It is with great sadness that I need to report about the passing this week of American actress Dawn Wells. Ms. Wells is most famous for playing “Mary Ann Summers” on the legendary 1960s TV comedy program Gilligan’s Island.
Boxers or Briefs? Football or Baseball? Mary Ann or Ginger? These were questions posed to men in my generation used to gage what kind of a guy you are. I am definitely in the “Mary Ann” choice (that is, if I can’t have both). The late Ms. Wells played the pretty “girl-next-door” persona perfectly. A generation of adolescent boys grew up in love with the Mary Ann from Kansas. Millions of us were in love with her. Her “short shorts” were a good point of discussion for teenage boys. Sure, we teenage wannabes wanted to have our fun with the Gingers, but we wanted to marry a Mary Ann.
Years later, while listening to Marshall Crenshaw’s Mary Ann song, I was reminded of the youthful beauty of Ms. Wells, and I would always slip into a reverie …
I know the song lyrics do not describe the Gilligan’s situation, but I could stretch my fantasy a little. What if Mary Ann(e) was my girlfriend? I know that there is the extra “e”, in Crenshaw’s fantasy-girl, but I think what the song captures the impossible, unrequited longing of a young boy in love with this everyday-encountered-but-impossible-to-reach girl next door. Also, thinkin’ about those “short shorts” is part of the nostalgic mood of the song.
Here are the guitar chords if you want to learn the song.
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!
“Oh, they say she died one winter When there came a killing frost And the pony she named Wildfire Busted down his stall In a blizzard he was lost
She ran callin’ Wildfire …. “
Ponyta (in Japanese: ポニータ “Ponyta”) is a Fire-type Pokémon. Ponyta evolves into another “fire horse” Rapidash (in Japanese: ギャロップ “Gallop”) at level 40, where it remains a Fire-type.
Ponyta is probably my favorite Pokémon! Although it is a not as powerful as the evolved Rapidash, I like that Ponyta is NOT a unicorn. I still like Rapidash, but I try not to see that horn on its forehead. The ears kind of block the horn on the older animations. I mean — come on, a UNICORN?!?! I will suspend my disbelief for the purpose of the game — but let us not get ridiculous!
I named my first Ponyta/Rapidash the name “Mary Ellen“. I know that this name does not have much to do with horses, or fire, but I sometimes name Pokemon after people I have known. I knew a strong, trustworthy woman who had an unbreakable spirit. Go! Mary Ellen use Flame Wheel!!!
You could probably use names for other fiery redheads, such as “Lucy” (See my post on Vulpix linked here.)
You could name one “WildFire” after the 1970s song by space cowboy singer Michael Martin Murphey. Ladies, please enjoy.
I like to use the name “Fastback” for a male Ponyta. Think of an orange or red Ford Mustang Fastback. These were handsome cars with power to spare. Although there were many incarnations of the Mustang fastback, I like the 1971 Mach 1 model shown here the best. I like to catch the Ponyta in a “Repeat Ball” because the coloration matches, and the Pokemon comes out in a firey explosion.
You could name it “Twilight” or “Sparkle” if you are a My Little Pony fan. The name “Shadowfax” resonates like “Rapidash”, and is a “Lord-of-the-Rings” reference.
A more obvious name is “Equus” after the genus name for horses — as well as for the dark, depressing stage play of the same name, (that starred Harry Potter). Perhaps “Equinox”or some variation like “Equinocks” could be workable.
If I caught a blue-fire shiny version, I might name it “NightMare”. Oh, how I would love to have a blue-flame shiny Ponyta … I would not care if it is a hack or not. Pokehackers: Please make me one!
What are some other horse related? “Pegasus“, like the constellation. “Apocalypse 1″ may be a dark name, as in the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”. Then put together a numbered team of the apocalypse. “Firestorm” may be good for a Rapidash perhaps.
You may be playful and name one “Godiva” as in Lady Godiva.
“Cimarron” is a good horse name, and is a John Ford film reference. One can just feel the amber hues of sunset on the ripened Great Plains, and the wildfire which sweeps across it. If you want something goofy, try “Wilbur” which is a “Mr. Ed” reference!
I have also used the name “Denver” because of the Denver Broncos logo. Also it is a “western” name. Denver made me name another female Ponyta “Annie’s Song” after the famous John Denver hit.
I have named a female Ponyta/Rapidash “Ponytail” after the hairstyle, and the AKB48 song “Ponytail to Shushu”. (See how I worked in an AKB reference?). The song is not about a horse. The song is a “boy’s perspective” song. A schoolkid man sits behind a pretty young woman in class. She always wears her hair tied up in a ponytail, which of course fires his imagination. A young lady’s hair tied up in a ponytail is one of life’s great nostalgic moments. Oh, the way young women tie up their hair this way. There is that wonderful magic where hair meets the base of the girl’s neck. Ladies do you not realize how beautiful you are making yourselves when you do this? wonders upon wonders! … um … but I digress. Yes, GO PONYTAIL!
“Your ponytail (don’t untie it)
keep it like usual
You are you (I am me)
and we’re just running
Your ponytail (don’t untie it)
forever and ever
I want you to be free
like a girl is supposed to be “
How about “PONYCANYON” … after the Japanese record label?
Vulpix (in Japanese: ロコン “Rokon”) is a Fire-type Pokémon. Vulpix evolves into the Fire-type Ninetales (in Japanese: キュウコン “Kyukon”) when exposed to a Fire Stone.
I named a Vulpix “Lucy” after Lucille Ball, the television actress famous for the “I Love Lucy” TV series. Lucy was the matriarch of zany comedy. This lady knew funny! The late actress was famous for her red hair (not her natural color). I think that the red curly hair on Vulpix looks like classic Lucy. You have to wonder if Vulpix would have fared any better on a chocolate factory assembly line.
Like Lucy herself, that little Vulpix is also known for getting into hilarious predicaments!
I named a male Vulpix “Fiero“ after the sporty Pontiac so common in the 1980s. Oh, so common. You kids cannot believe how many of these faux Ferrari there were back then. (Ferrari is also a great ame for Vulpix/Ninetails!!!) Everyone was buying them. You asked someone what kind of car they were considering buying, they would always say “I’m thinking of getting a Fiero”!!!
Despite this ad, there was actually little room in a Fiero for “Hauling Oats”!
They were actually a neat design. Most American cars in the 1980s were standard “box on wheels”. It is surprising that General Motors released this plucky little mid-engine sports car. (Reminds me of Vulpix!) Of course they were fun, until the mid-engine just underneath the passenger compartment would catch fire, and so many had to be recalled, but I digress once again ….
Ninetales of course, is based on the “Fox Spirit” in Japanese/East Asian mythology.
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Ninetales is more of a “strawberry blonde” than a redhead however. I still think that Lucy, or other fire name will still work when it evolves.
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You could name them Fuego for a little Spanish fast fire flare. Vixen is good for females. Kitsune (from Japanese mythology) is great for Ninetales. Fawkes (sounds like “fox”) might be good – after Guy Fawkes the fire-bombing revolutionary so many rich, spoiled college students admire. Just name your Vulpix/Ninetales after a fun and firey redhead who you know!
I am going to stick with Lucy.
What is the name for your little redhead? Please Comment!
Pancham (in Japanese: ヤンチャム “Yancham”) is a baby-form Fighting-type Pokémon. The little panda Pokémon evolves into Pangoro (in Japanese: ゴロンダ “Goronda”) starting at level 32, but the player must have a Dark-type Pokémon in their party. Pangoro is a dual-type Fighting/Dark Pokémon.
X Y wallpaper for your computer!
I named my party-member Pancham “Chang Bang”. This is in reference to the Chinese river (and motorcycle brand) the “Chang Jiang”. Pandas are from China, so it fits. A friend of mine said that the names sounds too much like “gang-bang” as in these unruly gang-bangers who commit crimes in urban areas. Remember it is a FIGHTING type, so that is where the BANG comes from.
Speaking of the Chang Jiang, didn’t The Pretenders have a big hit in the 1980s “Back on the Chang Jiang”? Wow — it sounds great …
My son named his party Pancham “Bam Boom” because Pandas eat bamboo, and the BOOM is for his punches.
I named a female Pancham “Lucy Liu” after the beautiful actress (she even had a part in the “Kung Fu Panda” movie). I did not let my Lucy Liu evolve from the cute/baby form … well, because Ms. Liu is so cute, and I could not imagine her as a Pangoro.
If you did not want a Chinese sounding name, maybe use “Sprigsteen” as these pandas are always chewing on a sprig of bamboo in the game (and you can use your “Sprig Hat” in Pokemon XY).
I named another one “Manchuria” after the Northeast Region of China. The related name “Manchukuo” may also be good along that same line of reasoning. Perhaps you could use “Kung Fu Cham” or something similar. I suggest any Chinese name which might have a special meaning for your fighter. You may like the name “Ming Gardens” after my favorite local restaurant.
The names Ming Ming (for a female) and Ling Ling (for a male) may also be good names, as these are the names of world famous Giant Panda’s which lived in East Asian zoos. Get this: Zookeepers have a problem breeding Pandas in captivity. The ones which were born in captivity were especially clueless on how to do the mystery dance with each other.
I am not making this up: Back in the 1980s, American Zookeepers once tried showing a “panda porno” film to a young panda couple, in hopes that it would teach them to learn – what goes where. Sadly, the panda pair were more interested in the projector than the film, so that idea failed. Darn, I wish I could have found that hot panda film to share with you. In lieu of that, please enjoy a photo of the stimulating Lucy Liu I found in GQ magazine.
Click the thumbnail for a full-size image there Panda thumbs!
Miltank ( in Japanese: ミルタンク “Miltank”) aka “The Milkcow Pokémon” is a Normal-type Pokémon. She does not evolve.
You have no idea how many “Japanese milking videos” I had to watch to snag this graphic.
I named a Miltank“Lisa Cuddy”. Lisa Cuddy was a character played by Lisa Edelstein on the Medical-mystery TV series “House”. Sometimes I just name them “Lisa” or “Cuddy”.
I think that the name is appropriate because the name “Cuddy” sounds and resonates like “udders” as in cow’s udders. Also, cows chew their “cud”, so that is another cow reference. Also, “Edelstein” (her Twitter linked here), sounds like a breed of cow, similar to “Holstein”. Of course both of those names may be appropriate variants for Miltank – but how many Miltank do you really want in your Pokémon Bank?
I like a Miltank to have the “Thick Fat” ability. It seems fitting for a defensive cow. Some trainers think that her “Milk drink” move is a little bizarre, however.
Of course, “Bossie” might be good as a cow name. I think that some variant of “Elsie” or “Borden” may be good, as those were famous dairy examples.
I caught one in a Timerball which I named “Milking Time“.
Please enjoy some of these Pokémon Miltank cosplays:
When I was growing up, Fathers often used this phrase as a warning to their daughters. You know the old saying:
Why marry a cow, when you can drink milk at home.
Wait, that’s not it … was it: Why buy a cow, when you can pay for your own milk?
… and I don’t think that is it …
Why have sex with a cow, when Lisa Edelstein is married?
No, that’s definitely not it. Um …
Do you have a favorite name for this unique Pokémon? Please comment!
I think I fell in love with Setsuko Hara through her character “Noriko” in the Yasujiro Ozu film “Tokyo Story”. She played a beautiful, and traditional Japanese woman – a widowed daughter-in-law, still devoted to her in-laws. Especially in the Ozu films, she epitomized such beauty of modern Japanese women. Such warmth. Although she was not mainly known for wearing kimonos in film, I was still able to find a few kimono images from the Internet. Please enjoy this gallery. Then go rent one of her movies!
It is unfortunate that this endearing actress chose to cut her career short. She disappeared from movies to lead a solitary life at age 43. Satsuko Hara (real name Masae Aida) is 94 years young, and lives (in seclusion) in Kamakura Japan. She never married. There is much speculation as to why she abandoned her film career. She retied soon after Ozu passed away, fueling more mystery and speculation. Satsuko Hara is attributed to be the inspiration for the late Satoshi Kon’s anime film “Millennium Actress” (trailer here).
Dear lady, let us celebrate our birthday’s together next year!
You can see more of the great Setsuko Hara here on on my Pinterest board.
Likes: Pop Culture, Humor, Japanese Culture, Iwasa Misaki, Hanako Oku, AKB48 History, Kurosawa films, Kimonos, Anime, Lolita fashion, Buddhist philosophy, and finding the perfect nicknames for my Pokemon.
A fansite; for old and new fans of AKB48 and all their domestic and international sister groups: (SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, NGT48, STU48, JKT48, BNK48, MNL48, AKB48 Team SH, SGO48, AKB48 Team TP, and CGM48)
Denny Sinnoh 
Written
on April 17, 2015