My tastes are NOT “Vanilla” !

Image

I look at this and wonder if I will be eating beaver …

When someone asks my favorite ice cream flavor I always say “vanilla” — but often to a look of indignant disbelief. “You must be boring” they think. I guess my tastes are vanilla – but I am referring to the real vanilla.

“Vanilla” does NOT mean “flavorless.” Vanilla IS a flavor.

I also think that vanilla complements the true flavor of ice cream better than other flavors. Oh you can have your “50 shades” of different syrups if you want. Maybe you want to try it all, that’s OK. You have the right to experiment a little — but you are deviating from what is really ice cream.  If you have to dress your ice cream with all kinds of syrups, nuts, springy-jelly things and the like, then I would say that you are missing the point of ice cream! That weird stuff is NOT a real ice cream experience.

Somehow in your mind all those strange add-on things are taking the place of the real ice cream. I will just mash my face in vanilla thank you.

Just the vanilla ice cream is all I need. Me, my mouth, and the ice cream. I love how I get that “pre taste” from the ice cream just as my mouth glides to it.  The anticipation — the excitement — the electricity. Before my mouth is even on it I can perceive the affective flavor.  My tongue will glide forward, that’s when I am hit with my favorite flavor. My mouth and the mounds of creamy goodness become intertwined. Real vanilla is rich, deep and luxurious. Toppings? I do not want or need anything weird or distracting.

Vanilla is not “bland” – in fact, real vanilla is a very intense and sumptuous flavor. Vanilla flavor is derived from the orchid pods of Vanilla planifolia, a flower indigenous to Central America. There are three sub-species of Vanilla, the best and most famous is “Bourbon vanilla” aka “Madagascar vanilla”.

The wonderful flavor comes from a special place near the ovaries.

Madagascar and surrounding Indian Ocean counties are where much of the world’s commercial vanilla is grown. Check that bottle of vanilla extract in your cupboard! I bet it says that it is a product of Madagascar. I hope it does.

I love the scent and taste of vanilla extract! … as long as it is the real thing. When I purchase vanilla ice cream, I never buy those with “artificial” flavoring. There I might agree … THAT artificial vanilla is boring. You might as well just be eating a picture of vanilla, because “that ain’t vanilla.” Nothing artificial should be part of the ice cream experience.

Let me warn you, there is another way to obtain — quotes: “natural flavoring” — of vanilla. Extract from the anal oil glands of beavers is used to create “vanilla” flavoring. (No, I am NOT making that up.) Now, the real Vanilla sp. plant is very labor expensive because it must be hand pollinated. (The plant can only be pollinated by a species of bee found only in a small region of Middle America.)

The substitute vanilla, made from beaver, is very common in ice cream packaged as “naturally flavored” vanilla.  You see, if you create a vanilla-like flavor from an animal – then that legally counts as “natural”. It is just our human taste chemistry. Thus, the best part of a beaver tastes like rich, creamy vanilla.

I admit, I like to eat the beaver on occasion. You have probably licked beaver yourself. It is highly likely that you were munching the furry rodent if have eaten some “naturally flavored” vanilla.  Naturally flavored, but not naturally flavored with Madagascar vanilla – naturally flavored with – ahem – you know.

Pick up some “vanilla bean” ice cream today, and dive into its intoxicating creamy flavor.

https://www.beanilla.com/madagascar-vanilla-beans

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/01/beaver-butts-emit-goo-used-for-vanilla-flavoring/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castoreum

They should wait, maybe the dessert will be “naturally flavored”.

Starlight: I can’t count how many times I was actually munching the furry rodent. 

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: Looking into the future with Emi Takei

Emi Takei is one of the most popular Japanese actresses. She has appeared in dozens of films, including the great Rurouni Kenshin live action films. Is there any actress who looks better in a kimono?

Remember that you saw these kimonos here first! Commander Sulu from the USS Excelsior was able to “beam back” these images from her 2016 kimono collection. Oh my …

Actually, George — if you wanted it to rhyme, shouldn’t you say: “Oh – MAY”. Everyone else, just enjoy this refection from the future.

I also invite you to warp ahead to 2017, to enjoy this slideshow:

No Kidding, each photo is more lovely than the next. It is very hard to pick a favorite! Emi Takei all the way!

Emi Takei — my last K.O.M. in May!

Starlight: Don’t worry about all of that light speed, space-time continuum science stuff, just enjoy the kimonos!

 

Pokémon Nicknames: Audino

Image

Audino (in Japanese: タブンネ  “Tabunne”) is a Normal-type Pokémon.

Audino is the “hearing” Pokémon. Audino does not evolve from or into any other Pokémon, except that it can Mega-evolve into Mega Audino using the Audinite stone.

I thought that the Mega-evolved Audino looked like it was wearing a lab coat, so I named a female Audino “Dr.Goodhead” after the character Dr. Holly Goodhead in the James Bond movie “MoonRaker”.

Bond … Goodhead, Goodhead … Bond.

The “doctor” angle may be appropriate because Audino has been Nurse Joy’s assistant nurse.

Other names I have used: “Dino”, and “Dean-O”  – after the nickname for Dean Martin and other Italian singers. “Tin Ear” – after the early “funnel shaped” hearing aids. Later that term was used for those who are hard of hearing. “Tiffany” – as in the famous jewelry store and the singer. (I would like a Tiffany ear better than a “tin” ear.) It may be obvious to use “Audrey” – because this name sounds like Audino. I use the names for females, however at one time “Audrey” was used as a man’s name.

If you have a male Audino, I suggest the name “Tommy” – after the character in the rock opera by The Who. “Tommy Can You Hear Me?”

The Bulbagarden website has this description for Audino: “Its auditory sense is astounding. It has a radar-like ability to understand its surrounding through slight sounds. It touches others with the feelers on its ears, using the sound of their heartbeats to tell how they are feeling.”  This reminds me of the Who’s deaf-dumb-and-blind “Pinball Wizard” and messianic  leader! (A fun scene from the movie Tommy is linked here.)

Another possibility is “Chi” or “Chobits”. Audino’s ears remind me of the female robot character  “Chi” from one of my favorite all-time anime series “Chobits”. Chi’s ears are a lot like Audinos. I wonder if Gamefreak meant Audino to be an homage to Chi.

Remember how Hideki found out where her “ON” button was located?

Perhaps “Chi Audino” , or “Persocom” or some variation of the Chobits/Persocom theme may be fun, especially if you loved that series as much as I did!

I know that it is a little dated now, but when it came out it was way ahead of its time, and the series holds up very well today!

Here is some Pokémon cosplay for lady Audinos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It is always good to train up in the wild against an Audino. You get a lot of training points for defeating Audino.

If you want to train up your Fighting-type, it is super-effective against Audino’s Normal-type.

What do you call your hearing Pokémon?

Starlight: It has been fours years, since my son first taught me to play Pokémon with Pokémon Black and White.

My 12-Step Iwasa Misaki Recovery Program

Image

Oh that voice, that face, those kimonos.

I will have to admit — I (HEART) Iwasa Misaki.

Of course — if I like something too much that must mean that there is something wrong with it. Makes sense… maybe. True, my Iwasa Misaki addiction got to be so bad that I had to have an “intervention”. I have enrolled myself into a 12 STEP PROGRAM in order to kick my Iwasa-habit. Yes, it is my big announcement …

The following is my 12-Step program to sober up to harsh reality.

Oh, I’m going to need two more, dear girl.

Step One: First one has to ADMIT that one HAS a problem. I accept the fact that I have long failed to recognize my Wasamin problem.

I am a fanboy, and Iwasa Misaki is my oshi. I will finally admit, I had a hard time confessing it to Wasamin. Look at that impatient face.

Step Two: I believe that I must turn to “A HIGHER POWER” and ask for help.

Ok, a higher power … um … Mr. Akimoto?

Step Three: I will turn to our fellow men and women, particularly those who have ALSO STRUGGLED with the same addiction. I would use any help.

Yes, our fellow men and women — with the extra hands.

Step Four: I have made a LIST of the situations when I am most likely to listen to Iwasa Misaki. At the computer, while driving, while working, while fantasizing.

Someone should write these down. Write something Iwasa …

Step Five: I will try to AVOID those situations … or put on a Todd Rundgren record instead. Oh, yay … the 70s … ugh.

Yes, I will try to keep my hands busy. NOT going over to YouTube …

Step Six: I am ready to ACCEPT HELP friends give me. I will not make fun of other’s musical tastes, unless it is rap crap. 

Back to metal I guess. Party on Garth, Party on Wasamin.

Step Seven: Continue to HOPE. I earnestly hope that OTHER MUSIC will help. Oh my Buddha, just no country music recorded after 1974.

Buenos Tacos, Senorita Misaki — Try some Mexican jumping bean music!

Step Eight: I have made a list of persons I HAVE HARMED and to whom I hope to appologize. (I think my wife is getting very impatient waiting for me out in the car.)

I don’t think I’ve ever seen her angry before: “But you look so cute when you get mad … come here you.”

Step Nine: I promise to DO ALL I CAN  to make those amends. Maybe cut my Google image Misaki searches down to maybe a few hours every day.

It took me less than two hours to use this … er … I mean … find this! 

Step Ten: I will continue to make lists and REVISE them as needed. Oh yeah.

I’m making notes, and a list … Still trying to read the notes …

Step Eleven: I am in turn willing to HELP OTHERS who may come to me in their hour of need with their own particular idol addiction.

Selfies? No need to go it alone, Iwasa.

Step Twelve: … er… um …SCREW THIS … What? … No Misaki-san? … NO WAY!  … Forget it!

Starlight: I am outta here … on another Iwasa bender …

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xw5067_iwasa-misaki-live-nostalgia-%E3%83%8E%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A2-akbingo-121128_music

DENNY’s RE-BLOGS: “But Where are You REALLY From?”

The guy is pretty silly, but he is not mean spirited. I liked how she handled the situation with humor. I think he should have actually asked her to get some of those English “Fish and Chips” … as they are pretty good. Maybe they could have a good conversation.

They should set the misunderstanding aside and just be nice to each other. She is a very pretty lady! He is a little dorky, but I think that she would see that he is a kind person – if she can give him a chance. She will straighten him out and he will come around and realize what he said.

Consider the big picture. Perhaps after a few dates they could be making love. Perhaps after a couple of years that could have a nice family.

He will probably realize that he said some dopey things to her when they first met, but his heart was probably in the right place. He wanted to know her.

Dig this: He might make a toast on their wedding day: “When I first met her I thought she was the most beautiful, vibrant woman I have ever met … I just HAD to talk to her. She kids me about it now, but the only thing I could think to say back then was to ask her about her Asian ancestory.”

Look, the world is too full of meaningless conflict. Try to set misunderstandings aside.

Just love each other kids …

Reminder to Vote 4 Iwasa Misaki

Wasamin gives her appeal speech here. She says it all.

When you buy your multiple copies of the 41st single, please save one vote for the great Iwasa Misaki. Yeah, I know, I know.

Do I think that she will win? No.

Do I think that she will finish in the top 10? No.

Is it all just a popularity contest?  Well, yes indeed it is. However it is not a SINGING contest. A lot of factors come together to make an Idol a favorite. Sometimes it is a combination of cuteness, sexiness, roles they play, etc.

Are YOU going to vote based on singing talent? Hmmm?

My gut feeling is if she finishes very low this year she will announce her graduation.

Now the young lady is NOT washed up at age 20! She should have a pretty good singing career after AKB. I am hoping that she will finish high enough that she will continue with the group, however — and I also hope that the group will give her a larger singing role within the group.

My other gut feeling (and I have a lot of gut I have been told), is that her Enka-singles have actually hurt her rank in AKB. Since she releases solo material on a regular basis, she is not often a focus for the AKB singles. Perhaps some fans do not see her as part of a team.

If she could win the Janken-tournament, then she would get another shot at a larger, but non-Enka singing role.

If she graduates I hope that she continues to pursue an Enka-singing career.

Want is my fantasy? Come ‘er… (Denny whispers in your ear:)  I would like to see a collaboration between Iwasa Misaki and Hanako Oku. Wait, it is not all that far-fetched. Wasamin has said in interviews that she is a fan of Hanako Oku. They are both from Chiba, Japan. True, Oku-san is nearly twice Wasamin’s age, but I think they would be a good team. Oku could write the songs and Wasamin could sing them. Think Simon and Garfunkel (only with songs you might actually want to listen to). Sometimes Hanako Oku is criticized for her singing strength. I do not agree, but no doubt the young Misaki has a stronger voice, and would probably be a pretty good interpreter of Oku songs.

I know what you are going to ask: Denny aren’t you just imagining your top two fantasy women together?

Well no … and I would not do that.

Starlight: AKB48 41st single selection General Election preliminary results will be announced at Takahashi Team A LIVE performance on AKB48 theatre at 20 May 2015.

PS: We have to have some music. I found an English traslation of “Abayo” here.

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: The “Kimonos Era” of RUSH.

Image

“Chibi” version of Alex, Neil and Geddy !

I know what you are thinking: “Denny … you know that those are DUDES, right?”

Well, way back when I was a progressive rock/heavy metal teen, one of the bands I liked was RUSH – the subject of this special kimonos post.

One of the stories in the great Rush “rockumentary” – “Beyond The Lighted Stage” is the anecdote of how the band came to wear kimono robes as part of their stage show.  Rush were a great hard rock power trio, and their working-class fans were a “T-shirt and jeans” crowd. (Include me in that.) Geddy Lee also said in BTLS that he might have preferred to just wear jeans and T-shirts onstage, but the record company wanted them to have an “image”. Rush toured with KISS and other bands who had all kinds of crazy costumes. The group was assigned to find a “look”.

Hi Fellas! The record company wanted us to change our image!

The members wondered what type of stage get-ups they might wear, in order to look like “rock stars”. One day while they were on a concert tour, they visited a shopping district where shops sold “ethnic” goods. A Japanese shop had kimono-robes  — and the rest is history.

The kimono-robes looked somewhat “futuristic” I suppose, which would fit with their sci-fi “2112” rock epic. I’ve noticed on many episodes of “Star Trek” and the like, that people from all these advanced civilizations on other planets always wear ROBES. Why the robes? Does wearing a robe make you smarter? Does it show that you are technologically and philosophically advanced? Maybe in the utopian future, people are so used to robots doing all the work that they are just too lazy to find pants. Or is it that in the future only dumb people will wear jeans? (Cough) … but I digress.

Thus this explains the Rush kimono period. I know what you are going to ask: “Denny, were these ridiculous outfits scoffed at?” Of course! … and this despite being the “glam rock” period of the 1970s with its ridiculous androgyny trend.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

During the BTLS doc, Geddy Lee tells a great story about he was always made fun of by the heavy metal group UFO (link here in new window). The guys in UFO considered the kimonos “effeminate” and would call them ladies bathrobes. Lee also said that the UFO dudes would sarcastically (and in a fem-voice) would call Geddy Lee “Glee” as in “Oh, Glee are you ready for your bath now …”. UFO would open for Rush, and they would nail pink ladies bath slippers to Geddy Lee’s microphone stand. “Oh, you forgot your slippers … GLEE …”

You can get a good look at the Rush robes in this performance of “Farewell to Kings”. I actually bought this LP record, the week it came out in 1978. Oy.

Rush Kimonos made a return in 2012, but fortunately not on the guys. Although this young lady is not in Rush, she was part of the stage show for Rush’s “Clockwork Angels” 2013 tour. The group had a much more elaborate “Steampunk”-type stage show than earlier years.

This is an example of the “Steampunk kimonos” the ladies in the orchestra wore. The kimono looks amazing!  (Full concert linked here.)

Starlight: From the first time I heard “Check out this Rush album”?

… the light will have now reached star Rho Cancri (which has 3 planets) and would also have reached star HR3259 (which has 4 planets).

KEEP ROCKIN’ IN THOSE ROBES SPACE DUDES!!!

 

First Drink with Iwasa Misaki

Image

Iwasa Misaki sings her new single “First Drink”: Do you remember your first drink of sake? I sure don’t. I was in college, and already drunk out of my mind by the time someone asked me if I wanted to try some. I had to go to the liquor store the next week to buy a bottle so I could get my first sake buzz. Um … long story short, I ended up having it the next morning.

What — something wrong with rice for breakfast?

This is the first live performance of “Hatsuzake” (aka “First Drink”), her 4^th single, which was released April 29. (Of course I already ordered it.) The song was written by Yasushi Akimoto. Youtube user AKB48SHOW#72(mitukunsp) posted this from AKB48 Show!.  I noticed that the song is slowed down(?) from the studio version. (I am not sure if that is that is the way it was performed, or if the user was doing it for legal purposes, or what..)

Also the green lighting makes her purple kimono look much lighter than on the cover of her new CD. The light show is pretty good. She is lighted by an electric bamboo forest. Only a drunkard would think that the lighting is like absinthe.

I also snagged some images from the YouTube post. Most of them turned out OK.

Indeed, the young Idol and Enka-singer is finally able to legally drink sake, as she just turned 20 earlier this year.

Miss Misaki said that up to this time, her parents had forbidden her to drink it. You see, Wasamin is a “good girl”… (Denny rolls his eyes dreamily and gets a really goofy smile on his face).

Two cups? Wish I could have been there for that first drink of sake.

For Fans Only: Sorry, her explanation of the event was entirely in Japanese, and is not subtitled. Still, Wasamin says it all.  See link here. I could watch it over and over again in HD, just because … you know. I could listen to her all day. I would just smile and nod.

OK, I’m not that drunk* so I think I can handle the Karaoke … here goes …

(You have to pretend that I’m singing).

* I only get intoxicated from Wasamin.

Starlight: Still waiting for my new CD-DVD combo from Japan, but I will post some observations when it gets here : )

Well, Lewis Carroll is probably doing SOMETHING in his grave …

Image

I am starting to like the HKT48 a lot!. HKT48 stands for “Hakata” 48, as the group performs in their own HKT48 Theater in the Hawks Town Mall located in Hakata ward of Fukuoka, Japan. When I think HKT however, I think GO HAWKSTOWN!  HKT48 is centered/managed by (the somewhat older) Rino Sashihara. Now, why Sashi is in Hawks Town is … ahem … another story, but let’s just say that I am glad that they put this Irishwoman in charge. (What, she’s an O’Hara, right?)

The HKT48 are a lot of fun, and they have a lot of youthful energy! They remind me of AKB48 when the original members were first starting out years ago. They are always so happy and enthusiastic when they do their dances in their pretty outfits. I super-love their single “12 Seconds”. There is a great music video for it, but for right now, let’s view a live performance in 1080 HD!

I think that 12 Byou is a cool, rockin’ power-pop song. I especially love the uniforms that they use for the MV and for this dance. Haruka Kodama is amazingly pretty … and did you see those CUTE SOCKS?

You are killing me with those socks Haruppi!

I hope yourtube does not remove it, because I want to watch this PV all summer. Just in case, I downloaded the MP4 and played it on my PS3 USB, where it looks PDQ on the IT.

The more I watch HKT48, the more I like them! I also like some of those “kick” moves that they put into the dance. See time 2:00 — I actually make those same knee-kicks like that whenever my leg goes to sleep, or if I have a really bad “Charley Horse“! Thanks, young ladies, for showing me how to stay limber.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Now for the music video: The HKT48 girls go “down the rabbit hole” and become part of Lewis Carroll‘s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland“. It is a lot of fun, and the sets look great. Unfortunately YouTube only has the “preview” version of the official MV, but you can find the full version out there if you know where to look.

I was able to find it on Jpopsuki website, but you have to wait a long time for it to load. Watch in a new window on Jpopsuki linked here.

Alternatively you could watch it in a new window on Voz48.com linked here. Much less loading time.  What a Lolita-styled beauty is the “Alice” here!

If all else fails, you can go with YouTube, but the company will only let me show you the preview. Dag-nabbit wabbit, it still sounds and looks so inspiring I’m interested in both the fine literature AND the pretty skirts!

The “Alice in Wonderland” theme here gives rise to the speculative question:

Was noted British author Lewis Carroll a pedophile? (Note: “Lewis Carroll” was the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson.) It is commonly known that the author based the “Alice” in his books on Alice Liddell, his neighbor, and the daughter of his church leader. It is well documented that he had a friendly relationship with Alice and her family, however the extent of their relationship has given rise to some speculation. (Link here.)

Denny turns his bar stool to face the reader: Look, regarding these famous writers and your English majors, scholarly professors and the like — they all go one of two ways: Either they are 1) a total “fruit salad” and thus are harmless to women, or 2) they are lecherous serial womanizers that think they are above common decency.  … but I digress.

Furthermore, a British documentary produced earlier this year investigates the relationship between Carroll, Alice and her other young sisters. They conclude that although Carroll was obsessed with the young girl, he was too “repressed” by his religion and conscience to act upon it. There is evidence that he took photographs of Alice and her sisters, but they were NOT sexualized images. Researchers uncovered an old photograph of Carroll and Alice in an embrace however. I will NOT show that photograph here, but it is available on a Pinterest page linked here. It is argued that the photo has been faked in order to diminish the author. There is no evidence that the late Mr. Dodgson ever had an inappropriate relationship with any child.

Ok, that being said, I think that Lewis Carroll would have approved of HKT48 and how they bring his concepts to life! I think he would also enjoy these performances.  Here is another PV of the “12 seconds” single: Enjoy the silky pastel colors version in 1080 HD!

Before I go, here is a rockin’ instrumental version with guitar by YouTube user Arif Hadianto.

“Party on Garth!!!” 

Starlight: You would have traveled 2,232,000 miles if you were going at the speed of light!

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: Hawks Town Haruka Kodama

Quick! Before you scroll down, choose ROCK, PAPER or SCISSORS. You will see why at the bottom.

Haruka Kodama STUNS in this blue kimono! I will have to admit that I have not followed the HKT48 very much yet. The market for the “Hawks Town” 48 seems to targeted a little lower in age than AKB48. Kodama-san is a rising member in the AKB Family however, and I have taken notice.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This 18 year old Yamaguchi Prefecture native is turning into a fan favorite. Haruka or “Haruppi” (her nickname) is the “oshimen” or at least the HKT “oshi” for many fans.

If you’re happy … then I’m happy, Haruppi!

Her nickname reminds me of the cute HKT48 single “Hikame I Love You” linked here .  I even have it stuck in my head now … “HAPPY … HAPPY…”

Help!!!

Haruka Kodama is part of a “dynamic duo” within the HKT48 along with co-member Sakura Miyawaki. I’ve noticed that there is always a “dynamic duo” in each sister group. In NMB48 it would be Sayaka and Miyuki. In JKT48 it would be Melodie and Haruka. In SKE48 it would be Jurina and Rena. AKB … probably Mayuyu and Yukirin.

Sakura (L) and Haruka (R) of HKT48. They are not in kimono, but these dresses are very pretty. Maybe the sash and dress are “kimono-inspired” fashion!

Haruppi trivia: Kodama-san’s birthday is September 19, 1996. Exactly the same day when I last updated my webpage at work!

Help me UPLOAD Haruppi-chan!!!

Get this — her favorite color is “Black and White”. That is odd, for the very colorful “Happy Haruppi”!

Of course Haruka Kodama is inspirational to digital artists!

Are you ready to face Haruka now?

DID YOU WIN? I’ll bet you chose Scissors! 

OK, Haruppi, you can relax now … Hey! … that’s not a kimono that’s a ROBE!

Starlight: I calculated that it is 6,899.27 miles to the Hawks Town Mall. How many Kodama postage stamps would it take to get my letter to Hawks Town?