Hot Topic Pop-Culture Store

Above, "Big Bang Theory" t-shirts.  Had I had the extra cash on me, I'd have bought one of these.

Today, I had an errand to do for my roomie.  I had to pick up some suspenders for her to wear for her new job.

The pop-culture store Hot Topic had what she wanted and I went to the local store at the Topanga Plaza mall in Woodland Hills.  Prior to this, I never heard of Hot Topic.  So I went there to pick up the item and found a really cool store.

I spotted goods for a number of pop-culture characters, including Superman, Batman, Hello Kitty and the television show, The Big Bang Theory.

According to Hot Topic's website:

The Birth of the Loudest Store in the Mall

It all started in 1988. A ton of teen retail accessory stores littered the malls, but there weren't any cool, music-inspired accessory destinations for both guys and girls. Enter Hot Topic. 

As 1990 rolled around, adding apparel seemed like a no-brainer, so we brought in the ultimate music fan essential: band T-shirts. Customers flipped when they walked into Hot Topic stores and saw Bauhaus, The Cure, TSOL, and Depeche Mode rock tees. Within a year, we offered about 50 different band titles, along with rock-inspired clothing lines like Lip Service and Serious. As we continued to expand, we discovered that our customers were also drawn to the underground cartoon, cult movie, and comic book scenes, so we brought the world of South Park, Care Bears, Superman, SpongeBob and tons of other pop icons right to them!   

In 1996, with about 60 teen retail stores, Hot Topic became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ stock exchange, under the symbol HOTT.  

Today, Hot Topic offers band-related apparel and accessories, licensed merchandise, and fashion apparel and accessories, which you can find at more than 600 stores (check out our store locator  to find the location nearest you!) and online at www.hottopic.com. Nearly 25 years since our founding, you can still feel the passion for music and pop culture in everything we do: in our stores, at HQ, in our distribution centers and in our products. 

Hot Topic is a part of Hot Topic, Inc., based in Los Angeles, Calif. Read more about our company here.  

 Unfortunately, Hot Topic had nothing kaiju-related.  Still, it was a fun place to browse around in.  

Check them out!

Tokyo Most Expensive City For Expats

Above, the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you're contemplating taking up permanent residence in Japan, you may want to read this article that News On Japan posted.

The topic is the "Tokyo most expensive city for expats."

It starts with:

Rents go down, grocery bills shrink, companies lay off workers and people move away to live in the countryside - and yet somehow Tokyo continues to be the world's most expensive city for expatriates to live in. 

Most of the blame can be placed firmly on the relentless strength of Japanese currency against the U.S. dollar, according to the annual cost of living survey by international human resources consulting firm, Mercer. 

The capital shot back to top of the chart, swapping runner-up position with the Angolan capital of Luanda, which came first last year. Other Japanese cities - Osaka and Nagoya - also placed in the top 10. The results show that, all in all, Japan is one of the most expensive countries on earth for expats.

To read the full article, go here.

Anime Expo 2012 Kicks Off With Star-Studded Red Carpet And Opening Ceremony

Source: Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES (June 13, 2012) – Anime Expo®  -- North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration -- officially kicks off Thursday, June 28 with a star-studded Red Carpet and Opening Ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Anime Expo Official Guests of Honor will greet fans on the red carpet at 6 p.m. with the Opening Ceremony to follow at 7 p.m.

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo 2012 (AX) will present some of today’s most exciting anime, manga, musical, game and fashion artists from Japan and the U.S.; main event concerts and contests such as the crowd favorite Masquerade; new and exciting interactive offerings and even Lounge 21, where over-21 attendees can enjoy wine, beer and cocktails.

Announced Guests of Honors include composer Yuki Kajiura/”FictionJunction;” anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA; Culture Japan’s Danny Choo; Fate/Zero” creative team Hikaru Konda, Ei Aoki and Rikiya Koyama; Madhouse creative team Asaka Morio, Kunihiko Hamada and Takuya Tsunoki; animation director Tatsuo Sato; voice actors Ryo Horikawa, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial, Steve Blum, Joel McDonald and Ian Sinclair; Japanese pop star LiSA, Lolita fashion designer Cyril Lumboy, Lolita model Misako Aoki; Tokyo-based Gallery of Fantastic Art and popular cosplayer Jessica Nigri.

The following are highlights of the AX Main Events, all to be held in Hall G of LACC:

Day Zero: June 28, 2012

6:00 – 6:40 p.m.                        Red Carpet

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.               Opening Ceremonies

Day One: June 29, 2012

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.                        ANIMETAL USA Concert

9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.             Anime Music Video (AMV) Contest

Day Two: June 30, 2012

7:00 – 8 p.m.                             Yuki Kajiura/”Fiction/Junction” Concert

Day Three: July 1, 2012

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.                        LiSA Concert

3:00 – 4:00 pm.                         Japan Fashion Mix at AX 2012: Fashion Show hosted by Misako Aoki and Danny Choo

                                                  with up-and-coming J-pop singer Kyoka

8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.             Masquerade

Day Four: July 2, 2012

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.                       Art Auction

1:00 – 6:00 p.m.                        SPJA Charity Auction

6:00 p.m.                                   Closing Ceremonies

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s larges celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture.  AX 2012 will feature and exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay; dance parties, karaoke, and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 3,000 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29-July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the America public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

"Tear down this wall!" 25th Anniversary

Today marks the 25th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's “tear down this wall” speech delivered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany on June 12, 1987.

In the speech, Reagan said,  "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate.  Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate.  Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

The Berlin Wall fell on Nov. 9, 1989, not by Gorbachev, but at the hands of Berliners themselves.

Harter & Hayde's Langdon Bio Now Available

Chuck Harter's and Michael J. Hayde's biography on comedian Harry Langdon is now available!

LITTLE ELF: A CELEBRATION OF HARRY LANGDON is:

A full biography and comprehensive filmography, lavishly illustrated, "Little Elf" is the definitive source for all things Harry Langdon, critically acclaimed "fourth genius" of silent comedy!

Above, Chuck Harter (left) and Michael J. Hayde.

It is available at Bear Manor Media.  Go to  http://bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=509.

Noel Neill Makes Surprise Appearance In Metropolis, Illinois

Above, Noel Neill and Armand in July 2001.

At 91, actress Noel Neill is proving you can't keep a good Lois Lane down.

She made a surprise appearance at this weekend's Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois.

Her manager and biographer, Larry Thomas Ward, provided a report on Noel over at the Superman Homepage website.

"King Kong vs. Godzilla": 50 Years Since Release

Above, Godzilla and King Kong pose with Tomoyuki Tanaka (third from left) and Eiji Tsuburaya (far right).

Next year this month marks 50 years since King Kong vs. Godzilla was released in theaters in the United States by Universal Pictures.  It premiered in New York on June 26, 1963.  It was released 50 years ago in Japan in August 1962.

My parents took me (along with some friends) to see the movie at the Balboa Theater in the Vermont Ave./Manchester Blvd. area of Los Angeles.  I was nine years old at the time.

Above, Atami Castle, featured in "King Kong vs. Godzilla."  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first feature in the double-bill was John Wayne's Donovan's Reef.

There's an interesting interview with the Americanized King Kong vs. Godzilla screenwriter Paul Mason at Sci Fi Japan.  To read it, go here.

King Kong vs. Godzilla is the highest-grossing Godzilla movie produced by Toho Co., Ltd. to date.

Above, a view of Atami Castle (perched on the hill) from Atami's harbor.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The climax in both the Japanese and Americanized versions is the battle between Kong and Godzilla.  The battle began at Mount Fuji and ends with both monsters toppling into the sea after demolishing Atami Castle.  Contrary to legend, there is only one ending to the movie in both versions.  It was erroneously stated that Godzilla won the battle in Japanese and other Asian prints, whereas Kong wins in non-Asian countries.

Atami Castle is spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Japan Culture Tour Returns

Above, the Wako Department Store that was trashed by Godzilla in 1954.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For years, Digital Manga has been offering up tours of Japan.  The Great East Japan Earthquake caused a major disruption in Japan's tourism industry.  There's now good news on the tourism front.

Now, the Japan Culture Tour resumes.  According to Animation Insider:

One year and two months ago, the Great East Japan Earthquake rocked an island nation, and tens of thousands of lives were lost -- countless more displaced. Long since, regional and national rebuilding efforts have sought to clean up and resurrect Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, and its surrounding areas. Also long since, efforts to re-ignite tourism in Japan have been popping up, lending hope to certain industries whose bread-and-butter rests in keeping close relations with the land of the rising sun. 

All this to serve as a little reminder that manga publisher and culture authority Digital Manga has officially returned to the business of offering weeklong travel tours in Japan. The Pop Japan Travel (PJT) organization has been offering group tours tailored to western anime and manga aficionados for quite a few years now, and has planned its first group tour for later this year. Want to see a genuine summer festival fireworks display? Taste the freshest sashimi on the planet? Tour the stables of your favorite anime artists at a renowned studio? PJT makes all the arrangements and does all the translation, all you have to do is show up (and pay the registration fee, of course).

For some time, I've been advocating similar tours tailored to fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies.  The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan was designed for use by individuals or tour companies to see the sites and landmarks trashed by Godzilla, Gamera, Rodan, King Ghidorah, Gyaos, Mothra and others on celluloid.

To read the full article, go here.

Found A Copy of CBG #1691

Thanks to the good folks at Galaxy of Comics in Van Nuys, I was able to get a copy of Comics Buyer's Guide (#1691) that contains Tony Isabella's spotlight on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

As you can see at top, I've scanned the page containing the article (click on image to view larger).

While at Galaxy of Comics, I was able to discuss Godzilla stuff (particularly, the 1998 abomination and the Hollywood events of November 2004) with the owners.  The comic book shop is nicely set up with the new comics neatly arranged for easy perusal.  They have some events planned, so you may want to check their website (link above) for details.

Left, Comics Buyer's Guide #1691.










Galaxy of Comics is Located at:

17306 Saticoy St., Van Nuys, CA 91406

Hours of Operation
Monday and Tuesday: 11AM-7PM
Wednesday: 10AM-9PM
Thursday-Saturday: 11AM-7PM
Sunday: 12PM-5PM

Phone:   818-578-8559

Comics Buyer's Guide #1691

As mentioned in a previous blog post, Comics Buyer's Guide #1691 (July 2012) contains a spotlight article in "Tony's Tips" by Tony Isabella on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To date, I haven't been able to snag a copy as none of the local comic book shops (three of them) did not have it in stock.  However, as I also mentioned previously, Tony Isabella sent me a photocopy of his column.  It was scanned and posted here.

The official website for Comics Buyer's Guide magazine has posted the cover and here it is below:

With this, I'll know what to look for when I go out perusing other comic book shops this weekend.

By the way, Tony recommended an anthology-slash-novel entitled, MM9 by Hiroshi Yamamoto (translated by Nathan Collins).  It features interconnected stories of Japan's Meteorological Agency Monsterological Measures Department.  These are government workers charged with protecting Japan from "natural disasters" of a monstrous vein (i.e., kaiju).  I haven't seen this book mentioned in any Godzilla/kaiju-related forums as yet. But this book is tailored to the kaiju fan.  Cover price: $14.99.  

Greg Smith For Kansas Senate, District 21

A panel of judges have finally decided on the legislative districts for the State of Kansas.

Kansas House Member Greg Smith (R-Overland Park) is a candidate for the newly-formed District 21 of the Kansas State Senate.  He is the common-sense conservative who will best represent the district in Topeka.

The district is a large one geographically, so Greg will need many volunteers to cover it.

The issues are:

As your state representative Greg worked to represent your values. As your state senator Greg will continue to fight for the right priorities:

THE SMITH SEVEN
1) Reduce Your Tax Burden: Kansas has the second highest tax burden in the region. Lower income tax states have more vibrant economies.
2) Improve Education: Kansas has a broken school finance formula that picks winners & losers. Johnson County Schools receive less funding than 90% of other schools in Kansas but provide 30% of school funding for the state.
3) Fiscal Responsibility: The use of your tax money should be readily apparent. Transparency and accountability to you, the tax payer, are paramount. The state budget must follow state law and not only balance but maintain the 7.5% mandated reserve.
4) Cut State Spending: Tax dollars should only be spent on core government functions that cannot be provided by any other agency.
5) Fight Illegal Immigration: The federal government has abdicated its responsibility to secure our borders. Illegal immigration puts everyone at risk and increases costs of government services.
6) Safe Streets: Public safety is the paramount responsibility of government. Public safety agencies and the state corrections department need full funding so everyone is safe.
7) Maintain the Death Penalty in Kansas: The death penalty is an instrumental tool for prosecutors in Kansas.

Join Greg Smith's campaign today!  Walk precincts.  Be a precinct captain.  Put up a yard sign.  Donate.

Greg Smith's campaign website is at http://www.gregsmith4kansas.com/.

Chambliss Demands Inquiry Into Attacks Against Conservative Commentators

Statement issued by U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss on attacks on conservative commentators.  This is from the senator's office:



WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder regarding recent reports that several conservative political commentators have been targeted with harassing and frightening actions. Chambliss demanded that Holder examine these cases to determine if federal laws have been violated.

June 5, 2012

The Honorable Eric Holder
Attorney General
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW, Suite 5111
Washington, DC  20530-0009

Dear Attorney General Holder:

I am writing with concern regarding recent reports that several members of the community of online political commentators have been targeted with harassing and frightening actions. Any potentially criminal action that incites fear, seeks to silence a dissenting opinion, and collaterally wastes the resources of law enforcement should be given close scrutiny at all levels.

According to these individuals' reports, these dangerous hoaxes, also known as "SWAT-ting," have a perpetrator contacting a local police department to report some type of violent incident at the home of the target. It is believed that these callers utilize some of the less traditional telecommunications methods, including voice over IP (VOIP) to make the call appear as though it is coming from the target residence and to better hide the true identity of the caller.

In response, a dispatcher then sends a large number of understandably anxious police units, in a heightened state of readiness, to the home of the still unsuspecting target. The first that the target or their unsuspecting family learns of this false report to law enforcement is when they are shocked to see an abnormal police presence descending on their residence.

The use of SWAT-ting as a harassment tool is apparently not new, but its use as a tool for targeting political speech appears to be a more recent development. During the last year, some of the more widely reported cases of SWAT-ting have taken place against blog operators across the country, including in Georgia. The emerging pattern is both disturbing and dangerous.

While these incidences are currently small in number, and have fortunately not led to any accidental physical harm, they are extremely concerning. The perpetrators appear to be targeting individuals who are vigorously exercising their First Amendment rights to political speech. As you know, these reported efforts to intimidate those who choose to enter the political forum and express their opinions are in conflict with the founding principles of our nation.

Regardless of any potential political differences that may exist, threats and intimidation have no place in our national political discourse. Those who choose to enter into that political discourse should not have to worry about potential threats to their or their family's safety.

While I am certain that local law enforcement is reviewing each of these instances, I am asking you to please look into each of these cases as well to determine if any federal laws may have been violated. Future targets of SWAT-ting, whether engaged in political speech or not, may not be so fortunate as to escape physical harm.

I appreciate your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your response no later than June 29, 2012. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or comments that you may have.

  ###

30 Must-Have Souvenirs From Japan

Above, Asakusa, Tokyo's Nakamise Street is a popular place to buy many of the souvenirs on the list.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan Today has posted an article on the 30 Must-have Souvenirs From Japan."

Most of them are the obvious (yukatas, hand fans, chopsticks, Japanese traditional dolls) to the not-so-obvious (tanuki statue, noren, sampuru (Japanese food plastic replicas), Noh mask replicas).  Any of the items on the list would be a great addition to your souvenir collection or as gifts for friends and family members back home.

Unfortunately, neither Godzilla, Ultraman or Hello Kitty items made the list.

To read the full article and the list go here.

Tony's Tips

The current issue of Comics Buyer's Guide (#1691) contains Tony Isabella's column, "Tony's Tips."  In this issue's column, Isabella spotlights The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

After I found that the local comic book shops weren't carrying CBG, Isabella came to the rescue by sending me a photocopy of his column (four pages of interesting items).

Here it is (click on image to view larger):

The other publication on the page, MM9, is one that kaiju fans should also check out.


Many thanks to Tony Isabella!

Drive-In Theaters: 79 Years Old

Above, the Olympic Drive-In Theater, once located on Olympic Blvd. at Bundy Drive in West Los Angeles.

People have been posting photos of drive-in theaters and Google has a drive-in graphic on its search page.  I was wondering what all this was about.

I soon found my answer:

On June sixth, 1933, the first drive-in movie theater opened, in Camden, New Jersey.

So, 79 years ago, the first drive-in movie theater was opened.  It is too bad there aren't many of them around anymore.  Drive-ins have been closing down due to skyrocketing land values.

Well, to celebrate, I've included photos of two favorite Los Angeles-area drive-ins.  They are now long-gone.



Left, the Vermont Drive-In Theater, once located on Vermont Ave. south of Artesia Blvd. in Gardena, California.

Ray Bradbury Dies At 91

Sad news was just emailed to me by The Washington Post:

Ray Bradbury has died at 91 after a lengthy career of writing everything from science-fiction and mystery to humor.

Reached at Bradbury's home, his daughter, Alexandra Bradbury, says her father died Tuesday night in Southern California. She did not have additional details.

Sherman or Berman?

California's screwy election system of having the "top two" candidates advance to the general election (regardless of party) has given my congressional district only a choice of two Democrats.

Brad Sherman (left) will face off against Howard Berman (right) in November.  There will be no Republican candidate on the ballot in the district.

I have to decide on which of the two liberals are best on economics/spending, national defense and the space program and vote accordingly.  I may publicly endorse one.  (Gad!  I can't believe I just wrote that!)

At least it appears that Proposition 28 (term limits) passed and Proposition 29 (cigarette tax) failed.  Mitt Romney (who already clinched the GOP presidential nomination) won the GOP presidential primary.

Congratulations to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker in surviving the recall effort by Big Labor and the Democrat Party machine.

"Terror of Mechagodzilla" Suit

Back in 2004, in celebration of Godzilla's 50th anniversary, an exhibit of Godzilla memorabilia was put on display in Eiji Tsuburaya's hometown of Koriyama, Japan.  The exhibit was entitled, "Since Godzilla."

While touring Japan with G-TOUR in 2004, we visited the exhibit and I shot a video of it.  The two accompanying photos are snapshots from the video (Hi8 format).  It was said to be the Mechagodzilla suit from Terror of Mechagodzilla.

According to Wikipedia:

Terror of Mechagodzilla, (released in Japan as Counterattack of Mechagodzilla (メカゴジラの逆襲, Mekagojira no Gyakushū^?)) is a 1975 Japanese science fiction kaiju film produced by Toho. Directed by Ishirō Honda and featuring special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano, the film starred Tomoko Ai, Gorō Mutsumi, and Akihiko Hirata. This film was the 15th and final film in the original series of Godzilla films, before the series reboot in 1984.

A thread on old monster suits was started at the Classic Horror Film Board forum and I made these snapshots to post there.  But here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Dollar Falls Against Yen Following Jobs Report

The unemployment report from last week appears to have caused the U.S. dollar to slide in value against the Japanese yen.

According to Jiji Press:

Tokyo, June 4 (Jiji Press)--The dollar fell to levels around 78 yen in Tokyo trading Monday following dismal U.S. jobs data, but the downside was supported by growing wariness over possible yen-selling intervention by Japanese authorities.

How's that "hope and change" working out for you?

 To read the full article, go here.

Japan Plans To "Transplant" Trendy Tokyo Districts Overseas

Above, Harajuku Station in Tokyo.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is looking to "recreate" its fashionable Tokyo districts overseas, according to an article in The Malaysian Insider.

In the article, they reported:

TOKYO, June 4 — Japan is hoping to cash in on its rich culture by recreating fashionable districts of Tokyo in foreign cities, determined that enclaves of vibrant shops, cafes and restaurants can find new markets abroad. 

For decades, exports have been the driving force behind the world’s third largest economy with brands like Toyota and Sony becoming household names around the globe. 

But a key plank in the government’s “Cool Japan” strategy, which launched last year, is to transplant Tokyo’s trendy districts overseas, taking the shops to the customers instead of bringing the customers to the shops. 

It could see quirky areas like shopping district Harajuku pop up in cities around the world, boosting Japan’s brand overseas and helping to reverse the nation’s flagging fortunes.

Could the already existing "Japantowns" or "Little Tokyos" in the United States be included in this plan?  It is one way to revitalize Japanese enclaves outside of Japan.

To read the full article, go here.

Vacation Itinerary Planning

Above, an Asakusa sushi restaurant window display.

One of the ways I manage to get the most out of a vacation trip is to plan an itinerary.  I generally do this during the trip's planning stages.

I determine how many days/nights I have available, where I want go to, what I want to see and do.

This one was from my April 2007 trip to Japan:

Japan Itinerary - April 2007   

Fri., April 13:  Leave For Japan  

Sat., April 14:  Arrive In Japan - Tokyo: Asia Center of Japan (ACJ).  Call Shelley Sweeney.

Sun., April 15:  Tokyo: ACJ.  (Tokyo Metropolitan Pavillion of Daigo Fukuryuu Maru)東京都江東区夢の島3-2　夢の島公園内東京都江東区夢の島3-2　夢の島公園内(within Yumenoshima Park, Yumenoshima 3-2, Koutou-ku, Tokyo)TEL：03-3521-8494　FAX：03-3521-2900

10 min. walk from Shinkiba Station (JR Keiyo line, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho line, Rinkai line)
or
3 min. walk from the to-basu (Metropolitan Bus) stop "Yumenoshima".
(Take to-basu No. 木11 which is Shinkiba bound from Toyocho station of Tokyo Metro Touzai line)
10 min. walk from Shinkiba Station (JR Keiyo line, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho line, Rinkai line)or3 min. walk from the to-basu (Metropolitan Bus) stop "Yumenoshima".(Take to-basu No. 木11 which is Shinkiba bound from Toyocho station of Tokyo Metro Touzai line 

Meet up with Shelley Sweeney.  

Mon., April 16: Tokyo: ACJ  

Tue., April 17: Tokyo to Mt. Aso area in Kyushu via Hikari Shinkansen; change to limited express at Hakata Station to Kumamoto; stay in Kumamoto, Kyushu. Stay at Kumamoto Kajita Ryokan 2 nights. 

Wed., April 18: Tour Mt. Aso - JR Hohi Line "Limited Express" from Kumamoto station to Aso Station.  

Thur., April 19:  To Nagasaki - Go to Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto to take train to Nagasaki.  Tour Nagasaki A-Bomb Museum.  Nagasaki Comfort Hotel #RY50977157.  ¥5,500/night.  

Fri., April 20:  Nagasaki to Sasebo (visit Saikai Bridge from "Rodan" near Sasebo City).  Sasebo Washington #RY50876968.  ¥6,600/night.  

Sat., April 21: To Fukuoka: Fukuoka Tower (G v. SG).  Hotel Sanroute Hakata #RY50877526.  ¥8,000/night.  

Sun., April 22: Fukuoka to Tokyo via Hikari Shinkansen. ACJ until I leave.  22,890(Service charge included, Consumption tax included) 

Mon., April 23: Tokyo. Meet Masaharu Ina at 3:00 PM.  

Tue., April 24: Tokyo 

Wed., April 25:  Return to Los Angeles

I prefer an itinerary that gives me enough freedom to make last-minute changes but still is planned well enough to make sure I accomplish what set out to do.  The one above is an example of this.

Since Japan is 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles, planning an itinerary helps to organize days with a handy schedule.  I've had no mess-ups since doing this.

Beat The L.A. Times Again On Airfare Prices

Above, Shibuya 109 in Tokyo.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Reading today's Los Angeles Times Travel section, I noticed that the lowest round-trip airfare they found between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Narita International Airport (NRT) (that serves Tokyo) was $1,840.00.  This does not include any fees or surcharges.

So I checked GatewayLAX ticket service and I was able to find a round-trip ticket on Singapore Air (LAX to NRT) for $760.00.  This also doesn't include any fees or surcharges.

This is the second time that I beat the Times' Travel section staff with a much better price.  

5 Years Ago

Five years ago tonight, I went over to the local Best Buy in Woodland Hills.  I decided to buy a DVD to watch.

I ended up buying So Proudly We Hail, starring Claudette Colbert and (future Superman) George Reeves.

At the same time, a tragedy was unfolding half-way across the country in Overland Park, Kansas.  

Recent high school graduate Kelsey Smith was abducted from a Target parking lot that evening.  This led to a family's frantic search and a drama that captured the attention of a nation.

Thanks to a security camera video, cell phone pings, police detective work and the total ineptness of the killer, Kelsey was found and her killer was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Today begins a time of remembrance and reflection.

Birth Certificate Blimp

Maybe "The Donald" can sell these?

ANIME EXPO 2012 WELCOMES THE “FATE/ZERO” CREATIVE TEAM OF HIKARU KONDO, EI AOKI AND RIKIYA KOYAMA AS OFFICIAL GUESTS OF HONOR

Source: Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES (June 1, 2012) – Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced three members of the “Fate/Zero” creative team -- Producer Hikaru Kondo, Director Ei Aoki and Voice Actor Rikiya Koyama -- as Official Guests of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. 

Hikaru Kondo established the animation studio “ufotable” in 2000.  As a producer, he worked on the 7-theatrical movie series “The Garden of sinners,” “Futakoi Alternative,” “Manabi Straight,” “Tales of Symphonia” and others. Most recently, he produced the TV Series “Fate/Zero,” “the Garden of sinners –Final Chapter-“ as well as directed “Black Rock Shooter the Game.”

In Japan, ufotable opened the first “ufotable café” at its Koenji Studio to promote interaction with fans.  With the success of the first shop, the company opened a second café at Tokushima Studio, followed by the “ufotable dining” restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo.  In addition, in March 2012 it built the “ufotable CINEMA” in Shinjuku, the first movie theater built by an animation company in Japan.

Ei Aoki made his debut as an episodic director for “Please Teacher!” the TV Series in 2002.  In addition to “Fate/Zero,” his credits as a director include “The Garden of Sinners” Chapter 1, “GA-REI –Zero-,“ “Wandering Son (Horo Musuko)” and “Girls Bravo” to name a few.

Rikiya Koyama portrays the character Kiritsugu Emiya in “Fate/Zero.”  The popular voice actor has played numerous other roles including Yamato of “NARUTO Shippuden”, Coyote Stark of “BLEACH”, Kogoro Mouri of “Detective Conan”, FLASTE SCHOLE of “Gundam UC”, Vash of “FINAL FANTASY XII” and Kuze Hideo of “Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2nd GIG.”

Kondo, Aoki and Koyama will team with Producer Atsuhiro Iwakami to share behind-the-scenes stories of the making of the hit anime series with fans at Anime Expo.  As Official Guest of Honors, they will also participate in a meet-and-greet and autograph signing.

The “Fate/Zero” team joins the previously announced Anime Expo 2012 line-up that includes composer Yuki Kajiura/”FictionJunction,” anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA, Culture Japan’s Danny Choo, popular voice actors Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial and Steve Blum, animation director Tatsuo Sato, Japanese pop star LiSA, Lolita fashion designer Cyril Lumboy, Lolita model Misako Aoki and the Gallery of Fantastic Art.

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s larges celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game, and fashion artitsts from Japan. AX 2012 will feature and exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay; dance parties, karaoke, and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 3,000 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29-July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the America public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

ANIME EXPO 2012 ANNOUNCES ANIMATION DIRECTOR TATSUO SATO AS AN OFFICIAL GUEST OF HONOR

Source: Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES (June 1, 2012) – Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced animation director Tatsuo Sato, as an Official Guest of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. 

Tatsuo Sato started his career as an animator and an assistant director at Asia-Do. He made his solo directorial debut with the TV series "Soar High! Isami" and has since gone on to direct the TV series "Martian Successor Nadesico" and its sequel feature film "Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture - Prince Of Darkness."

Tatsuo collaborated on the avant-garde animation film "Cat Soup" with an old friend, animator/director Masaaki Yuasa. The film won double prizes in the 6th Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal: "Best Short Film" and "Film Critic's Association Prize". It was also the winner of the 2001 Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Excellence Prize" at Japan's Media Arts Festival. In the same year, he released the TV animation series "Shingu: Secret Of The Stellar Wars" which was based on his own original story. Tatsuo's most recent TV series is "Shigofumi” and has a new animation project in development.

Tatsuo Sato joins the previously announced Anime Expo 2012 line-up that includes composer Yuki Kajiura/”FictionJunction;” anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA; Culture Japan’s Danny Choo;  popular voice actors Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial and Steve Blum; Japanese pop star LiSA; Lolita fashion designer Cyril Lumboy; Lolita model Misako Aoki and the Gallery of Fantastic Art.

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s larges celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game, and fashion artitsts from Japan. AX 2012 will feature and exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay; dance parties, karaoke, and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 3,000 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29-July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the America public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

"Jimi Plays Berkeley" Coming July 10

Source: Sony Music Entertainment

'Jimi Plays Berkeley' Coming July 10th

Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings are proud to announce three very exciting releases coming up on July 10, 2012. A restored and newly expanded edition of the magical performances from Jimi Plays Berkeley, on Blu-ray and DVD is coming up on July 10! This edition premieres more than 15 minutes of previously unseen documentary and performance footage of Hendrix classics including "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," "Machine Gun" and "Hear My Train A Comin'" not featured in the original film release. Also included is a 5.1 surround stereo soundtrack! In addition, the second set from May 30, 1970, will be released on CD and on 200g (All Analog) 12" vinyl as Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live At Berkeley (The Second Set). As if this wasn’t enough, Legacy Recordings will release the Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child film for the first time on Blu-ray. Pre-Order Now »

Former Democratic Rep. Artur Davis Becomes A Republican

If there was ever a man who embodies the term,  profile in courage, former Congressman Artur Davis certainly does.

Davis is a former Democratic congressman from Alabama who was defeated in 2010 in the Republican election tsunami.  He was first elected in 2002.   He was a Congressional Black Caucus member and served as Senior Whip for the caucus.  He was also co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition and headed the Southern Region of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.  He seconded Barack Obama's nomination at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

He is now a Republican.

In his blog Davis wrote:

But parties change. As I told a reporter last week, this is not Bill Clinton’s Democratic Party (and he knows that even if he can’t say it).  If you have read this blog, and taken the time to look for a theme in the thousands of words (or free opposition research) contained in it, you see the imperfect musings of a voter who describes growth as a deeper problem than exaggerated inequality; who wants to radically reform the way we educate our children; who despises identity politics and the practice of speaking for groups and not one national interest; who knows that our current course on entitlements will eventually break our solvency and cause us to break promises to our most vulnerable—that is, if we don’t start the hard work of fixing it.

On the specifics, I have regularly criticized an agenda that would punish businesses and job creators with more taxes just as they are trying to thrive again. I have taken issue with an administration that has lapsed into a bloc by bloc appeal to group grievances when the country is already too fractured: frankly, the symbolism of Barack Obama winning has not given us the substance of a united country. You have also seen me write that faith institutions should not be compelled to violate their teachings because faith is a freedom, too. You’ve read that in my view, the law can’t continue to favor one race over another in offering hard-earned slots in colleges: America has changed, and we are now diverse enough that we don’t need to accommodate a racial spoils system. And you know from these pages that I still think the way we have gone about mending the flaws in our healthcare system is the wrong way—it goes further than we need and costs more than we can bear. 

Taken together, these are hardly the enthusiasms of a Democrat circa 2012, and they wouldn’t be defensible in a Democratic primary. But they are the thoughts and values of ten years of learning, and seeing things I once thought were true fall into disarray. So, if I were to leave the sidelines, it would be as a member of the Republican Party that is fighting the drift in this country in a way that comes closest to my way of thinking: wearing a Democratic label no longer matches what I know about my country and its possibilities.

 I recommend reading his whole blog post.  Go here to do so.

Like Ronald Reagan, Davis didn't leave the Democratic Party.  The party left him.

All I can say is, Welcome To The GOP!