Gladys And Friends On Ashby

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious.

 It is the fundamental emotion that stands

 at the cradle of true are and true science."

~Albert Einstein

The World As I See It

Remember Gladys? Gladys and I go way back. We made friends back in 2014, while I was stopped in traffic on Ashby avenue, in Berkeley, California. I had just finished with a therapy appointment, and was on my way to do errands in the East Bay, when I looked over, and there she was! As I explained in the original post, I had probably passed her a thousand times, without ever realizing she was there! I just happened to be in the right place, at the right time to notice that tucked back from the road, ever so slightly, was this beautiful lady and some of her friends. Not doing much of anything, just waiting for a slightly sad, perhaps a bit lonely neurotic lady to stop in traffic long enough to notice her.

I don't think her name is actually Gladys, that's just what I call her. While I was studying her that day, that name just came to me, and we have been friends ever since. Eventually I took up politely waving when I passed her coming into or leaving town. I enjoyed doing that. It was a landmark in town that made me feel safe, and comfortable, even downright happy sometimes. She is a cool piece of art, watching over the road, and she is all the beauty and mystery that art should be.

There is some paper attached to the little building that she shares with her friends, but I have deliberately chosen to avoid reading it to see if her real name and story is there. I kind of like things as they are. She's a cool pal, and I like thinking of her that way. I miss Berkeley so much that it makes my heart hurt sometimes, but I look forward to seeing Gladys wherever I visit, and I know she will be right there when I come home. She continually inspires me to look a little deeper at all the places I photograph. What if there are more out there like her, and I simply missed them over the years? Nah... she's clearly an original, but I still find myself looking deeper into the big picture, and for that I am grateful to Gladys and her friends on Ashby, in Berkeley, California.

See you again soon, Gladys!

~Carly

September 14th, 2020

Stockton, California

 

Brian Williams Lied

"You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees, and the stars. 

In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul."

~Max Ehrmann

This year, 2015, is turning out to be no more rational, no more explainable, than last year was. Something clicked in me last year, early in the year, as we transitioned from one disaster to another, which made me believe that one day, perhaps midnight on New Year's Eve, everything would suddenly make sense. Plane crashes, gifted people overdosing, police shooting unarmed children. Planes shot down from the sky. Suicide. Not one bit of it made sense to me. NOT ONE BIT!

So, I had a million or so questions, and very few answers. I had high hopes for 2015. As the clock struck midnight, suddenly, everything would fall into place, every question would be answered. How could my thinking be so immature? Of course the answers wouldn't just come to me, or anyone else for that matter. Life doesn't make any sense, starting with each defying the odds of being conceived, and actually making it into the world we share? What was I thinking? NOTHING MAKES SENSE!

I remember when it used to, but then again, I think I recall the same lament from my parents! But when they complained, I took them aside and explained the Walkman to them, and the remote, and answering machines, and VCRs and microwave ovens and so on.

So, I am going to pretend you, my followers, are my children and ask you...

Q. Why did Brian Williams have to tell that stupid lie?

I always liked him.

I still like him. He's human. But now he is a little more human then he used to be.

Mood: Quiet

~Me :)

 

Sometimes They Come Back

"I got food poisoning today. But I am not sure when I am going to use it."

~Steven Wright

I am very pleased to say that I have never given myself, nor anyone else, food poisoning. I have a fairly mild case of the food meanies right now, caught from some uniquely bad food I purchased at a Mexican restaurant on Friday night. OH MY GOD. Never again. When I read to Yelp review several months ago, the place seemed okay. Most folks liked the cheap prices, and apparently they are well known for their "Orange Sauce." Let me tell you... BLECH. Salty, separated and strange tasting. Nothing about it to like. I ordered the cheese enchiladas plate, that came with the rice and beans on the side. I figured meatless and mild was the way to go, boy was I wrong. While the enchiladas were nice and cheesy, as they should be, something just didn't taste right about them. The beans were really tasty... but cold. No heat at all. Like they came from a can. And the rice was, again tasty, and again cold. Cold as the air outside.

 About half way through the meal, I stopped eating. Half way through my meal I had apparently formed two large bricks in my stomach. LARGE BRICKS WITH SPICE ON THEM. I was pretty much in pain the rest of the night. Well, pain, and trips to the bathroom. Sigh. I should probably go write a lengthy Yelp review, detailing vividly how the food came back on me, but why? Other folks who have been to this establishment are split down the middle. This is one of those places that either one loves or they hate, but the people who hated it, ended up with the same circumstances as I did. So, rather that engage in online bashing, I am going to call the Health Department on Monday and suggest they have a look see for themselves. Too many folks have become ill in the same way I did, for it to be a mere coincidence. I am pretty sure what got me was the improper handling of cheese.

Damn shame. I used to love Mexican food, in fact it was my favorite cuisine.

It  really, really was. 

And the thing is, I am still liking 2015 better than 2014

Mood: None

~Me :)

Tortilla Chips (Archived Photo)

Photographed October 31st 2013

1:58 PM

Kodak Easy Share

Happy New Year 2015!

"Tomorrow is the first page of a 365 page book. 

Write a good one."

~Brad Paisley

Day One: It was a very good day!

I am determined to get off on the right foot with the new year.

That's my resolution this year.

It's going to be a very good year!

"For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice

And to make an end is to make a beginning."

T.S. Eliot

Little Gidding

Mood: Positive

~Me :)

Goodbye 2014... And Don't Let The Confetti Hit You In The Ass

"Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come

Whispering... 'it will be happier... "

~Alfred Tennyson

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to say goodbye to 2014!

Oh well, I am not going to rehash why I hated this year, you may share most of them with me!

Let's not give it anymore attention!

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW!

2014 In Pictures On Ellipsis

January

 February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

"We'll Miss You Robin"

The Punch Line Comedy Club
San Francisco, California
November 2nd, 2014

Mood: Quiet

~Me