Storming Shopping Carts

It’s kind of fun watching a huge ego get deflated in front of onlookers. Do to the extreme heat and humidity, an afternoon storm came through that was scary and rewarding. Rewarding that we finally got some rain and scary that it looked like the flooding scene from the movie 2012.

I was in a grocery store when one of these highly charged storms was preparing to hit the area. As the rain came down, slow at first, eventually increased to the point no one could see any cars in the parking lot. The last thing people saw were shopping carts being pushed all around the parking area like a giant pinball game. Everyone in the entire store was looking out the front store windows taking in this monstrous view.

As the storm eventually died down people walked outside to survey any damages as well as to head home with the food they just bought. One man came back in the store and proceeded to talk with the Assistant Manager about damages to his truck. Everyone was taken aback by the number of dings and dents the shopping carts had done to his vehicle. The Assistant Manager stated that the store wasn’t responsible for any damages caused by the shopping carts but if the man wished, he could still contact the police and file a report against the store.

The man looked like he was satisfied with that decision until the Assistant Manager mentioned that he would have to explain to the police why he was parked in the fire lane while he was grocery shopping. The man simply turned around and left the store. No charges were filed against the store.  

Thundercats 2011 - Personnel Review

After watching the one hour premiere Friday night I was full of mixed feeling as were my two sons who kept asking many questions. As I grew up watching the original series and I have to admit that I judged this show based on that which led me to feel as if monkeys were writing the script to this show. 


The art work was way above most anime shows being produced by Cartoon Network or for that matter on other  network shows like Disney or Nickelodeon. It's as if they actually hired someone who could color within the lines and not Photoshop half the work. The voice actors were an even more perfect match with the exception of Mumm-Ra's voice. At one point I actually thought he was going to break out in a song and dance number by the way his voice kept reminding me of  Disney's Phineas & Ferb show. The original voice actor Earl Hammond performed Mumm-Ra's voice to the point that a kid would keep the lights on during the show for safety especially from listening to his evil laughing or chanting his name for all to hear.  A voice that sounded like it truly came from a nightmare. The final scenes of the original Thundercats episodes called 'The Evil Harp of Charr-Nin' and Pumm-Ra' says it all on why Mumm-Ra was the cartoon bad guy of the 80's.


A few more nit-picks such as the gem in the Sword of Omens belonging to Mumm-Ra is laughable. If this show takes place many years after the original series ended then how can Mumm-Ra own a gem that come from another planet the Thundercats were originally from? And acting like there is no such thing as technology when the original show was loaded with it. Even the original Lion-O went into outer space in a few episodes. But the real knife-to-the-back feel came as to watch a weaker Mumm-Ra. Sunlight weakens him as he acts more like a stereotypical bad guy one sees on any other typical cartoon show. 


Overall its like watching Rise of the Planet of the Apes but with lizards or Dragonball Evolution with cats. I will keep watching the show as long as I can stomach it but it feels like I ask for a Pepsi and Cartoon Network gave me a Diet Coke. 


Artwork: A+
Characters: A+  (if Snarf speaks B+)
Voice Actors: A-
Script: D
Story: C-

Rebuilding Japan

A slideshow to show how quickly Japan is rebuilding their country after a 9.0 earthquake and a massive tsunami.

Fullmetal Alchemist GONG

Found this video while surfing and really enjoyed it. A condense version of all episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.

The name of the group is Jam Project. http://www.jamjamsite.com/

Team Mustang wearing Jinbei, Yukata & Fundoshi

I took more of my wife's drawings and made a short slideshow to showcase traditional summer wear in Japan.


Team Mustang -  Summer Time by melmika1

After School - BANG! (Extended Japanese Version)

National Parents Day

The Background

Many Americans are unaware that our nation has a new day of commemoration called Parents' Day. This is good news for America's parents and families.

In 1994 President Bill Clinton signed into law the resolution unanimously adopted by the U. S. Congress establishing the fourth Sunday of every July as Parents' Day, a perennial day of commemoration similar to Mother's Day and Father's Day. According to the Congressional Resolution, Parents’ Day is established for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children."

The establishment of Parents’ Day was the result of a bipartisan, multiracial and interfaith coalition of religious, civic and elected leaders who recognized the need to promote responsible parenting in our society and to uplift ideal parental role models, especially for our nation's children.

Since the creation of this annual day of commemoration, local faith communities, elected officials and activists throughout the nation have creatively launched many activities around the theme of Parents' Day designed tocelebrate and strengthen the traditional, two-parent family.

The National Parents' Day Council does not envision Parents' Day to be yet "another" day to honor parents, but rather a day when parents honor their children and the God-centered family ideal by rededicating themselves to manifest the highest standard of unconditional true love.

The Opportunity

The establishment of Parents’ Day affords a wonderful opportunity for communities, organizations, churches, mosques, synagogues and temples to honor exemplary parents and to encourage families everywhere to invest in our most precious resource – our children.  Among the most popular of these activities has been the recognition of outstanding couples as parental role models who have been honored as "Parents of the Year"at the national, state, local and faith community level.

We encourage you to get involved in helping us recognize outstanding parents worthy of this recognition by establishing a Parents' Day Selection Committee in your faith community or local area.  Please also recommend such parents to your state's National Parents' Day Council affiliate or our national office for consideration to be selected "Parents of the Year" at the state or national level.

WHY PARENTS' DAY?

In every culture and time period, the family has stood as the most fundamental human institution. Family is the starting point of life, the sustainer of well-being, and the school of love. A family begins with the joining together of man and woman, husband and wife, becoming father and mother – and parents. The most powerful of human bonds is the parent-child relationship.

Commitment to family has always been a core value. Tragically, however, what was often held as a common value, recognized as common sense, even understood as self-evident in the past, is sometimes not so today.

As our nation struggles with effects of family breakdown, youth violence and a host of other critical problems, more and more voices are calling for a re-examination of our priorities and fundamental values. Too often we have let other concerns take precedence over our responsibilities as parents. Yet is there any more important calling than that of nurturing and raising a child?

Unfortunately, our popular culture over the past several decades has emphasized self-fulfillment and self-gratification. Such focus on the self runs counter to the essence of parenthood, which fundamentally involves unconditional true love.

Parents' Day provides an opportunity to recognize and promote parenting as a central vocation for our families and communities. More than just a time to celebrate, it is an occasion to make a statement about what is important in our society. It is a chance to create a positive tradition based on a core axiom – that the role of parents is crucial in the nurturing and development of children, and thus requires investment, focus, and commitment.

My Son is a Republican

The other day my son wanted to go to Wal Mart to buy a DS game using money he had saved up. After picking out his game we went to pay for it. He was surprised by the amount of taxes added to the price of the game. As I was explaining the purpose of taxes to my son, the cashier added a little bit more to the conversation that almost ended us being kicked out of the store.

I was trying to keep it simple for an 11 year old by simply saying the taxes we pay go towards paying service men, police, firemen as well as fixing the roads. The cashier added into our conversation the importance of the welfare system. This caused my son to get an angry feeling about him. As the cashier explained more about people who get paid money every month from the government which led my curious son to ask questions? 

This is part of their conversation

Son: Don’t they have a job?

Cashier: No.

Son: Don’t they want to work?

Cashier: Why work when they get paid not to.

Son: So my taxes pay people not to work

Cashier: Well, yeh.

Son: That’s stupid. It’s my money. I want to help firemen. My cousin is a fireman.

Cashier: Well you just don’t understand how things work in life.

Son: They need to fix it.

Cashier: It can’t be done.

Son: Stupid waste of my money.

Cashier: Well if you don’t like it then that’s tough.

Son: I’m going to spend my money where it’s not wasted.

Cashier: I think you need to be quiet and leave now.

Me: You did put your two cents into our conversation so…

Cashier: Do I need to call the manager to have you thrown out of this store?

Me: Good luck with that.

She called the manager up front like we were criminals. We already had our receipt as the manager wanted to know what was going on. I played it cool and allowed my son to talk. He basically said the cashier wanted my tax money to pay welfare people instead of my cousin who is with the fire department. I told the manager the cashier kept talking about supporting the welfare system. The situation didn’t get too out of hand because an unexpected event took place.

One of my cousins was already in the store doing a fire inspection of the building, saw us and as we said our hellos, the manager looked like he wanted to hide under a rock. He apologized for the cashier who looked like she wanted to bit nails as my cousin, son and I left the store. I told him everything that had happened and we all had a good laugh except my son who was still upset that the taxes he paid on his game was going to pay people not to work. And again we all had a good laugh.  I still see the cashier working there as does my son who reminds me many times that he wants the government to stop wasting his money.

Proud Okinawan

Universal Laws

Law of Mechanical Repair: After your hands become coated with grease your nose will begin to itch or you'll have to pee.

Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible location.

Law of Probability: The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.

Law of the Telephone: When you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.

Law of the Alibi: If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

Variation Law: If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now. (works every time)

Bath Theorem: When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone will ring.

Law of Close Encounters: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Bio mechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

Theater Rule: At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.

Law of Coffee: As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Murphy's Law of Lockers: If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

Law of Dirty Rugs/Carpets: The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich of landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.

Law of Location: No matter where you go, there you are.

Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

Brown's Law: If the shoe fits, it's ugly.

Oliver's Law: A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Wilson's Law: As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Red Skelton 1913 - 1997

1. Two times a week we go to a nice restaurant, have a

little beverage, good food and companionship.

She goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays.

2. We also sleep in separate beds.

Hers is in California, and mine is in Texas ....

3. I take my wife everywhere,

but she keeps finding her way back.

4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary.

"Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said.

So I suggested the kitchen.

5. We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.

6. She has an electric blender, electric

toaster and electric bread maker.

She said "There are too many gadgets and no place

to sit down!" So I bought her an electric chair.

7. My wife told me the car wasn't running well

because there was water in the carburetor.

I asked where the car was. She told me, "In the lake."

8. She got a mud pack and looked great for two days.

Then the mud fell off.

9. She ran after the garbage truck, yelling, "Am I too late

for the garbage?" The driver said, "No, jump in!".

10. Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.

11. I married Miss Right.

I just didn't know her first name was 'Always'.

12. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months.

I don't like to interrupt her.

13. The last fight was my fault though.

My wife asked, "What's on the TV?"

I said, "Dust!".

Bacon Soft Drink

Say this three times fast; (Bacon Cola, Baking Soda)

This was not released as an official flavor, more or less purely as a collectible item. needless to say it's worth a try.

But not to worry as bacon flavored toothpaste will clean your teeth and freshen your breath. 

http://www.shopluxegifts.com/home/lux/page_104_8/bacon_toothpaste.html

After School "BANG!" Japanese teaser

http://www.after--school.jp/top.html

Over 50,000 people attempted to purchase the tickets for their Japanese performance at Akasaka BLITZ, but with a 3,000 ticket capacity (for two stages), all of the tickets were sold out in one minute! After School has collaborated with Amuro Namie for her collaboration album, “Checkmate!” and have even sang at ‘Tokyo Girls Collection by girlswalker.com 2011 SUMMER/SPRING’ despite not having made their debut in Japan yet.

The group will make their debut with their new single, “Bang!”, which is set for release on August 17th. Their debut single is a Japanese remake of their song that is already popular in Korea. With Japanese promotions nearing, Avex has just released a teaser for After School's debut Japanese single, "Bang!".

The one-minute long teaser starts with individual shots of the members in both new and familiar outfits. Throughout the teaser, dance and individual shots can be seen, as well as scenes showing off the girls' drum skills. The first verse and first chorus of the song are also previewed. The Japanese version has a different arrangement compared to the earlier-released Korean version, giving this version a newer, fresher sound.


Click here for complete Japanese version

GACKT - Episode.0 Live (with English Lyrics)

A Japanese show called Coming Soon!! interviewed Gackt. Afterwards he sang a condense version of  his new song "Episode.0".



English Lyrics:


Yes, I am one who seizes their dreams, I stain my sword red for my ambitions
Because this is a world of warring states, I will take the earth no matter what I have to sacrifice¹

I reflected on nothing, I wrote no letters even to my mother in my hometown
When I came to know my own immaturity, my body was stained in blood

The scars of a cruel battle
We are the defeated
There is not even salvation for the vanquished
The rain pours down heartlessly

Our dreams scatter as dew on our gravestones

As I head far away, the sound comes to me
A gentle, sad melody

It's like a young girl is singing somewhere
A crystal clear voice resounds

Suddenly, my tears welled up and fell
Thoughts of my hometown floated up
That voice made me realise
that peace is most important

If I can be reborn
like the girl who sang with that voice
I want to become someone
who can save people with my song

If I were able to take someone's burdens away
as mine are taken now, Ah!

Gackt - Bunraku

Bunraku is an upcoming 2011 computer-animated live action fantasy that revolves around a "Man with No Name" stock character known as 'The Drifter'. Directed by Guy Moshe from his own script, the title of the film is based on a 400-year-old form of Japanese Puppet Theater, a style of storytelling that uses 4-foot (1.2 m)-tall puppets with highly detailed heads, each operated by several puppeteers who blend into the background wearing black robes and hoods.

This classic tale is re-imagined in an entirely fresh visual context, set in a unique world that mixes skewed reality with shadow-play fantasy. The world of Bunraku is fantasy and reality, Samurai and Western all combined. 

The casting of the Japanese rock star came as a surprise even to him. Although Gackt Camui has starred in Japanese television drama and feature films, Bunraku is his first acting experience in an international-flavored movie to date. The involvement of the Japanese artist was officially announced on April 23, 2008. Gackt came to the attention of director Guy Moshe through his role in the 2007 television historic drama Fūrin Kazan, a year-long series produced by NHK. In this series, he portrayed the heroic warlord Uesugi Kenshin, winning him accolades, not only for his acting performance, but also for the single Returner ~Yami no Shūen~ and the video for the same that were inspired by his role. Moshe went to Japan to entice Gackt to join the project.

Pepsi Caribbean Gold

Pepsi Japan releases a new limited time flavor every summer. So far I have tasted the Red Bean Pepsi, the Ice Cucumber Pepsi, the herb like Perilla Leaf Pepsi, the lemon and pineapple infused Blue Hawaii Pepsi, and the African spicy Baobab Fruit Pepsi.

Released at the same time as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Pepsi Caribbean Gold has a white sapote flavor, a tropical fruit native to South and Central America with large seeds and a sweet and soft texture.

Bacon Salt

With a tear in my eye I wish to say there is an item now on the market that I will truly buy. A product more important than water and should I dare say it, the air it self. Yes, it's Bacon Salt.
http://www.jdfoods.net/

Bacon Salt

Bacon Popcorn

Bacon Lip Balm

Self portrait - (Not me)

My wife drew me another picture for me to use as I like.

Beach trip

 Spent another few days at Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.

A Soldiers' Letter - English subtitles

I fixed the subtitles but I found out that I miss-spelled the word farewell in the video. In all a pretty good video on trying to get more people to write and send care packages to our servicemen serving so far away from home.
http://www.uso.org/
http://www.productsforgood.com/


A Soldiers' Letter - English subtitles by melmika1

A Soldiers' Letter

A video I made using Windows Live Movie Maker. The Artist is Gackt. The name of the song is called Suddenly.


A Soldiers Letter by melmika1

4th July picture

My wife drew this picture to celebrate those that fought for our Independence.
And she's Japanese.