Happy 95th Birthday Clint Eastwood

Above, autograph I got from Clint Eastwood in 1980.

 

Happy birthday to Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood! pic.twitter.com/0zvSqdPYIs

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 31, 2025

 

John Wayne Day In Fort Worth, Texas

Above, yours truly with Patrick Wayne outside of Ridgway, Colorado in 2022.

John Wayne Day is this coming Monday (which is also Memorial Day) and there will be several events at the Fort Worth Stockyards. The events mark the 118th anniversary of John Wayne's birth.

According to FWToday:

Next Monday, May 26 marks John Wayne’s 118th birthday, and the party is just getting started. Kick up your boots and get ready to celebrate Hollywood’s favorite on-screen cowboy with a series of events in the Stockyards.

One of the events is a special screening of The Big Trail (1930) at the Modern Art Museum. Son Patrick Wayne will make a special guest appearance. I am pleased to see that Patrick is out and about, considering he is now 85. I met him at the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's Grit Series marathons outside of Ridgway, Colorado in 2022.

For more information on the events, go here.

Kenji Sahara Turns 93

Above, Kenji Sahara as he appeared in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). Toho Co., Ltd. photo.

Did you know that Toho actor Kenji Sahara turned 93 four days ago?

It slipped my mind that his birthday took place on May 14. 

According to Wikipedia:

Kenji Sahara (佐原 健二 Sahara Kenji) (born 14 May 1932) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa. His birth name is Masayoshi Kato (加藤 正好 Katō Masayoshi). Initially he used the name Tadashi Ishihara before changing it when he secured the lead role in Rodan (1956). 

Above, Kenji Sahara and Armand at G-FEST XVI in 2009. Photo by Stan Hyde.

It is nice that a classic actor from Toho's Showa era is still with us. Happy Birthday, Kenji Sahara!

Reagan’s Birthday, How He and Trump Helped Make America Great Again

Above, President Reagan's Labor Day campaign kick-off
 in Fountain Valley, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is Ronald Reagan's birthday.

There are a number of articles on the former President being posted today. Probably the most prominent one is an opinion piece on how Reagan and President Donald Trump helped to make America great again by Peggy Grande at Fox News.

It starts with:

Every February 6, America celebrates the birthday of President Ronald Reagan — a president whose optimism, eloquence and unwavering love for his country defined an era. We not only loved him, we loved ourselves and who we were as Americans when he was president. He made us patriotic and proud, courageous and optimistic, and gave deep meaning to our values as we shone the torch of freedom all over the world under his leadership, inviting others to follow. And they did. 

We miss Reagan and have missed those feelings of pride and optimism in America these past few years. But since January 20, it feels like Morning in America Again and as the sun is rising on the second term of President Donald Trump, there are similar emotions being evoked. Americans are celebrating. 

Having worked for both presidents, I know well that Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump are two very different men with vastly different leadership styles, yet they share one love for America. And Americans. All Americans. 

To read more, go here. 

Yesterday

Above, the left front tire blew out yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was the 32nd anniversary of my 39th birthday. 

It is a weird feeling that I am now at the same age my dad was when he passed away 25 years ago. 

It was a good birthday, but it could have been better. 

First off, on the way home from the Flying J's Denny's restaurant where we had our usual Tuesday coffee gathering, the left front tire on the Jeep blew out. Now I have to deal with that. I have to go into Gallup and pay a deposit for a replacement tire (Cooper Discoverer). When the dealer gets it in, I'll have to bring the wheel into town for it to be mounted on the rim. It was a couple of blocks from home when it happened, so I managed to get the Jeep into the garage. 

Above, Richard Pusateri at the Big Pool at Toho Studios in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then, in the afternoon, I learned that Richard Pusateri, one of the gang of kaiju enthusiasts (formerly from L.A.), passed away after a 2-3 year battle with cancer. Richard was the one who coined the name "GINO" (Godzilla In Name Only) for the Tri-Star Godzilla of 1998. We met at G-FEST 1999 in Burbank. We went to the premiere of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival and toured Toho Studios with Koichi Kawakita and Shogo Tomiyama. We attended many screenings in Hollywood and at the American Film Market in Santa Monica. Some used to refer to us as the "Mario Brothers". He will be missed. 

As we get older, it seems that more often life throws curve balls at us. 

Happy 70th Birthday, Godzilla!

 

Happy 70th Birthday, Godzilla!

Today is Godzilla Day in Japan and around the world. It was on November 3, 1954 that the King of the Monsters's first movie, Godzilla, premiered in Japan.

From Godzilla.com:

Godzilla is 70! Seven decades after director Ishirō Honda and special effects master Eiji Tsuburaya revealed Godzilla to Japanese audiences on November 3, 1954, the King of the Monsters has only become more captivating and resonant to its growing global fanbase.

Along with that, it has been announced that a new Godzilla movie (possibly a sequel to Godzilla Minus One) has been greenlighted by Toho Co., Ltd. 

Above, the Godzilla filming suit from Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000) with yours truly
at Toho Studios in Setagaya, Japan in 2001. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

To read more, go here.

Ammo Order

Above, this week's order that arrived yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday morning, I received a package from Cabela's of ammunition I bought with a birthday gift card from a friend. I ordered the ammo on Monday. Talk about fast service!

I ordered a box of 410 shotgun shells, two boxes of 12 gauge shotgun shells and a box of .30-30 centerfire cartridges.

A few hours after receiving the package, I received an email from Cabela's stating that my order was "just shipped". This, of course, had me wondering if this was a goof-up on their part and they sent me another package of ammo. 

I called customer service and told them about the email and that I had already received the order. With the order number I gave them, they checked and said that the email pertained to the package that arrived that morning. I told them I was wondering if they got a bit more generous than usual and sent me more ammo. 

We had good laugh.

Jeep Drive Today

Today was spent grocery shopping in Gallup (after breakfast at the El Rancho Hotel) and then doing some Jeep driving.

The temperature was a bit warmer today than yesterday, otherwise I would have done some Jeep driving on my birthday.

It is now around 54°.

Above, up at the top of Whispering Cedars Road.

31st Anniversary of My 39th Birthday

Above, Monument Valley in October 2022.

This would be an ordinary Sunday except for one thing: today I am celebrating the 31st anniversary of my 39th birthday (as President Reagan used to say).

So far, over 70 well-wishes have been received at Facebook and elsewhere. For those who were thoughtful to send them, my deepest thanks. 

It is hard to believe that only a few years ago that whenever I was asked my age, I would reply, "I'm too young for MediCare and too old for women to care." Well, I've gone past that. 

It is indeed a blessing to have lived this long. I often think of contemporaries who have passed on, including friends and family members. I plan on keeping on. Staying active is the key to longevity. As of now, I am feeling fine. The medical emergency I had five years ago was a wake-up call. I have lost weight, eating healthier and follow my doctor's orders along with taking my medications. 

Funny thing. I was just down at the Flying J and waiting in a long line at the checkstand. A fellow behind me and I struck up a conversation. He is a long-haul trucker and he thought I was one too. He said, "You look like a trucker!" I told him no, I am a retired insurance adjuster and the only thing I drove in my job was a desk. 

I'll just close this with something President Reagan told former President Jimmy Carter at the dedication of the Carter Library in 1986. Reagan told Carter, as it was also Carter's birthday, "Life begins at 70!" 

Here's where I find out if that's true.

Happy Birthday Shelley Sweeney!

Above, Shelley Sweeney and yours truly at a Tokyo Starbucks in 2006.

A big happy birthday to actress Shelley Sweeney!

Shelley was January 11, 1966 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is an active actress based in Japan who appeared in Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II (1993) and other Japanese productions and, also, commercials. 

If one is traveling to Japan via Narita Airport, she appears in a video on immigration fingerprinting at the airport.

She was also a guest at G-FEST XIV in 2007.

George Reeves 110th Birthday

Today marks the 110th birthday of Adventures of Superman star George Reeves.

Yesterday, WBTN 1370 AM (Vermont) had a 110-year Birthday Special on George Reeves-Superman. I missed it. But, if anyone heard it, kindly post your reactions to it in comments.

Above, George Reeves poses as Superman on a Phoenix, Arizona rooftop.

Haruo Nakajima's 95th Birthday

Above, Haruo Nakajima climbing into a Godilla suit.

Along with today being the start of a new year, it is also Haruo Nakajima's 95th birthday.

It is fitting that the latest Toho Godzilla movie, Godzilla Minus One, is doing so well worldwide. It would have been interesting to see his reaction to it had he not passed away in 2017. 

Today, raise an extra glass to honor his memory.

Gov. Grisham and Biden: She's Gotta Be Kidding

 This Twitter (or X) post speaks for itself:

Painting Framed

The painting I commissioned Asya to do for Mitch Geriminsky's 70th birthday is now framed and hanging in a prominent place in his Lake Havasu home (shown above).

It came out great and Mitch is also very pleased with it.

The "Happy Birthday greeting card" Asya sent along (below) with it was included in the framing and is in a sleeve on the backside of the painting.

The Farm Painting: Start To Finish

Above, the finished painting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The idea for a special birthday present for Mitch Geriminsky for his 70th birthday came to me last June.

Since his has been great friend since we were 13 or 14 years old and he saved my bacon in Wells, Nevada five years ago, I thought I would have Asya do a painting of a farm. His home is decorated in a farm motif, which is why that was chosen. 

I wanted to have a gate with his name, so I came up with "Mitchell Farms" and have his age as the address number. 

I first sent her this rough sketch of what I had in mind:

 

She then used it to come up with her rough sketches on the layout:

She then bought the canvas in St. Petersburg, Russia:

Then she refined it on the canvas:

During this time, we sent each other photos of different farm and tractor photos we found online to use as guides. I had her eliminate the sun in the layout as it would cause shadowing issues. I also had Mitch's wife Holly in the loop during this process and she was able to keep it a secret.

In July, the painting was nearly finished:

Shortly thereafter, she sent it to me from St. Petersburg, Russia:

As our PayPal, Western Union and other money-sending companies were stymied from sending money to Russia due to the embargo, I was able to pay her for the painting when she was traveling in Cairo, Egypt.

It arrived in Jamestown, New Mexico in plenty of time for Mitch's birthday in October. He had visited here, during which the painting was safely hidden away. Now, it is at Hobby Lobby in Lake Havasu being framed. It should be ready tomorrow.

Mitch's 70th Birthday

Mitch Geriminsky's 70th birthday party took place yesterday afternoon in Lake Havasu.

There was a sizable group there and some took advantage of jumping into his pool or jacuzzi. We had a great spaghetti dinner, thanks to his wife Holly.

As with all birthday parties, it included the opening of gifts.

Mine was planned out several months in advance. I contacted Asya in St. Petersburg, Russia to commission a farm scene painting. Their home decor is in a farm motif and I had an idea to have her paint a farm scene as "Mitchell Farms" and include his age as the address of the farm. During the process, I kept Holly in the loop, so she knew what Mitch would be getting.

I figured that since he essentially saved my bacon in Wells, Nevada five years ago when I had my heart attack, I owed him this. Plus, he has been a good friend since we were 13 years old.

Here is the painting:

Above, Mitchell Farms. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When Asya sent the painting to me, she included this birthday greeting:

After the birthday gifts were all opened. Mitch and I posed with the painting.

Above,  Mitch and I posed with the painting.. Photo by Dwight Kuntz.

In Lake Havasu

Above, at Crazy Horse Campgrounds at Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I drove the 400+ miles to Lake Havasu City, Arizona for Mitch Geriminsky's birthday bash tomorrow.

I checked into the Crazy Horse Campgrounds at the lake. I didn't get a lakeside site this time. I am in a section up the hill from there that has sewer connections.

All went well until after I attached my water hose to the spigot and turned it on. When I turned it on, the whole spigot and pipe shot off and I had a geyser of water hit me. It was like a busted fire hydrant. I contacted the campground's office and they sent a guy out to repair it right away.

At least I can say I enjoyed the waters of Lake Havasu. I dried off pretty fast as it was over 100° outside. 

Upcoming This Week

Above, Mitch's present wrapped and ready to go. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that the annular eclipse is over and done with, there's something else to look forward to.

Friend Mitch Geriminsky will be turning the ripe old age of 70 on October 25, but the birthday party will be this week in Lake Havasu, Arizona. I will heading there at the end of this week with Sierra.

Above, yesterday, just before the eclipse began. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have already bought his birthday present and it'll be presented at the party. 

This will likely be the last camping trip with The Beast this year. Winter is fast approaching and it is already cold at night here in Jamestown, New Mexico. At least I'll be enjoying temperatures of around 100° while in Lake Havasu.

It is kind of mind-boggling to think that someone I've known since we were 14 years old is turning 70. 

Patrick Wayne Turned 84 Today

Above, Patrick Wayne with his father.

Today is actor Patrick Wayne's 84th birthday.

He was born Patrick John Morrison on July 15, 1939 and took the stage name of Patrick Wayne when he became an actor in is own right.

From Western Trails Stars of the Silver Screen:

He is the second son of movie star John Wayne and his first wife, Josephine Alicia Saenz. He made over 40 films in his career, including nine with his father.  Patrick made his film debut at age 11 in his father's Rio Grande (1950). He followed that with films directed by family friend and iconic director John Ford. He also starred in the popular matinée fantasy Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977), then The People That Time Forgot (1977).

Above, yours truly with Patrick Wayne in Colorado last year.

I met Wayne last year outside of Ridgway, Colorado while attending the John Wayne Cancer Foundation marathons. He's a real nice guy and I enjoyed chatting with him.

Happy Birthday, Patrick!

Kenji Sahara Turns 91 Today

Above, Kenji Sahara and yours truly at G-FEST in 2009.

One of the few remaining actors of Toho's Godzilla Showa era is celebrating his 91st birthday today.

From Wikipedia:

Kenji Sahara (佐原 健二 Sahara Kenji) (born 14 May 1932) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa. His birth name is Masayoshi Kato (加藤 正好 Katō Masayoshi). Initially he used the name Tadashi Ishihara before changing it when he secured the lead role in Rodan (1956).

Sahara did a lot of work for the Toho Company, the studio that so far has produced 28 Godzilla movies. He appeared in more of the Godzilla series than any other actor.

Also, he is the actor who was often relied on in most of the films by Directors Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya.

He has appeared in many supporting roles.

Sahara is famous as a mainstay of Toho special-effects movies and the Ultraman series.

I can see why he was relied upon to perform in so many Toho productions. He was effective as an engineer with temporary amnesia in Rodan; a nerdy inventor in Monster Zero; a crooked businessman in Mothra vs. Godzilla; and as another inventor in King Kong vs. Godzilla. He appeared as a scientist in Godzilla Final Wars (2004).

A big Happy Birthday to Kenji Sahara!