Three weeks in the South Pacific: It's Adventure time!

Finally, my most anticipated adventure of the year is about to arrive. Tomorrow, I leave for Fiji, and then I'll be going to New Zealand and Australia. The trip will span a total of three weeks. I'm doing this trip through the People to People Student Ambassador program.

I -should- be absolutely ecstatic, but I've been trying not to be. I don't want to set any expectations for this trip- I want to be open to anything.
So instead of being extremely happy, I've spent the last week or so mourning over the fact that I'll be away from the computer for three weeks.

I don't really know if I have much to say now, but in three weeks, I'll surely have a lot to say.

Too Much Enthusiasm?

So, yesterday was the VAMPS concert. The doors opened at 7 PM. I got on line at around 9:30 AM, and there were already at least 50 people on line. Apparently, some people had been lined up from two days before! The line eventually stretched all the way down the block. People kept stopping to ask us what we were waiting for. Someone started a joke where we told people that it was a Jonas Brothers concert. (You see, most of the fans definitely did not look like Jonas Brothers fans.) Most of the people believed us.
The concert was amazing, but I was somewhat disappointed. This was my first experience with a crowd like this. It wasn't violent, but it was packed. (It was sold out!) The room was sweltering hot. I started out at around the sixth row to the left... after an hours wait, I was sweating to death. The pushing began before the show even started. Once the band was out, the enthusiasm got a little too high. There was meaningless pushing back and forth, and I almost fell over a few times. I feared for the fans around me, because I felt like I was putting them in danger every time I started to fall. Eventually, I pushed my way out into a mellower area of the crowd. There was a pretty good view from the whole venue, so it was good. A lot of people were leaving the "pit", a few of them were crying. I love the enthusiasm, but the pushing is really unnecessary!
The set was pretty good. They played a lot of songs, although there were a few others that I was hoping they would play... And there was some problem with the sound system, so the microphone kept squeaking.
I'm glad that the show had a really good turn out, though.

Now I'm waiting another week and a half until my next adventure.

VAMPS

More concert frenzy! I'm going to see another concert tomorrow: a band called VAMPS. Now, this has a special significance to me. You see, I am obsessed with Hyde, the vocalist of my favorite band: L'Arc~en~Ciel. He also happens to be the vocalist of VAMPS. I've seen him once before, at a L'Arc concert in Kyoto. But now I'm ecstatic that I'll get to see him again! <3

But, because the concert in Kyoto had specific seats, this will be different. This will be my first real general admission concert. (Well, FAKE? was, but there wasn't much of a line for that concert, anyway. XD) That means that my place on line ultimately determines how good my spot can be during the show. The show starts at 7 PM (Or 8, I'm not sure.) I'm planning on getting to the venue by 10 AM. (Hopefully earlier.)
So, this will be my first time really waiting on line. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for all that time, but it's bound to be interesting.

What do people usually do while waiting on line for concerts? I'm planning on reading, listening to music, maybe sketching some passers-by... and maybe I'll make some new friends on line. Some people are planning on camping out overnight on line, so there will definitely be people there already by the time I get there...

Cameras and Memories

So, the fourth of July was fun. I was at a party with a group of my friends, and we did a lot of normal things... volleyball, watching a movie, swimming, sparklers... and I was happy to be able to have a quick mini-adventure.
It wasn't much; we just took a run down the street in the dark. It was an interesting experience, because a lot of people in the area had fireworks. There seemed to be bright lights and loud booms coming from every direction. We found one spot amidst two sets of power lines, where on either side of us, long expanses of field stretched out and framed the fireworks. It made for quite a cool experience, but I kept thinking about how I wanted to record it. I tried to record it on my new cell phone, but only a few fireworks were visible in the dark.

And now, I want a camera that can record in the dark. How does that work, anyway...?

I also realized that I have a growing obsession with photos and videos. I feel like time is passing so fast, and I want to remember EVERYTHING. I feel like I'm going to be bringing my camera everywhere with me soon.
But, I have to wonder... is it unhealthy to have an obsession with remembering the past? Will it prevent me from enjoying the present?

Everyday Adventures

I feel like this is something I've been lacking in lately. Everyday adventures. Like, finding the time to do stupid little things that end up making the best memories and meaning the world to me. I feel like I had a lot of these last year... Running down the street in the rain, having random stupid conversations, hanging out after school for no reason at all. I just feel like I haven't been taking advantage of life lately. Or maybe, I'm just having too many regular adventures. I still want everyday ones, though.
I feel like next year will be my last chance. So, I'm going to try to make the best of it. I'll try not to hold back.
In the meantime, I need random stuff to do. Any ideas?

Oh, and I do have a few adventures coming up in the next month or so. Hopefully, I'll be able to write about them as soon as I feel it's time.

Good Bye to FAKE?

So, yesterday ended my three-day FAKE? adventure. There was a photo and autograph session, which I took advantage of by getting some pictures autographed, and taking a new photo. (In the photo that I had taken at the dinner, my eyes were closed...) I told them that I hoped that they could come back to the US soon... and as soon as I left that room, I felt my eyes tearing up. I guess that it was just a bit too much for me all at once, having such an amazing weekend. I got over it by the end of the day, but I'm still sad that they're gone. I REALLY hope that they come back again some time, because the concert was amazing, and I feel the urgent need to see them again.

Now it's the last day of school, and I'm preparing for my next adventure.

Bliss and Regrets

I had such a great time at the dinner. I seriously think that these guys are some of the nicest, funniest people that I've ever met. It was so casual and everything... I didn't really get nervous at all. I didn't eat much though, and I felt like I could only drink water... which made Ken Lloyd a bit concerned, it seems, because he kept asking if I was alright with just water. XD He's seriously such a great guy. He told us (there were four other fans there along with the band) funny stories about the other band members, namely Minne, who was hysterical in his enthusiasm and lack of English skills. I felt bad, though, because I didn't realize that they had to leave so precisely on schedule, so I didn't get to have them autograph anything of mine... one girl was smart enough to bring maps of the area that she had each member sign, and she gave them to us, so at least I have that... I guess I'll go to the signing/photo session tomorrow, but there's supposed to be restrictions there on what you can get signed.
I also feel bad, because I had so many questions that I wanted to ask them, and I didn't ask any of them. I chose not to ask anything at the Q and A earlier in the day, because I knew I'd get my chance later... and then I blew it.
I was especially interested in knowing why they never do encores, as Ken so specifically stated towards the end of the concert. I did make a few acquaintances there though, (the fans, not the band) four of which are going to another concert I'm going to in July. Maybe I'll see them there, then.
I really hope that I get over this regret soon, because I want to remember it for how awesome it was.

I guess the moral here is to make wise use of your time in situations like this.

I still find it really funny that they were all so calm during the dinner, after such a crazy concert; especially Ken. He was so crazy and spastic and random and energetic during the show... But he was like the most laid back person once we met him.

<3 I have to go think this over some more.

Wow.

So, yeah.
The concert last night was... it's hard to get sufficient words to describe it.
Amazing?
It wasn't, say, a perfect quality performance, but that's just not the kind of band that they are. Maybe it was a bit too loud, and the sounds weren't perfectly equalized. However, it was extremely energetic, fun, and memorable. I had what I considered to be pretty much the best possible spot to be in for the concert. (Okay, maybe the second best spot.) I almost caught a water bottle that was thrown off stage, but at least I got some of the water on me. XD Oh, and there were three songs that I specifically hoped that they would play, and I wasn't really sure they'd play any of them... But to my joy, they played two out of the three. ("Color Don't Change" and "Used To Be a Bad Thing")
I was kind of almost regretting that I didn't buy a VIP pass to get in the special "VIP section" right in front of the stage, but I was the third person in line for regular admission, so that's why my spot was so amazing. I decided that it was better to be in the very front of the regular section than in the awkward back of the VIP section, which was only around three rows deep anyway.
(For a photographer's brief review of the concert along with some awesome pictures, click here.)

Today, there was a Q and A with the band. It was pretty good; I guess there were a lot of decent questions that were asked. It was almost bizarre to see the band so calm as they answered the questions, though. It was a total contrast to their energetic, charismatic, and spastic actions on stage during the concert.
After the Q and A, Ken Lloyd (vocalist/only current official band member) informed everyone that the band would be heading over to the Jpop House booth. (This is all happening at an anime convention; so there are booths and such all over the place...) So of course, everyone headed over there after the show.
I was in the middle of taking a picture of a cosplayer near the booth, when my mom told me to turn around. So I did, and when I saw the band walking by, I squeaked (like a total idiot), "Oh my god, Ken Lloyd!" I don't know if he heard, but he didn't turn his head or anything...
The band went to stand behind the table at the booth, and they talked to the eager fans who surrounded the table. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to take pictures, so I went to put my camera away. My mom asked Ken if it would be alright (I freaked out a bit that she was just talking to him), and he surprised me by saying yes. He actually offered for me to come into the booth so that my mom could take a picture of both of us. I declined, because: 1. I'm going to get to do that later tonight and possibly tomorrow anyway, and 2.Because I'm a nervous little chicken, and I didn't want my head to explode on the band. I took a couple pictures of him though... My hands were shaking, and I didn't want to bother him, so they didn't come out too good. I was still too nervous to talk to him, but my mom just went right over and told him how she enjoyed the concert. They shook hands, making me freak out more. XD

So, yeah. Only three and a half more hours until I get my turn.

Sorry about the random fangirling. If I survive this, I'll be sure to gush about that, too.

Oh, one more side note. Ken Lloyd makes the best funny/spastic/awesome facial expressions.

FAKE? anxieties

Lately, I've been pretty anxious.
Well, I had been anxious for the past few weeks, because it's nearing the end of the school year. next Monday will be my last day for the year. Then we have final exams. Oh, how fun.
However, as of this Monday, I've gained another bit of information that's been making me stressed, nervous, and incredibly happy all at once.

You see, on Friday, I'm going to go see the band FAKE? in concert. (Wikipedia FTW.) I've been looking forward to it for quite a while now already. (Even though it seems that the fan turn out won't be too good.)
There was a raffle to win one of three spots to have dinner with the band the day after the show.
On Monday, I found out that I won that raffle.
Now, I can't wait to meet them, but I have a bit of a nervousness problem, with shaking and stuff... I have a strong feeling that I'm not going to be able to talk to them; which would be horrible, because I have so much that I want to ask them.

Also, I have a weird premonition that I'm going to laugh while drinking soda, and therefore spit it all over the band members.

Anyway, It's just one more thing for me to freak out about this week. I'm looking forward to writing about the experiences, though.

Intro, and lack of purpose

Heeey.
If you're on my blog, then I guess that means...
Actually, it could mean anyway.
No matter what the reason is, you've ended up in this little deformed blob of a blog.

I guess I'll introduce myself now.
I'm Saph, I'm a teenager (subject to change, obviously), and I love... well, life. My interests are many and strange. I created this blog to talk about said interests, rant about stuff, recommenced things, un-recommend things, and tell about the random, sometimes abnormal adventures that I encounter day to day.

Basically, this is my life.