’s safe to assume these aren’t limited only to Minamisanriku. Items they have a lack of at the affected areas:
- Candles and flashlights
- Blankets and oil heaters, etc, things to warm oneself up with
- Food and water
I didn’t write these down for my sake, I just wanted to put this list somewhere where at least a few more people would see it.
I’ll do what I can tomorrow as well. I have a photo shoot. Today, too, I’m praying for more lives to be saved.
2011/03/14＊Takuro
Good morning. Regardless of whether there is a scheduled power outage or not, I think I’ll try to conserve electricity anyway. 9mm will gradually resume its activities starting from today.
