Moriyama Naotaro...

My sister said I should be blogging more often, so I decided to accommodate and blog again. (and it has been less than 2 months since my last entry!! baby steps, baby steps...) So- I got a call from my agency on Valentine's Day asking if they could submit my profile and pictures at the possibility of being a performer in the 2009 concert tour of Moriyama Naotaro, a famous musician whom I am genuinely a fan of.

They said that I matched the description of what they were looking for and that I had a good chance of being cast. A week later, I got word that I was one of the finalists. Yeah!! I try not to get excited... Sitting on pins and needles (not my favorite situation) I try to relax and go about my daily life. After training at the gym, walking to the subway I get a text from my manager saying CONGRATULATIONS! I was selected to perform in the tour!! I was so excited!!

The schedule conflicts with the musical tour I have already scheduled, but they said that they were going to double-cast the show and use me as the main, and use one of the other guys to perform the dates that I can't. So exciting!! The tour goes from Hokkaido to Okinawa- so I could a part of a cool national tour and and see the country- while enjoying this great music!

The scheduling kinks got ironed out just before I left for Hawaii, everything looks great. It will be a busy year, but hooray for cool jobs. When I got back from Hawaii, my manager tells me that they were having a meeting with the casting agent and with Naotaro san. Wow- I get to meet one of my favorite singers.

I arrive at the station to meet her, she informs me that we were waiting for another 'candidate'.... WHAT??!! That day, they were seeing four finalists... I was SHOCKED... I was told that I had been chosen.... I am somewhat confused. Roll with the punches, right?!

I thought that I did well in the audition, and had made a good impression. Compared to the other three, my look was different, and depending on what they are looking for- hopefully they would stick with the original decision. We were told that within a week, the final decision would be made.

I received a call from another stage company offering a part in a show. Showing in one of the coolest theaters in Tokyo. However- the dates are right on top of the Naotaro show... I can't do both. I call my manager and tell her the situation- she calls the tour staff manager and informs them of the predicament.

We then find out that they didn't find exactly what they were looking for in the original 'audition'. She was told that they liked me, but since I couldn't do the whole schedule they had to find an equal 'understudy' for my part. So- they were holding another round of auditions. In this audition, they would find-
A- an equal understudy that could do the dates that I cant
B- someone that could do the part, AND all of the tour dates
C- two people who have similar looks and could split the tour

...

Needless to say, I am on pins and needles AGAIN. aaaaaaaaghhhhh!!!

The second audition was on Tuesday. Today is Thursday. Seriously- the results of this due ANY MINUTE!! The rehearsals for the show start in two weeks. We should be told the results, umm, yesterday.

Anyways- please pray for a good result on this audition!! It has been more than six weeks since the original call... I am feeling positive about things, and will be sure to keep you posted!

I decided to reward myself with a pair of Diesel jeans if I get this job. Hopefully in the near future you see a picture of me in a new pair of jeans on this page. The pictures are of the singer that I hope to he on tour with.

ALOHA----

OK everyone, don't freak out. I recently had miraculously 5 days off. I did the math and found that with my time I could have had quite the trip and seen everyone... but my schedule would have been something like this-

Leave Tokyo Narita- evening
Arrive SFO, wait 5 hours to transfer to Vegas.
After 12 hours in Vegas, fly to SLC.
Next morning, take red-eye flight to Omaha.
That evening take the late-flight back to SLC.
Next morning head back to Vegas.
That evening leave for SFO,
Head back to Narita the next morning.

Needless to say, I would have spent more time in an airplane than with any of you... sorry guys...

A good friend calls and tells of a great deal on tickets to Hawaii. Round-trip airfare, hotel, airport and fuel charge, ALL included for $600. As my electric blanket and I were seeing WAY too much of eachother, and it was snowing the day the offer came- I took the trip! I hope you all understand. I will see you all soon! I promise!

In the meantime- here are some highlights from the Hawaiian adventure.

I recovered from my jet-lag while frying myself on the beach. I was hoping to nap for 30 minutes before a brief dip in the ocean, but 2 hours later woke up. Ummm- I was asleep from 12:30 to 2:30 covered in Hawaiian Tropics... not sunscreen. hahahaha. I ate way too much local food, but felt like I deserved the break from my normal diet of too much healthfood and protien shakes. I was able to go to my alma-mater of BYUH and see my favorite Kajiyama Sensei!! He still remembered me and introduced me to his 301 class as his 'prize student that became a famous actress in Japan.' (he may be the only one in the room that didn't catch that. i love that guy!!)

I got to take a tour of the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was fun being on the receiving side of things. Even though I have been through the center litterally hundereds of times, it was amazing. I got to see one of my favorite people in the world, Jimmy, who did so much for me while I was at BYU, and again when I was there this time. Heart as big as a whale!! He and my homegirl Ardis embody the love of Polynesia.

Spent not one, not two, but THREE hours in Wal-Mart!! Hehehehehehe- LOVE that place. I got lots of vitamins and things that are sooo expensive in Japan. Picked up some macadamia nuts, chocolate, lots of treasures, CDs, DVDs, books, etc etc etc. I got so much, in fact, that I had to buy another suitcase to get all of my stuff home. hahahaha-

After four days of beach, food, sun, food, shopping, food, friends, food, and siteseeing, I was fast asleep on the plane back to Japan and my busy life in Tokyo.