Happy First Anniversary International Wota!

Today is the first anniversary of a web site that I hold very dear to my heart.  Ray's International Wota at www.intlwota.com  Although I didn't bring a cake to the party (seems like there is a healthy supply anyway), I do have a few words of appreciation...

I don't remember the exact date, but it has also been approximately one year since I discovered Hello! Project and the J-pop phenomenon.  I remember the first time I saw the PV of Kago and Tsuji's Robokiss.  To this day, I can hardly believe the transitions, discoveries and experiences that have happened in my life all because of that ONE MOMENT.  I remember the excitement I felt, and still feel every day finding new things in the J-pop world.  I remember the first time I received a package of J-pop CD's (MiniMoni Best 1 and 2) in the mail.  Making friends on YouTube that shared my love of this musical genre.  Reading Hello!Blog, Hello!Online, and Some Boy's Blog for the first time.  And ofcourse I'll never forget my trip to Japan and experiencing Hello! Project and AKB48 up close.  Yes, they are all wonderful memories.  But there was one thing missing...

That was a place to truly share my feelings about this amazing world.  Most of my friends do not share this fascination.  And frankly, most of them find it incredibly strange that I do.  Quite often I find I have to defend myself for being a fan.  And it is no fun to have to keep quiet about something you are so passionate about.

I forget at what point I began reading International Wota.  But I know for the longest time I had been a quiet lurker, enjoying the articles and opinions.  I never fancied myself as much of a writer.  So as much as I wanted to. I never tried to contribute to the sight.  I didn't think I could be eloquent enough.  That all changed when I returned from Japan.

As TLS alluded to on his birthday greeting, I get an incredible feeling when I see Ray has published one of my articles.  More than ever before, I feel like I am part of something bigger than we all even realize.  I love it when I read something from one of the other contributors that inspires me to comment, or even expand on with my own blog.  Now every day I come home to see what has been happening on IW, even before checking any other sites.  To me, IW is the forerunner of J-pop and J-rock news.  It is my source of discovery of such amazing new things.  And it's a wonderful source for getting to know some amazing people!!!

Ray, Congratulations, Happy First Anniversary, and most importantly Thank You

CK in California