Other Famous Ernies

Yeah, like I’m really famous…


Ernie Borgnine Wikipedia Info


Ernie Hemingway Wikipedia Info


Ernie Banks Wikipedia Info


Ernie Dingo Wikipedia Info


Ernie K-Doe Wikipedia Info


Ernie the Keebler Elf Wikipedia Info


Ernie Pyle Wikipedia Info


Ernie from Sesame Street Wikipedia Info


Ernie Ball Wikipedia Info


Ernie Hudson Wikipedia Info


Momma Ernie Bayer
Founder of the Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club & Mother of Womens Rowing

Perhaps one day, I too can join the ranks of these exemplars!

Less is More

The rain and wind here in the SF Bay Area has put the kibosh on my video shoots. Until I get some clear skies, here's some classic Sesame Street:



Ernie Rules!!!

Happy Humbug All You Grinches!

It’s like the bestest Christmas present like forever!!!


The next time you go gift shopping for a serious martial artist, don’t buy anything martial arts related. We already have what we need, or most times we’re either very particular or require specialized materials, fittings, or gear.

If you really want to make a serious martial artist go all giddy like a little kid, find out what other hobbies or joys he or she likes.

For me: I love British science-fiction TV. Doctor Who just happens to be one of my favorites (from Hartnell to the present). Space 1999, Sapphire & Steel, and The Tomorrow People are pretty cool, too.

The gift of the Sonic Screwdriver was courtesy of The Lasit Family. (Kevin cooks a mean rib roast and lives by the motto: Where there’s meat, there’s gravy.)

Twas The Dark Knight Before Christmas

T2: Takoyaki & Trance

In a previous post, I mentioned that I like Trance music. Well, I also like Takoyaki. Here's how to make it...with a drum beat:



I'm making these on New Year's Eve!

Wishing Everyone a Safe and Joyous Holiday

Graphics and formatting via Hallmark software

I've made several style Holiday cards to give to friends and relatives while simultaneously promoting this blog which goes official in January/February 2008. (Awesome fountain in the b.g.)

Pop Up Market

This wasn't staged for the camera. This is a real open market in Thailand.



Think: Modular transformation in Macross City aboard the SDF-1. (Google it, if you don't know.)

Lost in Translation? Luka vs. Ruka

(Suzanne Vega – Original Artist)


(浅香唯 - Asaka Yui – Cover Artist)

I’m not entirely sold on this “J-pop” version of “Luka.” Perhaps Yui’s manager was fascinated more with the melody. I’m guilty of falling for the melodies of some Japanese pop songs now and then; I learn the lyrics without translating them first, only to be totally embarrassed to discover just how immature or wrong I was about the songs’ meanings. (Back in the 1980’s, Bruce Springsteen toured around the world and people sung along to “Born in the USA,” some people not even knowing what they were saying. They just liked the song.)

Also, I had this vision of Japanese kids dancing to this cover tune. Even though the lyrics were translated into Japanese, I wonder if they truly understood that this song was about child abuse. Dancing to this song, to me, would be like celebrating each time a child got beaten. Not the right thing to do. (Which begs the question: Why was Suzanne’s lead guitarist so spastically energetic during his solos?) I counted Yui smile twice during her performance and she appeared to bob her head a few times, as if rocking to a groove. The swaying near the end didn’t fit either.

Lastly, I was really disappointed in the quality of the musical arrangement and staging. It’s obvious that Yui lip-synched for TV, and the “musicians” behind her were just props. I’m not sure which brand of mic was on stage, but an attempt was made to copy Suzanne’s use of the Shure SM58. Suzanne performed in close proximity to the mic capsule, since it is omni-directional. If she stood back, her voice would be drowned out by other instruments. The net effect is: Both Suzanne and Yui hid their mouths behind the mic. Yui didn’t have to because she doesn’t play guitar like Suzanne. So to me, it appeared as if Yui was directed to “copy” Suzanne’s stage style. Speaking of style, what was the kogal outfit underneath the A-Ha “Take on Me” video trench coat all about, eh? Sure it’s 80’s J-pop, but see how conservative Suzanne appeared at the same time?

Yui was a child star TV actress then moved on to recording music when her acting career subsided. After a string of hit songs, she took time off from performing for awhile, but staged a comeback. Her outfit in the video could have been used to portray a connection to the youth culture of the time. I found a TV news interview of her shot ten years after this video. More mature, she now dresses main stream. If only she had a voice like Natsukawa Rimi…

I'm Craving Donuts!

Since I've dropped 23 lbs. and am still dropping, I've allowed myself a treat once a week. Whenever I'm in Okinawa for training, I make it a point to stop by the andagi (Okinawa donut)stall located on Heiwa Dori (Peace Blvd.) located about a third of the way down from the intersection at Kokusai Dori (International Blvd.)

The sweet old ladies running the place have the best variety of flavors. There's plain, brown sugar, pumpkin, red bean, bannana, and others I can't remember. Simply fried and made fresh often, there's no need for emulsifiers or preservatives.

Here in The States, there's a particular chain of donut shops that say their donuts are "crispy." Well, they're not. They are...let's see...fluffy. Lots of air. They melt at body temperature. And, you need to eat half a dozen to feel satisfied. But, after the sugar blast, you fall into a deep depression and regret eating so many.


Mister Donut used to operate as a chain in the USA. Now, the chain exists in Japan and Asia.

Sadly, there are no andagi stalls here in the U.S. I can get the ingredients and make them myself, but it's not the same as having a true expert make them for you.

Andagi (sata-andagi) are light, crispy, and what I prefer DENSE! Real donuts have body and a bready texture and in a pinch can be used to defend yourself against a mugger. The fluffy-creamy wannabe donuts are about as useless as nunchaku made out of two ripe bannanas tied together with kitchen twine.

Everything you could possibly ever need to know about donuts can be found at http://www.theblognut.net/. This guy is absolutely crazy smart and prolific concerning all things donut.

This shop owner quickly set out a fresh batch before running out.


[image from www.okinawa-bussan.com]

After lasagna, Garfield's favorite snack. Sata-andagi!!!


[image from www.notquicka9.net]

Foothold Situation in the White House

If you're a fan of Stargate SG1, as seen on the Sci Fi Channel, then you know what a "foothold situation" is.

A foothold situation is when an extra-terrestial alien incursion occurs within our military bases and threatens to overthrow our government.

President George W. Bush just vetoed for the second time health care coverage for children. He justified this veto stating that the most recent bill from Congress won't cover poor children first, but rather move middle class children with private coverage into government sponsored health care and also allow adults as well as raises taxes.

What every American should be more worried about is: Who(m) is pulling our president's strings? Surely, a rational human being would bend over backwards to render aid to children. Our nation has been set in motion towards an uncertain future. Thousands of dysfunctional and impaired Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan veterans; under-educated and unhealthy children; families losing their homes; our air being poisoned; and the list goes on.

The only reason I can come up with to explain all this:

Aliens from outer space have taken over our planet.



Sci Fi has become reality. We have a foothold situation...