Denny Sinnoh's Akihabara Starlight

She’s into vinyl? Happy birthday to Hanako Oku — March 20, 2021

She’s into vinyl? I received a email reminder from CD Japan that the Soundtrack for the anime film “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” is available for a limited time. The main soundtrack music is by another composer (Kiyoshi Yoshida), but of course Hanako Oku has two of her most famous songs included. https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/PCJA-84 “The original soundtrack of “Toki o Kakeru Shojo (The…

SKE48 Storms Atsuta Shrine!

Mary Ann, I really want to tell you …

Yukirin’s Last Birthday!

Yuki in 2007 when she first joined AKB48

July 15th —>Happy Birthday Yukirin! (Japan is 12 hours ahead of my zone, so I wanted my favorite neice to receive my birthday wishes on time.)

There is an American expression for when someone turns 29 years old. Since 30 is considered the start of “being older” — at least to young people. Many Americans say that “they stopped celebrating birthdays” usually…

I was very surprised to hear that you have retired from show business. Not just retiring from singing and idoling … but retired from acting, and endoresements too?

As of this writing I have only seen a few news reports:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200601_22/

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/06/a2a1d687452c-former-akb48-star-watanabe-retires-from-showbiz-over-health-reasons.html

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-06-01/mayu-watanabe-retires-from-entertainment-industry-for-health-reasons/.160121

They all say the same thing (in fact they all appear to be written/copied from the same person). There is little detail. It concerns me that you had to retire for “health” reasons. To me, you look at the pique of health for a 26-year old! You sure look good … er … and I mean that in a complimentary way. If your concern for your health is the reason you have to step away from the entertainment industry, I will respect that. I will not pay attention to rumors.

Mayuyu – if I may be so familiar to call you that – I wish you all the best in your retirement from show business. You definitely deserve a break from entertaining. Perhaps you will return creatively some other year.

You have always been one of my favorite AKB members … no, favorite entertainers … no, favorite people. You are one of the world’s most beautiful women. Much has been written in the fandom about your … um … assets, but I sincerely do not mean that it in a snarky way. You were and still are lovely.

We can be honest with each other here. I know, that you know, that I know that you know.

The early-era of AKB48 is one of the best things in all of popular culture – Japanese or otherwise. You were a big part of it. I don’t think that AKB would have been the same without you.

Original Kami 7

You were a good singer, actress, comedian, model, spokesperson, etc. I would say that you are still at the top of your game. Your solo work is a primer for anyone in the idol-anime culture. More than a decade later it still holds up well. Your work with Watariroka Hashiritai was among the best in pop music history. Pop that just exploded off the record.

You girls were better than the Beatles! (I know the Beatles had a lot more records, but you girls at your best were better than the Beatles at their best).

Mayu, you added a lot of beauty and good humor to this world. Know that you will be missed. Have a good life. I hope you raise a big family of little idols someday!

Respectfully,

Your fan,

Denny Sinnoh

Starlight: Mayu … I love you kid … I wish you all the happiness in this world and any of  the multiverses.

Readers: This is the last single which Mayu centered. Notice that she is wearing the red sweater I lent her!

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Much later in life, I bought a CD of Planets by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Recently I started a playlist of several different symphonic versions. Indeed, There are a lot of good ones to choose from all over YouTube … but I will share this recent one with you today. This is from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, recorded live at the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, on November 8th 2019.

I love it of course! The Planets is kind of like a “concept album” that a rock group might make. Each part, or “movement” is a musical description of each planet. Let me also share with you, this gallery of “The Planets” album covers. Do you own any of these?

Before I proceed much farther, I also want to share this video from YT user Classics Explained. His video  is a whimsical history about how Holst came to write “The Planets”. CE vividly and accurately describes how each movement relates to each planet musically.

This music history got me thinking about the ORDER of the planets in the symphony. The order of Host’s planets are Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. This order does not seem to make sense at first — and where is Earth, anyway? If one were to navigate in a space craft, and view and explore Mars (the fourth planet in our solar system) first, then how or why would one go back to Venus (the second planet) next?  The order should be: Mercury, Venus, (Earth), Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Part of the wrong order of the planets may have to do with the order that Holst wrote the movements. He wrote “Mars: The Bringer of War” first, and “Mercury: The Winged Messenger” was written last.

So … what ever was the flight plan through “The Planets” by Gustav Holst? The only way I can excuse the order when I listen now, is to envision this travel plan scenario:

Our craft zips from Earth out to Mars first. Modern planetary explorers are in a hurry to explore and colonize Mars, so it does not surprise me that the planet is explored first. Our craft circles Mars, but not before dropping two surface problems which land, then drive around Mars to measure, dig and modify the Martian surface. The two land probes may even be in competition with each other, and may even have “wargames” at the surface. Our spaceship uses the gravity of Mars to fling our craft back to the other side … the inner side … of the solar system. We will use a GRAVITY ASSIST – similar to how the Cassini spacecraft used the gravity slingshot technique to zip around  Earth twice to get to Saturn.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah … man those cats can really swing!

Our ship will need more speed to travel the outer solar system, so our spaceship next flies AROUND Venus. (The surface is too hot to land anyway.) The path around Venus gives it a gravity boost – and propels it rapidly to Mercury, where our craft picks up even more speed through the fastest planet’s gravity.

After that gravity boost, our ship begins the long journey to the outer solar system, eventually graduating to the pull of Jupiter. At this point, our journey is in the correct order. We get flung around Jupiter and voyage out to Saturn where after a dance there, we are flung out to Uranus, then finally Neptune.

Oh —  I forgot to tell you – our craft does not go back to Earth. I probably should have said something. We keep going as the music to “Neptune” fades. Oh Ok … OK … if you really, really need to go back, listen to “Space Trucking” by Deep Purple for a straight path back. DP song linked here. Yeah, Yeah Yeah Yeah … the freaks said: man those cats can really swing! And yes, I digress once again.

Do you know what would have been a hoot?  if Host had wrote music for Earth, or perhaps even Earth’s moon – Luna. Why not a special movement for the Asteroid Belt? There was no planet Pluto at the time Host wrote, so we cannot blame him for not including it.

Remembder to use the “gravity assist”!!!

Starlight: Forty-four light years it has been! Do you have a favorite “Planets” album? Please share with me in the Comments!

Suggested Links:

https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2018/09/27/for-holsts-the-planets-one-fans-online-quest-to-rank-every-recording-is-out-of-this-world

https://petersplanets.wordpress.com/

Phantump (in Japanese: ボクレー “Bokurei”) is the “Stump Pokeman” introduced in the Kalos Region Pokémon X and Y (Generation VI). Phantump is a Ghost and Grass dual-type. Phantump only evolves into Trevenant by trading, where it remains a Ghost/Grass type. Trevenant (in Japanese: オーロット  “Ohrot”) is the “Elder Tree Pokémon”.

This is all set to evolve when traded.

I like to give spooky, ghost, or death-themed names to Phantump. My favorite name is “The Departed” after the Martin Scorsese movie with so many people joined the departed at the end. You can watch most of the deaths here. Yup, Everybody gets shot in the head … but I digress.

Alternatively, use “Depart Now” … as in a wish, or an order. I like to name a Phantump “Your Death” then send it out on Wondertrade. The other player gets a message “Denny sent over … Your Death”.

The name “Lost Limb” could refer to lonely tree limbs broken off after a storm or clear-cut. There is an actual medical phenomenon where people will feel “phantom pain” where a lost arm or leg used to be. Medical reference here. That’s pretty creepy, I know. Are there any other names for a dead appendage? “Deadwood” works even after evolution.

On a more playful and humorous note, you could name it “Stumpy” or “Peggy Stump” … or maybe just “Peggy” for the situation of … no, no don’t make me describe it!!! It gets worse, of course — so let’s not go there. Too perverted even for Denny’s jokes.

I also like to catch Phantump in a Dusk Ball, especially if I intend to evolve it.

I know what you are thinking: A good name for Trevenant is “TreeBeard” after the famous Lord of the Rings character. True, Tevenant is like those Ent tree herders, especially if you view their in-game description … From X: “It can control trees at will. It will trap people who harm the forest, so they can never leave.” From Y: “Using its roots as a nervous system, it controls the trees in the forest. It’s kind to the Pokémon that reside in its body.”  

A high-school friend of mine once named his green VW Mini-Bus “Treebeard”. Yeah there were a lot of ghosts and grass back then. I initially named Trevenant “Treevert” as a play on the joke name “preevert” which is a joke because that word is how some people read “pervert” … but I’ve lost interest in such things. Enough with the snarky nicknames …

Hmmm …. this tree wants to “frisk” you …

All kinds of “wood” names could be used I suppose — “Morningwood” for example. How about “Dendro” or “MyBro’Dendro“. This tree is not exactly a willow, but I can see this ghost as forever weeping about its wood gone to rot.

Let me suggest a better name theme for Trevenant. My favorite to use is “Absinthe” after the intoxicating, hallucination-inducing alcoholic beverage that is banned in the USA. Absinthe is considered a “spirit” which is appropriate for a part Ghost-type. Another name for Absinthe is “La Fée Verte” — meaning “the green fairy”. A good name would be “Thujone” which is the chemical associated with the effects of the drink. Sometimes the plant is known as “Wormwood” — another suggested name choice.

There is a famous quotation related to the Absinthe drinking experience from Oscar Wilde:

 “After the first glass, you see things as you wish they were.

After the second, you see things as they are not.

Finally, you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world.”

More of Oscar Wilde’s observations on the drink are linked here:

What is the name for your rotten and scary little woodstump? Please leave a cooment below:

The usual references:

http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page

http://www.serebii.net/

http://pkmn.net/?action=rater

I wanted to wish Hanako Oku a HAPPY BIRTHDAY today! It is the 20th … I think in Japan.  It is still the 19th here in the USA. I guess I am a little time-trippy today, even more than usual. It might be all the fumes from my hand sanitizer.

You do the math! What is Six times Seven?

Starlight: Ms. Hanako Oku, born March 20, 1978. 

Although it is a Happy Day we hope there is one sad note. The Fan Club linked on the Oku Hanako web page will cease operations on March 29. Also, her radio show also is ending.

http://okuhanako.com/category/information/

This, plus all of the “Best Of” collections, it seems this artist is going to retire? If you have a news item, please forward it to me.

Lucy’s Pokémon Sword and Shield Nicknames: Part 2 — The Galar Team

The little lady has been busy leveling up her Galar Pokemon, trying to get all of her team up to level 100. Here is a quick peek at her recent team members. I did help her with some of the names and cultural references.

Lucy chose Scorbunny as her starter. She kept it in baby form. She also used a Gold Bottle Capto hypertrain it. It may be still pre-evolved form, but the little bunny can hold…

Lucy and her Mum are originally from Valor Lakefront, SR. I knew (cough) Lucy’s Mum when she worked as a cocktail waitress at the Seven Stars Restaurant at Hotel Grand Lake, I tried to help out the struggling single mum and her pretty young daughter as much as I could. Times were tough. We stayed home and played Diamond and Pearl a lot.They moved to Galar a few years ago. Good that they did, as Lucy has become the new Galar Champion! Here is her trainer card:

I’m so proud of her and how well she grew up. She’s a Pokémon Champ, plus the little lady can cook up a great curry!

I also like teaming up with Lucy for new Pokémon Nicknames, because many of names are from cultural references from decades past. Many younger players in search of nicknames might not “get” or appreciate my generation’s names. Many of the nicknames you will be reading about on this blog will be Lucy’s idea.

Denny: Lucy – I will still help you with the naming Lucy …

Lucy: OK Boomer. (giggles)

Denny: “OK Boomer” … What? … that quip again? Wait … “OK Boomer” might just be a great name for a Drampa!

Sword and Shield has made a few changes to the nicknaming system. There is an important change for users who choose to view/use nicknames. As the Name-Rater in any Pokécenter will tell you — trainers may change the name of a Pokémon already nicknamed by its previous trainer. You do only get one chance. Once you change the name of a traded Pokémon it has to stick forever. The 12 letter space format continues. However, I have noticed that the various symbols available in previous generations are no longer available. Darn it! No “Heart” symbol anymore? Also, I have noticed that if a Pokémon comes in from the Surprise Trade in of another language, the name cannot be changed. (Please leave a note in the comment section if you know otherwise.)

Starlight: Yeah, she takes after her Mum.

Where have you gone “The Otaku Judge”?

“That’s right Sweetie … you can be the new “Otaku Judge” now!”

(Denny singing to the lyrics of Paul Simon’s Mrs.Robinson: “Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio”)

Dear Readers: I was sad to learn that The Otaku Judge will no longer be blogging.

I encountered the Judge a few years ago, as he often commented on the same anime and gaming blogs that I also followed. We followed each other’s posts, and I…

The girls keep getting younger every year: AKB48’s “Coming of Age Day” 2020

That is a lot of beauty.

AKB48 and their Japanese sister groups had their “Coming of Age Day” for 2020 on January 13th.

I that the Record Insustry Weasels will not allow these videos to stay up on YT for very long, so I will snag some quick screen shots!

Those…

The girls and I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!  Here is our special “Singing Christmas Card.”

Starlight: Merry Christmas 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 …

My first posts should just about now be reaching the recently discovered planet Barnard’s Star (planet) B. Merry Christmas to all beings on the…

‘ello Galar region! It has been months since I last posted on this blog … way back in August in fact! Well, the new game — Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield – has been out for a couple of weeks now, so you may be in need of Denny’s nicknaming suggestions.

Credit goes to the artist.

One of the first Pokémon you encounter in the Galar Region is little “Yamper” (in Japanese: ワンパチ “Wanpachi”).  Yamper is the Generation VIII “Puppy Pokémon” and is an Electric type. (Source: Bulbapedia)

The way I see it, Yamper is based on the “Welsh Corgi” dog breed. These dogs have distinctive short legs, and despite that, the breed is often used as a herding dog. (Perhaps to herd the numerous Wooloo in Galar?) Corgis are sometimes bred with other dogs, but they retain their short legs, and their friendly temperament. These are those cute little “yapper” dogs. The little dogs that are always excited when you meet them, and jump up on you, as they always want to play.

Yamper evolves into “Boltund” (in Japanese: パルスワン  “Parusuwan”) at level 25 where it remains an  Electric-type. Ahem … Boltund reminds me a little too much of the dog in the Disney movie “Bolt”.

Here are some nicknames that I have used:

You could just go with “Yapper” or “LittleYapper”. (Note that nicknames still have a 12-character limit in Galar.)

My favorite name for Yamper/Boltund is “Incorrigible” – as in an endearing person, who always does things their way.

“HappyCamper” fits, because camping, playing and cooking curry are an important part of building friendship with your Pokémon in the Galar Region. I had previously used “HappyCamper” for Pokémon’s other puppy —  Rockruff.

“Corgi Girl” – for female Yamper. Alternatively “Georgy Girl” , “Georgie” , “Georgy Gyrl”  after the great hit song from 1967 by England’s The Seekers — “Hey There – Georgy Girl”. It is an upbeat tune with good vibes, man.

Of course I grew up in the 1960s, so that is my cultural reference. You kids might name your little yapper “Baha Baha” or the like, after that terrible song about “letting the dogs out”. Oy.

“Pembroke” – From the Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog breed. Pembroke is also the name of one of the colleges at the University of Cambridge.

“House Bolton” as a GOT reference. Those dogs in that show were too mean though. (Not like my incorrigible little Yamper.)

“Striker” – as in a lightning strike of course. “Dart Leader” is a related lightning term, and is good for a herding dog. “Step Leader” as well. “ReturnStroke” is another lightning term, and is especially appropriate as one of Yamper’s abilities is “Ball Fetch”. This is an ability new to the Galar region.

Now who’s a GOOD BOY?  What is your name for your little yapper? Please comment!

I am writing this draft in late-July, in anticipation of more Sword and Shield updates. Please check back with me after November 15 for more suggestions. All my anticipated and suggested nicknames follow the 12-character limit consistent with Pokémon Generations VI and VII.

Alcremie (in Japanese: マホイップ  “Mahoippu”) is a Fairy-type Pokémon to be introduced in the Galar Region (Generation VIII). Reference: From Bulbapedia.

The English name appears to be a combination of the words Alchemy, Cream and Cutie. Alchemy was a “magical” style of chemistry which preceded modern science. Thus, a Fairy-type is reasonable.  Otherwise Alcremie looks like a pile of whipped cream or soft-serve vanilla ice cream. It has strawberries on either side of its head. I do like my creamy desserts, I think that they are soothing. In fact, early descriptions of Alcremie say that its “cream has an incredibly soothing effect which can cause an opponent to rapidly lose its will to battle when eaten.” (Source: Pokéfandom webpage.)

Alcremie is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon at this writing. However, it looks like it will be able to transform into a huge, cream frosted cake in its Gigantimax form.

This surprise cake puts me in mind of all those “Mad Men” era bachelor parties, where a pretty girl would jump out of a large party cake. It is yet another trope, lost in the 20th century.

The joke was that as the groom-to-be and his bachelor friends were having an innocent ice cream-and-cake party, someone would roll out this giant cake. Only instead of icing inside — a naked girl would jump out, surprising the poor groom on his last night of strange desserts. Oh … but I digress …

Unfortunately, Alcremie has been receiving some Internet hate. Fans are blaming Game Freak for not being creative enough. There were already “ice cream” Pokémon: Vanillite,  Vanillish and Vanilluxe were already ice creams introduced in the Unova Region. Furthermore, there were already French pastry Pokémon in Kalos – Slurpuff and Swirlix. (Image credit goes to the original artists below)

Really Gamefreak – another Ice Cream Pokémon?” they say. Never mind the hate. I like the idea of this strawberry shortcake Pokémon. I look forward to bringing out that big ice cream and cake surprise! I could probably recycle some of my Vanillite line names. “Dairy Queen“, “Tastee-Freez” and the like, after those roadside ice cream shops that are a big part of Americana.

Some of you might remember the old “Strawberry Shortcake” character that was marketed to young girls in the 1980s. Thus “Shortcakes” is an obvious name. I plan on naming my Alcremie “Berry Panic” because of its fruit berries. The panic part refers to the famous Yuri manga and anime “Strawberry Panic”. I actually have a theory about how a strawberry can panic.

Others:

“Chantilly” after the term for the French version of whipped cream topping. Plus, it is a nice sweet, girly name, perfect for the Galar Region.

“ERCJCKGNGR” or “JckGngrErc” is an odd name, but I mean this as an abbreviation of “Eric Jack Ginger” who were the original British Cream.

What will you call your sweet creamy short cakes? Please comment.