12 September 2010 @ 01:00 pm
AAA Goodies from Japan  

I was talking to someone recently about where to buy AAA goods in Japan. The thing is, if you're looking for Official Goods, they're typically only buy-able at concerts, live events, and/or online. The Avex Building does, on rare occasion, offer fun artists goods in their store (like snacks from a vending machine), but other than that, it's really hard to find AAA things that aren't DVDs or magazines, etc.

I go to Harajuku. I lived about a ten minute walk from there last semester and used to walk there all the time with my sister just to relax. There's always tons of people, but there's something really special about the air of the place. It just feels good to be there, if you know what I mean! And Alex and I spent such a while in Tokyo and visiting Harajuku, that we actually ended up becoming familiar with a good number of the shopkeepers anyway, so we liked to visit them. On one of our last days in Tokyo before returning home for our summer break, one of the idol shop workers who always saw us looking at/buying AAA things, had a nice chat with us about the band. Evidently she's a fan too! ^_^

But I guess what I mean to say is that AAA goods can DEFINITELY be found in Harajuku. I'm sharing some pictures of some of the AAA goods I bought while out there, and if you are a long-term member of [community profile] attackallaround , you've probably already seen some of the other goods my sister and I shared pictures of back when we started our "Live from Japan" specials.

Here's some pictures~

~clicky to enlargeth~


 

^This is my pre-Shin collection--now I have all of the members and Miura too. <3

There's a really warm feeling in just being able to walk into an idol shop and look at your favorite celebrities~ <3 Good luck looking for your AAA things! (^_^)v

~Marysa (merry_chan)

 
 
 
Current Music: Tumbling TV Show, Ep. 4
Current Mood: content
 
 
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nanbungaku: p_nisho[personal profile] nanbungaku on September 12th, 2010 04:54 pm (UTC)
I really wish I could go to Japan: there are plenty of places I need to visit, including idol shops XD
Oh money, where are you?

That Nissy+Shohei gif is like the one I made a while ago x3
I adore Nissy/Sho moments *_*
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めっりーちゃん: pic#612341[personal profile] merry_chan on September 12th, 2010 05:41 pm (UTC)
I really wish I could go to Japan: there are plenty of places I need to visit, including idol shops XD Oh money, where are you?

Yes...money is way too elusive, huh? T_T But if you need help finding cheaper resources to Japan, please let me know! I've been twice and lived there (and will be living there again this school semester, though I leave at the end of the month), so I think I might have some resources that could be helpful!
But one day, whether sooner or later, you will definitely get there! Maybe try for an exchange program in your school??

That Nissy+Shohei gif is like the one I made a while ago x3
I adore Nissy/Sho moments *_*


Hontou da??? Nan-chan, maybe this is your GIF! I thought I got it from Miya-chan, the girl who made the Soup Opera ones, but now that doesn't seem to make sense....I don't think she's done any Tumbling Gifs yet....Do you have the link to yours? Maybe I can just add your name to the credits for this one....O.O Thanks for pointing that out! I put those up when it was really late at night, so I was quite tired. >_<

And by the way, Nissy and Sho moments....they really are the best!!! &hearts I love seeing the two of them together, hahaha, but maybe it's also because they're just my two favorite guys! They're both so sweet though! ^_^

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nanbungaku: p_shuntake[personal profile] nanbungaku on September 12th, 2010 07:13 pm (UTC)
My problem is that, because of recession and such, I couldn't work for months, so I really couldn't save money at all (>.<)
And I decided to quit univ (had several problems).
But from end of October I should start working again with a higher paycheck, so me and my bff are planning to go next yr!

Hmm well, I made this
http://i48.tinypic.com/33mmrs0.jpg

and posted about it in my journal as well
http://gashinenai.livejournal.com/31923.html
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めっりーちゃん[personal profile] merry_chan on September 12th, 2010 09:08 pm (UTC)
Oh yeah! The recession has been really terrible....and the Yen rate compared to all other monies is.....well, it's ghastly! >.< But let's hope for the best in the future! Once upon a time I thought a 90/100 Yen-Dollar conversion rate was bad. Now it's 83/100!!! >_____< But I'm so sorry to hear about college and everything.
I think Uni is overrated. It's more like a chance to bide one's time while trying to look for a real job, especially in the art-related careers. I don't blame you there, because that's exactly how I feel about it too! But I really wish you the best of luck....so many troubles......-_-

But congratulations on the new paycheck!!! YAAAAYYY!!! You guys are going to have a fantastic time, and I bet by then that the conversion rate will be far better! &hearts Please enjoy it~ Ganbatte kudasai ne~

And as for the GIF....

That IS it, gan-chan!!! I'm going to add your name right now! I'm so sorry about that, I feel really stupid! >.<; I know I downloaded it to giggle at on my computer. XD And when I set up this account, I just uploaded the GIFs I'd saved, but I'd accidentally saved this one to my friend Miya's folder! Gan-chan, I'm so sorry! m(_ _)m I'll link to your LJ for now, because that's where you posted it! But please let me know if you prefer I link to your DW!
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nanbungaku: dw-sheep-aqua[personal profile] nanbungaku on September 12th, 2010 09:49 pm (UTC)
My 2 main problems with college were
1) I didn't want to do that Major (aka Law, my parents forced me)
2) I had health related problesm (aka doctors giving me meds I didn't need for almost 1 yr, they were slowly killing me)
I agree, university is overrated. Especially for things like languages.
Did you know that for a company language certificates (like those from Cambridge) are more important and valuable than a degree in languages?
It's crazy, but that's how the world works nowadays.

Thank you! This is definitely gonna take me away lots of time, but I'm gonna go work again with children with disabilities.
Working with them is such an amazing and emotional experience so I'm happy.
And since they told me I'll get more money I'm even happier XD
I also have a side job with a company but idk how long I'll be staying there.
As long as I can get enough money to be independent, buy my own stuff and such without bothering my parents, I don't care if I have to work 24/7.

Nah, it's okay, you don't even have to credit me if you don't want to ^^
But I'm happy if that gif helps to spread around some love for those guys and that drama =)
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めっりーちゃん[personal profile] merry_chan on September 12th, 2010 10:31 pm (UTC)
My 2 main problems with college were
1) I didn't want to do that Major (aka Law, my parents forced me)
2) I had health related problesm (aka doctors giving me meds I didn't need for almost 1 yr, they were slowly killing me)


Ohhhhhhh!!! Oh my goodness...yes, you had all the reason to quit! I think perhaps my reasons for wanting to are more superficial and lazy-like, but yours are so serious! I hope you will get to do what you want to in the future. Even though I know your parents probably have certain expectations, it's important you're happy in your own life! :(


I agree, university is overrated. Especially for things like languages.

Sou desu yo ne! (And it ends up being a giant debt in the end too! >.<)

I had no idea about that, the language certificates! Is that really so!? I must be behind the times too, hehehe! ^^;; I've been thinking I'm supposed to .....

About your job....oh my gosh, I can't even express how beautiful that is! I really really admire people who work with children, especially disabled children! I've done a lot of early education programs, and some of my best friends are disabled. And I just...well, I don't know how to express it, but it makes me so happy to know that there will be a good person working with the people who need it most! Isn't it funny how the most disabled people, whether physically or mentally, are typically the most talented and intelligent people? God Bless 'em! And you have a wonderful experience! I think you'll do great already, because you're going into it with such a good attitude! Oh goodness, I wish you all the best! &hearts
Hahaha! The money part is funny! XD But that's true, that never hurts! XP And congrats about the side job!! It's nice to see such determination!

And about the GIF again...Hahaha, no way! I would also feel much better to provide that credit! GIFs are no easy work to make (if I could do them, I would make them all the time XDD), so it seems only right! I did add it in below that! And thank you for making this particular GIF, because it's one of my favorite moments~ &hearts

Yeah, oh my goodness, Tumbling is such love! And it never gets old, right? Last night I had a dream that I was running from these weird space things with the Tumbling guys, hahaha! XDDD But I really love that show and the boys....it's so nice to see that they're all doing well too!

Actually, that reminds me...do you like roleplays? My sister set up a pretty successful one on Proboards, and we're keeping the Tumbling story going! ^^
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nanbungaku[personal profile] nanbungaku on September 12th, 2010 11:07 pm (UTC)
I work and luckily it's a job I like to do so right now I'm happy with this ^^
Besides I'm just 22, nothing stops me from wanting to re-start university in a couple of years.

I don't know about other countries, but it's a tendency here that keeps getting stronger.
I've heard friends going to job interviews and getting told "why do u go to college? you have the highest level in XXX language, that's all you need".
they all dropped univ and started working. reason: they could fill the requirements already and they wouldn't have to waste more money for college.
as far as I know, even in Japan the main requirement is the JLPT, preferably level 2, and some experience for specific fields. The rest is secondary (unless you want to go there as a teacher assistant, because a degree would be necessary for that)

I agree, especially with very young children.
It always amazes me whenever they can finally understand to do something that is considered ordinary by normal people and for them is like achieving a great goal. They smile at you as if they just discovered the most amazing thing in the world.
It's really something that can bring joy to the lives of people working with them.
And I get sooooooo mad and pissed when I found out their families don't treat them right or they get bullied by others just because they are different!

Tumbling is really beautiful.
I'm glad they decided to make a drama about it.
Men's RG is often considered "stupid", "gay" and "isn't that thing with ribbons and such? that's a girly thing!"
And that's just the result of people's ignorance and stupidity, because it takes a lot of effort, discipline, constant exercise and so on to be able to do what those amazing performers can do.

I do, but idk if I can be good enough and be as active as requested.
Can you tell me more about it?
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めっりーちゃん[personal profile] merry_chan on September 13th, 2010 06:48 pm (UTC)
Very good point! You could even take college at 50, if you wanted to! I know at least three couples who have gone back to college at that age! And if you have a good job with a good pay and you are happy, then that is what is most important~ *high five!*

The whole topic about language studies being unnecessary is kind of fascinating! I'm really glad to hear that it's becoming more of a case of real proficiency over how much education you could afford! I always thought experience in a topic should mean more than a piece of paper. >_> But I do understand about the teaching degrees and such, that certainly makes sense! I'll have to look out here and see if it's becoming this way here too. That would be so nice!

I agree, especially with very young children.
It always amazes me whenever they can finally understand to do something that is considered ordinary by normal people and for them is like achieving a great goal. They smile at you as if they just discovered the most amazing thing in the world.
It's really something that can bring joy to the lives of people working with them.


Yeah, and it really opens up one's eyes too! &hearts That smile is probably worth more than most money in the world. And then the people you work with, knowing you were there with them, it just creates this kind of family bond, you become so close!!! ^^ One of my long-time friends was considered a special needs student with a mental retardation problem. They put him in a special needs class and actually had him stay back two years rather than letting him graduate with all of us his age.

That made me so mad....That boy was in a play my sister directed and knew everyone's lines, including his own. And the lead role had up to 300 lines alone!! *0* He was one of the best actors I've ever seen, just always natural and in the moment. And more than that, not only is he a sweetie and good guy, but he's super intelligent. He knows about even the smallest of details of things, and yet that school was insistent that he stay back two years. I think they're the ones who need their heads examined. I know he will go on to do great things! I just hate seeing when authority figures put people down like that.... -_____-

And I get sooooooo mad and pissed when I found out their families don't treat them right or they get bullied by others just because they are different!

This too! This is ridiculous....you have to be a really cold-hearted person to treat your own family like that! (Though bullies are the worst. They only do it so they can feel better about themselves!) But I understand that it's probably tough at times and maybe families don't know what to do, but it seems so wrong that they think they can just treat someone that way!!! >__<

But about Tumbling....yes, that's really true! I've just been showing it to my family, and at first they were laughing when Ryosuke is saying how it's a girl's sport with leotards and stuff, but we're only two episodes in and they're already loving it! My mother was even crying!!!
And you're right, because that really is just a sign of ignorance. I'm sure if people actually tried to do it themselves, maybe then they'd think twice. Being that synchronized and harmonious together seems really amazing! Like...what kind of bond do you have to have to get it to really work, right? ^^ I would love to go see a real Tumbling team now, though the actors were amazing for what time they had to learn!!!

I do, but idk if I can be good enough and be as active as requested.
Can you tell me more about it?


About the roleplay, right? Well, I can give you the link:

http://tumblingtherpg.proboards.com/index.cgi

It's become quite loose in that everyone's kind of busy, but we post when we have the time! I think the canon characters currently missing are Yuuta and Kaneko! All the others are being played, and there are even quite a few original characters claimed too! Plus someone is playing Mari-chan and one of the Washizu guys!
I guess it's kind of hard to explain, but it's really fun and we all laugh a lot there! XD Basically, we just roleplay all these scenarios that may have happened between the actual plots in the story, as well as before the plots and after! And everything's not strictly canon either, because even though Mizusawa likes Kiyama on the site, boe_4eva and bravelioness have been having Hino and Mizusawa be interested in each other too! ^^;;;;

It's.....fun. XD
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nanbungaku[personal profile] nanbungaku on September 13th, 2010 10:08 pm (UTC)
Experience is alwyas something considered valuable.
There are so many ppl who study for years but have absolutely no experience (and end up making disasters).

What they did with your friends is, unfortunately, common but absolutely non-sense, at least IMO.
In Italy there are no "special classes"; a disabled person can have an assistant who stays with him/her during classes and such.
I agree that sometimes families don't know what to do, but beating on your kids and calling them "retarded" only because they are not like others is unforgivable (>.<)

I just watched the subbed version of the special DVD.
I'm happy for the subs because I could understand better all the worries and doubts they had to deal with.
I am honestly proud of them because they had been able to do all that work in such a short time.

Hmm that's nice!
I don't think I will be joining right now (I'm still planning about the dramas/music comms), but maybe in the future ^^
If and when I decide to join, I'll let you know =)
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めっりーちゃん: pic#612341[personal profile] merry_chan on September 15th, 2010 06:32 am (UTC)
That's really so wonderful to hear though. Maybe the times will change over here too. Where it becomes more about experience! &hearts

It is common, isn't it? >_< I hate that thought...people who are probably more deep and intellectual than the rest of us being held back because they "seem" different. And you're more than right! It's nonsense. How is it any different from being outwardly racist? I'm glad it's different in Italy, that a disabled person can be in the same classroom. Having disabled people in another classroom (at least mentally disabled) feels a lot to me like bitter segregation. T_T

Yeah, there is no excuse for a family hurting their kid, whether mentally or physically. There are always places to call help, I would think, if something seemed out of hand. But it is just altogether wrong for a parent to raise a hand to their children like that. It's strange how things which should seem so obvious and commonly practiced are completely ignored in instances like that...

Well, on a much lighter note, I'm glad you saw the subbed version! I also watched it! It was really so much more shocking with the subtitles....>____< I think one of the most horrifying parts was when the producers said that if they didn't clean up their act, they would be replaced. How scary for them...after working so hard? It sounded so terrible...I'm proud of them too! I'm glad they showed those guys!

And about the roleplay, that's okay! ^_^ It's definitely getting to busy season. But of course you are always welcome! ~Thank you~ ^^
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めっりーちゃん[personal profile] merry_chan on September 12th, 2010 10:32 pm (UTC)
Hahaha, for some reason, my full message about the language certificates didn't come out! ^^;; I was saying, I was thinking I was supposed to get a serious degree or two to be able to get a successful language-related job! XDDD

Baka me, gomen!
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