Pokémon Nicknames (REDUX): Zubat, Golbat and Crobat.

Scene from Zatoichi: On The Road

Everyone hates Zubat!  You can’t take one freaking step in a cave before a wild Zubat appears !!!

Not many players want to have a Zubat as a part of their team. They are extremely common, and are not exactly lovable.  Encountering them is just a status problem waiting to happen.

If those things stuck into you, you would get a status problem. The fangs I mean.

It may be possible to have fun with Zubat however.  I nicknamed a male Zubat — “Zatoichi” – after the Japanese movie hero Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman.  (Japanese actor Shintaro Katsu portrayed Zatoichi in 26 films.  I highly recommend watching them!) Zubat is blind (or nearly so), therefore a blind —  but powerful character seemed appropriate.   I captured Zatoichi in a premier ball (Movie stars should like being in a Premier), and taught it cutting moves like “Air Cutter”.  I leveled it up to 100, so it will forever be a Zubat* .

… a more cuddly Zubat?

I have also used the name “Zuckerberg” after Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook.  Or is he “Zuckerman” … I really don’t know. Also I like to use the name “Zimmerman” after Robert Zimmerman (a.k.a. Bob Dylan), and “Zip-Gun” after the term for an improvised handgun.

Either carry a lot of repels or get a dictionary and look under”Z”.

I named a female Zubat “Zelda” not after Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda game, but the character “Zelda Gilroy” in the classic American TV series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. The character Zelda was always crinkling her nose at Dobie, much to his consternation.  Zelda was in love with Dobie, and always pestered him that they were destined to be married. Annoying, just like a Zubat!  Zelda Gilroy was played by child actress Sheila Kuehl.  A spin-off TV series for Zelda  was created, but the network cancelled it, because Ms. Keuel was a lesbian (too “butch” the network said).  Ms. Kuel left acting and eventually became a state senator in California, where she was a staunch advocate of  lesbian and gay rights. … but I digress  …

Zelda Gilroy … as annoying as a Zubat?

Another name I suggest is “Boom Batz” as in Dr. Vinny Boombatz.

How about the name “DingBat” or “You Dingbat!” after what Archie Bunker used to yell at his wife Edith on the 1970s TV show “All-In-The-Family”.  Although I actually got the idea for Dingbat as a name while watching Nancy Pelosi on CNN. That lady is not connected to reality at all.

So it is possible, to warm up to a Zubat.  With that in mind, I present the following Zubat cosplay:

A wild Zubat appeared! .. and um … ah … um .. no problem …

* because I thought that Zubat’s evolution Golbat and Crobat did not remind me of Zatoichi.

UPDATE***07/22/2016

For Golbat , I have used the name “Gottffried” or “Gilbert” for the large-mouthed, loud, obnoxious-sounding comedian Gilbert Gottfried (his webpage link here). No, really, I like him, he was always good in his abrasive manner. When he does that routine, he looks like Golbat. How about “Goldman” as in Goldman-Sacs?

I also use the name “Bela” for both males and females. Bela could be for the famous Dracula movie actor Bela Lugosi, or for the females, think of the Bela character from the “Twilight” movie series.

I have also named Zubat Google.com or another website just to be silly when Wondertrading. “Denny sent over Google.com”. HA! I also think that “Zelda” is still good when you level up your Golbat to Crobat with high friendship!

Cute -bat family!

What is the name of your annoying bat? Please Comment!

Anna + Rina + Tragedy + Time + those “Big Butts”

Dear Mr. Akimoto-san,

I want to first communicate my support and best wishes to all members of the AKB family.  It has been several weeks since the infamous “saw-attack” on Anna and Rina by that crazy person at the Handshake Event.  I was of course very dismayed by the news, and I hope that Anna and Rina have now made a full recovery.  I hope that they have taken enough time to heal themselves both physically and emotionally.  Enough time has passed now, and I finally want to express my feelings.

I hope that the attack will not keep fans from meeting AKB members in person. At first, I was concerned that too many shows and events would be cancelled.  I hoped that security will be enhanced, in order to prevent a potentially worse situation, or copycat behavior.  I understand that this has been done. I am glad that the members affected took some time.

In America, we have an expression that says “comedy: is tragedy plus time”.  Meaning that over time, we may laugh off any sad event.

I have an idea! As part of the therapy for the girls, (assuming  enough time has passed), I would like to see Anna and Rina dress up as security guards and police the lineups at Handshake Events.  Really, this might be one way they can mentally get back to interacting with fans. Have them randomly go up to an otaku waiting in like, and give them the “bad cop” treatment.  Drag an innocent guy out of line, and have Anna and Rina use Police Billy-clubs to force them to go up against a wall and “SPREAD ‘EM”.  They could then “search” the fan, and pat them down.  Really, I think that any AKB fan would not mind at all.  Maybe a little “strip search” if they are game … and it would be a fun part of the show … AND be good therapy for the girls.  They would feel more confident about meting the fans, and they would feel more empowered.  Put Anna and Rina in charge.

You could use a “sexy” police or security guard outfit similar to what Yuko wore in the “Gingham Check” music video.

Careful, Yuko.  Something might go off.

Of course, you would still have your real, regular plain-clothes security, but having the members do some of the “policing” might send a message that indeed – the girls are back … and now they are more than OK.

One other thing I would like to get off my chest, is that ever since the attack, I have had to put up with a lot of “big butts” — or asinine comments from non-fans.  As you know, there are a lot of AKB haters out there.  Mostly these people are just jealous.  After the attack on Anna and Rina, I read so many blogs that started  “I don’t listen to AKB48, but …” and then they would proceed to some rant about Japan’s patriarchal society, exploitation of women,  etc. , ad nauseam, wanka-wanka-wanka.  So many unattractive women wrote about how they hate the AKB girls, I lost count.  So jealous.  So very jealous and foul of heart …

Many of these “big butts” hate your songs and the girls, when they themselves like very shallow, boorish entertainment. AKB48 is just not “hard rock” enough.  I even had a (yuk!) rap-music fan criticize AKB singing.  Really?  A mind so polluted that it likes America’s worst export?  They of course have no credibility.  Also, many “hard-rockers” do not like AKB pop, but they like these “edgy” gothic-rock groups that look like, and sing like, they want to kill their own mothers.  These people — the rap and crap of America — are just too far gone to appreciate the sweet happiness of the AKB48 family.  I will not listen to these “big butts.”  If they like idiot music, then they are too stupid too recognize the sweetness and fun of the 48 family anyway.  These are uncouth people and they prove it. They think that they are “hip” and “cool” but all they do is add more unpleasantness and pain into the world every day. You and the girls add more fun and beauty every day.

Here in America, thugs and ill-mannered louts are praised.  While — apparently — innocence, beauty and art are now considered to be deviant and thus worthy of scorn.  I apologize for American musical tastes, its popular culture, and its bloggers.  I bow to you sir,

Yours truly,

Denny Sinnoh

KIMONOS ON MONDAY (Week #15) Kimonos featured in Japanese Travel Posters

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This week “Kimonos Every Monday” will feature a special slideshow of kimono art and photos.  Enjoy these vintage ads for travel to or from Japan.  

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Hi, I’m Larry, this is my brother Darryl , and this is my other brother Darryl … and this here is Miss Hanako Oku

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 Only trust items in “bold.”

Please enjoy this outdoor “mini concert” from the Little Great One, posted in 2012.

On a whim, Ms. Oku held an impromptu concert for the opening of the new “Sears” at the Chiba City mall.  She is playing/singing off of this little balcony near the ancillary parking garage across the street.  It is still winter, so Oku-san is bundled up, and is wearing a cute ski hat.  I thought that she looked like one of the guys from the old “Newhart” show … hence my recycled joke.

The actual video performance does not start until about 35 seconds in.  That may have been how the YouTube user was trying to fool the Record Industry Weasels.  This is the song list, as best as I can copy and paste.

Time 2:00  やさしい花 (from 2005)
Time 8:34 恋（2007)
Time 15:41  笑って笑って（2009）
Time 21.58  愛を見つけた場所（2012)
Time 28:21  ガーネット（2007）
Time 37:51  積和不動産「MAST」（2007）
Time 38:30  初恋(2010)

Stop watching at 47:00 minutes, as the show is over at that point.  After that it is just ads for the Japanese “Fish Bulb” company.

Random Thoughts:

I am still very emotionally moved by this.   It is a real treat for fans.  I used to play this video, minimize it on my computer, and then listen to it as I sit at my desk at work.  Yes, listening to The Little Great One makes processing those agricultural chemical purchase request forms that much more enjoyable.

As usual, she talks and jokes with the audience.  If only I knew what she was saying.  The audience grows and grows, because people coming out of the mall are pointing to the roof next door and going “Its Hanako Oku– I thought they broke up!”.

The coolest part is when the police arrive at the roof and are about to step in and stop her, and she launches into “Get Back”.  Despite her imminent arrest for disturbing the peace, she keeps playing and sings “GET BACK LORETTA …”  just as the Bobby is going to confront her.

Starlight: I really do need to adjust this telescope, or at least point it in the correct direction.

Pokémon Nicknames: Rotom and its forms.

All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy All work and no play makes Denny a dull boy …

Oh, hello there.  Pokémon nicknames right?  I nicknamed a Rotom “RedRum” after the famous scene in the horror movie “The Shining”.   Rotom (in Japanese:  ロトム  Rotom) is a dual-type Electric and Ghost Pokémon.  It was originally named Rotom because that name is “motor” spelled backwards. Spelling and saying words backwards …  pretty creepy right?  Just like in the horror movies.

Voice of Tony: “Always name your Pokemon Danny”.

Rotom is also able to change its form and type when the ghost “possesses” certain appliances.  In the Kalos region, you can find the appliances on the second floor of Professor Sycamore’s Lab in Lumiose City.  I put together a team of six Rotom forms and then battled the Kalos Elite Four and Champion.

When Rotom possesses a microwave oven, it becomes Heat Rotom, and is Electric/Fire type.  I nicknamed this type “Hot Pocket” after the tasty microwaveable stuffed sandwiches. I have also used the names “Duke Nuke” and “Nuke” for this form.

When Rotum possesses a washing machine, it becomes Wash Rotom, and it Electric/Water type.  I nicknamed it “Spin Cycle”.  Sometimes I just name it “Maytag”.

When it possesses an electric fan, it becomes Fan Rotom.  I nicknamed the Electric/Flying type “Air Raid”.  I once used “Windy City”.

Rotom becomes Frost Rotom, an Electric/Ice type when it possesses a refrigerator.  I named it “Ice Point” after the temperatures 32 degrees Fahrenheit/ 0 Celsius.  I have also named them “Mr. Freeze” after the Batman villain, and “Tastee Freez” after the frozen treat. “David Frost” is another possibility.

My favorite form is when Rotom possess the lawnmower, and becomes Mow Rotom, the Electric/Grass type.   I like to name them “Buzz Cut” or “Weed Whacker”.  Speaking of whacking …

“Come play with our SHINY Pokemon Danny.”

 

Pokémon Nicknames: Bonsly and Sudowoodo

The “Wood Man” seen here with his daughter/wife Soon-Yi.

Despite its appearance, Sudowoodo is a Rock type Pokemon.  Sudowoodo combines the words “pseudo” meaning “false” and “wood”.  Thus, the Pokemon is based on petrified wood — trees which have become fossilized over time.

I named a male Sudowoodo after “WoodyAllen”.  The filmmaker was a comic genius — but he is also very immoral.  I do not find the rock-hard Pokemon to be as disturbing as Mr. Allen however —  I nicknamed it thinking of Woody’s “earlier, funnier films”.  

“Rock type? Well let me explain to you how my wood gets hard.”

I also named a female Sudowoodo “Twiggy” after the famous 1960s fashion model of the same name.

I think that “Twiggy” would also be a good name for Sudowoodo’s pre-evolved form: Bonsly the “bonsai” Pokemon. As Brock can demonstrate,  Sudowoodo is called Usokkie ウソッキー , and Bonsly is called Usohachi ウソハチ in the Japanese game.

Oh goody, Here’s Woody!

You know what would be a HOOT?  Nickname a Bonsly “Soon-Yi” then put it in your team with your “WoodyAllen” Sudowoodo.  Ha Ha.  No.

That man is immoral.

Mr. Allen with the future Mrs. Allen at NY Knicks game.

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Best audio moment from “Guardians of the Galaxy”

One of the things that I liked about the new “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie was the good1970s pop soundtrack that it had.  It was a mix of songs I both loved and hated — listening to the AM radio in my first-ever automobile: A 1969 Pontiac Bonneville station wagon.  The movie brought back a lot of my hazy 1970s memories …

… only mine was dark blue!

Anyway, the greatest audio moment in GOTG was when the Eric Carmen and the Raspberries song “Go All The Way” blasts through.  A great “power pop” song from the early 70s!  Well done, Mr. movie music director.

It should occur to the listener that the lyrics are all FLIP-FLOPPED & JUXTAPOSED!

Listen to what the boy is saying about the girl.  In this song, it was the GIRL that wanted to “go all the way”!!!

How on Earth does the GIRL have to beg the BOY???

Who ever had a 1970s girlfriend that great? Sure there were stories in the locker room, but I thought that these were just braggarts.  And believe me, I heard a lot of stories.   Unfortunately, I had few stories to tell, not like the dumb jocks.  Oh, no, the dumb jocks had their stories, yes indeedee.

However the dumb jocks at our school were SO STUPID, they often could not articulate their backseat conquests effectively.  Our dumb jocks were so bad at describing the relevant details, that we had to give the dumb jocks anatomically correct dolls in order for them to explain their carnal accomplishments.

“OK, Moose, where did you do  her … OK, uh, huh,  … and where did she do you, uh, huh, I see. …”

Anyway, the movie-moment song brought back a lot of memories.  This is my seventies life and welcome to it.  I will also share this bootleg recording of the Raspberries on the old Mike Douglas show.  If you do not know who Mike Douglas was, ask your grandmother.  It was a syndicated variety show that would play at 4:00 in the afternoon.

The sound quality here is awful.  The group is lip- syncing to the song over the studio loudspeakers.  Actually, Eric Carmen IS singing, along with the tape.  What you hear on this YouTube video is not what was broadcast. The pre-recorded audio was broadcast, not what you hear here in the studio. Remember, this was TV.  Of course, all those grandmothers fainted out of their seats, as the teenagers would turn this up all the way to full volume.

It is a great piece of pop music history!

Pop culture historians will note that the group is interviewed after the song.  Lesbian tennis star Billy Jean King is there.  As well as AFL-NFL Hall-of-Famer NY Jets Quarterback Joe Namath.  That is just the kind of theater that made the Mike Douglas show, uh, ah, uh … one of the only three programs you could watch, because there were only three channels.

DANCING FISH ARE STUCK IN MY HEAD!!!

I follow the J-Pop bloggers Hatchimitsu 2 .  They shared a recent post linked here.  Thank you Violet-Mitsu ! One of the songs that they shared was this song by the J-pop idol group Tsuri Bit .   According to their post,  Tsuri Bit are a “fishing themed idol unit”.  The members are all aspiring champion fisherwomen. They also have “fishing events” with their fans.  If AKB48 are “the Idols you can meet”, then Tsuri Bit are “the idols you can fish with”.

This song “Odoroyo, Fish” means “Dancing Fish” or is it “Dance with Fish?”.  The music video is a very warm, feel-good summer song.  I was very surprised at how much I liked it.  I kept going back to it with my morning coffee a couple of days ago.

… and now it is STUCK IN MY HEAD!!!  People are giving me weird looks in elevators and the grocery store!

Make sure to turn the1080 HD on, its great!  Hmmm…. as cool as the dancing is in this video, they do not actually show any fish (no fish were harmed).

I looked up a few other of the Tsuri Bit songs on YouTube. You know what?  They have other songs that are about fishing too.  The more I looked at … the more I found songs … about fishing!  They are a cute little group – and apparently, all of this groups songs are about FISHING!  Can all of a groups songs always be about the same subject?

The mono-theme reminds me of the old American rock group KISS.  The group made more than 30 albums, but “all of their songs are about (sexual intercourse)-ing”.

These young ladies are OK with me.  If they like fishing, and their fans like fishing, I’m all for it.

Kids, don’t do drugs … FISH!

I also found this nice live performance of the song.

On this one, their Idol outfits are even more maritime themed  … and are those dresses made out of FISH SCALES!?!?

You don’t have to watch this last one (it’s for fans — or fins –only).  I love this little group of ichthyologists.  Their Idol dresses are super-cool-pretty looking here — but it is an outdoor live performance in the rain.  I can taste the salty sea air!

Starlight: Thanks to Hachimitsu2, it arrived in my world in less than a month.

KIMONOS ON MONDAY (Week#14) Kojima in Kimono!

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Haruna Kojima in yukata.

AKB48 member Haruna Kojima will never have to worry about a second career after graduating AKB48.  Kojima-san is one of the few remaining members of the original team that started in 2005, and there are rumors that she will graduate in 2014.  She is now almost 27 years old, which is getting a little “long-in-the-tooth” to be a Japanese idol.  Haruna has been a professional model for years.  Her work with the Peach John company is especially notable.  I doubt if she will starve when-if she graduates AKB.  I love her photo-shoots of course, and  I especially liked the kimono magazine work that she has done.  Do you know how difficult it is to find photos of Kojima-san in kimono?

Haruna Kojima caught looking lovely, as she waits for the morning train in a beautiful kimono. Japanese painters: Please capture this moment!

KojiHaru is a professional “underwear model” so if you do a Google or Bing search for “Haruna Kojima” you get millions of photos of her in her underwear.  The results are usually images of her in sexy lingerie, or if not that, then wearing a bikinis, or short miniskirts.  There are all these magazine ads showing her dressing, undressing, doing the laundry, etc. that you have to wade through.  You get the idea.  Try to find a photo of Kojima-san that is NOT sexy.  I dare you.  I do wish I had all the scans of that kimono magazine shoot she did.  I must have had to look at a million detailed photos of Haruna in her underwear in order to find these kimonos.  Now, even my toenails are sweating, and I did not know that they could.  Please enjoy this short slide show of Haruna and friends in kimono.

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PS: I may be the first blogger to ever describe Ms. Kojima as getting “long-in-the-tooth”.

Well, she is getting up there!

View more Haruna Kojima on my Pinterest board for her.

A maze: “Sayonara no Kioku”

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My strong, yearning, desperate, feelings are captured in this maze.

“Sayonara no Kioku” (Memory of Goodbye) music and lyrics by Hanako Oku.

(I’m just using this YouTube post to share the song.   All other posts of the song were taken away by Record Industry Weasels.  The YouTube link here has Vietnamese subs, but don’t let that bother you. Thank you to YouTube user Le Vy for posting the song even if he has a different use. )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rKSNxFnUF0

English lyrics:

Why did I let go of your hand that was joined with mine

I could only concentrate on walking the path to dusk

Will I someday forget your tears of that time

I am hearing the accumulated voices of time somewhere

I was unable to say that I like you

That day we were crying

One by one, memories are added

This is the last memory—the memory of our goodbye

What should have been projected on the sky we found

I feel like now I can understand what I didn’t realize then

Was I searching for you in the box called happiness?

In my heart, pain is still wandering

I was unable to say that I like you

Even though we’ve hugged so many times

One by one, memories are added

This is the last memory—the memory of our goodbye

Still unable to move, I can only point to the two vanishing paths

I was unable to say that I like you

That day we were crying

One by one, memories are added

This is the last memory

The memory of our goodbye

— Thank you to WordPress blogger Yoroshiku.  Son, “we hardly knew ye”. I hope you return, and translate more great songs into English.  

Also see the Romaji lyrics dedicated here.

Notice to PonyCanyon’s  Record Industry Weasels — I said “dedicated” — not  “reproduced”.  So there.

Romanji lyrics

Tsunaideita kimi no te wo boku wa naze hanashiteshimatta

Yuuhi ga ochiteyuku michi tada hitasura ni aruiteita

Ano toki no kimi no namida wo itsuka wasureteyuku no kana

Kasaneteita jikan no koe ga doko ka de kikoeteiru

Kimi ga suki da to iezu ni ita

Ano hi no bokura wa naiteita

Mata hitotsu zutsu omoide ga fueteku

Kore ga saigo no kioku bokutachi no sayonara no kioku

Futari de mitsuketa sora ni nani wo utsuseba yokatta no ka

Ima nara wakaru ki ga suru ano toki wa kizukenakatta

Shiawase to iu hako no naka ni kimi wo sagashiteita no kana?

Boku wa mada kokoro no oku ni itami ga samayotteru

Kimi ga suki da to iezu ni ita

Nando mo dakishimeteita no ni

Mata hitotsu zutsu omoide ga fueteku

Kore ga saigo no kioku bokutachi no sayonara no kioku

Toozakaru futatsu no michi tada yubisashite boku wa ugokenai mama

Kimi ga suki da to iezu ni ita

Ano hi no bokura wa naiteita

Mata hitotsu zutsu omoide ga fueteku

Kore ga saigo no kioku

Bokutachi no sayonara no kioku

———————————————————————-

Starlight:  It took seven years for this starlight to reach my world.  The light illuminated a scarred and barren planetary surface.  Diffused and scattered, the light exposed an eroded, but dry, ancient river course … Is this a way out?