David Ikegami (with assistant director Susumu Arima at the computer) is a noteworthy Japanese gentleman living in Hawaii. To begin with, he was born in Utah and is a Mormon. He searches the world wide web and finds interesting things for his friends. He particularly specializes in anything that deprecates President Barack Obama, but, as you'll see, he also sends me all kinds of good stuff.
David and his wife Elsie (left) ran the Kalihi Family History Center:
1723 Beckley St.--Call 845-9701
They are now retired, but a couple of years ago I was sitting next to Elsie and David at a large dinner and mentioned that I had begun a roots search for my father's father, but only barely knew his name, which I had only recently found out was Kenjiro. So as Kenji, I was named after him. Anyway, after two weeks, they found a lengthy document signed by the Secretary of the Territory of Hawaii, which resulted in my adventures in Japan, taking me ultimately to Utashinai (north of Sapporo). What was particularly an obsession for me was The Search for Kenjiro's Grandmothers, for perhaps one might be a female samurai, maybe my next book. Anyway, the Ikegamis accompanied me to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Tokyo, where we obtained special permission to refine the search in their archives. To the right is the family mon, updated and colored, which I use on the cover of all my books. It represents a rainbow bridge linking nations across the sea. Takahashi means high bridge.
This a long way of showing just what David sent me only this week, starting with an addition to my blog on Wednesday about Helen Keller and other extraordinary people. Here is Helen with Charlie Chaplin:
Then, Queen Elizabeth II greeting Marilyn Monroe, watched by Victor Mature:
They were both 30-years old. Here is one that is stunning--Market Street, San Francisco, 1906, just after the earthquake:
A New York City modern artist painting the skyline, absolutely fascinating on You Tube, if you click on that link...and I highly recommend this.
Don't know who he is, but here's his finished product after a few short minutes and some cans of spray paint.
David also sent me a photo of the largest plane:
The Russian Antonov An-225 Mriya is 28 feet longer than the Airbus 380, 29 feet longer than the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy (largest military plane) and 57 feet longer than the Spruce Goose. The An-225 has double the payload of the Lockheed C-5.
All the above thanks to David Ikegami. Mahalo.
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Yes, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit another all-time high today, now at 15,658, closing up for the sixth straight week. Why? Not sure, but something to do with the Federal Reserve Board continuing to control interest rates. I still have an uncomfortable feeling that "something" will trigger a huge correction this year. But let's enjoy the ride, for at least my Facebook purchase on Day One is back to the price I paid, and I can feel a little better about my foolishness.
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Yes, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit another all-time high today, now at 15,658, closing up for the sixth straight week. Why? Not sure, but something to do with the Federal Reserve Board continuing to control interest rates. I still have an uncomfortable feeling that "something" will trigger a huge correction this year. But let's enjoy the ride, for at least my Facebook purchase on Day One is back to the price I paid, and I can feel a little better about my foolishness.
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