November 2018 Full Moon Over Okinawa

Beaver Moon

That's what it's called in the USA. We'll just stick with Full Moon on Okinawa.

That way, not so many people may get offended!

Travel Agent Academy Kept Me Busy Today

American Airlines Vacations Specialist

Motivation to complete this course, I owe to a friend of mine, who got upset while traveling.

The Travel Agent Academy had been offering this course but, I wasn't interested.

The main reason being, I don't see any of their planes flying over Okinawa.

But, once I heard complaints from a buddy, I figured these folks needed some looking into.

Now, I can sneak around, places where most people can't go, over there. Hah !

Travel Insurance -  Another Thing Worth Checking

Some of the wicked stories, I've heard about travelers getting stuck, made me wonder.

Wouldn't it be neat if, somebody had to pay for inconveniences that happen while traveling ?

Suppose you fell off a camel, over in Egypt or, broke your foot in Okinawa.

A vacation could be ruined just because, something cut your trip short. Groan.

In the Global Assistance Program, I learned all kinds of things I never heard of before.

Less than 30% of travelers, buy insurance for their trips 'cuz, they figure they don't need it. 

Along Comes the What If's

Stuff like, what if, you have a medical emergency, while in a foreign country.

Getting medical evacuation or, emergency services could cost thousands of dollars.

Or, what if, somebody back home croaks and, you need to cut vacation short ?

How about, you paid for a cruise and, the company goes bankrupt ?

There's so many things covered by this insurance, I had to learn more.

These folks get you assistance and cash money when you need it so, you don't have to worry.

They have a global network and translators on standby 24/7, to handle your needs.

So, I plan on keeping in contact with them for a couple of reasons.

Once, when I was in Mexico, I got drunk and fell off a donkey. Other stuff, too.

And, should I ever visit the USA again, I want top-notch coverage, just in case.

Supposing they build a wall. I'll visit Mexico and, may have some trouble getting back.

It would be terrible. Maybe, I could ask these folks if, they'd help me buy a ladder !

A Photographic Visit to Haebaru Museum

It Will Leave You Unpleasantly Surprised

 

 

Haebaru is a town situated to the south and east of Naha, Okinawa.

It's one of the few places I've been, where the boundaries, don't reach the ocean.

There is no fishing port.

Inside, you can see many of the cultural items most museums display.

 There is one room dedicated to those who emigrated away from this island.

The Darkest Place

 

 

This is a re-created bunker known as the Army Hospital Cave.

Just about an hour before taking this photo, we had toured the real thing.

Trust me. The one in the museum, is much more comfortable.

There are bloody patients stacked on wooden bunks, lining the hallway.

Email me, if you want to see those photos.

Hopefully, you can read this. I took photos of the writing on the wall.

It saves me from typing and, I don't need quotation marks.

More than 2,000 people from Haebaru died during the Battle of Okinawa.

Back in those days, even little kids, had to be loyal to the Emperor.

If you got caught speaking the Okinawan language, you might be a spy.

And, a Japanese soldier might kill you.

There's a story about that kimono, hanging on the wall.

The woman, wearing it survived but, not her child.

The village of Haebaru was pretty much, wiped off the map.

They have samples of what did the maiming and killing.

No signs posted, saying "Do Not Touch."

But, I didn't, anyway.

War, is always a two-sided story. The USA and Japan were in this one.

Okinawa never wants to see war, again.

 A visit to this museum will help you understand why.

Haebaru Town English

Winners of the 500,000 View Giveaway Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta Tah-Dah !

It really happened this time. Not only did the viewmeter crank over and hit a goal, people actually got their entries in through Facebook or emails and we have two winners.  That's what I'm Tah-Dah-n' about, today.

Ladies first, a friend I met through StumbleUpon,  Betty-Boop chose "Attracted to Orange" a flower and butterfly photo.

Betty, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA reads my blog, follows me on Facebook and even chats at me a few times a day. So, it feels good to give her get one of my photos.

The other winner, Jerry, goes by the handle FishHawk and hails from Springfield, Missouri, USA.

Now, I haven't know him very long but, we've seen each other's comments on that crazy Scotsman's Channel Scotland Here and Now.

Fish Hawk, is another name for an Osprey and I have a whole pile of Osprey photos but, this is the one Jerry chose, only I'll give him a more spiffed-up version of it.

When he entered the contest, he said he didn't really care about winning a photo. He just wanted to beat that Ryan Dude from Scotland out of a prize. Hah !

It will take me awhile to get their photos ready for mailing.  That's another blog I can do as tips for those interested in learning the tricks of the trade.

Meanwhile, if you get a chance, visit the blogs of these 500,000 views winners, say, "Hi" and congratulate them.  They're both great people to know. 

I'm glad I met them and honored to have my photography displayed in their homes. 

Wonder if they'd mind me scratchin' my name on the frame with a pencil ?

What's Wrong With That Picture? Burger King CEO & A Whopper !

OK.  I hope everyone knows the way this thing works by now.  I find some bizarre tidbit of news from around the world then, go digging through my files to see if I have anything to use as a visual aid.  Some sort of eye-catcher to trick people into coming here.  It's a marketing gimmick I learned from being married so many times.  But, I'm not doing this to insult women.  That'd be Burger King's specialty.

My picture was taken at a Burger King in Japan.  I don't need anyone's help telling me what's wrong with my picture.

I want to know what's wrong with that picture (imagination required, here) of the CEO of Burger King talking to a bunch of college students in Chicago.  Picture this, if you will:

Bernardo Hees, the CEO of the company that invented The Big Whopper, wants to impress the ladies in his American audience (I'm guessing here) so, he tells them about his time at the University of Warwick in England.

The difference between the USA and the UK, he says, is "Here the food is good and you are known for your good-looking women."  But in the UK, GET THIS: "Food is terrible and the women are not very attractive."

What a freakin' knuckle head.  He, of course, apologized later saying it was just a joke and he was using it to "connect" with his audience.  Phbbbttt !

If he really wanted to make a joke he could have said something like, "I like my burgers just like I like my eggs and women; over easy."  Wink, wink, wink.  That jackass can't even come up with a decent joke. 

He should be fired and ME HIRED.  Down with Burger King. I never liked their coffee, anyway.

Don't take my word on this. I could be makin' stuff up.  Take a look at the source, if you get a chance.  It's all here in the GUARDIAN FROM THE UK.  Have a peek and you tell me "What's Wrong With That Picture?"

Visit my Homepage for THE PHOTO OF THE DAY

What The Duck ? (Photo) and I Wanna Be A Millionaire, Too !

What the Duck ?  Oh, he's just an Anas clypeata, commonly known as a Northern Shoveler.  You can Google or Wikipedia them and go to any number of bird channels, if you want to learn more about our feathered friend birds.

There's another kind of anal bird called MILLIONAIRES that I'd like to provide a link to for you. 

I don't make this stuff up. Millionaires, in the USA, are drawing UNEMPLOYMENT !

Now, I work to pay my taxes in Japan and I pay my taxes to the USA, so I guess I'm giving my fair share.

I never considered myself to be a greedy person. 

But, what the duck. Now, I wanna be a millionaire, too !

Walking Stick Insect

EVERY PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS BUT I'LL JUST GIVE A FEW TODAY AND LET SOMEONE ELSE TELL YOU THE REST OF THE STORY.

THIS HUMONGOUS BUG CAUGHT MY EYE ONE MORNING AS I WAS WALKING MY DOGS.

WE WERE HEADING TO THE BEACH ALONG THE EAST COAST OF OKINAWA.

MY CAMERA WAS AT HOME.  SOMETIMES, THAT'S WHAT I DO, I GIVE THE CAMERAS A DAY OFF.  AND THAT'S WHEN STUFF LIKE THIS HAPPENS.  SOMETHING LIKE THE BIGGEST BUG I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE SHOWS-UP !

SO, I TIED THE DOGS TO A GUARDRAIL, PUT THE CRITTER ON MY FLIP-FLOP AND SNAPPED THIS SHOT WITH THE CELLPHONE CAMERA, JUST TO GIVE IT A SENSE OF SCALE. I WEAR SIZE 11 CLODHOPPERS. I THINK THAT'D BE AROUND A SIZE 29 IN THE METRIC SHOE DEPARTMENT.  NOT SURE EXACTLY, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY HARD FINDING ANYTHING THAT FITS MY FEET IN MOST JAPANESE STORES.

A FEW YEARS AGO, I WOULDN'T BE CAUGHT DEAD WEARING PINK, ANYTHING. MY GRANDDAUGHTER PICKED THESE GEMS OUT FOR ME. WHAT'S A GUY GONNA DO ?

MY GRANDDAUGHTER COULD BUY ME A PINK-PLAID TUXEDO AND I'D WEAR THE DAMN THING JUST BECAUSE I LOVE HER.  THAT'S WHAT GRAMPAS DO.

ANYWAY, BACK TO THE BUG. IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ALL ABOUT THESE CRITTERS, CLICK ON THE TITLE TO THIS POST.  A GUY NAMED JOHN LOCKE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA IN CANADA HAS THE WHOLE STORY. I'M PASTING A TEASER FROM HIM (HOPE HE DOESN'T MIND) IN HERE:

"Advantages of Walking Stick Pets:


They don't smell, which means that you can keep them anywhere in the house without worrying about "stinking-up-the-place" (eg. a child's bedroom).

They eat lettuce, which means that you don't have to grow exotic plants just to feed the insects.

They can't "infest" your house so you don't have to worry about any "escapees".

They teach children to care for life so they can be an ideal first pet for youngsters.

They have a life span of about one school year, which makes them ideal for a year-long school class project.

They have no wings so they can't fly and escape.

They walk relatively slowly and carefully, so they dont't scurry like roaches which tend to give "insecta-phobes" the "willies".

They can be handled easily by children without fear of being bitten or squishing them.

They don't need daily care. They can be left for several days (up to a week) without care (they don't need a baby-sitter for a weekend trip).

They can be used to teach children (and adults) the value of life.
 
Dis-advantages of Walking Stick Pets:


They breed well if cared for properly.

Special Exotic Pet Permits are usually needed in most locations. In North America and probably most countries, these are usually only given for research or special purposes and not for general pet use."

THERE IS A WARNING ABOUT THESE CRITTERS BECOMING PESTS IF RELEASED INTO THE WILD AND RESTRICTIONS ON HAVING THEM IN THE USA AND CANADA.

TODAY I HAVE A WEE BIT OF A HEADACHE FROM CELEBRATING WINNING ROUND TWO OF THE IMMIGRATION BATTLE. I WANT TO THANK MY STUMBLE FRIENDS FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS AND INSPIRATION. WHAT A GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE !

TODAY IN MY SU MAIL I HAD STUFF LIKE THIS:

"I LIKE PRAYING MANTIS"  THAT'S WHAT GOT ME GOING ON THE STICK BUG.

" YOU'RE NOT A NATIVE?"  A RESULT OF ME GROANING ABOUT IMMIGRATIONS.

AND DOZENS OF MESSAGES CONGRATULATING ME HAVING GOTTEN THE VISA RENEWED.  PLUS, A FEW HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE HASSLES OTHER TRAVELERS HAVE HAD DOING THE IMMIGRATION GIG IN OTHER FOREIGN LANDS.

REALLY, I SHOULDN'T COMPLAIN. THE PROCESS OF RENEWING A VISA IS NO WORSE THAN RENEWING AN AUTOMOBILE LICENSE OR REGISTERING ANYTHING IN THE BEAUROCRACY ANYWHERE. A VEHICLE REGISTRATION, REGISTERING A CHILD IN A SCHOOL OR REGISTERING TO VOTE SOMEWHERE, IT'S ALL THE SAME.

KINDA WHY I LOVE MY GRANDKIDS, DOGS, WILDLIFE AND EVEN MY PINK FLIP-FLOPS. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A GOVERNMENT IS AND NEVER ASK ME TO FILL OUT A PILE OF FORMS, SUBMIT PHOTOS OR ASK ME WHY I WANT TO LIVE HERE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR DROPPING-IN TO VISIT AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND !

CHEERS,
MIKE

Shot Myself Today !

This isn't what I usually do but it was freezing cold outside and

 I was trapped indoors.  I felt like a wild animal must feel stuck in a cage.  So, I took my cameras to my office and practiced shooting myself.

Really, I'm not into doing studio shots or any kind of indoor photography but, unfortunately, I have to.  It's part of this school I'm involved in and if I don't finish all my homework and graduate this year there's no telling what they might do to me.

Can they still drag you up in front of the whole class and whack your fanny with the BOARD OF EDUCATION?

That probably got outlawed in the last century, but, I'm not sure because I haven't been back to the USA in awhile.  I hear they have lots of lawyers making people behave and if anyone hurts you they promise to get you millions of dollars as long as you'll split it with them 50/50.

Somebody told me a fat lady spilled her coffee in her lap at a Drive-thru joint and got Six Million Dollars.  Is that true?

Well, anyway, I'm a Grandpa and I don't think I should have to do homework unless it's something that interests me.  Portraits, advertising, and fashion; they're all things I have to shoot to graduate from the professional camera school.  I'll do what I have to do and get it done.  And when I do, I'll go get my....

Millions the hard way, I'll work for them!