Kokopelli

"Embrace love of the heart over lust of the flesh." -- Daniel Johnston
www.hihowareyou.com

I'm still here....

Man it's been a very busy month...I can't believe it's almost over. Fortunately my schedule is changing a bit so I should have a little more free time to explore. My aunt and grandfather were in town this month to pick up my cousin who is in from Sicily and take him back to our home town of Winslow, AZ to visit his son. He's on 30 day leave. Hmmmm.. leave from Sicily...man he has it rough. LOL.

U.S. Under Dictatorial Rule??

I'm not sure why this story is not getting more press but on 9 May 2007 El Presidente Bush signed a directive that granted near dictatorial powers to the office of the President in the event of a national emergency declared by the President. No press release was sent out and no national news organization has covered the story as far as I know.

According to Jerome Corsi at www.worldnetdaily.com this would allow the President control of all federal, state, local, territorial and tribal governments as well as private sector organizations , allowing them to function under the Presidents directives in the event of a national emergency. The directive loosely defines "catastrophic emergency" as "any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage or disruption severelly affecting the US population, infrastructure, environment, economy or government functions. [Can you say Katrina, bird flu or dog food contamination?? or even as of this writing tooth paste contamination.]

Under the National Emergency Act the President "may seize property, organize and control the means of production, seize commodities, assign military forces abroad, institute martial law,
seize and control all transportation and communication, regulate the operation of private enterprise, restrict travel and in a variety of ways control the lives of United States citizens." Didn't we revolt against the King of England so this would not happen???

Several months ago I had mentioned in my blog that NM Governor Bill Richardson was most likely going to run for President. In that blog I joked that he and Kim Jung Il were 'buddy-buddy'. The next day I received an email from one of his staffers that I should not say that and the two were not "friends" How on earth and why would anyone be searching the internet to see who was talking about a future presidential candidate. I can only wonder how many creepy emails I might receive because of this posting. If you don't hear from me again....you'll know why.

Wouldn't it be interesting if on the eve of the next Presidential election another terrorist attack occured and the election were cancelled...... The truth is out there.

I'm out.

[Jaiuymes, if you are reading this and I should suddenly disappear you can have my comic book collection....] ...cue Twilight Zone Music

Chevy on a Stick

The Milagro Beanfield War and Other Tales of Northern New Mexico

In my last post I mentioned the Milagro Beanfield War. A 1988 film from Robert Redford based on the book by John Nichols.

It tells the tale of a fictional town in northern New Mexico called Milagro [actually Truchas, NM]. Northern New Mexico is famous for its deep cultural and spiritual center. Lots of folklore and history up in that area. From the founding of Santa Fe to Los Alamos Laboratories to spiritual centers for both the Sikh's and Scientology.



Northern New Mexico is captured beautifully in Milagro Beanfield War. Many of the shots I'm sure were used with little filtering...it is just dang beautiful up there. This movie tells the story of Joe Mondragon a poor beanfarmer that funnels state water on to his land, upsetting both the state and the 'big land developer' who wants to open a resort which would displace many of the townspeople.



Some of the townsfolk want to sell out others are tied to the land by their families history. The 'war' is both literal as the townsfolk gather together to take on the developer and a metaphor for the struggle to stay close to your culture.



It's un-even in some spots...most notably in the dialects from some of the actors. Sonia Braga is from Brazil, Ruben Blades from Panama and even the main actor Chick Vanera, is Italian and from New York. His basic 'mucho gracias' is reaaaal bad...hahahaha.



Where the film hits a home run is in the the local characters... the woman that throws rocks at passers by....Old Man Amarante and his pig...and even the town ghost, who when Christopher Walkins character drives into town mutters..."here comes the boogey-man".

Daniel Stern is great at the college student in town to study local culture and ends up befriending the zany Amarante who tells him to put his shoes in a bag at night so scorpions won't crawl into them or to make sure that when using the outhouse his balls dont hit the toilet seat because there might be black windows.....



Old Man Amarante is definately the most likable character. When he first gets a visit from the town ghost he tells the ghost, "I'm not ready to go..." and the ghost replies, "I'm not here for you, it's your town that's dying."

A charming and likeable tale. The Sundance Channel is running it this month so keep an eye out for it. In the future I will mention other films that feature New Mexico and its culture.

I mention Northern New Mexico because of its richness in Hispanic, Native American and European culture and folklore.

One in particular is the Taos Hum. The 'hum' is a generic name for a series of phenomena involving a persistent and invasive low-frequency hum not audible to all people. The Hum is most often described as sounding somewhat like a distant idling diesel engine and is difficult to detect with microphones. It's source and nature is a mystery.

Also recommended:


This is my favorite film of all time and is very similar to Milagro Beanfield War. In this one a big oil company wants to buy this Scottish bay to build a refinery. The price is to include the small town on the bay. Knox Oil and Gas sends this stuffy suit played by Peter Reigert to try and buy the property only he ends up falling in love with the place and the people yet...the people of the town already know what is going down and are eager to sell. It's full of great unknown actors with lots of great 'lines'. A killer soundtrack by Mark Knofphler and where as Milagro has a ghost, Local Hero has a.....mermaid??? You'll have to check it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed .



Also, if you are looking for a good book to read this summer:



An excellent coming of age tale from Northern New Mexico. Antonio is a young boy in the 40's trying to become a young man. Tragedy and mystery surround him, form him, shape him but none is stronger then the influence of Ultima, the local curandera [witch/healer] who shows Antonio about life and nature. The supernatural element is creepy as Ultima takes on three local witches and Antonio's uncle becomes posessed. It's a great summer read and is available at the big name bookstores.

I'm out.

www.amasci.com/hum [The Taos Hum]

www.rense.com/general75/dulcde.htm [Dulce NM Mysteries]

UNTITLED POST No. 70

...more from yesterday...a perfect day for a drive....but somehow putting a title on a post for these pictures doesn't seem right.....they speak for themselves...

VANISHING POINT

I know I know, it's been a few days since the last post. Just kinda busy and no exciting recent journeys. So I'm sitting around today, watering the lawn, soaking in the rays..



...watching grass grow.....err...okay... ivy...



...when I thought I'd head to the 'casino' for a bit. I had not been in awhile and its a completly different sense of atmosphere. I went more for the drive then anything else. It was a beautiful day to be on the road.

I'm at the south end of town anyway so getting out of the city, even in rush hour is not bad at all. 15/20 minutes at most and I'm there.

There it is. The end of town.


Just think...884 miles over that ridge and bam, there's Old Tony's on the pier. And Pink's Hot Dogs on Melrose Ave. And Johnnies Pastrami on Sepulveda. Oh yeah... I'm going to the casino.... sigh...

I make it to the other side and lo' and behold...


[click on any picture to see full image]





Hey, I won $40 bucks... and wasted some time. Ka-ching ka-ching

After about a half hour I headed back. The next few pictures are from the west end of town looking east towards the Sandia Mountains.

Last chance for gas. Destination unknown.









Although un-readable now this marker basically says that Albuquerque was founded over three hundred years ago by the Conquistadore's and named in honor of the Duke of Alburquerque [thus the Duke City].



The restaurant at the end of the universe...ok ok...the end of town.



I wonder if I can get blackened swordfish here....

I'm out.

DOWNLOAD THIS: WEST

I was looking forward to writing today's blog as I get to recommend to you one of the best cd's I've picked up this year, Lucinda Williams WEST.

I first heard about her with the release of CAR WHEELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD [another EXCELLENT CD]. Having written country songs for several other artists she has been on her own for awhile now. She's picked up a few Grammy's too. Even with all the acclaim, contemporary country radio stations do not play her music. If you have an Americana/country station in your town chances are you've heard her stuff.

This new cd is outstanding musically and lyrically. This stuff comes from honest life experiences. I like Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood but they basically 'pick' songs and live vicariously through the experiences of their writers. Not to mention how they try and MAKE it commercial. Lucinda writes about what she knows and you can feel that in the music. Here...take a listen:

ARE YOU ALRIGHT

Are you alright?
All of a sudden you went away
I hope you come back around some day
I haven't seen you in a real long time
Could you give me some kind of sign
I looked around and you were gone
I feel like there must be something wrong
'Cause it seems like you disappeared
'Cause I've been feeling a little scared

Are you alright?

Are you sleepig through the night
Do you have someone to hold you tight
Do you have someone to hang out with
Do you have someone to hug and kiss you
Hug and kiss you hug and kiss you

Are you alright?

Is there something bothering you
I wish you'd give me a little clue
Is there something you wanna say
Just tell me that you're ok
'Cause you took off without a word
You flew away like a little bird
Is there anything I can do
'Cause I need to hear from you

Are you alright?

I guess you could call that her tender side...but this lady can get mighty pissed off too, ha ha ha...check this one out:

COME ON

Dude, I'm so over you
You dont' even have a clue
All you did was make me blue
You didn't even make me...come on!!

You're so self invovled
You're in some kind of fog
You're hung up on your hog
You didn't even make me...come on!!!

You think you're in hot demand
But you don't even know where to put your hand
Let me tell you where you stand
You didn't even make me...come on!!

Dude you're so fired
Shut up I'm not inspired
All I'm feeling now is tired
You didn't even make me...come on!!

Yout weren't even worth it
I'm sorry I ever flirted
The effort wasn't even concerted
You didnt' even make me...come on!!

All you do is talk the talk
You can't back it up with your walk
You can't light my fire so fuck off
You didn't even make me ...COME ON!!

Oh man...been there done that got the t-shirt!!! There are alot of great tracks on here, stuff like WHERE IS MY LOVE [ is my love in Gainsville -- grinning, radiant and warm -- drinking whiskey till he's had his fill -- inspired by a summer storm ] and RESCUE [he can't save you from the plain and simple truth -- the waning winters of your youth -- what can he do? tie some ribbons in your hair -- and show you that he'll always care -- that's all he can do ]

Seriously friends...this is a cd that should be in your collection.

Also recommended:

CAR WHEELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD
Highlights include DRUNKEN ANGEL and the title track.



VAN LEAR ROSE -- Loretta Lynn

Winner of best country album at the Grammy's that year, 2004, but NOT played on commercial country radio. It was produced by Jack White -- yes THAT Jack White. He gave a slap to country radio that year about them not playing the best country album of the year. Amen Jack. Highlights include MISS BEING MRS about the loss of her husband. PORTLAND, OREGON a duet with Jack White and the title track, VAN LEAR ROSE.


I'm out

AROUND THE WORLD IN 365 DAYS

And so begins another trip around the sun...hey its free, right. I turned 44 this week and I think at this point I'm supposed to be having the proverbial mid-life crisis. Hmm..maybe I'm of a different generation but I sure don't feel it nor do I feel like going out and buying a Corvette or having an affair. [If I'm single...how can I have an affair??].

I'm no worse for wear I guess. I am from a simple family and have always enjoyed simple things [mmmmm...rice pudding at Chili Express...why live on after that...hahaha]

I've lived. I've loved. I've laughed...I've even cried..damn that Titanic movie...

I've met some amazing people in my years on this planet ...mmm..some not so amazing but they are definately in the minority. I think at this age I'm supposed to be thinking of errr.. death too. That thought crossed my mind long ago. It's funny but I've come to accept it. Not sure how but I do. No regrets. Too many good things have come into my life and whatever happens when it happens I get to take the memories with me. Unlike a new Corvette.

Faith has alot to do with it too, at least for me. A comfort.

Amazingly...I still have my health [not enough leafy green vegetables though]. My sense of humor about life is still there despite incidents like the one at Virginia Tech.

I was going to post a couple of pictures of me throughout my life but first thing I told myself when I started this blog was that I would never post baby pictures. So I'll end with this:

They say that these are not the best of times
But they're the only time I've ever known
And I believe there is a time for meditation
In cathedrals of your own
Now I've seen that sad surrender in my lover's eyes
And I can only stand apart and sympathize
For we are always what our situations hand us
Either sadness or euphoria

So we'll argue and we'll compromise
And realize that nothing's ever changed
For all our mutual experience
Our separate conclusions are the same

Now we are forced to recognize our inhumanity
And our reason coexists with our insanity
It's either sadness or euphoria

How thoughtlessly we dissipate our energies
Perhaps we don't fulfill each other's fantasies
And as we stand upon the ledges of our lives
With our respective similarities

It's either sadness or euphoria

-- William Joel
Summer, Highland Falls , 1976

YOU CAN'T STOP PROGRESS: THE SEQUEL

A couple posts back I wrote about the Cow on the Roof, one of several kitschy things you see along Route 66 as it runs through Albuquerque. Now comes word from the Albuquerque Journal that after 35 years: it's coming down!! I've posted the story below:

Thursday, April 12th, 2007

KITSCH, CATTLE AND THE CITY
from the Albuquerque Journal

If you're toylike, outdated, about the size of a parade float and reside permanently outside a commercial building, you're being talked about.

For instance, this will be the second time in as many weeks that the heavy-duty plastic heifer atop the Town House restaurant has made news. And she is soon to be joined by some of her overgrown signage friends around the city— Paul Bunyan above the May Cafe at Central and Menaul, the half-man John Wayne at Cabinets & More on the Interstate 25 frontage road, north of Montgomery, the bowling pin/ball at the Staples on 6001 Menaul NE, the arrow at Wild Oats on Indian School and Carlisle. The heifer has already received word she'll be leaving her 35-year-old roof post at 3911 Central NE by month's end, when the restaurant closes. What she likely has not been told is that she may be headed for a new museum for signs (though her owner, George Argyres, is all for it). This is where, in pitying tones, all the other aged signs start talking about her fate but soon realize, horrified, that the same could be in store for them. Eeek! And they'd be right. They're ugly. But they're landmarks. They're hated. Yet strangely admired. Killing them off could cause rioting— or at least some angry e-mails. "The thought is to find an area that people could go see them and maybe combine it with some other sources— maybe not just a static museum but an interactive kind of museum," said city planning director Richard Dineen. "At this point, it's just an idea the administration has talked about considerably." The discussion began after Mayor Martin Chávez proposed stringent new regulations designed to make retail signs more aesthetic. The ordinance has languished since last summer in the Environmental Planning Commission office but is up for review May 17, after 10 months of EPC "deferrals." Among other things, the original language would have required signs to be no taller than 5 feet and housed in a brick and mortar structure, as opposed to being placed on a pole. Of course, the proposal had its critics. Businesses said the changes would cost a lot and make their storefronts more difficult for customers to locate. Others were upset because it would wipe out historic signs and landmarks. Loss of the neon signs along Route 66 were of greatest concern, and that's how the "neon museum" idea came about. But it would house other sacred signs, too. The Town House heifer would certainly be included in that, the mayor says. But "we want to take a look at each one of them. I've never been a particular fan of that Paul Bunyan statue but I bet there are some who are." Others, like the arrow and the bowling pin/ball, will probably stay put, particularly since the ordinance has been revised. For example, the proposal now allows for 13-foot signs and includes exceptions for some landmarks. "They've got a kitschiness that is unique, and I don't think they hurt anything in terms of the visual landscape," Chávez says. "We have to have some humor about it." Word has it the heifer remains unamused