Image 52 - Week 11.. Can Seagulls fly up into the sky.?

12 Stones.. and a surprise..

 

Steps and the view of life they offer up...

 

 

I was prepared to walk along the beach in order to pick up my coach at the bus station.; not a bad early morning commute,  but Shep Snr. insisted on me having a ride in to town..; I accepted. At least my alarm didn’t need to be set quite so early as the ride was going to take just  10 minutes as opposed to the 50 minute walk .. and at 6.45 am, I wasn’t going to refuse.., however to back up a little to the day before..

I’ve been checking and rechecking my ticket for the couple of days I’ve had it. It’s a simple travel ticket really, but yet this one is reuniting me with an accent and warm art talent I’ve missed. This particular talent represents a group of artists and a geographical area that together will provide me with a link to a past that I’m excited to embrace..

Counting down the last 3.00pm to 4.00 pm hour (as I write this), I imagine the plane’s wheels touching down at some time during the hour.; I’ve been told I will get a call and look forward to it without taking it for granted of course.; the call will indicate and confirm a friends arrival after her long haul flight and the coach ticket will offer me the chance to catch up in person..

All changes saved..

It's just a door that's not been opened in a while..

 Some people dream of a lotto ticket, but for me, I’m happy with my coach ticket..

Saving..

Have I mentioned that I’ve culled my Facebook page and reduced my ‘likes’, friends and groups.; no.? Well, I have..; numbers don’t do it for me as you may understand from the few weeks I’ve been ‘Image’ scribbling., so I’m getting back to the friends I know and regularly communicate with.. and I feel better for it too..; I’m sure I’ll have offended someone: Sorry to the fifty or so I’ve painstakingly removed., but all I can say is that it’s not been cruelly intended, it’s simply a case of ‘writerly’ writers socially communicating as opposed to being there as a ‘possible networking contact’.. I consider FB to be a social media site and not something for me to gain/gather ‘numbered’ respect...The first to go have been those who’ve recently ‘added’ me because of nothing more than a vision I’d been working towards..  A case of last in, first to go.. and as callous as that sounds, believe me, only a couple were a no brain'r.

I can operate psychologically with about 150, which actually still feels too many incidentally, but ‘we’ll’ see how that goes for now.. and as for all those groups ‘we’ accumulate, THAT had to change too... ;)

I  bet she’s going through customs now, or waiting for luggage, or looking for a phone to let family know she’s landed and in one piece.., but I bet she’s on UK soil for her first time..; surrounded by foreign accents.., the noises will be new and the information signs and language will all be confusing and alone, it’s a moment when you don’t know which way to turn..  Different fashions and a currency you’re not familiar with can be a daunting, yet exciting introduction for a newbie..

I couldn’t even work out how to use a payphone when I arrived back.. and it seemed that everybody walked faster and totally knew where they were going.. and tired, loaded up with luggage and disorientated, it’s a time to stop, take a deep breath, look around and accept that actually everything’s ok..

All changes saved.

Not the best conversationalist around...

Okay., the call just came in., she’s landed..; yeah..

 A few days have passed since I wrote the above and I've decided that I have a ton of material that's inspired me and that I'd like to share., however.. and despite all this good stuff.. I'm not sure I want to.. First off., I couldn't take pics of the very thing that worked for me.., thanks to the National Gallery rules.. 

Wandering through London's National Gallery filled me with emotion and inspiration and sadly., the rules state 'no photographs'., so you'll just have to take my word for it..; the time 'in there' was pretty darn inspirational.. A wall of several Van Gogh's was enough to bring tears to my eyes.. and as for the Sunflowers., well.. no pic would have done it justice., so there.., but to add oodles of Rembrandt's, Matisse's, Pissaro's, Manet's and Vermeer's and I fail miserably to add any photos that could do my inspirational Image 52  efforts any justice this week..

.. and besides.., my writing style doesn't work that way..; I need to just ramble and try to recall the events of the last week rather than document them as I go.. I will give it a good effort one of these weeks to formally throw my words into a beginning, middle and end.., but.., for now, if you guys haven't paid a visit to the National Gallery, then git your asses up to Trafalgar Square and do it.. NOW.. and when you do, I challenge you not to be moved at something in there AND it's free dude....; the gauntlet's thrown.. I saw a brush stroke filled with colour, passion and history and fortunately for me, there were seats dotted all around as any excited energy I had drained from my humble body at the sight of a few old canvas' hung under the most fantastic light my eyes have seen a canvas hung under...; just do it..

No comment..

I also climbed the Chapter House steps during the past week and can recommend those too.. 

They date back to the year of 1306 and I have no words to describe them or the room they lead to either other than it's full of light..; the kind of light that fills your whole body with love and sense of wonderment...

Wow., this week's Image is going really well so far..; nada.., but I'll find something to throw among the words that won't do my week any favours.. Stunning is a word that springs to mind, but then that word's only eight letters long and my soul can't accept a simple eight letter word good enough to describe how inspiring every minute of my past week has been.. Dang it..

The Bishop's Palace followed before a flying visit to the Jurassic Coast and getting lost for an hour or so on the fog filled country roads.. Ahh well, at least I drove by Monkey World and saw the entrance which will offer up laughter for many years to come... that and the mention of bread..

Did I mention a visit to my personal history too..; not quite as far back, but far enough.. and the size of that tree surprised me..; I planted it baby..

Oh drat, I was responsible for missing a ride too.. Normally I'd like to think I'm reliable for that kind of stuff, but if you ever take an important ride with me that requires you to be at a place at a certain time, beware, 'cause 1.45 is just a tad different to 1.15... and if it's supposed to be a 1.15 departure., turning up at 1.20 is going to cause you to miss your connection..; sorry guys..

I've also missed a bloody European city window, but have booked the Shep suite knowing I'm going to make up for it.. 

I am supposed to include pics with this blog aren't I..(?), so give me a few moments to see what I've taken this past week that I can share with you guys.. Perhaps I can form some kind of cohesive and inspirational story..; this should be fun., for me..

Well., I do..

Hmm., I also roamed a few acres of the 160 available to me on a local site that dates back to 1086 and are recorded in the Domesday Book.. Despite the house being 'apparently' closed, I still 'entered' it's open doors with the ready explanation that I was part of the formal wedding ceremony  I saw already in progress and despite wearing jeans, a fleece and walking shoes and 'forgetting' to shave that morning, I  couldn't help noticing that I didn't quite seem to fit the morning suits I saw being photographed on the gravel driveway infront of the imposing front door,  however I roamed the gardens and grounds while fully expecting to be 'escorted' to the exit at any time and yet, happily,  that didn't happen.. I couldn't help thinking of the movie 'Wedding Crashers' while I took in the River Piddle and all for the love of  this  week's Image 52..; the things we do for art, eh..

Sounds like I'm a lotta trouble eh.? I guess it's not how 'we' do it here..

Geez., I've gotta get my act together and find me some pics to attach before this week gets outta hand.. , but guys, it's been a real inspiring week and I haven't mentioned the live music I took in too.. and if I let you know about the love I felt from one hug, you'd be blown away.. holy cow, I even stopped to stare a cow out and only 'cause I've never done that before.. 

I see ya..

 Minutes and moments not to forget and hey, I can at least say I stopped to check out a field full of cows and stare one out.... Yep., I'm nuts., I know., but I'll eventually work out how I can live every minute.. 

Who knows just what goes through one's mind when you take your final breath, but I'm gonna make sure I have a bunch of crap to have to go through in the hope it takes an eternity.. and now I have a moment with a herd of cows...; do you.?

.. and how could I forget the Victory.. and all this without a clear sky or any colour.. I need me some more of this cultural stuff..; any takers..?

The week began with an accent bringing a past to life and ended with an accent leaving a heartful of hugs.. and inbetween it was filled with laughter, trust and warmth.; no pitches.., but a sense of a shared journey.;  surely the best kind to take.. and throw in some art and heavy gilded frames.. and you've got what it's all about man..

Simple really when you think about it..

Culture.. and the clear inspiration that can't be photographed but is felt and felt deeply.....; this week's Image 52 is etched for my soul to recall with every breath I take..

Every week we're getting older...

Are we being safe.., or are we going to cross that bridge..?

.. and thank you to the unknown child I overheard asking his Mum the question that offers up this weeks headline..

Image 52 - Week 10.. Hey, hey.. and seconds..

Rice paper., egg shells.. an'

Heated what..?

Let the Cream bring a little sunshine into your life..

“Head out on the highway

Looking for adventure

In whatever comes our way”

Bonfire, Mars

perfectly proportioned... and very cute..; believe me..

Tavares sang it like it is... and it only takes a minute.. 

There's definitely something wrong in Chelsea's boardroom.; at a little longer than a second.., but only just., they're back on the market for a miracle.. and yet another dictorial sign of a desire for immediacy and change in a second...

Cheap flights..

Do you know I’ve seen a round trip to NY, including taxes for 299..; 390 to L.A.. 307 to S.F. and 398 to DIA..

45 bucks to S.A. from S.F by Greyhound and with gas about $4.30 (ish ?) a gallon in NB, or (?) the equivalent of a lot of POUNDS a #*!king gallon here.. and no two buck chuck anywhere to be seen in Tescos.., I’m feeling the Coppertone filling my nostrils..

Throw into the seductive mix ole Cesar Millan, ABC’s Good ole Mornin’ and Anderson Cooper and I’m thinkin’ sunrises, Taco Tuesdays and smooth surfaces baby..; but I can’t drive 55., Sammy.. Ouch..
Choices and the seconds it takes to make that final committed decision..

A split second.. and it's as black and white as that...

 I guess there's always the uber reliable M&S, tremendously exciting SD Leisure Carousel,   archaically ‘supportive’  and male dominated parochial councils along with high levels of colloquially driven customer service desks though to more than compensate... and with the ever protective cameras following our every move, we’ve got the historically popular and full calendar’d Bandstand to entertain us..; I say ‘Paint it Black’ and rock Mick... "long live, rock and roll".....

The fog stayed along the coast for most of the day today., sadly.. an' I couldn’t find a Coke for the much needed comfort sugar my body was gasping for; well, at least the belt was grateful.. Three projects in three different locations must have been what technology was designed for..; well, social stuff  and time differences too.. and research, ‘Googling’ and geez, so much more.. ET’s LB pics have got my mind thinking of the Convention Center and Grand Prix circuit..

The right side..

53% of my traffic is coming in from overseas..; 
danke.. and yo dude, muchos gracias..; I’m seeing the whole Ray, Jim and Perception thing all over again..

I visited an ATM earlier (shock, horror) and got pretty excited when I actually remembered my pin number.. ; the ‘associate’ almost called for medical assistance as I yelled out an obviously loud and very audible sigh of relief, but decided against it when I  explained it was the first time I’d actually ever seen what people call, money come from a machine I was standing at before... She took a step back and appeared to go for the red button at that point, but I was outta there in  a flash as I had chocolate on my mind..

Holy cow., I used to have hair.. and a lot of it..; I just found a bunch of ‘not so old’ ;) photographs..; oh ok, they were really old..; infact from the last bloody century.. and I kid you not..
 

I saw someone fall from a street lamp just a few yards from where I was standing and  only minutes from the midnight chimes that heralded 1999/2000 ; he, sadly, didn’t make it..; true and tragic.. He show-boated for the thousands of surrounding revellers on the Strip while shuffling along the lamp before  finally losing his grip and falling to his death..  Seconds..

I also witnessed a biker passing me on his Harley before locking, actually, his rear wheel and being catapulted through the air before landing in a heap many yards infront of his broken bike..  The truck I was in screeched to a halt behind his tumbling and crumpled body., but miraculously he actually stumbled to his feet in a totally shocked daze with nothing more than torn clothing and a nasty road rash for a souvenir... We found the culprit, a broken bolt ., then eventually loaded his bike onto a trailer and left him wondering what just happened....The whole thing took seconds and reminded me yet AGAIN how precious that second is.. 

Geez., where am I tonight..? I tried talking a kid from leaping off a pier too.. A pier you think.., but this pier had height on it’s side and a rip current flowing under it.. She  let go of the railing for a split second and jumped right infront of me.. and by the time I got to the other side of the pier, she was caught in the tide and swept a few hundred meters with bystanders screaming for her to ‘float’ it out.. Panicked, she was finally  brought in  alive and exhausted after several difficult minutes of what was a fading light rescue op'..by the courageous lifeguards

I intend to live forever - so far, it's looking good...

But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think;
'Tis strange, the shortest letter which man uses
Instead of speech, may form a lasting link 

from Don Juan

Lord George B

Ok., who knows what the next second will bring.. and that’s why the now matters for me... and right now I’m having a memory of a linked walk that took in a Californian harbour evening and yet lives with me years later..

Funny how a second can have these effects... and yet my darn laundry is taking ages to dry.. and therefore driving me nuts.. I guess I’m ok taking a walk, but you can keep the whole laundry detergent process..

Does anybody remember Ian MacShane’s Lovejoy.. and is it dated TV.? I recall enjoying that..; there was also a female P.I., (maybe an insurance deal thingy.; I dunno) in a short lived TV run who drove a pale blue Sunbeam Alpine.(?) and who I thought of as being kinda cute., but I can’t remember what the program was or who she is/was.. 
Hmm., one of the problems of living this long I guess is that the whole  'loads a' seconds gig come flooding back.. ; Johnnie Walker still sounds great.. and where's Ferris Bueller when you need him .. ? and who's the Dr. anyway.?

I tried sniffing Coke once., but the ice cubes got stuck in my nose and the bubbles made my eyes water....

Do we know what the point of Linkedin is..? and why spend even a second with Twitter..?  and the thought of a Cadillac Margarita, on the rocks and with salt sounds like an idea.. and only took me a second to think of it.,  but there again, so does a Corona also... ; but wait a second, I've been there as well..; now, they're the kind of seconds I like to remember...
Moments spent with people, of fun., of places, a TV program..; even travelling a road.., but I don't see a second thought being wasted... I guess that says a lot about who I am and the seconds that speak to me..
Speakin' of which., I've gotta go grab me a new second to remember...

They're both mine and how I kinda  roll..., so  consider me in for seconds.. ; anytime...

Wow., life changing stuff eh.? and to think that these things take but a mere second’s thought.. and a second to last forever..; I like my seconds..

By the way., what day is it today.?

Today (whatever day it is) proved to have been a final day of sorts for me and while it took more than a difficult second, it actually only took a second to know it felt right.. and., can you believe., the phone rang immediately on 'leaving the building' with spectacular new news..; how and why does that stuff happen.. (?), but gotta hit the research button .. Thanks Cali., timing is everything..

Just another second from my foggy memory... 

I picked up a travel ticket for London earlier in order to play catch up with an accent I've missed greatly and am excitedly looking forward to hearing again.. It looks like Big Ben/Westminster Bridge this weekend  is the place where all the Waldo hide and seek action is going to be at..; cool..., but remember to pack warm 'cause a sunny forecast here doesn't mean warm, it just means  possibly dry.. and as we all know, that ;) can change in a second..

Anyway, if you see me pacing and looking lost somewhere round Parliament Square, stop by and say hi.. ; I don't bite.., much..

.. remember.., 10.20.. London..

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"
William Arthur Ward 

 

bueno adiós amigos.. y gracias..

Oh and YEAH.., I found my gloves baby.. Right where I forgot 'em.. ; cool an' groovy eh..

Image 52 - Week 9 ... Dowdy nouns and isolated missions..

9.58

4* entrance..

Shabby nouns.. an' how to shoot one..

.. maybe a shabby adjective too..

.. and thanks to Richie for 'Stranger in..'.. and Mr. Green for 'Man of..'

As you can no doubt gather from my scribblings., I don't write comedy.., however, who knows, maybe an attempt to publish one will come out at some point and I'll surprise your ass with something witty., after all, who'd wait at a bus stop that advertises travelling topless to your destination.? 

Truly, if dowdy nouns have your attention, then I'm really worried about your reading habits..;  I mean, they're nothing more than my cryptic way of dealing with Week 9's Image 52..  and so far I've already managed to address  both 'issues' (to my satisfaction) without effort., which also means that if I can offer up a third, I can sign off and go home..

Stats can be funny too.. as they show someone's actually taking the time to read this..; have no fear though 'cause I have no clue who you are., but still, thank you all the same.. There., now the third has been dealt with..

Seriously.., back to nouns and  'speedos'..!

First sight..

On the right side is a (truly gifted) friend’s painting I wake up to.. and  specially positioned to be the first thing I see; it acts as a warm inspiration when I take the first breath of a new day with my eyes open.; she wouldn't believe just how much her bold, heavily textured and sweeping work impacts the start of my day, but thanks JT .. If I open my eyes ‘left side’, I see another friend’s hand remarked book.. and if I open them front centre, I see a 'different' friend’s  (stunning) painting..

TC's..

and that particular one is part of a group of frames including a tiny one containing a ‘feather’..; just an ordinary feather I mounted and had signed., but still a feather that represents a moment and memory I had with friends... I’ve included a couple of my own canvas’ for some reason..; perhaps a little pride to be associated with such talented friends, or simply to feel close., but the whole thing works as a reminder of things past. There are other signed books neatly stacked to one side keeping my daily need for dark glasses company. Photographs too., photographs of another guy I reluctantly turn into sometimes when I dust down a suit, wrap a tie around my neck and emerge from the telephone box. ...
So, I’m surrounded by original art, photographs and books (all signed), as soon as I wake.. and that’s how my day begins..; among friends and their work.. Yeah., I’m really lucky although I do have to admit to also being within   arms length of the draining and dreaded technology deal as my laptop and phone hold court pretty darn close ..., but holding them all together and fighting for immediate attention are my glasses., dang it.. 

hjs's...

Those signatures share a life and a great story..; so thank you for starting my days off warmly and for being close when I turn out the lights at the end of my day..

Elegantly wasted...

An old pair of  faded Levi’s (529 low rise, boot fit  and 32x32’s) are usually the first thing I reach for.. and my day starts to move once in them..  In the midst of informality, I’m understatedly organised choosing to recognise carefully arranged commitments as opposed to the conscientious opinion that I merely ‘wing’, ‘walk’ and photograph my day.., which again proves how ‘relaxed’ I successfully operate my disciplined and well balanced calendar.. Balance is my particular 'bag., man'... and maintaining it, is a simple priority.. I realised, sadly, years ago that I wasn’t going to win Wimbledon or raise the European Cup as captain of the world’s greatest soccer team, or replace Percy as front man and inspired lead singer of  a Signature Les Paul  driven four piece rock band... and once accepting that, I began developing a life that I CAN live and satisfy.  Otherwise, aren’t we all chasing the something we may never catch..? I guess that’s why I feel privileged being surrounded with signatures offered me by friends who matter and have impacted  me greatly.. Proof of the here and now definitely rocks my boat..

Dude..

 
Hey., I do know that change is around the corner and the future is getting closer..; take my word for it..

Geez., I just  had a thought.., however, I'll save it for possibly another week.,  but remind me about the James Bond., Thomas Crown, Cap'n Jack and Robert Langdon stories..; geez, I need me a ghost writer.. and for the record., she IS a cutie and made my normally fit and strong knees literally wobble..


... and Wang Dang Doodle go the Pointer Sisters.. 


I realised today how life really does have it's stages and when I look at the stages other folk are at, it becomes even more obvious..; there is something about growing older and the sense of priority one packs in one's  suitcase of emotion that takes us to different places.. .. and today's was a 1664...; thanks buddy. and good luck too..
'We'., or I should say 'I' certainly don't have all the answers, but I can assure you of one thing.. and that is that experience of an occasion truly does count.. It's a pure form of wisdom..; fact..


Just where does a photograph come into all this this week..?  'Dunno'., I'm at a complete loss and., I'm still on the nouns gig at the moment and that's not where I want to go with this... Geez., I left my gloves somewhere yesterday..;  I blame it on the three hour mentally draining sermon I preached to a couple of pairs of imprisoned and uninterested ears ..  I do that stuff  far too easily and hate that I do which is why I  am compelled to retreat after.. My whole body actually reacts violently when I do that s*it., crushing me beyond imagination.., but at least I know  jus'' what's got to be done..; now where is that wooden, creaky and over-sized ceiling fan when I need it..
.. and that's the second item I've 'lost' in as many weeks.. Could be a case of losing the old ..., now what is it that one loses...?

here, there and everywhere..

Ahh 'retreat'.., resignation.., real... - and  I just deleted a whole piece that I've been 'working' on for the past hour, including photos I'd attached.. I simply hit that delete button  without as much as a second thought, just whoosh, it's gone.. See, I know what I'm writing and how I'm feeling as I hit these keys despite how they read.. and it's just too damn personal.. This maybe one of those times to walk away and come back to attack this monster later in the week..., or perhaps I should keep going and share with you the torture my fingers are putting me through..; hmm, but have no fear H..,  and this despite being told I actually do..?


It's Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, his Gibson.. and Oh Well that's doing it...  and hey, it's like having a satellite navigation thingy that's not quite up to date.. It'll still get ya there, but won't recognise certain new roads which kinda makes you feel a little lost (?) and totally reliant on a funky sense of direction and instinct... I'm not actually sure I want to know where I'm going, but I do want to know that I'm going to get there..


.. like boarding a plane..; you get on it at one place, the cabin is locked down and you leave a runway only to land on a completely new surface  (hours later ?), where., when the cabin door is opened, you get to breath in a different 'air' and hear a different accent or dialect... The journey goes forward,  it doesn't stand still and it's how I decide to approach  my life.., with a forward thinking MO and total sense of wonderment....; I should add that I believe in magic too and I believe in magic because I've looked into the eyes of people who walk through the gates at Disneyland.. and watched the smiles instinctively come across their faces... We just lose that naivety, along the way.,  that innocence too and basically become jaded, cynical and I simply refuse to.., hence the fact that I chose to believe in the magic the signatures bring me each day....

simplicity... at it's most powerful..

I guess I'm finally getting to a closing place with this week's Image 52 and hopefully impacting you (in some insignificant way) while I reveal myself yet a little more. This is certainly about recognising the roles a group of people who have ..and ARE, impacting me.. So., here goes.. and while things do naturally impact me.; duh., of course.. What really, truly impacts me, is a simple  signature (n).; one that proves 'time taken' and attention to detail, a particular originality and certain talent my friends prove to have and  that I'm lucky enough to have jus' 'hanging around'...

an' put that in your pipe and smoke it... 

has no relevance whatsoever..