Wayback Machine: 1968

I attended my daughter's college graduation from San Jose State University this Memorial Day Weekend and was honored to witness the presentation of honorary doctorates to John Carlos and Tommy Smith.

If those names don't ring a bell, the picture of them raising their black gloved fists from the podium at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City should. It is truly one of the most iconic images of the century. At the time extremely controversial and certainly brave in that turbulent year.

I was sitting behind the podium and somewhat far, but was able to grab a couple of snaps using a 70-200mm lens.

Gate and Padlock

Three and a half wheels

A thought ay like a flower upon mine heart

Title from Pain In Pleasure by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Just a Little Bit

Spanish Moss

Four Flowers

Patterns in Stone

Sandstone at Bean Hollow

Flower Power

For some reason, posting flower pictures reminded me of Dick Shawn's rendition of "Love Power" in The Producers. So after some searching on Google, here are the lyrics.

Love Power

Love power. I'm talking about love power.
The power of a sweet flower is gonna rule the earth.
And there'll be a great rebirth.

Love is a flower that is fine.
When I'm walkin' with my darlin' and we're holding hands,
and life is fine, 'cause she understands.
'A walking down the sunny street
givin' pretty flowers to the people that we meet.

And I give a flower to the big fat cop,
he takes his club and he beats me up.
I give a flower to the garbage man,
he stuffs my girl in the garbage can.
And I give it to the landlord, when the rent comes 'round.
He throws it in the toilet and he flush it down.
It goes into the sewer with the yuck running through her,
And it runs into the river that we drink.
Hey world, you stink!

Ah, man it's later than you think
Girl you got just one more chance.
Come on baby, while I dance.

Love, love power.
I'm talking 'bout love power
The power of a little flower.
You don't think 'bout no little flowers,
Oh no, all you think about is guns.
If everybody in the world today had a flower instead of a gun,
there would be no wars. There would be one big smell-in.
Just the flowers. Hey, man, a flower.
A flower. What you do to my flower, man?
You hurt it, like everything else.
Everything else. Flowers.

~Mel Brooks

Alien Landscape


Bean Hollow State Park

Engima


Wilder Ranch

Disraeli Gears


Wilder Ranch

Hit Me With Your Flower


UC Santa Cruz Arboretum

Crate and Barrel


Wilder Ranch

Shroom


Big Basin State Park

Out to Sea


Bean Hollow State Park

Once again into the breach

Friend George from Fool in the Forest has challenged me to retake the book quiz. It seems the version of it I had participated in previously was not complete.

I've rethought some of my answers, so I'll just start over.

1. You're stuck inside Fahrenheit 451. Which book do you want to be?

Has anyone ever chosen Fahrenheit 451? Seems the ultimate post-modern answer. I don't think I'd mind living inside The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Get to meet a Golem at the very least.

2. Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?

I was a bit flippant and vague in answering this the last time. I would share George's love of Cyrano's Roxanne, and I might also give mention to Nora Charles. Hammett's wisecracking, hard drinking Thin Man character, on the page or as portrayed by Myrna Loy in the film series.

3. The last book you bought was...?

As a gift to my niece, but with every intention of borrowing it back, Sarah Vowell's Assassination Vacation.

4. The last book you read was...?

John Dunning's newest Cliff Janeway mystery, The Sign of the Book

5. What are you currently reading?

Still working on Fortress of Solitude

6. Five books you would take to a desert island...

The Complete Sherlock Holmes. Never ceases to amuse.

Stranger in a Strange Land. Heinlein was one of the things that hooked me on reading.

A good book of photography. It would be hard to choose just one, but if I had to, I would go with Edward Weston.

Not wanting to bow to peer pressure, but a Complete Shakespeare would be necessary.

And finally, the Library of American edition of Raymond Chandler. It's poetry for the rest of us.


7. Who are you passing this stick on to and why?

I'll toss it to friend Bridget who does not yet blog, but maybe this will inspire her.

There now George, satisfied?

Interior


Wilder Ranch

First in a Series


Southern African Flower

Working with instructor, James Katz, this last weekend, I shot over 375 images and actually managed to get a couple of dozen that I am pleased with. Over the next few weeks we'll be sharing some flora images from the UCSC Arboretum, rustic shots from Wilder Ranch, seascapes from Bean Hollow State Park and forest images from Big Basin State Park.