Spiraling out.

Let's get the preliminaries out of the way, "Welcome to the 2024 Edition of the Countdown to Halloween!" As soon as I figure out how to do so (gadgets?!?) I'll add a little sidebar to my bloggy thing so you don't have to click the above link and can just click the badge to check out all the participating bloggers.

Since it's October 1st, I'll add a page from my calendar to prove it. According to this, Godzilla's 50th anniversary was 20 years ago in October with the release of Final Wars. I'll let you do the math to figure out what anniversary 2024 is. 

During the Countdown, I'll keep my Godzilla references to a minimum. I will need to save something for Govember! (Gojira + November, duh.) So instead, let's give a shoutout to my estranged and very strange sister who celebrates a birthday today! This Puffy tune showed up in my Facebook memories ten years ago when she was less estranged and less strange.

So let's get to the meat of the Countdown. Several days ago, I received a Facebook ad for a Popup store featuring Junji Ito. (Click there to zoom to his website.) I thought to myself, "Hey, why don't I feature Junji daily on my blog?" Here are the highlights of that ad.

I'd love a couple of these standees.

So, I spent the past week scouring stores for some Junji goodies, mostly to no avail. What I did find, I'll share later...

Today I watched the first episode of UZUMAKI, a creepy little anime about Spirals. 

I'll let you watch the show yourselves and not spoil anything (Except for this pic.)

If I can find it for a reasonable price, I might pick up the Manga.

Less likely, I'll find a cheap copy of the Colouring Book.

This clip of the ending tune (Dojoji no Kotoriuta) won't spoil much, so give it a listen.

I've amassed enough Gatcha-capsules and UFO Catcher Crap over the last while to showcase one daily.

Since this hebi (Snake) is Spirally, that's what I'll start with.

Check out the little caveat that they give you. I wouldn't dream of causing mischief with this.

UPDATE! I scored the green snake today. These are pretty nice for two bucks.

I'm trying to diet (not very hard it seems) so the Treats part of Trick or Treat will be a minimum.

I saw this today at 31 (Baskin Robbins) but didn't indulge.

I also plan to feature a Yokai from my Prefecture (Miyagi), going alphabetically, we have Amazake Baba, an elderly hag who goes door to door asking for Sweet Sake (amazake). Whether you give her any or not, should you answer the door, those within the household will fall ill. (That's putting the Trick in Trick or Treat!) For some historical significance, check out the link above. Just don't answer the door!

On my way back from the local Shrine on New Year's Day, I am often offered a free cup of amazaki. I shall be a bit more discerning about accepting now.

I'd be neglectful if I didn't mention the Yokai, Rokurokubi, who has a long spirally neck. For more, go to previous blog entries here or here.

Before I go, I had a difficult time finding someone who has already started their October blog yet (pesky time difference), but I did discover one by Alexis so go check them out.

Be back tomorrow, Same Bat-time, Same Bat-Channel for more Halloween hijinks.

UPDATE 2! I forgot that I had intended to showcase some of my spooky comic books that I have with me or at a friend's place (or for sale on consignment.)

I chose this one because Mera's hair is spiraling.

Bad-Ass Angel Day!

September 29th is St. Michael's Day (or All Angels Day) AND it is also my pseudo-fake birthday. Born on Christmas means that I was ripped off from having birthday parties/cakes/presents so when I was a wee lad, we celebrated it on St. Mike's Day. This worked for a while and I could have an actual birthday party, until my sister came along on October 1st and stole my thunder.

This article explains how much St. Michael was a BAD-ASS. He appears to be a tad wussy in this picture.

Yet that is very deceiving. He kicked the arse of Lucifer and his minions.

He also slaughtered the Demon, Belial.

Read the rest of that article for more details...

To celebrate my "birthday" today, I went to the sea and took a pano shot. (Lots of beach, not so much sea.)

After that, I popped over to the Agricultural Center to check out the Straw Art. Roar!

First thing I noticed was a distinct lack of straw sculptures. NO dinosaurs, NO King Kong, NO mini Gojira Shrine. You can check out last year's straw art for those. There was a cool Dragon at the entrance though!

There were only two more! Very disappointing.

Oh, Pumpkins!

Sigh. FAKE Pumpkins.

At least there's a slight tribute to Alice that's kind of cute.

Finally, I popped inside to grab a Muscat Soft-cream.

On the way out I snapped a pic of this dog posing for its Instagram page.

All in all, rather humdrum this year. Maybe there'll be some action next month.

To perk up, I bought myself a present, HAPPY PSEUDO FAKE BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Wow, only one day left in September and then the 2024 Countdown to Halloween begins? 

What tricks and treats do I have in store? No idea!

What are YOU Thankful for?

It's Thanksgiving in Canada and Sports Day in Japan so each of our countries has a long weekend. I spent today NOT playing or watching Sports and I'm thankful for that. I also caught up on some non-Halloween television and I'm grateful for that as well. I'm thankful that the Walking Dead Daryl spinoff only has one more episode to go, because it is really dull!

Even the Maggie/Negan show was better though Maggie irritated me constantly.

I saw the last two episodes of Only Murders in the Building and it actually wasn't easy to guess who the murderer was. I would definitely watch that musical.

Bring on Season 4!

I viewed John Oliver's return. Episode One was better than Two. Both good...

He IS a good looking Muppet.

(I also watched a bit of Bill Maher. Only reason to do so is New Rules. I'm not going to dig up a photo.)

I caught the latest Simpsons, a rare Marge-centric episode. One gag made me gag and chortle. That's more than enough for me.

While organizing some movie pamphlets, I had Family Guy on in the background. Now I remember why this show is best in 30-second bits on YouTube. 

I have a few hours before bedtime, so I may find a horror to watch. If not, I still have two episodes of Star Trek Lower Decks to catch up on.

So ignoring the Tube for a moment, here is our latest Yokai, Me-Hitotsu-Bou. 

This Cycloptean Monk is a boy that dresses as Monk or a boy-sized Monk. I'm not really sure.

Here's a Venom for your perusal. Happy 80th Marvel!

 

I haven't seen It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown yet this season. If it weren't so tough to catch, I would definitely want this.

Not exactly identical to his gear, but you get the gist.

I got a Rock!

These are the latest Halloween flavours from 31 (Baskin-Robbins). I'll get more details next time I have a craving.

Check out Zombie Crossings for a dose of other Countdown to Halloween goodies including some music. 

That's it for now. Stay tuned...

Happy Thanksgiving (and Sports Day!)