The Days of Future Past

The beginning is a very delicate time. Thus spake Princess Irulan in David Lynch's Film Dune. She went on to say "Know then that this is the ten thousand one ninety one..." Well in my case it's two thousand and four, though in the dim and distant past I was able to recite that film word for word from start to finish. Of course David Lynch was not the first one to tackle the mighty tome. Alejandro Jodorowsky attempted to make this in the 70s by getting three different artists to design each of the worlds. Chris Foss did some artwork, some of which was featured in his book 21st Century Foss. The second person to design art for this unseen film, was of course H.R. Giger. Who became well famous for his creation of the creature seen in Ridley Scott's Alien. The last person was French. His name was Jean Giraud, better known by his nom-de-plume as Moebius. Responsible for Blueberry and Arzach the man who rode a stone pterodactyl. I am a keen collector (or hoarder) of science fiction art portfolios. And I was leafing thru one of them - Sentinel by Syd Mead and I got to thinking that I really wish the future (i.e. now, today) was like one of Syds illustrations. That, to me is how the future should be like. Reality bites, or should that be sucks. Whatever. I am sure that you will discover that I am not in the same league as Syd or Chris (Foss) as this will demonstrate. Not convinced then Click Me or perhaps Deviant will sway your vote. And what do I do when I'm not fart arsing about behind a computer.

Invisibility

Today I'm going to discuss Invisibilty Things which are there but often either not seen or overlooked. Take for example people who wear high visibility coats. Of course they are everywhere but you don't really see them - your brain tunes them out. Thus when a lorry rolls up to a theater and two guys rob the place blind and load up a grand piano into the back of the lorry not only do they get away with it they go unnoticed even though they are wearing high visibility clothing.I was looking forward to Saturday because it was the day I was looking forward to going out and photographing Man Hole Covers. These are things on the pavement that you tend to walk over every day but yet do not notice, thus they tend to become invisible.In just two hours I photographed 41 different types.Garton & King Drains Sewers of the World Unite Manhole Covers I bet you never knew that man hole covers could be so interesting and at least it's nice to know that I am not alone.It might be helpful for you to know that you are not alone. And that in the long, twilight struggle, which lies ahead of us, there is the possibility of hope. - DraalNow I lost my train of thought. Ah yes drain cover people.Aga - those nice homely cooker makers also do drain covers under the guise of Brickhouse and Glynwed Ductile.Cannop Foundry Thomas Dudley as you can see are still going. Hmm...so enough of that.What's on my CD?? Oh - decent music.Mudlark by Leo Kottke is a new acquisition. Jackie McAuley is another one. Here's my recommendation tho Orpheus. A Chicago based outfit who don't quite pull of psychedelic, but their first album recorded in 1969 is superb. Akarma now these guys know good music - they reissued a whole host of late 60s to mid 70s groups that hardly anyone has heard of. Obscure or what - but some of it is just magic.Dukes of the Stratosphere Psonic Psunspot oh if only this had been recorded in the 60s and not the 80s it would have been true psychedelia."I can't find the time to tell you" - Bruce Arnold, Orpheus (1969)

Watching an Erection

Steady now this isn't what you think. Up at the crack (!) of dawn to watch people in high visibility jackets milling around watching a crane with a 90m boom lift a new bridge over a railway into place. I brought a chair so I was able to sit down and observe. There were dogs, children and assorted grown-ups. Some digi pictures and a 61MB wobbly video later and the hour hand gone and the bridge was in position.

Here's a picture - but please wait two hours from time of this post before clicking otherwise it won't appear.

http://gallery53177.fotopic.net/p13346555.html

Be seeing you