to take my mind away

I am in some pain so I will write to forget about it and fly away. Some of you call it therapy!

 

It was a day for orange Kool-aid in a glass picture with Elvis on it. It wasn't enough to just mix it up. It was a procedure worthy of attention to detail like nothing else. The package of orange tapped vigorously in order that the contents would not be wasted. Poured into the picture with care and delight. Sugar; measured as if it were gold. A cup. Not one bit more, nor skimped on in haste. I procured my special slotted spoon to twirl the contents as water was introduced slowly and deliberately. Maximum effort towards perfection. The only way orange Kool-aid should ever be attempted. Around to the right and hold. Around back to the left and hold again. This done to insure proper dilution. A special treat to quench like nothing else can. To the source of thirst this batch of pure love will go. After settling it’s spin, observed for purity and beauty, I briskly take that wonderful ice cup placed in the freezer and approaching frozen impeccability, into hand and prepare to pour.  It is so pretty so splendid in its posture. After all, it is orange. The best flavor. Grape is good but comes in a distant second to orange. As the fluid cascades into the cold receptacle,  I feel its healing powers begin to explode in my mind. How wonderful this shall taste. I pause. I clear my thoughts and behold the cup as it approaches the object of its purpose. My throat can not wait. Come to me. Come in and heal me. I open myself to you as if a lover. You can’t harm me, only make me feel contented. That first swallow is so intense. Drinking orange Kool-aid is such a reward. I feel as if a king. Me and my orange Kool-aid, drawn from a glass picture with Elvis on it. I can now proceed with life.

a princess, a horse and a lion

to continue our look at the ‘Homecoming’ 50th Anniversary today we see several of beauties in their ‘royal’ finest.

Taking a  short break from the parade, (don’t worry, we’ll return to it) lets gander at the golden steed. During the anniversary, Disneyland added a ‘gold’ paint job to one ride vehicle of any attraction that was in the park on opening day. If you look carefully you’ll notice actual gold leafing.

 

As promised, back to the parade we go. Just in time to catch the ‘Lion King’ unit. What a ‘Circle of Life’ celebration.

OK, thus ends part 2; look for part 3 soon.

A celebration of 50 years!

On opening day; and, today; there was a parade at Disneyland. There always has been and I hope there always will be. Most of my collection and post here at the hovel involve older items. I wanted to show some contemporary cards to just have some balance and besides, I just enjoy looking at my post card collection and commenting on the park.

Disneyland and I were been the same year. Hummmm

2005 marked the 50th Anniversary and of course the park was spiffy and smacked out in finery. Here is a look at some of the special  memories of that special year.

The Walt Disney Parade of Dreams kicked off on May 5, 2005 and celebrated all aspects of Disney during its run through the Holiday Season (November 11th) of 2008. There were 7 floats (referred to as units) and each had a ‘Hidden Mickey’ on it.

This parade featured one of the largest collection of characters and here are  Mickey and Minnie in their ‘Regal’ outfits.

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is truly an icon of the park. Here she is decked out in dazzling jewels, golden accents and regal banners. She sure is pretty and has the top of the Matterhorn adoring over the tree tops.

During the ‘Homecoming’ celebration, there ware displayed all over the park the 50th icon or logo. Here is a close up of the ‘ears’ as displayed on the castle.

OK, that is part one (1) of our look at the ‘Homecoming’. Look for part tow of this series popping up soon.

Rest In Peace

What a sad and terrible week. No matter what you thought of them; they will be missed.

 

from Quotes of the Day

from Quotes of the Day

"I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated."

Poul Anderson

How to make a father almost cry.

This is an e-mail I sent to my support  group this past Friday:

How to make a father almost cry.

Hello everyone,

I hope, trust and pray this finds everyone well.

First, let me exclaim very loudly, how much I love each and every one of my children. How individual each is and how rewarded I have been by their collective presence in my life.

Ok, that’s out of the way. Now I want to share my early pleasant surprise this past Wednesday as we move into Fathers Day Weekend. I enjoy comics and graphic novels as a hobby and as part of my many collections. Yes, I read comics! Get over it; I find some of the more robust writing and ideas are between the covers of these $3.99 USD monuments to imagination. There I go; sorry, I will get off that soap box.

I had occurrence, as is my little groups practice, to meet at Charlie’s this past Wednesday at our customary time. I find that ritual is an important aspect in ones life. Most of us refer to it as habit or routine. Upon entering this most sacred temple to this castigated form of literature, as custom of the proprietor, I was greeted with a wide smile and a warm hug. No, I am never ashamed of a hug in public. There I go again, please forgive me.

After the above customary greetings amongst this small group of like-minded cohorts, We each proceed to go through what is referred to as our ‘pull-list’. This is our individual subscription to books we receive on an ongoing basis. Also know as “happy, happy - joy, joy” time for any of you who may have been exposed to Ren and Stimpy at any point in your life. As I made my journey examining each and every specimen for morsels of WOW! ; tucked in like a sleeping child on Christmas Eve night, there it was.

Sarah is my second of four children and the oldest girl. She is mother to three and soon to be four of my grand children. She lives a long way from me in the sub-arctic tundra know as the state of Wisconsin. Sarah had heard of Charlie and his magical little shop that I so dearly love and took the time and effort to locate his telephone number, call him and procure me a gift certificate. No big deal you say, happens every day. I know that, but this is my sharing and my feeling and my daughter’s remembrance of me. It was special!

Now, back to Charlie’s Comics we go. There I was, in front of my friends with a certificate and books in grasp. I wanted to shout out so bad I could have bust. My wonderful child, little ‘Myrtle’ remembered me.

It is hard for everyone, in a world that races at such a pall mall headlong run into the next moment, to take pause and remember another. Lives full of fixing lunch, doing wash, working, fixing things; you know, life. It is hard and most forget the little things in these strange times. But; low and behold, there it was, in my hand. A thought of me, from my child.

I looked up and all my friends were looking at me to see the reaction I was having. All in on the surprise and prompted by Charlie I am sure. My throat swelled and my eyes wanted to tear up. I held on. I was strong. I would not cry over what would by most be perceived as a trivial, all be it, probably an expected thing. It was hard. I braced myself as hard as I could. I looked them all in the eye. I was so very proud, so very touched. But I was steadfast in my resolve to not shed a tear. Charlie, looked at me as only a friend could, one who understood what it meant to me and proclaimed, “It’s Ok Steve, you can cry here.”

I had to sit down and only let one little drop escape. I held tight.

I share this with you to remind you to never take your friends and loved ones for granted. You do not need a ‘DAY’ to share a special gift of acknowledgment. Always appreciate them. I do appreciate each and every one of you. Some of you are unaware of the source of inspiration, the spark of joy, the moment of respect you each provide to me. Thank you. Thank you from a proud father.

I was going to share with you the medical events of this week as I had my prostatic replaced and had a good follow up with Dr. Manning. That always has the added bonus of seeing Jan. These were all adventures I intended to keep you up to date on. But given the most glorious token of love shown me by my daughter...those extraordinary tales of medical delight will just have to wait for another opportune time to be a topic of discussion.

Be appreciative of all we have or hold dear. You never know when you will be without it or them. I scream it as loud as I can.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers and I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting or sharing e-mail with those far off.

Be strong, as Cancer really does SUCK!

and my Father’s Day gift:

Happy Father’s Day Dad, I miss you an awful lot; and to all the father’s out there.

inspired by

the video as seen on http://theycallmes.com/; i searched and found this awesome display of… humm the force is a strange thing indeed.

 

 

 

I am often asked if I believe it?

I have shown you guys this movie before. 2012, the end of the world movie. Well, Dec. 21st, 2012 is looming.

Do I believe it?… Please, that’s like asking; ah  never mind, I don’t think I will sell everything yet and head for the hills. Hehehehe,

Dang it, what was my eBay password again?

I must say that the effects look awesome.

I do not have an answer, however….

… I am very much a part of this. It is hard for me to be a conservative; sick and living in the United States of America in this day and age.

My mind says that social health care is not the answer. The horror stories of time delay are unsettling. That said, I will be in debt to various hospitals and doctors (monetary, as in USD’s; you know $$$$) until the day I will die. I go to bed every night worried that the above mentioned group will take every cent I have saved.

Yes, I admit it. I exist because of your tax dollar. Yes, You. Thank you. I am on social security disability. I have had 3 different insurance companies in the past year and I am currently headed to eCobra for a year. That payment comes from me.

Ok, some of you may say this is my fault. I am inclined to agree with you. It was   is, however, something that no one deserves; what has happened to me.  Trust me, my life is neither sexy nor to be envied. Just yesterday morning I had to endure a prosthetic replacement. It was by no means exciting.

I don’t know the answer. I don’t even know how I should feel. We all have issues and needs. We all have been hit by some dispirit. It is a part of the human condition I feel. I do the best I can to keep my head and desire to live looking upward and positive.

All I know is that this is the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Nine. It is 2009 and I am worried. Someone who is smarter than I needs to come forward and deliver a solution. A serious solution, not just partisan lip service. I  We deserve a solution, a real working, advanced, fair, forward looking solution to staying alive with some dignity.

 

 

Sorry to rant everyone. I just live in a world of fear for us all and to the generation of tomorrow. I wish I had the answer. I don’t. I do know that I did work all my life prior to October of 2006. I paid my taxes and I always had insurance. That’s not enough, sad to say.  I was neither a slug or had obesity as major issues. I was a smoker. It is extracting it’s penance from me now. I do not cry spilt milk for that. I do not, however, feel that I should die bankrupt and destitute because of it; either. Damn it! I work hard in my own way, every day.

Please, come up with an answer. I am not looking for free anything or a hand out for me. I am concerned for the health and well being of those coming up after me. It may be prevention. I do not know. It may be life style issues by everyone. Whatever it is, please God, let it be NOT printing more money alone.

Does this thing go to the top floor?

The title is Civilization, and depicts a journey from hell to heaven. I was so captured by this.

The artist is Marco Brambilla and you can find out more about him at the link below.

Go ahead, step in and enjoy your ride. Going up!

Civilization by Marco Brambilla from CRUSH on Vimeo.

On the pain of being a Warren Ellis fan.

My friend Rob and I banter back and forth a lot on various issues, among then being the current state of Warren Ellis fandom which both of us occupy. Below, find my comments to him this morning just before I entered my subscription with Charlie for yet another story arc of four (4) issues by WE.

 

Separate note: Warren is doing way to much I think. His A-Xmen is way way behind schedule. I blame him on this one. Frankenstein is no where to be seen - That's an Avatar Issue; but once again a Warren title just out there in the either. 

He did post artwork on the last issue of Planetary.....Years!!!
Grrr, I wish he would do follow up on all pending titles; get them out...then proceed on new stuff.
This is for Marvel and unless it is in the bag now (4 issues) you know it will fall to the bottom of his to do list.
Ahhh, the pains of being a WE fan. The pain!

 

Boys and girls, do not get hooked on Warren Ellis comics or any of his other projects! He will rot your brain and like a beautiful woman, leave you panting and wanting for more. Oh, wait a minute, that’s his job. Damn, why does he have to be so good?

Note: The intention here is to spark your interest in a great author if your in search of one.

Early looks at Tomorrow(land)

We go all the way back to opening day for this first look at tomorrow. Walt and the park depended so very much on sponsorship to get Disneyland open and full of exciting and educational attractions. Monsanto was a major source of money, attractions and educations in Tomorrowland which was in desperate need of all of those on opening day.

Prior to Star Tours, prior even to Adventures Through Inner Space; there was the:

Hall of Chemistry

 

(yes, this is where Star Tours is currently located)

Inside the hall were fascinating exhibits telling the story how Chemistry and Monsanto would bring us an amazing future.

  

I love old pictures at the park showing everyone and especially children in their new Disneyland outfits. No one dresses to go to the park anymore. The Hall was closed in September of 1966 to make way for Adventures Through Inner Space. (Also sponsored by Monsanto)

Another sponsor on opening day was Kaiser Aluminum and their remarkable telescope. This walk thru would take you to the world of aluminum in the past, present and the future. This exhibit lasted its entire 5 year contracted run despite Kaiser being upset because of competitors being in the park. Walt was a ‘silver tongued devil’ when it came to keeping sponsors happy. 

 

Now for one of the more famous attractions found during the parks early days. The Monsanto House of the Future. Yes, it was made of plastic.  The house was open from 1957 to 1967 and is held dear by all who ever visited it. Located just off the Hub, the building was so sturdy, that when demolition crews tried to knock out walls with a wrecking ball, the ball bounced off. Hacksaws were required to take the building apart, piece by piece. The pillars could not be removed and are still in the park to this day.

Further musing on time….

One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies.

Time; A fleeting creation of man, not God

Like the weather, its passing is ever in the past. Its past we refer to as memories. We look to its future with a balm and pervasive eye. Its present is a reminder of things left undone on a ‘to do’ list.

In our youth we are so unaware and in our waning; well, lets just say it has an honored place of importance. While there is nothing I can do about it, I do note its passing with adulation.

I have spoke to it in the past and I hope I shall again. God, please grant me more as it is most precious indeed.

 

I offer you the Corpus Clock, enjoy and heed its message.

As I continue to place items of interest here, please take note my young and as of yet unborn issues: I was here and this is a bounty of things that caught my eye. Take the time to look upon your world and grab it, shake it, ponder it and enjoy it. Do not for one second take it for granted. You are a human being and I acknowledge your existence as such.

Moon

I believe I have made mention of this upcoming movie before, but if not, here is a shot out for Moon by director Duncan Jones. It is exciting for me as a fan of ‘hard’ Sci-Fi to have a project which evokes memories of 2001. Why, do all the good movies suffer from an underwhelming budget?

Good luck to this movie and I hope it does well.

Stickers!

Stopping off (or into) City Hall is always worth while. If you ask nicely, you may receive a special gift such as one of these special stickers you can get and wear (or as in my case, keep) as part of your Disneyland paper collection. Always be on the look out as they love stickers in the park. No, wasn’t my first visit, but hay, they didn’t know. Just always ask, they usually have something to give away.

this caught my eye from sony

the Last Guardian. Looks interesting and dare I say it? Different!

the excitement for me from day 1

well,  day 1 of E3  has sloped off into history. yes, NATAL sp? is exciting, but I fell a long ways away. However, I will be keeping an eye on that. I am up early for the anticipated [big,big,big] Sony ante up today. {Sorry Wii folk, not into your unit; maybe someday} In the lull I offer you this wonderful look at The Old Republic. The PC is not dead to gamming …..   yet!

 

I wanted to note the passing…

---- of Millvina Dean. Like the passing of the last WW1 soldier, this marks another milestone in human history.

http://www.kansas.com/wireupdates/story/833968.html