A few weeks ago I saw a movie called ‘Our 30-minute Sessions‘, it was part of my journey of watching all of Mackenyu’s movies and TV shows. I didn’t expect to discover a movie that has since become one of my all-time faves. I adore that movie! In addition to Macken, there is another lead actor in it named Takumi Kitamura. He is also super talented and he has a great voice too. He is in a band called DISH. And thanks to algorithm gods, the following song popped up on my for-you page on Youtube. It was love at first listen. I love the song, I love the lyrics, I love his voice in it. So I’m here to share, hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!
Life Update
The year 2024 is, to say the least, a rollercoaster. Lots of ups and downs. At the end of 2023 when I was traveling in Istanbul, I saw a listing of an apartment that despite being a little over-priced, was just what I was looking for and had been looking for for over 6 months now. And if we are honest, years now. I started to save up money for down payment almost three years ago and got a mortgage loan (well, a promise of one if and when I find an apartment I want to buy) in June 2023. So ever since June 2023, I’ve been seriously looking for an apartment. I knew the location that I prefer the most in my city, it’s a small suburb not that far from where I grew up and it has been developing beautifully the last two decades. And the listing that I saw in Istanbul was from that location. But since it was a little overpriced, I simply dismissed it as a passing fancy.
But on the coming days, I found myself checking on the listing time and time again. I even bookmarked it. In January, however, I received the very sad news that my favorite uncle had suddenly passed away and I went into a mourning period. Not until the end of January, I suddenly remember the listing and checked on it and it was still on sale. On a whim, I contacted the realtor for a viewing, not expecting to put in an offer, just wanted to experience a viewing so that I would get used to the process again (last time I was looking for an apartment to buy was when I was in my 20s). Very quickly, a viewing was arranged, on the last Thursday of January. On the last Monday of January, I decided to put in an offer, about 10K lower than the actual asking price. And long story short, I’m writing this in my new apartment! The actual process went ahead super fast. All of the paperwork was done and I signed the papers on Valentine’s Day.
The whole of February was spent purging my tiny studio rental apartment from things I don’t need or want anymore. And miraculously, I got rid of almost 50 giant bagful of stuff. In mid-March, I moved out of my beloved studio that was my home for the last 7 years and into what I would like to call my forever home. I’m planning to live through my most glorious decade aka my 40s and 50s and then retire in this apartment. So it’s a good thing that I really really like it. It’s an old building but newly renovated (which is what I prefer). I has a small bedroom with a giant wardrobe, a separate ‘storage room’, small bathroom that still fits a washer-dryer combo. The kitchen is somehow smaller than my studio apartment kitchen but it has new appliances and a gas stove (which is not that common in Finland) and a foodie, I love using it. Most of the space went into the giant living-room with a lovely balcony with only trees as my view. And since it’s on the 6th floor, no neighbors are blocking that view either. It has east-facing windows all throughout the apartment, making it very bright but not too hot since the sun is not shining inside throughout the day. All in all, I love it a lot.
Now on my 4th week living in the new apartment, it starts to feel like home, and the feeling of ‘I’ve always been here’ starts to settle in. I feel safe and secure, and it feels very cozy and peaceful. I still have to get used to traveling longer distances to my workplace and to the city center, but I can see myself living here for the rest of my life. 😀
Sayonara Elegy (acoustic) – Suda Masaki 菅田将暉
Upon my obsession with Mackenyu aka the Japanese actor who plays Zoro in Netflix’s One Piece live action series, I’ve embarked on a journey to watch all of his films and tv shows. Which means a lot of Japanese movies and shows and I’m really enjoying myself. This week, I watched a show ‘Kiss that Kills’, an absolutely fantastic 10-episode show about doing anything to get ahead in life and regrets and what happiness truly is. 😀 And in the show, one song plays throughout and I’ve fallen in love with the song, especially the acoustic version (lyrics of the song is also very pretty). So I wanted to share, hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!
Closer (Tokyo remix) – The Chainsmokers feat. Mackenyu Arata
I have a new obsession (apart from One Piece), and his name is Mackenyu Arata aka the Japanese actor who plays Roronoa Zoro in the Netflix One Piece live action. I’ve seen him in movies before and I watched the One Piece live action, sure I admired his physicality and how amazing he looks doing all the stunts and fights himself, but due to Zoro being a quite subdued character, it didn’t hit me. Yet. Until my subconscious decided to take matters into its own hands and made me dream about him. I mean, I’m not surprised about the fact that I dreamt about One Piece. The amount I was consuming (anime, live action, reviews on Youtube etc), I was surprised it took me so many months to dream something One Piece. What I didn’t expect was dreaming only about Mackenyu. And not even as Zoro, as Mackenyu. I was so surprised and taken aback. See, whenever I feel (or in this case, dream) something that I don’t know the reason why to, I would become like this dog with a bone type and would not let go until I figure out what the hell is going on deep in my psyche. And it might be the spring season or my quickly approaching 40th birthday, I think something in me has awaken and eager to explore. Especially younger men who has cute faces but physically strong bodies. XD And all of this made me see Mackenyu in a whole new light and I quickly became obsessed. I’ve watched his older movies and interviews etc. One way I fuel my obsession is listening nonstop to ‘Closer’ by The Chainsmokers which Mackenyu covered. I hope you enjoy it. 😀 And have a great weekend!
Comfortable – Victor Ray
February has been a whirlwind of a month. I don’t think I would be able to get back on any type of blogging schedule until I’ve settled in at the new apartment. But I would at least try to keep up with Jukebox Fridays, for my own sake if nothing else. 😀 Blogging keeps my feet on the ground and my head leveled.
Came upon this song Youtube, and I found it absolutely stunning. Hope you would like it too, and have a great weekend!
Slap Ass For Motivation 