Tsukiko Amano performed the ending themes for Fatal Frames II[Chou] and III [Koe] and now she's back with two more themes performed for Fatal Frame IV [aka Zero: Gesshoku no Kamen]. Zero is also the name of her final solo album due out on 9.03.08.
I thought I'd give Utada Hikaru's latest collection of singles and new tracks a listen since her last full length album [Ultra Blue] turned out to be coated with serious ear glue. I was really surprised by the depth of several of the songs, namely Take 5 and Stay Gold. They did require some translation to get the most out of them, however; naturally, I turned to the internet's otaku hordes for this essential function. Take 5 is my personal favorite of the bunch, with Stay Gold turning out to be my second despite its slightly sugary lyrics.
Stay Gold
-------------
* Because I love you
You don’t have to worry about anything
My Darling, Stay Gold
Please smile innocently
Forever…
The young boy hidden
Deep within your eyes
Continues to entice my instincts
Aah somehow, let it continue
Good Luck
There will most likely continue to be
Sad things ahead of us
My Darling, Stay Gold
Because even getting hurt is important
* Repeat
Figured out a job
We can’t continue playing around forever
Sometimes it’s good to learn
Adult intelligence and common sense
Aah Tonight, let’s just say
Good Night
They say change is
A fundamental part of the human heart
But Darling, Your Soul
Will continue to shine kindly
* Repeat
Because I love you
You don’t have to worry about anything
My Darling, Stay Gold
If I can keep smiling innocently
Each and every day…
Stay Gold - Romaji
----------------------------
* Daisuki dakara zutto
Nannimo shinpai iranaiwa
My Darling, Stay Gold
Mujakini waratte kudasaina
Itsumademo…
Anata no hitomi no
Oku ni hisomu shounen
Watashi no honnou kusugutte yamanai
Aah douka sonomama
Good Luck
Kanashii koto ha kitto
Konosakinimo ippai aruwa
My Darling, Stay Gold
Kizutsuku koto mo daijidakara
* Repeat
Shuushoku mo kimatte
Asondebakari irarenaine
Otona no joushiki ya chie mi
Ni tsukeru no mo ii
Aah Kyou ha konomama
Good Night
Kawariyuku no ga
Hito no kokoro no tsune dato iimasuga
Nee DAARIN Your Soul
Yasashiku kagayaki tsuzukeruwa
* Repeat
Daisuki dakara zutto
Nannimo shinpai iranaiwa
My Darling, Stay Gold
Mujakini waratte iraretara
Itsunohimo…
Teiku 5
-----------
Collapsing on top of the cold grass
I want to hide my burning body
These mid-winter constellations are my lovers
I have been waiting all this time
My mood today is the highest
Like the sky that has no despair nor hope
I want to be translucent
If we do not meet, we won’t fight
With no chance for disillusionment
The wind that is like a knife
Helping to increase my speed
Take 5
What version of myself makes me happy?
Like the sky that has no success nor failure
I want to be translucent
Take off my coat and step inside
With no beginning and no end
This day we call today, I’d like to live with grace
Teiku 5 romaji
---------------
Tsumetai kusa no ue ni taorekomi
Hoteru karada wo kakushitai
Mafuyu no seizatachi ga watashi no koibito
Zutto matteita no
Kyou no kibun wa saikou desu
Zetsubou mo kibou mo nai
Sora no youni sukitootteitai
Awanai hou ga kenka suru koto mo
Genmetsushi au koto mo nai
Naifu no you na kaze ga
Watashi no supiido agete iku no
Teiku 5
Donna jibun ga shiawase desu
Seikou mo shippai mo nai
Sora no youni sukitooteitai
Kooto wo nuide naka e hairou
Hajimari mo owari mo nai
Kyou to iu hi wo sunao ni ikitai
Now for a boring [and possibly narcissistic] update from my life:
I'm
currently working at a part time job while actively - and maybe even
psychotically - searching for a full-time job. Last Thursday, I had a
job interview that now appears to have been nothing more than an
exercise in added stress and annoyance. The job location is
in excess of twenty miles from my apartment. Gas now costs $3 per gallon. It was an unbalanced mixture of stupidity and desperation for me to even be driving that
far for a job offer.
The interview offered the same idiotically scripted questions as
always, designed to weed out "undesirables", aka anyone with an actual
IQ higher than 120. I really felt like standing up and saying Listen!
I'm the most dependable human being living today. I don't steal, have
no criminal background whatsoever, don't take drugs, I show up early to
work and only leave once the job's done. I'm more than qualified for this position and not
asking for more money than the national average for this job type. These should be more-than-sufficient reasons to hire me. Sadly, I didn't. At
the end of the interrogation session, the interviewer said I'd be
hearing from either the supervisor with a "yes" or the company's HR
person which means a "no". At the mention of "Human Resources", I knew
it wasn't going to work out. I have a serious aversion to red tape and BS. That could be up to two weeks worth of
wait time. Hopefully, they aren't expecting me to sit idly by the
telephone like some lovelorn fool awaiting a booty call that might
never come.
A large part of me doesn't want anything to do with this job, especially due to
the twenty-mile, one-way commute necessary to get there. The only
public transportation system in Tampa is via bus, and it utterly sucks.
Bicycling is possible, but thanks to the one-two punch that is Tampa
Bay traffic and its uberterrible drivers, I might die long before
reaching my destination. Courtesy of their front bumpers. It just
doesn't seem like good common sense to drive that far without being
compensated for the fuel - which you know just ain't gonna happen.
I'm rapidly approaching the conclusion that I need to move elsewhere,
though it seems that no matter where I go, there will always be an abundance of red tape and BS waiting for me.
This is the Japanese trailer for ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat, featuring battle footage and video cutscenes. It's no Ninja Gaiden II, but it looks awesome for the DS.
The world's oldest man turned 112 and told well-wishers in southwestern Japan he wants to celebrate an infinite number of additional years. Tomoji Tanabe, born September 18, 1895, took the title last January after the death of Emiliano Mercado Del Toro, of Puerto Rico, who was 115.
Earlier this year, Tanabe received a certificate from Guinness World Records verifying him as the world's oldest male. On Tuesday, the major of Miyakonojo City in Miyazaki, where Tanabe lives, presented him with a bouquet and a letter of congratulation.
When asked how many more years he wants to live, Tanabe said "infinitely", according to Miyakonojo city official Yasuo Yamashita. A former city land surveyor who lives with his son and daughter-in-law, Tanabe is in good health and drinks milk. He keeps a diary, avoids alcohol and does not smoke.
In Japan, one of the world's most rapidly aging countries, there were 32,295 centenarians as of September 1, according to the Health Ministry. The number of people aged 100 and over has almost quadrupled in the past 10 years.
[note: if you're reading this, then you likely live in America, where your chances of reaching 100 aren't so good. And that's how our lovely government likes it.]
Regular Menu Items
* Teriyaki McBurger: Ground pork sandwich with mayonnaise, lettuce, and teriyaki sauce.
* Ebi-Chiki Set: 2 shrimp nuggets and 3 chicken nuggets.
* Ebi Filet-O: Shrimp burger with special sauce and lettuce.
* French Fries can be purchased in barbecue, seaweed, and Italian basil flavors.
Seasonal Menu Items
* Ume Nuggets: Chicken McNuggets with sour ume sauce for dipping.
* Chicken Katsu Burger: Breaded chicken sandwich flavored with soy sauce and ginger.
* Salsa Burger: Breaded chicken sandwich with salsa,
* Korokke Burger: Sandwich with breaded mashed potatoes, shredded cabbage, and katsu sauce. Served with or without cheese.
* Tamago Double Mac: Hamburger with 2 beef patties, pepper sauce, bacon, and a poached egg. Served with or without cheese.
* Green Tea-flavored milkshakes
* Macaroni and Cheese Burger
Former menu items
* Bacon and Potato Pie: Side-dish made like an Apple Pie, but filled with mashed potatoes and bacon.
* Fish McDippers: Breaded fish pieces similar in size to Chicken McNuggets, and sold with tartar sauce for dipping.
Wed Aug 29, 4:09 AM ET
McDonald's on Wednesday spread the golden arches over Japan's cutthroat coffeehouse market, opening 15 "McCafes" to take on Starbucks and other successful chains.
Dozens of customers queued for the opening of a McCafe in Tokyo's trendy Ebisu district, which is dotted with cafes ranging from Starbucks and other chains to upscale establishments.
The burger empire's Japanese unit, which plans to open more "McCafes" in the near future, promised to offer a gourmet beverage and food menu coupled with the chain's "super convenience."
"We hope to capture a new customer base while increasing the frequency of repeated visits by our existing customers," said Eikoh Harada, chairman and president of McDonald's Holdings Co. Japan.
"We hope this will lead to a strengthening of our business," he said.
Japan, traditionally a nation of green tea drinkers, has seen a rapid rise in coffeeshops since Starbucks opened the chain's first store outside of North America in Tokyo in 1996.
Starbucks has enjoyed rapid success in Japan, where the US chain operates some 700 outlets and now expanding its breakfast menu.
