Secret Iranian Side Deal: Obama Is A Bleepin' Idiot!

If President Obama really thinks the Iranian nuclear deal is a great benefit to mankind, then he's a f*cking idiot!

A side deal has been revealed by the Associated Press that allows Iran to do their own inspections, with their own personnel and equipment.

According to Fox News:

Capitol Hill opposition to the Iranian nuclear deal was stoked Wednesday by a bombshell report that Tehran will be allowed to use its own experts to inspect one of the country's most controversial nuclear sites.  

"Allowing the Iranians to inspect their own nuclear sites, particularly a notorious military site, is like allowing the inmates to run the jail," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a presidential candidate, said in a statement.  

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that, in an unusual and secret agreement with the U.N. agency that normally carries out such work, Iran can use its own experts and equipment in the search for evidence for activities that it has consistently denied -- trying to develop nuclear weapons. 

To read more (if you can stomach it), go here. 

For The Ladies: Japan Tourism Boom Benefits Japanese Cosmetics Industry

Above, the famed Ginza shopping district in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The current tourism boom in Japan has been reaping many rewards to different companies and industries in Japan. The cosmetics industry is one of them.

The Japan Times reported:

Massive consumption by foreign visitors to Japan, notably Chinese, is proving a godsend to some Japanese daily goods and cosmetics-makers, but others seem to be left out in the cold. 

Kao Corp. and Shiseido Co. have enjoyed strong sales by winning the hearts of Chinese tourists looking for high-end Japanese products. But some makers are losing out because their mainstay products are not designed with foreign consumers in mind. 

At Kao, its hot eye masks and subsidiary Kanebo Cosmetics Inc.’s face-wash powders are flying off the shelves. Kao President Michitaka Sawada says foreign visitors “tend to buy high value-added products.” 

Foreign visitors’ shopping binges boost the Kao group’s annual sales by some ¥15 billion, excluding sales of paper diapers for children. 

Shiseido also expects a ¥15 billion boost to annual sales, excluding duty-free stores at airports and elsewhere. Pricey cosmetics are particularly popular.

To read more, go here. 

Alexander E. Charleston, Sr.

Sad news has arrived from Anniston, Alabama.

My great-uncle, Alexander E. Charleston, Sr. passed away on August 18. He was 90.

My cousin, Al, Jr., posted the photo (at right) of his dad.

Here is the obituary from Gray Brown-Service Mortuary:

Funeral Services for Lt. Col. (Retired) Alexander Edwin Charleston, Sr. (90) of Anniston, who passed away August 18, 2015, will be Friday, August 21, 2015 at 10:00 am at Gray Brown-Service Mortuary. Burial with full military honors to follow at Piedmont Highland Cemetery. Services will be performed by Dr. Mack Amis and Rev. Kevin Garrett of Parker Memorial Baptist Church.  

Col. Charleston, a native of California, completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles and his graduate degree at Jacksonville State University. He retired from the United States Army after 27 years of active duty service. He served in World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Conflict. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), United Nations Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, 5 Overseas Bars. After retiring from the Army, he taught school for nineteen years in the Calhoun County School System and two years at the Donoho School. He served as President of the Northeast Alabama Retired Officers Association, Secretary of the Alabama Retired Officers Association, Deacon at Jacksonville First Baptist Church, Deacon at Parker Memorial Baptist Church, and member of the Board of Directors for Anniston Kiwanis Club. He was a member of Parker Memorial Baptist Church, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Jacksonville Hiram Lodge #42, Alabama Society Cheaha Chapter Sons of American Revolution (SAR), and The Sons of the Republic of Texas, First Families of Tennessee, First Families of Texas, and The American Legion. 

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Joy Woolf Charleston; three sons Ray Burgess (Joy) of Anniston, Alabama; Keith Burgess (Kathy) of Nashville, Tennessee; Alex Charleston, Jr. (April) of Marietta, Georgia. Six Grandchildren: Amber Burgess Harbison (Michael), Mary Ellen Burgess Mulkey (Ray), Allison Burgess Kent (Michael), Amy Burgess Eggleston (Alex), Reed Charleston, Remy Charleston. Six Great Grandchildren: Hannah Harbison, Elizabeth Harbison, Nathan Kent, Josephine Kent, Samantha Kent, Raegan Mulkey.  

Pallbearers will be the United States Military Honor Guard. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of MOAA, SAR, and Hiram Lodge #42.

He was a great man who was well-respected and will be remembered fondly. Au revoir, Uncle Alex. 

Yvonne Craig, TV's Batgirl, Dies At 78

Above, Yvonne Craig as Batgirl.

This is stunning news.

CNN reported that Yvonne Craig, who played Barbara Gordon/Batgirl on television's Batman series of the 1960s, died August 17.

They wrote:

(CNN) Before Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman, before Joanna Cameron's Isis, before Scarlett Johannsson's Black Widow, Yvonne Craig was a pioneer of female superheroes on screen. 

As an actress, she originated the role of Batgirl in the 1960s "Batman" television series. As a trained dancer, she did her own stunts. 

Craig died this week after a long two-year battle with breast cancer. She was 78.

Jim Nolt said that he invited Craig to the Superman Celebration of last summer, but she declined the invitation. Now we know why, unfortunately.

I was fortunate to meet Craig at Noel Neill's 85th birthday luncheon in 2005.

To read more, go here.

Record 1.91 Million Foreign Tourists Visited Japan In July

Above, the Yurakucho Mullion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is en route in a big way to reaching their goal of 20 million foreign visitors by 2020 (when they host the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo).

According to the Japan Times:

The number of foreign passenger arrivals in Japan reached 1,918,400 in July, the highest monthly total on record and a 51.0 percent surge from a year earlier, government data showed Wednesday. 

The total at the start of the summer vacation season surpassed the previous monthly record high of 1,764,691 set in April, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. 

Meanwhile, a record 11.05 million foreigners are estimated to have visited Japan from January to July, up 46.9 percent from the same period last year, moving closer to the annual goal of 20 million that the government seeks to achieve by 2020 when Tokyo will host the Olympics and Paralympics.

To read more, go here. 

Japanese Etiquette 101: Our Top 10 Tips

Above, a Tokyo sushi restaurant. Rules for eating and drinking can be a minefield. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are planning to visit Japan any time soon, or in the not-too-far-off future, then you should look over an article that InsideJapan Tours blog posted on 10 rules of Japanese etiquette and even bookmark it for future reference.

They begin with:

Japan has a reputation for being a land full of obscure customs and unwritten rules, completely incomprehensible to the unwary foreigner. It’s something many would-be travellers worry about, and we’ve written about it numerous times in the past. 

As usual – there’s no smoke without fire, and it is true that Japanese culture is a bit of a maze for the uninitiated. It is also true that the Japanese will very rarely tell you when you’re doing something wrong (out of politeness and respect for your feelings, mind you), and that it is a place where things are done doggedly and relentlessly by the book. 

BUT – do not let this put you off. No Japanese person will ever expect you to know all the ins and outs of their culture, just as you would not expect someone from a foreign country to understand every vagary of yours. Making mistakes is perfectly acceptable – and it certainly should not be something to lose sleep over when visiting Japan. Moreover, it is the differences between Japanese culture and our own that make visiting this country so fascinating and eye-opening. Without them, it would be a lot less fun.

To read the top ten Japanese etiquette tips, go here.

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New Warner Bros. Mural

The Batman: Brave & The Bold mural is gone from the soundstage at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California and has been replaced by a Be Cool, Scooby Doo mural (pictured above).

Be Cool, Scooby Doo is an upcoming animated television series from Warner Bros. Animation.

Here's the old Batman: Brave & The Bold Mural:

One Year Ago

Above, Jack Larson autographs a comic book for Cisco Sanz-Agero. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One year ago today, two of the main events for the Superman Celebration took place.

First, the Adventures of Superman plaque dedication was held in Tarzana where a location shoot took place in 1953 involving all of the show's cast members for the episode, "The Man Who Could Read Minds."

Above, Jack Larson address the plaque dedication ceremony audience. Photo by Steven Kirk.

Above, the plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Second, a luncheon was held at the Beverly Garland Hotel in Studio City. 

Above, Jacqueline Hamilton and John Hamilton Jr. talk with Jack Larson at the luncheon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Laura Siegel Larson, daughter of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, addresses the luncheon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There was one other event that took place the next day. It was a tour of the Pasadena Playhouse where George Reeves began his acting career.

It was a weekend that fans still are savoring.

Nomadic Fanatic Back In A Motorhome

Above, Eric Jacobs in his new Tioga.

For the past several months, Eric Jacobs has been camping and living in a campervan with his cat Jax after "Tilly the Tioga" was sold down in Florida.

Now, he's back in another Class C motorhome. It is a 1985 Fleetwood Tioga. It is bigger than Tilly (for now, he's calling this RV Tilly 2.0) and he seems much happier in this vehicle.

While his travel videos continued during the time in the campervan, I felt that, although entertaining and educational, they were a little less interesting to me (since I am a Class C motorhome owner) than when he was in the motorhome.

Right now, he's been getting Tilly 2.0 in shape for extended road trips.

Here is the video of his announcement of the acquisition of the Tioga:

10 Things You Should Know Before Visiting The Tsukiji Fish Market

Above, vendor stalls in the Tsukiji Fish Market. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the places in Tokyo I always wanted to visit was the Tsukiji Fish Market.

I finally visited the market in December 2010 in the early hours of the morning. At the time, the market was actually closed to visitors due to it being the busiest time of the year. I didn't know this as I entered the fish market from a side or back entrance.

I managed to wander around the fish market with no difficulty. It was only when I exited the market from the main entrance I was informed that it was closed to visitors by the gate guard.

But, to make your visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market an incident-free one, Tokyo Cheapo has posted an article on ten things you need to know before visiting.

They begin with:

The Tsukiji Fish Market appears in literally every guide book about Tokyo and on most people’s tour itineraries, plus entrance is free! It isn’t just the largest wholesale fish market in Tokyo and Japan, it’s numero uno for the entire planet. It also has a kick-ass Tuna Auction before the sun rises most mornings. The Tsukiji Fish Market is destined to relocate (despite considerable opposition) to a larger and slightly more inconvenient location in Toyosu – a move that has been set for November 7, 2016. However, until then, there is a giant fish market and live tuna auction just begging to be seen.

 To see more, go here.

National Park Service Centennial

Did you know that a big birthday is coming next year?

Yes, and the celebration has only begun.

The National Park Service turns 100 years old on August 25, 2016.

According to the National Park Service's website:

The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016, and everyone can take part in the celebration! 

The centennial will kick off a second century of stewardship of America's national parks and engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs. 

We invite you to find your park and discover the national parks and programs in your own backyard!

The first national park I visited was Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California in 1968. My most recent national park visits was only two months ago: Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Zion National Parks.

To visit the National Park Service's Centennial website, go here.

The Virgin River Gorge, Where Desolation Ends

Above, a view of the Virgin River Gorge from The Beast. Photo by Amber Vaquer.

One of the most desolate drives (in my opinion) in America has to be Interstate 15 in California's Mojave Desert and through Nevada, especially the long stretch between Las Vegas to the Arizona and Utah borders. While driving north, there were few spots of what one may call "scenic beauty" along the way.

When my daughter Amber and I drove The Beast to Yellowstone National Park, we drove through Las Vegas (since we already had breakfast at the Flying J travel center in Barstow) without stopping.

We did make one stop before we reached Utah and that was the Moapi Indian travel center that was midway between Las Vegas and the border. There, we saw a huge tent filled with fireworks of all kinds and description. Since we had no place to shoot off skyrockets without ending up with an enormous fine or jail (or both), we just purchased some firecrackers.

After leaving the Moapi travel center, we resumed our drive north to Utah. The drive was still rather desolate until we reached the Virgin River Gorge. It is while you drive through the gorge, you will briefly pass through a small tip of Arizona and then you enter the state of Utah.

The gorge was carved by the Virgin River over millions of years. It is there that we leave desolate scenery and enter colorful canyons and green valleys. After entering Utah on Interstate 15, it is not too long before the highway reaches St. George, Utah.

The beautiful scenery doesn't end in St. George, but instead it continues through the middle of the state and then through Idaho and Montana.

Emperor and Prime Minister Issue Statements On 70th Anniversary of End of World War II

Above, Japanese Emperor Akihito.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued statements of remorse over World War II.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO —Emperor Akihito marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two with an expression of “deep remorse” over the conflict on Saturday, a departure from his annual script which could be seen as a subtle rebuke of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

Abe on Friday expressed “utmost grief”, but said future generations should not have to keep apologising for the mistakes of the past. He offered no fresh apology of his own. 

“Reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse over the last war, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated,” Akihito, 81, said at a memorial service on the anniversary of the day his father, Hirohito, announced Japan’s defeat.

I have to agree with the Prime Minister. Future generations of Japanese should not have to keep apologizing for the sins of their ancestors.

China and South Korea weren't too pleased with Abe's statement in particular. South Korean President Park Geun-hye feels Abe's statement "left a lot to be desired." Others in the Pacific region gave favorable reactions.

Goodbye, Spirit of America

The Goodyear blimp, Spirit of America took its final flight on Monday.

It was flown from the Carson blimp station to the Tustin Hangar for decommissioning. A new blimp (actually a semi-rigid dirigible) will take its place in 2016.

Above, the Spirit of America. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nippon Quest Launched By Japanese Government

Above, a fish vendor near the Tsukiji Fish Market. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Another website for promoting Japan tourism has been launched by the Japanese government.

According to the Business Standard:

The Japanese government has launched a website to provide information from different parts of the country to attract foreign tourists and revitalise local economies, the media reported on Thursday. 

The portal Nippon Quest (www.nipponquest.com), available in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese, is managed by Hakuhodo advertising agency and is subsidised by the ministry of economy, trade and industry, EFE reported citing Kyodo news agency. 

The website will showcase information and photos of regional events and specialties, including gastronomical delights such as the typical seafood of the Atsumi peninsula in central Japan, the Aizu Tajima Gion festival in Fukushima prefecture, Kabuki theatre performances and a parade of women dressed in 'kimonos'.

To read more, go here.

"Godzilla El Niño" Coming?

Above, the Godzilla slide in Yokosuka, Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With Legendary Pictures' Godzilla 2 not due in theaters until 2018, Toho's own production is set to go into production in a few weeks for a 2016 release.

2016, as it seems to be turning out, will be a Godzilla year in another way as something else is lurking in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

The strengthening El Niño in the Pacific Ocean has the potential to become one of the most powerful on record, as warming ocean waters surge toward the Americas, setting up a pattern that could bring once-in-a-generation storms this winter to drought-parched California. 

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said Thursday that all computer models are predicting a strong El Niño to peak in the late fall or early winter. A host of observations have led scientists to conclude that “collectively, these atmospheric and oceanic features reflect a significant and strengthening El Niño.” 

“This definitely has the potential of being the Godzilla El Niño,” said Bill Patzert, a climatologist with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge.

If we do have "a Godzilla El Niño", should we call it the "King of the El Niños"? God knows we in California can use it to eliminate the effects of the current drought. If it does come to pass, we should have a great river-rafting season next year!

To read more, go here.

Features of the Imperial Palace

Above, the Tatsumi Yagura turret. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The present Imperial Palace (the home of the Emperor of Japan) in Tokyo is built on the grounds of Edo Castle.

If you are planning a trip to Japan and also want to see the Imperial Palace, Ambassadors Japan has an article on several features visitors can see.

To see the article, go here.

Tsunagu Japan: 38 Tips To Save Money While Traveling In Japan

Above, to save money on food, dining at a Yoshinoya is one of the tips.
This one is located in Chiba Prefecture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Everybody loves to save money, right? Especially saving money during international travel.

Tsunagu Japan has an article with "38 Tips To Save Money While Traveling In Japan."

They begin their article with:

Traveling overseas takes a lot of money. When you’re planning your trip to Japan, don’t  you think about ways to save as much money as possible? 

This article is split up into various categories for money-saving tips: 

• A. Transportation
• B. Food
• C. Lodging
• D. Shopping
• E. Communication and Mail
• F. Miscellaneous 

Please check these tips out and make your trip as affordable as possible!

To see how you can save money while traveling in Japan, go here.