Japan's Continued Nuclear Struggles Need A New Godzilla

The original Godzilla was a unique Japanese cultural phenomenon rivaling our own King Kong, although seemingly with much more political agenda beating the monster's giant mutant heart, created by nuclear detonation and, let's be honest, the sci-fi of radiation side effects. His destructive behavior and larger-than-life size no doubt reflects the symptoms and imagery of Japan's war efforts against the U.S. in WWII.

Over a half century after surviving two nuclear atomic bombs, the country stands on the brink of a unique catastrophe ironically caused by the same culprit: nuclear technology. In times of catastrophe, there are direct consequences in the artistic world, most notably literature in the 20th century, and linked with war time, which often causes change in and helps re-define the artistic tendencies in literature, or literary movements.

Since 9/11, America's movie theaters are packed with viewers in need of justice for a wrong committed against our country. Seemingly, we can't escape the need for a hero, and luckily this summer's blockbusters are full of 'em. But what will be the response in Japan? Specifically, what will be the artistic response?

My Feet Stink

My feet have a unique odor.

The odor has been around ever since I wore my first pair of leather Sebago shoes, without socks, during the first day of school, in the heat of August, of the 5th grade. The result was a few blisters and a stench that would evolve into the horror it is today. Now, I was used to blisters: I frequented local rollerskating establishments donning my poor fitting Chicago skates. So a few first-day-of-school blisters were more like a symbol of some sort of accomplishment. But what I wasn't used to was the smell.

Add a few years of puberty, sports, about a decade of the same wool socks, and a unique ability to forget to wash my feet in the shower, and I present to you my wife's interpretation of my unique odor as described innocently a week ago:

Scene 1 of 1
Me: takes shoes off, turns on TV to look for movie, expresses concern of smell 
Mary: "Hey there sexy, is that seat saved for me?"
Me:    "Sure is."
Mary: snuggles into his neck "You smell good, you smell like vanilla."
Me:    "Really? Vanilla?"
Mary: "Well... yeah, well, now it -- kinda smells like butter!"
Me:    "I smell like vanilla and butter?"
Mary: "Why do you smell like vanilla and butter?"
Me:    "It's not like I put butter on me - I'm allergic to dairy, why would I smell like - oh, wait..."
Mary: "What is that smell? Now it smells like burnt butter and vanilla... almost like..."
Me:    "Well, I did just take my shoes off."

Cleaning my feet isn't the problem - I do get down there and do some dirty work in the shower. TWSS. But lately I've been on the brink of developing a foot complex. What did I not learn as a kid? How come my shoes stank like rotten pumpkins?