Japan Travel: Join A Tour or Do-It-Yourself?

Above, "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" provides "the nuts & bolts" of Japan travel.

The topic of G-TOUR II over at the Monster Zero forum got people thinking about going to Japan on a "do it yourself" basis. Some asked me how much should they bring, costs, etc. I gave them my recommendations on travel budgeting.

First off, depending upon the cost and itinerary details of G-TOUR II, fans may want to seriously consider joining it if they are reluctant or fearful to travel to a foreign country on their own. There is always someone on the tour to assist you and answer your questions or concerns. Plus, there's the added bonus of knowing some of the fellow travelers if one is going solo.

The last G-TOUR in 2004 was a lot of fun (basically party time every day). It was well-organized and things could not have been handled any better. Attendees got along great and had a great time.

There are some who find that an organized tour is not their cup of tea. (Green tea or not!) One usual complaint on organized tours to Japan are that they go to too many temples and shines. After a while, they all seem to blend in together. Also, there is not enough free time in which a traveler can take some days to go exploring on their own. We had one free day during G-TOUR 2004 in Tokyo. Some feel that organized tours are like being caught up in a whirlwind ("Where are we today?"). There's a classic comedy movie called If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium, which illustrates this. And it's a damn funny movie! Some people aren't enamoured with the costs associated with tours.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan was designed to aid the Japan traveler in planning their trip. It tells them what is required to go. What to expect when arriving at the airport. What to see and do. Where to stay or how to find lodging. The JR Rail Pass. And more. For more information and ordering of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, go here.

Before you go anywhere overseas, you will need a valid U.S. Passport.

On travel budgeting, out of the gate one has to find out how much their round-trip plane ticket is going to cost. That's just for getting to Japan and back. But there are other budgeting considerations to make.

They are:

1. Lodging. How much do you want to spend? What kind of accommodations to you want (a four-star hotel or a ryokan (Japanese Inn))? You have to think about how much per night you're willing to spend.

2. Land transportation. Japan has one of the most efficient transit systems in the world. And it's relatively cheap. Depending on how much running around (and where) you want to do, figure how much you want to spend on taxis, subways, trains, boats, Shinkansen, etc. per day. Also, you will need to get into Tokyo from Narita and back. If you plan on taking trips to other Japanese cities, you may want to consider getting a JR Rail Pass. The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan provides details on the Rail Pass.

3. Food. Like the United States, one can eat cheaply in Japan or go to a ritzy restaurant. If one isn't fond of Japanese food, there's always McDonalds, Yoshinoya, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Denny's, T.G.I. Friday's, Subway and others to go to in Tokyo and other places in Japan. There's Starbuck's all over Japan. One needs to budget on how much they want to spend on food per day.

4. Souvenirs. This depends upon what you want to buy while in Japan.

5. Miscellaneous. Sometimes unexpected things crop up. Sudden illness or an accident. Eyeglasses get broken, etc. It would be prudent to purchase travel insurance (it's not that expensive). It is generally under $200 and will cover you for the duration of your trip. Shop around for the best coverage and for the most reasonable premium.

6. What to bring. Should you bring a set of clothes for each day or just enough for a few days (if you know your hotel has a laundromat to wash them)? On my last trip to Japan, I went for 12 days but brought enough clothing for 6 days. I used the laundry room at my hotel midway into the trip and had clean clothes for the remainder of the trip. That's something for each individual to decide. If on a tour, you might not have time or the facilities available to do laundry. Bringing less will free up space in your suitcase for more souvenirs. Think about that! Then there's medications and home remedies (aspirin, etc.)

Remember, bringing more money than what you think you'll need is better than not bringing enough!

These are the things to consider and budget for before you take a trip to Japan (or anywhere, for that matter). Should you join a tour or do-it-yourself? Since you know yourself the best and what your personality will tolerate or not tolerate, that's a question best answered by the person in your mirror.

Rushing Into G-TOUR II?

Above, the first G-TOUR in 2004 at the Koriyama Museum.

J. D. Lees has announced on the G-FAN website that G-TOUR II is planned for 2011:

G-TOUR II is currently in the planning stages, following up on the highly successful first G-TOUR in 2004. The new tour is to take place in the summer of 2011 with a substantially different itinerary compared to the first one. Some highlights include: a Tokyo tour featuring the Godzilla statue in Hibiya, a visit to the Bandai Museum in Mibu, stops at Nagoya and Osaka Castles, and a fireworks display over Lake Biwa. Additional details can be found in the latest issue of G-FAN Magazine. As they develop, further details and information will be posted here, and in upcoming issues of G-FAN.

J.D. has always desired to have a G-TOUR II. The first one was 11 days of fun and it went off without a hitch, and it had excellent word-of-mouth. So a G-TOUR II is a natural.

However, it should be pointed out that we took nearly three years to plan the first one. This one has been announced for Summer, 2011, only one year away. Keep in mind that the world economy was in far better shape in 2004 than now. We don't know what the economic conditions will be a year from now. Keep in mind, the economy isn't getting better and people are still hurting for jobs. Plus, the Bush tax cuts are due to expire in January (which amounts to a big tax hike in a recession), so there will be less disposable income for people to spend on a tour.

The subject of G-TOUR II came up on the Monster Zero forum. I responded this way, in part:

The economic conditions could be improved by then. Then again, they could be worse. Nobody knows.

If memory serves, I think the rate of exchange when we had G-TOUR in 2004 was 113 yen/dollar. Right now, it is 86.2537/dollar, which is a p*ss poor rate of exchange.

Also, the last tour was around $3,200/person. Prices may be higher. Allowing one year from announcement to the tour itself isn't giving people enough time to save.

We took around 3 years in planning the last one, and JD is allowing one year of planning for the next one? I really don't think that's wise. He may have already decided on a travel agency (SITA did the last one) and it could be SITA again. Although they did an excellent job, it would be prudent to open the tour for bids for a better deal and there's the possibility that the SITA staff changed over the past six years. We took bids the last time and compared them on charts (JD did one on his end, and I did one on my end).

It'll be interesting to see how this works out. But it would not be wise to rush into it.

Although J.D. has more experience in planning a tour than he did in 2004, one year out is really not enough time. He should allow at least two years to plan it and to allow potential tourists to save up for it. If he hasn't done so already, he should open it up to open bidding amongst tour companies. If he already decided on SITA, the current SITA may not be the same SITA of 2004 and they may not be the top-notch people as before.

Granted, I am no longer involved with G-FAN or G-FEST and J.D. and I haven't spoken since December. But if I were still involved, I would still tell J.D. the same thing (and I'd still help him with it).

Would I recommend going on G-TOUR II? I can't make a recommendation (one way or another) until I see more details on the planning, costs, etc.

UPDATE (8/14/10): Jay Grymyr posted at the Monster Zero forum that the tour package to be offered does not include airfare (as it was the last time), tourists will have to book their own flights to Narita.

You have to consider this. Suppose the tour package will cost $2,700/person (I haven't seen the actual cost). Although the tour package is cheaper than in 2004, airfare is not included.

The time you're going will be peak travel season (despite the un-Godly heat and humidity of Japan). Airfares for that time are generally $800-1,000 for a round-trip ticket to Narita (they go down to $500 during the non-peak time).

If you're lucky, you get a flight ticket for $800. Add that to the $2,700 for the tour package and you end up having to save (and pay) $3,500.

Then there's the deposit one will have to pay a few months before departure and the balance due a few weeks before departure.

I really have to wonder if all these factors were thought through.

Jay did mention that the required minimum number is 30 people. 30 will still be difficult to attain (in this economy), but not impossible. If J.D. manages to pull this off, God bless him!

Mitrice Richardson: Too Many Questions

In driving home last night from work in Malibu, I considered the distance between the Lost Hills Sheriff's station in Calabasas and Malibu Canyon and Piuma Roads.

It is about five miles from the sheriff station to Malibu Canyon and Piuma Roads. Consider a woman, in the cold, on foot in the dark walking that distance. Or did she walk it?

It was cold last night in Malibu Canyon. Malibu Canyon was described as cold that night last September when Matrice Richardson was released in the dead of night without a purse, phone or car. Except for a few street lights and headlights from passing cars, there's no illumination on Malibu Canyon Road. The intersection of Malibu Canyon and Piuma Road is lit, but leaving it puts one in pitch dark conditions.

Last night, I saw one raccoon, one skunk and one coyote on Malibu Canyon Road. Richardson was described by her mother as afraid of the dark and afraid of wild animals.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

Richardson said she would rather leave. At 12:15 a.m., she left with the possessions she came in with — her shirt and jeans, a brown hat and pink belt; two keys and her driver's license — signing a citation promising to return to the Malibu courthouse on Nov. 16, 2009.

Around dawn the morning she was released, a homeowner on Cold Canyon Road in the Monte Nido area of Malibu discovered a woman napping in his backyard and called the Sheriff's Department.

Left, the location of the sheriff station in Calabasas. Las Virgenes Road turns into Malibu Canyon Road. North is at top, Malibu would be south. Malibu Canyon and Piuma Roads would be south of this image.



Investigators are convinced that it was Richardson, having somehow made her way from the sheriff's station on Agoura Road in Calabasas down into Malibu Canyon and east on Piuma Road to Cold Canyon. The woman left when the homeowner discovered her.

Investigators believe she was spotted two more times — once walking down Malibu Canyon Road about 7:30 a.m. and then a few hours later on Piuma Road east of Malibu Canyon. Her remains were found about 2 1/2 miles from that last sighting.

KFI-AM in Los Angeles had numerous calls yesterday from people who have experienced the Sheriff's practice in releasing vulnerable female arrestees without any provisions of protecting their safety. One woman called who said her daughter was released into the night and came upon some gang members. They attacked. Fortunately, the girl knew martial arts and was able to fend off her attackers and flee.

The deputies may have followed procedures, but it doesn't mean those procedures are wrong. In Richardson's case, they were tragic.

Why didn't they allow her to retrieve her car? Why was it impounded? Why wasn't she allowed to get her purse and cell phone from her car?

And, how did Richardson get to the location where her remains were found? Here's a map of where she was found.

According to CNN:

The remains, which included a human skull, were found Monday by park rangers searching the area for marijuana groves, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

"It's incredibly treacherous terrain," Whitmore said of the remote site. "There is no road, no trail even if you know exactly where you are going."

Many people following this case believe that the L.A. County Sheriff is guilty of gross negligence. From the way the L.A. County Sheriff handled this matter, I tend to agree.

Mitrice Richardson Remains I.D.'d

It was announced today that the remains found in Malibu Canyon are those of Mitrice Richardson, who disappeared after being released by the L.A. County Sheriff last September.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

Richardson was arrested at Geoffrey's restaurant in Malibu after acting bizarrely and saying she was unable to pay her $89 dinner tab. She was released from custody shortly after midnight without her car — which had been impounded — or a cellphone or purse. Investigators believe she was spotted three times in the canyon area in daylight hours that morning. After that, she was never heard from again.

The remains — which include a skull — were found about two and a half miles from the last credible sighting of her on Sept. 17. The discovery casts an ominous shadow over the case of the missing woman.

It appears the L.A. County Sheriff has a lot to answer for in this case. Why was she released without her purse, cellphone or car? The location of the remains were found near an abandonded marijuana grove in a deep ravine. It was in a remote area eight miles from the sheriff's office where she was released. The area where Richardson was found is near Malibu Canyon Road and Piuma Road.

It was also said the remains were found near a dry creek bed. How did she get there? The sheriff's office said there's no indication of foul play at present. They are still investigating.



It will take an independent agency to review the sheriff's handling of this case from the beginning. Should Richardson have been arrested over an unpaid restaurant bill? Why wasn't she given her cell phone or purse at the very least? It is this standard procedure in citizens' arrest cases?

Her mother said that Richardson was afraid of the dark and wild animals. The area is pitch black at night. I drive Malibu Canyon Road every night after work and it is very dark and there are snakes, mountain lions and coyotes in the area. Someone had to have taken her to the location. Was it someone from the sheriff's office?

It may take an FBI investigation of the whole matter to resolve all the questions.

Is A Jetta Really That Roomy?

Part of my job patrolling gated communities in Malibu is to cite vehicles for parking violations. These communities have narrow streets and because of that, they are not zoned for street parking. The reason for this is emergency vehicles would have difficulty getting through if people were allowed to park on the sides of the streets. So we're paid to enforce parking rules.

Around 11:00 PM tonight, I noticed three vehicles parked illegally on a small street. So I went to cite them for the violations.

The first car I came to was a silver Volkswagen Jetta. After taking the plate number down, I radioed our gate officer to see who it belonged to. The vehicle had no visible parking permits, residential or guest, displayed. The gate officer could not find any record of it in the computer or in the guest logs (every guest is logged in).

As I was writing the citation, I saw the car start to jiggle. The car had tinted windows and they were all fogged up. I heard no voices and thought maybe a dog was inside. But the vehicle moved too much for a dog, so I said, "If anyone's in there, better come out immediately or have the vehicle towed." I got no response, then I radioed our gate again about seeing the car moving.

Just then, the owner of one of the other vehicles came out of the house (there was a party going on inside) that the Jetta was parked in front of and asked if I was going to also cite his car. I told him yes, if he doesn't move it. He said that his friend is in the Jetta with his girlfriend and today's his friend's birthday and this is "a momentous occasion for them." Then, he said something to the occupants of the Jetta and opened the driver's side rear door. When the door opened, the interior light came on and, inside, were his friend and girlfriend. They appeared to be college age. They were both nude, with her on top of him. They were partly in the back seat area and trunk area (the rear seats were folded down). They were pretty much scrunched in. This amounted to having sex in an overturned telephone booth.

I said to the guy that he needs to get out, but put something on first, and move the car. He got out nude, a bit irate and said, "Well, you wanted me to come out!" I replied, "Yeah, I also said to put something on first!"

The general manager of the community had told me to be a "pain in the ass" to people who act inappropriately at the pool and sauna areas along with the other areas of the community (this was when I caught the two sixteen-year-olds having sex in the men's shower room).

It was a bizarre scene with the guy of the second car, the naked male and me standing in the street talking. Then, his friend and I started joking about whether I should cite him, etc. given his unusual attire, or lack thereof. We joked that since today's his birthday, he is wearing appropriate attire: his birthday suit.

Finally, I said I won't cite the vehicle if he moved it to a guest parking spot. This he agreed to do and proceeded to get dressed. His girlfriend remained in the car. Why they chose that spot to fool around instead of the nearby beach is beyond me.

A few minutes later, after both the formerly naked guy and his friend went into the house, the girlfriend came out of the car all dressed. She had a sheepish look on her face and said, "I am really embarrassed! I've never been caught like this before!" (There's a first time for everything, I thought.) I asked her, "You are over 18, right?" She said yes. I considered asking her if it was comfortable all squeezed up like that, but thought better of it.

Just when I begin to think I've "seen it all," something comes along to dispel that notion!

Oh, yes. I did wish the guy in the Jetta "Happy Birthday."

Honolulu Baby

From Laurel and Hardy's Sons of the Desert:

AOL's "Rate Limits" Baloney

AOL started acting up yesterday.

I was going to send my insurance claims boss a set of photos and I received a message that I "violated" the terms of use and to check KW: Rate Limits ("KW" means keyword).

I have found that AOL "imposes a rate limit on an AOL member when a member exceeds the acceptable number of email messages sent in a given time period." They then stop allowing a member from sending emails anywhere from two to twenty-four hours.

I have been with AOL for ten years (from the time I bought my first computer), and never ran into this problem until now. AOL says they have installed new equipment and software to stop spam emails, but they have to iron out a few bugs.

I contacted customer service three times and each time they walked me through the process of clearing up any problem from my end. This included going into a website and entering a code and to rebuild my AOL adapter. In these instances, the problem would be solved, but only temporary.

This problem only seems to manifest itself when I use my laptop to email. It hasn't occurred when I use my desktop computer. Also, it doesn't happen when I use The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan email address.

In my last call to AOL, they tried different things to clear it up, but they were to no avail. So, they put me on a special list for their technicians to solve the issue in 24 hours.

If this doesn't work, I just may close out my AOL account and get another Internet service provider.

Alaska's Tough Warrior, Ted Stevens

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin paid tribute to Sen. Ted Stevens in a Facebook post:

It’s with great sadness that Todd and I hear the reports coming in of Senator Ted Stevens’ passing in the plane crash near Dillingham. In our land of towering mountains and larger than life characters, none were larger than the man who in 2000 was voted “Alaskan of the Century.” This decorated World War II pilot was a warrior and a true champion of Alaska.

In 40 years of service in the U.S. Senate, he fought tenaciously for Alaska’s future. Alaskans know how much we owe to Senator Stevens, but all Americans owe him a debt of gratitude for his leadership on many issues, including the crucial energy issues that fuel American prosperity. Two years ago, he sat at my kitchen table over a salmon lunch, and we talked about our long anticipated Alaska natural gas pipeline and our mutual commitment to have the Last Frontier’s rich resources contribute to America’s quest for energy independence.

Our Senator was also known for spearheading efforts to ensure equality in education, and his Title IX legislation allowed girls to be on a level playing field in the athletic arena.

Our hearts and prayers are with the Stevens family and the families of the other victims of the crash.

- Sarah Palin

Done For Today!

Above, on Interstate 5 north of Valencia. Normally, I don't wear suits when doing scene investigations (a t-shirt and bluejeans are preferred), but I went directly there from a court meeting. Photo courtesy of CALTRANS.

Today started early (for me, anyway) as I had an 8:30 mandatory settlement conference at the Chatsworth Superior Court.

The plaintiff/claimant was attending a funeral at a San Fernando Valley cemetery when she claimed her foot went into an open, but hidden lawn flower vase/container on a grave. She fell and broke both ankles (she apparently landed on a headstone and broke the other ankle). The demand is over $600k, the cemetery's carrier's offer (based on the cost to defend) is $25k. The cemetery claims the vase was upside down with the solid part facing upwards and that she wasn't watching where she was going. They accept no liability.

As one would expect, neither side would budge on their demands and offers. I was there to represent the insurer. The matter goes to trial in November.

From there, I headed off to an area north of Valencia, California to photograph an accident scene that involved a semi truck and a Lexus passenger vehicle. You can guess which vehicle won that encounter.

I sent my activity sheets and photos off to the boss and made myself lunch when I got home. So now it's kickback time for the rest of the day, which will include a visit by Amber.

Favorite TV Episodes.com Picks Up Monster Japan Travel Guide Video

Above, Yuu Asakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Favorite TV Episodes.com has picked up the slideshow video (gee, maybe I should have made the video much earlier) on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To see their site with the video, go here.

Bambi Meets Godzilla

Last night's deer encounter made me think of this: 

UPDATE: After posting this, I received this message in an email from an actress friend:

Somehow I knew that was coming....lol!

That gave me a good chuckle!

Plans Gone Astray

Last night's excitement with the deer encounter kind of messed up my plans for today.

I went to bed around 3:00 in the morning, only to wake up around 6:30. I stayed up for a bit and then went back to bed around 7:00. I slept until around 11:00.

I was planning to dump a lot of accumulated papers and whatnot into the trash today. After getting up, I received two claim assignments (no problem there, I can use the money) that I had to attend to today at the California Highway Patrol.

After this, I figured on doing the house-cleaning tomorrow. Well, another claim assignment came in as I was finishing up the two for today. This one is to attend a mandatory settlement conference in Santa Clarita before a judge. I haven't been to a settlement conference for a while, but they are fun to do. While up there, I'll be doing a scene investigation on another claim (got to remember to bring my camera) on Interstate 5.

Despite the sleep I got today, I am still tired. I'll probably go to bed early tonight as I have to be in Santa Clarita at 8:30.

Looks like I'll have to put off house-cleaning for another week.

Patricia Neal Dies of Cancer

Above, Paul Newman and Patricia Neal in "Hud."

We've lost another great actress.

The Seattle Times reported:

Patricia Neal, best known for her roles in "Hud" (for which she won an Oscar), "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "The Fountainhead" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still," died yesterday of cancer, at her home in Martha's Vineyard. She was 84.

Her memorable line in the 1951 The Day The Earth Stood Still (below, left), "Gort! Klaatu barada nikto!" will live forever in motion picture history.



She also played a nurse girlfriend to John Wayne in In Harm's Way (1965). She also starred with Wayne in Operation Pacific in 1951.

She had a long time marriage to screenwriter Roald Dahl (You Only Live Twice (1967)) until their divorce.

Mustang Meets Bambi

I had an "interesting" ride home from work in Malibu tonight.

I was heading to the San Fernando Valley from Malibu on Malibu Canyon Road when a deer decided to j-walk in front of me. I hit the brakes, but hit the deer.

A loud thud was heard on impact and suddenly I lost all electrical power to my car, a 1989 Ford Mustang. After rolling from the impact, the deer got up and ran off. Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out what was wrong with the car.

I managed to roll the car to the shoulder off the road (well, most of it). My immediate thought was that the fuel cut-off switch Fords have was the culprit. I popped the trunk and when I did, the lights came on. So, I figured I could start it and gave it a try. No dice! No power again.

I tried the cut-off switch and it did nothing. So I called the Auto Club.

While waiting for the Auto Club, I popped the hood and found that the impact with the deer knocked one of my battery cables off the battery. I replaced it onto the battery terminal, and lo and behold, I had full power!

I cancelled the Auto Club service and was merrily (not exactly, I was a little shaken up) on my way home. Also, the impact with the deer did no damage to the front end of the Mustang. Lucky for me!

It was also my good fortune that the encounter happened at a wide section of the road. Otherwise, I might have skidded off over the side and down 100-200 feet into the canyon.

UPDATE: My claims adjusting boss called me this morning (with two new assignments) and I told her what happened. She said her brother once hit a deer and totalled his vehicle.

In my claims work, I've had vehicle vs. deer claims in the past. I am aware that people have been killed in these (especially when the deer's body goes into the windshield).

I consider myself lucky: no damage, no injuries. Don't know about the deer. I haven't heard from its attorney.

"Baby," R.I.P.

"Baby," my mom's parakeet (the above video was from my cell phone a year ago) was just an ordinary green-colored parakeet, but he gave her many hours of entertainment during her final years.

When she died in January, my cousin Ashley took him into their home in Wildomar, California. He seemed to thrive and Ashley's husband Tony worked with him the most.

Last night, Baby seemed perfectly fine when they did their usual routine. They covered his cage when they went to bed. Sometime during the night, Baby died unexpectedly. He was only about 2-3 years old.

This would have devastated my mom. She seemed to have bad luck with birds for the past few years. Parrots, cockatiels, canaries and, now, a parakeet met an early death. Birds are funny. Quite often, they hide the fact that they are even ill. Many times, it isn't apparent that the bird is sick until just before the end. It may be that this is an ancient defense mechanism so that other birds won't "finish him off" in the wild.

We had a parakeet that we got in the early 1960s and it lived until 1974. They don't seem to make them like they used to.

Maybe he's now with my mom.

What a year. I am really getting tired of receiving bad news.

Congratulations, Karlos Borloff!

Left, Karlos Borloff receives a chest examination by Haruo Nakajima as Robert Scott Field looks on in 2008. Photo by Armand Vaquer.









Good friend and The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan supporter Karlos Borloff and his band made it into the top 5 in the KISS opening act voting competition!

The final winner will be chosen by KISS. By making it into the top five bands, Borloff is in an excellent position to be the final choice by the band.

For details on the competition, go here.

Congratulations, Karlos Borloff!

Wild Parrots In Malibu

Yesterday, I saw something unusual for Southern California.

As I was leaving the clubhouse of one of the communities I have to patrol, I heard some loud squawking. I looked up and there was a flock (about 15-20) of wild parrots flying overhead. They all landed in a nearby tree.

The photo below is of the tree. The parrots were green in color, and they blended in with the tree, so they were very hard to see. All I could see was one sitting on top. Unfortunately, all I had was my cell phone camera, and the photo came out very pixelated when using the zoom. I circled the visible parrot.



After I took the picture, I approached the tree and they got startled and took flight.

One other time I saw a flock of wild parrots in Southern California. About a year ago, I saw about 20-30 of them in the Monterey Hills section of Los Angeles.

Advertising Monster Japan Travel Guide

An interesting email was received yesterday from Jessie Lilley, who is currently the editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, now owned by Phil Kim.

Her email contained the magazine's advertising rate sheet. The rates are reasonable, given that the magazine has a print run of around 40,000 copies and is distributed by Diamond as well as other, but smaller, distributors for newsstands. They have a number of advertising options available.

I sent Jessie a note indicating my interest for an ad for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. I am looking at November, when the funds will be available for advertising in Famous Monsters and other publications.

She indicated in a reply email that November would be ideal as it is "issue 253 which will hit the street in mid to late January."

I met Phil Kim a year ago at Monsterpalooza and he seems to be a very nice guy and one I could do business with.

Hiroshima: A-Bombing 65th Anniversary

Above, the mushroom cloud rises above Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.

Today marks the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan.

It was on Monday, August 6, 1945, at 8:15 AM, that the bomb, dubbed "Little Boy" was carried to its final destination by the B-29, Enola Gay. The bomb exploded several hundred feet above the city, causing widespread damage.

The blast initially killed an estimated 80,000 people. The after-effects, injury and radiation poisoning brought the casualty toll to 90,000-140,000.

Several days later, a second a-bomb was dropped on the city of Nakasaki on the island of Kyushu. Japan surrendered soon after, thus ending World War II.

I visited Hiroshima in August 2004, almost to the day of the 59th anniversary with G-TOUR (comprised of 60 Godzilla fans).

Above, the Atomic Dome in August 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, there is little evidence of the bombing with the only physical reminder is the Atomic Dome, pictured above. The Hiroshima Peace Museum at Peace Memorial Park contains exhibits of the bombing.

The atomic bombings were a major influence of the Godzilla character.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan contains travel information Hiroshima and Nakasaki.

Mild Summer In L.A., So Far

The summer has been a mild one in Los Angeles, so far.

I can count the total number of times I had to switch on the air conditioning in the house on one hand. Not that I'm complaining! This is a big savings on my electric bill as I have central air.

Right now in Tarzana, the thermometer is showing 60 degrees in the shade.

Also, I have to put on a jacket at night while at work in Malibu. Plus, some recent nights have been foggy.

Economic Recovery Losing Momentum

The online edition of the Wall Street Journal reports that the unemployment rate held steady at 9.5%, "a further sign the economic recovery may be losing momentum."



They report:

Nonfarm payrolls fell by 131,000 last month as the rise in private-sector employment was not enough to make up for the government jobs lost, the U.S. Labor Department said Friday. Only 71,000 private-sector jobs were added last month while 143,000 temporary workers on the 2010 census were let go.

After the worst recession in decades, the recovery that began in July 2009 has recently been losing momentum, but it's hard to say if it's just a temporary slowdown or if the economy could start to contract again.

To read the full article, go here.

This is happening as First Lady Michelle Obama vacations in Spain on the backs of the taxpayers. She's is beginning to be called Marie Antoinette.

If you think this is bad, just wait for what happens in January when taxes are hiked!

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

Brad Sherman To Face Buzzsaw Again

There's one thing I have to give Rep. Brad Sherman credit for, and that's holding another town hall meeting in his district after going through buzzsaws during the last couple of them and putting his foot into his mouth.

I received this in an email from Sherman's office (click on image to view larger):



Last month, Sherman held a town hall meeting at a Jewish temple in which his operatives, along with rent-a-cop thugs and renegade LAPD officers, accosted his GOP opponent Mark Reed.

Then, he held another town hall meeting at Reseda High School in which Sherman said he wasn't aware of the New Black Panther Party voter intimidation case, which made the national news and the radio talk shows.

That's why I have to give Sherman credit for facing the buzzsaw again on August 29.

Now, let's see if he has the cojones to agree to a one-on-one debate with Mark Reed. Thus far, he hasn't. Mark Reed's ancestors (he has Native American lineage) would probably call Sherman "Chief Bald Chicken."

"Elvis Only" Ends Work Week

I know my work week is over in my "parachute" job in Malibu when the Elvis Only radio show comes on in the Los Angeles market on KRTH-101 FM at midnight Sunday nights (well, technically, Monday morning).

Elvis Only is a syndicated one-hour show of Elvis Presley music and is produced and hosted by Jay Gordon.

According to the Elvis Only website:

Elvis Only - the all-Elvis hour – the only syndicated radio show of its kind - hosted by Jay Gordon, one of the world’s most recognized Elvis Experts. For more than 20 years, Elvis Only has consistently delivered passionate, loyal listeners to major market radio stations across the nation.

Elvis Only is an interesting show. Besides playing Elvis's music from all points of his career, it also provides song trivia, such as the song writers and other cover versions.

As my work shift ends at 1:00 am, the final hour of the final day of my work week is made enjoyable by this program.

I was able to visit Presley's home, Graceland, back in 2001. Here's some photos of that visit.

For more information, including a list of stations carrying Elvis Only, go here.

On The Rancho's Remodel...

Readers of the old Rancho here (if you want to call a two-and-a-half-year-old blog "old") like the new look.

Some message samples (the names have been removed to protect the innocent):

"Your site looks good Armand."

"Hey Armand! I'm liking the overhaul. Looks nice!"

"Two thumbs up from me."

"Very nice changes to your blog. At least this is a way to communicate with you by reading it when you send it out. One of these days we still need to get together for lunch or dinner."

"I like the new look and features. Best regards."

There will, most likely, be some minor tweaks here and there. But this is essentially how the old Rancho will look.

Lupita Tovar Celebrates 100th Birthday

Above, Lupita Tovar is about to get bitten by Count Dracula (Carlos Villarías) in Universal's Spanish language version of "Dracula" in 1931.

This one sure fell under my radar!

Actress Lupita Tovar celebrated her 100th birthday July 27. Who is Lupita Tovar?

According to Wikipedia:

Lupita Tovar (born July 27, 1910) is a Mexican actress, best known for her starring role in the 1931 Spanish language version of Dracula, filmed in Los Angeles by Universal Pictures at night using the same sets as the Bela Lugosi version, but with a different cast and director.

Tovar was born in Oaxaca, Mexico.

She played Eva (the "Mina" role played by Helen Chandler in the Lugosi version) to Carlos Villarías' Count Dracula. Both the Lugosi and Spanish language version of Dracula are available on DVD.

Many critics and fans say that the Spanish version of Dracula is technically better than the Tod Browning/Lugosi version. It does make better use of the sets.

Happy (belated) Birthday!

Obamacare Gets A Big Black Eye From Missouri Voters

Yesterday's elections gave President Obama and the Democrat Party a big black eye.

Voters in Missouri decided overwhelmingly to reject a key element of the recently passed health care reform bill.

Nearly 73 percent of voters approved Proposition C, a ballot initiative that says Missouri residents do not have to purchase health insurance or pay an annual fine to the federal government, as the new federal healthcare law states. It is not clear if states have the authority to override a federal law in such a manner, but legislatures in Virginia, Georgia, Idaho, Arizona and Louisiana have passed similar bills, which are all expected to be challenged in court.

I'd say those states have an excellent chance of prevailing as there's no constitutional authority for the federal government to mandate the purchase of a product or levy a fine if people don't.

[Special thanks to Bob Kerns.]

Clawmark Toys Has Autographed Copies of Haruo Nakajima's New Book

Diane Dougherty of Clawmark Toys just let me know that they have six autographed copies of Haruo Nakajima's new book, My Kaiju Life - The Original Godzilla Suit Actor Haruo Nakajima, available at their website.

They are making plans to meet with Mr. Nakajima and his daughter Sonoe to get more autographed copies to meet the expected demand.

To order, go here.

Greg Smith, For Responsive and Responsible Representation For Kansas House District 22

The polls are now closed in the state of Kansas, and the candidates of both parties are on pins and needles over tonight's primary election results.


Right, Greg Smith, his wife Missey with their daughter Kelsey.

Fortunately, in Kansas House District 22, which encompasses Overland Park, Kansas, GOP candidate Greg Smith ran unopposed in the Republican primary. He will face Democrat incumbent Lisa Benlon in the general election campaign.

Benlon is decidedly an Obama liberal. In recent ratings:

Benlon has received from the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund a grade of F (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F). This puts her in with the gun-grabbers wing of the the Democrat Party.

She has also received a rating of 10 (out of 100) from the Americans for Prosperity- Kansas Chapter (formerly The Kansas Taxpayer's Network), a taxpayers' rights organization. She's definitely not a friend of Kansas taxpayers.

Greg Smith is a first-time candidate and the only first-timer who has achieved legislative success in Kansas as well as in other states with the Kelsey Smith Act. The Kelsey Smith Act requires cell phone providers to cooperate with law enforcement in missing persons cases.

Smith's daughter Kelsey was kidnapped and murdered in June 2007 after leaving a Target department store in Overland Park. She was found by law enforcement after her cell phone provider provided searchers with her cell phone ping data several days after her abduction. She would have been found sooner had her cell phone provider provided this data earlier.

Greg Smith is running on a conservative issues platform. His campaign website has an issues page. To see where Greg Smith stands on the issues, go here.

I generally don't endorse candidates in other states, but this year I made an exception as I have already enthusiastically endorsed Greg Smith for the Kansas House.