A look at PKD’s last years in the OC

Ran across this article about Philip, the up-coming ‘A PHANTOM LAND’ which is based on his ‘Radio Free Albemuth’; and some interesting thoughts on his last decade in the land of Disney.

Jump here

Upon turning fifty-five

 

I have not given a lot of worrisome thought to turning fifty five today. Wow, it looks strange when you spell it out. Falls into that debate of do you say two thousand and ten or twenty ten? Sadly, in the end; just not all that important.

I have often said that I was indeed, born old. Yes. I do believe that.

Samuel Clemens was book ended in his birth and death by the arrival of Halley’s Comet. I had no such celestial herald. Both my coming and I am sure my going will have governance by the Lord to be nothing extraordinary nor vivacious. I have, for the entirety of my existence been void of any frolicsome adolescents.

When I was born, Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34^th President of the United States. Just eight days after my birth, he sent the first advisors into South Vietnam. For a while, Winston Churchill was still Prime Minister of Great Britain.

TV was only available in limited areas and came in various shades of two colors: black and white. If, you got all the channels available; you got three.

On April 18^th of that year, Albert Einstein passed away and actor James Dean was killed in a car crash. He was twenty four.

This one is of interest to me: on July 17^th of the year I was born, Disneyland was opened in Anaheim, California.

The very first edition of the Guinness Book of Records is published, in London. Elvis is caught on film for the first time in Cleveland, Ohio.

In December Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person, and the national civil rights movement begins. The Salk polio vaccine was approved.

There was of course a whole years worth of events, but those were some of the more interesting ones.

Oh, almost forgot; there were only 48 stars on the American Flag.

Told you….I’m old.

And Phil says…

Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil Sees Shadow--And Long Winter

A Black and White Day

I wanted to share some of the pictures I took last Monday. While i was doing this was when the “ *&^%& ” (read as pukes) broke into my house. Oh well, here are some memories. :

I seem to be taking a lot of shadow shots lately.

Some leaves.

See, it does snow here; just on the mountain.

For my friend who likes B/W pictures of trees.

Another one.

Ouch, that probably doesn’t feel all that good to her.

A beautiful and clear day in the ‘ Old Pueblo ‘.

To bad, it turned to crap right after I took this picture.

I would like to turn the other cheek!

This Monday started like any other day really. First thing in the morning, I ran to Dr. C to have the stitches removed from where he had removed some skin cancer last week. Came home, had some lunch and then went to run and stop at a few places then go to mom's doctor for her B-12 shot. after getting several things done and getting her shot, we returned home and came inside.

I placed my keys on the table, made sure mom headed into the living room to sit down; then I headed into my bedroom. My first clue was my music CD holder was tipped over and my CD's were on the floor. several books which were on my dresser were also on the floor. Now, my first thought was a branch from the tree right outside had been blown off the tree and broken the window and had crashed in. Yes, we have had bad weather here the last week and one day had 70 mph winds.

Then, as I looked for the branch, there wasn't one. Hummmm. My first thoughts began to creep into my mind. I left my room to go through the house.

Coming into the front living room, where mom had been sitting, I looked and my TV was gone. Cables on the floor. My laptop, which I had left on the couch was gone.

Having you home broken into is a very unsettling feeling. It had happen to me once, years ago. That time, the intruders had been very destructive and torn the house up. This time, the intruders knew exactly what they wanted , came in and took it. They even took the time to remove my iPod charging cable.

A pain in the butt and I have to spend money i really didn't want or need to spend, however; I know it could have been a lot worst. As I am no saint, I am extremely mad and upset. But I know this could have been an entirely different story if the people that broke in had a mean streak instead of just being jerks.

1945A

Thanks to SF Signal for this amazing little gem and yet another alternate look at what could have been, this time by Writer/Director Ryan Nagata.

Caution: there is some graphic scenes in this. Enjoy.

There is a reason, maybe someday I will share why?

A break in the rain.

There is something refreshing and cleansing about the rain. I simply enjoy the washing of the world. It’s as if the dirt and grime of the everyday build up are brushed aside, and run down the street to become the dirt and grime of someone else. Maybe they will see the beauty and newness this watershed brings.  

As per AC:

“I've been asking for some rain. My roses had been pruned and it has been a crisp and clear 70' after the holidays. I really wanted a couple of rainy days...just to wash the flowers faces and bathe in the raindrops of a new year. I think my British roots show through in this kind of weather and I dig my umbrella. After it rains and the sun peeks out...it is so refreshing to just breathe... a good way to start the new year I think.”

The clouds shall be gray for a day or so, I will be here to enjoy them as they wash my world and bring a smell of new and fresh and tender rebirth to all things.

And in that water is the reflection of living things most clean and ready to be beheld a new.

Yes, down the street it all flows; to someone else's world. Thank you for the rain.

I often wonder what would have happened.

It’s Sunday morning and I have a cup of coffee in hand. The TV is on, it’s one of those free weekend things and a superhero movie is pandering to my interest. Sorta.

When I was younger, I wanted to have adventures and do things rather exciting. I had hopes of that most perfect ’ideal’ with a wonderful and trusted partner in life. I thought I would travel not only this planet but I really had aspirations' of going beyond, someday.

Like Captain Kirk, I was never a Boy Scout; but I wanted to be.

What I have learned is that there is something more unbelievable than any leap of imagination ever penned by the most creative authors the world has ever known. It is that spark, that rush,the moment of realization that there is nothing more rewarding than holding your grandchild's hand and having them believe that everything you ever conceived..is real.

Thank you God, and give me the strength to be that daring, that bold, that strong and yes; that right. It is hard being, yet I try.

 

There is reward for just being. There is a justness in being a common man. There are steps to be climbed.

I wish to draw your attention to RED MEAT

once again.

You can find it here.