May 2002
Location: Greenpia Miki
Number of participants: 400
Number of participants: 500 people
Prologue: Summer Afternoon
The OASIS Executive Committee members live all over the country. The bond that connects them all is a mailing list called "OASIS-ML." This allows them to hold daily, lively discussions. Last year, as many as 1,500 messages were exchanged on "OASIS-ML." It was always a frank and heated battle.
This is the fourth time we have had this ML, and the first one was sent out at the end of August, when the heat of summer was still lingering. It was the season when Uji Kintoki sweets from the sweet shop "Taniguchi" were delicious.
The subject of the email was "How are you?"
This one email got the organizing committee going. We're heading towards the fourth event...
Chapter 1 Monsters
"The OASIS is a living thing," someone said.
The number of participants in the first event was about 100, but increased to about 200 in the second and about 300 in the third.
The scale of the event has been steadily growing every year, and it was dizzying to imagine the number of participants this year at this rate.
"We can't cope with it the way we've always done it!"
A sense of crisis grew.
There was a need to increase both the executive committee, which would be involved from the planning stage, and the staff on the day. As a result of public recruitment, several new members joined both sides. These were people who volunteered to take part in this activity, which the more involved they became, the deeper they became involved. They were a group of strong people. With this, the total number of executive committee members exceeded 20. None of them were young, but they were full of enthusiasm.
Before serious discussions began, the basic policy was reaffirmed.
"Let's make this an event that even car novices and passengers can enjoy."
This was the concept from the first event, and it was decided to continue to follow it this time as well. Various discussions continued without interruption in order to follow this concept.
We racked our brains to make this event "better than the last one." The discussions continued endlessly.
As the seasons changed, through autumn and winter, and spring arrived, the discussions became more heated.
Some people think about it every time they take a break from work,
Some people spend their time thinking without sleeping,
Some considered extending their unemployment period.
At one point, the mailing list server and the OASIS-web server malfunctioned, causing a frightening situation for the staff, but they managed to overcome the issue.
Finally, all discussions and work were completed the day before the event. Everything was ready. The day of the event arrived, with some worries about the weather.
Chapter 2: A Day in the Life of Unfortunate Parents
7:00 AM Work begins
The early morning air in Miki was refreshing. It looked like a clear, sunny day was on the way. We were blessed with good weather again this time. All the staff prayed towards the rising sun in the east and reaffirmed their daily good deeds.
"Thank you God for this year too."
Only staff were present in the second parking lot. It felt unusually spacious. Unlike last year, this vast space was now fully available for use. Just like last year, it would be filled with Roadsters in a few hours. With a mixture of anticipation and anxiety in their hearts, everyone began work.
When doing this kind of work, it's important to remember that if the venue is too large, you run into the trap of not knowing where to start. All over the vast venue, staff were screaming in agony.
Doors open at 8:30 AM
As soon as the doors opened, the reception and guidance staff were extremely busy. This year, ticket holders with quiz tickets were still in high demand. The venue was gradually filled with colorful Roadsters, creating a spectacular sight.
The "King," who is the key to guiding people to the parking spaces, was once again a big hit. His upgraded appearance for the day was full of spirit. His full-body tights looked radiant.
Opening after 10am
What did you all think of the opening, which began with "Freedom" by Wham!?
The staff had been attending practice sessions every day, so their sense of justice had already become numb...
After 10:30 AM Rating check
This corner tests participants' everyday senses of taste, smell, touch, and sight, and the MC plays around with them. This time, the participants were divided into regions and were female.
The performers were representatives from Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku and Shikoku, as well as a representative from RCOJ2.
Mizuochi-san looked natural on stage in his apron. I'm glad he prepared a costume.
The curtain rose on the event, with the reputation of a "top-class female Roadster driver" at stake.
The first question is a comparison of Kobe wine and cheap wine.
The second question was a comparison of perfume and car air fresheners.
The third question is a comparison of car wash sponges and bath sponges.
Up until this point, the rankings were very close, and it was difficult for the MC to come up with a final punchline.
For the final question, the MC pulled out his secret weapon in the fourth question, which was a comparison between Gulf Oil and cooking oil.
"If you get this question wrong, you'll be last!"
...It was a chance to make a reverse jump.
In the end, the Kanto representative was the victim. Afterwards, the oath was read out.
Hood Closure Declaration
I, ○○, participated in the Roadster rating check as a representative of the Kanto region at the OASIS Roadster Meeting 2002 held today at Greenpia Miki, but suffered a crushing defeat.
As a result, I will be penalized for the next year under any circumstances and will not be allowed to open the top. Therefore, I hereby vow to drive my Roadster with a Kanto region license plate with the top closed, just like a regular car, never opening the top, no matter how sunny and perfect the weather is for the top down.
...To those of you living in the Kanto region, how are you doing since then?
After 11:30 a.m. Lunch break
The morning schedule was over and it was time for lunch. The reason why the lunch boxes were still the same was due to some adult reasons. What was unexpected was that the tea caps from the plastic bottles were a big hit.
Maybe it was limited to the Kansai region?
All the participants spent their time in their own way.
The person who prepared the tables and umbrellas.
Someone who solves the ticket quiz puzzles.
People who hold flea markets in front of their beloved cars.
People taking naps on the bank.
People who like to go shopping.
Time passed slowly and calmly. Greetings starting with "It's hot, isn't it?" were heard from all around.
Everyone had a smile on their face.
The "Roadster User of the Future" was introduced in Chapter 3 of the 2001 report.
It was our first reunion in a year. (Maybe he's grown a little?)
This time, a father who participated in the event with a pedal-powered NA on his career said, "When I first read that, I was shocked and thought, 'Huh? Is that about us?!'"
...I laughed and apologized for borrowing the material without permission.
After 1pm Pair Quiz
This quiz was planned for the first time, where participants were randomly paired up, and if both participants answered the same question correctly, they would advance to the next round.
And because it was the first project, an unexpected event occurred.
"...Everyone's winning too much."
Partway through, they ran out of prepared questions. They tried to get by by improvising. In the end, they resorted to the forbidden technique of "rock-paper-scissors"... All the staff resolved to come up with a better plan next time. Even so, the pair in the front row who stayed until the end was delicious.
午後2時過ぎ ワインラベルコンテスト表彰式
OASIS記念ワインのラベルを公募して、web上で投票して戴くこの企画。今回2回目ながらも沢山の方にご応募戴いた。
皆様からの投票の結果、グラフィック賞は『Yam!』さん。ワインラベル賞とワインラベル大賞は『よう』さんに決まった。
大賞の『よう』さんは未だ15歳。「将来、免許を取ったらロードスターに乗りますか？」…の質問にコメントが途絶えた。初々しかった。
スタッフ一同は、「刷り込むなら今だ！」と密かに思った。
悪い大人達である。
皆様、来年度も投稿を是非お待ちしております！
Grand raffle after 2:30 p.m.
This is a slightly unusual lottery held every year, where only those who answer the ticket quiz correctly are given the right to participate.
Thanks to the generosity of the participating and sponsoring shops, we were once again blessed with a plethora of fantastic prizes. The prizes get even more amazing every year, and the staff sighed in amazement.
"I think I'll quit being a staff member next year."
...That's right, staff members are not allowed to participate every year. There was no picture printed on the staff member's yellow ticket holder. (Blue holders are participants, and yellow holders are staff members. Please use these to distinguish them.)
The lottery began shortly after, and cheers rang out all around. The smiles and reactions of the winners were impressive.
Meanwhile.
Just as we were approaching the last prize, the generator stopped. It ran out of gas. The microphone and background music stopped. All the staff turned pale.
The MC on stage put down the microphone and began to liven up the atmosphere with loud voices, to which the participants responded.
"Do you want to go to New York?"
『Whoa!』
...I was relieved to see that there were many people from the generation that watched "American Quiz."
So, despite the mishap, the lottery finished without incident. Thank you very much!
Finale after 3pm
Although the western sun still shone high in the sky, it was time for the finale.
"If you stop just when you feel like you've reached the end, you'll look forward to the next one." That's what someone told me when I was little. I wonder if it will be the same this time?
Closing remarks.
We posed for commemorative photos many times.
Voices of regret at each other's parting.
The sound of engines ringing everywhere.
Discussing the course for the return trip.
We started getting ready to go home.
After a while, the number of people's cars heading home gradually began to increase.
It was touching to see him respond with "Thank you!" as the staff members saw him off.
The farewell naturally became very enthusiastic.
"Thank you very much!"... he said.
Chapter 3: Looking ahead to the next session
A cheer rang out.
We started packing up the tents and putting away the cones.
Even as we worked silently, talk of next year was already being raised here and there.
"The next one will be the 5th anniversary."
"What kind of costume can I wear instead of a T-shirt?"
"Drink some beer!"
They all laughed at each other's half-tanned appearances and talked.
The number of participants this time was just under 400 cars and about 500 people.
Compared to the first event, the numbers are like a dream.
How will OASIS evolve from now on?
Where will OASIS go from here?
Even if we do it again and again,
I want to remember the first time I felt
I was included in the commemorative photo of all the staff.
We struck a pose and took the photo. The catchphrase is the same as every year.
"I won't do it again!"
『Whoa!』
They were all cynical.
