Christmas Eve

After a drive of an hour and a half (95 miles) from Tarzana to the Lake Elsinore area, we had an enjoyable Christmas Eve party at my cousin's in Wildomar.

On the menu was many varieties of Mexican food including tamales and chili verde, along with some good Blue Moon ale.

The traffic was easier than usual. It got heavy at times, but at least it moved.

The drive home was also lighter than usual. The L.A. civic center greeted us with the Lindbergh Beacon lit up on top of City Hall.

A good time was had by all!

Christmas In Japan

Above, the Wako Dept. Store with Christmas lights lighting up the clock tower in Ginza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

An interesting article on Christmas in Japan was posted at Huffington Post.com:

Although it is said that most Japanese are Shinto and Buddhist, few people are aware the Japanese also participate in "commercialized Christianity" in order to take advantage of those fun Christian holidays.

Christmas, with its sparkly, over-glitzed trees, a cherry-cheeked Santa Claus and the ritual of gift-giving is irresistible to the Japanese who have taken to celebrating Christmas on a superficial level. You can hardly blame them for wanting to participate in such an entertaining religion.

But the Japanese have adjusted Christmas to their own liking. Santa-san enters the house through the window and brings one gift to each child on Christmas Eve, which he leaves on the child's bed.

To read the full article, go here.

Japan Christmas

Above, the Shibuya 109 building all decked out. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For a country with under 2% calling themselves Christian, I found it interesting to see so much of Japan with Christmas decorations.

Last December, I visited Japan with most of my activities confined to Tokyo for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan-related business and Niigata for rest and relaxation. I stayed at two hotels and both had a Christmas tree in the lobby.

Here's some photos of Christmas decorations I saw:

Above, the Mitsukoshi Department store at Ginza Crossing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Christmas trees adorn Ginza sidewalks along Chuo Dori. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly in front of a sushi restaurant near the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. Note the Christmas decorations on the restaurant's window.

Above, the Wako Department store in Ginza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Monster Japan Travel Guide Holiday Discount Reminder

(This is a re-post of last month's announcement)

Ho! Ho! Ho!

The 2011 holiday season is now upon us. As soon as Halloween ended (maybe even before), the department stores became decked out in Christmas decorations.

Since we are now in the holiday season, I am discounting The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan 20% off the cover price, making the cost of the book $12.00. This special offer is direct from me, not from ComiXpress. So if you want the discount, you'll need to order directly from me.

It is the world's only Japan travel guide tailored to fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy films.

Additionally, to even make your holiday dollars go even further, the $12.00 price includes shipping & handling! How's that for getting into the Santa spirit?

Now to December 24 (Christmas Eve), you can get The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for $12.00 total! Orders postmarked within (and including) those dates will get the discount!

The mailing address can be found here (ignore the price listed on the page).

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan makes the perfect stocking stuffer for that kaiju fan in your life (or for yourself)!

None of that "politically correct" "Happy Holidays" stuff around here! Here, we say Merry Christmas!

Lennon's "Happy Xmas" Is 40 Years Old

An indicator of how time flies (and aging) is the realization that John Lennon's "Happy Xmas" (War Is Over) is now 40 years old.

The song was recorded at the Record Plant Studios in New York City in October 1971, with the participation of Phil Spector.

The song came out during the 1971 Christmas season, which was the last Christmas of my high school years in Hawthorne, California.

It was originally a Viet Nam War protest song, but it has since become a Christmas standard over the years.

Holiday Special For Monster Japan Travel Guide

Ho! Ho! Ho!

The 2011 holiday season is now upon us. As soon as Halloween ended (maybe even before), the department stores became decked out in Christmas decorations.

Since we are now in the holiday season, I am discounting The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan 20% off the cover price, making the cost of the book $12.00. This special offer is direct from me, not from ComiXpress. So if you want the discount, you'll need to order directly from me.

It is the world's only Japan travel guide tailored to fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy films.

Additionally, to even make your holiday dollars go even further, the $12.00 price includes shipping & handling! How's that for getting into the Santa spirit?

From today to December 24 (Christmas Eve), you can get The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for $12.00 total! Orders postmarked within (and including) those dates will get the discount!

The mailing address can be found here (ignore the price listed on the page).

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan makes the perfect stocking stuffer for that kaiju fan in your life (or for yourself)!

None of that "politically correct" "Happy Holidays" stuff around here! Here, we say Merry Christmas!