What Possessed Me?

I foraged through all the junk on my kitchen table and discovered my little red pouch full of discount cards. Thus, I was able to trek out to Costco to buy some much needed kerosene. (Couldn't you just go somewhere closer to get your kerosene? Yes, but they don't serve rotisserie chicken.) On the way there, I popped into a BookOff and, much to my surprise, found a Puffy CD that I don't have. (Aside: I just popped out to the car to grab the CD. Inside is a Collectors Card! Oh no, another obsession!)

 The card in question!

This video may not be available in your country, so just Google "Tokyo, I'm on my Way". Then sing along!

I just happen to pass a cinema on the way so I checked out what's playing. The timing was right, so I sat down and watched The Conjuring: Last Rites. It was on an X screen, the largest of the screening rooms and I had to pay a little extra for it. But you get to see it on three screens simultaneously (sometimes). It's not a bad effect, though I would have liked the shaky seats and squirting mist/water one gets with 4DX. Imagine getting sprayed with Holy Water all the time!

 

The translation of the title of the movie in Japanese (死霊館 最後の儀式 Shiryokan Saigo no Gishiki) is "The Last Ritual of the Dead Museum" which seems like overkill.

 

 You don't need to see the previous movies (I've seen 2/3 & Annabelle), but it helps.

Not a bad movie, I was confused at times by the characters, perhaps I wasn't paying close enough attention. Otherwise, a pretty good flick with one good jump scare and a few great effects.

I flagged down an usher in the lobby to snap my photo. I wish I weren't so rushed and I would have tilted my head properly.

 Here are a few more of the posters and displays in the lobby.

Oh is that about Justin Bieber?

Unfortunately Tron Ares is only shown in English at inconvenient times, it would be terrific in 4DX. Alas, it's only in Japanese with no subtitles.

I also picked up a flyer for Wicked 2, Back to Ozu (or whatever it's called). I'm annoyed that we have to wait until MARCH 2026 for it!!

 

I went to a Game Center on the way home, do you find this surprising? One of the commenters (I've linked to him before, Deadpan Flook) on my Labubu blog entry mentioned that they remind of Monchichi from the 80s. I said that they are still around and for proof...

 

I would like one of these dolls in my possession, but they're a little out of my price range.

I think that is Annabelle!

 

I also popped into another BookOff and found a movie pamphlet (I'll showcase it tomorrow). But within the Exorcist pamphlet were these two pages ripped out of a newspaper or something. It gives you some insight into some of the Exorcist special effects. 

 

Eda-mame soup! 

 

 

Since we're on the topic of possession.Today's Oni looks like a little boy, but is nastier than most.

The kanji to the right up there (天邪鬼 amano jaku) means "Evil Spirits".
 

A quick comic that is sort of related to the above:

Before I go to bed, I'd like to wish to those who celebrate, "Happy Back to the Future Day!"

 

And the heartiest of Congratulations to the Blue Jays who enter the World Series for the first time since !93!

 See ya tomorrow.

Slinking On The Shinkansen.

I may be incommunicado for the next few days as I'm trekking to Tokyo for a friend's wedding party as well as visiting various cohorts. Hopefully they won't read this particular post for I'm exposing the secret of what their presents will be. (A Monchichi and a One-Piece bag.) Another friend shall inherit this awesome Gloomy purse that folds out into a shoulder bag!

I'll be travelling by Shinkansen but I doubt if I'll get to go on the sleek new one! There's a mock up of the "Grand Class" seats and the train done in Lego displayed in the middle of Sendai Station. I'd love to travel on a Lego train!

See you soon, I'll send a postcard from a Maid Bar in Akihabara!

eBeans, The Magical Fruit!

Wandering into the basement of e-Beans, I came across several empty stores which won't be open for another two weeks. One of two stores that were open is Saad (expensive leather goods) complete with a cigar-store Indian.

There's also a few used clothing stores (Hanjira & Don Don Down) selling fairly cheap garb which is the best place to buy either Japlish or WTF slogons on clothes.

There's not much else of interest here so I ventured upstairs. The third floor is home to yet another Maruzen Books (yawn) and if you go up two more floors, you'll find the massive bookstore, Junkudo on the 5th to 7th. It's no different except that there is now a separate section for kids books with one with NO kids! There's also a mysterious looking massage parlour (Green Oasis) ensconced within.

On the eighth floor, my Otaku shop has returned and I picked up a mystery-bag. More on that in a separate post.

Coolest part of the entire renovation is the addition of a rooftop patio upon the 4th floor! This weekend, they offer complementary Miso soup with mussels and round the clock bands and/or clowns! It's adorned with more giraffes, a teepee and several gardens and gazebos. I heard a cool jug band (Hotch Potch) with washboard and kazoos and a pretty good jazz singer.

There's also a stage for fashion or singers on the first floor and on the 10 floor there is another patio. There was an old lady on stage singing but she wasn't supposed to be doing so. It was a little creepy. There's a nice view from the tenth, I must say.

I'll leave you now with a send off by Monchichi!