Meditations on the Next Phase

Friday, June 20, 2008

The Mamiya

In 1973 or 74, my dad brought a super cool camera while he, mom, Kathie & Jim lived in Japan. I remember hearing about his excitement and once my brother Jim mentioned he'd used this camera to take all the pictures for the yearbook at his international school in Nagoya where they lived.

Dad used it rarely once they came home to the states in 74. When they died, we found the camera and as neither brother or sister wanted it, I have it. Jim didn't have time to teach me how to use it so despite my many attempts to sit down and figure out the instruction manual and the many lenses and lens covers and even the loading of film; it has all remained a mystery to me. I photographed it yesterday as with money pretty tight right now, I'd like to try selling it on E-Bay. I'm still trying to figure that part out too.

It's probably not worth much now adays with digital out there. It's a medium format film. I remember, in 1998, purchasing the film but now have forgotten how I put it in... Did I load the camera. If ANYone out there who happens across my page can give me a rough estimate on what I could get for this well preserved beauty? It'd help a lot when I figure out what I'm doing on E-bay. HELP.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today. Have a good weekend.

P.S. My niece Aly e-mailed telling me she would buy it; Don't sell it! So I'm giving it to her for a wedding present. Part of her family's history. Love you honey.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The Bridge

This is my sister's house. The Bridge has a history. Dad built it in 1964/65 to cover a drainage situation which cut across our driveway and front yard. He was very clever. Many neighbors used our home in their directions, the big red house with the bridge... three doors up on the left. Now this is the second bridge, built after they returned from Japan. There's more of an asian garden look to it now. When they died, My brother bought the house and after a few years made some changes in the front yard landscaping. He called Kathie and me, asking if we wanted it. I was still in Murrieta then and Kathie and I drove down in her truck, loaded it up (or watched my brother load it?) I stuck the bridge off a side deck in our yard. Madi & Makayla loved playing on it and I used it, as my dad had for 30 years, a place to gather the family for pictures.

When we moved to Gold Canyon, and I mentioned to the landscaper (the deliverer of Rocks) that I wanted to use the bridge in the front... as my father had... he smiled and handed me the rules and regs BOOK. Basically i'd have to kiss some one who had nothing better to do then tell people how to decorate their own property on the BUTT to use the bridge.

So, Kathie took it and here it sits in her front yard. I've taken a few family photos at Kathie's but the bridge no longer serves the purpose as a walkway.

And, Because I have a lot to do today and am practicing the art of avoidance, I've created a slide show with just a brief history of the bridge.

I like to think Kathie, that dad would be happy we have such a record of the bridge; but then I realize, he's probably now focusing on other things. I remember the thousands of days, walking over that bridge to the front door; after school, (Hey remember when you drove that old station wagon into the front brick planter box.) after a date, for nearly 20 years on family visits; Walking to the limousines twice in early 1998.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read my blog and watch this slide show today.

OK... The adding a slide show is a hit and miss so I'll just add the photos. :)

Kathie... I want the bridge back if you ever move! :)

Circa 1964

Mom and my Grandparents, 1964

Family on the Bridge 1966

Me, and my brothers 1965

A very sad day in December 1967

Aly 1980

Lyndsey, Aunt Kathie's Wedding Day 1983

My Four Thanksgiving 2001 The Bridge had moved to Murrieta

Katie & Sabby, In front of the bridge

Sabby 6/08 on the bridge in it's new home

Monday, June 16, 2008

It's 8:00 here and 105 and I'm whining

View from My Window Sunrise 5:30

It's 8:11 PM here in Buckeye AZ and it got to 112 today. It's still 105. Once Summer decided to get here this year, it hit with a vengeance. It's not cooling off this week much either. It's dark outside my window now but the heat rushed in when I let the dogs out a few minutes ago. I used to get annoyed by people who talked about where they came from but geez, it use to cool down in CA. I needed a sweater at night for pete's sake! 100 degrees at night is NOT OK.

Then I think about earthquakes, a tornado last month; the Tornadoes in the MidWest; The flooding in WI and Iowa and I guess I can handle the heat.

They've changed the start date of Monsoon this year. It started yesterday (June 15th) instead of the 3rd day of 55% dew point (which usually happens in July). So we're officially in Monsoon :) Technically that means we should be cooling off to 100 or so. NOT.

I'm whining tonight, I know; I get bitchy when it's hot; so Paul and I decided to move to an oven. He apparently decided he hadn't suffered enough our first 25 years together.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

What a Horrible Loss

I know it's ridiculous; I know I didn't "Know" him but I felt like I did. I've watched him for years on Meet the Press; and on Election Nights; and through the day on MSNBC. Friday I was shocked to hear that he'd died suddenly.. of What nearly killed me. I think he was a great man and I've been so sad this afternoon. After Friday, I've avoided my favorite network.. MSNBC. It was hard to watch. Tim Russert was Paul's age; class of 68; Way too young to die so suddenly. It's so final.

Lyndsey has been laughing at me like I laughed at her when she was "heartbroken" for years when Brandon Lee (the Crow) died. Repeating what I use to say to her all those years ago. I said it was different; it is different. Tim Russert was not an actor. I'm pretty much a political junkie and news junkie and really liked his position that his political background had nothing to do with his position as Moderator on Meet the Press.

Meet the Press today, was all about him with long time friends talking in tribute to him. Tom Brokaw and Mike Barnacle (two other favorite newsmen and, I understand, his two best friends) cried when they tried to talk about him. What a loss to his family; what a loss to journalism; what a loss to his friends; what a loss to America. Election Night will never be the same; Sunday Mornings will never be the same.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.