Hekiru was the live guest for this radio show, which is open to about 300
people who have to apply. I applied over the net, but it seems that only
people who sent in postcards got chosen. But I decided to go after work to
see if any of my friends were there. Matora-san met with me and we went
together.
When we reached TFM, there was a long line of people. When I went in, I saw
the usual crowd - BETA-san, Hasegawa-san, even Want You-san was there! And
it seems that two people could get in on one postcard. After some hemming
and hawing about the morality of it, Matora-san and I went out hunting for
people who had come alone. We found a couple and persuaded them to let us
in with them. In return I passed them the extra tickets I had for the
Ishimaru Denki event (damn I wish I could go!).
We got in. I was in the first standing row, behind the seats. There was
this weird guy band who was the talk guest before Hekiru was scheduled to
do her mini-live. There were all these girls around. When they screamed, it
hurt my eardrums.
Then finally that was over, and all the girls vacated out so I snatched a
seat in the second row, a little to the left of the stage. Wow! And Hekiru
was introduced, and she came out wearing... A pink longsleeve shirt with a
vest over and a long white skirt?!?! Something like that. Uh... Hardly a
live outfit. But then again, I don't think she would really have dressed up
for only a mini-live. Besides, it would rule the effect of the tour start.
She talked a little (damn! The timer! The timer!!) and then started on Kono
Yo. Ah... it's been 4 months! I clapped and sang softly. Then more MC... I
think she talked about her tour, and she screwed up saying "3 gatsu 30
nichi" when she meant 1/30 in Sapporo. ^^\__ And we had to correct her.
Then she sang Zutto... Oh, it was beautiful. Her voice was beautiful, not a
note out of place. I feel into a sort of trance. Then it was over, and she
talked a bit more introducing the band. But... but no Jimmy-san? Instead
some guy called Mario? Wait! I want Jimmy! Jimmy was cool! Jimmy was a damn
good bass player!
Then she sang Dakishimete last. This surprised me, since I thought maybe
fly away or one of the other fast new songs. I really got into it, and
Hekiru did too because she started head-banging! Woo woo!!! And even with
the short hair it was cool. Never thought my throat would hurt on just 3
songs!
After the mini-live ended, there was a talk corner. Hekiru sat in front of
me. She must have been able to see me clearly. She looked at me (or really
close, because our eyes would meet several times) every once in a while.
Gave me a funny feeling. Actually, she looked my way a lot at the
beginning, before the live, when she was talking, and in the inbetween MC
too. I could start getting delusions of granduer and think she was looking
at me, but I guess I shouldn't. Still, it was pretty nice. ^^
The live lasted about 20 minutes, and the talk was about 10 minutes long.
It was about the haircut, snakeboard, and... ugh, I can't remember. -_-
Only bad thing: during the live, the guy in front was swinging his arms so
wide he nearly hit me. And he also did PPPH, and in general tried to get as
much attention as possible from the hosts. Pissed me off. Hope I never wind
up making a fool of myself.
Wow. In any case, didn't think I would get in, but did and ended up seeing
a mini-live from way up close! I don't know how I could go back to seats at
the back of a concert hall now. ^^;;; I've become too spoiled.
A 4-days, 6-nights event in Hawaii. Approximately 230 people attended (4 girls).
Christmas party (12/24) - Dinner with acoustic live
Day One
We arrived just before 9am in Hawaii (4am Japan time) and passed through immigration
and customs. Stepping outside the building, we came face to face with a very harried
Yosshi (JTS Yosshi, that is) directing traffic, and piled very enthusiastic cheers upon
him before being ushered over to the waiting area. Unexpectedly, we passed by a group
of Hekiru's staff consisting of Masako-san and Tairaku-san among others, and even
more to our suprise, were greeted with a passing "ohayou" by Masako-san.
When everyone had gathered and instruction were given concerning our respective
buses and whatnot, Hekiru made her appearance, flanked by Tairaku, Ogurin, and Masako,
and addressed the fans with a short welcome to Hawaii. "Did you get sick on the plane?"
she asked, in a voice that revealed she was quite tired although she did not show it. Tairaku
explained that everyone would be taken on a bus tour, and then to lunch. Hekiru said, "Eeehh?
But we already had two meals on the plane!" to which Tairaku said, "That wasn't enough," and
to the crowd, "Was it?" And everyone shouted "NO!" to Hekiru's plaintive expression of
disbelieve.
The greetings over, Hekiru set off to lead everyone
a few steps to the bus stand, where we waited for about 5 or so minutes for the bus.
We were taken on a tour of Honolulu and dropped off at a shopping center for a
bit, and then brought to the Hawaiian Regent where we would be staying. The welcome
lunch, buffet style, was at the ballroom of the 3rd floor, and we were divided into groups of 8-10
people, arranged by alphabet.
As we ate, Tairaku made some welcome comments. JTS gave a rundown about staying
in Hawaii and what precautions visitors should take. Then Masako went to the podium and
delivered an explanation of the rest of the events, and once again emphasized the importance
of hanging onto one's passport. She was quite nervous and forgot her lines at one point.
When her 5-10 minute speech as done, Tairaku said, "Well, in other words..." and summed
it all up in 3 sentences, much to our amusement and Masako's consternation. He also added
that, while we might be tempted to sleep, we should stay awake until nightfall so as to
dispel jet lag. "If you sleep, you will die!" as he so succintly put it. Tairaku was definitely
the star of the show, drawing plenty of laughs from the crowd.
Then Hekiru finally appeared and made a welcome speech of her own, telling everyone to
enjoy themselves. She recommended several places and activities such as a beach and
gun-shooting before stepping down to stand by Tairaku at the staff table.
Each table (group) had to think up a name for their themselves, and so the rest of the
time was spent announcing table names to Tairaku who played the cynical oyaji to the
hilt. Some of the more memorable ones (to me anyway) included "TAIRA9*LOVE" and "Netara shinu zo!"
("If you sleep, you will die!"). Other popular subjects included Masako, and other less
tasteful names ("Beside U", "Moe moe Want You Hekiru!") had Hekiru and Tairaku laughing
somewhat painfully.
At 3pm we were finally checked in and were allowed to disperse. I spent the rest of
the day wandering around town and shopping. It was a great pleasure to be back in
the US, even if it was just Hawaii, and I was overjoyed to discover AriZona Ice Tea!!
Day Two
It was raining when I woke up, and remained cold and overcast all day. After grilling
the tour staff and finding out exactly what spot it was Hekiru was recommending, we
set off by bus to find this Kua Loa Beach.
Except that we were told that it would take two hours when it was only one, and so
we overslept and overshot and
wound up at Turtle Bay on the very north of Oahu Island. We snapped some pictures,
and decided to head back to find that beach. This time we did get off at the right
stop, but there was nothing there, really. So we simply walked along the beach, until it
started raining again. There was only one umbrella, and so most of us were thoroughly drenched
by the time the bus arrived, half an hour later.
It was a rather complicated way back as the bus did not drop us off at Ala Moa Shopping
Center, and due to the extremely efficient cooling system on the bus we were all
freezing in no time at all. I never expected to be so cold in Hawaii.
Later we learned that Hekiru had been travelling as well, and if we had rounded to the
other side of the Island instead of turning back at Turtle Bay, we might have run into
them.
Day Three
Today's menu was Survival Hiking from 10am, into Barbecue Lunch Party. The objective
was to reach the designated area based on a map we would be given by the staff. In
reality, it was simply a 40 minute walk along the central street of Waikiki towards a
large beachfront park.
Some people took the bus and arrived very early, but I opted to walk and so my group
arrived perhaps 10th or so. Tairaku, Masako, other staff and of course Hekiru, in a blouse
and dark jeans, were at
a desk waiting for each group to come in. When I arrived, Masako offered me very warm
words which even now I am most grateful for. I looked at Hekiru and she smiled back,
and without thinking I grinned back as well. Then Tairaku asked who was the group
leader, and I raised my hand. "Ive-chan, come here," he said, or something like it, and
I confirmed that all of us were present. He said, "We're going to call your names so answer
with some life, okay?" and so as a staff read out our names, we answered "Hai!" with
Tairaku barking "HOI!" in chorus. With that done, we made to move off. As I passed the
left of the table where Hekiru was, she smiled and said, "Otsukaresama desu" ("Well done")
and what to do but return it? "Otsukaresama desu!" I replied.
From then, everyone was free to eat from the barbecue buffet, or wander around and take
pictures with the staff and band members. (Hekiru was, of course, off limits.) I had my
picture taken with Nobu-K and Yosshi, YosK, Tairaku, JTS staff, 4179*LOVE staff and other staff.
A bunch of us also had a chat with Yoshiaki, who promptly pronounced me as "that one
who wears the hachimaki (headband)". ^^;;
Mario was not present, but the other guitar band members performed a mini-live with
the fans singing and clapping along. Hekiru was walking around filming everyone with
a Sony digital movie camera.
All in all it was an unprecented, quite incredible opportunity to "socialize" with Hekiru's
band and staff. I suppose you could also think of it as a chance to be physically close to Hekiru
as well, although she played pretty much no part in the overall event. Ironic, isn't it, that
Shiina Hekiru should be the most isolated at her own event.
As we all left, I saw Hekiru playing a clapping game with Yasuda-san. She seemed to be
enjoying herself more then than the rest of the morning.
I shopped for the rest of the day and was completely exhuasted by the time I reached the
hotel. I did spent a short while on the beach chasing the white pidgeons that abound in
Hawaii. That night, we had dinner at a Thai restaurant that Yosshi (drums) had recommended
to Masa, and it was very very good.
Day Four
We went to lunch at Sam Choy's, which was a restaurant that Yosshi (JTS) had
recommended. It was close to Hilo Hatties, a shopping center, and so I picked up
the rest of the "souvenirs" (ie food) I needed for the people at my company. Then a
short hop to Chinatown to buy what I always buy, before heading back to the hotel
to get ready for the Christmas Party at 6pm. On the way back, I started chatting
with the bus driver, and Masa wound up giving him a leaflet as I explained why we
were here in Hawaii, and we also snapped a couple pics.
Everyone was once again divided into our respective groups. Our tables were
assigned based on the number the group leader had drawn at the end of Survival
Hiking the day before. I had drawn 13, but it was a good table in the middle and I
had a very good view of the stage. Dinner was a buffet affair again, and we were
free to wander around so I had some other pics taken.
After about 45 or so minutes, Tairaku appeared and made opening statements. He
wasn't dressed in shorts and a polo shirt like before, but neither did he exactly look
like a producer (and definitely not Amuro Namie's tour producer!) either. "Hello, this
is Harold Tairaku. Welcome to tonight's Christmas Dinner show." (Don't ask, I have no idea either... ?_? )
The band got onto the small stage at the front of the room, then the lights dimmed.
Hekiru stepped into the room, with a spotlight trained
on her. She was wearing a silver sleeveless woolen(?) top and a fluffy pink skirt
that went to her ankles. A shawl was drawn over her shoulders. Her hair was
done up in a high coiffure, with two long thin braids that on the sides that
fell to almost her waist. (It was a wig of course.) The theme seemed to be "princess".
I will keep my personal feelings to myself, save to say that that sort of thing
does not turn me on. But most of the fans appeared to be quite taken
with it so...
Hekiru walked around the dining room, going from table to table passing out
a small present to each person with a "Merry Christmas!" as "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" played
over the speakers. The presents were three
types of Hersey's Kisses, handwrapped by Hekiru and staff in colored wrapper and
tied with a paper ribbon. Halfway through, Tairaku apologized for the long introduction.
"Sorry, this is already taking 10 minutes... I've never had such a long intro."
When Hekiru was done passing out the presents, she ascended the stage. "I'm so
glad to have all of you here today for this special occasion. Today's Christmas is
a little special. It's always cold at Christmas, but today we would like you to spend
a warm Christmas together." She said that she wanted to take this opportunity to
try some things that she would not be able to do otherwise. "I'd like to sing some
songs that I have never sung at a concert. In fact, today of the songs I'm going to
sing, only one is my own. There is a red lyric sheet on the table in front of each of you.
I would be happy if you would all join in."
Then Hekiru sang (in Japanese) Joy to the World together with all the fans, and then
another Christmas carol (a famous, somber one which I can't remember the name
too but loved very much so when I was young), and then Tatsurou, which is a
famous Japanese Christmas song.
Then the lights brightened, and Hekiru announced that they would have a quiz
contest! "Hekiru de pon!" she said, giggling into the mike. Tairaku stood beside
her would a "the-things-I-have-to-go-through... -_-; " expression on his face and
said, "I wasn't the one who came up with that name." (Hekiru looked kawaii being embarrassed!)
The rules of the game was, Hekiru would ask a quiz question and give 2 answers O
(maru "circle") and X (batsu, "x") and each group
would decide an answer and hold up the placade with the sign maru or batsu.
Hekiru looked at the sheets of paper in front of her, and said "Which one should I use?"
Tairaku said, "What? You're going to choose?" and after Hekiru hastily made up her
mind, she read out the first question.
-Hekiru de Pon! Quiz contest-
Q1. Yesterday Hekiru and staff were travelling in a bus around the island. What
did Hekiru do with Tairaku to pass the time?
O ) Oyaji gag taikai (bad punning contest)
X ) Shiritori (a game where each person has to say, in turn, a word beginning with the last kana of the word the previous person said, the loser being the one who makes a word ending in "n")
Answer: X
Hekiru played shiritori with Tairaku for one hour in the bus.
Q2. How many hair pins did Hekiru have in her hair at the barbecue party yesterday?
O ) 4 pins
X ) 2 pins
Answer: O
At this point Hekiru stopped and announced the prize, which was a Christmas present
bag that contained a signed Christmas card, a pair of the Baby blue eyes sunglasses,
and an Akai Hana scent bag made from red flowers. The way the quiz was done was also
really funny. Each group had a minute to decide the answer, and during that "Thinking Time"
the band played this tune that was from a famous quiz show, while Hekiru did a
kawaii little "dance". Hekiru de Pon! A lot of groups had washed out on the first question,
yours truly included, and so only a few were left for the next question.
Q3. Hekiru was eating icecream at Aloha Tower yesterday. A foreigner came up to her and
said what?
O ) "Hello. Sono aisu ha oishii kai?" ("Hello, is that icecream good?")
X ) "Hello. Sono aisu ha doko de katta no?" ("Hello, where did you buy that icecream?")
Answer: X
A foreigner went up to Hekiru and asked her where she had bought her icecream.
Everyone got this one wrong, so they had to continue the contest, with everyone getting
a second chance. Hekiru de Pon!
Q4. What did Hekiru say to the foreigner in reply to his question?
O ) "A! Beri beri dirishasu!" ("Ah! Very very delicious!")
X ) "A! Soko yo! Soko!" ("Ah! Over there!")
Answer: O
But luckily Masako-san helped fix this problem and pointed the gentleman to the icecream shop.
Q4. And continuing on! What flavour of icecream was Hekiru eating?
O ) Spearmint chocolate
X ) Strawberry cheesecake
Answer: X
Q4. And more! When the foreigner came out of the shop, did he have icecream?
O ) Yes, he was holding some
X ) No, he didn't have any
Answer: X
Q4. After the barbecue yesterday, what did Hekiru do when she got back to her hotel?
O ) Some laundry
X ) Polish her shoes
Answer: X
Her shoes had gotten dirty so she polished them.
Q4. There are a lot of white pidgeons in Hawaii. On seeing them, who exclaimed "Ah, chickens!!"?
O ) Shiina Hekiru
X ) Kobayashi Masako
Answer: O
When Hekiru laid eyes on the pidgeons, she said, "Ah, niwatori da!"
(Hekiru looked really embarrassed when she read the answer! Kawaii!!)
When the answer was announced to this question, I suddenly realized that
my group was the only one who got it right. Atcha... So I ended winning the
quiz contest, and all of us went up to the stage to get our presents from
Hekiru.
After we all settled down, Hekiru said that the questions were really difficult,
and that even people who had known her profile since her debut would not
be able to guess the answers. Then she said that one of her staff asked her
if her favourite food was "ajinori" (flavoured seaweed). Apparently, he had
read it on a fan's homepage. Hekiru said, "Tsk tsk! I graduated from ajinori
a long time ago! You should keep that information updated!" and every single
fan in that room who owned a homepage went "giku!" and looked very guilty
at that remark. (My page says ajinori too!) ^^;;;;
"So what is your favourite food now?" a fan asked. Hekiru said that she liked
chocolate, and yakiniku, and curry rice. (Hekiru used to hate meat, so this is
surprising.) Another fan asked, "What about gyuutan (cow's tongue)?" and Hekiru
said, "I can only eat one bite ^^;; ". (For more info about Hekiru and her adventures
with gyuutan, see the 1998 Sapporo campaign report.)
Then Hekiru went into her next song, "White Christmas". This was sung in English.
After this song, Hekiru announced the next game. "Hekiru de Pon! Part 2!" (Tairaku
was making a face like "god-help-me-with-this".) This time, instead on competing
in groups, it was a single prize for a single person. Hekiru would draw numbers,
one number for the table, and one number for the chair at the table, and that
person would be the winner.
"What is the present?" Tairaku said.
Hekiru pointed to a poster that Masako-san had carried in. It was the
promo
poster for the CHANGE tour.
"What, just a poster? That's boring..." said Tairaku.
Hekiru shook her head. "No, it's the outfit I'm wearing in the poster."
At this, the entire hall of fans suddenly saw red (pun intended) in an atmosphere
that reminded one of sharks at a sinking meat factory, and Tairaku
did a double take and went, "Wait, are you sure about this?!" and when Hekiru
nodded, he said, "You're sure!?! Giving your used clothes to some guy!? There
are no girls here!" (at which point I was thinking, Gimme! Gimme!) but Hekiru
nooded yes again.
So Hekiru drew, and at first it was no-go... The table didn't have that numbered
chair. Then she redid it, and yes, it was a guy who won. ^^;; But the weirdest
thing is that that guy turned out to the person who sold me my very first
ticket to a Hekiru concert!! I was really happy for him, and afterwards he
showed me the outfit. It looked... hmmm, well, like someone's used clothes to
be honest. ^^;;;;; I was suitably impressed, though... Hoshii na... hoshiina hekiru.
Then she went on to the last contest of the night. "Hekiru de Pon de Junkenpon!"
The winner got a pair of souvenir shirts that Hekiru had picked out herself.
After this, Hekiru went into the last part of the dinner show. "This next song
is my own song. This is the first time it's been arranged for acoustic. I would
like to present it as my Christmas gift to you." And Hekiru sang Iro Asenai Shunkan.
Iro Asenai Shunkan ("A Never Fading Moment")
Even now, it is an unforgettable moment. In the pouring rain,
I looked up into the sky with him, and saw the same dream.
It's been so long since then. How have you been?
That unchanging smile, that voice I miss.
A love somehow broken, in that distant spring.
Words that I can't possibly say now, shut away.
If I could turn back the time, I wouldn't have put up a brave face.
I wish I could have cried, "Don't go away."
Even now, it is an unforgettable moment. It comes back vividly,
That time when we ran ahead, so young.
We kissed in our school uniforms, bathed in the sunset.
Do you still remember the feel of the wind?
I missed you so badly, and now we finally meet and yet,
My feelings are but a melody that will never reach.
Before the stars begin to shine in the night sky, I wave "so long".
With a face now that of a man, he turns and is gone.
Even now it is an unforgettable moment. I'll treasure it and walk on,
That never fading time that gives me strength.
Even now, it is an unforgettable moment. In the pouring rain,
I looked up into the sky with him, and it was the same dream.
If I could turn back the time, I wouldn't have put up a brave face.
I wish I could have cried, "Don't go away."
Even now, it is an unforgettable moment. It comes back vividly,
That time when we ran ahead, so young.
"Thank you very much. I remember when I first released this song
as a single. It was a very good song, and I really liked the lyrics then,
and I still love them now. I will always remember this moment."
Then Hekiru sang Silent Night and all the fans joined in.
"I am so happy that I could spend this day with all of you. I would
like to thank the staff for everything, and you as well at this last live
of the year. Thank you."
With Hekiru's final speech the dinner ended and we all parted ways.
Later, some of us were at the JTS desk thanking the staff, when we saw Hekiru
and her staff pass by and leave by the hotel entrance. Hekiru was wearing
a blouse and jeans and her hair was back to normal. She was very subdued
as she walked out - she was looking down and I don't think she even
noticed us. That was the last time I saw Hekiru in 1999.
Day Five
Our morning call was 7am, and our flight back to Tokyo was at 11:30am.
So ended the Shiina Hekiru X'mas Event in Hawaii.
