Tokyo Rooms On The Cheap

Above, Asakusa's Nakamise Street.  Hostelbookers has a number of nearby rooms listed.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Planning a trip to Tokyo, Japan but have limited funds for accommodations?  Well, you're in luck!

Hostelbookers.com is one good source for finding low-cost rooms in Tokyo.

They claim that they offer guaranteed lowest prices, no booking fees and they have 49 hostels to choose from in Tokyo.

They have hotels, hostels and guesthouses in their listings.

To see what they have to offer, go here.

The Story Behind The Aborted Death of George Reeves Comic Book

Back in 1993, it was announced by Eclipse Comics that the death of Adventures of Superman star George Reeves would be made into a comic book as part of their True Crime series.  Comics Buyer's Guide (CBG) carried the above advertisement (by Neal Adams).

The comic book would be illustrated by longtime Supergirl artist Jim Mooney with the cover rendered by Neal Adams.  I was looking forward to this comic, being a George Reeves fan.

Above, Neal Adams and Armand at last month's Comikaze Expo.

Unfortunately, the comic book was never published due to financial problems of Eclipse Comics.  The Jim Mooney pages never saw the light of day.

Lou Koza has the full story at The Adventures Continue website.  You can read it by going here.

By the way, Neal Adams will be appearing at the Long Beach Horror & Comic Con November 3 and 4 at the Long Beach Convention Center.  For details, go here.

Michael Reagan Endorses Brad Sherman

Above, Michael Reagan and Armand, circa 1977.

The other day I received a mailer from Michael Reagan on behalf of the Brad Sherman campaign.  It was a surprise to see Mike endorse Brad Sherman (who is running against Rep. Howard Berman in the new 30th Congressional District).  

At this time, I am still on the fence in this race.  To me, it is a case of Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum.  Anyone who regularly follows this blog knows that I am no fan of Brad Sherman.  Recently, at a candidate's forum, Sherman assaulted (or came awfully close to it) Berman while on stage.  Sherman is my age and Berman is 71.  I have to wonder about Sherman's stability and self-control in assaulting an old man.  I am no fan of Howard Berman either (this goes back to the days when the Waxman-Berman machine had carpetbagger candidates run against Republican legislators such as Paul Bannai).

I received the following email from the Sherman campaign with Michael Reagan's endorsement:

Dear Friend, 

You know me as a conservative Republican leader dedicated to the legacy and philosophy of my father. You may also know that for decades I have lived in the San Fernando Valley and been active in the Valley community. 

Prior to June 5, I endorsed a Republican candidate to represent our district in the United States Congress. Under California's new system, however, on the November ballot there will only be two candidates, both Democrats. 

For the first time that I can remember I will be voting for a Democrat for the United States Congress. 

My father always stood for stopping unnecessary spending. He always believed that the President of the United States should have a line item veto so he could block pork barrel projects and cut waste in government. Brad Sherman cosponsored and voted for the Line Item Veto to stop unnecessary spending. His opponent voted against it. 

The $700 billion TARP bailout of Wall Street was an intrusion of the federal government in the private market. Brad Sherman led the fight against the Wall Street bailout, and forced changes that saved America hundreds of billions of dollars. 

Trust me, Brad Sherman and I certainly do not agree on all issues. However, Brad Sherman is dedicated to the San Fernando Valley. He works personally every day to help Valley residents unsnarl problems with the federal bureaucracy. He and his staff are unmatched in their service to our communities and they have helped thousands of Valley residents.

Brad Sherman has held over 160 town halls in the San Fernando Valley, where he listens not only to Democrats but also to us Republicans. That is why, on November 6, I'm voting for Congressman Brad Sherman.

Yours truly,

Michael Reagan

More Evidence That Obama Administration Lied About Benghazi

New documents show that it was determined by the CIA in Benghazi knew within 24 hours that the attack on the embassy was by militants and not from any protest of an anti-Islam video.

According to MyWay.com:

WASHINGTON (AP) - The CIA station chief in Libya reported to Washington within 24 hours of last month's deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate that there was evidence it was carried out by militants, not a spontaneous mob upset about an American-made video ridiculing Islam's Prophet Muhammad, U.S. officials have told The Associated Press.

It is unclear who, if anyone, saw the cable outside the CIA at that point and how high up in the agency the information went. The Obama administration maintained publicly for a week that the attack on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans was a result of the mobs that staged less-deadly protests across the Muslim world around the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on the U.S.

The Obama Administration knew (as the CIA and State Department are under the executive branch) the real cause of the attack, yet lied to the public that it was over an anti-Islam YouTube video.

Plus, requests were made by the consulate for additional security but were turned down by the State Department.

To read the full story, go here.

Get Haruo Nakajima A Monster Kid Hall of Fame Rondo

Above, Haruo Nakajima.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We are now more than half way into October and, before we know it, it will be voting time for the annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.

Earlier this year, during the voting for the Rondo Awards for 2011, a controversy arose involving some prominent Godzilla fans.  (I'm not going into the controversy, you can look it up at the Classic Horror Film Board.)   But an idea was floated by Stuart Galbraith IV about starting a campaign to have the original Godzilla suit-actor, Haruo Nakajima awarded a Rondo Award for his work as Godzilla, Rodan, King Kong, a Gargantua and many other Japanese giant monsters.

At his blog, Galbraith wrote:

“If you’re a fan of Mr. Nakajima’s and would like to see him presented with a Rondo, I say let’s start a campaign now to ensure Mr. Nakajima receives a Lifetime Achievement Award at next year’s ceremony.”

I agree.

Therefore, I am proposing that fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies, and those who also feel Mr. Nakajima worthy of a Rondo, to petition for his nomination and to get people to vote for Mr. Nakajima's Rondo Award in the Monster Kid Hall of Fame category.

He will be 84 years old this coming New Year's Day.  For his age, he is in reasonably good health.  But that nor he will last forever.  The time is now to get Haruo Nakajima a Rondo Award while he is still healthy enough to enjoy it.

To submit your nomination, go to the Rondo Award section at the Classic Horror Film Board by clicking here.  

Tokyo International Film Fest Turns 25

Above, Godzilla entertains TIFF attendees in 2001.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This year the Tokyo International Film Festival hits the "ripe old age" of 25.

The Japan Times took note of the anniversary.  They wrote:

This year, Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) celebrates its 25th edition and will hold commemorative programs, including a three-day screening of six Japanese films from the Showa Era (1926-89) in the very Showa-esque district of Nihonbashi. 

The origins of the film festival go back to the years immediately following World War II. "People wanted to celebrate peace, to bask in its glow and steep their minds in the greatest escape hatch known to mankind — the cinema." Famed director Akira Kurosawa said that in 1994, and it's an admirable description of a film festival's function.

My first trip to Japan (in 2001) was to attend the Tokyo International Film Festival's premiere of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, that was directed by Shusuke Kaneko.  I was invited to the festival by Toho Co., Ltd. and I covered it for G-Fan. 

It was fun event and the after-party at a Nakano Chinese restaurant was also a lot of fun (including the wild ride in a taxi zig-zagging through rainy streets of Tokyo get there). 

This year's TIFF takes place takes place Oct. 20-28 at various locations. For more information on films, schedules and ticket prices, visit 2012.tiff-jp.net .

To read the full Japan Times article, go here.

A Letter To Jonathan by David Selby

Actor David "Quentin Collins" Selby pays tribute to Jonathan "Barnabas Collins" Frid:

CNN: "5 Ways Japan Will Surprise You"

Above, a view of Odaiba from Tokyo Tower.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

An article at CNN.com caught my attention.

The article's title is, "5 Ways Japan Will Surprise You."  It begins with:

Japan, as it turns out, is a captivating country, a kaleidoscope of ancient traditions swirling alongside modern technology. It is a land of creativity, of hip funkiness and conservative beauty, of business efficiency and dizzying fantasy. It is a place that can pamper your senses, often in the most unexpected ways.

How did Japan surprise me?  Let me count a few of the ways.

To read the five ways Japan will surprise a visitor, go here.

"The Man With The Golden Gun"

Above, the book I read over the weekend.

I read Ian Fleming's The Man With The Golden Gun over the weekend.  Actually, I read it all in seven hours.

The story starts with James Bond, who was brainwashed by the Soviets, attempting to kill his boss "M."  After the attempt fails he undergoes rehabilitation and is sent on a mission to Jamaica kill Francisco Scaramanga, the man with the golden gun, to prove himself fully fit, mentally and physically.

It is a fast-paced book, and the last by Ian Fleming.  The movie version is totally different.  I feel that had Eon Productions followed the book, it would have been a much better movie.

I have one last Fleming book to buy and read: Thunderball.  I am holding off on reading For Your Eyes Only until I get and read Thunderball.  For Your Eyes Only is a collection of short stories.

Estimated One Million Witnessed Shuttle's Move; Crime Down

Above, Endeavour early Saturday morning in Inglewood.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been estimated that about one million people witnessed the space shuttle Endeavour move through the streets of Inglewood and Los Angeles as it made it way from LAX to the California Science Center in Exposition Park.

Also, crime in the city was down during the time of the shuttle's move.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

But in recapping the LAPD's efforts to patrol the crowds, [L.A.P.D. Chief] Beck told the Police Commission on Tuesday that the spectators were perhaps the best he's ever seen. "I maybe have never been involved in policing a crowd that was so positive and so proud," he said. 

Crime rates for the city during the shuttle's weekend journey, he said, were the lowest in months.

To read the full article, and to see a fascinating time-lapse video of the shuttle's move, go here.

Harvest Time!

Good news greeted me this morning.

I received the following email from my farm tenant:

Corn looks great and price is very high. Should get corn picked in a week or so will sell and get check coming your way. Elevators are very slow in getting checks out again this year, will let you know when done picking so can watch for check.

This amounts to roughly half of my annual income.  Naturally, this is my favorite time of the year.

Romney/Obama Debate II: Romney Right, Obama/Crowley Wrong

We got a Crowley, but the wrong one.*

Tonight's townhall-style debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney is over and done with.

Obama had more life to him tonight (he had to, he was near-death during the last debate) and Romney gave as good as he got.  Actually, he gave better as Obama lied on Libya (moderator Candy Crowley improperly acted as a "fact-checker" during the debate and got it wrong)  (See Video: CNN's Candy Crowley: Romney Was Actually Right On Libya http://bit.ly/RRzxil), energy and unemployment.

The talk tonight is the Libya portion of the debate.  Romney had it right and Obama lied with help from Crowley.  At least she is now admitting Romney was right.  She shouldn't have interjected herself as a "fact-checker."  All hell is breaking loose over this.

Romney was best on the economy.  Obama did not offer any kind of agenda for a second term should he get one.

Obama tried, but he needed a home run tonight but didn't get one.  Candy Crowley tried to save him, but her blunder in doing so is going to be the main topic in the upcoming news cycle.

*Monica Crowley would have been a far better moderator.

Loaded Up On A Few DVDs

Yesterday, I went to the local Fry's Electronics store and picked up some DVDs.  They consisted of one new release and three old favorites (to replace my old VHS copies).

I'll start off with the three "oldies but goodies."

Two of them were the first and second sequels to 1971's Dirty Harry with Clint Eastwood:

Magnum Force (1973), which involves rogue motorcycle cops acting as judge, jury and executioner on baddies in San Francisco.  These guys made Inspector Harry Callahan look like a moderate.

The Enforcer (1976), which pits Inspector Callahan against radical killers (inspired by the real-life Symbionese Liberation Army) and a woman partner (played by Tyne Daly).

I had myself a Dirty Harry mini-film festival this morning.

True Grit (1969) with John Wayne as U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn.  Wayne's performance garnered him a Best Actor Oscar.  It was interesting to see some familiar faces such as Myron Healey (uncredited), James McEachin (uncredited), Hank Worden (uncredited) and Jay Silverheels (uncredited).  While watching the movie last night, it dawned on me that I've met two actors who were in this movie: Jeff Corey and Hank Worden.

The new movie I picked up was the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp Dark Shadows.  I bought the Blu-ray edition. As I knew what to expect ahead of time, I was prepared for it.  Fortunately, I found myself enjoying it (not quite as much as Burton's Ed Wood) and was entertained.  It was nice to see the cameos of original series stars Jonathan Frid, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Lara Parker and David Selby.  It was also good to see Christopher Lee's cameo as a grizzled sea captain.  It really looked great in Blu-ray.  My grade: A.

Monster Japan Travel Guide Sales Lead In U.K.

The current figures for the Amazon Kindle ebook edition of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan shows that Amazon in the United Kingdom is leading in sales this month.

A hearty thank-you to our British kaiju fans for making a strong showing for October.

To go to the U.K. page for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, go here.

"Endeavour" Still Behind Schedule

Above, power lines over Manchester Blvd. in the process of being moved so the shuttle can pass through.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The shuttle Endeavour still hasn't arrived at the California Science Museum.

According to the Los Angeles Times (posted at 6:04 am):

The Space Shuttle Endeavour is still hours from reaching its destination of the California Science Center, with some estimates now placing the shuttle there well after sunrise. 

The pine trees along of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard proved to be a challenge for the space shuttle Endeavour, further slowing its already sluggish progress. 

Jeffrey Rudolph, president of the California Science Center declined to give a time frame for Endeavor's arrival at the facility.

This isn't surprising, since a lot of money is at stake in keeping the shuttle in good condition.

To read the full article, go here.

"Endeavour" Photos: 3rd Batch

This has been one long day.  I've been up since about 2:45 this morning.  Throughout the day, I've followed the progress of the shuttle Endeavour as it slowly made its way to the California Science Center in Exposition Park via live streaming video, courtesy of the California Science Center and CNN.

Here are some more pictures of the shuttle that I took early this morning:

The last photo (below) was taken with my cell phone.  I sent it to several people while I was there.

More "Endeavour" Photos

Here's some more photos of Space Shuttle Endeavour that I took this morning in Inglewood, California.

Space Shuttle "Endeavour" In Inglewood

Above, my first view of Endeavour on Manchester Blvd. in Inglewood.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My alarm was set for 2:50 AM, but I woke up about seven minutes before.

I decided to make the trek down to Inglewood, California (about 25 miles away) to view the Space Shuttle Endeavour on Manchester Blvd. as it is being hauled to the California Science Center.

Above, Endeavour is still an impresive sight!  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is scheduled to be at a viewing area at the Forum's parking lot at 8:00 this morning, but I heard one of the police in Inglewood say that it is two hours behind schedule.  Endeavour is supposed to arrive at the California Science Center tonight (good luck!).

Above, the crew section of Endeavour.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I got down to Inglewood and found that it was nowhere near the Forum.  I located it about 2-3 miles west on Manchester.  I found a parking space (surprisingly fast) in front of Inglewood High School.  Endeavour was about three short blocks west.

Above, the starboard wing.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After parking, I walked down Manchester and found that a lot of other people had the same idea.  There were several hundred people there, but they were all orderly and were enjoying seeing a spaceship on a city street.  Several news vans were also there covering the event.

Above, hundreds of thermal tiles under the starboard wing.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The shuttle was stopped in the street.  I saw it move only once during the time I was there.  On average, according to news reports, it is supposed to move at about two miles per hour.  It may have been stopped as crews were working to get some power lines out of the way.

Above, the tail section and engines.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was able to get right up close to it.  I stood virtually under its starboard side wing tip.  The rocket engines on Endeavour are dummy ones.  The real ones were removed earlier.  It looks space-worthy yet.

Above, Endeavour drew a good crowd at 3:30 in the morning.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is amazing seeing an object about the size of a Boeing 737 being towed through city streets for sixteen miles.  It is truly one of those "once in a lifetime" kind of events.

I'm glad I went!

Batty VP Debate

Thanks to El Rushbo for finding this:

Hungarian-born Billionaire Warns Against Socialism In America

Hungarian-born billionaire Thomas Peterffy has an ad warning against the "slippery slope" of socialism and urges people to vote Republican.

Great Third Quarter!

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan."  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The third quarter of 2012 (July-September) was a great one as far as The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan is concerned.

Sales of the travel guide to kaiju movie locations and landmarks were way up.  It also helped that it garnered publicity when the Amazon.com Kindle edition became available in August.  I sold eight copies at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo following the panel discussion on Japanese monsters and robots that I was a part of.

The sales for the travel guide were a combination of the following:

• Hard copy sales at ComiXpress.com

• Hard copy direct mail order (through me)

• Amazon's Kindle Store for the ebook edition

• Convention sales

All of these did very well.

Now we are in the fourth, or last, quarter of 2012.  I am looking forward to another great quarter and the 2013 New Year!  The first quarter of 2013 will have me in Charlotte, North Carolina for the Mad Monster Party Convention with Haruo Nakajima.  The travel guide will be available at the convention.

Sherman vs. Berman: The REAL Smack-down!

The real smack-down wasn't Biden vs. Ryan, the real one was right here in the San Fernando Valley.

A friend sent me this email with video:

The REAL smack down was between Brad Sherman and Howard Berman fighting for the new 30th Congressional District in the Valley.

It was a Beat Down! It was the Five Moves of Doom! 

Click here: Brad Sherman Grabs Howard Berman At Debate, Challenges Him To A Fight - Los Angeles - News - The Informer 

Click here: Berman-Sherman: When congressmen attack - POLITICO.com

Note: Berman and Sherman are Democrats.

Biden: Rude and Obnoxious; Ryan: Polite and Informed

I watched about an hour's worth of the debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan before I had to run errands and listened to it on the car radio.

On substance, I would have to give the nod to Ryan as he came at Biden with facts and figures.  Biden, for his part, was aggressive to the point of being an obnoxious boor in constantly interrupting Ryan.  Biden undermined his performance by being obnoxious.  All Biden had were smirks and bluster.  He came off as a wildman.

Remember Al Gore's loud sigh in 2000?  It hurt him badly for the rude impression he gave people.  Biden multiplied that ten-fold.

This debate won't change anything.  

Mad Monster Party Convention Gets Gary Busey

It has been announced this morning that actor Gary Busey will be a guest at the Mad Monster Party Convention March 22-24, 2013.

Busey is probably best known for his portrayal of rock pioneer Buddy Holly back in the 1970s.  He has also appeared in Silver Bullet, Predator 2 and Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.

Funny thing, Busey moved into the condominium/townhouse that a lady friend of mine lived at (in Malibu) in 2010.  I have spoken to him a number of times.  I wonder if he'll recognize me.

Obama's Plan To Have The U.N. Levy Taxes On U.S. Citizens

Political commentator Dick Morris and Eileen McGann paint a very scary picture of what we can expect if Barack Obama is re-elected.

In his Fox News column, Morris writes:

It should come as no surprise that President Obama will raise taxes if he is re-elected. But here’s the shocker: He will invite the United Nations to tax Americans directly. And the proceeds would go directly to the Third World. In this way, Barack Obama will, indeed, realize the dreams of his father. 

In our new book, "Here Come the Black Helicopters: UN Global Governance and the Loss of Freedom," Eileen and I describe how there is now pending in the U.N. all kinds of plans to tax Americans and redistribute their wealth – not to other Americans – but to other countries. These taxes will not be like our U.N. dues paid by a vote of our Congress. 

They would be mandatory levies imposed by treaty on American citizens. And, since they would be enumerated in a Treaty – not an act of Congress -- only the president and the Democratic Senate need be on board. The Republican House has no role in the Treaty-making process.

It should be noted that Obama's father was a communist. 

What taxes can we expect to be imposed on us by the United Nations if these plans come to fruition?

Here's what's in store:

·         A “Robin Hood” tax on financial transactions. Every time you buy or sell a stock or a bond or exchange money while travelling, you’d be hit with a financial transactions tax (a percentage of your transaction) that would go to the UN. 

·         A global tobacco tax with the funds to flow to the World Health Organization (WHO). 

·         A UN-imposed tax on billionaires all over the world. And don’t delude yourself for a moment that it is only the 1600 current billionaires who will be hit. Once the precedent of a UN tax on US citizens is approved, it will gradually grow downwards to cover more and more Americans. Again the funds will go to the UN. 

·         Under the Law of the Sea Treaty – up for Senate ratification in December of the lame duck session – offshore oil and gas wells would have to pay a proportion of their revenues to the International Seabed Authority, a UN-sponsored organization, which would distribute the loot to the third world. 

·         A carbon tax on all U.S. or other foreign commercial or passenger aircraft flying to Europe. Nominally to fight climate change, these revenues would also go to the third world. 

·         A mandatory assessment to be imposed on the U.S. to compensate third world nations for the costs of reducing their carbon output. 

·         These taxes are, of course, only the first steps. Once the principle is established of UN taxation of American citizens, the sky is the limit.

What's the purpose of these taxes?  It is to redistribute wealth (sound familiar?) to the so-called underdeveloped countries. 

As Morris puts it:

The taxes are part of a global plan of redistribution of wealth from the Northern Hemisphere (US, Europe, Japan) to the Southern Hemisphere (Latin America, Africa, and South Asia). 

Even a victory in the election of 2012 may avert the threat of rampant globalism. Obama and his lame duck Senate will sign and try to ratify a broad range of global treaties to give away our sovereignty and expose us to UN taxation.

This is why it is so important that you vote Republican in the general election next month.  These radical left-wing plans have to be stopped. 

To read the full story, go here.

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Japan Today: "9 Random Reasons To Love Japan"

Above, a costumed character advertising in Niigata.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan Today has posted a survey article on "9 Random Reasons To Love Japan."

They start it with:

TOKYO —A few months ago, RocketNews found the top 25 things in Japan most likely to blow foreigner’s minds. This time, we asked foreigners (all men) to tell us what makes Japan such a great place. Those surveyed came from France, the United States, Tunisia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Malta and Ireland. 

Ranging from seemingly mundane to large-scale societal characteristics, readers explain why they love Japan.

To find out what the nine reasons are, go here.

Los Angeles County Election Recommendations

There are some Los Angeles County candidates and measures on the ballot.

Here are the ones to support and not to support:

Alan Jackson for L.A. County District Attorney.

Measure A: No.

Measure B: No.

Measure J: No.

Big Bird Cartoons

The Obama campaign's ad featuring Big Bird (they're still running it despite the objections of the producers of Sesame Street) is catching hell in the media.  Many have called it silly and right out of Saturday Night Live.

Here's some political cartoons on the subject:

During a campaign stop in Iowa yesterday, Romney said, "You have to scratch your head when the president spends the last week talking about saving Big Bird."