Happy 21st Birthday Miss Iwasa Misaki-san!

I (HEART) You Wasamin! Her birthday is January 30, but Japan is 12 hours ahead of me. I want to be the first in my time-zone to extend birthday wishes to her.

The wonderful Miss Iwasa Misaki-san is scheduled (as of this writing) to perform her 1st Solo Live Concert on Saturday January 30th, 2016 at Asakusa Public Hall, Tokyo .  What a way to celebrate her 21st Birthday! I cannot be there, but I will try to find and post some images of the event. If there is a DVD, I will buy it. Until then I will share some photos that I never got around to posting.

She began her Idol training at age four : )

Here are some recent video clips from various performances — past and present. I wish I had a present …

I would like to share some videos from the Library of Iwasa History. Wasamin may get better with age … but YouTube videos age quickly, so you better watch these now!

I know … many of these these will disappear soon. However — imagine these are like candles on a birthday cake. With each great Misaki-san video that is blown away — you will make a Misaki wish come true!!!   I sure know what my wish is : )

Starlight: Iwasa Misaki born January 30th, 1995.

See more of Wasamin on my Pinterest board for her linked here!

Pokémon Nicknames: Purrloin and Liepard

Purrloin (in Japanese: チョロネコ “Choroneko”) is a DARK-type Pokémon. Purrloin evolves into Liepard (in Japanese: レパルダス “Lepardas”) at level 20.

I am not letting “Tingles” evolve yet.

Purrloin and Liepard can be raised to have very high Speed and Attack stats. These cats are good for a fast attack. I suggest Super-Training the attack stat as high as you can. They better be quick however, as their stock HP, Defense and Special Defense stats are low.

These “Dark” types may learn moves such as “Snarl”, “Nasty Plot”, “Sucker Punch”, “Snatch” and “Payback”.  I think the best move however is “Night Slash” which is a highly-damaging physical attack.

Purrloin is a “cutsey” cat, so I tend to give it “cute” type nicknames. I have used names like names like “Tingles” (You know, like a tingling in the loins).  I have used “Scratchy“,  “Mr. Jingles” or “Purple Pain”. I suggest working with the “loins” part of the name such as “Fireloins” or “Loinclothz”. (If only there were enough allowed letters for Fruit-of-the-Loin, darn it!) You can use names one usually uses for the other cat-like Pokémon (Purrugly, DelCatty,etc). Names like “Hissy Fit”, “Nyah Nyah”,  or “Skittles”. I like “Scats” for a Pokémon cat, but sometimes people get the wrong idea.

From Bulbapedia:

“Purrloin is a primarily purple, feline Pokémon. Its head has tufted fur on its ears and cheeks. There are long, tapered violet markings above its green, eyes. It has a diminutive black nose on its creamy muzzle, and a small, oval, cream-colored marking above each eye. Its neck, shoulders, back, and hind paws are also cream-colored. The tip of its tail has a curved, vaguely scythe-like extension. Purrloin is a quadruped Pokémon, but it can stand and walk on its hind legs as well. Purrloin is a mischievous Pokémon that likes to steal from people. It will put on a cute act in order to get its victims to let its guard down. However, it is often forgiven even if it is caught stealing due to its charm. When angered, it fights back with its claws.”

Perhaps use “Deep Purple” for a male. “Scratch Fever” perhaps as a nod to Ted Nugent. Sometimes you can get weird with a Nickname. “Hush-Hush” for a quite kitty perhaps. Oddly, although Purrloin can learn the move “Snatch” the name censor will not allow it as part of the name: “SneakySnatch” for example. Purrloin/Liepard has that sharp hook, or scythe as a tail . I wanted to name it “Fair Hooker” after the Monday Night Football reference, but the censor would not allow the “hooker” part. I spelled it “Fair Hookre“.

Liepard is more realistic looking animal. The following is directly from From Bulbapedia:

“Liepard is a slender, purple feline Pokémon speckled with yellow rosettes. Its fur patterning is considered attractive to many Trainers. It has a pink “mask” marking over its eyes, a pink nose, and small yellow markings over its green eyes. It has two pairs of long yellow whiskers, and a tufted yellow underside. Its lower legs are yellow, and each small paw has a pale pink pad that can be seen in Pokedex 3D Pro. It has a long, curving tail with a sickle-like shape toward the tip. Liepard has well-developed muscles that allows it to run silently and strike opponents from behind. It has also been known to vanish and reappear without warning.”

Here is some cool Liepard cosplay. Nice job kids!

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I like the name “Silk Stalker” because silk stockings (“stalking” like a cat, get it?) are very cute. In fact, sexy silk stockings are one of the most life-affirming items a lady can wear …

… ahem … I think I like female Liepards best. They seem so slinky in their dark-type stalkings (or stockings).  I also like to name a Liepard something like “Leotard” or “Leotards”. The shiny Liepard is a tan-brownish color instead of purple, which is often used as the leopard print color in ladies fashions.

Note that leopard-skin patterns on ladies shoes, leotards, panties, leggings and stockings can be interesting…

… VERY interesting.

(Denny swivels bar stool around, begins to feel the three-beer-buzz):  I may digress a little here. Ladies, ditch the pantsuits and jeans and please wear sexy pantyhose more often. Note that wearing sexy stockings is about the biggest turn-on for men. This world needs less fighting over nothing. We need less political bickering …  we need more leggy lady appreciation. My advice? Wear sexy hose the next time you see your fellow.  Especially if you have never tried this, you might be amazed by his interest. (If you are counting, Denny has had four beers now. The truth starts to crystalize.) You see, all this time you had the power to drive him crazy, but you might not have even known how much. Have a little fun with lingerie. I guarantee that you will be on the receiving end of a nice surprise. I looked this up in “The Universal Translator”. Wearing sexy stockings is a non-verbal way of saying that you want your man to perform several hours of cunnilingus.  … um … er … ahem … oh, right … naming Pokémon … 

I also named a male Liepard  “Leotardo” after The Sopranos character.

This was NOT Phil Leotardo.

OK … my mind wanders. “Fancy Pants” may be a cute name. “Prissy” is good for a female. I have used “Fussy Pants” (because apparently you cannot use that other word, even when describing a cat). Cats can be fussy. Think of a cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof. That’s how I feel when I see stockings …

What is the name for your sexy purple feline? Please Comment!

Pokémon Nicknames: Farfetch’d

Farfetch’d (in Japanese: カモネギ  “Kamonegi”) is the “Wild Duck” Pokémon. It is a NORMAL-and-FLYING type, but does not evolve into or from any other Pokémon. I think that Farfetch’d looks somewhat like a mallard, but there is no distinction between male and female coloration among this Pokémon species.

This description is a direct quote from Bulbapedia:

“Farfetch’d resembles a brown duck with a white underbelly. It has a yellow beak and a V-shaped, black marking on its forehead. It has wings as big as its body, which appear to be prehensile enough to substitute for hands. It has yellow legs with webbed feet.

Farfetch’d is always seen carrying a leek stalk or spring onion. It carries it in its wings, and sometimes chooses to hold it in its beak or feet instead. Unable to live without its stick, Farfetch’d will defend the stalk with its life. Known uses for the stick include use as a weapon, nesting material, and emergency food source. It is selective about which sticks it will use, and has been known to fight over good ones. Farfetch’d is found in grasslands.”

One could probably re-cycle names for other duck Pokémon. If you have cute names for Psyduck, Golduck or Ducklett, they might apply here. (e.g. “Quakers” or “Quacker Oats“, or names like “Cold Duck” after the cheap wine popular with alcoholics.*) 

My favorite name for Farfetch’d is “Funyuns” after the famous onion-rings snack by the Frito-Lay Company. Farfetch’d carries that “stick” I thing, but I think that it looks like an onion stalk.

Plus, Farfetch’d is a silly, fun Pokémon, so it fits. This name will also work with male or females.

Of course the stick can be the basis of various names. I have named Farfetch’d “Leeks” because the stick does resemble a leek used for French cooking.

Thus, I have named them “Take-A-Leek”.

Be advised however that the phrase “take a leak” means that you intend to steal a mirror if one is in Bermuda.

I can’t really see who you are under that mask sir … er … ‘mam?

How about “Roosevelt” ? … as this duck quacks softly, but carries a big stick. How about “Walking Tall” after that movie sheriff  who carried a stick. Maybe make that “Quackin’Tall” … perhaps. You can make other names based on the stick/onion. “Rhythm Stick” as in the Ian Dury’s song “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick”.

“Love-A-Duck” might be cool, this name would be based on the Tuesday Weld movie “Lord Love A Duck”.

I also like to use “Why-A-Duck” after the famous comedy routine in the Marx Brothers “Cocoanuts” movie. “Duck Soup” is another Marx Brothers reference.

“Duck Calls” might be a good name for a duck Yes, I know what you are thinking: “Denny, Why not use the name “Dynasty” or “Duck Dynasty” after that reality TV show?” I will admit, that family made some pretty good looking duck calls. I’m not much of a hunter, but I would not mind having this set.

Blow just right to make the best “Quack-Quack”.

My all time favorite “Duck Call” were the “Miss America Duck Calls” marketed by Penthouse magazine in 1984. The American singer and actress Vanessa Williams is famous because she was the first African-American to win the Miss America pageant. Ms. Williams is arguably in-famous however because she had her title and crown stripped away from her after nude photos of her were published in Penthouse magazine. She had signed a “morals” contract with the pageant, where she stated that she had never had nude photos taken. Thus she was removed. Now these were not just nudes. The photos also include lesbian sexual activity – including the famous “Miss America Duck Calls” shot here. (The other photos are linked here, if you are over 18.)

Blow just right to make the best “Quack-Quack”

How many Miss America’s have became famous however? Although she was embarrassed, Ms. Williams’ career was likely stimulated by the publicity. That’s how I remember it …  which might not be accurate …

… as I was drunk much of the mid-1980s : (

Ahem … oh yeah, What is the name for your duck? Please comment!

*Yup, that IS the pot calling the kettle black alright. 

Good GIF Charlie Brown! These are my favorite members of the AKB48 Family!

Good Grief … I miss the girls. That being said, I still want to share another 16-member “dream team” of my favorite idols. Of course I am going to make lame jokes in the captions. Some of my references are decades old. If you can think of better captions, I look forward to your comments.

Now that Minami Takahasi is about to graduate, there are new additions, and some shake-ups in my lineup. Also, this time, I want to share some moving pictures … Enjoy! .. and please comment — I get lonely fan-boying all by myself.

# Sixteen: Haruka Shimazaki – AKB48

Cooking Challenges? Paruru says that there is NO KIND OF MEAT that she cannot handle!

# Fifteen: Mako Kojima – AKB48

Ha! Young Kojima-san still cannot beat me in “Mario Kart”.  HA!!! I hit her with a green shell, just as she was about to cross the finish line!

# Fourteen: Kei Jonishi – NMB48

Denny: Oh, no! … Don’t say that routine AGAIN Kei …

Kei: “Jonshi??? Well, my name is Kei Keicchi Jonishi … you can call me RAY,  you can call me KEI, you can call me KEICCHI, you can call me K-CHI, you can call me J-SHI, you can call me SUNNY, you can call me KJ … but yas doesn’t have to call me Jonshi.”

# Thirteen: Haruka Nakagawa – JKT48

If you just got up five minutes earlier, Harugon, you would not be late for practice!!!

# Twelve: Miyuki Watanabe – NMB48

It does not look like it is ANYONE’S secret anymore Milky-chan!

# Eleven: Jurina Matsui – SKE48

Jurina, take it from AL BUNDY: Graduate with a degree. You do not want to wind up selling ladies’ shoes!

# Ten: Yui Yokoyama – AKB48

The last thing TakaMina saw, the moment before she graduated!

# Nine: Haruna Kojima – AKB48

Far be it for me to criticize anyone’s religion KojiHaru … You go ahead and say your nightly prayers the way that you want to.

# Eight: Sayaka Yamamoto – NMB48

Your hair? … No Sayanee, I do not think anyone noticed that your HAIR was slightly out of place.

# Seven: Minami Minegishi – AKB48

No Miichan!!! … Darn it, I am going to SMACK that guy who told Miichan that this was the proper way that American women greet each other at formal U.S. embassy meetings.

# Six: Aika Ota – HKT48

Lovetan — Jim Morrison called, he says NOT to sing it like that if you want to sound “deep”. That is heavy, Love-tan … heavy.

# Five: Mayu Wantanabe – AKB48

… Well Miss Watanabe, as we will be sitting next to each other for more than nine hours on this car drive …  you go right ahead and tell me everything I need to know about Scientology.

# Four: Sakura Miyawaki – HKT48

What went wrong when Sakura-tan auditioned for “The Karate Kid 5” …

# Three: Haruka Kodama – HKT48

Harrupi looked like she COULD NOT BELIEVE IT — when I showed her how “Nestles’ Quick” works!

# Two: Yuki Kashiwagi – NGT48

NO! … What is WRONG with you people? Don’t you know that ground up tororo root is a traditional Japanese food. NO! I was NOT thinking that … I wouldn’t … I like Yukirin, … oh God, NO … I never …

# One: Iwasa Misaki – AKB48!!! … as if you would have any doubt!

Sorry that I got carried away with that confetti snow Wasamin!

Starlight: Four decades of Pop Cultural references!

 

 

Pokémon Nicknames: Cryogonal

Image

Cyogonal is using what is known in Pokémon battling as a “Special Move”.

Cryogonal (in Japanese: フリージオ  “Freegeo”) was introduced in 2011 in Pokémon Black and White. Cryogonal is an ICE-type Pokémon.

(Thank you again Bulbapedia)

Cryogonal is basically a big ice crystal or snowflake. The English The name is a combination of “cryo” meaning ice, and hexagon, as many snow flakes are six sided. It does not evolve from any other form. It does not have a Mega-Evolution form. Cyrogonal has neither a male or female form.

Clearly, Cyogonal is a “gender-less” Pokémon.

Quoted directly from Bulbapedia: Cryogonal resembles a shiny, blue hexagonal snowflake. Its facial expression is frozen, which leaves Cryogonal with a still, aggressive-looking face. Two cracks run through its face, the upper opening contains its eyes and the lower serves as a mouth. It has two glowing eyes and its large mouth contains an extendable chain of ice, which is used for hunting. When its body heat rises it will turn into steam and vanish, but will revert to ice when the body temperature lowers. Cryogonal is born in snow clouds.

My favorite name for Cryogonal is “Bergeron” after “Bergeron’s concept” in meteorology. Did you know that most rain actually starts out as snow? Even a warm summer raindrop starts out as an ice-cystal in the top, supercooled layer of rainclouds. The ice-cystal attracts moisture from the supercooled cloud droplets – much as the way Cryogonal may use the Pokémon move “Attract”.

Oddly, Cryogonal may use Attract even though it is GENDER-LESS! If defense is your strategy, Cryogonal may also use the move “Protect“.

This was the closest free image I could find for Cryogonal using “Protect”.

Other names I have used are: “Whiteout” after the term for Blizzard conditions, “Crystal Beth” after the drug popular with my redneck relatives, “White X-Mas” and “Let-It-Snow” after holiday songs, “Schmidlin” after the famous snow climatologist, and “Eat-My-Sleet” because I thought it would be a funny name to see when the Pokémon switches in to a trainer battle.

I also have Cryogonals named “Heart-of-Ice”, “Wind Rime” (after rime ice, and it sounds like wind chime, which Cryogonal somewhat resembles), “Six Points” like the hexagon or when you are scoring a touchdown, “Robert Frost” for the poet you studied in high school, and “Flakes” as in a crazy person.

You may think of other snow/ice themed names. Lady cosplayers may like the “Snow Queen” or “Ice Princess” concept.

I suppose that many players may make some type of “Frozen” movie reference. The Snowman song is linked here.

“Bergeron: Let it SNOW!”

What is the name of your powerful Ice Crystal? Please comment!

Could Denny go 24-Hours without being a sarcastic jerkwad?

I will bet that a lot of you have made “New Year’s Resolutions”. Here we are a couple of weeks into 2016,  and I would not be so surprised if many have not already given up their resolutions.

My challenge for this new year? I  will try not to speak so negatively about others. (Even if they are employed as managers and directors in the recording industry.) … um … er … Darn, I almost broke my vow already …

Look, I am not very religious…

Comedic director Mel Brooks once quipped “I’m not very religious, but I AM very Jewish.” I feel the same way as Mr. Brooks, except that I will add that I am not Jewish. The best I can do for you is offer up a little “deli wisdom” once in a while.

Today, I want to share this video narrated by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin.  He makes some very good points about speaking fairly when talking about about other people. To paraphrase: He says that just because what you have to say about someone is TRUE does not make it morally right to say … especially if it might harm that someone.

Could I go 24-hours without bad-mouthing someone? … and what if someone brings up the topic of record industry weasels and their lawyers?

Well, better I should hold my tongue.

Kosher beef tongue on rye.

Starlight: I wonder if they have tongue at my local deli?

More “Coming of Age” day 2016 photos from the AKB Family.

Miyu Takeuchi on “Coming of Age” day. Maturity looks good on the young singer/pianist!

I was able to snag a few more COA day kimono photos from Tumblr users I follow. Here are a few.

Most of the ladies have Twitter and Instagram accounts, so I will try to find my favorites and organize them over the next few days.

— Denny

Denny Re-Blogs: AKB48 group seijin shiki “coming-of-age” ceremony 2016 (from AKB48 Daily)

AKB48 Daily has posted some images and videos from “Coming of Age Day” on 11 January 2016 at Kanda Shrine in Tokyo, as well as some presentations from the AKB Theater.

Source: AKB48 group coming-of-age ceremony 2016 | AKB48 Daily

I will try to post more kimono photos of the events as I find them. (I may have to edit, and re-post this again later, sorry.)

Until then, please enjoy this gallery:

Starlight: 2016

Kimonos on Monday: Six months away from Reika Sakurai!

Global warming be damned … again! I am going to continue my “Endless Summer of Kimonos” and share some Summer 2015 photo cards of Reika Sakurai of the Nogizaka46.

Reika Sakurai looks lovely in summer Yukata!

Reika Sakurai (桜井 玲香 Sakurai Reika), was born born May 16, 1994 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. I know what you are thinking: “Denny, what do you and this 21-year old idol have in common?” Well, we both like kimonos, and … uh … let me do some calculations to see if somehow we could be age-appropriate cohorts.  Hmm…

Starlight: August 2015 to January 2016? Six months.

If  I were to travel in outer space at say (Denny thinking a moment) 50% the speed of light, traveling for 6 months away from Earth … then turned around and traveled back to Earth for 6 months, how much time would have passed for Reika remaining on Earth? Would we be the same age?

I aged one year, but she has aged about 30 years. She still has not exactly caught up to me yet, and is slightly younger by a couple-three years.

If we are the same age now, then why can’t she follow my 1970s pop culture references? (Denny smacks head.)

Pokémon Nicknames: Cherubi and Cherrim

Pokémon Nicknames: Cherubi and Cherrim

Indeed, you have incredible skills, Miss Ludens, but could you please bring me my cough drops when you finish that?

 Cherubi (in Japanese: チェリンボ  “Cherinbo”) is a GRASS-type Pokémon. Cherubi is known a “the Cherry” Pokémon. The following is a direct quote from Bulbapedia:

“Cherubi is a small cherry-like Pokémon with a round, deep-pink body with two stubby feet. It has beady eyes and a purple-red stripe running down part of its face. Cherubi has a short stem with two big, green leaves and a second, much smaller head growing out of it. This second head is vestigial in terms of function, but it contains nutrients that contribute to Cherubi’s growth as its initial source of food. As the second head is apparently edible, several Pokémon have been seen trying to pluck it off. When the second head begins to bloom it means Cherubi is close to evolving. It has been known to sun bathe on warm days. When it is about to evolve, the second head starts to wilt. Cherubi mainly photosynthesizes, and it is attracted to honey.”

Cherubi evolves into Cherrim starting at level 25. Cherrim (in Japanese: チェリム  “Cherrim”) remains a GRASS-type. Cherrim It is known “the Blossom” Pokémon – it changes its appearance in sunny weather.

The following is again quoted from Bulbapedia:

“Cherrim is a small Pokémon with two different forms, both of which are dependent on the weather. During normal weather conditions, Cherrim is in its Overcast Form. Two purple petals enclose its deep pink body. A short purple stem and a green leafy sepal sprout from the top of the petals. Its eyes appear to be near its short legs in this form.

When there is strong sunlight, Cherrim is in its Sunshine Form.

Everyday is a “Sunny Day” with you, my dear cherry girl!

Pink petals similar to cherry blossoms surround its head and cover its chest. Several of the petals radiate outward from a yellow sphere on the back of its head. There is a small, triangular patch of green on its neck. Additionally, two berry-like orbs, resembling cherry-shaped hair ornaments, adorn its head. It has stubby limbs, with the arms being pink and the legs being yellow.

Cherrim waits quietly as a bud for a ray of sunlight. When it is hit with strong sunlight, it blooms and absorbs the rays with its entire body. It quickly changes from quiet to excitable and active. It will attempt to make up for everything it had to endure as a bud while the sunlight lasts. Once the light is gone, Cherrim folds back into a bud.”

Obviously a nickname for female Cherrubi/Cherrim would be “Sakura” – Japanese for Cherry Blossoms. AUHHH … (Denny sighs) … Oh, my lovely daughter Sakura Miyawaki …she has grown up so fast these past few months …. Ok, I digressed.

Yes, you look amazing in your “Sunshine Form” Sakura-tan!

Oh, right — good nicknames you search for: I think that “Maraschino” is a great name for males, as in Maraschino cherries.

“Cherry-on-Top” could be used. How about “Wild Cherry” or “Wild Bill” as possible names? How about “Buster” as in … well, you know.

“Cherry Coke” may be good, but watch out for that company’s lawyers.

“Virginity” or “My Virginity” may be a playful nickname. (You know why.)

I have named them “Ludens” or “Miss Ludens” after the famous “Wild Cherry” flavor cough drops.

(I could really use one writing this just now.) Since Cherrim is two cherries, males could be named “Smith Broths.” – after the other major brand of cough drops.

“WhiteHouse” is also one of my suggestions, based on the ice cream. The WhiteHouse ice cream flavor is white vanilla ice cream with red cherries. The reason it is called “WhiteHouse” is because of the Cherry Blossom trees which characterize Washington DC. The white ice cream is the same shade of white as governmental buildings such as the Lincoln Memorial or the White House.

When the going gets tough … go out for ice cream!

My favorite name for Cherrubi is “Sherry” or “Sherry Baby” as in the old Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons song “Sherry Baby.”

It may be a stretch, but I have also named male Cherrum “FrankieValli” hoping someone would see the connection.

“… I wanna make you mine-yine-yine …”