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 Welcome to the October 2012 edition of Soshified Spotlight. Just like every other month, we’re once again highlighting a regular member in Part 1, and a Soshified staff member in Part 2. This month, we’re featuring Sh1kamaru in Part 1 and Holly in Part 2. Sh1kamaru, or Dave, will continue our recent run of European SONEs being featured. A native of Latvia, Dave is one of few people in his country who know about Girls’ Generation and K-Pop. He is another common example of a rock/metal fan who somehow found Girls’ Generation and incorporated them into his repertoire. Dave is most passionate about sports, playing a plethora of them at one time or another. In addition, Dave has many other interests, including Asia, drawing, and dancing, making him a patented renaissance man. ***** What is your first name? My real name is Dāvis, but I go with Dave on the Internet. Nice to meet you! How did you find out about Soshified and why did you decide to join? I saw the word ''soshified'' on youtube. I was watching my very first Girls' Generation/Kpop MV – Oh!, on February 18th, 2012. I scrolled down to the comments, and there was it. I looked up the word few weeks later and I joined Soshified on March 4th, 2012. How did you come up with your screen name? Shikamaru is my all time favorite anime character. I took his name, but changed ''i'' with ''1''. Pretty simple. Where are you originally from, and where do you currently reside (city and country for both)? I am from a small country called Latvia. Yes Latvia, not Latveria. It is located in Northern Europe. On weekdays I live in our capital city – Riga, but during the weekend, I am in my hometown. If we were visiting you where you live for one day, where would you take us? Why are these places so significant? Rather than visiting our country's beautiful cities, with their remarkable architecture and history, I would love to take you on a field trip. So pack a pair of rubber boots! I am a nature's kid. We would visit caves, rivers, lakes, forts, castles etc. It would be a huge and fun adventure for people who rarely have a chance to visit the countryside. Tell us a little about your life. What do you do full time and in your free time? I am a full time student. A geography student. I have always been interested in geography and science. Wondering a lot and making the ideas alive. I find the studies entertaining and people who study there are extra-ordinary and friendly. I love it!
My free time? Hmm. I can say that I have dedicated my whole life to sports. I started to play them at young age. Been an active sports-freak for about 14 years. I am interested almost in any sport. Then I am a huge metalhead. I listen to rock/metal a lot and I have a strong passion for Japan and Asia in general. I am interested in everything – music, culture, languages, lifestyle etc. Also, I enjoy drawing, dancing, learning languages and being mysterious… How did you get so interested in geography and science? When i was a kid, i had an atlas with me all the time. I spent a lot of time learning countries/capitals, economical stuff… I did not understand most of it, but it sure was fun. Science is a big combination of geography, biology, chemistry, physics etc. Somehow all these forms of science came to me naturally. Where did your interest in Japan come from? I like learning different cultures and I find Asia the most beautiful. I must admit, that Japanese is the biggest reason why I love Land of the Rising Sun. It is a huge challenge to master the language. What do you think makes you have an interest in so many things? I find it difficult to concentrate on one thing. I feel empty without many. I am a multi-tasker. At school, i struggle to finish my works in time, because i’m distracted by other stuff. I guess, i have too much energy and passion in me, hehe. What's the most interesting thing about you and/or that has ever happened to you? The most interesting thing, is how I, a guy who used to hate everything pop-ish, could fall in love with Kpop. I have no answer for that. It's like I know that I'm hypnotized, but I don't resist. The spell is charming. For people who are first meeting you (like most of us), how would you describe yourself? I am fit, 180cm (5'11'') and 72kg (~159 lbs). I am a very calm and timid person. I usually don't run around and I find it difficult to start a conversation with strangers. But, once I drop the awkwardness, I can be super friendly and funny. So, don't get the wrong idea, that I don't like you, when we meet for the first time. I lack some skills, that's all :3 Tell us some things that most people don't know about you that you think they should. I mentioned that I'm timid, but you can't see that side of me when I do sports. I have my game face on every time I'm on the court, pitch etc. You cannot crush my fierceness. It's all about passion. Is there anything big in your life that you're working on? (This can be related to school, career, hobbies, family, friends, etc.) I have few goals that I want to achieve. The first one, for now, is to get the bachelors degree in Geography. The second is to make lots of friends and happy moments. I really need them. What else? To be a good person. Yes, probably the most important goal, I want to achieve. A person, who can be proud of himself. What are your interests outside of Girls' Generation? As I said, sports are precious to me. Now, I play basketball, I am a member of my faculty's team and a member of my city's team. Also, I have my obligations in the city's sports committee. Then, there is rock/metal music – 80's, 90's, 21st century's rock music – you name it! A fan for about 10 years. And of course Kpop. I am living in it now. I read news, listen to various artists, dig deeper in the groups. I have to learn a lot, because I'm a late bloomer. What do you do on your city’s sports committee? I am more related to sports development, because i’m still young and I know what kids might like and need here, so i have to face questions like – ”How to motivate children to be healthy/active?”, ”How to motivate them to play sports?”, ”What can we do/build/set up to satisfy the citizens?” etc. And, since i play basketball, i help to organize practises, tournaments etc. I understand you had an opportunity to play soccer/football at a higher level. What level did you have a chance to attain, and why did you pass it up? Who knows. Latvian soccer league, maybe. I understand, it’s nothing that big, but still. Why did I leave? It happened 5 years ago and I will never forget that day – I was playing soccer with my friends when i injured my ankle pretty bad. The recovery was long and when i could return playing, i had a hard time. My motivation was low and my foot hurt from running. So i had several conversations with the coach and at the end we both agreed that i have no chances to climb higher. Now i play basketball in few amateur leagues and i feel good. How did you first become a fan of Girls' Generation? My first MV was Oh!. I saw it on February 18th, 2012. So, it was not a long time ago. One day, I watched some J-rock videos and somehow I ended up of watching Girls' Generation – Oh! I don't know why I did that. I have never liked pop music, but that day changed my life. I am a proud SONE since March 4th, 2012. Who is your favorite member and why? My favorite member is Stephanie. Why? She is beautiful, talented and hardworking. Like me…well we only have the ''hardworking'' quality in common. She is real. I love her. What is your favorite Girls' Generation song and MV and why? I love the dark image of ''Run Devil Run'', so it is my favorite concept. But, my dearest song is ''Time Machine''. The lyrics are meaningful and the MV is the best! What is your favorite Girls' Generation moment and why? I enjoy every single performance, variety show appearance, CF etc. But my favorite moment is from the ITNW 1st Asia tour when they sang ''Complete''. During that performance, our girls made me shed a tear. I am not that emotional, but it was too much for me… How has Girls’ Generation impacted your life, in specific areas or even as a whole? I have met lots of interesting people on Soshified. Kpop is not popular in my country, so I have made Kpop friends online. In real life, I'm much friendlier than I used to be – all grumpy and unsatisfied with my life. What do you like most about Soshified, and why? Any section in particular you’re attracted to? Soshified has all! It's like a paradise for every SNSD fan. I appreciate the efforts of every Soshified member. Staff members – you rock! You guys make this fandom the best!
I love the shout box the most. I enjoy to read every crazy shout and open every link. Thumbs up sbox citizens. And of course, the photos section. For drooling, hehe. Is there anything else about you that you would like to add? I would like to thank Soshified, for this opportunity to introduce myself. I think this segment is brilliant. Also, my applause to the Staff and the regular members, for making this fandom great.
I really want to meet you guys. Let's wait patiently.
Once a SONE, forever a SONE
Have a good day/evening! ***** Huge thanks goes out to Dave for participating in Soshified Spotlight this month. As usual, you can submit nominations for future Soshified Spotlights if you’d like to participate or if you’d like to get to know a fellow member better. Instructions on how to do so can be viewed at the Soshified Spotlight Solicitation announcement. You can also read past Soshified Spotlights by clicking on the “Soshified Spotlight” tag below. Compiled by: residentbenchwarmer@soshified
Graphic by: cioco@soshified Have a news item that you think Soshified should know about? Leave us a tip or e-mail us at tip@soshified.com.
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