I have hopes;

however, I shall not hold my breath. I do hope this turns out well.

The D20 geek in me smiles.

Surfacescapes Demo Walkthrough from Surfacescapes on Vimeo.

 

It’s not your dads D&D anymore. I so have thought of something like this for years. I smile at where this may lead too. The future can be so cool if we just go with it.

from the magical time

just after the turn of the century and just prior to the great war, there was what I call the magical time of man. was it? oh I don’t know. maybe, maybe not…but here is a look at 1908 Moscow. yes, i yearn. just look at the everyday wonder. i yearn for a time when what could have been actually occurred. it was a magical time, at least i like to think; just maybe, it was.

"I wanted to be the first to let you know"

e-mail this morning to my support group:

 

Hello everyone,

October 5th, 1955 the Disneyland Hotel opens with seven rooms while an 8th was used as the original office.

That is probably not exciting news to anyone other than to a ‘Disney-phile’ like myself. I would dare think that in the original days of both the hotel and the park itself, the future was a tentative thing. I could recount the naysayers who told Walt of the impending doom of his magical little park. Much less the pomposity of building a five star resort in the middle of orange groves.

A lot like naysayers of today. I admitted that I sometimes get caught up in the whole end of days thing going on about us. I sometimes get discouraged by the news of the day involving war, storms, the stock market decline and the uncertainly of what will happen with America’s health care system. Yes, I’m guilty of enjoying the titillation of the 2012 thing.

It would be so easy to become absorbed by all of the QUICKENING (for you listeners to Art Bell) we seem to be rushing pall-mall into. It’s hard not to be caught up into a permanent depression akin to being perpetually stuck in the History Channels Armageddon Week.

But, However, Alas, Nay, Be of good heart! It may be harder to write of a more happy time. Let alone try and live a more positive outlook. Tonight, once again I shall be blessed by you all. Both in person and by those who for myriad reasons cannot join us in person; we will gather and embrace each other in a celebration of positive light. We come together to acknowledge each other.

No matter the individual story (which are all amazing and are monuments to a smile); but as a group, we are a song, a mighty choir a living voice to what is good in life. In simply being still alive. No matter how black the cancer, each of us throw off that shroud and let our being shout that we are alive and we are happy for that privilege. YES, never ever take even one second of life for granted. Oh, I know, ‘for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’. You know what? I would match this group up against the worst that the world and Satan could ever sling at us. We live, we are alive by His grace and I for one am humbled by each of you. By each of your stories, by your courage to be alive and live each and every day no matter the pain or hardship. By that grace, we are here again on the first Tuesday evening of this and each and every month. I look forward to our fellowship. I hope you do as well.

I got a call this morning, early as I was drinking my morning coffee. It was my favorite Oncology nurse on the other end. An Jan shared with me the good news; my Petscan was clear and she wanted to be the first to let me know that I was yet again, cancer free. What wonderful anti - end of the world, all are doomed news.

Do not let the naysayers discourage you. Get up each and every day. Enjoy the fact that you are alive and that you can.......

Over the weekend I was talking with my eldest daughter. We had know for awhile that she was pregnant with my 6^th (sixth) grandchild. She has 3 (three) beautiful girls, but; this grandchild is a boy. After 5 times, I decided to know the sex. I always wanted to be surprised. I was so happy to learn that it was to be a boy and she has decided to add my name to the future. There will be another Stephen in this world. This world which is wonderful and happy and pleasing. See, it is a good day indeed.

I look forward to seeing you all tonight and to those who are distant or absent; you are all in my prayers.

Be strong my brothers and sisters because Cancer Sucks.

Is that just one bobsled?

Some interesting facts about the (first) mountain and what has been my favorite ride in the park from my first visit in the early 60’s through today.

In the scamper of opening day on June 14th of 1959, the flag of Denmark was mistakenly placed on top as opposed to the flag of Switzerland; continuing the legendary opening snafu(s) which have occurred at the park.

Yes, there is a basketball hoop in the top. Note that this may now be gone, but was placed there by Walt for employees.

At 147 feet, it was and still is the tallest structure in Disneyland, and for many years until the 1960’s, it was the tallest structure in Orange County.

The Matterhorn was moved. Yes, well, in the souvenir guide books anyway. From 1959 until 1968 the mountain and ride were officially a part of Tomorrowland. After 1968, she was ‘moved’ to Fantasyland in all the guides.

On opening day, the peak was scaled by members of the local ‘Sierra Club’. The climb is still made to this day, however, did you know there are 30 ‘routes’ the climbers can make to the summit.  Now, on a clear day, while on the summit, one can see both Catalina Island and the Hollywood sign which are 40 miles away.

The famous “doggie” as described by my daughter was added in 1978.

This is one of my favorite cards in my collection. I love the ‘fall season’ grayness of this shot.

Did you know there is an elevator inside which is for the use of employees and Tinker Bell and for decorating (seasonal) as well?

I could go on, but one last question. Notice the number of cars(bobsleds) in the postcards above? 1 (one); that’s correct. Until the 1978 redo of the ride, there was only one car. A second car (tandem hooking) was used to increase the ride capacity.

One last and personal tid-bit. While the fantasyland side is longer by a few seconds (between 15-20 seconds) the tomorrowland side is considered the more exciting ride.

I woke up this morning and found this.

Enjoy and make sure you are prepared. Dec. 21st, 2012 is coming.

Yes, there was a time

when you knew what was right in this world.

I sometimes ask myself…

ARTIFICIAL PARADISE,INC. from Jp Frenay on Vimeo.

 

I use to wash my dad’s old Ford Pick-up. The holes in the body walls provided a most pleasing smell while still moist. I would breath in the the unknown and go through doorways to another place. I would sometimes ask, am I addicted? Some day, there will be only crab grass and cockroaches. I miss not smelling the world, I miss that reassurance.

Pulp

It didn’t really matter which direction we traveled. West to East, or, East to West. From my back seat I would peer out the window and look up into the endless small canyons which lay to the south side of the highway. There, would be my secret laboratory. The base from which I would go out from and explore the world. A castle of my mind with every conceivable need spread before my eye. There, out from Van Horn, in the monotony of endless miles were desires that were to never be. My finger keeping my place within the Terror In the Navy; my mind having need to be elsewhere, I would stare off, up into those canyons; looking for my fortress of solitude.  They were really wonderful miles. The back seat would have to do.

I need coffee.

No matter  what {time} you wake up, the only thing that matters is that first cup of coffee.