Yesterday

Above, the left front tire blew out yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was the 32nd anniversary of my 39th birthday. 

It is a weird feeling that I am now at the same age my dad was when he passed away 25 years ago. 

It was a good birthday, but it could have been better. 

First off, on the way home from the Flying J's Denny's restaurant where we had our usual Tuesday coffee gathering, the left front tire on the Jeep blew out. Now I have to deal with that. I have to go into Gallup and pay a deposit for a replacement tire (Cooper Discoverer). When the dealer gets it in, I'll have to bring the wheel into town for it to be mounted on the rim. It was a couple of blocks from home when it happened, so I managed to get the Jeep into the garage. 

Above, Richard Pusateri at the Big Pool at Toho Studios in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then, in the afternoon, I learned that Richard Pusateri, one of the gang of kaiju enthusiasts (formerly from L.A.), passed away after a 2-3 year battle with cancer. Richard was the one who coined the name "GINO" (Godzilla In Name Only) for the Tri-Star Godzilla of 1998. We met at G-FEST 1999 in Burbank. We went to the premiere of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival and toured Toho Studios with Koichi Kawakita and Shogo Tomiyama. We attended many screenings in Hollywood and at the American Film Market in Santa Monica. Some used to refer to us as the "Mario Brothers". He will be missed. 

As we get older, it seems that more often life throws curve balls at us. 

Richard Pusateri, R. I. P.

Above, Richard Pusateri and I with Haruo Nakajima at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival.

A few days ago, I learned that G-fan Richard Pusateri was hospitalized. I do not know for what ailment, but I posted a get well message on his Facebook page.

I just learned of his passing. 

Above, Richard and I at Toho Studios during our 2001 tour.

He was one of the people I hung out with at G-FEST and other Godzilla/kaiju-related events. During my first trip to Japan, I had him join me for a tour of Toho Studios in Setagaya. He was very grateful for the invite.

He was several years older than I, but he didn't seem that way. He was always enthusiastic and as energetic of someone younger. 

We last got together at one of the Monsterpaloozas in Burbank several years ago (2010, I think).

Godzilla fandom will miss him. My condolences to his wife Doreen.

Traveling to Japan This Summer Just Got Easier

Above, the Godzilla mural at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tourism to Japan has been booming since the restrictions on travel there during the pandemic were lifted.

This boom has been fed in part by the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen.

According to Travel + Leisure, travel to Japan will be getting easier this summer.  

They posted:

Japan Airlines is dramatically increasing flight connections to the U.S. for the summer, which means getting to Japan will be easier than ever. 

Starting May 31, 2025, Japan Airlines will launch a direct flight connecting Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). This will be a codeshare flight with Oneworld Alliance partner American Airlines. Tickets go on sale on February 12, and the flight is expected to last roughly 12 hours. 

To help meet demand between Japan and North America, Japan Airlines is ramping up connectivity to several West Coast hubs throughout the summer: 

• Tokyo Narita (NRT) to San Diego (SAN): Daily from March 30 to October 25
• Osaka (KIX) to Los Angeles (LAX): Daily from July 18 to October 25
• Osaka (KIX) to Honolulu (HNL): Daily from July 18 to October 25
• Nagoya (NGO) to Honolulu (HNL): Daily from July 18 to October 15
• Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Honolulu (HNL): Twice-daily during July

To read more, go here.

How To Plan A Trip To Japan On A Budget

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Not everyone has pockets big enough to afford international travel, including Japan.

Travel + Leisure has posted a handy article telling how to plan a trip to Japan a budget. There are some tips on transportation, food, lodging and free activities.

They begin it with:

Japan is a top destination for travelers in 2025. And while some of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences — whether that’s savoring exquisitely prepared nigiri at a Michelin-starred omakase restaurant, staying at one of the best five-star hotels in Tokyo, or relishing a luxurious private onsen experience — do cost a pretty penny, a memorable trip to the Land of the Rising Sun doesn’t have to break the bank (especially considering the weak yen, which fell to a 38-year low this past July). Even in pricier cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, there are plenty of affordable activities, accommodations, and places to eat. And if you venture beyond the main tourist hubs, the prices get even more reasonable. 

Here's how to plan a trip to Japan on a budget.

To read more, go here. 

Revisiting "Godzilla vs. Destoroyah"

Above, a Destoroyah prop with a Godzilla figure in Koichi
Kawakita's office at Toho Studios in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the first time in years (at least since I first moved to New Mexico), I decided to watch Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995). I was in the mood for it and popped my DVD of it into the player.

The movie itself holds up pretty well story-wise. The special effects by the late Koichi Kawakita were a mixed bag. Some shots were good, while others (like the Destoroyah miniatures that looked like Bandai toys) were clunky. Toho has come a long way from those analog effects to win last year's Academy Award for special effects for Godzilla Minus One. Still, it was fun to see the miniatures getting trashed.

The first time I saw it was around 1998 or 1999 at my parents' house. It was on cable and I went over to watch it with them. We all enjoyed it. 

In 2001, I visited Toho Studios in Setagaya with Richard Pusateri and we saw a miniature Destoroyah prop on the floor of Kawakita's office. It was larger than a Bandai toy. 

I will probably re-visit the Heisei (or second series) of Godzilla movies as winter moves in and I am confined (more or less) indoors. It's been a while since I viewed them.