News From JAPANiCAN

Off-Season RV Travel

Above, the Williams-Grand Canyon KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV traveling during the off-season takes the worry out of finding a campground/RV park with vacancies.

There is one disadvantage to traveling during the fall and winter months is that many campground/RV parks are closed for the season. So one has to plan their trips with this in mind and find places to stay that are open all year. The weather is another consideration. I constantly monitored the weather with my Weather Channel app and used my CB radio's weather band (whenever there was a weather broadcast station in any given area).

Above, the Elk City-Clinton (Oklahoma) KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Speaking of weather, the drive east was fine. The temperatures were in the 70s and 60s during the day and down into the 50s and 40s at night. But during the drive west, since the route was further north, it was much colder with daytime temperatures down into the 50s and 40s and into the 30s and 20s at night. It rained one night while heading east (at the Springfield, Missouri KOA). I got snowed on in Cortez, Colorado and it rained in the Four Corners (where Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico meet) area.

Above, the Springfield (Missouri) KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I had no difficulty in finding open campgrounds during the trip. I made reservations at only two: Graceland RV Park in Memphis and Goulding's Lodge Campground at Monument Valley. Graceland RV Park did fill up during my stay, so it was a good thing I made reservations there. Goulding's had plenty of open campsites, but since Monument Valley was in the midst of "snowbird" (people who are from cold, snowy states who winter in warmer/drier states) country, I felt I should reserve two nights just in case.

Above, the Covered Wagon Campground in Abilene, Kansas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As far as the non-reserved campgrounds I stayed at, only the Albuquerque KOA Kampground looked nearly full. But I still got in anyway.

While en route to Metropolis, I tried to keep my miles-per-day to under 500. While planning the trip, I used the Good Sam, Woodall's and KOA campground directories to plan my overnight stays. I mainly used KOA Kampgrounds as I have a KOA Value Card, which gives me a discount. I racked up enough bonus points through the card that I saved $20 at the KOA in Needles, California.

During the return trip home, I winged it (except, as mentioned, the stay at Goulding's). Probably the most difficult place to find an open campground was in Durango, Colorado. Luckily, there was one in the Durango Year Round RV Park. There were mostly long-term people there and the place had equipment of some sort all over the place as well as antiques. The place actually looked creepy, sort of in the vein of slasher horror flicks. It was about 15 miles outside of town.

Above, the enclosed porch of the Durango Year Round RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Durango Year Round RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

But, as I said, most of the campgrounds had plenty of room and this was good as there were no noisy neighbors to have to contend with. Since children were at school during this period, I didn't see very many during the trip, just older adults.

Above, The Beast had the Meteor Crater RV parking lot all to itself. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides being easier to find campgrounds with plenty of vacancies, attractions along the way did not have any crowds to contend with. I was the first in and The Beast was the only RV in the RV parking lot at Meteor Crater, Arizona. There were only a dozen or so people at the Eisenhower Center in Abilene, Kansas.

Graceland was busy, but the crowds were not bad. I only had to contend with large crowds once I got into the Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim.

I may do another off-season trip next year (just not quite so far). But I may begin it a week or two sooner before colder weather starts to set in.

Trump Day!

On the day that President-elect Donald J. Trump received his Electoral College victory, I received a nice package of buttons from the Trump Store:

The Perfect Stocking Stuffer For Your Favorite Monster Fan!

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

It must be Christmas time!

I just got back from the post office after mailing a batch of the print edition of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. All orders received up through Saturday, December 17 have been shipped.

Since we are less than a week away from Christmas Day, if you wish to order a copy, now's the time to do so. It's the perfect stocking-stuffer for your favorite kaiju fan!

To order, go here and use the handy-dandy PayPal widget.

Merry Christmas!

"Democrats Try To Steal Election By Threatening Electors"

Today, members of the Electoral College (Electors) are meeting in all state capitals to cast their votes for the next president of the United States.

According to Rush Limbaugh, Electors have been receiving death threats and other intimidating threats to get them to change their votes from leftist liberal Democrat  protesters and emails.

Limbaugh said,

 Today's headlines should read "Democrats Try To Steal Election By Threatening Electors". 

If newspapers don't, then they are useless as a legitimate news source.

Regardless, Donald Trump will be elected today.

The "Best" Way To Enjoy Asakusa

Above, teacup balconies in the Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" section of Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of my favorite Tokyo hangouts is the Asakusa district. 

There's much to see and do in Asakusa and Goin' Japanesque! has a guide on the "best" way to enjoy Asakusa.

They begin with:

Asakusa has become a very popular tourist spot among tourists from outside Japan. With such tourist attractions as Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Engeijo(Vaudeville Hall), the downtown culture and traditional festivals, it is a very attractive tourist destination that represents Japan. 

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you the best way and the best route to fully enjoy Asakusa.

To read more, go here. 

USS Bowfin At Pearl Harbor

Above, visitors on deck of the USS Bowfin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Pearl Harbor will be garnering attention in a few days as President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be paying a visit there.

Along with the battleship USS Arizona Memorial and the battleship USS Missouri, there is another vessel that visitors can tour.

It is the submarine USS Bowfin. It is located near the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

Above, the USS Bowfin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to the website, Pearl Harbor Historic Sites:

Launched one year to the day after the events of December 7, 1941, the submarine USS Bowfin, dubbed the "Pearl Harbor Avenger," completed nine successful patrols before eventually arriving at her final, peacetime berth in the waters of Pearl Harbor. 

Like her namesake - a scrappy, mean-looking fish with powerful jaws, sharp teeth, and a voracious appetite - the Bowfin proved to be a formidable underwater adversary, sinking 44 enemy ships during the war. Today, the Bowfin is a National Historic Landmark and museum ship where visitors from all over the world are able to experience what it was like to live and work aboard a World War II-era sub.

Above, the USS Bowfin from the Waterfront Submarine Memorial. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more information on the Bowfin, go here. 

Inside Japan Tours' 8 Spoilers For First-Time Visitors

Above, the Tokyo Skytree is used to illustrate spoiler #2,
 but it is not what you'd expect. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many who have planned to travel for the first time to Japan will get all kinds of tips from different sources. They're all pretty much the same.

But, Inside Japan Tours has 8 "spoilers" that will take first-time visitors by surprise.

They begin with:

If you are off on your first adventure to Japan you may have spent some time planning your trip with Inside Japan Tours, drooling over Instagram photos and even reading some very helpful guides. However after a while, all the guides and top tips articles start to look the same. Don’t tip. Do bow. Don’t put your chopsticks in rice… 

This is great advice, but what about the small stuff you notice when you get there? With the UK and Japan nearly 6,000 miles apart, there are some small differences that you might not expect. 

Knowing about these things in advance won’t ruin your trip, but it might spoil the surprise!

To see what the "spoilers" are, go here.

People Who Live In Glass Houses...

2016 Year In Review

Above, at the unveiling party in October with Asya and Dawn.

While 2015 was a good year for me, 2016 (with some exceptions) was the exact opposite.

I have blogged about the turmoil that began in the spring at great length and I don't wish to recount it all again. Let's just say that the person to whom I was engaged to was not the person she presented herself to be and I found it necessary to end everything. 'nuff said!

The year began on a sad note as my Aunt Rose passed away on January 5 after a long illness. The only comfort in that is she is no longer suffering.

Above, a cloud-shrouded Yosemite Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In February, a weekend trip down to San Diego was made to take care of a product recall on different models of Winnebago RVs. While there, we stayed at Campland On The Bay. I have heard about the Mission Bay campground since the early 1990s, but this was the first time staying there. It was a disappointment. It was overpriced (over $100/night) for what was essentially a parking lot with hook-ups and a table. After The Beast was taken care of, an enjoyable day was had at Sea World.

Above, enjoying cigars at Tehachapi Loop. 

In April, Sierra and I went to Yosemite National Park and camped in Yosemite Valley at the North Pines Campground. It was enjoyable, even though it was rainy at times.

Also in April, I attended my first clamp-out with Platrix No. 2, E Clampus Vitus at the Tehachapi Loop since 2007. It was great to be active in ECV again. I also attended the Platrix fall clamp-out at Lake Cachuma in October. I had a great time at both.

More camping was done in May and June as I discovered a nice campground/RV resort in Ventura at the Ventura Beach RV Resort. I camped there three times, one of which was with my former roomie Jessica in July.

Above, the coastline of the Big Island of Hawaii during our helicopter tour. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Also in May, I went to Hawaii for the first time. The highlights for me were the tour of Pearl Harbor and a helicopter tour of Kilauea Volcano. The trip turned out to be more trouble than it was worth as it was the "last hurrah" of my relationship with Denise Santos and it also led to a Small Claims lawsuit (that I won) against Jacquese Scott, who tried to stiff me for over $800 that she owed for her portion of the trip. I wouldn't mind going there again, but with better company.

Above, celebrating a Small Claims Court victory at the Odyssey Restaurant in August.

In June, I met Asya, an artist from St. Petersburg, Russia at an art store in Sherman Oaks that sells cartoon cels. I commissioned her to paint a portrait of me. It was something I always wanted to do, to see how an artist would interpret me in oils. I liked the result and we held an unveiling party at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills in October.

Above, Clint Hill discusses the JFK assassination at Book Passage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Also in June, I went solo to Marin County in the the San Francisco Bay Area for a talk and book signing by former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill. I luckily found a RV park within walking distance to Book Passage, where the event was being held. I also stayed about half-way in both directions at the Los Banos KOA.

Above, at Devil's Postpile National Monument during the Owens Valley trip.

In July, Sierra and I headed up the Owens Valley and visited the Manzanar Relocation Camp, Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park's Tioga Pass. That was an enjoyable trip.

August was relatively quiet, except for a legal hassle in Chatsworth Superior Court that was totally unnecessary and was dismissed. But the month was salvaged as Dawn Brown and I began going out on Sunday nights (due to her work schedule), which continues to this day.

Above, on Hot Bench in September.

Speaking of legal stuff. In August, I filed another Small Claims lawsuit (apparently, evil comes in pairs) and served it on Denise Santos while attending to the Chatsworth Court matter. The producers of the court-tv show, Hot Bench wanted it, so we went on in early September. I won some, and lost some on the show, but it ended up pretty much a "wash" as I also received an appearance fee. I may have fared better in regular Small Claims Court, but it would probably have taken years to collect. By going on Hot Bench, I received my case award almost right away and it is over and done with, so I don't have to deal with Denise anymore.

As I mentioned previously, the portrait painting unveiling party was held in October at the Odyssey Restaurant. I invited family and friends and Asya invited people in the art world she knows (for some networking). We had a good time. It was relaxed with plenty of food and drink. I met Mitch Geriminsky's new wife, Marla for the first time at the party. Everyone who attended had a good time.

Above, with The Mittens in the background in Monument Valley.

At the end of October, I took the longest road trip of my life (three weeks). I was planning to go to Memphis, Tennessee next year, but the celebration of life service for actress Noel Neill (who died in July) was going to be held in Metropolis, Illinois ("The Home of Superman"). Since Memphis is about three hours away from Metropolis, I decided to go and make it a vacation trip.

During the three-week trip, I visited Meteor Crater in Arizona; the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue and Super Museum in Metropolis: Graceland and Sun Studio in Memphis; the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Lincoln Home and Lincoln tomb in Springfield, Illinois; I met with Kansas State Senator Greg Smith at the Kansas State Capitol Building in Topeka, Kansas; the Eisenhower Center in Abilene, Kansas; Durango, Colorado (the trains weren't running at the time); Monument Valley in Arizona and Utah; and Grand Canyon National Park. With the exception of a mishap that made me buy two tires in St. Louis, Missouri, it was a good trip. I watched the election returns while in the Springfield, Illinois area. What better way to see a big election win for the GOP than being in the "Land of Lincoln"?

Above, Thanksgiving with my Aunt Gloria and cousin Maria.

Thanksgiving was spent a few days after I returned home from the trip at my cousin's in Wildomar, California and will be there for Christmas Eve.

Hopefully, next year will be a better one. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's Cold!

Above, a warmer locale in Waikoloa, Hawaii. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I knew that it would be cold in Tarzana. I felt it last night when I had to go to the market for a few things and it was quite cold outside.

According to the Weather Channel app on my phone, it is 32° in Tarzana. To confirm this, I took a peek out my patio window to see my thermometer and it read 39°. That's a little better, but still "Colder than a witch's t*t!" (as my dad used to say).

It looks like L.A. is not immune to the cold snap that's happening across the country. At least we won't have to feel left out. I even heard that it snowed in Hawaii recently. Global warming? Baloney!

It seems that I bought back the cold temperatures I experienced during my cross-country trip last month. 

Disneyland's Tower of Terror Shutting Down

Above, the Tower of Terror at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Until I saw the one last year at Tokyo DisneySea, I didn't know much about the Tower of Terrror ride.

According to Travel + Leisure, the Tower of Terror at Disneyland in Anaheim ride will soon be no more. It will "embark" on its last ride January 2, 2017.

Travel + Leisure wrote:

Back in July, Disney announced that they would be closing the iconic Tower of Terror ride to make room for a new Guardians of the Galaxy experience. The park has promised a "free-fall sensation with all-new audio and visual affects," according to a blog post on its website. 

While we're all excited to see how the replacement ride ranks among the others, but for many this is an event worth mourning. 

Tower of Terror has held its statuesque location at the northwest corner of Disney's California Adventure park since its first ride on July 22, 1994.

But all is not lost, the article states:

You can still get a taste of the ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris, and Tokyo DisneySea, which all have a version of the Tower of Terror.

To read more, go here. 

Winnebago West Coast Factory Service

Above, The Beast at the fall Platrix clamp-out at Lake Cachuma. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some good news was received this morning from Winnebago's GoLife newsletter email.

In the newsletter, an article was included by Amy and Rod Burkert which reads (in part):

Years ago we learned that taking the RV back to the Winnebago factory in Forest City, Iowa for service is a much better option. The technicians know everything there is to know about Winnebagos, they have every part you’ll ever need right in the warehouse, and they accommodate customers who drop in without an appointment! 

The downside is that, depending on where you are in the country, it can be a long drive to Iowa. That’s why we’re so excited that Winnebago purchased the old Country Coach facility in Junction City, Oregon! They’ve renovated it, and now they’re providing the same quality service on the West Coast!

While Junction City, Oregon is a long drive from the Los Angeles area, it is still much closer than Forest City, Iowa. Junction City is north of Eugene, Oregon.

Winnebago's Forest City plant has a superb service reputation.

If my Good Sam Extended Service plan honors the cost of repairs at the Winnebago location, this is even better news for me.

To read the full article, go here. 

The Looney Left Report: Democrats Are Sick People!

The Looney Left Report

The Democrat Party is no longer a national party. They are now a party of the east and west (left) coasts and a few pockets in-between. They can't handle that reality. It has been clear as day since 2010.

They are desperate. They are grasping at straws. They blame the Russians and everything else, except the real culprits for their losses: themselves.

Their strategy to de-legitimize Trump's victory is doomed to failure. Up to now, we've always had a great tradition of a peaceful transition of power. Not anymore. The crybabies of the Democrat Party ended that tradition (at least for now), not the Russians.

Rush Limbaugh sees through their bullshit.

As he said today:

It is a political strategy that is being implemented to look like a news story, which is how most of liberalism finds its way into the mainstream of our culture.  

They create news stories, they buy protesters, they buy people who go out and make it look like the majority of Americans think what they think.  They put these stories in the mainstream media, which makes it look like every American agrees with this.  This is how they get what they want.  When what they are and what they want and when who they are is on the ballot, like happened in this election, they lose. 

Hillary Clinton lost because of who she is, because of her track record of failure, because there's no resume, there's no record of experience that she's good or qualified at anything. She cannot cite any achievements or accomplishments, other than traveling miles and being named after people she wasn't named after and being told to go join the dogs by somebody at the Marine Corps.  She's exposed.  She's exposed as a phony and a fraud and everything that she believes and claims to have done she hasn't done.  It finally came to light.  

The American people, when had the chance, three times now have said "no" to Hillary Clinton.  The Democrats did it in 2008.  The Jill Stein recount this year and the American people in 2016.  Three times in eight years the American people have looked at Hillary Clinton and said "no."  And so there must be some explanation for this other than that.  So it's the Russians today.  And it's Vladimir Putin, and it's hacking.  

Now, Hillary is actually telling her donors that Putin targeted her personally because he's so afraid of her.  We're dealing with some genuinely sick people here, folks, truly, I'm talking mentally ill.  They're not all there.  They pose a great danger.

These people have gone completely psycho. Facebook is loaded with constant schemes and scenarios from leftists on overturning the will of the people as stated in the election results. As that famous movie line goes, "You can't handle the truth!" They and their socialistic, totalitarian brand of governing were rejected. They can't handle that!

And, their behavior is showing the nation and the world that they have no respect for the democratic process.

As Limbaugh put it:

These people are totalitarian, authoritarians who -- when you get right down to it -- are showing everybody they have no respect for the democratic process, and they want no part of it.  They are trying to undermine it.  This isn't insecurity.  This is dangerous!

January 20, 2017 can't come soon enough for me! These people need to shut the hell up!

"Godzilla 2" and "Pacific Rim 2" Retitled

Above, the title card of the original Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1956).

Legendary Pictures two upcoming sequels now have new titles according to Mirage News.

They reported:

“Godzilla 2” finally gets an official title. In a press release, Legendary Pictures announces that the upcoming sequel to Gareth Edwards’ 2014 monster movie “Godzilla” is named “Godzilla: King of Monsters”, AceShowbiz said. 

Meanwhile, Universal changes the title of “Pacific Rim 2”. Initially called “Pacific Rim: Maelstorm”, the follow-up to Guillermo del Toro’s 2013 film “Pacific Rim” is now named “Pacific Rim: Uprising”.

Although Godzilla: King of the Monsters is hardly what one would call "original", but it is fitting nonetheless.

To read more, go here. 

Started Christmas Shopping

Above, the Man of Steel in his Santa hat. Is this Christmas enough? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was spent doing some Christmas shopping with my former roomie Jessica.

We were at the Northridge Fashion Center and it wasn't too crowded. Thank goodness (since I don't like crowds)! We finished up before the rains started in the evening.

We will be heading there again this afternoon since I got couple of "Macy's Money" cards yesterday and they can be used beginning today (up to December 24) and are supposedly worth $20 each.

It seems like Christmas is coming too darn fast this year. It must be because I wasn't in California for three weeks in November, having hit the road on October 30.

Dry-Camping Tips For Beginners

Above, a sign points the way to the dry campground behind the Gen. George Patton Memorial Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since buying The Beast last year, I've dry camped several times with no problem.

What is dry camping? That is when you don't have any hook-ups (electric, water and sewer) and are living off your RV's tanks (water and propane) and battery power. But, one needs to be familiar with their RV's tank capacities and battery power to have problem-free camping. Also, making sure there's adequate propane in the propane tank before heading out into the wilderness.

RV Life has posted an article on three critical dry camping tips for beginners.

Above, dry camping at the campground behind the Patton Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They begin with:

After selling their home in Portland, Cija and Dave lived in their RV for almost a year. While hooked up to shore power, they renovated the motorhome until it was time to head south for the winter in October 2016. Just a few weeks later, the couple unplugged for the first time. The couple quickly became well-acquainted with the limits of their RV’s holding tanks, batteries and propane capacity. Desert boondocking or dry camping does present some challenges that’s easy to overcome with preparation.

The three tips are:

1. Live off Your Tanks and Batteries Before Trying Dry Camping
2. Choose to Camp Near a Dump Station (and Civilization)
3. Understand AC/DC power concepts

It is best to read the article as the three tips are fully explained.

To read more, go here.

OMG! A RUSSIAN Did It!

All the current liberal hysteria over alleged Russian meddling in this year's election prompted me to post:

OMG! A Russian did this!

Yes, it's true! Artist Asya is from St. Petersburg, Russia.

Above, artist Asya and Armand with the painting at they Odyssey Restaurant. Photo by Lori Thornhill.

RV Refrigerator Installation

Above, The Beast's Norcold refrigerator/freezer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some day in the future, I will have to get a new refrigerator/freezer for The Beast.

Since The Beast is almost 2 years old, as is the refrigerator/freezer, it should give me many more years of service.

But, that said, I found this new video by the Nomadic Fanatic interesting (and useful). The cooling unit of his old refrigerator/freezer crapped out and he had to buy a new refrigerator/freezer.

One has the choice of having a shop do the installation or, as in the Nomadic Fanatic's case, do-it-yourself.

This video shows the process of removing the old unit and installing the new unit:

Graceland RV Park & Campground

Above, The Beast at the Graceland RV Park & Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While planning my trip to Metropolis, Illinois, I decided to take a detour three hours south to Memphis, Tennessee after the celebration of life services for Noel Neill. I was planning to go to Memphis next year, but I decided to do it while I was, ahem, in the area.

I was pleasantly surprised during my planning that there is a RV park across the street from Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion off of Elvis Presley Blvd. Talk about convenient!

This was one of the few RV parks or campgrounds I made prior reservations on this trip.

According to the Graceland RV Park & Campground's website:

Whether you're just a hundred miles from home or traveling across the country, you won't find a more comfortable or convenient Memphis campgrounds to call home for a night or two. Located within walking distance of Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland RV Park & Campground is a haven of relaxation you're not likely to forget anytime soon. This Graceland campground is near other great Memphis attractions if you feel like exploring the city. 

The Graceland RV Park & Campground is located on 19 acres just off Elvis Presley Boulevard behind Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel. Cabins are available for rent as well.

Above, a view of one of the campground's roads. Rental cabins are down at the end. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I stayed two nights at the campground and found it a surprisingly nice setting. The Heartbreak Hotel is now closed (there's a new and much bigger hotel across the street). There is a security gate that is manned 24 hours a day. I chatted with a couple of the guards and found both to be very friendly and diligent in their duties. That should be a big comfort for visitors.

Above, the Graceland RV Park & Campground office and store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The staff members were friendly and the store inside the office sells Elvis souvenirs. With my Good Sam discount, I paid $37.00 per night. Elvis Presley music can be heard from nearby souvenir shops.

I was assigned a pull-through campsite at the end of an aisle, which gave me more room. The site was nice and level, so I didn't have to use my leveling blocks. I made use of the site's table when barbecuing.

Above, another view of my end campsite with the former Heartbreak Hotel in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The campground's roads are named after some of Elvis Presley's hit records, such as "Shook Up Lane", "Hound Dog Way", "Don't Be Cruel Way" and "Teddy Bear Lane". The total number of sites is 78.

If visiting Graceland, Beale Street, Sun Studio or the National Civil Rights Museum (the former Lorraine Motel) and you're traveling by RV, I would recommend staying at the Graceland RV Park & Campground.

Japan Opens Door To Future Casino Gambling

Above, slot machines at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

American casino and gambling equipment companies are salivating at the prospect of big sales now that Japan has opened the door to casino gaming.

According to the Wall Street Journal:

TOKYO—U.S.-based casino companies are eager to grab a foothold in Japan, one of the world’s largest gambling nations, after parliament early Thursday passed a law ordering the government to prepare for the nation’s first casino resorts. 

The law gives Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government a year to develop specific plans on issues such as licensing operators and preventing gambling addicts from using casinos. The law doesn’t by itself legalize casinos, but proponents say they hope to pass further legislation in coming years that would enable the first casino to open in the early 2020s.

To read more, go here. 

Ambassadorship To Japan?

President-elect Donald Trump will need to appoint ambassadors to foreign countries, including Japan.

The thought occurred to me in a dream the other night about being appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

It would be logical, as Mr. Spock would say.

Qualifications:

• A Trump supporter before it became fashionable.

• Two degrees in political science (A.A. from El Camino College and B.A. from California State University, Long Beach).

• Some state government experience (as field representative to Assemblyman Paul Bannai).

Above, Armand with California State Assemblyman Paul Bannai.

• Traveled to Japan eight times and visited many regions.

Above, at Mt. Aso in Kyushu.

• Knows some big Japanese celebrities. 

• Has hosted dinners there (the experience would come in handy in hosting dinners in the ambassador's residence).

Above, a dinner at Tokyo's Imperial Hotel.

• Published writer of articles on Japanese pop culture in the U.S. and Japan.

• Has some name recognition in Japan.

Above, the English edition of the Yomiuri Shimbun.

• Wrote a Japan travel guide.

If appointed, I'd have to come out of retirement. But for such an opportunity, hell yes, I'd do it!

(Thanks to Brad Shey for the newspaper headline!)