Top 5 Yuuka Lyrics! 2016

1. 残花 This is my number one because it was the most anticipated. Written in 2014!2. 祈誓 Of course I had to choose this. It was made for me!!!
3. 春風
4. 望
5. インフィニティ

What makes up Kagrra,?

First you have Shin. He brings the Japanese aspect to Kagrra, with his Koto and Guitars.

Akiya offers an American sound to Kagrra, with their songs and a lot of his guitar solos.

Nao is the funnyman of Kagrra, playing the some wild notes of his Bass.

Izumi and his serious drumming gives Kagrra, character.

Isshi is the esophagus of it all. He gives Kagrra, speech. He ties everything together with his Japanese lyrics.

Put all of them into a room for a bit. Have them collaborate and you'll have a masterpiece, rest assured.

Akiya's Guitars - ESP VP-230SL7

Akiya used this guitar a lot in the early Kagrra, days (before there was even a comma in the name). The guitar sounds quite different as you can tell if you saw any live with this guitar being used.

Akiya also used a brown version of the ESP Viper.

Akiya's Guitars - Fender Strat

I'd only seen Akiya use this guitar once. It was at their last concert for Tsurezure Naru Mama Ni..., one of my favorites. It looks very similar to the ESP strat but the difference is rather easy to see.

Akiya's Guitars - ESP Strat 400 Series

These are the only times that I've seen Akiya use this guitar. Pictured at the top is the Satsuki PV and the right is Meguru in the Usanmusyo DVD

Nanagatsu Nanoka Part 2

After that fun experience, I walked around some more and at the very last store we passed, we saw some more asian stuff, so we went inside. Turns out it was a cosplay store full of nerds, but I did see some goldies...

Like these kitties!

After that, we left to go once again to Guitar Center. We met an old guy trying to sell his guitar for $1500. Sorry bud, I just need a cab. He was pretty good though, sure hell of a lot better than the both of us combined. Well that was my day. I was able to get my Hughes and Kettner working but it makes these weird noises since I'm plugging into an amp and not a cab. I think I'll keep taking a bus down there to escape reality. I had a lot of fun! Who knows, maybe I'll find my next girlfriend there hehe...

Nanagatsu Nanoka Part 1

Well, as everyone knows yesterday was Nanagastu Nanoka. With that said, I didn't do anything special. Although today, I did plenty of stuff. I headed over to Guitar Center to grab a 3' speaker cable for my Hughes and Kettner. I had trouble paying as my new Chase card hasn't arrived yet. I had to call them to activate the card while I was purchasing. The guy wanted me to pay as soon as I got it, so I couldn't get my guitar strap and tube which were in the other room. Damn I should've asked. Oh well. With nothing else to look at after playing guitar, bass, drums, piano, all that good stuff, I headed across the street to the mall. I had only been there once and that was just to shop at the grocery store in it. I wanted to check out the mall for any distinctive stores. Boy am I glad I went. I walked around the entire mall and found plenty of cute asian girls. I'm sad that I can't bring one home with me. I just don't deserve one yet... Still, nice to look at. I think I had a chance with one that was looking at me. Then again, I was staring for a few seconds lol. Anyways, on to the good stuff! I passed by a pink store but briefly glimpsed at it. I happened to see those asian candies. I looked at the store name and it was called Daiso Japan. I'm happy. I ran inside and looked around. For a moment all I saw was makeup in the back. After careful looking I found some amazing stuff! Everything in the store was $1.50!

First is our Kagrra, Green Tea! I have to say it wasn't like I expected. Tastes like water with a nutty aftertaste. Which nut I can't say for sure but I tasted it before.

I think I've seen these toys being played with on KnS! Let me know Yuuka!

When I said this store was very pink, I wasn't lying!

All the snacks I don't care to try since I went healthy.

I grew up with these before Pocky was a thing. There was never enough dipping sauce.

Little kitty statues I bought since they were adorable. I bought a bigger black one for my dad.

Little Shiba Inu Statue, I had to get it!

I walked around some more with my friend and we saw this virtual reality thing. He couldn't try it since he was under 18. I volunteered and signed a waiver (as if the excitement would kill me). I put on the contraption and well, see for yourself!

So the other day I got a Vox VT15...

Ahh! I didn't realise how long it's been since my last post. Oops. Well, I got a new amp last week you know. I might regret that since I wasn't expecting to get paid a lot. It's a good amp anyway. It has so many effects that are handy. Only thing I don't like are the presets are so damn loud! My ears almost blew off, man. Apart from that, I can get the sound I like without using any of those pedals or processors. I'm able to make eight of my own presets, although I really only need the four hehe. Not to mention it's a nice looking amp. I'm planning on selling this as I won't need it when I buy my Bogner. It's good to have an amp now at all to be honest, and an awesome one at that. It's one of those hybrids, so a tube amp with speakers. I hear people having issues with blowing out their speakers. I don't seem to have that issue, then again, I don't turn up my volume that loud at all. There's little slots on the top that I'm able to fit my picks in, which is nice. Although, I know my roommate keeps fucking around my amp since my settings are always different everyday. Oh well, he can buy it if he wants it so bad. I'll just enjoy my Hughes and Kettner haha.

Kagrra, In A Video Game

I had some fun yesterday in Way of the Samurai 4. I noticed one of the faces looked exactly like Shin so I had to do it. I made all of the Kagrra, members and created them based on their personality. Their looks are based on what they wore at one point in their career. Here's a little taste hehe.

Worst Dream... Ugh

I had a dream it was my first day out during deployment in Afghanistan. It was just two of us in a little foxhole. The other guy wasn't watching and a whole squad of guys came from behind me and had their guns pointed at me. The leader spoke English and said kill them both. At this time only one guy had his gun pointed at me and I pointed my gun right in his face. Right before I was going to shoot him, the leader says nevermind, just take them with us. I didn't know what we were going to be in for. I can only assume it's going to be much worse than killing us. I woke up to hearing Irodori No Sanka and relieved that it wasn't as real as I had thought. Whew.

My First Guitar Cover

Ok, it was just the solo of Kakurenbo. I learned this just a day or two before I left for basic. It's very easy to learn. Although, hehe, there is the issue of the audio being unsynced with the video. It has to be that way because I hear myself play guitar and the song at the same time. I suppose i could edit the video next time. I'm not using AVS video editor you know, so I'll have to see if Movie Maker has that feature, which I'm sure it does.

Kagrra, Dream

As the title suggests, I had a Kagrra, dream influenced by my nightly music listening. I went back in time and I was there during the CORE recording. I had heard an early version of Irodori No Sanka (the song I was listening to during my sleep). All it had was the song with no voice. The people seemed to love Akiya's solo, I know I did. I couldn't understand what they were saying but I know they told them to go back and record some more. The members let out a big arghh. Haha! That was it for the dream but I'm glad to finally have another Kagrra, dream after so long.

Kokushi-SK

That's the name of my guitar. Well now, I changed my pickups yesterday to what they need to be. I play it and the neck pickup sounds weird. Nothing out of the ordinary but I just don't like it. I used to have it in my Epiphone and I didn't like it then. I can't seem to find many songs I can play with it. Koi goes pretty good with it I suppose. Yuki Koi Uta and Kasunda Fuyu No Mukou Ni... however sound kinda shitty playing with the pickup. Maybe it's the amp. Then again, Akiya used a either Suiren or Mugen-AK for those songs anyways so maybe that's the case. All that's left is to paint the guitar a little bit and replace the logo. Well, wish me luck!

Crazy Dream... Again

I guess the heat has gone to my head, since very recently everything has influenced what I see in my sleep. The first few things were based from that Conjuring 2 Virtual Reality video I watched. That shit was horrifying. The last one was basically me in the shoes of Walter White near the end where the police are looking for him. I sorta had a map system like Grand Theft Auto which was weird. I kept getting caught by the police but somehow escaping. The entire time I was trying to get everything back to normal so I wasn't wanted anymore. It was a useless attempt but oh well. Glad it was just a dream.

Crazy Dream

So glad I was to wake up from that nightmare. I won't go through the whole thing, but it involved little elephants as mice and seeing my kitty cat Gordon being even alive by crows. Ugh!!! Worst part was watching it but I felt like I couldn't do anything about it. I think the situation changed as the dream went on. First it was playing a new Jak and Daxter game then it was me moving to a home in Japan I guess. Craziness! Then I woke up and now in a bad mood because someone's pissing me off. I could stab a bitch hehe. I need those hairpin sword things. Reminds me of that Jet Li movie where the ladytook her hairpin things out and stabbed that guy lol.

June 3rd

Well damn, today's more special than I thought. Not only did I not realise it was the anniversary of Kagrra,, but there's more going on. Today's also national Doughnut Day, from the Simpsons lol. I haven't watched that since the movie came out almost ten years ago so why should I care... Well I love donuts! Also, that Japanese boy who went missing after his parents left him in the woods was found alive today! That's great! I don't think anyone was at fault as the boy was throwing stones at people and his parents thought it best for him to be by himself for a bit. The intentions were good but it was a complete blockhead move. There was a truck that was swept away by water yesterday in Fort Hood. Turns out, it was my battle buddy's battle buddy. That's just awful, seeing as she JUST graduated from AIT. Damn, she didn't even get a chance to live her life... Well, onto a different subject. I have no special plans for today, aside from going to the store and getting me a Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper, mmm mmm mmmm.

Aki's Equipment Checklist

I'm updating this list as I buy more guitar equipment.

---GUITARS---
ESP Mugen-AK ()
ESP Kokushi-AK/$384 (X)
ESP Suiren ()
Stratocaster ()
Breedlove AD25 SR Plus/$650 (X)

 ---AMPS---
Hughes and Kettner TriAmp MKI/$1100 (X)
Bogner 4x12 Slant Cabinet ()
Koch Powertone II ()
Genz Benz G-Flex 2x12 ()

 ---MISC---
FURMAN PL-8J Power Conditioner ()
Ex-Pro Pro-10b Wireless Receiver ()
Ex-Pro VX-80 Wireless Transmitter ()
TC Electronic G-Force Effects Processor ()
KORG DTR-1 Digital Pedal Tuner ()
CAJ Mixer ()
CAJ Interface ()
CAJ 4x4 Audio Controller ()
Fulltone FULL-DRIVE 2 Overdrive Effect Pedal ()
ROGER MAYER VOODOO-VIBE ()
MXR Phase 90 Effects Pedal ()
MXR Dyna Comp Pedal ()
AC/DC Power Station ver2 x2 () ()
Yamaha AG-Stomp Acoustic Guitar Preamp ()
CAJ RS10 MIDI Controller ()
Jim Dunlop Crybaby Wah Pedal ()
KORG DT10 Digital Pedal Tuner ()
KORG VP10 Volume Pedal ()
Capo/$18 (X)
Acoustic Guitar Stand ()

My Experience in Basic Training (Part 2)

Dear God, here they come. As the white buses get closer, my stomach drops to the floor. What the fuck did I get myself into? The buses stop and the doors open. Drill Sergeants come storming out, and I stand perfectly still with my ID's and dogtags out. Great, haven't attracted any attention yet. They give us a timehack to hurry and put our hat and gloves one. I had them in my bags and I couldn't find my glove fast enough, arrrrghh! Putting those fuckers on isn't so fast as I'd like. I get yelled at for not being in uniform. They have us stick our black bags in a pile so get transported to the company and we keep our green dufflebags. We go on the buses and I'm sitting in the front. "PUT YOUR HEADS IN YOUR BAGS! YOU DON'T NEED TO SEE WHAT'S OUT THERE!" I close my eyes to try to get relaxed on the way there. The ride last about five minutes. "GET THE HELL OFF MY BUS!" Yeah, how original. We run outside with our arms still wrapped around our bags. "KEEP RUNNING!" All right, I guess I'll just follow everyone else. I manage to get a lap around. "KEEP GOING!" Man, this damn bag is starting to get heavy, I eventually start walking. "HEY, WHY YOU WALKING? RUN!" Okay okay fine. After the next lap we double time it over in the PT bubble. They make us do push ups, push ups, and more push ups. "GO GET YOUR BLACK BAGS AND HURRY UP!" Awesome, they're all in a big ass pile. Each time we missed the time hack, we went inside and did more push ups. It must've been the third time before I finally found mine. I run past a Drill Sergeant and he yells at me to go behind him and don't let him see me again. I get too tired for push ups so I'm laying there flopping like a damn fish. "OH MY GOD, YOU CAN'T EVEN DO ONE SINGLE PUSH UP. YOU AIN'T GONNA MAKE IT! HOLY SHIIIT!" Wanna bet? Figures he'd end up being my Senior Drill Sergeant. He said something to me but I couldn't understand him so I said, "Yes, Drill Sergeant. IT'S SENIOR DRILL SERGEANT!" Couldn't understand him again so I repeated, "Yes Drill Sergeant. IT'S SENIOR DRILL SERGEANT!" Oops, my bad. After that ordeal. They have us take inventory which I lost half my shit, I was able to keep that secret hidden from them. We hold our bags up for a long ass time while Drill Sergeant M takes accountability. "Private, you are going to hold those bags up or I'm going to ruin your day." Ugh fuck me. I pick them up over my head for the little while she's next to me. Finally, they have us to go the company. I barely made it, having to carry two heavy bags. Thankfully, I had a buddy next to me supporting me. I go inside then I have to climb two flights of stairs. C'mon just make it stop! After we get to our bay, we meet a couple or our platoon's Drill Sergeants. First one in was Drill Sergeant B. He was just a couple inches taller than me, couldn't see his face with his hat and sunglasses on. He had us filling out paperwork and assigned us rooms. We also put our black bags up in a closet. We hurry back into formation and we miss the time again. "FRONT LEANING REST POSITION, MOVE!" Ahh man not this again. We stayed in the push up position for the longest time. I got too tired so I fell on the ground again flopping around. Then Senior Drill Sergeant C comes in. Oh no, this guy again? "Look at that, same guy as earlier. HOLD YOUR BODY UP STOP BEING WEAK, HOLY SHIIIT!" That should be his quote, he said that so often. Well, its dinner time. Being me, I fuck up again and go to the wrong platoon. For some reason, the accountability was still good, maybe I wasn't the only one to fuck up. They marched us to the DFAC which was a bit of a walk. Welcome Senior Drill Sergeant W, the laughing stock of the Drill Sergeants. Not saying he was bad, but he was so easy to imitate. "ONE SCOOP AND GO WEIRDO! HEY YOU, ONE SCOOP AND GO. C'MON PRIVATE, WE DON'T HAVE ALL DAY. WEIRDO! WEIRDO! WEIRDO!" I don't know his obsession was with that word, but it was funny. After we eat, We go back to the company and fill out more paperwork. When all of that is over, we finally get some sleep. That was only the first few hours? Oh no.... It's gonna be a long 2 months.

My Experience in Basic Training (Part 1)

Well here it goes, a long story. It's good to be back. Let's start off with the day I left. I woke up, my dad dropped me off at a diner next to the recruiter office since they were closed. I had some coffee and waited a long time for the sergeant to pick me up. We went over to MEPS real quick to grab paperwork then it was off to the airport. Waited in the area for about an hour, I decide to not charge my phone while I have the chance (a decision I later regret). I get on the plane at around 1pm in the pacific timezone. The ride last about 5 hours and in 2 timezone ahead now. It's already nighttime in Missouri. Well, I head the USO and I'll always remember hearing the guy up front say "Sucks to be in the Army, get used to it." Damn, thanks for making me feel good about it, guy. Time for the bus ride, yay. It's a two hour ride from the airport to Fort Leonard Wood, so the bus driver puts on a movie (much to my surprise). The name escapes me at the moment but it had something to do with the military and aliens, very shitty movie. Sometime after the end credits, we finally make it there. We stop in front of a building and we see a Drill Sergeant. Everyone is shaking at the sight of him. It gets worse, more of them come out. One of them gets on our bus! OH NO! "You're going to make two lines in front of the building when you get off the bus." Well shit, not what I was expecting. I walk in with the others and I see more people in front with these seat with their shirts tucked in. They leave and it's our turn. Basically we just take everything out of our bags and get searched, plus the shirt thing. They feed us a nutrigrain bar and some gatorade. I'm thinking this'll be our last good meal before we're eating slop for the next couple of months. We fill out some paperwork then it's down the hall to get some stuff. I get my PT uniform in medium which was the wrong thing to do. I still get made fun of for having too big PT clothes. We finally go outside and walk a bit to our barracks. We stand outside in the cold for a little bit then I hear "Is there a problem?" Shit, that must be our Drill Sergeant and somebody fucked up. He takes us inside to sign in and get our books, we stick those in our laundry bag. He rushes us and yells at the slowpokes. Some girl isn't taking it seriously and she causes us to go outside and stand there. Great, someone ruining it for everyone else. This sets the tone for the rest of my time in basic and AIT. After that ugliness, we go to our bay and the Drill Sergeant tells us to go to sleep and enjoy it because we'll be waking up in two hours. Fuck my life. Another group comes in, about 70 more added on to our 10, and they get told to go to sleep. Poor guys won't get as much as I did. Well we did get more than two hours of sleep, so I guess he was trying to stress us out after all. It was four hours I believe. Over the intercom they wake us up, tell us to put on winter PT's and shave. Ahhh damn it, I don't have anything to shave with. I ask everyone for a razor but no one has any extra. Well, time to go downstairs. I get inspected, "I see that frikkin' mustache you're trying to sneak by me, go upstairs and shave!" A guy comes to help me out. He doesn't have a razor for me. I go back and ask and finally one guy can help me out with a damn razor. Wait a minute, I asked him earlier!!! Mother f--- why didn't you help me before!!! Well, we get rushed my I cut myself maybe three times and still didn't finish. I'm bleeding like a mother fucker out of my lip and around my ear. I suck on my lip the entire day so they don't see me bleeding. We go back in the very first building I went to the night before, and we get organised into a line in alphabetical order. I was number 064 if my memory serves me right. We go into the cafeteria to eat, getting yelled at all the while. My drinks taste best with my cups to my chest and my food tastes better with my heels together. This is basic? It was just later when I found out that this is just reception. We get our records done here. I spent the better part of a week here, about 6 days. I got so many shots, I definitely felt the one in my ass. We got all of the gear we were going to use in basic in reception. We got OCP's which is the new uniform. If I had come just a week earlier, I would've gotten ACU's, those hideous gray ones that are no good for camouflage. Nobody had to shit the first five days there, probably because we all knew what was coming. On our last day, we had to carry those heavy ass bags to the building and line them up between our feet so we couldn't move. It was our first experience of a Drill Sergeant yelling at us to prepare us for later. He kicked my bags in because I had trouble lining mine. After lunch, we finally go back outside to await hell. It seemed like such a long time, but then the buses came...

New Guitar Strings

I haven't changed out my strings since August, so I figured its as good a time as any. I do hate that I can only enjoy it for a couple days though. I decided to try a couple new ones. I bought the Classic Super Slinky and Classic Regular Slinky. I tried out the Regular and I have to say it is just fantastic! I have the sounds I want and theres no fret buzz. I did have issues with my other strings because I think the gauges were too light. With that said, I'm still gonna try the Super Slinky when my new ones wear off. They also sound even more like Akiya's guitar, so that gets an A+ from me. Next stop, guitar stuff hehe.

Goodness, I think I'll pull an all nighter, I streamed with my roommate/friend/brother-in-law for six hours! I finally got my TV from storage and using that for a second monitor hehe. Now it's easier to monitor chat without using my laptop. I also started using my Guitar Amp as a speaker, although my TV has the same function, it just sounds better. Ugh decisions. Maybe I'll use my amp when I get the new one I've been waiting to buy.