Miki's Fat City

I found a copy of Firehouse's "Hold Your Fire" CD on my coworker Kondo's desk a week ago and told him I had the same one. It was released in 1992 when he was a high school student and I was already working in this business. I don't remember how I got that album but do remember listening to it a lot at that time. I tried to find that album in the huge pile of my CD collection that evening when I was back home. And it took me a week to find it! When I found it this morning, it felt like seeing an old friend again for the first time in 15 years. Then, I went to YouTube to find a video of my favorite song "Get In Touch" but all I could find is videos of other songs. Anyway, here is a nice ballad from "Hold Your FIre" album called "When I Look Into Your Eyes." I actually don't know much about Firehouse. All I know is music on this album. Just like I only know Dokken's song "Alone Again" regarding Dokken. The reason ...

I saw this great young French drummer Damien Schmitt again in Anaheim. I didn't expect to see him there but he played live with Hadrien Feraud at Markbass's party on January 19. Everyone, take a look at Damien's playing! I met him in Tokyo for the first time in early December 2007 at the interview with Hadrien Feraud but didn't have a chance to see him play live. He was there at this Hadrien's interview to help him communicate with us in English. My impression to Damien was that he is funny, cute and very friendly. Never thought he would be that great as a drummer, as a matter of fact. But when I saw him play live in Anaheim, I was absolutely astonished!!! And fell in love with his playing right there. I don't usually listen to the style of music he plays with Hadrien - basically more into Rock/Pop music - but it's so much FUN to see and listen to him play drums! He's coming to Japan again in April and I hope to see him play the whole set then. L...

My annual trip to Anaheim, CA, is over and I'm back in Kawasaki now. It was an easy trip for some reason which I didn't have much trouble looking after my coworkers. Of course, there were certain things that frustrated me during my stay over there but most of them were fairly balanced out because of love, hugs, smiles and good will of those people I met there. Million thanks especially to my lovely friends!! I love you guys!! The first real meal I had was Mexican. Dave Kurihara, who works for a guitar company and is very kind, took us to a nice Mexican restaurant nearby for lunch. Dave is a Japanese but his smile is more like that of American's. I think it's because he lives there for years. Anyway, that restaurant is pretty good and so was the cute looking waiter of our table. I was still jet-lagged and wasn't really tuned in the American mode so I had to ask him what he had said a couple of times whenever he said something to me. As he said what I ordered was hi...

I spent the new year's holidays here in Kawasaki this year. It's the first time in 4-5 years to do so - I usually spend it with my mom and grandma in Akita - and what I mainly did is seeing my friends. I was invited to a party in Yamanashi by good friends of mine Hiromi and Harper. Harper's family was also there to meet some of Hiromi's relatives and friends. The restaurant is cool. Food is good. People are nice. But most of all, it was full of love and happiness that everybody there just smiled all the time. Such a great party! Thank you so much for your invitation, Hiromi and Harper!! I love you guys!!! Before going back to Tokyo, I had a mini sightseeing tour in Kofu with my friends Kumi and Daisuke. Kumi is from that area and she knows where to go. Daisuke has been there some times to see his wife Kumi's family. I used to live in Tsuru and went some of the sightseeing spots years ago. Anyway, it was December 30 and most of the places were very quiet or even...