Years ago, I wrote a Giant Robot story about karaoke where I ended up spending a lot of time at this West Village bar called Junno's. Back then, Junno (the owner) had a sort of underground karaoke thing, mainly for friends with rules like "no group singing" and that didn't get going until about 3 a.m. I'd set my alarm for 1 a.m., take a nap, and eventually head all the way downtown to sit at the bar and just watch. Sometimes I wouldn't get home until the birds were tweeting and it was bright outside. After I finished the article, Junno's became one of my regular spots. I liked that Jerry, one of the bartenders, would put on surf DVDs for me; that Junno was always fervently debating about everything from Henry Kissinger to salad dressing, and that the bar top was sky blue. Once, I even brought an already-drunk Christopher Doyle over when I interviewed him for another GR story. Last Thursday night, I ended up back there on a whim after maybe a year of absence. Jerry welcomed me by saying how fortuitous it was that I'd come -- it was their last week. They were closing on Saturday for good. Junno's having a kid and heading back to school to become a teacher, he said. I thought he might be joking until Junno came out and said it was so. He was tired, and soon after, left. So I drank my beer, listened to Jerry tell stories about his life and when the perfect song came on, paid my tab and went home. It was the Talking Heads -- "This Must be the Place."

I'm in the market for a new digital camera. Can somebody help? It needs to be able to focus sharply on the little things up close, say a newly sprouted granadilla seed; big screen; and be able to withstand multiple accidental drops from say hip-height of a 5'5" person. Oh, and of course, it has to look good. None of that Harajuku Lover's HP crap.

I'd always heard rumors about the Chinatown bus, like how they occasionally catch on fire or try to run competitors off the I-95. But ever since I've become a semi-frequent user of its NYC-Boston route, I've had no problems. Sure, there was that time we got lost in Queens and I thought the driver was copping drugs after he kept stopping, inexplicably disembarking and sidling up to random livery cabs at gas stations, when really he was looking for directions. But at $15 each way? I mean, it costs me about $20 just to take a cab downtown from my apartment.

This past weekend, I had to go to Boston for work and took the opportunity to try out the Acela express train. Duh-yamn that ride is sweet. Plug-in outlets for your laptop. Amply-reclining seats. Coastal views. A snack cart. No irritating Cantonese-speaking dude running his cell phone out. Instead, waspy guys in suits quietly reading best-selling hardbacks on economics. The damage? About $200. The end.

After learning of Dr. Hell's plan to conquer the Earth Dr. Kabuto retired from science to make Mazinger Z, a robot to combat the robots being made by Dr. Hell. Dr. Hell sent his first assistant, Baron Ashura, to kill Dr. Kabuto. The attempt was a success but Dr. Kabuto was able to inform his grandson, Koji of Mazinger. Koji was to use Mazinger to combat Dr. Hell and his associates with the help of his friends, Sayaka, Boss, Dr. Yumi and the others.
Mazinger Z is one of the most influencial tv series in the history of anime. It is one of those rare shows that managed to create an entire genre by itself. From Mazinger Z what is now know as the Super Robot shows will spring forth. This is clearly scene as Koji, Mazinger Z, Sayaka, Boss, Dr. Yumi and the rest of the characters and mechas have become the standard one expects in super robot shows. It is also one of the most loved creations of Go Nagai. Mazinger Z's great popularity is not only evident in Japan but all over the world. From personal experience I can testify to his great popularity throughout Latin America. When I was growing up in Puerto Rico, Mazinger Z was the highlight of many days for my friends and myself. I believe that his popularity is due to great character and mecha design and a superb storyline. The lessons we are taught are universal in nature. Determination, loyalty, bravery, those are things that kids can value in any part of the world.