The Sexy Japanese Movie/TV Starlet and Me (Also Known As: The Formerly Famous TV Star-Lady at the Discount Grocery Store)

"This is a true story. The names were changed to protect the innocent." - Dragnet TV show 1965

"No one is innocent." - Sex Pistols 1980

This is a true story. I go grocery shopping at the big local supermarket about 2 or 3 times a week. The supermarket is called, "OK Store." I'm a regular there. I've written about it before (you might get a laugh).

OK Store is a "no frills" grocery store: There's never any fancy displays. Cartons and cases of stuff like toilet paper or bottled water are stacked high to the ceiling in their cardboard shipping boxes. 

It's not a pretty sight.

OK Store advertises that they don't spend money on crap like "poncy-hairdresser-type" displays and the like and that allows them to pass on the savings to you... Or, me... to us... Whatever... 

I'll say "to me," since I'm betting most of my readers don't shop there.

I am always one of the first ones to arrive at OK Store in the mornings so I always get the discounted stuff left over from the day before. I run to the 'Day-Old' "Fish and Buffalo Chips Counter" for the 20~30% discounts on stuff. If you get there and see no discounted stuff, that means I have already been there and am long gone. 

Loser! The early bird catches the worm, so they say.

OK Store definitely has a "K-Mart," "Target," or "Woolworth's" groove about it (do they still have Woolworth's?) What I want to say is the rich people don't shop at OK Store; it's too "Low Class."

I like to shop there. I go to sleep in my T-Shirt and sweatpants; then I like to wake up and go to work (or shopping) in those same jammies. 

It's a time-saver. Works for me.

The wife doesn't like it. She thinks I should change clothes before I go out. "What for?" I ask.

I'm eco-friendly... Global warming and all that....

We live in a sort of fancy neighborhood. There's lots of rich people around here and just a few apartments. My house is like a desert island in a sea of opulence. We are surrounded by people with huge houses and fancy cars that the owners keep shiny and clean. Me, being a cheap skate, don't care about having a shiny German car. I have a used junky old Toyota family 4-door that I got for free. It comes with lots of dents, dings and scratches, thank you very much...

I want to say that my wife drove it around and so it got all the dents and stuff. But that would be a lie... 

Japan has too many narrow roads...... 

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking with it!

My clothes? You kidding me? I haven't bought any clothes in 15 years. OK. That's a lie too... I haven't bought any clothes in 35 years. 

My wife buys me underwear at Christmas. Which is good, because my mom used to do that but she passed away a long time ago...

I had lots of old underwear with worn out rubber banding at the waist for several years after mom died and before I married my wife... They used to bunch up in my butt crack. I hated that.

Getting married solved that problem.

My hair? Well, wife is constantly complaining 'bout that too. But, get it cut at the at the cheap-assed barber by the station and waste $10? You nuts? I cut it myself for free.

I was in a punk band when I was a kid. I don't care about clothes, cars or my hair.

I do have to care about the house though, so, I have to keep it looking nice. I absolutely hate having to trim the shrubbery... God! Cutting the hedges once a year is a royal pain....

But I digress. 

This isn't about my trend setting fashion pace or the house I live in or my neighborhood. It's about the Formerly Famous Movie/TV Actress Lady I rendezvous with at OK Store once a week or so with.

Like I said, I am always one of the first ones to get to OK Store when I go shopping. All the cash register ladies know who I am. I am a friendly guy and always say, "Good morning ladies!" 

I always see the other regulars there too in the early hours. Shopping at OK Store first thing in the morning is the best. There's almost nobody there. You can be in and out in 15 minutes. 

But get there after 10 am? Are you nuts? After 10 am there will be a line of 20 people at every cash register. It's crazy crowded anytime the rest of the day.

I'm a busy man. I have rivers to swim and mountains to climb (figuratively speaking, of course.) I don't have time to wait in line.

Anyhow, besides the regulars; the old guy who runs a restaurant, a few hot housewives and some old ladies, the catholic sisters and me, there is one "special" customer. She is the lady who used to be really freaking famous but I guess she's not anymore.

I know she must have been really famous because I don't own a TV, yet even I recognized her. And I haven't owned a TV set for over 11 years! I hate TV. So, if I know her face, so does everyone else. She was a huge star on toothpaste and shampoo commercials, doing the laundry and showing off bright new kitchen appliances along with the rest of the beautiful people. That means she was plastered all over the mass media. She must have been really super-star famous here in Japan. 

I guess.

Alas, even though I recognize her, I don't know what her name is. But she is really famous; everyone here knows who she is. You can trust me on that point.

One day, maybe the 10th time or so I saw her at the store, my wife so happened to be there with me. I saw the Formerly Famous Movie Star/TV Lady pointed a broccoli towards her and said to my wife, "Say! Isn't that lady famous and on TV!"

My wife got mad and said, "Don't shout and don't point at people!"

My wife told me that the lady used to be really famous but she also couldn't remember her name. Why couldn't my wife remember her name? My wife doesn't have a TV at home. We live together. Maybe that's why she doesn't have a TV at home.

Anyway, back to the Formerly Famous Movie Star/TV Lady... She shops at OK Store once or twice a week too, just like me. We see each other there. 

It's like destiny. 

I guess she shops early in the mornings too because she doesn't want to be recognized either; just like me. We meet there by the veggies on the second floor. She looks for bargains. I stand there holding my cucumber.

She was there again, the other day. I bought my shit, and so did she... Er, I mean she bought her groceries. I bought my crap. High Falutin' Formerly Famous People like her do not "buy crap."

In my cart was instant Cup of Ramen and cheap-assed imitation beer substitute. I imagined that in her cart was expensive French cheese, baguette and Dom Perignon. 

Do they even sell expensive French cheese, baguette and Dom Perignon at OK Store? Probably not. But whatever...

I paid at the cash register and so did she.  

In the parking lot, she drove a nice Mercedes Benz. Did I tell you that I drive a used Toyota 4 door that I got for free? I did? OK. Never mind. 

She lives somewhere in my neighborhood. I'm sure she lives in splendor.

Me? I live on a desert island in a sea of opulence. 

How far the once mighty have fallen! She used to be a big star, but now she shops at the same discount grocery store that I do. 

Poor Formerly Famous Movie Star/TV Lady.

How fame is fleeting. 

But she still gets the last laugh...

As my old friend Napoleon Bonaparte once said, "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever."

Photographic proof positive of vegetables at OK Store that both the Formerly Famous TV Lady (and me) might have looked at at sometime or another.  (Photo by Mike Rogers - Lady Not Included!)

Free Book on Dieting Download

Here you go, come and get it! 

My friend, James, is giving away his book for a free download on Saturday March 28, 2015. If you like this book, please don't forget to post a positive review on Amazon and help us out.

TITLE :  "HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT"

DATE (S) OFFERED  FOR FREE: MARCH 28 2015

GENRE: Weightloss, Health, Diet, Nutrition.

AMAZON LINK : CLICK ME FOR YOUR FREE BOOK

You do NOT need a kindle to read the book! You can still read it for free
on any computer or tablet using Amazon's free software available

Share this post to your friends so they can get this book for free too.

Thank you for your support.

Congratulations! Japanese University Students! Graduation Day!

Yesterday, in Tokyo, I saw dozens and dozens of young women walking around in kimonos. It was University Graduation Day in Japan.

I'm not completely sure about that, but I imagine that, just like everyone in this country goes to lunch at exactly the same time, all the universities probably held their graduation ceremonies at the same time too... Maybe not...

Anyway, I saw many many girls in kimonos and guys in suits. The guys in suits don't really stick out because everyone here wears a suit. 

Now, girls under 40 or so running around in kimonos is a surprise. Especially when there are dozens and dozens of them.

I wanted to take a photo. So here it one. 

By the way, if you are ever hanging out in Japan and want to take someone's photo, it's pretty easy: Just don't speak a word of Japanese to them. They'll think you are a tourist and say "OK!"

For these girls I ran up to them and said, "Oh! Beautiful!" Japanese people can understand the word, "Beautiful!" And then I added, "Picture? OK?" They can understand that too!

Bingo. Mission accomplished.

See? Speaking "Japanese" is easy!

Congratulations, girls. And congratulations to everyone who graduated yesterday. Well done. Oh, to be a university student again and young and handsome!

Oh, how I envy you all! 

International School in Tokyo? Why We Choose St. Mary's International School

"All the proofe of a pudding, is in the eating." 

- William Camden from "Remaines of a Greater Worke" 1605 

I figured, over twenty years ago, I would write this blog post someday. This is an explanation as to why we choose St. Mary's International Boys School for our son's education while living in Tokyo.

I've now been living in Japan for more than thirty years. In that time, I have been working almost exclusively in the TV and radio, marketing and internet business. Because of my past experiences, I have had the chance to work with many of the highest ranking foreigners from American, British, Australian, German and Italian companies who head up some of the world's biggest corporations in Japan and Asia.

Of course, also in that time, I've had many chances to work closely with dozens upon dozens of foreigners who were born and raised here in Japan and went to the various international schools in the area who now work at those big international companies. I have seen their proficiency at English and Japanese with my own eyes and ears, as well as witnessing their business acumen and skills.

Let me tell you some of the things I have seen.

When I began working for broadcasting stations in Japan in the mid-eighties, I was often a writer of scripts for announcers and radio programs and TV commercials. There was a "foreigner-boom" going on at that time here in Japan and television and radio shows were full of foreign casters and show hosts. Yet, still, even if one were a foreigner with a "foreign face" they still had to communicate with the Japanese staff of the programs and read scripts. It was there that I had my first taste of the level of education and real-world skills these people had received.

One particular event, out of many that really stands out in my memory, was a day I walked into the studio and met a well-known program personality. He was bent over a table and seemed perplexed. He called out to me, "Mike! Can you help me with a word?" 

“Of course!” I walked over and saw that he had written on a piece of paper the letters, 'i-n-j-i-n-e.' I must have scowled a bit at what he had written and asked, "What are you trying to spell, 'engine'"? 

He said, "No! I want to write, 'indian.'"

I told him the correct spelling. A little later on, when the timing was right, I nonchalantly asked, "By the way, where did you go to school?" He told me the school's name.

I immediately made a mental note of that school and I scratched it off the list of my future prospects for my children. 

This sort of experience is just one of many I’ve had with people who had graduated from an international school here in Japan. I wasn't happy about this knowledge I had gained from these former students, but it did show me some anecdotal evidence concerning the education these good people had received from their schools.

It was disappointing to say the least. I think school is supposed to teach a child how to read and write and do arithmetic, but it is also for helping them to fit into and become contributing members of society.

I thought that most of these folks I had worked with were lucky to have been born when they were; they could get jobs in broadcasting... If it weren't for broadcasting, they'd be working at blue collar jobs. The fact of the matter was that their English level wasn’t up to par (I don’t think they could have gotten a high-paying job back in my hometown) and their Japanese skills were restricted to conversational Japanese; they couldn't even read a Japanese newspaper! Gee! That meant they probably couldn't get a job in their very own neighborhood. Of all the ones I met, only three individuals could read or write Japanese.

I found that simply shocking. I then knew which schools I didn't want to send my kids to.

As I mentioned, I have worked with many people who are the top of their company in their fields. There were three guys in particular who went to international school in Tokyo who have impressed me the most and they were/are in upper management positions at their companies… I'm sure that if they read this, they will know exactly who it is I am talking about.

All these guys were born and raised here and went to international school. They all spoke and could read and write fluent Japanese and their English is excellent; no trace of a strange accent and their written English is above par. They had all, also, graduated from top universities in the States, thanks to the education they received in Japan.

What schools did they attend? One of those guys told me he went to St. Joseph's in Yokohama and the other two had graduated from St. Mary's International school.

As they say, "The proof is in the tasting..."

St. Mary's International School student

My son has now been at St. Mary's for 7 grades. He loves it and is thriving. The competition at St. Mary’s is stiff - with boys from all over the world and top students from Korea and China and India too. My son loves St. Mary’s International School and he loves the high level of education, the life experience and the fun he receives.

I am proud that my son could make the grade and was able to enter St. Mary's International School. I can rest assured that he is getting the best education he can get in Tokyo and from that he can have the best shot at becoming a happy and successful person in whatever he chooses to do with his life.

After all, isn't that what school is all about?

Life is tough. I think things are going to get tougher. Our children need all the advantages they can get in their youth and in their education. We need to help them to become the best they can be. If you are a parent thinking about schooling for your son in Tokyo, I cannot recommend St. Mary's International School highly enough. 

For more information see: St. Mary’s International School (If that link doesn't work, copy and paste this into your browser: www.smis.ac.jp)

Also, to get a better idea of what is going on at the school, check out the fun and informative blog written by the middle school principal, Mr. Langholz: (If that link doesn't work, copy and paste this into your browser: http://smismiddleschool.blogspot.jp)

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NOTES: Oh, and I just found this. It is a list of the Top 10 reasons parent's picked St. Mary's International School: 

(If that link doesn't work, copy and paste this into your browser: http://www.smis.ac.jp/sites/default/files/pfa/st-marys-top-10-reasons.pdf)

MORE NOTES: My wife tells me that some of her biggest concerns were about the school building itself and the equipment the school provides for the boys. St. Mary's building is new and built to withstand the strongest earthquakes. My wife wants to be sure her son is safe in the event of earthquake or natural disaster. St. Mary's also has the best and newest equipment for the students to study and a proper swimming pool. That's a class act. Our son deserves the best. Doesn't yours?

Beautiful and Sexy Japanese Girls in Bikinis on My TV Show!!! Yikes!

Well, folks. I've died and gone to heaven! I can go anytime as a happy man!

I'm working on the new "Ninja Slayer" show that is starting on Niconico on April 16th, 2015 at 11:00 pm. I am proud to announce that I am are working with the fine folks at Ninja Slayer, Road and Sky Company, King Records and Kadokawa as a team and bringing that exciting new animation to the world! Read about that here: Ninja Slayer Animation Begins April 16th at 11pm on Niconico (http://robot55.jp/blog/ninja-slayer-animation-begins-april-16th-at-11-pm-on-niconico/)

Mina Shirakawa poses in a bathing suit for cameraman Ken Nishikawa

I am also making a special program just for the fans of Ninja Slayer and that show premieres on that new "Ninja Slayer" show! It's a special program in a program. I t's still Top Secret, but I can share some tidbits. Yesterday, we had a shoot and did some video production and several beautiful Japanese girls came to the studio and dropped our jaws with their Ninja antics as well as their swim suit photo session!

Rico san also posed for the show!

That's right! You read it here first: Beautiful and Sexy Japanese Ninja Girls and their bikini pin up scenes.... and you can see it all on Niconico on April 16th, 2015 at 11:00 pm

I'm expecting that it will be a smash hit. Of course! What more could a guy want to watch?

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All the girls who will appear on our show, Matsuo Yuki (松尾由紀) , Minami Rin (みなみ鈴 ), Rico (りこ）and Mina Shirakawa (白川未奈) appear courtesy of Presence LLC  (URL: http://www.pre13-office.com/)

If you want to see some more photos of the girls (and one with me with two outstanding sexy Japanese girls in bikinis click here:
(Or copy and paste this address into your browser: http://robot55.jp/blog/sexy-japanese-bikini-girls-a-video-producers-dream-come-true/)

4 Years Ago Today: The Tsunami - Ishinomaki short video

It was 4 years ago today that over 20,000 people disappeared off the face of the earth in the Great Earthquake in Miyagi Prefecture on March 11, 2011.

May all those whose lives were turned upside down in a few moments, find peace and happiness.

This is a short documentary film about Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture one of the hardest hit areas of the March 11, 2011 tsunami. It was made with my friends, Roger Marshall, Timo Budo, Ken Nishikawa and others who pitched in time and effort.

This documentary deals with the city, the people and relief efforts completed by individuals living in Tokyo to send relief supplies to a center for disabled people in Ishinomaki.

Scribbling on Money? Great Marketing Idea?

I mentioned a few posts back that I have been blogging religious everyday at a website run by a new company that I founded with some friends. The site is called ROBOT55 (Robot Go-Go). The site is bilingual so please check it out.

Today, I posted an article over there that I do want to share with the regular readers of this blog. The post is entitled: Guerrilla Marketing! Mr. Spock and the Greek Artist That Hijacked the Euro! (robot55.jp/blog/guerilla-marketing-greek-artist-hijacks-the-euro-and-mr-spock/)

The article talks about two really wild (and funny) things going on. 

One is an artist who has made a name for himself by drawing public hangings, police thugs, skateboarders, riots, etc. on Euro Bank Notes. 

The other is about how Canadians are drawing Mr. Spock on $5 dollar notes so much so that the Canadian government has asked them to stop.

Here's a snippet from the article:

The government of the EU and Canada are destroying the value of their respective currencies by money printing and deficit spending, but they don’t want you scribbling doodles on the money. 

Yeah, I guess no one in government is smart enough to see the irony in all this: The government can wreck the currency, but they don't like it if you or me do the same. I wonder which is worse? Devaluing the currency or drawing doodles? Morons!

It's hilarious and I have lots more photos over at the post: Guerrilla Marketing! Mr. Spock and the Greek Artist That Hijacked the Euro! robot55.jp/blog/guerilla-marketing-greek-artist-hijacks-the-euro-and-mr-spock/

Shibuya Fruits! Girls in Shibuya & Harajuku

I was planning to going out to Shibuya and Harajuku to take photos of the fashions of the girls of 2015. But every time I get ready to go, like today, it rains.

Well, I did get out to Shibuya for work, but it was too rainy and cold to find the good fruits.

I did find these two girls. Look at the nails on the girl on the right!

I'll try to get out there next week to take photos. Stay tuned for more Japanese Fruits.

If you can't wait, then please check out the Osaka Fruits that I took photos of a while back.

See more here: Osaka Fruits! Wild Osaka Japanese Fashions! modernmarketingjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/07/osaka-fruits-wild-osaka-japanese.html