Nebraska, 1977

Above, the family home in Shelton, Nebraska in 1977. My great-grandfather was the town doctor.

When my mom passed away last year, I inherited farm property in Nebraska.

The last (and only) time I've been there was in March 1977. My parents and I drove there in my parents' 1975 Gran Torino (shades of Clint Eastwood!).

There was still snow on the ground in Nebraska. In fact, there was snow from the time we entered Utah, then Colorado and Wyoming en route to Nebraska. And this was in, as I recall, a drought year.

Here's a couple of photos of the farm in Nebraska:

The Beginning of the Space Shuttle Program

Above, Armand with the shuttle prototype "Enterprise."

The winding down of the U.S. Space Shuttle program caused me to look back at the beginnings of the program back in the 1970s.

I've always been a fan of the U.S. Space Program, beginning with Project Mercury. It has been my contention that the space program is the only worthwhile U.S. government program.

In the beginning, the shuttle program started out at the NASA's Dryden test center at Edwards Air Force Base out in the Mojave Desert.

In 1977, a friend of mine, Mitch Geriminsky was in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Edwards. Talk about being at the right place and at the right time! One weekend, I paid a visit and Mitch took me over to the space shuttle facilities at Edwards.

Luckily for me, I had my camera with me when we visited the shuttle facilities. The photographs are in black & white as I had a black & white darkroom at home where I developed and printed photographs.

First off, we viewed the modified Boeing 747 used to piggy-back the shuttle prototype, Enterprise.

Above, the modified Boeing 747. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Enterprise was so-named as fans of Star Trek petitioned NASA to name it after the television show's starship. Actually, they should have waited a bit so that a space-worthy shuttle would carry the Enterprise name. The prototype was never intended for space flights and it was just used for gliding tests. The 747 would carry it aloft and release it and it would glide for landings on Rogers Dry Lake.

Above, shuttle prototype "Enterprise." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first space-worthy shuttle, Columbia, was under construction. Its maiden flight was in 1981.

After viewing the 747, we went over to the main shuttle hangar and went inside. There, in the hangar, was Enterprise.

Above, Mitch and Armand with "Enterprise."

It was fascinating to see up close the Enterprise and the 747. I was able to attend two shuttle landings when the shuttles became operational: Columbia in July 1982 and Endeavour in May 1992.

Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the flying brick Enterprise...

Shuttle Endeavour Awarded To California Science Center

Above, orbiter Endeavour as seen from the International Space Station.

In May 1992, I was one of thousands of spectators to witness the landing of space shuttle Endeavour at Edwards Air Force Base following its maiden flight on mission STS-49. Endeavour was the replacement shuttle for Challenger.

Presently, Endeavour is on its final mission into space (STS-134).

I received this message from the California Science Center today:

Space Shuttle Endeavour awarded to the Science Center

On April 12, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden made an exciting announcement that the California Science Center will be awarded the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour. The decision was the result of a three-year-long national competition, with over 20 prestigious organizations from across the U.S. vying to be the recipient of one of three flown orbiters. It is an amazing honor to be selected as the steward of the Endeavour and a testament to the California Science Center's reputation as a national leader in science learning and education. The other two orbiters have been awarded to the Smithsonian Institution and the Kennedy Space Center.

Plans are underway to bring the Endeavour to Los Angeles and build a new Air and Space Center, which has always been a major component of the California Science Center's 25-year Master Plan. With the Endeavour as its central experience, the new Air and Space Center will be one of the most significant air and space education facilities in the world. To learn more about this momentous project and how you can help the California Science Center inspire future generations of explorers and innovators go to www.BringEndeavourHome.org.

Tyranny In Action: Obama Intimidating GOP Donors

Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez must be smiling today.

President Barack Obama is reaching back to his thuggish Chicago politics roots. He is contemplating two means of attack against potential GOP donors. Does the term "abuse of power" sound familiar? This definitely smacks of Chicago politics or Venezuela.







FoxNews.com is reporting:

Is President Obama running scared? That’s certainly one explanation for two recent efforts to squash the flow of money into GOP campaign coffers.

Not only is the White House pushing an executive order requiring would-be federal contractors to disclose political donations – a proposal so blatantly partisan that even Democrats are crying foul – but now the IRS has climbed aboard by challenging gifts to politically involved not-for-profits.

The proposal demands that companies hoping to do business with the government disclose political gifts made within two years of the contract submission. A preview statement from Chairman Darrell Issa described “bipartisan alarm” over the suggested rule, which many think could lead to a “spoils system”. (A system, for instance, that would not be out of place in Chicago.) As Mr. Issa points out, noticeably absent from the White House Executive Order is any such requirement for unions.

Scurrying to develop other ways to clamp down on GOP money-raising and influence, the Obama administration also has the IRS scrutinizing gifts made to non-profit groups that have political leanings. The tax authority has sent letters to five wealthy donors questioning, for the first time, the treatment of gifts to such advocacy groups. President Obama has long been on the warpath against such entities, that are organized as 501(c)(4)s and that have become increasingly powerful vehicles for political activists.

If the goes through with these plans, it would be an obvious executive abuse of power (wasn't Richard Nixon crucified for using the IRS against political opponents?) and should be denied re-election or, if necessary, impeachment and removal from office.

To read the full article, go here.

What's Next? Extension Cords?

The stupid, federal nanny government has come up with more idiocy for us to chew on.











From LauraIngraham.com:

In 2007 Congress passed a bill that banned 100 watt incandescent light bulbs because of their “excessive” energy use. In 2012 no company in the United States will be able to manufacture or import these 100 watt bulbs. In their place manufacturers are scrambling to produce alternatives, such as the LED light bulb.

These LED bulbs will cost about $50 each. How's that for efficiency?

May Showers Bring June Flowers

"April showers bring May flowers" goes the old saying.

Well, I don't recall any showers in Los Angeles in April, but we are getting them in May. The rains started late last night (thank goodness they came after my shift ended) and are continuing as I write this.

The rains are supposed to taper off sometime today and, allegedly, another storm is expected to come in.

Today's rains are welcome, nonetheless. The brush in the hills have been drying out since the rains of the previous months. Also, those of us with allergies find the rains welcome as the moisture wets down airborne pollen and dust.

Rain in Los Angeles in May are infrequent, but it does occur. I remember back around 1989 a deluge hit California on Memorial Day weekend. We were camping up in Gold Rush country in Columbia, California when the rains hit. We were camping in a tent trailer and the rains drove us out of it and into a motel. Considering it was Memorial Day weekend, we were lucky to find a room.

It appears that "April showers" showed up a few weeks late.

Newt Stepped On It

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich seems to be self-destructing just after he officially threw his hat into the presidential ring.

Gingrich was leaving an event at a Dubuque, Iowa Holiday Inn when an Iowa Republican approched him and said:

"Get out now before you make a bigger fool of yourself.”

Gingrich is under fire from Republicans for his statements on Paul Ryan's proposal on Medicare. On yesterday's Meet The Press, Gingrich said, "I don't think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering. I don't think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate."

In this exchange with host David Gregory, Gingrich didn't help his cause:

GINGRICH: We ought to have some requirement that you either have health insurance or you post a bond...

GREGORY: But that is the individual mandate is it not?

GINGRICH: It's a variation of it.

What Gingrich did was, in effect, (I have to clean this up a bit) stepping on his [male member].

Mt. Aso Eruption Alert: Rodan Waking Up?

Above, the Mt. Aso ropeway station in 2007. Nothing much could be seen as there was a blizzard in progress during the visit.

There seems to be some increased volcanic activity at Mt. Aso in Kyushu, Japan.

According to Inside Japan News Network:

Visitors to Japan have been told not to go within one kilometre of Mount Naka, after the volcanic activity at Mount Aso was raised from level one to level two.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), is concerned that debris from the active volcano could be launched from Mount Naka as well, the Associated Press reports.

And, a Twitter tweet from The Daily Yomiuri (photo):

Volcanic activity-related alert level raised from 1 to 2 for Mt. Aso in Kumamoto after small eruption detected.

Maybe Rodan is waking up?

The Federalist

An old college friend, Gary Julian, has started a new blog called The Federalist. In it, he discusses the current issues of the day and how they relate to the U.S. Constitution. His description is:

NEWS AND VIEWS THAT IMPACT LIMITED CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT

Gary and I go back nearly 40 years, first in the Young Republicans, then the California Republican Assembly and then as fellow brothers in the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.

Above, Gary Julian and Armand at camp in Big Bear at a Clamper clamp-out. This was actually a practical joke.

Check out The Federalist. You may not agree with it, but it is, admittedly, thought-provoking.

To view it, go here.

Toho Nichigeki Theater

Above, the original Toho Nichigeki Theater circa 1961. Note the movie marquee on the right and what movie is playing there. (Kudos to John "Dutch" DeSentis for finding this shot!) The Yurakucho Mullion Building (featured in "Return of Godzilla" (1984)) now occupies this site.

In 1954, Godzilla rampaged through Tokyo, including the exclusive shopping district of Ginza.

Oooh, it tickles!

There is a scene in the movie where Godzilla steps on some train tracks. The electrical current courses through his body, causing his tail to wildly whip about until it hits a birthday cake-shaped building. This building was Toho's Nichigeki Theater.

Above, Godzilla approaches the Nichigeki Theater (left).

Above, as Godzilla steps on the train tracks, his tail whips about as the electricity from the tracks course through his body. The Nichigeki Theater is in the background.

Above, the Nichigeki Theater is smashed by Godzilla's tail.

The scene was intended as an "inside joke" for the patrons screening Godzilla (1954) in the very theater that gets smashed in the movie.

The Site Today

Today, the Nichigeki Theater has been replaced by the Yurakucho Mullion Building. There is a Toho Nichigeki Theater inside the the complex, but the current Nichigeki Theater is a multi-screen theater similar to what is found in shopping malls in the U.S. I saw Space Battleship Yamato at the Nichigeki last December.

Also within the complex, is the Picadilly Theaters where Gamera The Brave (2006) was premiered.

Above, the Yurakucho Mullion Building today. The Toho Cinemas Nichigeki multi-plex is housed within.

For more on the Yurakucho Mullion Building and how to get there to see it, see page 28 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Today In Pacific Palisades

Above, Gladstone's 4 Fish restaurant.

The day was spent working in beautiful Pacific Palisades, California.

This job assignment fell into my lap yesterday afternoon. All I can say that it involved a lot of walking. With all the walking I've done on the job this past year, it is a small wonder why I had no problem hoofing it around Tokyo and Niigata last December. When I went to Japan in 2007, I tired more easily. I am in much better physical shape.

The above photo is of a great seafood restaurant called Gladstone's 4 Fish. It is located on Pacific Coast Highway at Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades. I took the photo with my cell phone from where I was working this morning. Great food and a great ocean view from either the inside or outside dining areas. I highly recommend it!

The last time I dined there was around 1994 with a former co-worker, Robyn. After dinner, we went to see Carlito's Way, starring Al Pacino. Good times!

Funny thing about Pacific Palisades, I still associate it with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, even though they haven't lived there since 1980.

Democrats Ruining California Further

California residents and businesses are some of the highest taxed in the country. But that isn't enough as the Democrat-controlled state government has spent the state into near-bankruptsy.

Rather than get spending under control, the Democrats are coming up with new ways to reach into everyone's pockets. Now they want to add new income taxes to the federal and state income taxes we already pay.


The Victorville Daily Press reports:

Darryl Steinberg is a Democrat from Sacramento, currently serving his second term in the California State Senate. He represents the 6th District.

Mr. Steinberg is one of those politicians (read: Democrats) directly involved in California’s decent into economic chaos, and now wants that economy completely ruinous.

He has proposed a bill (SB 653) which would allow counties to submit to voters a bill authorizing a local personal income tax, a local corporate income tax, and a local sales and use tax.

And why has he done this? Why, because he’s not interested in making government more efficient. He’s interested in making it more rapacious.

And, naturally, there’s worse to come. Mr. Steinberg has indicated he intends to amend Senate Bill 653 to also authorize school districts to impose these taxes.

If this passes, you can see more of your hard-earned money going out the window.

Maybe it's time to move out of California.

To read the full article, go here.

Room With A View

Above, the Hotel Asia Center of Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Ideally located in Akasaka which is not only one of the most prestigious residential area in very heart of Tokyo, but also minutes away from the night life in Roppongi and the business center of Aoyama." - Hotel Asia Center of Japan's website.

As regular Rancho readers know, my favorite Tokyo hotel is the Hotel Asia Center of Japan. Their room rates are reasonable. They have a good restaurant with 2 breakfast buffet choices: western or Japanese. (Sometimes I combine the two.) And, they are centrally located in Tokyo.

If a lodger is lucky, he/she will get a room that is on the upper floors and faces towards Tokyo Tower. I've been so lucky on a couple of occasions. I took the photo below of Tokyo Tower from my room's window.

Spring Issue: CSULB Dept. of Political Science Newsletter

California State University, Long Beach Political Science Department publishes a newsletter about the department including faculty news, alumni news, student news, publications, activities, clubs and events.

The Spring 2011 Department of Political Science Newsletter contains a blurb on yours truly. It is in page 8 of the newsletter (scroll down).

To see it, go here (it is in .pdf format).

Japan Monster Locations, Not So Tricky A Concept

Above, the Saikai Bridge near Sasebo City in Kyushu was featured in "Rodan" (1956).

Last November, the Japan Visitor Blog reviewed The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. In the review, they wrote:

Californian Armand Vaquer is a serious kaiju eiga (monster movie) fan, especially of the monster of monsters, Godzilla. He writes for various fan blogs on the subject, he travels to fan conventions, he has met up with Godzilla personnel all to the way up to the president of Toho Pictures, and he has traveled numerous times to Japan to visit the original Godzilla settings.

"Original settings" is a bit a tricky concept in this context, of course. Those Japanese landmarks had been recreated as scale models in the Toho Studios and were then destroyed by the giant monster. In real life, they still stand unscathed by any monster action and can easily be visited.

I would have to slightly disagree on it being a "tricky concept." As most fans of the kaiju eiga know, while it is true that the landmarks destroyed were detailed miniatures, shots of the actual landmarks were interwoven into the movies.

For example, the Saikai Bridge near Sasebo in Kyushu was blown down by Rodan in the 1956 film. But, shots of the actual bridge with people fleeing (below) it to get aboard buses before the monster's arrival were included.



After this, the miniature Saikai Bridge with Rodan was edited into the film with the monster in the waters of the Hario Straits (below). After this, Rodan takes flight and then blows down the minature bridge.



Also in Rodan, actual shots of Rodan flying by the Hario Wireless Towers near the Saikai Bridge were included in the movie. No miniatures of the towers were used.

It is these actual locations included in the films that fans travel to Japan to visit. Obviously, fans can't visit the miniatures, they were most likely discarded into the Toho dumpster anyway. The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan is the Japan travel guide to get to these locations.

I visited the Saikai Bridge in April 2007 and enjoyed seeing the bridge and the scenic Hario Strait area.

Michael Reagan Assesses GOP Presidential Hopefuls

Left, Michael Reagan and Armand in 1977.

Michael Reagan, eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan, recently gave his assessment of the GOP candidates for president in the 2012 elections at the National Rifle Association's annual conference in Pittsburgh.







Source: Newsmax.com

In a brutally frank assessment of the potential Republican candidates, he picked them apart one by one, saying he did not believe either former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee or former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin would run. Of the others, he said former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney needs to “talk to people who are at the water cooler, not the person who owns the water cooler,” and former Sen. Rick Santorum needs more than just the pro-life issue to win the presidency.

He said both Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and businessman Herman Cain have to reach out beyond their tea party base if they are to be serious candidates.

“It’s like if I’m only doing Fox [News] and I’m a candidate and everybody who watched me on Fox votes for me. I’m only going to lose by 57 million votes.” He said Bachmann could be a viable vice presidential candidate if she expanded her horizons, but was not ready for the presidency.

Reagan, the oldest of Ronald Reagan’s three surviving children, described former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as having “more baggage than bags,” adding: “That’s a problem for Newt.”

He praised Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels for showing leadership by defunding Planned Parenthood in Indiana, but says he “has to learn to command a room a little bit better,” while former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has “the least baggage of anybody,” but “needs a little shot of charisma.”

“Every one of them has work they could do and things they need to learn,” said Reagan. “First they need to learn to listen and move forward from there.

“If you could take some of these candidates to show the passion of Michelle Bachmann it would upgrade and uplift the males in the race,” he added.

Reagan also got in a dig at President Obama:

Despite his criticism of the potential candidates, Reagan’s harshest words were for Obama. “Jimmy Carter’s the only one happy with the Obama administration,” he said. “It means he will not go down as the worst president this country’s ever had.

Read more on Newsmax.com: Michael Reagan: It's Time to Look Beyond My Dad for a GOP Champion

Japan Travel: Tapping Into The Monster Fan Market

Above, the Wako Department store in Ginza was seen by westerners for the first time in "Godzilla, King of the Monsters!" in 1956.

The March 11 earthquake, tsunami and fears over radiation leakage from the Fukushima nuclear power plant hit the Japan tourism industry hard.

Only a small portion of Japan was affected by the disaster, but cancellations in unaffected areas of Japan are up. Japan's tourism industry leaders are working hard to to reassure people that Japan is safe to visit. Their efforts seem to be paying off as tourist numbers have been inching upward.

Although these efforts are helping to entice travelers to Japan, travel industry leaders have to also "think outside the box" and come up with new, innovative tour ideas get more inbound travelers from other countries.

Many people's first exposure to Japan (in the post-World War II years) have been through Japanese science-fiction movies. This started in 1956 when the westernized version of Godzilla, King of the Monsters! was released in America and in other western countries. This was followed by more movies including Rodan (1956), Mothra (1961) and others.

Above, the Saikai Bridge that crosses the Hario Straits in Kyushu was featured in "Rodan" a year after completion.

In a way, these movies served as travel advertisements for Japan. People became curious about seeing modern Tokyo, Mt. Fuji and other landmarks in Japan that were shown in the movies. Quite often, people began to look into other aspects of Japanese culture because of these films.

One way to "think outside the box" in enticing people to come to Japan is to market tours to these locations and landmarks that people saw in their youth (and later, since Toho Studios produced Godzilla movies until 2004).

When I wrote The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, I wanted it to accomplish two things: 1.) Provide a guide to fans of Japanese giant monster movies (daikaiju eiga) so they can travel to Japan and see these locations and, 2.) Make the guide a useful tool for Japan travel agents and tour companies for use in planning tours to these locations and landmarks. Many in the Japan tourism industry have no idea what locations and landmarks in Japan were shown in these movies around the world.

Above, the Yokohama waterfront was a monster battlefield in two movies in the past 20 years.

I have spoken to Japanese travel industry professionals over the years and quite often they are surprised at the reach and popularity of Godzilla (and other monsters) in other countries.

Another fact, most of the locations and landmarks shown in the movies are outside of the earthquake-affected area. Generally, they are mostly from Tokyo to the south, with some in Hokkaido and Kyushu.

The Japanese tourism industry would be doing itself a big favor in marketing tours with the focus on Japanese monster movies to potential tourists to Japan. Monster fans would be a great tourist market to tap into.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan would be a big help in tapping into that market!

Monster Japan Travel Guide Pre-Vacation Season Special Ends May 31

The pre-vacation season 20% discount special on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan expires three weeks from today (May 31).

This special offer saves you $3.00 off the cover price. So, instead of $15.00 plus shipping & handling, this offer totals $12.00 for the guide plus $2.00 shipping and handling, totalling $14.00!

This offer is only directly through me, not ComiXpress.com.

Orders postmarked on or before May 31 get the discount!

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan is a travel guide tailored to fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies. It includes location information, transportation, lodging, nearby attractions and more.

For ordering information, go here.

My Take On Some GOP Presidential Candidates

The GOP presidential nomination race is only just beginning. I have not settled on anyone yet, but I see problems with some of the candidates and others I really don't like.

So far:

Romney - How is he going to be able to attack Obamacare when he signed into law the Massachusetts health care law while he was governor? Additionally, he defends it still.

Gingrich - squishy on illegal immigration; circumstances of his stepping down from congress.

Huckabee - He just rubs me the wrong way. Reminds me of a Hubert Humphrey with a Southern drawl. Also, his collusion with McCain in '08 against Romney left a bad taste.

Daniels - a wimp on social issues (calls for a "truce" on discussing social issues); favorite of beltway GOP establishment and media; flirted with Value Added Tax (VAT); doubtful if he would take it to Obama.

Whomever is nominated, he/she has to be able to raise money to counter Obama's warchest. No squishy moderates or RINOs for me!

A Slight Misunderstanding?

Just got home from work and I received this in an email from a friend:

A Slight Misunderstanding?

After getting nailed by SEAL Team Six, Osama made his way
to the pearly gates. There, he is greeted by George Washington.

"How dare you attack the nation I helped conceive!" yells Mr.
Washington, slapping Osama in the face.

Patrick Henry comes up from behind. "You wanted to end the
Americans' liberty, so they gave you death!" Henry punches
Osama on the nose.

James Madison comes up next, and says "This is why I allowed
the Federal government to provide for the common defense!"
He slams a ball peen hammer into Osama's knee.

Osama is subject to similar beatings from John Randolph,
James Monroe, and 65 other people who have the
same love for liberty and America. As he writhes on the ground,
Thomas Jefferson picks him up to hurl him back toward the gate
where he is to be judged.

As Osama awaits his journey to his final very hot destination,
he screams "This is not what I was promised!"

An angel replies "I told you there would be 72 Virginians
waiting for you. What did you think I said?"

Osama bin Gamera

This would be funny if it actually showed up on the nightly network news:

Matsushima Bay

Above, the bay side approach to Godaido.

Immediately following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, I was concerned about the death and destruction in northeastern Japan, particularly Matsushima and Sendai.

Back in April 2006, I took a vacation trip to Japan. I was primarily in Tokyo, but took a few days to visit Sendai and Matsushima in the Tohoku region.

My father, who died in 1999, was in the National Guard in the 40th Division in Los Angeles. When the Korean War broke out, his National Guard unit was called up in 1951 and he was sent first to Japan. He was Military Policeman (MP) and he described most of his duties as "getting drunks out of the local jails." He was based in Sendai, but had some duties in Matsushima. He sent the photo below of himself in front of Godaido temple to my mother:

Left, dad at Godaido in 1951.

Before going to Japan in 2006, I checked to see where the photo was taken. It wasn't too difficult as he wrote on the back of the picture about being on duty in Matsushima in front of "a 500-year-old temple." I was able to find that the temple as Godaido and planned my vacation accordingly. I arranged to stay at Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan (Japanese inn) in Sendai, which is about 20 minutes from Matsushima via commuter train.

Once there, I started my "sentimental journey" by taking the train to Matsushima and got off at the station nearest to Godaido. It was a short but enjoyable walk from there to Godaido.

When I got to Godaido, I had one of the cruise boat operators take a couple of pictures of me similar to the one of my dad. I showed them the photo of my dad from 1951 and they were fascinated.

Right, Armand at Godaido in 2006.

Following this, I bought my ticket for the bay boat cruise and chatted with the ship's crew. Luckily, they spoke some English.

While taking the cruise, I thought that my dad was lucky to be put on duty at such a scenic location. Matsushima Bay is considered one of the top three scenic locations in Japan. His stint there was only a few months before being shipped off to South Korea for the war there.

It was difficult taking pictures of the bay's islets due to the flocks of seagulls begging for food from the ship's passengers. They kept getting in the way or in the picture (below).



It was interesting seeing all of the tiny islets in Matsushima Bay as well as the oyster (kaki) farms (Matsushima is famous for their oysters). It was also interesting to see in-person where my dad was while he was in Japan.

Sendai is the main stop via shinkansen from Tokyo. It is about a two-hour ride, but a relaxing and scenic one.

Although Sendai and Matsushima were hit hard by the earthquake and tsunami, Matsushima Bay itself was spared (thanks to the islets in the bay blunting the force of the tsunami) catastrophic damage and most businesses have cleaned up and are back open for business.

If a trip to Japan is in your vacation plans, a visit at Matsushima Bay should be on your "must-see" list. For more information go to: http://www.miyagitheme.jp/

100th Anniversary of Ishiro Honda's Birth

Today marks the 100th anniversary of Godzilla (1954) director Ishiro Honda's birth.

Honda was born May 7, 1911 in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. He is often called "the father of Godzilla."

He went on to direct other Japanese science-fiction movies such as Rodan, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Monster Zero, Matango, Atragon and many others.

He began his career as an assistant to director (and friend) Akira Kurosawa and rejoined Kurosawa as an assistant director towards the end of his career.

Honda died on February 28, 1993 at the age of 81.

"Space Battleship Yamato" Souvenir

Above, the Yurakucho Mullion Building.

Last December, I saw Space Battleship Yamato at the Toho Cinemas Nichigeki theater in the Yurakucho Mullion Building (that was featured in Return of Godzilla (1984)) following my interview with The Daily Yomiuri on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. The building is at the border of Ginza and Hibiya sections of Tokyo.

The original Nichigeki Theater, where the Yurakucho Mullion Building now stands, was featured in Godzilla (1954) in the scene of Godzilla stepping on electified train tracks that caused his tail to whip about and striking the theater (intended as an "inside joke" to theater patrons watching the movie in that exact theater).

Above, "Space Battleship Yamato" giant poster above the entry to the Yurakucho Mullion Building.

A few months ago, I posted a photo of the souvenir pins I picked up at the screening and mentioned buying a photo of the Yamato, but couldn't locate it. As luck would have it, I found the photo in a pocket of The Monolith (one of those big, black suitcases on rollers) along with a copy of Toho Cinemas Magazine.

I scanned them and here they are:

Above, the photo of the Space Battleship Yamato. It is on heavy plastic board a bit under 7" x 10".

Above, this is the reverse side of the Yamato photo.

Above, the cover to "Toho Cinemas Magazine" that was given to attendees at the theater. The magazine features upcoming movies that will be shown along with "close-up" stories about the movies and stars.

Toho vs. Honda Lawsuit Settled

Above, the offending image in Honda's commercial.

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that a trademark infringement lawsuit against American Honda Motor Co. by Toho Co., Ltd. has been settled:

We previously reported about a spot-the-infringement lawsuit by Toho over use of its trademarked and copyrighted character "Godzilla" in a Honda commercial. The case has been settled. Financial terms haven't been released, but we're told the commercial has been changed.

The lawsuit involved a Godzilla cameo, without Toho's permission, on Honda's Odyssey minivan. Godzilla's owner, Toho Co. Ltd., filed a complaint in early February.

To read the article, go here.

Judicial Watch May Sue For Osama bin Laden Death Photos

President Obama's decision to not release any photographs of Osama bin Laden's corpse may not stand for long.

UPI.com is reporting:

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- A conservative U.S. legal watchdog group said it may sue to force the Obama administration to release photos of a dead Osama bin Laden.

The group, Washington-based Judicial Watch, has already filed under the Freedom of Information Act for the pictures, and has sued the government many times in the past for the release of documents.

"We are prepared to sue if they don't respond as they are supposed to under the law," JW President Tom Fitton told The Hill. "I have not heard anything from the president that would provide a lawful basis for not providing the photos. Not wanting to be seen as 'spiking the football' is not a lawful reason to withhold documents under FOIA."

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/05/05/Group-may-sue-to-get-dead-bin-Laden-photos/UPI-95851304622639/#ixzz1LW5f6DFa

Thank You From Japan

A message of thanks arrived in my mailbox a little while ago from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO):

We are grateful for the warm support and thoughts from many people after the historic earthquake in Japan on March 11.

Thanks to international relief efforts and the resilience and hard work of the Japanese people, the country's infrastructure and related commercial activities have recovered at a surprisingly fast pace.

Since the unprecedented disaster hit Japan in March, we have seen countless fund raising events and other activities to support Japan all over the world. We cannot thank you enough for your kindness and friendship!

So far, the American Red Cross has raised $197 million donations for Japan from the U.S. public and has already made $100 million contribution to Japanese Red Cross (as of April 28th).

*The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position.

*For more information about the American Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org

In addition to support worldwide, many of our tourism industry partners have suggested support and donations for the affected areas and their victims. Please join the recovery effort by visiting Japan using one of the methods below.

Japan Relief Fund

To donate to the Japan Relief Fund online, please visit the below sites.
American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/
Japan Society http://www.japansociety.org/earthquake

Charity Information

New York Cares for Japan
To check updated charity event information in New York, please see "New York Cares for Japan" site to get updates as well as archives.
http://nycaresforjapan.com/

Support Japan by Traveling

Matsushima Bay's Tourist Numbers "Better Than Expected"

Above, one of the 260 islets that dot Matsushima Bay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Regular readers of this blog know that I have been "beating the drums" to encourage tourism to Japan, especially to the Matsushima Bay area.

I was pleased to read yesterday in The Mainichi Daily News that the Golden Week tourist numbers to Matsushima Bay were better than expected, roughly 80% of normal, according to cruise boat operators!

According to their article:

MATSUSHIMA, Miyagi -- A large number of tourists visited this scenic area in northeastern Japan on the Pacific coast during the annual Golden Week holiday period, giving some relief to local residents worried about the region's future.

Matsushima is famous for its bay, which is dotted by some 260 pine-covered islets and ranked one of Japan's three most scenic views. On May 4, during the 10-day Golden Week holiday, the area enjoyed more visitors than had been expected. "Even though the number of visitors is less than on an average year, it's still more than we expected. We are grateful to everyone," said a local resident.

Matsushima was damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, with souvenir shops and restaurants flooded above floor level. Cruise boats, one of the main attractions here, were not operated until the end of April. Local rail services have not been restored, either. Still, many tourists visited with their families by car.

Above, passengers aboard one of the cruise boats feed the bay's seagulls. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is great news! This means that businesses who cater to the tourism industry will be able to weather the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Maybe they've read my blog posts!

Matsushima Bay is one of the most scenic areas of Japan (I visited there in 2006), and it is often compared to Carmel, California in beauty.

To read The Mainichi Daily News article, go here.