#Tokyo Summer Session 2021

[foxes-that-run]

All the Harry’s House songs and leaked songs were written in 2020 or earlier before he started filming DWD. Harry and his producer have indirectly confirmed this. Harry’s house was ready for release when the picture of him singing to James Corden's son was taken.

Hi,

There is a Harry's House Timeline someone else posted here, and I have a 2018-2020 and 2021-2023 timeline also.

In his Zane Lowe Interview Harry talked about how the album was written in several sessions where only the first 1 or 2 songs of each session made the album. In between they worked separately went and lived their lives. They then came back together and did better work by spreading it out.

Harry said in the same interview that LOML and As it Was were written in Sony CEO's in house in England. Harry said this was the 4th chunk of his pandemic when he returned to England (after DWD wrapped) and before My Policeman.

Earlier:

Tokyo Oct 18 - Jan 19 - Little Freak

LA 2019 - boyfriends at the end of fine line sessions with adore you, lights up & TPWK

Pandemic: When he was talking about As it Was, Harry talked about the journey of his Pandemic experience having 4 “chunks”:

LA March - May 2020, LNT, Sushi, Daylight

England / Italy drive Summer 2020, Keep Driving, Matilda

LA again November 2020 - California possibly, DWD filmed, it wrapped February 2021. 2021 Grammy's in March 21, Cinema, Daydreaming, he stayed in LA till after the Grammys

Back to England - April 2021 - LOML and As it Was.

Later:

Nashville - 29 September 2021 - Satellite was recorded in The Cave in Nashville, this was probably when the tour was there, assuming he couldn't travel to Nashville from LA in early 2020, and was busy filming DWD in the end of the year. He was there 28 September - 2 October 2021

He was still in the studio for it after DWD and My Policeman had both wrapped:

9 August - 26 August Harry in studio maybe finalising it the behind scenes photos here you can see outfits he wore in LA on these dates.

I feel like he said at some point it was finished before the tour started on 4 September 2021, however if Satellite was in Nashville on 29 September that may have still been what he was thinking.

[novumtimes]

Salt Lake City confirmed as 2034 Winter Olympic Games host following IOC vote in Paris

In short: Salt Lake City will host the 2034 Winter Olympic Games following an IOC vote. The Utah capital previously hosted the Winter Games in 2002. What’s next?  France must deliver key financial guarantees in a timeline to be set by the IOC after being conditionally selected as the host of the 2030 Games. Salt Lake City has been awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games following a vote of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Paris. The US city, which hosted the 2002 Winter Games, earned 83 votes out of 89 at the IOC session, having been named the preferred choice in June. “We are back, baby. The Olympics are coming back to Utah,” said Utah governor Spencer Cox, who was part of the presentation team in Paris. Salt Lake City had initially wanted to bid for the 2030 Games, which were conditionally awarded to France. But the Utah capital dropped those plans due to the date being too close to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. ABC Sport will be live blogging every day of the Paris Olympics from July 27 The Salt Lake City bid for 2034 hit an unexpected hurdle recently with the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for banned substances before the Tokyo Summer Olympics held in 2021. The 23 swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine but were later cleared by a Chinese investigation, which said they were inadvertently exposed to the drug through contamination. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) did not find any wrongdoing in its own investigation of the cases but it has since triggered a separate US investigation and sharp criticism of WADA’s handling from the US Anti-Doping Agency. The involvement of US authorities in the case angered the IOC, which said WADA’s authority could not be unilaterally challenged. The IOC said an amendment in the host city contract had now been added. The amendment would allow the IOC to terminate the Olympic host contract “in cases where the supreme authority of WADA in the fight against doping is not fully respected or if the application of anti-doping code is hindered or undermined”. It said Salt Lake City and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee had already signed the amended contract. France must now deliver key financial guarantees in a timeline to be set by the IOC after being conditionally selected as the host of the 2030 Winter Games. The French Alps bid was the preferred choice since June but due to elections and a current caretaker government had been unable to deliver the necessary state and regional financial guarantees in time. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to the IOC session prior to the vote on Wednesday in a bid to ease any concerns and show his support for the candidacy. “I confirm the full commitment of the French nation and assure you that I will ask the next prime minister to include not only this guarantee but also an Olympic law in the priorities of the new government,” he said. “Seven years ago, we made the same commitment [for the Paris 2024 Summer Games], and we delivered. We will do the same.” The IOC said it had received a number of assurances regarding outstanding guarantees. Bit the IOC said it would not sign the host city contract, which has already been signed by France, until those guarantees were delivered. The IOC decision means France will host the Winter Games six years after the Summer Olympics in Paris, which start on Friday. France previously staged the Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924, Grenoble in 1968 and Albertville in 1992. Reuters Source link via The Novum Times

[lightmonx]

I really want someone to translate these CEC novels and scan the illustration

Edit: The Day I Call Your Name have a translation!

[deus-ex-mona]

i wonder who’s gonna go to kyoto for next year’s may event…

[yuzu-all-the-way]

My Journey with Yuzu

First of all, this post is a VERY long post. It's going to be quite personal, so feel free to skip it if you don't feel like reading everything. Essentially, this is my journey - from first hearing about Yuzu, to actually discovering him and becoming his fan. I also share some thoughts about what comes next in this journey.

2018 PyeongChang Olympics

I was in university working on a project when I heard news that the Olympics were about to start. I have been watching figure skating on-and-off as I child, but had never actually followed a full skating season nor watched an entire competition. PyC was my opportunity. Also, I was not familiar with the skaters, since I hadn't watched competitions since around 2014-2015.

Unfortunately, because of my tight schedule and limited resources at the time, I was unable to find a live stream of the Olympics and I gave up trying to watch.

About a few months later, maybe Summer 2018, I got a recommended ice dance video (I have no clue why or how the YT algorithm suggested me that). It was from a practice session, I don't remember whose, I just remember clicking on it because I thought "figure skating, cool".

The next recommended video was the gold-winning performance from the men's discipline - of course I watched it and loved it. Yep, that was the first time I saw Yuzuru Hanyu, his PyC SEIMEI. But then something came up and I had to get off YT and completely forgot about him.

Spring 2019 (I think)

Fast forward a year and I'm on Pinterest looking up who-knows-what. And this photo appears.

I was in awe. He looked so strong, determined, broody, he looked like he was solving an equation in his head. Because of the all-black attire, I completely missed the fact that he was wearing skates and thought he was a model or something. Never tried to find out his name.

2020-2021

Then COVID hit. Life was put on pause. More fast forwarding. I watched the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and before the opening ceremony, I saw some talk that Yuzuru Hanyu was going to show up as the final torch bearer (speculation, more likely). Who is Yuzuru Hanyu? I looked him on Google.

This photo was the second that showed up in the search results.

It was quite the contrast compared to his first photo in which he was holding up a medal (later I found out it was a photo from the JNats 2020 victory ceremony).

So I went back to YT and saw that I had watched his PyC free skate. So I decided to watch his short program, too.

No, I still wasn't invested or interested in him. The summer Olys were starting, I was trying to keep up with several sports and my sleep schedule was a mess.

2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

I didn't want to miss the figure skating like I did back in 2018. So I got a subscription to watch the Olympics. I decided to get as informed as possible since I had already watched in 2022 the Europeans and Four Continents, too. So I joined figure skating reddit.

On there, before the team event of the Olys, I saw a bingo card and one box features "Yuzu shows up and does the FS". Who is Yuzu?!

That was my downfall. I know him, I've seen his previous Olympics programs. I decided to check his career achievements page - I was impressed then I wanted to know more about him.

I fell down and hard - in about 2 weeks I gathered so much information about him and binged almost half of his programs (every competition in chronological order), if not more.

I was rooting for him so hard, I read about his quest for the 4A, I saw his JNats 2021 Ten to Chi to and his first attempt at incorporating the 4A in a complete program. I was completely mesmerized by his resolve. Of course I found Planet Hanyu and started watching his interviews as well.

By the time the short program competitions rolled around, I was already Yuzu's fan with quite a lot of knowledge of his hardships and achievements. I also was aware of how bad the sport was becoming.

I am so glad I got to see Yuzu's SP, FS and gala live on TV. I was awake at 3-4 am just to watch him - my heart broke both during the SP and FS. But I knew I had seen something amazing, I had seen history made. I saw his Beijing practices, and his programs' medley - I knew I wanted to see him in person one day.

It's very hard to express exactly what I feel when I watch Yuzu skate, but it's like I'm transported to another world. I wanted so much more. And then the news about him participating at FaOI came. I watched those broadcasts with so much happiness.

I made plans to go to GPF Torino for the up-coming season. Plans which got shredded the moment Yuzu announced that he's going to continue skating as a pro athlete.

In retrospect, I got the compressed version of Yuzu's career - ups and downs - and that's what makes me happy. I saw his LAST competition - all of it, I'm happy for that. I'm sorry I did not see him podium, but that's another story.

I will continue re-watching his competitive programs, his galas, I will continue supporting him and finding every piece of media that features him.

I will do my best to one day attend one of his future ice shows, be it in Japan or another place.

I haven't known him for a long time, but he's made a great impression on me.

I finished reading his autobiographies on the night between 18th and 19th July. I learnt so much more about him. The next day, he left competitive skating.

Now I'm here, waiting for news about his future plans and what he's going to come up with. I am looking forward to his new programs. Yuzuru Hanyu's skating is still happening, on his own terms - that's what I care about.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazilian teen enjoying new life after skateboarding success

[Image description: in this July 23, 2021 file photo, Brazil’s Rayssa Leal trains during a street skateboarding practice session at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo, Japan.]

Like most 13-year-olds, Rayssa Leal woke up and began preparing for school. It was an important day because English and literature tests awaited.

She also had to help out with house chores and look after her 7-year-old brother. At some point, she would also have to take care of her dog, a pug named Slink.

But unlike most 13-year-olds, Leal also had to touch base with her staff and squeeze in a Zoom interview before her classes. She was also already looking ahead to her next “work trip” coming up in a few days.

Life has been anything but normal for the Brazilian teenager who became an overnight sensation after winning a silver medal at the Olympics’ inaugural skateboarding competition in Tokyo a few months ago.

With her broad smile and uncanny charisma, Leal quickly conquered the hearts of Brazilians, and instantly nearly everything changed from what used to be an ordinary lifestyle.

The sport of skateboarding also changed significantly in Brazil, thanks in great part to Leal’s feat in Tokyo.

Interest in the sport grew across the country with sales of skateboards rising everywhere. Requests for classes skyrocketed and new schools popped up in many neighborhoods. Increased interest from young girls was especially noticed.

“I’m seeing a lot of girls starting in the sport, saying that they want to be like us and that they want to try to go to the Olympics like us,” Leal said. “I’m supper happy with that because skateboarding used to be marginalized. You didn’t use to see many girls in the sport.”

Continue reading.

[choijinri]

confession rehearsal tokyo summer session 2021 cover | sept. 15, 2021

[dimensionsunited]

Q2 2021 DIMENSIONS ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULES & REVIEW

Members may earn up to 18 points for writing, by the end of June 30 KST:

Up to three solo paras of 400+ words based on their quarterly schedule (does not count toward your monthly limit). (three points each)

Up to three threads of eight posts (four per participant, including the starter) based on the monthly schedule. (three points each)

Threads and solos do not have to take place directly during an important date listed on the schedule, but must be related to what the muse is mentioned to be doing in the paragraph explaining their schedule/the company’s schedule and/or their thoughts on the mentioned activities or lack thereof.

These schedules may be updated if new information needs to be added.

Reminder: Please do not post schedule posts in the fmdschedule tag.

Schedule posts for this quarter can be tagged with #fmddmsq221.

OVERALL COMPANY

Most of the groups under Dimensions are making comebacks this quarter, which hopefully means good things for the quarter’s profits, but also means a higher stress atmosphere among workers. Staff that overlaps between groups under Dimensions, such as stylists and recording engineers, might be pulled thin over the course of this quarter, leaving interactions with them potentially more tense and brief when they do happen, and schedule mishaps aren’t impossible, with practice rooms and recording studios potentially accidentally double-booked.

Important dates:

June 8-13: Triple Fantasy Festival in Indio, CA, USA.

GAL.ACTIC

In April, the members of Gal.actic wrap up comeback preparations ahead of their new release. While its release might not be a high-charter for the group, it earns a certain amount of favor with those who keep up with new releases for showing a side Gal.actic hasn’t been showing as much with their recent comebacks. Album sales aren’t anything standout for the group either, in spite of several fan signs being held, but it gives Gal.actic a fun summer song they might be able to book some festival performances of next quarter, and the charity walkathon performance they book in June at the tail end of promotions is good publicity and positive media karma, which they could always use more of.

Important dates:

April 10: Fri. Sat. Sun. photo book shoot.

April 25: “Fri. Sat. Sun.” M/V filming.

May 1: MISSHA fansign in Gangnam, Seoul.

May 13: Release of “Fri. Sat. Sun.” & Fri. Sat. Sun. mini-album + press showcase, music show promotions continue through June 13.

May 14: Fansign in Yongsan, Seoul.

May 16: Fansign in Gimpo.

May 31: Fansign in Busan.

June 1: Fansign in Gangnam, Seoul.

June 13: End of music show promotions.

June 19: Performance (Fri. Sat. Sun & B.B.B.) at 1m1won Charity Walkathon (also performing: Chroma Crystal and 7ROPHY).

ALIEN

After Alien finishes music show promotions in April, they’re given the rest of the month before they return in May to begin work on their next comeback. Once they come back in in May, it’s straight into concept meetings and then eventually recording their next single album, which will include double title tracks “Bling Bling” and “B-Day”. They continue to work on their new comeback in the beginning of summer, with choreography [2] and wardrobe fittings being the focus for June. Though their fan signs for their latest comeback were kept to a minimum this time around, they’ll get two chances to meet with fans this quarter during fan signs in their roles as ambassadors for sportswear brand Kappa.

Important dates:

April 5: Fansign in Gangnam, Seoul.

April 9: End of music show promotions.

May 8: Kappa fansign in Yongin.

June 19: Kappa fansign in Busan.

June 20: M/V [2] and stage outfit [2] wardrobe fittings.

MARS

Now that their active Japanese promotions are behind them and left mostly to pre-recorded clips and behind the scene videos here and there managed by Dimensions to lure in anyone still pondering a purchase, it’s time for MARS to turn their attention more fully to their Korean comeback. April brings with it fittings, photo shoots, and music video filming on top of continued practice of their stages. The company gets those preparations completed by the end of April so as to allow the group to concentrate on their performance ahead of their comeback at the end of May. The comeback is met with what could be considered a more lukewarm reception for MARS — it’s what they’re known for and good at, but doesn’t seem to be a gigantic standout for most fans in comparison to the sexier “Chained Up”. Nonetheless, promotions are successful enough to turn a profit and they’re already looking ahead to a looming second Korean comeback of the year by the time the quarter comes to a close.

Important dates:

April 5: M/V and stage outfit wardrobe fittings.

April 17: Light Us photo book shoot.

April 20: “Valkyrie” M/V filming.

May 26: Release of “Valkyrie” & Light Us mini-album + press showcase, music show promotions continue through June 26.

May 27: Relay Dance video filming.

May 31: In&Out Dance video filming.

June 1: Fan sign in Yeouido, Seoul.

June 3: Guesting on Arirang Sound K radio show.

June 4: Fan sign in Yongsan, Seoul.

June 7: “Eye Contact” self-cam M/V filming at Dimensions HQ.

June 16: Fansign in Yeungdeongpo, Seoul.

June 21: Fan sign in Gimpo.

June 26: End of music show promotions.

June 28: Jambangee fansign in Songpa, Seoul.

7ROPHY

The quarter begins by finishing off promotions for “Oh My God” and before the quarter ends, they’ll be through almost an entire round of promotions for an entirely different comeback. Dimensions was quick to get to work as soon as “Oh My God” started showing charting comparable to their best digital success “Latata” and, instead of holding on to the era and milking it for all its worth, they’ve instead made the decision to aim for a summer hit with two more comebacks over the span of only a few months. The first is “Uh Oh”, which they’ll rush to record and learn the choreography for in April before completing the bulk of their comeback preparations in Ma so that the can make a comeback in the first week of June to get themselves in as one of the first large contenders for song of the summer. The comeback doesn’t end up being that, but it does benefit in the run-off of “Lion” and “Oh My God”, already making 2021 a more successful year for 7ROPHY than the previous one when it comes to making their name more known with the public.

Important dates:

April 5: Fansign in Gimpo.

April 10: Elle Song Association video filming.

April 12: Fansign in Incheon.

April 15: End of music show promotions.

May 1: M/V and stage outfit wardrobe fittings.

May 14: Teaser photo [2] shoot.

May 15: “Uh Oh” M/V filming day one.

May 16: “Uh Oh” M/V filming day two.

May 26: 100sec Choreography video filming.

June 2: Release of “Uh Oh” + press showcase, music show promotions continue through July 2.

June 19: Performance (Uh Oh & Oh My God) at 1m1won Charity Walkathon (also performing: Chroma Crystal and Gal.actic).

June 20: Try-lingual Live video filming (to be released: June 27).

UNITY

This comeback involves a lot that the members of Unity have to film. Not only do they have to film the video for their title track in April after completing wardrobe fittings and photo shoots in March, but they also have a concept video, a track video, and a music video for another song off of the album to film. All of the hard work pays off, though, as their comeback album hits it out of the park with over a million sales after its release and the digital charting of the title track is pretty impressive for a boy group as well. If anyone had still been questioning Unity’s position within Dimensions, there’s not much ground left to do so anymore after this comeback. They’re one of the top boy groups of their generation, and that’s something Dimensions will be proud to mediaplay in the aftermath of this comeback’s success.

Important dates:

April 2: Unity : The Past & Future : Ether video filming.

April 11: “Misfit” Track Video filming.

April 18: “Make A Wish (Birthday Song)” M/V filming.

April 26: “From Home” M/V filming.

May 1: “Make A Wish (Birthday Song)” M/V reaction video filming.

May 3: Release of “Make A Wish (Birthday Song)” & Unity Resonance Pt. 1 album + press showcase, music show promotions continue through June 3.

May 7: Fansign in Gangnam, Seoul.

May 10: Fansign in Jongno, Seoul.

May 11: Fansign in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.

May 31: Fansign in Goyang.

June 3: End of music show promotions.

↳ CHAMPION

Near the end of the month, the CHAMPION members will fly out to Japan to hold their concert at Tokyo Dome. Decipher and Knight have played Tokyo Dome before, but Unity hasn’t. Regardless of history, it’s a pretty big deal that a fresh sub-unit is playing such a venue, so BC and Dimensions wants to make sure it goes off without a hitch. After the concert ends, the unit members will begin working on a comeback as they go in to record a single in the studio in June.

Important dates:

April 29: We Are The Future Concert at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

LUCID

Lucid spends most of April preparing for the fanmeeting they’ll be holding in May. In addition to performances of their releases so far (leaning heavily into their “normal realm” concepts, they’re informed), as it’s a fanmeeting, they’ll have talk sessions they also have to prepare for. Other than the usual ments, the members will be expected to answer fan questions and requests and give advice to fans (all of these messages will be pre-approved by the company). They’ll also play games on stage with each other. Their fanmeeting isn’t all the have to occupy their time, though, as they’ll make making another comeback at the end of the quarter with a return to form with the normal realm concept instead of an intersection like their last release was. They’ll record the mini-album in April and begin learning the choreography a little earlier than usual within the same month. (The choreography for b-side “One Half” will need to be learned as well.) May brings in the focus on promotional materials, although rehearsals continue behind the scenes at a higher intensity than usual to guarantee the members have the choreography nailed down for this comeback. Finally, they make their return in June with a warm reception that’s expected by many due to adhering conceptually to their most successful releases.

Important dates:

April 7: Performance at Nonsan Strawberry Festival in Nonsan (also performing: Chroma Crystal).

May 2: Dear. Reverie fanmeeting at Olympic Hall in Seoul.

May 1: M/V and stage outfit wardrobe fittings.

May 9: Parallel photo book shoot.

May 30: “Love Whisper” M/V filming.

June 15: Release of “Love Whisper” & Parallel mini-album + press showcase, music show promotions continue through July 15.

June 16: OMG Live video filming.

June 17: Guesting on SBS Power FM Cultwo Show radio show, Relay Dance video filming.

June 18: Fansign in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.

June 19: Fansign in Mapo, Seoul.

June 20: Fansign in Gangnam, Seoul.

June 23: Guesting on SBS Power FM Power Time radio show.

June 24: Guesting on MBC Starry Night radio show.

June 27: Fansign in Gangnam, Seoul.

June 30: Guesting on KBS Cool FM Kiss The Radio radio show.

[bccity]

Q2 2021 BC ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULES & REVIEW

Members may earn up to 18 points for writing, by the end of June 30 KST:

Up to three solo paras of 400+ words based on their quarterly schedule (does not count toward your monthly limit). (three points each)

Up to three threads of eight posts (four per participant, including the starter) based on the monthly schedule. (three points each)

Threads and solos do not have to take place directly during an important date listed on the schedule, but must be related to what the muse is mentioned to be doing in the paragraph explaining their schedule/the company’s schedule and/or their thoughts on the mentioned activities or lack thereof.

These schedules may be updated if new information needs to be added.

Reminder: Please do not post schedule posts in the fmdschedule tag. 

Schedule posts for this quarter can be tagged with #fmdbceq221.

OVERALL COMPANY

2021 is BC Entertainment’s twenty-fifth year in business and the company plans to do a few things to commemorate that throughout the year. In the second quarter, the company is holding a gala with CEO Kim Byungchul as the guest of honor. The guest list mostly consists of business types for the sake of executive networking, but idols under the company are invited as well. Technically, attendance by BC idols is not mandatory, but management may push them very hard to attend if they see it as beneficial to do so. 

Important dates:

April 24: BC Entertainment Gala at Intercontinental Hotel Parnas in Gangnam, Seoul.

June 8-13: Triple Fantasy Festival in Indio, CA, USA.

DECIPHER

Decipher makes their Japanese comeback at the beginning of April and will spend the next month and a half with occasional rehearsals for the concerts they’ll hold in Japan at the end of May. Most of their time this quarter will be spent on their next Korean comeback as a priority, though. Throughout April, they’ll record the album and will go in for fittings. This comeback has a dramatized MV, so the fittings are more focused on making sure the stylist’s vision matches the director’s vision once on the members than the probable need for any tailoring or avant garde styling. In May, they’ll get to learning the choreography and will shoot the music video ahead of the official release in June. Much of the filming will be individual for the music video since it involves a lot of acting with female actresses. Promotions for their new album will be the standard fare for Decipher: music shows, radio shows, and fan signs. This will be one of the busiest quarters of the year for Decipher, and the members are encouraged to invest themselves in group activities this quarter.

Important dates:

April 7: Release of “Mirai (Ashita)” & Mirai (Ashita) Japanese single album.

April 20: “It’s Okay” comeback M/V [2] and stage outfit fittings.

May 2: Complete album jacket shooting.

May 4: TBJ fansign.

May 14: "It’s Okay” M/V filming day one.

May 15: "It’s Okay” M/V filming day two.

May 26: The Secret Diary Concert at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan. 

May 27: The Secret Diary Concert at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

May 30: The Secret Diary Concert at Grand Cube Osaka in Osaka, Japan.

May 31: The Secret Diary Concert at Grand Cube Osaka in Osaka, Japan.

June 7: Release of "It’s Okay” & Complete album + press showcase, music show promotions continue through July 7.

June 15: KBS Cool FM Kiss The Radio radio show guesting.

June 16: Fansign in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.

June 19: Fansign in Yongsan, Seoul.

June 20: Fansign in Gangnam, Seoul.

June 18: Fansign in Yeouido, Seoul.

June 19: Fansign in Ilsan.

June 23: SBS Power FM Love Game radio show guesting.

June 24: Fansign in Gimpo.

June 25: Fansign in Yangcheon, Seoul.

June 28: Fansign in Gimpo.

 ↳ Decipher R & V

No schedules for this quarter.

Important dates:

N/A.

 ↳ CHAMPION

Near the end of the month, the CHAMPION members will fly out to Japan to hold their concert at Tokyo Dome. Decipher and Knight have played Tokyo Dome before, but Unity hasn’t. Regardless of history, it’s a pretty big deal that a fresh sub-unit is playing such a venue, so BC and Dimensions wants to make sure it goes off without a hitch. After the concert ends, the unit members will begin working on a comeback as they go in to record a single in the studio in June.

Important dates:

April 29: We Are The Future Concert at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

BEE

BEE’s second quarter of the year is spent riding out the rest of their most recent comeback era and preparing to make the summer comeback fans are anticipating even without any official announcement yet by recording the mini-album at the end of the quarter. The majority of April is occupied with the members’ continued promotions for “I’ll Be Yours”, including occasional fan signs and the continuing run of music show promotions. The song is well-received. It’s not another number one hit in their bags, but anything BEE releases is sure to peak easily within the top ten of charts due to their status of longevity, and “I’ll Be Yours” isn’t an exception. In time they aren’t promoting in April, BEE will be preparing to bring their Live Concert: B concert to Hong Kong. The set list will be the same as their Seoul dates, so rehearsals are intended to keep the members fresh on the stages and adjust to any minor set and prop changes needed due to taking the show out of the country. A photo shoot for Esquire Korea and more duties as ambassadors for 11 St round out the quarter’s activities.

Important dates:

April 5: Fansign in Gangnam, Seoul.

April 12: Fansign in Gimpo.

April 22: End of music show promotions.

April 28: Performance (I’ll Be Yours & Darling) for military at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam (also performing: BEE and Fuse).

May 1: Photo shoot for Esquire Korea’s June issue.

May 10: 11 St fansign.

May 14: Live Concert: B at Star Hall in Hong Kong.

June 26: Performance at 11 St. Shocking Deal All Night Party.

 ↳ 2BEE

No schedules for the quarter.

Important dates:

N/A

KNIGHT

Their comeback in mid-April is the main event of Knight’s second quarter. Promotions have been amped up some in comparison to their last comeback in response to Knight’s album sales’ slow but consistent downward trend. “RPM” doesn’t look to be the comeback that will break that trend, but BC is throwing Knight into filming some promotional videos and appearances, not to mention a drastically increased number of fan signs, to prevent angering anymore fans, some of whom are still opposed to BC’s collaboration with Dimensions to include Knight members in CHAMPION. The latter part of the quarter will bring other activities and preparations to focus on for the members of Knight in either CHAMPION or Knight Light, and will also have the members spending a lot of time preparing for the tour they’ll embark on in the second half of the year. The earliest preparations will begin in May with dance practices and early fittings, but June will bring the bulk of learning new choreography and preparing special remixes and stages. Each member will get a chance to perform a solo stage during the tour, consisting of one of the following two options: 1) a vocal and/or rap and/or dance cover of their choice or 2) their most recently released promoted solo single (if applicable), that they will begin to rehearse in June as well.

Important dates:

April 4: Photo shoot for Dazed Korea’s May issue.

April 5: RPM Intro Performance video filming (maknae/main dancer/rapper/vocal, lead vocal/lead dancer, & main dancer/vocal/rapper)

April 10: RPM Runner Live video filming.

April 12: Release of “RPM” & RPM mini-album + press showcase, music show promotions continue through May 12.

April 13: RPM Waiting Live video filming.

April 15: RPM Relay Dance video filming.

April 18: Fansign in Gimpo.

April 19: 1theK RPM Suit Dance video filming.

April 20: Fact iN Star filming.

April 23: Fan sign in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.

April 24: Mini fanmeeting outside of Show! Music Core.

April 25: Fan sign in Gangnam, Seoul.

May 7: Fan sign in Jongno, Seoul.

May 11: Fan sign in Mapo, Seoul.

May 12: End of music show promotions.

 ↳ White Knight

No schedules for the quarter.

Important dates:

N/A

 ↳ CHAMPION

Near the end of the month, the CHAMPION members will fly out to Japan to hold their concert at Tokyo Dome. Decipher and Knight have played Tokyo Dome before, but Unity hasn’t. Regardless of history, it’s a pretty big deal that a fresh sub-unit is playing such a venue, so BC and Dimensions wants to make sure it goes off without a hitch. After the concert ends, the unit members will begin working on a comeback as they go in to record a single in the studio in June.

Important dates:

April 29: We Are The Future Concert at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

↳ Knight Light

This quarter, the pair are informed that BC plans for them to come back in July. In April, they’ll be invited to come sit in on sessions with company producers to help contribute to some of the songs for their comeback album if they’d like to. By May, the final track list will be officially confirmed and they’ll record the album. In June, they’ll finish comeback preparations with fittings, photo shoots, and M/V filming.

Important dates:

June 1: Comeback M/V [2] [3] [4] and stage outfit fittings.

June 7: 1 Billion Views photo book shoot.

June 19: “Telephone” M/V filming.

June 20: “Nothin’” Track M/V and “On Me” Track M/V filming.

June 21: “1 Billion Views” M/V filming.

LIPSTICK

Lipstick’s Ticket comeback is well-received. They don’t have the undivided attention of the public anymore the way they once did, but their fanbase is steady in the wake of Queendom and their hold on their specific subset of the market isn’t being very actively challenged these days. “Ticket” promotions proceed with the usual round of fan signs and, radio guestings, and music shows, but once they finished, they’re almost immediately called into a meeting with the news that they’ll begin working on their next comeback right away. While BEE is most well-known as the summer queens of the company, Lipstick is marketable for the season as well and BC wants to capitalize on that by pushing them for a special summer mini-album release. In May, they’ll be briefed on the concept of the comeback and will record the mini-album. In the back half of May, they’ll learn the choreography a little more rushed than usual. As June comes around, the focus will shift to fittings and photo shoots for the album jacket and promotion materials ahead of their comeback release in July.

Important dates:

April 2: Release of “Ticket” & Sweet Rendezvous mini-album + press showcase, music show promotions continue through May 2.

April 3: Fan sign in Gimpo.

April 5: Fan sign in Yongsan, Seoul.

April 12: Fan sign in Ilsan.

April 16: KBS Cool FM Kiss The Radio guesting.

April 19: Fan sign in Busan.

April 27: Fan sign in Gangnam, Seoul.

April 28: Performance (Ticket & Wild) for military at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam (also performing: BEE and Fuse).

May 2: End of music show promotions.

June 15: Comeback M/V and stage outfit fittings.

June 16: Comeback teaser and photo book shoot.

 ↳ Lip Gloss

No schedules for the quarter.

Important dates:

N/A

CHARM

After CHARM finishes their Korean comeback promotions, their team’s attention will turn to preparing for a Japanese comeback in June with a new single and mini-album. April will be spent recording the mini-album and learning the choreography. Choreography practice will continue into the following month leading up to the filming of the music video and the album jacket shoot. Around this time is also when CHARM will begin to rehearse for their Japan tour, which they’ll be holding in the third quarter. Luckily for them, this doesn’t involve learning much new choreography, as they should already be familiar with most of it. 

Important dates:

April 8: End of music show promotions.

May 1: Japanese comeback wardrobe fittings.

May 9: “24H” M/V filming.

May 10: 24H album photo shoot.

June 6: 24H M/V reaction video filming.

June 7: Release of “24H” Japanese single.

June 22: Release of 24H Japanese mini-album.

June 26: Performance on Count Down TV.

 ↳ CHARM U

No schedules for the month.

Important dates:

N/A

WISH

"More & More” promotions carry through to the end of April. There isn’t much need to bother with additional schedules like radio show guestings or filming videos for other YouTube channels at WISH’s level, especially considering BC would like to let Chroma take that attention up in April as they promote their first sub-unit debut. After promotions have ended, WISH are quickly informed they’ll need to start preparing for their next comeback, which will start a trilogy of a more elegant lean within their color pop concept. In May, after they’ve had a photo shoot for the cover of the American Harper’s Bazaar (a benefit of their recent signing with an American label), they’ll be in the studio to record the mini-album and, at the end of the month, will be spending time in the dance studio to learn the choreography. June will involve the final comeback preparations, including fittings and the album photo shoot before the members make their comeback in July.

Important dates:

April 5: Fansign in Yongsan, Seoul.

April 12: Fansign in Gangnam, Seoul.

April 19: Fansign in Yeouido, Seoul.

April 29: End of music show promotions.

May 1: Photo shoot for Harper’s Bazaar’s May issue cover.

May 8: Estee Lauder fan sign.

June 1: Comeback M/V and stage outfit wardrobe fittings.

June 15: COLOR*WISH mini-album photo shoot.

CHROMA

While the members of Chroma Crystal make their debut as a new unit, the second batch of members slowly eases into preparations to release their solo singles in this quarter. While everyone is working on their own schedules, the members will also begin to film another predebut project BC has in mind for them — a webdrama. They’ve been cast in these roles and in May and June, they’ll film the first season and its special clips. Multiple seasons of the webdrama are planned to get the group’s name out. (Admin note: Characters will have the muse’s name and not the Loona members’ names.)

[Orange] will record her song and learn the choreography in April so that she’s prepared to film her music video (which [Indigo] makes a pre-reveal appearance in) in May. This leads into her official single release in the final month of the quarter. Chroma’s fans are growing with each solo single release, hers included.

[Yellow], on the other hand, begins to record her song and learn its choreography in May (after receiving the original demo the month prior) and the music video will be filmed in June — there’s winter imagery in the song for a “Christmas in summer” feeling that BC thinks will make her standout, or it represents something about Chroma’s lore timeline being out of chronological order; it’s unclear as she gets different explanations from different staff that makes it seem like not everyone is on the same page. [Orange] makes a prominent appearance in her music video.

[Indigo] starts going into the studio in June to record her song, and will work on the choreography the same month, though she’ll spend the beginning of the quarter being sent demos for potential songs as BC whittles down the list to decide what she’ll debut with.

As with all previous releases, other members are encouraged to come visit the other members during their individual preparations so that the company can record behind-the-scenes videos of members interacting.

Important dates:

April 3: [Violet] End of music show promotions.

May 10: [Orange] “New” M/V filming.

June 5: [Yellow] “Heart Attack” M/V filming.

June 6: [Orange] Release of “New” + press showcase, music show promotions continue through July 6.

↳ CHROMA CRYSTAL

This quarter, the unit makes their debut with “Girl Front” and will promote on music shows for a month before immediately coming back with “Sweet Crazy Love”. The members will hold their first fansigns over the two months of consecutive promotions. For the most part, promotions will be kept to music shows, fan signs, and a few interviews and appearances during “Sweet Crazy Love” promotions.

On the final day of their repackage promotions, the unit will hold their first ever fanmeeting for fans. They’ll hold two shows on the same day, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The members will give live performances of “Starlight”, “Sweet Crazy Love”, “Loonatic”, a medley of their solo songs, and a cover of Knight’s “My Answer”. Each of the three members will also have to perform a solo cover stage of their choice during the fanmeeting. They have to sing/rap for the cover (it can’t be a dance-only cover), aren’t allowed to cover another member’s solo, and should keep in mind the small stage size (elaborate production and backup dancers/vocalists won’t be available). In between songs, the members will talk about themselves, such as their training experience, experiences preparing their solo and unit songs, and their hopes for the group, and at the end, they’ll take questions and requests from attendees through an open KakaoTalk chat room.

Important dates:

April 4: Release of “Girl Front” & Mix & Match mini-album + press showcase, music show promotions continue through May 4.

April 7: Performance (Girl Front) at Nonsan Strawberry Festival in Nonsan (also performing: Lucid).

April 12: Max & Match repackage album photo shoot.

April 19: “Sweet Crazy Love” M/V filming day one (on-location scenes).

April 26: “Sweet Crazy Love” M/V filming day two (studio scenes).

May 5: Release of “Sweet Crazy Love” & Max & Match mini-album + press showcase, music show promotions continue through June 5.

May 7: Fact iN Star appearance filming.

May 10: InnerView interview + performance [2] filming. 

June 5: Chroma Studio : Crystal Hertz fanmeeting at Hongdae MUV Hall.

June 5: End of music show promotions.

June 19: Performance (Girl Front & Sweet Crazy Love) at 1m1won Charity Walkathon (also performing: Gal.actic and 7ROPHY)

[juliantaylor]

ᴊᴜʟɪᴀɴ ᴛᴀʏʟᴏʀ ; ɪɴᴛʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛɪᴏɴ

is that regé-jean page on campus? oh no, that’s julian taylor. from seattle, washington & new york, new york, the 24 year old has come to study law (juris doctorate graduate program). rumor has it he is charming and alluring, but manipulative and destructive, which is why he is known as the casanova. he resides in yorks and can’t wait to graduate.

although not explained in absolute depth, please note the following triggers: mentions of child abuse & neglect, mentions of eating disorders, illicit substance abuse

wanted connections | relationships | full navigation

statistics !

full name: julian taylor

birthday: november 5th, 1996 (24 years old)

sign: scorpio

height: 5’11”

ethnicity: english and zimbabwean

nationality: british

place of birth: london, england

places lived: moved to seattle, washington when he was 13; moved to new york, new york when he was 18.

accents: british 

sexual orientation: heterosexual

undergraduate degree: pre-law & political science from NYU

graduate degree (currently majoring in): law (juris doctorate program)

occupation: self-defense and boxing instructor at soulstice gym

positive traits: charming, ambitious, protective, likable, candid, spontaneous, outgoing, honest

negative traits: resentful, destructive, manipulative, possessive, guarded, blunt

pre-existing connections: arden (ex-girlfriend from high school), amber-jade (her former client from new york city)

backstory !

born in london, england to a well known lawyer and plastic surgeon…and being the old child, one would think julian had it all — but he didn’t. while a normal household was filled with love and joy, his was filled with success and wealth. and that’s all that mattered. there was no room for joy, as recognitions, honors, and awards came in for both parents like wildfire. julian was often left with a nanny, the closest thing he has to a true, loving mother. and when his nanny wasn’t around, he was alone.

he had spent most of his time watching karate kid over and over again, and mimicking the moves that were made throughout the movie…while breaking almost every piece of glass in his home during the process. because of this, and due to the recommendation of his nanny, his parents put him into his first of two sports. starting from the age of five, he found love in taekwondo — and taekwondo found love in him. he was a natural, but being in the sport that he loved cost him a price. his well being and confidence.

starting from the age of 8, his master thought it was time to start competing, and his father couldn’t have agreed more. but with this, julian quickly met the overly competitive, always on top and always winning father. and things quickly went downhill. for years, julian was pushed to his absolute limit by his father, training session after training session, practice after practice — all to be the best. because there was no room for love and joy in the taylor household, only room for wealth and success. julian was only allowed to bring home gold medals from competitions — that was what he had to do to get the love of his father, who actually would take time out of his busy schedule to come “support” him during competitions and practice. his mom was always too busy with her patients and practice to pay him any mind. and when he didn’t bring home the gold, even if it was silver, his life would be hell until the next competition. we’re talking about, hours upon hours at a time of training and conditioning, pushing julian until he was crouched over a toilet, throwing up from how overwhelmed his body was. extreme dieting, being given only sources of protein and vegetables, with the occasional whole grain and complex carbs. his father knew how to win, and he knew how to get julian there — and it was by pushing him to his absolute limit. because of this, julian doesn’t take losing well, and he will beat himself up hard just because that’s what he’s been conditioned to do.

this continued to go on for years and years, until his father and mother decided it was best to move to the states. his father’s firm and pro-bono services for those who aren’t privileged had gone international, and his mother was one of the best plastic surgeons in the world (all the ladies and men wanted her, and her only). so they brought their services to seattle, washington. julian was only 13 years old, and he was ripped away from the only mother figure he had.

julian had continued to do taekwondo up until his move to american, which is when he transitioned into boxing. and as per usual, he was a natural. and as per usual, there was no room for failure. his fathers obsession with his family being at the top always persisted, and so the unhealthy habits continued, forcefully.

you’ll thank me one day, son. when you’re out there traveling the world, receiving all those gold medals and being with the best of the best, you’ll thank me. you can make great britain and even america so proud, but only if you win.

julian quickly rose to the top, winning state, national, and even international competitions/fights. he was a force to be reckoned with. he was scouted by an olympic trainer, and began training for the 2016 olympics at the age of 16. he was making his father proud, so he thought.

he stood in seattle until his high school graduation, which is when he then moved to new york city in 2015. he was 18 years old. he mainly moved to new york to train with some of the best of the best. and after years of hard work, he found his way to the 2016 summer olympics in rio, in which he represented team usa. he was 19 years old. and he did what his father sent him to do — he won, and he won a lot. bringing home a gold medal in the heavyweight competition amongst other events, julian taylor became one of the best boxers in the world. there is no room for love and joy in the taylor household, only room for wealth and success.

as new york city was his home training spot, julian decided to go back there after the olympics was all said and done. and considering he was on top of the world, rolling in both the wealth that came from him and his father, he was able to distance himself from his parents. they still talk, but julian doesn’t allow them to control him anymore. instead, he controls and abuses himself now.

academic life !

like in his sports, julian always excelled in school. he didn’t really care much for school, but he was naturally damn good at it. because he couldn’t be anything less than great in everything. he always got perfect grades, and graduated as one of the top in his class in both high school and college.

considering that he took a million advanced placement and college courses in high school, he was ahead of the game. but still, he took about a year off from university in order to train for the olympics. he took two years off in order to enjoy his life and run wild, while also training, and didn’t decide to go back to school until he was 21. he started college in the fall of 2018. he graduated in 2020 with his undergraduate degree in pre-law and political science from NYU in just two short years, at the age of 23. during uni, he was able to balance training with school. he didn’t work a job, but instead two — school and training were his jobs. and he did them full time.

after taking yet another break, julian has decided to begin his juris doctorate, which is a three year graduate program. luckily enough for him (and arden (;), monarch has one of the best law programs in the country. however, this is only because he got into a car accident in late 2020, which resulted in him needing to get surgery on his shoulder in march of 2021. he was supposed to go to the 2020 summer olympics in tokyo this summer, but was forced to step down as he didn’t pass physical therapy and didn’t heal in time.

familial life !

while he’s obviously not close with either of his parents, he’s extremely close with his old nanny. she is basically his mother figure, and has took him in as her own family numerous times (despite her having her own children and life, she made sure that he got to feel some of the love her kids felt). after moving to the united states, he often would spend a month of his summer in england with her, and would go there for christmas every year. he still makes it a point to fly out and visit her as much as he possibly can, even during school and training.

personal life !

he’s a huge partier, and a huge ladies man. when he’s not training, he’s partying. but he doesn’t do the trashy bar/house parties, but instead he really love to spend his fathers money. you’ll catch him at some of the most beautiful, fancy, yet wild clubs around. the clubs that are typically for the rich, and nothing less. you’ll find him doing lines of coke on the bodies of strippers that he would soon take in the bathroom, car, or private room for a quick and easy fuck. you’ll find him drinking the finest of drinks, the most expensive of drinks.

he’s only ever had a total of two girlfriends, arden and another girl he met in new york that he just broke things off with. he doesn’t really take relationships seriously, and often times comes off as emotionless. there’s no room for love and joy, only wealth, success, and anger. he’ll take care of you physically and sexually, but don’t expect him to take care of you emotionally. he lives for the thrill and chase, though.

personality !

did someone say toxic men?!!!!! did someone say bad boy?!!!!!!

he’s fun, wild, spontaneous, and lord knows he knows how to have the best time…but he’s also dangerous.

he’s the one to break your best friends heart, in which you tell them to not go back and they agree with you because they know it’s wrong….just for them to go back days later.

he’s the one to get into fights with guys that even dare to look at his girl, but then be the one to steal someone else’s girl…even if he has one of his own.

he’s the one to literally curse you out if you even try to come at him sideways. a spitfire with absolutely no filter.

but!!!!! he’s very charming and knows how to talk his way around.

disclaimer: he can also be a good friend and a bit of a softie once you break down those vicious walls.

mental health !

as you probably have noticed by now, the man is extremely fucked up. he has developed the unhealthy habits his father forced upon him from a very young age, so he does suffer from some form of an eating disorder…but he has no recognized this. he’s a huge health bean (except for the liquor and drugs). catch him at the gym every day and not even bothering to look at a donut.

illicit substance use !

the man drinks, and he drinks a lot. he also smokes a lot, and does coke occasionally (and by this, we’re talking about every weekend). he has always passed his drug tests due to buying other people’s urine (major yikes). he’s used to getting away with everything now.

[olympics2021]

olympics 2021 live online

2021 Tokyo Olympics Live streaming , Telecast, TV channels, Broadcaster, Schedule, Medal Tally, Table results, wiki, Participating countries, Medallist .  Summer Olympics 2021 is still a year away, but we have been feeling the hype for months now.olympics 2021 live online

 Tokyo 2021 is still a year away, but we have been feeling the hype for months now. The upcoming 2021 Summer Olympics is officially entitled as the Games of XXXII Olympiad, also known as Tokyo 2021. It is a next international multi-sport event which will take place from July 23 to August 8, 2021, in Tokyo Japan.

Looking to watch the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games? Whether you want to do so on your TV, via a live stream online, or on the radio, we’ve got you covered – this our ultimate guide with everything you need to know.

 Tokyo came as the host city back then during the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires on September 7, 2013. The games will be the mark of returning Summer Olympics to Tokyo for the first time after 1964.olympic sports list 2021

 It will also mark the record that Tokyo is the first city in Asia which hosts the Olympic twice. In total, there are four Olympics held in Japan.

 The Seven network is the only place to watch the Olympics on TV this year. The deal for the 2021 Games is the same one which came into effect for the 2016 Games and gives Seven the exclusive rights for Australian television audiences.

 Seven will broadcasting their Olympics coverage across all three of their channels – 7, 7TWO, and 7mate.

 Seven is also the place to go to if you are keen on finding a live stream for any event. They are live streaming all three of their channels’ coverage live online, both through their website and through the Olympics on 7 app, available for iOS and Android.

 However, that’s not all – if you’re keen to watch an event that is not being shown on one of Seven’s three channels, you do still have the ability to live stream it online or through the app.

 Unlike four years ago though, you won’t need to pay for the right to watch every single event out of Japan. Instead, it’ll all be for free through a yet to be confirmed Channel Seven digital application. All you’ll need to provide is an email address and some personal details to access thousands of additional hours of content, which Seven have also said will be streamed in HD.

  So how are you going to know when you need to watch? We’ve got you covered of course, with the ultimate Olympics TV Guide for Australians, to let you know what’s on TV and when, all in AEST time.

[newstfionline]

Thursday, June 24, 2021

World’s most expensive cities for expats in 2021 revealed (CNN) Ashgabat in Turkmenistan is the most expensive city in the world for overseas workers, according to this year’s Mercer Cost of Living Survey. The annual report ranks 209 cities based on the comparative cost of expenses including housing, transportation, food and entertainment, with New York City used as a baseline comparison. The Turkmenistan capital, which was number two on last year’s list, is something of an outlier in the top 10, which mostly features business hubs like Hong Kong (last year’s priciest city and this year’s second priciest), Tokyo (number four for 2021), Zurich (number five for 2021) and Singapore (number seven for 2021). Perhaps the biggest change from last year’s Mercer survey sees Beirut rising from the 45th most expensive city for international workers in 2020 to the third priciest for 2021. Mercer puts this development down to Lebanon’s economic depression, which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Port of Beirut explosion in August last year. Meanwhile, as the Euro gained almost 11% against the US dollar, European cities were ranked comparatively more expensive than their US counterparts. This led to New York City dropping out of the Mercer top 10 altogether, while Paris climbed the rankings from number 50 in 2020 to number 33 in 2021.

Pressure builds to open U.S.-Canada border (Washington Post) A Florida man takes out ads to call out the U.S. and Canadian governments for failing to lift border restrictions. Lawmakers use salty-ish language. Business owners worry about losing a second lucrative summer season. As restrictions on nonessential travel across the U.S.-Canada land border enter their 16th month this week, pressure is rising on both sides for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Biden to crack it open—even a little—or to provide something, anything, about what a reopening plan might look like. Ottawa on Monday did announce some changes at the border, to start July 5. They’d allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are fully inoculated with a Health Canada-authorized vaccine, and who test negative for covid-19 before and after arrival, to bypass some quarantine and testing requirements. But the announcement means most fully vaccinated foreigners, including Americans, who hope to enter Canada for nonessential purposes are out of luck. And a growing number of lawmakers, residents and business groups on both sides of the world’s longest undefended border are out of patience.

GOP filibuster blocks Democrats’ big voting rights bill (AP) The Democrats’ sweeping attempt to rewrite U.S. election and voting law suffered a major setback in the Senate Tuesday, blocked by a filibuster wall of Republican opposition to what would be the largest overhaul of the electoral system in a generation. The vote leaves the Democrats with no clear path forward, though President Joe Biden declared, “This fight is far from over.” The bill, known as the For the People Act, would touch on virtually every aspect of how elections are conducted, striking down hurdles to voting that advocates view as the Civil Rights fight of the era, while also curbing the influence of money in politics and limiting partisan influence over the drawing of congressional districts. But many in the GOP say the measure represents instead a breathtaking federal infringement on states’ authority to conduct their own elections without fraud—and is meant to ultimately benefit Democrats. The rejection forces Democrats to reckon with what comes next for their top legislative priority in a narrowly divided Senate.

The Cuba embargo (Foreign Policy) The U.N. General Assembly is expected to vote to condemn the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, in a resumption of what has become an annual tradition at the body following a pandemic-related pause in 2020. Up until last year, the assembly had overwhelmingly voted to admonish the United States over the embargo each year since 1992. The United States and Israel tend to be the only two nations to reject the resolution, although Brazil joined them in 2019. The vote coincides with increased U.S. support for a temporary suspension of the embargo during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a recent poll showing 66 percent of Americans surveyed supporting a suspension in order for Cuba to export its home-grown vaccines. On Monday, Cuba announced that its Abdala vaccine—one of several vaccine candidates—was roughly 92 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infection.

France’s Macron Pushes Controls on Religion to Pressure Mosques (WSJ) President Emmanuel Macron is redrawing the line that separates religion and state, in a battle to force Islamic organizations into the mold of French secularism. In recent months, his administration has ousted the leadership of a mosque after temporarily closing it and poring over its finances. Another mosque gave up millions in subsidies after the government pressured local officials over the funding. A dozen other mosques have faced orders to close temporarily for safety or fire-code violations. The government has taken these actions as a precursor to a much broader push to rein in the independence of mosques and other religious organizations across France. Mr. Macron has submitted a bill to Parliament, called the Law Reinforcing Respect of the Principles of the Republic, that would empower the government to permanently close houses of worship and dissolve religious organizations, without court order, if it finds that any of their members are provoking violence or inciting hatred. In addition, the bill would allow temporary closure of any religious group that spreads ideas that incite hatred or violence. Religious organizations would have to obtain government permits every five years to continue operating, and have their accounts certified annually if they receive foreign funding.

Can pandemic recovery plan end Italy’s years of stagnation? (AP) The COVID-19 pandemic hit Italy especially hard, killing more than 127,000 people and sending the European Union’s third-largest economy into a devastating tailspin. Yet out of that tragedy may come solutions for decades-old problems that have held back growth and productivity—and with them, a new sense of stability for the euro, the currency shared by 19 of the European Union’s 27 members. Backed by 261 billion euros from the EU and Italian government, the country’s plan for recovering from the pandemic calls for a top-to-bottom shakeup of a major industrial economy long hampered by red tape, political reluctance to change, and bureaucratic and educational inertia. The challenge is formidable: Italy has failed to show robust growth in the more than two decades since it joined the euro currency union in 1999. Execution of the recovery plan remains a risk given Italy’s often-fractious politics. But “if they succeed with even half, it will have a big impact,” said Guntram Wolff, director of the Bruegel think tank in Brussels.

Militias in Afghanistan’s north are taking up the fight against the Taliban (Washington Post) A sweeping Taliban offensive across northern Afghanistan, unchecked by overstretched government forces, has triggered a sudden resurgence of anti-Taliban militias in half a dozen provinces, raising concerns that the country could plunge into a prolonged civil war. President Ashraf Ghani has endorsed the sudden call to arms by former ethnic rival groups. The Ghani government hopes the added support will shore up the beleaguered national defense forces, which have struggled to send reinforcements and supplies to troops facing repeated Taliban attacks. But the prospect of unleashing a hodgepodge of rogue warriors to repel their old enemies also raises the specter of civil war, a state of violent anarchy that Afghans remember all too well from the 1990s. And although the armed groups have pledged to coordinate with government forces, it is also possible that effort could unravel into confused, competing clashes among purported allies. In the past several days, fighting has been reported in nine provinces across the north, and armed militias or civilian groups have formed to repel the insurgents, often fighting alongside state forces. All are loyal to local leaders from minority Tajik, Uzbek or other ethnic groups that have no love for Ghani, a member of the dominant ethnic Pashtun group based in southern Afghanistan.

China prepares for Communist Party centenary in secret (AP) Chinese authorities have closed Beijing’s central Tiananmen Square to the public, eight days ahead of a major celebration being planned to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Communist Party. The square, which normally attracts tourists from around the country, was barricaded Wednesday and will remain closed until July 2. The party will showcase the country’s rise from civil war and disastrous political campaigns in the early years of communist rule to market reforms that have created the world’s second largest economy, with a superpower status rivaled only by the United States. Old habits die hard, however, and arrangements for the July 1 anniversary remain shrouded in secrecy. Around Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City former palace complex and other scenic sites are also closed. Flyovers by air force squadrons suggest an aerial review is in the planning, but authorities have yet to release details. The ruling party was established in secrecy in 1921, following the collapse of the Qing dynasty in 1912. It held its first session at a girl’s school in Shanghai, and later moved to a lake boat to evade agents of the local warlord.

Apple Daily Shuts Down (Foreign Policy) On Wednesday, crowds of Hong Kong residents gathered in support outside the headquarters of Apple Daily, one of the last bastions of media resistance to Beijing, as it sent its final edition to print. The paper announced it would close after the arrests of senior leadership this week under the draconian national security law introduced last year. Banks froze the newspaper’s assets to avoid being charged themselves. The rollout of the national security law has seen successive groups targeted: first protest leaders, then democratic politicians, and now journalists. More than 800 Apple Daily staff have lost their jobs while Hong Kong has lost its long-cherished freedom of speech. But the impact of the closure goes far beyond journalism in Hong Kong. Each move like this raises the stakes for other sectors, especially academia and entertainment. Any challenge to the government has become a risk, making self-censorship even more likely. This kind of sweeping coercion has long been the norm on the mainland; in Hong Kong, it provides more proof China has shattered its promise to maintain “One Country, Two Systems” until 2047.

Tokyo shapes up to be No-Fun Olympics (AP) The Tokyo Olympics, already delayed by the pandemic, are not looking like much fun: Not for athletes. Not for fans. And not for the Japanese public. They are caught between concerns about the coronavirus at a time when few are vaccinated on one side and politicians who hope to save face by holding the games and the International Olympic Committee with billions of dollars on the line on the other. Japan is famous for running on consensus. But the decision to proceed with the Olympics—and this week to permit some fans, if only locals—has shredded it. The official cost of the Tokyo Olympics is $15.4 billion, but government audits suggest it’s twice that. All but $6.7 billion is public money. The IOC chips in only about $1.5 billion to the overall cost. The pressure to hold the games is largely financial for the Switzerland-based IOC, a nonprofit but highly commercial body that earns 91% of its income from broadcast rights and sponsorship.

World Powers Gather for Libya Conference (Foreign Policy) World powers gather today in Berlin to discuss a path forward for Libya, ten years after a NATO-led coalition helped oust former leader Muammar al-Qaddafi and eight months since warring factions agreed to a cease-fire in the country’s six-year civil war. The group of countries last met in January 2020. Since then, the October cease-fire has been followed by the selection in February of a transitional government. Today’s discussion will focus on the next steps in Libya’s transition, including preparations for elections in December and the removal of foreign fighters still active in the country. According to United Nations estimates, more than 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries from Syria, Russia, Sudan, and Chad remain in Libya. Although today’s meeting is a time to improve on positive developments, Libya is still far from a functioning state. Nearly 20 percent of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, and the country remains a magnet for human traffickers as they move desperate migrants across the Mediterranean and into Europe.

Witnesses say airstrike in Ethiopia's Tigray kills dozens (AP) An airstrike hit a busy market in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray village of Togoga on Tuesday, according to health workers who said soldiers blocked medical teams from traveling to the scene. Dozens of people were killed, they and a former resident said, citing witnesses. Two doctors and a nurse in Tigray’s regional capital, Mekele, told The Associated Press they were unable to confirm how many people were killed, but one doctor said health workers at the scene reported “more than 80 civilian deaths.” The health workers spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. The alleged airstrike comes amid some of the fiercest fighting in the Tigray region since the conflict began in November as Ethiopian forces supported by those from neighboring Eritrea pursue Tigray’s former leaders.

No laundry day in space (AP) On the International Space Station, there is no such thing as laundry day. Right now, an astronaut needs about 150 pounds of clothes in space per year, and will wear their clothes—gym, underwear, all of it—until they cannot stand the smell, and then throw the clothes away, ejecting the shirts to eventually burn up in the atmosphere. A new study, a collaboration between NASA and Procter & Gamble Co., will attempt to find a good way to clean clothes in space.

[ayara-resara]

Mekakucity Reload Translations

Post will be regularly updated with new links (last upd: 2022/09/18)

Videos

17/08/15 | Teaser: full translation, gif

17/12/29 | M3. Shissou Word: YT CC (forgetfulsubs), dennoushoujo

18/08/15 | Trailer: translation

18/09/14 | M5. Additional Memory: YT CC (EJ), neirocolorofnotes, dennoushoujo

18/10/18 | Crossfade: translation

Exclusive songs

M1. Ever Youth Roadshow

M2. Imaginary Reload

M4. My Funny Weekend: natsuhikoshidou, thekagepro24

M6. Lost Day Hour

M7. Remind Blue: dennoushoujo, natsuhikoshidou

M8. At the End of the Forgotten Summer

M9. Goodbye Summer Wars 

 Album bonuses

Jin’s notes on each track:  M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9

Lost Day Hour short comic

Acoustic covers

Tweets

17/08/15-16 | Jin: 01, 02, 03 (album&Shissou Word announcement)

17/12/28-29 | Jin: 01, 02; Jin&Sidu: 01, 02 (Shissou Word)

18/06/10 | Jin (Additional Memory announcement)

18/09/10-14 | Jin: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 (Additional Memory)

18/09/15 | Sidu (Additional Memory is Sidu’s favorite Kagepro song)

18/11/07 | Jin (Imaginary Reload and Mary)

19/08/27 | Jin (Imaginary Reload)

Interviews, articles

18/10/10 | Article on universal-music.co.jp (JP)

18/11/03 | Animate Times Interview with Jin (JP)

18/11/06 | LisAni Interview with Jin (JP)

18/11/07 | Animate Interview with Jin + Jin on the Lost Day Hour short comic & Jin on the accoustic version CD of Mekakucity Reload (JP)

18/11/07 | Music Voice Interview with Jin (JP)

18/11/07 | SPICE Interview with Jin / alternative translation (JP)

18/11/16 | Real Sound Interview with Jin (JP) (new album & next MV)

18/11/29 | Music Natalie Interview with Jin (JP) (Jin’s plans for Kagepro)

22/02/12 | Skream! Interview with Jin (JP) (mekarelo mentioned)

Live summaries, etc

18/08/15 | Jin’s Play-and-Talk Livestream

18/11/11 | Jin Book Forest Music Tour『Teller』 Library Live (Tagajou)

18/11/17 | Jin Talk & Live “Yuukei Roadshow"

18/11/23 | Jin’s Autograph Session: part 1, part 2

19/02/02 | Jin Talk & Live "Yuukei Roadshow in Tokyo" 

19/05/05 | Jin Book Forest Music Tour『Teller』Library Live(Takahashi)

19/05/06 | Jin Book Forest Music Tour『Teller』 Library Live (Shunan)

19/07/27 | Jin Book Forest Music Tour『Teller』 Library Live (Takeo)

19/07/28 | Jin Book Forest Music Tour『Teller』 Encross Live (Nobeoka) (some snippets of the last four live events)

21/04/16 | Jin’s Play-and-Talk Acoustic Livestream@2021/04/16

22/02/13 | Jin’s Sing-and-Talk Livestream “Side:Alone”

22/02/20 | Jin’s Sing-and-Talk Livestream “Side:Circle”

[recentanimenews]

Watch Idol Anime SELECTION PROJECT's 20-minute Character Song Special Medley Video

    In commemoration of their forthcoming first live concert "SELECTION PROJECT 1st Live ~Cheer for you!~♦," the idol audition-themed TV anime franchise SELECTION PROJECT has posted a 20-minute character song special medley video on YouTube. 

        In the story, "SELECTION PROJECT" is a nationwide idol audition reality show held every summer, and is considered to be the biggest gateway to success for aspiring idols. The TV anime directed by Daisuke Hiramaki (WATATEN!: an Angel Flew Down to Me) was aired in Japan from October to December 2021 and also streamed on Funimation.

  "SELECTION PROJECT 1st Live ~Cheer for you!~♦" is set to be held at Zepp Haneda in Tokyo twice (14:30/18:30) on January 30, 2022. This is the first solo concert by the nine members of the franchise's maim VA unit 9-tie. Tickets for the daytime session are already sold out.

    CM:

    9-tie members:

  Suzune Miyama (Candidate from North Kanto Region): Hinaki Yano (Momoe Sawaki in Wonder Egg Priority)

Rena Hananoi (South Kanto): Saku Mizuno

Hiromi Hamaguri (Kinki): Nozomi Nagumo (Elizabeth von Koralle in Wise Man's Grandchild)

Nagisa Imau (Shikoku): Ruri Arai

Nodoka Yagi (Hokkaido): Hina Youmiya

Ao Yodogawa (Chugoku): Yuka Iwahashi (Kasumi Honjo in Re:Stage! Dream Days♪)

Uta Koizumi: Mizuna Shirakawa

Shiori Yamaga: Miharu Hanai (Tomoe Murakami in The Idolm@sters Cinderella Girls Theater)

Mako Touma: Shino Shimoji (Akari Ozora in Aikatsu!)

    Source: "SELECTION PROJECT" official website / Twitter

  ©SELECTION PROJECT

  By: Mikikazu Komatsu

[pupupupumpkin]

【岐阜県美濃市松森595 マツモリビル Live Spot DiAngelo予定】 2021年12/21(火) 12/22(水) 19:30頃~ 池戸祐太(g) 大村亘(ds) Duo +渡辺翔太(p) 22日のみ参加 店主facebookアカウントにてオンライン配信あり  ＊＊＊直接ご来店のお客様は要予約/上限10名/料金￥4,000/1ドリンク・軽食オードブル付 お問合せは 〈E-mail〉pupupupumpkin@gmail.com  〈TEL〉090-4115-4235  〈店主 facebook〉https://www.facebook.com/daichi.furuta.5

2000年代半ばから繰り返しライブ/ギグ、そして数多のチャレンジの課程を見せて(魅せて)くれている池戸＆大村コンビ。今年末は二日間滞在し、二日目にはピアニスト渡辺翔太くんを迎えての時間を過ごします。配信のご視聴はもちろん、ディアンジェロの小さな空間でもぜひ直接の体感を。店主共々お待ちしております！

池戸祐太(いけど ゆうた) : ギタリスト/作編曲 14歳でギターを始め、横山昌幸氏に師事。甲陽音楽院にて土野裕司氏に師事。卒業後、オーストラリアに渡り音楽活動をした後、東京に上京。Lage Lund,　Mike Morenoにレッスンを受ける。2012年 リーダーアルバム “Breathing Space”をリリース。2018年“Move. Live @ Virtuoso をリリース。2019年 “Mirror”をリリース。2020年 “FE”をリリース。2021年”Irreversible “をリリース。現在は都内を中心にライブ、レッスンと活動中。

大村亘(おおむら こう) : ドラマー/タブラ奏者/作編曲 幼少期をアメリカ、青年期をオーストラリアで過ごす。シドニー音大在学中の活動を経て2006年帰国。拠点を東京に移す。横浜JAZZ PROMENADE 2006, 2008, SAPPORO INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2008, TOKYO JAZZ 2008, 2009,NHK Session 2010~2013, NHK-BSエルムンドなど主要なフェスティバル/メディアに多数出演。海外のアーティストとも共演が多く、中には元ECMアーティストであるMike Nock氏のトリオ、米グラミー賞ノミネートのBarney Mcall氏のトリオ等をはじめ、国内問わず海外のアーティストからも厚い信頼を得ている。2013年からはインド古典音楽界の若き巨匠、タブラのグルであるPandit Yogesh Samsiに弟子入りし、タブラの音節やインド音楽の研磨も開始した。2015年文化庁より新進芸術家海外研修員に選定。2018年にニューヨーク録音されたアルバム Benign Strangers は同年米Downbeat誌のベストアルバムの１枚に選ばれる。近年エレクトロニカの分野にも表現の幅を拡げ、2020年は Bungalowでの第5作目 Abstract Messages で新境地を示した。

渡辺 翔太(わたなべ しょうた) : ピアニスト/作編曲 4歳からピアノを始める。父、渡辺のりおの影響で音楽に慣れ親しむ。15歳の頃にJAZZに興味を示し、2003年Donny Schwekendiek氏に師事。2004年から演奏活動を始める。2005年Jazz Funkバンド『赤門』に加入。2009年からjazzに傾倒。2010年、noonの「Once upon the summer time」のRecordingに参加。2016年から井上銘Stereo Champに在籍し、二枚のアルバムをリリースまた同バンドにて東京ブルーノート、丸の内コットンクラブに出演を果たす。ものんくる「世界はここにしかないって上手に言って」に参加。2018年、自身初のリーダーアルバム「Awareness」を発表。続いて2019年2nd Album「Folky Talkie」をリリースし、柳楽光隆氏のJapanese Jazz in 2010sに選ばれる。現在、自身のtrioや多方面からのアーティストのサポートで東京、名古屋を中心に全国で活動中。