Snow In West Hollywood

Fox 11 News reported:

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - Snow was reported around Los Angeles on Thursday in areas such as West Hollywood, Malibu, Northridge and Pasadena.  

According to the National Weather Service, there have been multiple reports of small hail, graupel, and even a few snowflakes down to around 1500`. NWS said that this is expected to continue through the afternoon then start winding down in the evening as the air mass stabilizes.

Distant Lands Bookstore Closing Its Doors

Above, Distant Lands Travel Bookstore in 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is some sad news I have to report.

The travel bookstore in Pasadena, California, Distant Lands Travel Bookstore and Outfitters, is closing its doors.

After 29 years in business, they are calling it quits. Starting today, they are having a storewide sale. Besides being a bookstore, they are also a travel outfitter and a travel agency.

Above, yours truly at the Japan travel book section in 2013.

Five years ago, I gave a talk on Japanese monster locations at the store, which included a slide show of those locations. They also became a retailer of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Above, inside the bookstore in 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They were very courteous and helpful when setting up my program.

If you want to pick up some travel books or gear before they close, they are at 20 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, California.

Old ECV Shenanigans

Above, an anvil being sent airborne during a clamp-out in
1988. The practice has been banned. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I scanned a few pictures from past Clamper activities from 1988.

Here's couple more:

Above, Platrix Chapter No. 2 in the 1988 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade. Glenn Thornhill and I are at right.

Above, yours truly, Glenn Thornhill and Steve Born at Tapo Canyon in 1988.

Today's My Monsterpalooza Day

Above, yours truly with Academy Award-winning actor Martin Landau at the 2013 Monsterpalooza.

Today's the day that I will be heading out to Pasadena for this year's Monsterpalooza.

Hopefully, I will find a parking spot for The Beast since the Mustang is still in the shop. I will be meeting up with Brant Elliot when I arrive. He tells me that the show has been a "madhouse" with crowds of people. This will be interesting to see since the Pasadena Convention Center is a larger facility than Monsterpalooza's former home, the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

Hopefully, I will be able to see a few fellow kaiju fans from here and Japan. Master monster suit-maker Shinichi Wakasa is at the show. I don't think I've seen him since the 2011 show when I did my presentation on Japan's monster movie locations. I attended that show with Miki Hayashi.

I'll be bringing my camera along, so you'll see some photos of the show later on.

So if you're at Monsterpalooza today, look me up!

Monsterpalooza Tomorrow

Above, actress Caroline Munro with yours truly at the 2012 Monsterpalooza.

Tomorrow, I will be heading to Pasadena to attend this year's Monsterpalooza.

Monsterpalooza is probably one of the best monster conventions/shows in the U.S. with plenty of celebrities and exhibits to see.

It previously had been held at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, but it really outgrew that facility ages ago. Now, it is being held at the Pasadena Convention Center, a much larger venue.

It opened yesterday and is running through tomorrow. The Pasadena Convention Center is at 300 E. Green Street, Pasadana.

I will be meeting up with Brant Elliot at the convention center's lobby.

The official website for Monsterpalooza: http://monsterpalooza.com/spring/index.html

Today's The Day!

Today's the day that we have my case against Denise Santos taped for the Hot Bench court tv show.

I am at the Westin Pasadena hotel and they will be sending a car to pick me up later this morning. The show is taped at the KTLA-TV studios in Hollywood. Why they put me in a hotel in Pasadena instead of Hollywood is beyond me. But I'm not complaining. Maybe Hollywood's hotels are too crummy?

So far, I am enjoying myself. The room is nice and it is a little "change of pace" for me.

The hotel bed was comfortable last night and I got in a good seven hours of sleep.

I'm ready to go.

Now In Pasa-donuts!

Above, the main entrance to the Westin Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, I'm now in beautiful Pasadena, California at the Westin Hotel, courtesy of the producers of Hot Bench.

Before leaving home, I received a call from them and was told of the pick-up time for tomorrow. It appears that we're the fourth case on the taping schedule, so I don't have to get up so early.

The Westin is a nice hotel, just across the street from the Fuller Theological Seminary. I used to patrol the Seminary years ago for an alarm company. It looks the same to me.

My honorary sister Diane is jittery over my case than one she's working on in her job:

Man, I'm more nervous for your hearing by far than for my own tomorrow!

Bless her heart!

My mood is: "I'm a steamroller, baby! I'm about to roll all over you!" (From "Steamroller Blues".)

Here's some photos of my room:

Case Approved For "Hot Bench"

The last small claims case that I have (against Denise Santos) has been approved for the CBS court television show, Hot Bench.

The taping for the show will be in the morning of Wednesday, September 7 in Hollywood.

As a courtesy, I will be housed the night before at a hotel in Pasadena, since the show tapes in the early morning so I wouldn't have to fight early morning rush-hour traffic.

Monster Japan Travel Guide: Why I Constantly Promote

Above, Distant Lands Travel Bookstore in Pasadena. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A couple of days ago, I received this email:

I just discovered that you published a book titled "The Movie Monster Fan's Guide To Japan." I had no idea that this was available. I basically stumbled upon it. I am going on a trip to Japan on Wednesday morning and I would love to get a copy of this book for my trip. You mention that Distant Lands Travel Bookstore & Outfitters in Pasadena and Kinokuniya Bookstores in Little Tokyo carry it. I live in Altadena, which is the next city above Pasadena so I will definitely call them first thing in the morning tomorrow and if they don't have it I will call Kinokuniya Bookstores since I will be going to Little Tokyo tomorrow afternoon. But if they don't have it available, I see that I can purchase it directly from you, but would you be able to get it to me by Tuesday if I purchase it from you directly?

Some may wonder why I do so much promoting of the travel guide. The email above should tell you why. Despite all the promoting I do, some people still haven't discovered that the guide is available. That's why I keep doing it. It is like a third job for me. But I don't mind doing it.

Above, Kinokuniya Bookstores in Little Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I responded to the email that, yes, the guide is available through me (the PayPal button would be the quickest way to get it). Go here for ordering information.

But, Kinokuniya Bookstores in Little Tokyo should have some in stock and Distant Lands in Pasadena should also have plenty of copies. If you find that neither has any left in stock, let me know and I will make sure they get another supply. Links to both stores are posted on the right column of this blog.

A little late to the party...

Above, yours truly at Distant Lands in Pasadena.

It appears the RSS feeds on my talk at Distant Lands Travel & Outfitters of two months ago are still making the rounds.

A couple of days ago, a nice fellow posted the news on his website. At least he has a disclaimer stating that notices are "not guaranteed to be current."

If you want to take a peek, go here.

Collecting Travel Books, A Worldwide Hit

Above, the Japan section at Distant Lands Travel Bookstore in Pasadena.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People will collect just about anything.

Here's a subject near and dear to my heart: collecting travel books.

The Somerville News (of Somerville, Massachusetts) reported:

Summer is primetime for journeys to far-away lands by way of one’s imagination and by actually making the decision to travel! A collection of travel books is a great way to sample life in other countries and learn about their culture and history whether or not one makes the necessary arrangements to turn their dream into a reality. From the very first travel guide put out by Baedekers in Germany, collectors and travelers alike have been fascinated with books that provide a colorful verbal and sometimes pictorial view of the world.

The article reports that some country guidebooks are rarer and more collectible than others:

As one gets a little more off the beaten travel path, old guides become very rare and more valuable. Guides for Greece are rarer than for Paris, while finding a guide for a country like Syria is even rarer. 

Guides to Russia are also rare. When communism closed the borders in 1917, travel writers were not allowed in to document the sites for many years, leaving a hole in the Russian travel guide history.

Collecting travel books is relatively less expensive than other items:

The best part about collecting travel guides is the cost. For relatively little money, you can start collecting these books. They are also easy to find. Travel guides pop up in boxes at garage sales, inside antique shops and at flea markets. If you are concentrating your collection on a certain area or specific time period, it may take a little more effort to find the right books but the payoff is worth it. 

Could The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan be in someone's travel book collection?

To read the full article, go here. 

Distant Lands On Presentation Night

As promised two days ago, I am posting some photos taken at Distant Lands Monday night.  There are none of the presentation, but I took some prior to it.  We had an excellent turnout and we had to add more chairs to accommodate more (and sometimes late) arrivals.

Above, everything's all set up.  This was taken prior to the arrival of the audience.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the front of the Distant Lands Travel Bookstore.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Distant Lands Outfitters (or gear) store.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Japan section.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Distant Lands is located at 20 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA.  It is one block east of Fair Oaks Ave. and just south of Colorado Blvd.

Above, the pay counter with you-know-who's book on display.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Their website is at http://www.distantlands.com/.

A Great Time At Distant Lands

Above, Distant Lands Travel Bookstore from a previous visit.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tonight's presentation on Japanese monster movie locations and landmarks went great tonight.  People took advantage of the 77-degree temperatures to come out.

We filled the Distant Lands Travel Bookstore & Outfitters in Pasadena (we had to add some folding chairs) with appreciative kaiju fans who want to "walk in Godzilla's footsteps."  Some were from the World War II generation, which was a surprise.

I took some photos before the presentation began, but I'll have to post them tomorrow (I forgot the cable that attaches my camera to my computer for uploading).

It was a relaxed evening where people felt at ease to ask questions during the slideshow.  Some were surprised at the craftsmanship employed in making the intricate miniatures to match (or come very close) to the actual structures.  They hadn't given the workmanship much thought until tonight's presentation.

Besides the Japanese locations, landmarks and places of interest to monster fans, I also included two places of interest in the U.S. to Godzilla fans: the Walk of Fame star on Hollywood Blvd. and the Godzilla, King of the Monsters! plaque at Frank del Olmo Elementary School in Los Angeles.

When I showed the below photo of 84-year-old Haruo Nakajima, one of the older members of the audience remarked, "84?!  He's just a youngster!"

Above, Haruo Nakajima at Godzilla's star
on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo
courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

Above, the "Godzilla, King of the Monsters!" plaque
at Frank del Olmo Elementary School in Los Angeles.
Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

To top it all off, we sold copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan!

I apparently scored a home-run as I received a great round of applause at the end.

A big thank-you to the staff of Distant Lands for making tonight's presentation a successful one!

Good To Go For Tonight's Presentation!

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I worked all night and will have a two-hour meeting with the company that bought out my "parachute" job company, I had to get everything ready for tonight's presentation at Distant Lands Travel Bookstore & Outfitters in Pasadena this morning.

After the meeting, I will try to get in a few hours of napping before heading to Pasadena.

The presentation (in case some out there are oblivious) is on the subject of Japanese monster movie locations and landmarks, based on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.  It will also include a slideshow of those sites and discussion on other monster places of interest such as the Godzilla statues in Hibiya and at Toho Studios in Setagaya as well as the Godzilla slide in Yokosuka.  An Ultraman item or two will also be included. It starts at 7:30 and admission is free.

Copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan will be available for purchase.  And, I'll even sign them gratis!

Distant Lands is located at 20 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena.  It is one block east of Fair Oaks Avenue and south of Colorado Blvd.

For more information, go here.

In Today's L.A. Times Travel Section

As expected, the notice on my Japanese monster movie locations and landmarks presentation tomorrow night at Distant Lands Travel Bookstore & Outfitters is in today's Los Angeles Times Travel section.

It is on page L3 on the bottom left corner in their Films & Programs column.

Here's the online version:

Japanese Monster Movie Locations & Landmarks Presentation Tomorrow Night

Above, the Godzilla statue in Hibiya.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yikes!  Tomorrow evening's the night for the presentation on Japanese monster movie locations and landmarks at Distant Lands Travel Bookstore & Outfitters. Where has the month (or so) gone since this was set up?

The presentation begins at 7:30 PM and admission is free. It is based on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Distant Lands is located at 20 S. Raymond Avenue in Pasadena, California.  It is one block east of Fair Oaks Avenue and just south of Colorado Blvd.

For more information, go to their website here.

Hope to see you there!

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" Presentation In Pasadena Now

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan."
Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Pasadena Now.com has posted a notice on Japanese monster movie locations and landmarks  presentation this coming Monday evening at Distant Lands Travel Bookstore & Outfitters.

About Pasadena Now.com:

Since 2005, Pasadena Now.com has published literally thousands of local news stories for this community of about 150,000 people.  

Pasadena Now was established by James Macpherson and Candice Merrill in 2004 to serve the Pasadena, California-area community as a reliable online source of news, information, and entertainment.

To view the site, go here.

Kaiju Locations & Landmarks Presentation In Los Angeles Times

Above, Armand at the Godzilla statue in front of Toho Studios in Setagaya, Tokyo.

The Los Angeles Times has posted a notice on the slideshow presentation of Japanese monster movie locations and landmarks in their Travel section.  The newspaper edition has the street date of June 16.

The presentation will be held this coming Monday evening at 7:30.  Admission is free.

It was actually through the Times' Travel section that I first became aware of Distant Lands Travel Bookstore & Outfitters in Pasadena, California.

To view the notice, go here.

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" Presentation Posted In Whittier Daily News

The Whittier, California Whittier Daily News has posted a notice on the kaiju landmarks and locations slideshow presentation at Distant Lands Travel Bookstore & Outfitters in their "Weekend Things To Do In The San Gabriel Valley and Beyond" section.

The presentation is based on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Whittier is roughly 26 miles south of Pasadena.

To view their post, go here.

Local Media Posting On Kaiju Locations Presentation

Source: Anime News Network.

The local media are posting the news on my upcoming presentation of Japanese monster movie locations and landmarks at Distant Lands Travel Bookstore & Outfitters.

The Pasadena Star-News has posted a notice on it.  Go here to view it.

Last week, it was posted in the Pasadena Weekly.  Go here to view it.

Eventful.com has it posted in their Los Angeles Events page.  To view it, go here.

The presentation begins at 7:30 PM at Distant Lands, 20 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA.  It is one block east of Fair Oaks Ave. and south of Colorado Blvd.  Admission is free.