Nogizaka46 at 10 Years

broderic on August 21, 2021

On this date ten years ago, Nogizaka46 was formed. Thirty-six members chosen to be the official rivals to AKB48. What can they do against the idol group who at the time was in their golden age and at their most popular?

For the first few years it was a struggle always in the shadow of their rivals. They did have a small smattering of success. They were competitive. Their idol identity was that of ojousama — upper class ladies. They persevered and persevered and they hit their stride in their fifth year, 2016. Making it such that they were real competitors to their rivals. And in the next year, they overtook them.

Their 10th anniversary finds Nogizaka46 at the top of the idol world. From humble beginnings to greatness, it’s been a wild ride. Let’s hope for another ten more.

おめでとう！

Nothing to Talk About

broderic on August 20, 2021

Just checking in.

I noticed last month, July 2021, had a single post. If you check the drop down below, you’ll find that it was the single month in my 16 years (!) of this blog with the least amount of posts. There were a few with only a couple of posts, but July 2021 has won the prize. Of course, there may be a month I’ve missed. I don’t know.

I guess I have nothing more to say? Or I am too lazy.

Yeah. We’ll go with the last.

So will I be lazy again.

Only time will tell.

This is the first post for this month. Can I get a second in?

Fourth of July

broderic on July 4, 2021

On this the 100th anniversary of this photo, everyone have a wonderful and safe July 4th!

Hit Campaign Big Success

broderic on June 26, 2021

It was six years ago when I fell in love with Nogizaka46. It was all because of Nishino Nanase leaping from Macau Tower bungie jump. If an idol puts so much effort in promoting their single they would jump off tall heights, then I will be supporting them for forever.

Then we get to their latest hit campaign for the 27th single. They jumped from planes. They stood under cold, thundering waterfalls. They’re bungie jumping off of tall bridges. And it is the bungie that I want to focus on today.

It’s 215 meters, and the new center, Endou Sakura, makes the leap. Also, Yoda Yuuki leapt. Yoda who I kept wondering if she would ever spark joy for me. Third generation Nogi who entered back in 2016. She’s really popular in the fandom. Yet, I still haven’t connected.

I wanted this single for her to show me why. IMO she should’ve been center, and I was disappointed when it was revealed to be Sakura. But she gets the chance to jump off a bridge as well. Yoda was swell, and she embraced it. She flew like a flying squirrel. Now I think I understand the Yoda Yuuki. I am all in.

I’ve fallen in love with them all over again.

17 is a Prime Number

broderic on June 20, 2021

Brood X’s buzzing has diminished. It’s not as loud as it was two weeks ago. I recorded them in the park out back and their cacophony reached 95 decibels, but today, they’re not as loud or as voluminous as at the height of their swarm. The noise app on the Apple watch was in the yellow. Don’t walk too long in that volume as it is dangerous to your hearing.

Brood X is the cicadas that come out every 17 years along the east coast of the US. This is the third time I’ve witnessed them. I wonder if I will witness them come out again. We shall see.

They will be gone in another couple weeks. The adults who have succeeded in propagating their offspring for the next time will all be dead. The larvae will have buried into the ground waiting for that glorious summer 17 years from now to do what they’ve been doing for so long. It is the cycle of life.

「ごめんねFingers crossed」

broderic on June 9, 2021

Before we forget. Nogizaka46 27th single on sale now! It’s solid and maybe it heralds a new musical direction for the group. The members are the same as always though… cute AF.

ここからTea Time

broderic on May 29, 2021

If I made it to Tokyo, this would be the extent of what I would tour. Yes. I am a terrible Nogizaka wota. LOL!

Anyhow. This YouTube channel has been silent going on two years. I wonder what happened. I hope she’s doing well.

Covid-19 Days — 441

broderic on May 28, 2021

I believe the last time I got my hair cut was perhaps a week before the state shutdown because of the rona last year. So even though I am balding, I was sporting some long hair at the end of these tumultuous times. Long hair was great and glorious running my fingers through it was the best.

Today I got my first hair cut in 14 months. I just asked for the barber to clean it up. She did and showed me. It was ugly. I wasn’t liking it. So I told her to cut it a bit more. She cut at least two inches off. Now I can’t put my hair into a ponytail. I miss running my fingers through the long hair.

The haircut looks good. Yet even as I sat in the chair, I wondered how long will it take to grow back.

Bald on the top, but long in the back. I was sporting an ugly rona mullet. I want to get that back…