Regie from the Philippines has liven up the Visitor Gallery with this submitted photo. According to his email he’s a bit worried that his face isn’t fully captured in the photo. Looks fine to me.
The only problem I have with this snapshot is MY face being sliced in half. Hehe. But no worries, it’s all good. ^_^
(UPDATED: September 2)
Regie sends in additional photos for the site; this time with the new Risako photoheader.
This was sent by Giordano Ciampini - my Italian brother from a different mother. Thanks bro… (^_^)v
Old photo taken about 3 years ago. Haha… good times.
Leah Dizon’s success as a J-Pop Idol is an unexpected one. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first if her career switch from modeling to singing would turn out alright. But with the release of her 4th single "L.O.V.E U", she’s definitely established enough of a fanbase to keep going. You’ll be happy to know that I’ve already become a member of that fanbase. ^_^
Leah Dizon’s evolution as a singer and as J-Pop idol can be clearly seen from single to single. If you analyze each of her singles’ music videos closely, you’ll notice how much she’s changed and how much she’s improved as an Idol.
Below are some screencaps from each of her music videos (so far). You can find all of them in the site’s video library. I suggest that you watch each PV after reading each PV analysis to get the most out of this blog entry.
1st Single: Softly
Her debut single (and its PV) was a nice, safe bet to begin her singing career. By starting off with a slow ballad, the audience was gently (and softly) introduced to Leah’s singing. Prior to this single, she was widely known as a model naughtily parading her "hoohoos and hahahs" for the world.
It was a good choice that Leah was conservatively covered up and didn’t show too much skin in this PV. The J-Pop Community wouldn’t have taken her seriously if she did and would have totally ignored her surprisingly good singing voice. After watching the PV and hearing the single, I immediately embraced her as a J-Pop Idol.
2nd Single: Everything Anything
With this particular single and PV, Leah’s confidence as an Idol has clearly risen. The up-tempo song goes well with her playfulness in the video. You’ll also notice in this video that she really is a pro when it comes to playing for the camera. She teases and flirts with you in every shot - something I quite like. ^_^
The production for her first two videos was quite low, but I guess that was intentional. Leah’s "people" obviously wanted the viewers’ attention to be on her and not the locations that surround her. Sure the docks, the beach, and the garden are nice to look at, but Leah sure is better to stare at.
3rd Single: Koi Shiyou♪
In this PV, the J-Pop World officially welcomed Leah Dizon in its arms. A bigger budget, better production, hot backup dancers, and skirts galore. Heck, there was even some extra money in the budget left over to hire extras to dance in the background.
Like the theme in the video, it definitely is one big party for Leah. Her confidence is now through the roof and her singing has improved. She had a lot of fun in this video and, as a result, I had a lot of fun watching it. ^_^
4th Single: L.O.V.E. U
A school-themed PV is a staple in the world of J-Pop videos and Leah provides us with one of her own. It’s a catchy pop song with an "international flavour", seeing that most of the students in the "classroom scene" are non-Asians . Even the clichéd strict professor is played by a white guy. ^_^
The PV has all the things you want in a typical "school PV": colourful lockers, scenes of "quiz-taking", after-class mingling and dancing, and of course…CHEERLEADERS!
Bright Future Ahead
It’s hard to say at this point how good a J-Pop artist Leah can be. It’ll take several more singles to determine that. But, in my opinion, she’s done quite well so far and I can’t wait for her next PV to come out.
I’ve been away for a while but now I’m back. I’ve neglected the site long enough.
An update is in order.
(Note: The following pictures were taken when I was really bored a couple of days ago. Hey, when you have a camera and have nothing else to do, why not take photos of yourself, right? ^_^)
For those of you who have been patiently dropping by the site every so often to check for updates - thanks a bunch for staying. I’ve already mentioned via "tagboard" that work has been keeping me quite busy. Although that statement is true, it’s not ENTIRELY accurate. I’ve been doing more that just work, work, and work.
Ladies and gentlemen: I’m getting a life.
As some of you already know, I work at an Italian establishment that makes and sells Italian ice cream (or "gelato"), and it’s summer right now where I am so business has been quite good. I work six days a week, 10-11 hours a day.
At least I get Sundays off. I’m not gonna overwork myself, y’know.
Anyway, that has been my life routine for the last 4 months since I moved out of my parents’ house: get to work, do my job, go home, get some sleep, do it all over again. The pay is quite good, I can’t complain.
But I suddenly had an awakening while I was at a local book store a few weeks ago. I read a quote by US Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. These words were so instilled in my mind that I totally changed my perception towards life and what it was all about.
The quote reads:
"There is nothing wrong with making a dollar. But when all you want to do in life is to make a buck, then that’s not much of an ambition."
(Powerful words, ain’t it?)
As some of my friends (and even a handful of my readers) already know, I’m a self-confessed workaholic. I can honestly say that I love my job. I work at a company that has already made a name for itself as one of Toronto’s premier summer hotspots. I get to work with professionals who are at the top of their field and have been doing it for 20 years or more. Working with the best is great and, for the last 5 years, each day has been a learning experience for me.
But too much of something can be bad. It took me 5 years to realize that there was more to life than work, work, and more work. I barely had friends outside of work (they were more like acquaintances), and on the days that I wasn’t working, I would spend it here in front of the computer. I never had a decent social life.
All that has changed. Just last month, I have changed my 5-year routine and finally made time for some after-work fun. I’ve made new friends, rekindled relationshps with some old ones, and even found some free time to get back on my reading. I’m currenly reading Michael J. Fox’s memoir "Lucky Man".
THIS HAS BEEN THE REASON FOR MY ABSENCE - I’VE BEEN GOING OUT AND ENJOYING LIFE.
It’s amazing how one’s life can change for the better just by reading a few select words. But don’t get me wrong: I’m still the same Johnny and I still will always have time for the site. The only difference is that I’m much more alive than ever before.
And for me, that’s always a good thing.
WHAT ABOUT YOU: Do you have a life philosophy? Have you recently read or heard any quotes that made an impact in your life?
Share it here. ^_^
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