Magi-Kat presents "Morning Meteora"

Happy bday, Chester the Jester (aka "Everyone Lived at 4:20, man")

nobody@vox.com(Magi-Kat) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:25:42 -0400

Happy 32nd birthday, Chester Bennington!

Let’s see… I did some idol searching in the Hello! Project Idol Database at Hell! Project and the Hello! Project member born in the same year as you is…

RuRu_231

RuRu Honda of Taiyo & Ciscomoon (T&C Bomber)

Present Age: 32
(Wait… didn’t she graduate from H!P ages ago? BTW her bday was Cake Day!)

The only H!P members older than you are Inaba Atsuko (34), Nakazawa Yuko (34), and Miho Shinoda (ironic since a member of Linkin Park shares the last name). Shinoda-san (35) is also the only member who is not remaining within the Hello! Project at this time (though she, Ruru, and Atsuko were group mates at one time).

Now that we know the Hello! Project members older than you, time to find out the members who were born in the same decade that are younger than you:
Kobayashi Azusa (Country Musume) - January 30, 1977
Present age: 31

Kominato Miwa (Taiyo to Ciscomoon) - February 15, 1977
Present age: 31

Arai Saki (Sheki-dol) - March 8, 1978
Present age: 30

Aya Ishiguro (Morning Musume) - May 12, 1978
Present age: 29

Heike Michiyo (Soloist) - April 6, 1979
Present age: 28

Miyoshi Chinatsu (Soloist) - August 14, 1979
Present age: 28

Maeda Yuki (Soloist) - August 28, 1979
Present age: 28

Now, Chester, you are the second oldest in Linkin Park (and the “clown” of the group) but what about the other members?:

Rob Bourdon was born in the same year as Miyoshi, Maeda, and Michiyo but his birthday was in earlier (January 20), making him older than all three.

Brad “Big Bad Brad” Delson was born in 1977, along with Azusa and Miwa. He is younger than them since his birthday is December 1.

Dave “Phoenix” Farrell was also born in 1977 but with a birthday of February 8, he is younger than Azusa while older than Miwa.

Joe Hahn is another ‘77 baby. He is younger than all of the mentioned members with a birthday of March 15 (three days before Cake Day).

Mike Shinoda was (of course) born in the same year that popped up, his birthday being February 11. He is younger than Azusa while older than Brad, Dave, Joe, and Miwa.

So, this actually makes Chester the oldest in Linkin Park (yikes! It’s fitting that he’s one of the front men). I knew you were an elder but I did know you were that old. Okay, okay, I’ll stop.

But I have good news (that doesn’t involve saving money on car insurance by switching to Geico): a new year comes a new age. Hopefully, less stalkers harass you and more fans and good karma continue to rain on you.

Now for some randomness: Can you believe that I, at one point, fantasized that Michiyo Heike rejoined the music business as a member of Linkin Park (making her the band’s first -and, so far, only- female member)? (I even thought Tanaka Reina would be a better choice but Michiyo would better fit the chemistry of the group). She might get in the way due to the “singer” position being filled by you but I’ll leave the rest of the rock-loving wota who are reading this entry (besides, I doubt Michi-chan’s doing much “rock”-oriented music but I haven’t really heard much outside of Teenage Dream, a few singles, and some post-H!P stuff). Heck, I'll even leave the same wota to imagine what it'd be like if H!P members (past and present) joined the ranks of American bands and groups (not in their respective groups, I might add, a la the "Michiyo in LP" thing. Man, that'd be a new blog entry, if not for the fact it's similar to the explosive "H!P in the West" controversy and my desire to leave it to interpretation and the imagination of more experienced wota and fans).

Now, in tribute to you, here’s some videos that fans uploaded as a testament to you and your glory (Along with some additional comments from moi!

Chester Bennington's Best Moments

The above (the popper stopper) inspired a pic I planned to use in a "Koharu vs. Chester" post that I had never gotten around to make.

Chester Bennington playing ping-pong

As cheesy as that would be, wouldn't it be cool if Morning Musume did that on Haromoni@ or whatnot?

Funny Chester Bennington

More funniness from Chester. No comment.

Chester on the xylophone

Anything happy? We wota and fans can think of all sorts of things to add that sound effect to.

(He also has a blog, though I linked to the posts marked "Chester" since the rest are just from his label: http://www.cbennington.com/search/label/chester)

So, happy birthday, Chester and thanks for reading, my public.

- Magi-Kat
(Remember, everyone died at 4:20, man!)

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Because I'm lazy...

nobody@vox.com(Magi-Kat) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:14:50 -0500

(Karma's going to haunt me)
Since I’m too lazy to write full-fledged entries (along with the fact I was polishing up an entry from months ago), here’s another cheap Ping Pong Pinpoint (and that is why no one reads this blog).

C_misc_19

Labcoat Worker Sentenced for Not-so-benign Bennington Stalking! A laboratory worker recently has been sentenced to 24 months (two years) in prison for stalking Chester Bennington, hacking into his cell phone account and getting at some rather sensitive stuff. Thank goodness she was captured because it’s hard being a celebrity (as this shows). *thinks of the many wota that stalk their favorite idols*. (I was going to make this a full-fledged rant full of snark but I lost the motivation after a few hours). More info: La Cruces Sun-News, Optimum Online News.

421px-Renai

“Café Buono” is molto buono! Pretty much every Buono fan can agree with me - their first album is rock-hard awesome (in the beginning. It becomes okay after a while. Wait, the entire album was okay/good). (I might review it on another entry if I get to it… and whoever said “Internet Cupid” sounds like Perfume was dead-on. I mean, at parts, it sounds like “Computer City” and “Electro World” fused together). I must also admit this: I might like Momoko because she doesn’t sound like she has helium in her lungs (I’ve somewhat grown a slight intolerance towards squeaky voices and even had begun to associate it with poor singing skills, unfortunately. There are some squeakies who can sing (*coughWcough*) but…).

【Dohhh UP!】Berryz kobo - Genghis Khan PV(Berryz工房ジンギスカン PV)

Berryz conquers the Hello! World with “Dschinghis Khan”! Seen the PV and the covers for this little Berry-licious single. You have failed to disappoint me, you seven, and you might regain my love for you guys (if not, already has). And now for something completely different: “KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!” *shot*.

Morniten10

“Resonant Blue” is a possible “cool”! I have heard reports of Morning Musume’s upcoming single being a cool, mature single a la “Egao YES Nude” (This is coming from an article on HNPH). Hmmm… I’m still going to wait and see. Ganbare, Musume!

Kamei_Eri_1810

What the Shell? The Turtle “Scandal” that is Alive, Dead, and Undead! At first, I believed it. (Yeah, I was a sucker for what was written). Now that analysis has come in (and the heat died down), I don’t really believe it. No one seems to care so oh well. So, who’s the next Musume to be framed? Takahashi? (Good for the Trashers, Bad for the Toasters). Tanaka? (Same deal). Niigaki? Kusumi? Michishige? Mitsui? The Pandas? Who? Anyway, let’s all watch and eat popcorn as this whole thing passes. I’m not much of an Eri fan (but I like her more than the other 6th Gen members) but I wouldn’t want her to leave; Morning Musume is in too delicate a state to lose a member. I’d rather have it after a member has joined (and after quite some time for the 8.5th Gen to adjust, which I’d leave to you more observant fans and wota to determine).

Fujimoto_Miki_1129

Fujimoto’s in a Spring Play. Fujimowota: Whooooooot! Me: Moving on. (Oh, happy (early) birthday, Miki!).

405px-Jaja

Another H!P Cover is Revealed. Farewell, Biyuuden, for you have joined the cover crowd. No wonder nobody likes H!P anymore (save for the Gatas and the Hannah Montana of Morning Musume).

I mean, seriously, I don’t even like the song they’re covering but now I’ll force myself to like it for Biyuuden’s sake. I was expecting a single that closes the great (to the fans and the jerk-off wota) Biyuuden catalog but instead, it’s an ode to Rika’s Musume days. I guess it won’t be that bad after all. Goodbye, Biyuuden, goodbye. Reminds me of a Spice Girls song but I’ll get to that when they’re disbanding. (I just hope that the PV isn’t as bad as for “Jaja Uma Paradise,” which I doubt considering Biyuuden’s “Some Boys’ Shrew in Touch ‘n Catch Screw Paradise” image). *Loses points for the lame Maki Goto reference*.

Due to me not really having a preference for Berryz and C-ute and actually paying attention to each individual member, you might not see Paul’s poll save for the Musume (but don’t I have to make one with all three groups, just to be fair? After all, they are constantly battling for the “flagship” spot). Sorry.

Instead, I’ll post this Morning Musume Ranking from American Wota.

Rank	Name
1	Kusumi Koharu
1	Takahashi Ai
3	Mitsui Aika
4	Qian Lin
4	Li Chun
6	Kamei Eri
6	Niigaki Risa
8	Tanaka Reina
8	Michishige Sayumi

Why am I not surprised (though I am surprised Risa's at that place but after than the Top 5, it's a somewhat equal amount of "meh").

Until the next (more meaningful) entry,
Magi-Kat out!

And a happy belated birthdays to: Morning Musume member Junjun (20 on the 11th), Melon Kinenbi member Shibata Megumi (24 of the 22nd), C-ute members Nakajima Saki (14 on the 6th), Yajima Maimi (16 on the 7th), and Hagiwara Mai (12 on the 7th)
Don't forget to wish Melon Ohtani Masae a happy 26th today!

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亜衣ってなあに？(Happy Birthday Aibon, pyon!)

nobody@vox.com(Magi-Kat) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:25:49 -0500

Dearly beloved, today/night we pay tribute to one of the Hello! Projects most loveliest idols to have ever graced the stage: Kago Ai.

Kago_Ai_1507

Yes, today is Aibon’s 20th birthday and now she’s an adult in the eyes of the Japanese society at large (and that newsperson was unfortunately wrong in saying she’d make a comeback then. Then again, we’ve pretty much given up on that long ago).

Kago-chan has brought a degree of cuteness that is only something she’d bring to the table (along with her beacon of hope Nozomi Tsuji-Sugiura). After joining Morning Musume in 2000, this young 12-year-old from Nara-ken brought joy to our hearts. Her babylike face, her sweet vocals, everything! (Magi-Kat, you need organize this entry better, dudette).

When I came into liking Morning Musume in November 2003, Kago and her chum were still Musume. However… I don’t even know how I’ve gotten into this girl. Was it Mini Moni? (It’d had to be it!) Was it… I don’t know (Magi-Kat, you muddler!).

When W came around, of course, I looked into the unit. In fact, it became my favorite H!P act after Morning Musume and the one to replace the disbanded Mini Moni. Although I haven’t seen their PVs until late last year, I was delirious and deranged for W! Then… came the train wreck to crash my H!P happiness for the time being….

That train wreck was Kago Ai’s smoking scandal. I was saddened by the news and was even more shocked at how Aibon broke the law! For the time being, I had to concentrate my energies on Morning Musume and my growing interest in Koharu’s career later on. Now that Aibon’s been expelled for being a return visitor to Scandal Land, I had to find an alternative to Aibon. Nono gave me hope with her “Athena” song (even if it’s a remake of a Morning Musume song) and Gyaruru but I quickly lost it after she left the limelight with a bun in her oven.

Fast forward to now: Kago Ai is 20 and doing who knows what. Nozomi’s resting from the birth, even cooking up a “Sugiura Special” for her hubby and Koharu’s releasing more anime-related stuff (I’ve finally downloaded her album… unfortunately, at this time, I’ve somewhat gotten out of Koha-chan). At this time, I’ve gotten over W’s demise and moved on with myself. However, no matter what happens, Kago-chan (and Nono) will remain my #1 favorite H!P member, even as an ex.

So, happy birthday, Kago Ai.

In other, more heartwarming news:

604px-Lalala_Shiawase_no_Uta_limited

C-ute’s new song is super special awesome! For some reason, the song reminds me of Aqua and other bubblegum dance acts *is hit in the face with a pie*. I never really could hear the song in the Kouhaku performance and at this point separated the song from its origins. *Is pied even more for her liking the song*. I actually like this song more than “Tokaikko Junjou” *booed and pied especially for that*. I know C-ute has to move on as a group to dethrone Morning Musume as the flagship group, along with their comrades in Berryz, </sarcasm> but I’m a sucker for songs like this so forgive me. I might watch the PV later… *is pied until she is unrecognizable*.

Morning Musume’s new single = “Resonant Blue.” Alright, home girls, don’t disappoint, Magi-Kat! With a new single comes a new chance to shine (especially for the 8th Gen) so ganbare!

Same goes for you, Berryz, and that new PV. In fact, that goes for Tsunku and everyone else in UFA! If you ripe little Berryz and your C-ute comrades steal my heart like you’re beginning to, I might be able to get back into you guys again. Buono’s definitely helping you on your trek. Just for that, here’s a little treat for you H!P Kiddies fans!

Miku, Rin, and Len doing Buono!

Getting back to the subject of Kago Ai’s birthday, joyeux anniversaire! Here’s a little birthday greeting from Chester and Friends (although it may be insulting to some people):

Cock Roach - Chester Bennington (Linkin Park)

Magi-Kat out (and be thankful I made an appropriate "pyon!" reference than a stupid "Bon kyu! Bon kyu! Bomb" pun the title)!

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The Why of the Kawamoe of KusuBeni

nobody@vox.com(Magi-Kat) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:53:21 -0500

Before I fell in love with the cuteness that is Shugo Chara! (not only because Buono! did the theme), I often contemplated that entry I had promised myself I would do. That entry would analyze a very important aspect of my identity as a Hello! Project/Linkin Park fan, a common topic on IM conversations I had with my online friends, the one I mentioned on my thank you post. Ah yes, it's the one you have been dreading - the one where I analyze my apparent obsession with Koharu Kusumi and Chester Bennington, who are like apples and oranges.

The Why of Kusumi Koharu's "Kawaii"

H@ppy Ku$um1

Now, we are all familiar with the "Miracle Girl," right Won the second set of 7th Generation auditions, voices an anime character who wanted to become an idol to be with the boy she loves, formed a unit with Hagiwara Mai of °C-ute (according to (Japanese/English) Wikipedia, Kira*Pika supposedly disbanded in Episode 77 but I've seen Hikaru in previews of later episodes), and is living Tsukishima Kirari's dreams somewhat. Kusumin was the best selling soloist in 2006 and is really beginning to "sparkle" like an idol.

Now, here's the big question: why do I like her, especially since I found her ugly in her first few pictures (I even said that she looked drunk in one of her audition photos)? What made me like her so much? I heard she sounded horrible in a comment on YesAsia on "Iroppoit Jirettai" and I even...

Wait, wait a minute. I have noticed a correlation between my love for Kusumi and her "Kirarin" stage. Yeah, her little verse in "Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari 3" gave me a better idea of her voice but as she released her solo work, I became a bigger fan of Kusumi, all the way to the level of now! Koharu is just so kawaii and her miracle is a beam of hope and energy into Morning Musume and beyond. As we can see from sales, she is a miracle in that she's putting more money in the pockets of the UFA guys but while I wasn't exactly expecting a "second Gocchin" (not that I cared much about her. Sad she left H!P but it was probably for her own good) but Kusumi-chan is a miracle all by herself in her little Koharuppoi way. Her very name means "little spring" or "Indian summer" so it may just be another indication (or a product of a fan's vivid imagination. Then again, it's vivid imaginations that created outfits like the shown "Happy" outfit and songs like the extremely catchy yet fiercely hated "Hana wo Puun").

Now is the part you'd want to know my favorite songs by Kusumi. That's a somewhat hard question to answer since there are so many favorites from the Kusumi collection but this is about the charm and cuteness of Koha-chan. She holds that possibility for H!P it's not funny. Plus, she has this ability to send me into a smile almost whenever I see her (unless she's smiling. If she's doing that, I return the favor almost instinctively). I noticed this essay goes on and on and on without exactly eplaining the cuteness of Kusumi Koharu and her appeal, even fi she seemed to have filled the void left by Mini Moni and later W! Then again... it's for the most part unexplainable why I like Kusumi just as much as I like... a certain guy from Phoenix.

The Why of Chester Bennington's "Moe"

Anyone who had to deal with teenagers and modern rock had to have heard his name or the name "Linkin Park" somewhere. Either as a positive mention in a fan's journal or in a scathing criticism of the American music industry, you might've heard of these guys from California (or, in Chester's case, Arizona). Heck, even Kd admitted to being a Linkin Park fan in IroIro Aru Sa! vers. 1.0! (Sorry, O Mighty Princess of Snark, of whom I consider one of my blogging inspirations and idols. Forgive me! As soon as I find that post, I'll link it!).

I became acquainted with Chester's "unique" vocals (I put it in quotes because my LP obsession caused me to learn that a few other male singers I listen to have similar voices to him, albeit with subtle differences) when a friend of mine sent me "Breaking the Habit" through AIM. I don't know why I consider him "moe." Yeah, he is handsome, has a slight "Valley Boy"-ish accent (which apparently died down by the time they filmed the "Shadow of the Day" video, though he wasn't speaking with the same tone as the previous episodes of "d'Fused" (a making-of show on FuseTV) that featured their videos). Maybe, like Kusumi, Chester possessed this strange yet delightful little charm, this charisma.

In fact, due to the fact I used to (and still do, to a somewhat small extent) listen to Shibuya-kei, where soft, child-sounding females were a bit of a norm, I grew a thing for soft-voiced male singers and Chester, despite his screams, growls, and hollering (as much as it's damaging to your voice), fits the bill perfectly. Being able to use this wide-ranged voice to suit the song is a sign of talent (which beats out Kusumi in this department. Even if they sing in different genres, Chester's vocals are undoubtedly stronger than Koharu's). We've heard his harshness in the likes of "One Step Closer," "Numb," and "Bleed It Out" but the softness of Sir Bennington's voice comes in with "Breaking the Habit" and "Shadow of the Day." In fact, imo, he sometimes(?!) sounds younger than he is (unlike 15-year-old Kussun, Chester's 31!).

Aisde from his talented voice, Chester possesses this... now, I'm rambling again. He's handsome, talented, and someone I respect and admire, not only as some rock star, but mostly as a person. After all, what kinda pulled me into LP was how "real" the lyrics were. Of course, since I wasn't much of an angsty teen to begin with (when I was introduced to the band the first time, I was a generally happy person), it took a while. It took Minutes to Midnight (and a New Year's resolution) to make me a (hardcore) fan again. I would go on to explain more but I'd end up repeating myself. Plus, it's a slight mystery as to why I like Chester and had gotten the sick mind to call him "moe" (which, as anime fans know, is a special form of "cuteness" and calling a 31-year-old rock star "cute" would get you some evil eyes. Then again, Sir Bennington's in a class of his own), and put him on the same level as a "weak-sounding J-idol" (despite her weakness, Koharu has potential and, like Chester, I admire her moreso as a person. There is a chance she would have the same attitude about her fans as Ishikawa Rika-san but that's another post).

Phew... what have I rambled about again? Ya know, this post wasn't exactly what I wanted to express. Then again, as I've said many times, my fandom for Koharu Kusumi and Chester Bennington is a labyrinth of reasons that would lead into a neverending series of mystery and wondering. Bright side: it's part of who I am! Magi-Kat, the blogger bold enough to juxtapose J-idol pop with American metal like a Fauvist, the one who puts "Nobody's Listening" after "Ramutara" (of which she listens to as much as Kirari "Ramutaa rattattaa ratta..."'s through the song) on her playlist, the one who adores listening to "Sexy 8 Beat" on her computer and "Hybrid Theory" on the stereo. She even considered making a comic of Koharu snubbing Chester's nose while singing that "horrid" song! (That's a death wish!). Now that you've had a glimpse of another one of Magi-Kat's sides, I humbly encourage you to enjoy the fireworks show because "Morning Meteora" is on the air!

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