NEWS FLASH
June 5, 2013 – KDK Press
JPL, Pasadena, CA
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NASA’s robot Curiosity landed on Mars.
Early pictures show no signs of ESPN, beer or porn. This makes it very clear that men are not from Mars.
(The Associated Press did not contribute to this report.)
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Memorial Day is around the corner…
What does it mean to you?
Just thought that was a catchy title…albeit a bit misleading like our media. Just a tad misleading…’cuz the butt’s the other end.
I guess the news guys are finally rubbing off on me after all.
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But as I watched my kids and their friends play in the front, I felt like playing around with my new, fancy-schmancy Canon point and shoot – specifically hand held close-ups of the business end of a nice cigar.
It was amazing that an inexpensive camera such as this could take such equally amazing (yuk to some!) close-ups:
I did switch to my standard Canon DSLR to snap these fun snapshots of my kids. Little Brooke likes the distortion that erupts with this Canon 10-22mm lens…although a certain pro photographer buddy of mine will likely BBQ me over a slow but hot flame for using it.
A wordless post.
Well, almost.
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So what happens on a beautiful weekend in SoCal?
Went to visit dad… The workers there told me he’s not eating much as of late. He only had a small salad with a little bit of chicken for lunch. When I asked him if he was hungry, he said no but when I showed him one of his favorite Japanese treats, he went to town.
Number one.
There goes number two!
Number three down the hatch!
He’s happy now. 🙂 And he did finish the last ball.
Took him one of Alan’s 8×10’s…labeled. He’s 94 now.
My bud Brian drove down from Reno for St. Paddy’s Day weekend – no better excuse to share a stogie together!
Played around with my new Canon SX260 HS point and shoot camera. Never had one that I can remember but it was fun to shoot with.
Superior close up capability.
Hand held. Look at the detail… Not bad for a shaky ol’ fart?
Fish eye setting…
My neighbor’s new son, Gabriel. The father is USAF… I pray for his safe return always.
And finally, these were for me. Like father, like son! LOL
Ever wonder what happens when Chatter Master influences your daily life…
Lots. Just lots.
It started with a surprise from the reliable Chatter Master… delivered by the (usually unreliable) postal service.
What was in it?
A magic mug…made by Irish leprechauns, no doubt. Mischievous little buggers, they are!
So what did this leprechaun-made magic mug do for us this morning?
A brew of dark, just ground French roast coffee magically filled my magic mug…brewed at the perfect temperature of 195F, of course. Thank goodness they didn’t brew up a green smoothie. Miracle of miracles!
And the mug summoned Spring.
And a little visitor joined us – laden with delicious spring pollen. Achoo!
It made me make homemade waffles for the rug rats…with real maple syrup.
And the magic Chatter Master mug summoned our good neighbor Jake! He ate three! And the great kid he is, he took his plate to the sink.
The magic mug also compelled my son to work on his science project! (Of course, there was a bribe involved…that only partially worked.)
See what happens during a Chatter Master inspired morning??
Wait… What’s this? The yard looks the same… What’s up with that?
There is a nice person at a place I frequent.
Always smiling and courteous.
So she deserved a homemade treat… A strawberry and almond frangipane tart.
And you know what? She smiled…and that made me smile.
And I thought it matched her hair…and she had two servings.
No better compliment at that.
Life has been quite unpredictable for me for the past six weeks or so – as well as tiring. I am quite behind in reading many of your fine blogs and that is on my priority to-do list. But it is a hollow descriptive for me to say I am tired.
I am still alive.
Twenty-nine thousand are not.
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The battle for Iwo Jima began 68 years ago on February 19, 1945.
Sixty-eight years ago. Just yesterday for many.
Sixty-eight years ago, about 29,000 young men met horrible deaths on that demonic volcanic island – 22,000 Japanese soldiers and 7,000 Marines. That unforgiving island still has not given up all of her dead to this day… American and Japanese.
Indeed, the camaraderie amongst the survivors as well as those linked to the battle by relation or history is rightfully still strong. It is vital to the preservation of bravery, courage and love of country.
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As mentioned in an earlier blog, the US Army also participated but not in a manner you would expect.
Per Dr. James McNaughton’s authoritative book, “Nisei Linguists”, Tech Sgt. 5g Terry Takeshi Doi “landed with the assault waves on 19 February 1945”. Doi was a member of the US Army’s top secret Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Doi would be awarded the Silver Star for his actions on Iwo Jima; he went into cave after cave armed only with a flashlight and knife to persuade Japanese soldiers to come out. I believe he is still alive.
Another MIS Nisei, Tech Sgt 3g James Yoshinobu, was fighting in his second world war; he had fought for the US in WW I (that’s ONE) and was 47 years of age while fighting on Iwo Jima. He landed with the 4th Marine Division and was later awarded the Silver Star.
One MIS Nisei, Sgt. Mike Masato Deguchi, was seriously wounded by a land mine and died of his wounds shortly after war’s end.
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Oddly, these Nisei may have never joined the task force sailing out of Pearl for the invasion of Iwo Jima. The Nisei contingent was stopped at the security gate and were prohibited from proceeding because they “looked Japanese”. Only with the accompaniment and support of a few Caucasian officers were they finally allowed to pass and board their transport ships.
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Sixty-eight years later, let us today deeply and reverently remember these brave boys… whether they be American or Japanese…or both. The iconic flag-raising would be tomorrow, February 23.
“Just photos,” as they say… Photos of my beautiful daughter’s wedding a couple of weeks ago.
Well, with just a little writing, perhaps, with a smidgeon of our American history tossed in.
In my other blog posts, there has been mention of the “internment camps” in which one-half of my dad’s family was imprisoned in the US during WWII.
Internees were not allowed to bring in cameras amongst many other things deemed to be a threat to national or camp security – like knives, guns, tools…and cameras.
However, at one camp called “Manzanar” (where my Aunt Shiz and cousins were imprisoned), one brave soul braved the tight security measures and actually made his own camera…in secret. He then took prohibited photographs during his interment. His name was Toyo Miyatake… (Note: there is a super documentary on Toyo Miyatake called “Toyo’s Camera“: http://www.toyoscamera.com/. One contributor was George Takei who played “Sulu” on “Star Trek”. Takei was also imprisoned during the war.)
The actual camera he made is shown below; it is still in the possession of the Miyatake family:
In what I believe is a Signal Corps official photograph, the Toyo Miyatake family is pictured in their Manzanar barracks:
This is one of the more well-known photographs taken by Toyo Miyatake at Manzanar during WWII:
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Jump forward to today.
Toyo Miyatake’s grandson is Alan Miyatake; my 11 year old son sneakily grabbed my EXPENSIVE DSLR and snapped this photo of Alan and I chatting at my daughter’s wedding. The gent on the left is Alan. We are the same age……but I do look YOUNGER, of course. Just kidding, Alan!
We’ve known each other for over five decades now; we attended the same church. When we played B-ball in the church league, he played guard. When he let loose a shot, his form reminded me of a graceful ballet. He was good… and his photography was fortunately much better. (Smile)
He shot my weddings…both of them, unfortunately. And there was no one else I was honored to have shooting my daughter’s. Both of us were joking before the wedding that we were both extremely grateful for auto-focus…
The following proofs are Alan’s work where noted.
Thanks, Alan…but I still challenge you in sports photography! LOL
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My four wonderful kids:
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And now, some of my snapshots… Gotta throw these in:
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Alan, great job once again. I was honored to have you shoot my daughter’s wedding.
And congratulations, James and Robyn. Love you both.
My morning…with Chatter Master!
Sorry, Husband! You now have to share the Queen with her subjects…her LOYAL subjects.
What to expect when I turn the cover…!
How’s about a little change-up – like in spicy heat?
Mabo Dofu! Some call it Szechuan Tofu. Whatever, it is a warm, tasty treat for a cool night…or any meal!
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It really is quite simple to throw together. And you really don’t need a wok – a regular ol’ pot will do!
The key ingredients:
1/2 pound – ground pork
2 – 8 oz cartons of firm tofu (16 oz total) cut into the size of your big toe (If comparing, wash your toe first.)
2 – tbsp chili paste
1 or 2 – cloves garlic
For braising stock:
1 – cup chicken stock (I used to make my own but too lazy now – it does make a difference!)
3 – tbsp regular soy sauce
2 – tsp sugar
1/2 – tsp salt
Other ingredients:
Green onion
1 – tbsp sesame oil
1 – tsp “rayu” (chili oil)
Corn starch slurry
Ground white pepper to taste (not black pepper)
1. In hot 2 quart sauce pan, drizzle a little oil then brown ground pork over high heat.
2. When browned, quickly add the chili paste and crushed garlic then stir. Cook until pungent, no more 30 seconds.
3. Add braising sauce and carefully add cubed and drained tofu.
4. Stir gently then braise maybe ten five minutes, covered, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil and chili oil (to your liking) and ground white pepper. Stir in cornstarch slurry to desired thickness.
6. Top off with green onions and serve over rice, ramen or eat it by itself! Easy!
Enjoy!
Masako and Spam Musubi 