Rinny

today was an arashi day

2019-04-15T00:46:57Z

I watched some newly subbed things. The new year sp was one of them. It was sweet and full of smiles.

I also went hunting for arashi fic. Like. Real hunting. AO3 style.

I found literally nothing.

Seriously.

Where IS everyone?

The News

2019-02-16T17:27:06Z

Arashi hasn't played a large role in my life for a good two years. I've struggled to balance being a full time student, working full time, and struggling to maintain a relationship that was mostly about financial security on the part of my ex.

M and I wrote hours and hours and hours of Arashi fic that we never shared with anyone. It was my driving interest in Arashi when I didn't have time to download and watch their shows. I always found time to write a few lines and send them back to her in an email.

Then she got married and vanished. And so did a lot of my interest.

When I poke my head back into fandom again now and then-- Much more frequently now that I'm only holding down one job and no fiancee. And by that I mean once every 4 months to once every 4 weeks.

And today was that 4 weeks.

I feel a sense of shock. Of pain. Of pride. Of inevitability. Of a whole chapter of my life that spanned the past 10 years is closing.

I want to go to another concert.

I want to walk away and say good riddance.

I want to write off my time in fandom as a waste.

I want to dive right back into fanfic.

I want to cry.

I want to binge watch all the things I've missed over the past few years.

I want to act like I'm 36 and not 13 about this.

Most of all, I want the network of Arashi fans that used to be.

So we could work through the grief together.

rinalin @ 2019-01-04T18:04:00

2019-01-05T02:07:32Z

I have been moving the past 3 weeks.

This is exhausting and also due to circumstances of the holidays, I've been without internet until yesterday.

Which meant I watched arashi concerts and downloads while I unpacked or couldn't stand the silence anymore.

It was really nice.

Untitled Concert

2018-12-07T03:24:11Z

What. Am. I. Watching?

I thought I downloaded the subbed concert. And it opens with Arashi having a love fest over food.

I am all for this. They should all eat more. And they're adorable little chipmunks.

Then they're ready to sit down and watch the concert, and I think, this is a weird way to start, but points for creativity.

Okay, here we go!

Only, then the screen splits 9 ways and there are cameras fucking everywhere. There are no cameramen, managers, sound people, nothing. Just them, facing a weird two-way mirror with a bunch of cameras pointed at them.

I have questions.

1. What the fuck is going on with that wall? Is it a two way mirror? Is it a TV? Is it a hologram?

What. Is. Happening?!

2. A running Arashi commentary of their own concert while they gnash on food they picked out themselves with no annoying guests to get in the way of Arashi being Arashi? Yes, please.

That wasn't a question technically.

3. So... is there a subbed version of the full concert somewhere?

4. Should I pause this and watch the full concert and then come back?

5. Would I be spoiling the concert for myself by watching this commentary? Or would I enjoy the concert more because I watched the commentary?

6. Is it now too late to sit and watch a 2.5 hour not-quite-a-concert before a super long day, followed by a work Christmas dinner where I've only been employed 3 weeks?

VS Staff has fun

2018-12-06T06:18:42Z

There's nothing here but lots and lots of VSArashi staff dressing Nino in the most eye blinding ridiculousness that they can find.

Really, this post is in honor of them.

No one got off easy here. I'm not even sure Nino's the worst.

Jun's delighted with Nino this whole episode.

Collarbones.

Because Nino can't be the only one traumatized.

Knees.

Nino is as expected, but Ohno's outfit is adorable. I'd wear that!

"I can make this work."

I mean... I'm not gonna say it's not hot.

Yes. I need love. Just not with those pants.

This one just speaks for itself, doesn't it?

Someone got into Nino's closet...

I just can't right now with this angle and his mouth and the hair in his eyes. Ugh.

Aiba is ever helpful!

Aiba is pleased. And so are we.

Aaaaaaaaaand this one because reasons.

Intro Post

2018-12-05T02:22:46Z

Hello. I'm Rin. I love Arashi. No shame.

I departed the fandom out of necessity when I returned to school full time and got engaged.

Things happened and now I'm single, graduated and fully employed as a jr software developer. And I have this thing called 'free time' that I don't know what to do with.

I went back to my old Arashi haunts and everyone is gone! All the things are gone! I can't find people or fanfic or subs.

Except Aeslis. <---- and I am so out of practice I can't even remember how to tag you properly.

My lifelong writing partner went and got married and dropped off the face of the earth. And I mean like... we wrote together through four different fandoms over more than 12 years. It's sad and I'm totally not still bitter. At all. That would be silly.

So. Um... *waves*

I'm a lot friendlier than I sound. I swear.

Talk to me about the Arashi things. What was the last news you heard? Funny thing? Good fic? Anything.

This bit from a while back is solid gold:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x67l8cg

Highly re-watchable.

(Fic) At Once: Masaki

2018-11-24T18:50:59Z

Title: At Once: Masaki
Rating: PG
Pairings: Arashi/Nino throughout the series.
Warnings: I recast Nino as a girl? Cuz genderbends are fun!

Aiba was her first kiss.

They were still juniors, part of Johnny's and Janey's respectively, and spent almost as much time at the studios as they did in school.

Puberty hit the juniors at the agency hard. Aiba was awkward with it. Lanky and clumsy, he was perpetually wide-eyed in dismay that he wasn't quite Johnny's material and that every crack in his voice proved it.

Kazumi found him silly and strange and fascinating. How did he not notice that all the other Johnnys sounded and looked and acted just like him? Zits and body odor and surprise boners and all.

Well, not just like him.

Aiba never had an ulterior motive when he tried to sneak over to the Janeys' side of the complex. He really did just want to give her the latest edition of the manga they were reading together. And when she poked and prodded and acted the tsukkomi at him, he gamely played along. Every time. When she'd confessed to a teeny crush on one of the older boys, he'd happily conspired with her to orchestrate an elaborate crossing of paths to rival the most popular TBS drama.

He was easily her best friend by the time Nino had her one year anniversary with the agency.

The day it happened had begun so mundane.

School. Janeys. Dinner. Train Home.

That day was rainy and the sky dark, despite the early evening hour. Her umbrella was huge and kept catching in the wind, obscuring her view. They'd gotten ramen after rehearsals and Nino had helped him with an assignment.

It was just so very normal.

Even what happened next had probably happened between them before. It must have. If she thought hard enough, she could probably remember another time when he'd pulled her back from some calamity or another. Or, probably more likely, she had done the rescuing.

The signal for walk lit up, and Nino stepped off the curb, distracted by a sudden gust of wind that threw her umbrella inside out.

She said something. Probably about the uselessness of the thing. The next thing she knew, he had grabbed her by the hand and yanked her back hard enough to send her stumbling into him.

Just in time for the spray of water as a red sports car pealed around the corner right where she'd been about to walk.

Shaking the rain from his eyes, he'd looked away from her in the direction the car had gone. He said something. She probably had too.

She gave up on the umbrella, resigned to being soaked.

She didn't stop holding his hand.

He didn't let go either.

Kazumi kept thinking of the sheet of water and grit that was now dripping into her shoes. The car had been close enough to feel the lacquered paint--she imagined, anyway.

If her umbrella hadn't been flailing in the wind.

If Aiba had been two steps further behind her.

A gentle tug started her walking again. A few blocks further and they were at the station.

What kind of sound would she have made when her body hit the bumper?

Thud.

Squitch.

Crack.

It was going too fast. Bones would break.

Would she feel it? Or would she go into immediate shock? If she lived at all.

Who would have to tell her mother?

It could have driven right over her. Dragged her along the concrete behind it.

Tiny rolls of fragile skin would grind away with each revolution of the tire.

Who would turn in her homework?

She was tiny though.

She could go flying at impact. A rag doll through the air.

Oh God.

Her mother.

The train lurched into motion under her feet and she blinked rapidly, remembering that nothing had happened. There was only the rain. And Aiba's hand in hers.

She didn't notice, not really, when he didn't get off at his stop.

Someone would have to fill in for her at tomorrow's filming.

Meisa-chan, probably.

She'd pretend to care that Kazumi was hurt, or worse dead, but she would relish the few extra seconds of screen time. She'd savor every stupid moment with her big stupid face.

Her stop arrived and she met his reassuring gaze and shrugged, pulling him toward the exit.

Who would help Aiba with his math?

Her throat tightened. Who would help Aiba? The fool would think it was his fault she got hit by a car.

He'd probably drop out of Johnny's. Go to work at his family restaurant and never fulfill his dream.

All because she was too ditzy to look both ways.

Would her mother be the one to tell her sister?

She had been too young to remember when the police had come to their front door in the night. Ai-chan did.

Only, it had been raining.

She was sure of it.

The droplets clinging to the brim of the officers cap had caught the porch light enough to dazzle a four-year-old.

The dancing lights were all she remembered of her father's last day on earth.

"Kazu-chan."

She blinked tragedy away like a fog from her vision. She was home and on her porch, the downpour continued but they were out from under it.

"No more morbid thoughts," he said. She just stood there, staring at him and nodding.

The longer she stared the better she felt. His face was just so sweet and dumb and earnest.

He squeezed her hand, and this time when he pulled her toward him it was with barely any force at all. His lips were cool and damp from the rain, but she hardly noticed. A wave of pure affection took the place of slow simmering panic.

She swayed into the kiss, just a little.

"I'm glad you're okay," he whispered when they parted, sounding like he didn't trust his voice to speak any louder.

"Me too."

She took his hand and pulled him in through the door. "C'mon, idiot." They were both smiling too big and blushing. "You can't go home looking like you jumped in the ocean. Your Kaa-san will blame me and she'll never make me her spring roll special again."

She tried to go on like normal after that, but Masaki had a piece of her heart from then on.

rinalin @ 2018-11-24T09:45:00

2018-11-24T17:45:42Z

I'm rewatching Are You Happy, because it makes me happy. It also reminds me how absolutely insane it was that I was able to fly to Hawaii and see them. Particularly, from the seat I had. But basically, the venue was so small, anyone with a ticket was insanely close to Arashi, much closer than 90% of the audience in Are You Happy. I was actually beneath the moving stage. Close enough to see the soles of Jun's shoes.

That's insane.

Arashi in Hawaii

2014-09-10T20:27:02Z

Anyone need a ride to Friday's concert?

I'm flying in on Friday at 11:45. I've rented a car and have room for 2 more (with contributions for cost/gas/parking fee). If anyone else is flying in to HNL Friday morning/afternoon and wants to join us, PM me!

BLAST IN HAWAII!

2014-08-29T05:43:48Z

So I decided to go to Hawaii and see Arashi after much soul searching. I'll be flying in around noon on Friday, attending the Friday concert and then not flying out until Sunday night. Anyone going want to get in touch and see about shared accommodations?

Soooo....am I missing something?

2012-10-18T05:32:09Z

Am I the only one missing Arashi?

Is there a new bunch of subbing groups that I'm just not a part of?

I don't fault the existing groups at all for getting busy or growing out of fandom. I'm just--am I missing new groups? Haven't others taken their place?

Communities I'm a member of:
9157xarashi,amnosxsubs, angel_devils, ao_no_michi, arashi_zenshinn, arashiangelsubs, ast_team, bunnyandclover, crimsonskies_fs, days_so_sweet, enoarashi, fanrashi, flyhigh_vietsub, hjarpsubs, niji_no_kakera, niji_no_sekai, our_landscape, pikanchi_subs, projectpaprika, re_markable, refrain_subs, soulsubs, stormy_team, taijiprojectsub, transitions101, tsuribaka, very_nadegata, yourbonesshake

Kagi no Heya 07

2012-07-21T19:33:12Z

Okay, so I'm lame and refuse to watch Kagi until it's subbed by Stormy. Because they're awesome and I hate only half understanding what's happening.

That said.

I just finished Episode 7. And I have to say that the father's breakdown at the end may be the most moving display of Japanese acting that I've ever seen. I typically find that most J actors sort of overdo it and there's a sense of force behind such scenes because, culturally, displays of intense emotion don't come naturally (correct me if I'm wrong here).

But this guy? I don't even know who he is, but that scene... it really just blew me away.

Tekkonkinkreet~

2012-07-05T01:40:46Z

Hulu is currently streaming Tekkonkinkreet at: http://www.hulu.com/watch/373080

And they EVEN subbed and left Nino's lovely, lovely voice in there!

Fic: In the End

2012-07-03T06:11:38Z

Ohno was born into the world knowing this day would come. There was no fear, not like what his parents had known, when the announcement had been made. The knowledge was a constant, even as a child. Every grade of his schooling, he'd had a project of one kind or another where he had to explore the idea of his own death. The death of his friends and his family. The sudden cessation of all life on earth.

He'd imagined flying up into space, watching it all happen from afar. Outliving them all--for as long as the oxygen would hold out. He'd made a collage of all the places in the world he wanted to see before It came. He'd written an essay about the meaning of life (as told by his parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles). He'd volunteered for the Services Bureau, putting in the time so that others might live out their dreams before It came.

All of it had been in preparation for this day.

He hadn't planned to spend it tangled in sheets, his body sated and spent and his heart aching for everything that was never to be.

"Will you miss me?"

Ohno didn't know what would be left of himself after. If there would be anything that would still feel when he was gone. He'd never bothered to wonder before this.

"Yes," he answered. It was impossible for him to feel this much, to love this strongly for it to just be gone in a flash. Impossible.

Small, stubby hands found Ohno's own and squeezed. Ohno laced them in both of his own hands, huddling close as the time wound down to a close.

"Are you scared?"

"No," he answered, feeling the seconds thrum in each breath they took. Music played somewhere nearby, rising and rising into a cacophonous beat.

"Why not?" His voice wavered. "It's any second. It's coming and--"

"I'm ready," Ohno replied, squeezing his hands and staring into damp, luminous eyes. "I wasn't before, but I am now."

"It's not fair, we just found each other. Some people have had a lifetime. We only just--"

Ohno kissed him, slow and deep, silencing his fears and their regrets. The booming music shook the walls of the tiny one room apartment. Outside, dogs barked uproariously and people sang hymns in the street. And Ohno kissed Nino until it consumed them both.

They never even noticed the end of the world.

writing is hard

2012-05-31T03:59:32Z

If I have learned nothing else about myself in my 11 years in one fandom or another, it's that I need constant validation for my writing.

Constant. As in every 10 minutes.

Blech.

Of a side note, I have a brilliant, brilliant idea for a novel. How does one write one of those things and then get it published and then made into an awesome movie starring Summer Glau that makes millions?

lazy

2012-04-01T00:21:11Z

I am so, so terrible about posting. TERRIBLE.

in other news.... SO EXCITED ABOUT MY FQFEST CHALLENGE.

...that is all.

Gantz: Perfect Answer

2012-01-24T03:08:21Z

Perfect Answer my sweet ass!

How on earth did I get to January 2012 completely BLINDSIDED by the ending of Gantz? Huh?

This seems an impossibility given how much I scrutinize everything Nino related.

Maybe I should congratulate fandom as a whole for being careful about spoilers.

...yeah, no. I think I'd be happier if I'd been prepared.

*sniffles*

whew

2012-01-18T01:33:11Z

New weight loss regimen: Exercise. What a novel idea.

What might actually motivate me to exercise? Why it took me four years of fangirling Arashi to figure this out, I don't know...but I just spent the last 20 minutes attempting to dance along with AAA2008 (plus warm up and cool down) and what have I discovered?

1. Arashi makes exercise fun.
2. Holy crap no wonder Aiba is drenched in sweaty goodness after five minutes.
3. I am sooooo out of shape.
4. I can't dance.

...that was Day One. Let's see how well this pans out.

New Layout!

2012-01-07T06:22:24Z

Get a new journal, gotta have a new layout!

This, courtesy of nicefinalbeam!!

Isn't it gorgeous?!!!

Hello Dreamwidth

2012-01-07T01:54:25Z

So everyone who matters on LJ seems to have made the move over to DW. I guess it was time.

And apparently I have nothing better to do on a Friday night that bury myself in making a new DW account. I'm rinalin here as well, for those who want to add me.

I'm a little overwhelmed by like... everything. So please add me.

Who says school isn't fun?

2011-09-30T05:06:59Z

so I'm taking a programming class because I want to get the F out of the medical field. I'm on day 2 of beginners programming and I have already taught the computer how much Arashi loves each other.

I tell the program to add the names together and the computer spits out the blue words!

>>> Jun + Nino
'Matsumiya'

>>> Ohno + Nino

'Ohmiya'

>>> Sho + Nino

'Shomiya'

>>> Aiba + Nino

'bamiya'

>>> Ohno + Aiba

'Ohba'

>>> Ohno + Jun

'OhMatsu'

>>> Jun + Ohno + Nino

'MatsuOhmiya'

Errr... it's not an exact science... yet. I will perfect this program though. Just you wait.

Just when...

2011-08-28T19:35:39Z

I think my interest in Arashi is waning, Aiba takes Sho on a date.

And the world rightes itself and I love them and Arashi even more.

...

I mean, seriously.

Damn.

A study of the Jimusho system

2011-08-09T01:08:37Z

Any fan of anything Japanese (*cough* Arashi *cough*), be it music, drama, variety, etc., ought to read this master thesis:

Part 1-3: http://neojaponisme.com/2010/04/05/the-jimusho-system-part-one/
Part 4: http://neojaponisme.com/2011/07/26/the-jimusho-system-part-four/

It is not exactly pleasant to the western fan, used to our free-market and all. But it certainly explains the world that our idols work in in much greater detail and explains so much that I never really understood about the culture and function of idols in Japan.

About the writer:
W. David Marx (Marxy) is a writer and musician based in Tokyo, Japan. He is a former editor of CNNGo, Tokion and the Harvard Lampoon and has provided writing and translation for such publications as GQ, Brutus, Weekly Diamond, Harper’s, Nylon, Cyzo, OK Fred, The Japan Times, Art AsiaPacific, and The Fader. He is a graduate of Harvard University (B.A., East Asian Studies) and Keio University (M.A., Marketing and Consumer Behavior).

...now, someone write me fic about Arashi overthrowing the system!!!

Non-spoilery GANTZ thoughts, plus a cut if you don't want ANY hints

2011-01-21T07:58:13Z

There is no earthy reason a lesbian should have such a fascination with the penis of one Ninomiya Kazunari.

I just had to say that first off.

I think the costume department was so diligent about trying to minimize any bulging in the Gantz suits that they sorta forgot about it the REST of the time. I should send them flowers.

And down to business. I almost wasn't even going to go. I had no one to go with and I had rest the first few chapters of the manga when the movie was announced and had SOOOO little interest. But then I thought, hey... it's NINO! And alianora and literarylemming said I should go.

I am so glad I did. Firstly, the quality of the film itself was way above my expectations. The CGI and stunts were Hollywood quality if you ask me. Nino kicked this movie's ass. I was faaaaaar more interested in his character's journey than in MatsuKen's. Some of the cinematography was just gorgeous and I mean, who doesn't mind artsy shots of Nino in a skin tight suit for two hours? And he really nailed the bits of humor that were scattered through out.

Nino's carving any even deeper niche into film acting than he had before.

The only thing to have made it better was HEARING THEIR VOICES. *ARGH* why did you DUB?! Even Nino in the Q&A seemed disappointed that it was dubbed over. That said, honestly... this isn't a movie that is relying heavily on dialogue so it wasn't as distracting as it could have been.

Speaking of Q&A, lmao at MatsuKen rambling on so his interpreter couldn't keep up. The man had the best expressions of distress ever. And I really felt that Nino did a good job of keeping the session going. I could tell MatsuKen was just not as comfortable up there in front of everyone.

I don't know about the rest of the theaters obviously, but the one in Seattle I was at was about 3/4 full. 80% were asian, 70% men.

There is some SERIOUS Man-Love going on between Kato and Kei. Like NOT just in my little slash-skewed mind, but everyone in the theater was giggling about it.

SPOILER-Y BITS

As with any Japanese movie, there requires some suspension of disbelief. I mean, more than the whole dead people being resurrected to fight aliens. No. That part I will grudgingly buy. It's the whole alien-ceasing-mid-fight-to-allow-characters-a-chance-for-meaningful-dialogue-and-then-picking-up-five-minutes-later that I can't fathom. I mean... what were they supposed to be doing? Twiddling their thumbs? Sending a text to the next alien up the street?

But again. This is Japan. I am not surprised.

The gore in the beginning with the onion aliens? Oh wow. I was taken aback. And then I expected the rest of the movie to follow in the same vein. For myself, I'm glad, but others that were hoping for a gore fest were probably disappointed. But there were lots of fun explosions!

All in all:

I LOVED IT. A++, Japan!

Break Up Mix: conversations hesitations

2010-08-01T07:38:56Z

Where to start...

Been dating this girl for three months. Now it's over. Or near enough to over that I know it's never going to go anywhere.

I needed a mix to be cathartic. Thus, my flist can benefit from maybe some new music.

Track List:

Juliette - Vanessa Daou
That I Would Be Good - Alanis Morisette
Break Your Heart - Get Set Go
Delicate - Damien Rice
Never Ever - All Saints
Mix Tape - Brand New
Blue and White - Beth Waters
Famous Last Words - My Chemical Romance