Image 52 - Week 43.. Pinterest., Instagram.. and Realities..

1947

A Review

of

Life's 

Winter boots and ghost walks..

by

AKA Me

I wondered once what it must be like to be popular., but then I thought again.. and besides., really., who gives a flying #*)k.. One minute you're the bees knees.. and the next., you're like a carton of milk that's past it's sell-by-date., taking up valuable space in the fridge.. Those Austin Powers and Hugh Grant movies are but a distant memory and, can you believe, a generation ago., indeed, Austin Powers poked fun at a time in English history of half a century ago.. and I wonder how popular those 'video rentals' are now..

Not exactly a Coke view..

The 'weird', sad, funny thing right now.., is., I'm living those movies.. and it's extremely tiresome., for me.. Like a fast paced, shiny commercial that seduces me into buying a Coke., I recognise (and completely understand) that it's a momentary thing.. I couldn't possibly live off Coke-Cola everyday., but man, this film set isn't just a location, it's real.. and everyday and for me, reliving an old movie kinda wakes up something that reminds me just how dated the whole routine is.. and that language and isms.!; what happened.? I left a scene for a lifetime and came back to join exactly the same damn movie set.., nothing's changed; the storyline is exactly the same but with younger actors..

However

Neil Sedaka (73) is starring

Sir Roger Moore (85) is starring

The Stylistics (?) are starring

James Last (83) is starring

Marty Wilde's (73) Rock 'n' Roll Party is starring

with

John Leyton (73) & Eden Kane (71)

Wrestling Spectacular is starring

Autumn Organ Concerts are starring

Paul Carrack (61) is starring., no doubt to sing his 1975 hit 'How Long'  or his last hit from 1989 sang with Mike and his Mechanics (Mike Rutherford (62))., The Living Years

and while we're at it.,
lets give Status Quo (Francis Rossi (63), Rick Parfitt (64)), Heaven 17 (Glen Gregory (54), Martyn Ware (56)) and Human League (Phil Oakley (57)) a mention.., 'cause they are all starring

M&S are using a soundtrack to satisfy it's aimed for demographic too

The round Square was filled and packed in the rain for crepe loving passers by while Pine Walk 'lay' empty and ghost like, aching, creaking and groaning for the opportunity

To crepe., or not to crepe

 

! 

I woke at 4.30am..; urgh.. - I eventually, at some point of the day, walked into a local store and saw a line of L.A. baseball caps, a Santa Monica t-shirt and a muscle car advertisement over the top of the merchandise., so what does that tell you about life within sight of the Gardens..? The images of excitement., difference/change and hope.. all brought a warm tear to my hidden eyes..

Yep., sadly there's definitely still very much a class system in evidence.. and for particular styles of wardrobe.., it's a tough day on the streets.. and for those trying to make a difference, there's a long and winding road ahead..; image and popularity, uh..  But really, why..!

I mentioned weeks and weeks.. and weeks... and weeks ago..; infact it could be so long ago, it could be weeks and weeks ago.., and now I've completely forgotten what I mentioned weeks and weeks ago.., but I'm sure it was weeks and weeks ago..

I screen all my incoming phone calls (for that split second the bloody phone rings) and chose to prioritise the moment I'm in.., which means that if you call and I'm in line at my local supermarket buying my bar of choc'., the cashier gets my full attention.. I guess that makes me bad., sorry., but I'm not ruled by my cell phone.. However MM, if your name comes up., I'm picking up that call in a heartbeat..; it's a case of popularity again., sorry., again..
Having said that, I had my cell tucked away this time in my many warm layers and sooo didn't hear the phone ring., or infact., feel it's vibration.; such were my layers..

It's simply a tool that I'm grateful for.. and while caller I.D. is obviously helpful in allowing us to see who's calling., I still like to pick my phone up with that element of surprise by the voice on the other end.. They, made an effort., so I'm gonna take the call seriously.. I'd gamble that I've written (and shared) that with ya before too.. See., I have repetative thoughts too..

Yep., got my bus ticket.. and managed to enroll into Oxford's wonderful college and program..

There's a parochial brush stroke, performance, lyric and style that, while (perhaps deemed ?)cute., at first., does begin to take on a repetitious chalk board type effect.. In actual fact., paintings are hung indifferently., words delivered predictably and performances brought straight from the shower cubicle..

Location, location, location

 Stepping back, away..and

resignation

I know., let's bring in a deck chair, throw a couple of palm trees around and paint an attraction., all before the long, cold, quiet and dreary winter and long., long., way way before next season..; infact, months and wet months away and perhaps if we're lucky, the newly painted white walls will stain, become discoloured and look all sad and old again.., just in time for next years repeat visitors..  I love 'parochial planners'..: Amateurs..

Wet paint

Community

and personal passion

Should we support everything., or do we support what's close to our hearts. How do we make a stance for what appears to be progress.. and how do we encourage change and forward thinkers to take up the reigns... Sadly., I can't do it by maintaining a routine and sameness.. and I certainly can't do it by accepting that "this is how we do it here".. Unfortunately though., sadly though., it's quite apparent this IS exactly "how 'we' do it here"..; phukkers..; it's simply not good enough.., but hey, there's always a costume to iron.. and besides., it comes down to a popularity gig.. and my wardrobe doesn't include the correct uniform.., man.., ease on down the road and "back off boogaloo".., dude..

Ghost town

Take a walk down the garden path and close the gate on the way out

Deaf ears

"I think that's Elvis.."
"E-L...?"
 "No., no., is it hell..!"

"How many letters is it.?"
"How many letters is it.?"

"How many letters is it.?"

 "How many letters is it.?"

"I've done it., I've done it.."

"No.. let me., no, no..; no., let me.."

"No., let me, let me.. NO, let me.."

 Scripts of life..; real life..

Done the laundry, charged the phone., cleared the camera card.. and cleaned the Oakley's.; now all I need is a pair of socks..

P.S. ones

True love is like a pair of socks.: you gotta have two..

 

Wish list:

Palette knives

Oils

Medium

Old brushes

Canvas boards

Old paint splattered Levis

Sunlight., moonlight.., any ole light

 

 

 

I'm outta here

 

Adios

 43

 but not before

  

Memories
of

Island Halloweens

Down the drain

Geez., if I could write and take photographs., I'd have a coffee table book by now..

BUT 

There has to be color., somewhere

Thanks this week go/goes to Spam - Euroline - Tom Hanks - Fake Ketchup Factory - The Rolling Stones - Danica Patrick - ABC News - Jo Teeuwisse and change., when ever it happens..

Image 52 - Week 42.. From The Hip.., Klein & Moriyama., The Barbican Art Gallery and

Here's a new one for ya

♪♫♪"Uno, dos, tres, catorce
Turn it up loud, captain.." ♪♫

Lyrics:Bono & The Edge

 "Lights go down
It's dark

The jungle is your head"

 

I don't understand this world when it's supposed to be in color.. and yet appears so black and white...

 

 Senses

and

Conversations with a deaf person..

"What did she say.?"

"She said what.?"

 "What she say.?"

"What.?"

 "P.?"

"C.?"

"D.?"

"E.?"

"V.?"

 "ahh., G.?"

"phobia.? How do you spell that.? F.O.B.E.A.?"

"what.?"

 

I'll wear mine if you wear yours dear..

 

Sounds through the floorboards of a man out of tune.., sibling rivalry.. and 85th birthdays.. 

I drove around in circles trying to find some warm wet weather gear.., a donut.. and some color.. and came up with nada.., although I did eventually find a parking space at some point..

I always get this weird & uncomfortable feeling when I'm out and about and walking behind., catching up and eventually passing a lone female.. I decided to take in the scenic walk to the ocean and ended up kinda closing up on a young female walker.. and totally sensed how uncomfortable she was with my quiet even footsteps matching her stride.. Her pace noticeably altered and her shoulders tightened up., so I gently drummed out a tune on my water bottle, tried hard to cough noticeably (but gently) so she knew the someone behind her was a guy., me (with hopefully a gentle sounding cough and trying to sound as 'safe' as I possibly could).. and decided if I continued at the pace I was comfortable with, I'd continue being behind her.. and so chose to speed up, but as quick as I tried to walk, she then sped up too.. She never looked back and chose to walk in the middle of the quiet path..; now, as comfortable as I am on here 'blabbering' away., I'm not comfortable with saying "hey, hi., there's nothing to worry about.; it's just me and we have a similar walking pace and sorry to have made you feel uneasy"., so the few minutes it took to finally catch up and pass her seemed like an eternity and with every stride I took, I was as conscious and becoming even more uncomfortable as she must have been.. and then there's that moment when you're alongside the stranger and those few strides it takes to actually pass take another eternity AND then to add avoiding noticeable eye contact., 'cause she was a cutie too and any verbal stuff would have added to the whole uncomfortable deal, I buried my head in my phone and eventually got past..; I did the gentle and calm 'excuse me' bit., but other than that, what's a guy to do..!

just a moment

I could also tell ya how I tried to 'give' my umbrella away and was met with total suspicion, 'retreat' and negativity..; it was an umbrella... and it was raining.. and I simply wanted to give it away to someone who looked like they needed it more than I did..; so much for wanting to pay it forward..

It was this wet..

with 3D reflections

  I wonder how many movies Bruce Willis has made without him having to fire a gun in them.. and I wonder how many helicopters Martin Sheen has climbed into for his movies.. and I wonder how many times Julie Roberts has been scripted to laugh in hers..?

I'm a fan of romantic comedies.. ; there, I said it..

Chocolate fondues are really messy.. and please tip your toaster upside down (occasionally) to get rid of the crumbs.. and as much as I make the effort to discard my plastic bottles separately., I don't always.. ; sorry..

From the Hip..

Over the past month I've been adding sentences for., to, for my final 'Image'., although I'm sure (obviously) I'll 'tweak' it (lots) when 'we' get a little closer to the witching hour and #52..; I've enjoyed doing that one 'cause it all made, makes sense to me..

Bucket Lists

 'A cult of personality'

Propaganda

Plagiarism

patterns

people we know

 I simply must start believing in myself more -- after all, if I don't., who will.?

jus' gotta open the door, I guess.

 

  The National

Conversation 16

An inspiring cultural visit to the Tate and the Barbican this week..  to catch up with a couple of exhibits and a much needed injection of art..; the Klein & Moriyama photo exhibit at the Tate and the photographic 'Everything Was Moving' at the Barbican.., a couple of others included a globally collaborative project., called 'The Sketchbook Project' that originates (and lives in) out of Brooklyn Art Library.. and finally a London gallery where I took in some original paintings,  chatted to the artist and  even (after encouragement) 'arranged' part of the installation.. Art rocks.., not to mention lunch at a Borough Market pub and the day spent with inspiring and generous company..

The Tanks

 If in town., make sure you take in the immense Turbine Hall., if only to 'take it in'.., but also, don't miss the spectacular 'Tank' rooms and exhibits...; it all makes for a welcome change from the balloon..

The day after

I found some new music this week too.. , but man, when that wind blows, it goes right through my shoes..; obvious bias is a strange thing..

I drove by an accident scene on the motorway and one in which the driver didn't make it after driving into the back of a truck..; my thoughts are with those who were on the end of that phone call and visit..

With that, I'm out of  here...

42's a done deal

The participant

Yesterday

 

Jus' places that work

 

  Thanks to a film maker, an artist and the return of a transatlantic road tripping director for the moments you've shared.

 

Thanks this week goes/go to Mohammad Latif Khatana - Mena Suvari - Liz Hurley - Preston Deener - The National and that bottle of vino..

Image 52 - Week 41.. How To Retire By 50., America's Best Cities., Living Without a Cellphone.,

False eyelashes, VPL's

and
Dead Leaves

and color..

NOT

.. and can't you tell that Ashley Cole comes out of the same dressing room as John Terry..! Freddie Starr's apparently NOT the third man.., or so he claims.. an' I've been humming The Troggs - With A Girl Like You for far too long..

The Kinks

Victoria

SO., I did it.., I wore my gloves for the first time this 'season'..; the heavier duty wardrobe had to make a comeback too .., but I am going to have to find some stylin' waterproof trousers to fight off the drenched look I had going on today..

GO Outdoors

I chose wet..

 Dedicated Follower of Fashion

The Kinks

 I could be in big trouble next year with A.M's. stunning new Vanquish due to be released..; "6 litres of angry V12".. and the sexiest looking set of four wheels evah.. I just hope my bank manager understands when I knock on his door.. an' me not particularly a car guy either.. - but..
Can 'we' start a petition to have Coronation Street cancelled..., please.. 

-

I'm not sure what 'we're' doing here., but I am sure it doesn't feel right.. and look, some folk have allergies., some phobias.. an' I can deal with all that., no problem..; I happen to not particularly 'dig' walking on wet leaves, broken twigs and hidden puddles.. Aesthetically it may do it for you., however., for me., it's kinda like a bad meal that's supposed to be served hot, presented well.. and enjoyed with a nice glass of vino plonko.., but in actual fact is served on a chipped plate, is cold and looks as though it's been thrown onto the plate.. and to top it off, the server's chewed finger nails are touching the food as the plate's clunked & rattled down infront of you just as you notice the wine glass has dried lipstick on it's unwashed rim..; not a good experience..

-

Yes dear.., lovely..

Who's Britney Spears..? Where is paradise..?, and how high has the hill got to be before it becomes the mountain to climb..?

"San Francisco Nudity Ban Would Prohibit Streaking In (Most) Public Situations."

 George Dalmon
Andy Miles

The Griswold Family

The Box Tops
The Letter

I just had some Marmite on my toast.., looked out of the window., and left a 'tweet'.., or tweeted., or left something on my twitter account..; I still don't get that whole thing, but I'm leaving the few characters that I'm able as I attempt my continuation of documenting this ole journey..

Vitamin D, fresh air and open windows

This age old double take's kinda creepy

Something's happened to the air..; it's almost as if from one day to the next, something has happened to., in., to the air.. and the change is pretty dramatic..; my skin's done it's usual yearly 'dry' thing.. and packed in.. As soon as the layers start, the gloves come out and just as the leaves begin to fall, my body begins to shut down.. 'Hate' isn't a great word for me, but it's not a strong enough word for me to use as I indicate how I feel about the 'itch' I'm going to have to deal with for the next several months.. - Suffering starfish Batman.. It's the sides of my shins/calves., my 'biceps' (don't laugh)., both sides of my bloody nose.; well, my nose isn't bloody, but rather, my damn nose.. and the back of my left knee..; which is also a damn knee.. I guess the air has gone 'suddenly' dryer., even though there's so much moisture around, 'something's' happened..; an' I don't like it. At least Noah was advised and prepared..
The stores have turned their heaters up to unnaturally high levels, with blowers over the doors kicking enough power out that feels well able to knock you off your feet as you enter them.. and thank God I have my own hair..; oops, disregard that last bit.. It seems that other drivers prefer their car heaters turned way up too.. Windows are closed and the indoor heaters are switched on. .. Yip bloody ee.. 

Life's moving that fast.. and..

 I don't get it., obviously

I'm off to check out just how many blue rinses, perms, comb-overs and matching outfits I can find today.. and what's with the whole Wrangler jeans deal.. an' why would you..!

Isn't it an eraser.?

I've noticed something else too while I'm scribbling this week's ramble ., however, I'm not able, prepared to share it with you..; for one, I'm not a writer and two., there are two., or three people who've stopped by to read this every so often who will and are, actively encouraged to 'retort'.. and thirdly., well, there must be a thirdly..; there's always got to be a thirdly..

It's like a military exercise when  you do your laundry here..;  the whole deal has to be planned well simply because it takes so effing long.., both to wash.. and then of course., to dry.. and despite the rooms being much smaller, making storage (and space) a really precious commodity, one needs EVEN more clothing in order to satisfy the minute by minute climactic challenges.. Socks have to be thicker, sweaters woollier., sleeves longer.. all of these things require more drawer and cupboard space.. and then there are coats for this, jackets for that and brogues and wingtips for this, boots for that..: Don't even get me onto the whole glove scene., 'cause there are woolly ones, leather ones, fingerless ones., thin ones and thicker ones..,  but then there are scarves, snoods., beanies - where do people put all this crap when they're faced with a 9x9 that's got a 'container' in the corner with sticks and brollies stuck in it fighting with the ever present and stylishly overflowing coat rack full of blue anoraks that greets guests at the entrance., or front whoopdy do door ...? and do 'we' put the mat inside., or leave it redundantly for the 'weather' to claim outside..?

To chat

Space and time

 or should that be
Time and space

I've never had a chain on the back of a door., but I can't help noticing how 'popular' they are judging from the doors I've gone through and closed.. I guess it further goes to prove that there's something very wrong with me.. and backs up the written observations I get daily overloaded with..

The Beatles

Nowhere Man

 Lennon/McCartney

He's a real nowhere Man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
For nobody.
Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere Man, please listen,
You don't know what you're missing,
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command.
He's as blind as he can be,
Just sees what he wants to see,
Nowhere Man can you see me at all?
Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere Man, don't worry,
Take your time, don't hurry,
Leave it all 'till somebody else
Lends you a hand.
He's a real Nowhere Man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
For nobody.

Without mentioning, thinking about, or seeing., I had this dream from nowhere, man., with Jennifer Anniston in it..; we had lots of innocent fun.. and enjoyed a great flirtatious chemistry without as much as seeing an inch of her naked skin.. and just as I was about to, I woke up..; damn it.. I need to jump on that and find out what it all means in order for me to rectify that issue ASAP..

..an' can't 'we' switch off Spotify.., please..;

  I have this amazing view., sometimes.. On a clear night, I get to see the very same bright star I used to enjoy looking at from the end of Onyx on SBF when I'd take in a midnight/early A.M. walk.. and then, if I'm even luckier, when I wake up, I get to open my eyes to...

Why I don't like waking to drapes..

"Have a cup of tea and a biscuit.." 

I don't want an expletive cup of tea and a biscuit.. 

Noon 

and 41 out

and that's the long and the short of it.....


I have a strong  feeling that I've repeated a point, or subject .., or two.. and if I have, I apologize, however.,  I am on 41, so it's highly probable..

Thanks this week go/goes to  Instagram - Jennifer Anniston - Richard Pryor - William Klein + Daido Moriyama - Halloween Cupcake Decorating Class - calculators - water bottles and lists..

 

Image 52 - Week 40.. #The Foo Fighters., Sir Richard Branson., Manchester United's Leaky Defense and..

Frayed collars, cuffs

and scuffed heals

1127204

Signs

and

First Impressions

Of what's in the cool wardrobe.. and damn it, I obviously need to cool mine up after seeing what frayed stuff's out there on the damp Riviera streets ..

I had a dream about Liz last night..; my skin's losing it's elasticity and how long does it take for a new toe nail to grow out and replace the old blackened one.?

I plugged my phone in for it's usual daily charge this morning and picked it up ready to go out only to discover that while I plugged the lead into the phone, I'd NOT plugged the 'other end' into the bloody socket.. Suffering Scooby Doo Batman..!

It's the way to park., but four..!

Herbert Lom was 95.., did Leonardo Da Vinci paint another Mona Lisa.?  and the last words of Alex the Parrot to his caretaker was “You be good., see you tomorrow., I love you”.

I woke up on Wednesday morning and it totally felt like a Saturday..; I don't get cold in my California fleece.. and I'm in a quandary..

I love movies, but can't seem to sit through any at the moment., but I saw one with a story that promised so much an' yet the script, acting., script.., acting., script AND acting left a little to be desired.. but man., I enjoyed the corny idea..

Former 1864 Police Station is now a KOPSHOP..

 

I'm not sure if there's a rule that's an 'unwritten' one as to what time is too early for chocolate..; is it kinda like the alcohol one..?.. Before noon., or five o'clock somewhere.?

Hmm., dunno if it's going to rain today..

One man CAN cause a ripple effect..

Took in a deeply moving and extremely disturbing sight and experience this week.. and yet at the same time, had two of the most inspiring days.., evah.. Time is really precious.. and the Reel stuff was a privilege to be around..., but I learned about forgiveness in a big assed kinda way.. an' I learned about Five Minutes Of Madness.. I learned about the Ripple Effect.. and I felt the result (and power) of opening a blue bin in church grounds.. I was also granted the opportunity to better understand more of what 612 is all about.. Kudos to projects with sensitive teeth in 'em..

.. and while I know my right from my left., I got totally confused with those directions baby..; is that straight left., or..?

Oops..; it's what happens when you close the door a little too hard..

I checked out the program for the local festival's events.., taking in the full opening day that promised so much, but in the end (in my unprofessional opinion), lacked focus and direction., ending with a fizzle rather than the promised.., offered.., "climax" and "disappearance" it used in the advertised handouts....  The next day HAD to be better(?), surely, but where was the next day's stuff.., or the next, or even the next..! The advertised month had finito'd., all in one fizzled out day man..; hmm.., I'm just a spectator., an observer and punter..; don't mind me.

She must be in., the window's open..

If it wasn't for Ray Davies' dark blue 

MUSWELL 

HILLBILLY N10

t-shirt., it would've been a total bust..

What one question do voters want answered at a presidential debate?

Impressions

People appear cuter in dreams.. and I feel the 'conversations' in them., rather than actually hear them..; I'll never look at her the same way again - I also don't know the one person I see around, never met them, never been introduced, so I absolutely don't know the person.., but I do have an opinion based on observations.. Not good dude..; sorry..

Do you really care., I mean really care..?

I watched four guys spectacularly pop a cracked/broken coffee shop window out, and install a new one in seconds., two minutes tops..; they took the shop's stickers off the window, put them back, packed up and... came inside for a latte..(!) and the fingerprints remained for all to see.. Standards uh.., tut..

Cutie and the  fingerprints..

In many ways it could be considered 'emotionally', a tough week., however, thanks to Ray and Vi, it proved inspirational.; there was no disguising the power of their voice, or the blue bins., and so, onward.; the journey continues..

Days

Kinks

40 and out

Begins and ends with a message

#5

Special mention to MVKH for the generous hospitality you showed and a vision you shared

and

Thanks this week go/goes to Chris Donovan - word 4 weapons - 612Media - Reel Lives - Fleet Services - Kingston-on-Thames - Ray Davies - Waterloo Sunset and all the people who are making a difference..