Meeting Morning Musume...

Today was beyond epic!  After seeing an amazing show yesterday, today's highlight for me was getting the opportunity to meet Morning Musume and get their autographs.

Before I get started just a couple of quick notes.  First, I have now seen Morning Musume a total of nine times, if you include Hello! Project concerts.  And even though the stage was very basic, there weren't too many costume changes, and the setlist was a tad shorter than usual.  The girls' performances were as awesome as I have ever seen in Japan.  You could tell how enthusiastic they were to be performing in California.  They put on a great show.  And the bonus of seeing Tsunku and Yossie on stage?  That was great!  I loved watching MoMusu's reaction to the OPVs.  They were so cute!

But this is about the autograph session.  Most everyone I was with had a ticket to get autographs today at one of the two sessions.  Maize, Johpan and OpsMonkey all went to the early session.  For the late session it was me, CatchFiveBats, Amy, Kirarin Snow, Mozenator and Paul Thomas.  Amy, K and Moze went in first, then CFB got in a little ahead of Tom and I. As P-Tom and I got to the front of the line it stopped...

OMG, what was happening?  Is it over?  Did Tom and I get shut out?  It couldn't be, there was so much time left!  There was a lot of whispering going on and the ticket people left their posts.  It seemed like at least five minutes went by, and then they came back out.  I was summonned to the door along with Tom...

Now the cool thing was the line had cleared out.  So all the girls were merely waiting for us.  As I entered the room I couldn't believe who was in the first seat.  It was Reina!!!  Would i completely choke and make an ass of myself?  I was brimming with anticipation...

Tanaka Reina:  I fumbled with my book as she stared up at me, smiled and gave me an enthusiastic "Hiiiii!!!"  As she carefully drew a little picture I struggled to say something, but all I could get out was "Awwwww Reina, my favorite.  Arigatou!"  (I greeted all of them by name, except for Sayumi.  You will understand why when you read down)  I have no idea if she understood me, but she looked up at me, smiled and said "Thank You!"  I am such a dork!  I forgot to say "Ganbareina" as I has planned all day!

LinLin:  All of the sudden I felt a little more at ease as I approached LinLin.  Now keep in mind that everyone in front of me had cleared out, so all the girls were watching me come around.  LinLin gave me a big smile and hello as I handed her my book.  As she signed it I said to her "I saw you at Nakano SunPlaza, your solo...beautiful!"  She smiled and thanked me as she returned the book.  Success!  A connection!  (err, I think)

Takahashi Ai:  Aichan enthusiastically took my book and began to sign it.  It was clear to me what I would say.  I just wanted to connect with as many of them as possible on some level.  As she gave me back the book, I looked at her and said in dramatic fashion, Q...E...D!  She laughed as I took my book back.  Risa was already shouting Hello to me!

Niigaki Risa:  Sounded so excited as she greeted me.  I almost called her Gaki-san, as I usually do on my blog.  But instead I said "G.A.K.I. desu"  She laughed as she signed my book.  All of the sudden I hear "It's Mittsi!!!"

Mitsui Aika:  That was so cute!  I think I said "Kawaii" as a response, but I am not to sure.  I thought to myself "Gosh, she is my least favorite but she is so sweet!"  She was really great.  I promise not to be critical of Aika agai....well, not for a while.  Aika was adorable.  Oh, and her short hairstyle is great!

Kamei Eri:  Eri went really quickly.  I had thought of some things to say to her earlier, but had forgotten them by the time I saw her.  So I handed her the book and said "Onegai"  She asked me if she could sign on the writing.  I guess she didn't want to write on her own face.  (hehe)  I said "Hai" and she signed the book.  Arigatou Gozaimasu!

Michishige Sayumi:  I looked up at Sayumi and it seemed like she was waiting for me to say something.  So I looked at her and said "It's You", which got a laugh from both her and Koharu.  Who I glanced over to as Sayumi signed my book.  Koharu waved to me, but I turned back to Sayumi to give her my attention.  She said "Thank You", and I stepped left to...

Kusumi Koharu:  Koharu had that awesome goofy smile on her face as she took my book.  I said to her that I love Anataboshi.  She said "ehhhhhhhh?"  I responed "Anataboshi, Milky Way saiko (sp).  I was trying to tell her how much I loved Milky Way.  Then Sayumi leaned over to her and whispered to her.  Koharu said "Oh, Milky Way.  Thnak You!" and gave me a big thumbs up!  According to Tom after I passed Sayumi and Koharu whispered something else to each other as they looked at me and giggled.  I have a funny feeling I don't want to know what they said.  (hehe)  Then again, I made an impression.  And it wan't like I was a jerk.  So I'm sure it was cool.

JunJun:  Now by this time I was gassed.  JunJun smiled at me and said hello as I handed her my book.  It was almost over!  She handed it back to me and I said Arigatou Gozaimasu JunJun!  Oh shucks, it dawned on me as I was writing this that one of the few phrases I know in Chinese is "Tiemen".  I'm not sure of the spelling but it means "sign please"  Once again, I am such a dork!

(BTW, I don't have pics since I am borrowing PC's while I am here.  I will upload those when I get home)

It took a while to sink in, but I am totally floored by this experience.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity since it isn't likely that I will ever get this close to them again.  On the other hand...

It was been 2 1/2 years since I first discovered H!P and J-pop.  And in that short time I have seen so many H!P shows.  I have been waved to and winked at at concerts.  I have made connections with members of AKB48.  I got an email from Ketchup Mania.  And now this.  Who knows what the future holds?

And as far as this experience is concerned...I was as giddy as a schoolgirl as I made dumb little jokes as an attempt to get them to smile and react.  I did keep moving, so management didn't seem to mind.  And the girls seemed to get a kick out of me.  I was just being enthusiastic, and I think they understood that.  I also believe the entire organization is impressed with how familiar we are with the history and inside info on the groups.  When I go back this fall I will try to purchase a great seat to see if they recognize me.  But ultimately they are all so great live that I am sure I will get some smiles and waves anyway.

There is a lot more to tell about this incredible weekend.  Stay tuned...

CK in California