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Master Blaster

Writer / Translator

Master Blaster is the two-man translating team of Canada’s Steven Le Blanc and Japan’s Masami M, a pair who in addition to writing work are in English education and created the StudyNow app for Japanese students of English.

Together they have written somewhere around 1,500 articles for RocketNews24 covering such diverse topics as Chinese men selling sanitary napkins to each other and a Japanese guy dragging an ear of corn around the Tokyo train system. A few of these were actually good, but don’t take our word for it! Here’s what our beloved readers had to say:

“One isn't always in the mood for bold tastes. But when I'm in the mood for bold flavor I turn to you.”
“Stupid article. Who cares what the Japanese think it's cool. You don't call a monkey, "gorilla".”
“You know, this is about the most cogent explanation of how a turbocharger works that I have ever seen in the non-motorsports world.”
“Thanks for the article peter!”
“It's people like you who make exploitation possible.”
“It looks yummy and the story was great. Thank you for the smile.”

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Posted by Master Blaster (Page 202)

Have a Double Dose of Nostalgia Listening to the Dragon Quest Theme Played On a Moog Synth Courtesy of Google’s Latest Doodle

Master Blaster
May 25, 2012
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On May 23rd, the world awoke to a new Google doodle daring us not waste our time pushing keys and turning knobs to make funky new sounds. This doodle was of course a recreation of a Moog Synthesizer developed by Dr. Robert Moog who would have turned 78 had he been alive.

Thanks to one highly talented keyboardist, we were also treated to two blasts from the past, a flawless rendition of the Dragon Quest intro music as played on a Moog on Google’s top page.

Internet, Japan
(Dragon Quest • Google • Moog • music • video game)

Denta-Pride’s Electronic Tooth Brushing Coach uses Bluetooth to Make Teeth White, But May Go On A Power Trip

Master Blaster
May 25, 2012

We probably all feel comfortable with the way we brush our teeth; after meals just like we were always told. But how long do you brush for? Do you brush with the right amount of pressure? Are you sure you’re giving each part of your mouth its fair share of brushing time?

A recent development in electric toothbrushes the Oral B Denta-Pride 5000 allows us to answer these impossible questions, but then hits us with another puzzle – why 5000?

Japan
(Braun • electric toothbrush • health • technology)

Interview With the Man Who, Rather Than Bottled Water, Received A Mysterious Remote Control from Vending Machine

Master Blaster
May 24, 2012

May 16th was a day like any other on the platform of Koiwa Station in Tokyo. But for a Musician/DJ who goes by the name Soeda Dyjean, a simple purchase of a bottle of water turned into a one-way ticket – to the Twilight Zone.

Japan
(remote control • vending machine • weird)

Mitsubishi’s Newest Line of Cars Asks: Guys, Just How Comfortable Are You With Your Sexuality? Hello Kitty Comfortable?

Master Blaster
May 22, 2012

What ever happened to the days of cars that weighed several tons, burned obscene amounts of fuel and had some style and personality to them. Most cars these days look like blandly colored Tylenol gelcaps devoid of any of the raw machismo of their forefathers.

That’s why Mitsubishi’s third annual My i-MiEV Design Wrapping line of i-MiEV electric cars deserves applause for bringing some personality and more importantly testosterone automobiles once again.

Japan
(cute • electric car • Hello Kitty • Mitsubishi)

Rabid Bidders Paid Up To US$12,000 For a Pair Yubari Kings

Master Blaster
May 21, 2012

For the first time this season the legendary Yubari King melons have gone to market and the bidding was fierce to get a taste. Yubari Kings are sometimes referred to as the “Cadillac of melons” for their beautiful design, sweet taste, and exorbitant prices. In this instance one pair of melons fetched a winning bid of 1,000,000 yen (US$12,500).

Japan
(cantelope • food • melon • Yubari King)

Lakeside Resort Accentuates their Scenic Beauty with Some Freakishly Huge Funhouses

Master Blaster
May 21, 2012

A lot of older people complain that the younger generation spends far too much time on their Z-Boxes and Nintendo Wee-Wees. It’s not hard to imagine why when younger people are presented with fantasy worlds full of castles and dungeons they aren’t too keen to go to the farmer’s market.

Finally, Sagami Lake Resort is doing something about it by adding two colossal real world attractions to tempt kids to give their thumbs a rest and take their legs out for a spin instead.

Japan
(Pleasure Forest • Sagami • Tengu Dojo • travel • Trick Fort)

Bevy of New Social Media Creators Hoping the Betterment of Humanity Goes Viral

Master Blaster
May 19, 2012

We’ve all gotten very familiar with the concept of social media to the point that even my grandmother has a vague awareness of it. However, its detractors are quick to point that social networks, microblogs, podcasts, and what have you all amount to an ocean of pointless drivel.

It response to this harsh attack of new media comes a growing trend of web users and developers who are looking to harness the power of the internet for what they call “social good.”

Internet, Japan
(good deeds • social good • social media)

Afraid You’d Look Ridiculous Singing Around Other People? Here, Put This Big Plastic Cup Over Your Mouth

Master Blaster
May 19, 2012

Everyone likes to sing, at least a little bit. What most of us don’t realize though is that about 0.01% of the population can actually do it well. The rest of us end up bugging the hell out of anyone within earshot.

So for all the neighbors and roommates of people who live life like a cast member of Glee we present Noiseless KaraOK!

Internet, Japan
(karaoke • noiseless • technology)

New Canine Cloud-Based Health and Activity Monitoring System Refuses to Let Your Sleeping Dog Lie

Master Blaster
May 17, 2012

Have you ever seen an overweight dog? Many of us probably aren’t sure as, unlike with people, we don’t quite know what the ideal dog should look like. It’s especially difficult to see if our furrier pals are packing on some extra pounds, and with diabetes in dogs on the rise it’s becoming more important to.

It’s not hard to see why, however, as city dogs don’t have nearly enough space to run and play like their country cousins do. The urbanized lifestyle that has led to millions of overweight people is also plumping pooches worldwide. Luckily the modern life that is causing the problem is also offering a useful solution thanks to Fujitsu Ltd.

Japan
(cloud • diabetes • dog • health • technology)

All the Joy and Splendor of Finding a Cockroach in Your Home Can Now Be Felt Anytime with Roachbot

Master Blaster
May 16, 2012

You know that warm feeling you get when you spot a cockroach in the corner of your kitchen. How about when you pick up the garbage only to find one of those magical little critters scurry away in that adorable way they do?

The problem is that these precious moments are rare and even more fleeting as roaches quickly run into some crack in the wall. Although you may feel comforted knowing that there are thousands more living inside that wall, it still doesn’t match the pure elation of meeting one of these black bundles of joy face to face.

Japan
(cockroach • gokiraji • robot • technology • weird)

Remember When Your Mom Said “You Could Lose An Eye”? She Forgot the Part Where You Could Also Get US$150,000

Master Blaster
May 11, 2012

Back in 2008, at an Osaka elementary school there was an incident involving a 3rd grade student who smashed two bottles of milk together during lunch time. As a result, the bottles shattered sending a shard of glass into the child’s eye and leaving him disabled. It’s certainly a terrible accident but what followed had turned the public’s sympathy into outrage.

Japan
(education • milk bottle • Osaka • school)

Japanese Foam Jockey Gives Drinkers Beer Heads That Cause Westerners to Froth at the Mouth

Master Blaster
May 8, 2012

Recently we ran a report on how Japanese netizens expressed their outrage over the way a Korean pop star chooses to eat her instant noodles. Now it seems that the international outrage shoe is on the other foot as Japan has drawn the western stink eye over how they like to enjoy their beer.

At the center of this controversy is an innocent advert for Jokki Hour (a punny mistranslation of “Foam Jockey”). Jokki Hour is actually a cleverly designed beer mug that has a lever attatched. When you push the lever the cup creates a head on the beer. Not a bad idea in itself, but I think it’s the advertisement that turns westerners off. Let’s take a look.

Japan
(beer • foam • food • Jokki Hour)

Oh La La! McDonald’s Looks to Add a Touch of Class with Professional Baristas Brewing Custom Cups of Joe

Master Blaster
May 7, 2012

Having recently opened a location in the ultra-trendy Harajuku-Omotesando shopping area of Tokyo, McDonald’s Japan is brewing a new strategy with an extra shot of sophistication.

Don’t worry; it’s not the rebirth of that lame Mac Tonight moon man who played cheesy lounge music on the piano in the 80’s. This time McDonald’s will be serving up freshly made custom cups of coffee by real baristas.

Japan
(barista • coffee • McCafe • McDonald's)

Self-Described “Sushidols” are Serving Fans Songs with their Wasabi

Master Blaster
May 6, 2012

It’s hard making it as an idol group in Japan. In this business thousands of girls and boys are struggling to find their niche be it with snaggleteeth, clean towels, or chainsaws.

This time RocketNews would like to present a girl group who have taken a more fishy road to success, by pitching in at their local sushi shop. Every Sunday you can catch up-and-coming Idol Class do a free concert then sell you some octopus after the show, in what they call Sushidols.

Japan
(entertainment • food • girl group • idol • music • sushi)

【Brain Teaser Time】 Can You Guess What These Cute Little Guys Are Used For?

Master Blaster
May 6, 2012

**SPOILER ALERT**
If you are not ready to see the answer then scroll gently, the answer is at the bottom.

Our modern world is so full of useful products that we are often very cynical of new inventions. In simpler times, when whoopee cushions, pogo sticks, and pet rocks could be considered “cool” much maligned developments like spray-on hair and Mr. T’s Flavor Wave Turbo Oven may have found their place.

However now they are simply lost amidst a sea of gadgets that never took off. As Ron Popiel might say; they were set, and they were forgotten. Such is the case of these little items in the photo above. Though they’ve been around for over a decade we at RocketNews dare you to guess what they do.

Japan
(akanbe • brain teaser • inventions • weird)

Custom-Made Canine “Cake Meals” Abandon Milk and Eggs for Chicken and Peas and Feature Your Dog’s Likeness

Master Blaster
May 2, 2012

What do you get for that dog in your life that has everything? Dog Diner has the answer with custom made cakes featuring your prized pooch’s puss. And beyond just a special treat these cakes will help keep your pet healthy.

Japan
(cake • cute • dog food • meal)

The Ultimate Camping Chair Capable of Holding Over 700 Times Its Own Weight

Master Blaster
May 1, 2012

As the warm weather has finally started to kick in, most of us are looking to get reacquainted with the great outdoors. But for many camping is a new experience and getting the right equipment can make or break their overall enjoyment. Sure you can buy a bulky trailer full of equipment but who want to use the time, money, and muscle power for all that.

Camping equipment brand Doppelganger Outdoor has released a series of lightweight chairs and tables ideally portable and durable for outdoor use. The pièce de résistance of this collection is the Ultra Light Micro Chair, more affectionately known as C1-54.

Japan
(camping • chair • strong • technology • travel)

McDonald’s Lures Country’s Best and Brightest By Offering a Free Small Fries for Job Applicants

Master Blaster
Apr 30, 2012

Good news for anyone who’s out of money and food! From now until May 13th anyone in Japan who applies for a job and gets an interview at McDonalds will receive a complimentary small order of fries…

Okay, by now you’ve probably recovered from the shock of this amazing news. According to their recent banner ad which reads “Let’s get started. McCrew: Until 5/13 all interviewees will receive a present of a free small fries.” this is no joke.

Japan
(job interview • McDonald's • small fries)

What Ever Happened to the Shower? One-Person Karaoke Booths Are a Huge Success

Master Blaster
Apr 30, 2012

Last November we reported on a karaoke booth for one to three people in Akihabara called Choi Kara, which was becoming a big hit in game centers. Around the same time, another company opened One Kara, “the one-person private karaoke room.” Similar to the Choi Kara in many ways One Kara also lets anyone sing their hearts out without fear of judgment.

Japan
(entertainment • karaoke • One Kara • Tokyo)

Emergency Medical Workers in Kyoto Express Outrage at the Media in the Wake of Fatal Accident Involving School Children

Master Blaster
Apr 26, 2012

In Kyoto, a tragic and fatal incident unfolded involving an unlicensed driver who ran their car into a crowd of people consisting of elementary school children and a pregnant woman. It’s one of those horrible accidents that bring out the deepest hurt, shock and anger in all of us.

So it’s no surprise to hear people lash out at whomever or whatever is responsible but an especially scathing commentary has sprung from a surprising source. Tajima Emergency & Critical Care Medical Center (TECCMC) who had sent an air ambulance to the accident scene, released an uncharacteristically harsh attack not on the driver of the vehicle but on the mass media outlets for their intrusive reporting on the premises in an article titled; Do people in the media have hearts?