Western Movies – My Favorite Westerns

Aztecs … Mexico Trip 2022 …

The Sun rises.
But it also sets.

Wikipedia says: “The Aztec Sun Stone is a late post-classic Mexica sculpture housed in the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City,
and is perhaps the most famous work of Mexica sculpture.”
It measures 11.75 ft across … and weighs (54,210 lb).
It is sometimes also sometimes called the Mayan Calendar, but since it was found under Mexico City – which was built on top the ancient
Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan – it’s an Aztec artifact.
However Mayan and Aztec cosmology were almost identical .

But despite their great achievements in Art, Architecture, Astrology, etc.
the Aztecs were undoubtedly among the most barbaric civilizations that ever existed. At times it’s known they were practicing human sacrifice on a mass scale -ritual murder many thousands of people a year.

That finally caught up to them, and they were slaughtered by an equally barbaric culture: the Spanish Conquistadores.
That’s Karma.
Bad Karma.

But do you really think you could murder thousands and thousands of people for years and there would not be some eventual reckoning?

I think not.

Tip: (And if you’re going to utterly destroy an empire,
be sure you build your stuff on top of it.)

Avatar 2 … also coming …

Dec. 14, 2022

Also looking good.

The Rings of Power … still coming

Looking REALLY good.

2 September 2022

Our new Bird Bath!

SongBird / Eva Cassidy / 1998

I’d been wanting a Bird Bath for quite a long time.
(I got tired of all the dirty birds around here)
Truthfully though I just love to watch those little birds
splashing around in the water!
I’m sure I could have made one myself and I see lots of ideas for that
on You Tube. But I finally found this one at a local garden center.
Most of the Bird Baths I saw are pretty expensive, but I knew I’d eventually find something that suited my budget and tastes.
So … Here it is!
It’s just plastic, but it looks pretty good.
Cost 60 dollars.
I don’t think the birds will care one way or the other.
We put it out in the back yard and I’m eagerly awaiting our first guests.
Then I’ll take some pics and post ’em.

Have a great Spring!

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

After the Epic disaster of Star Trek Discovery this better be good.

Spring … Alberta

Miles from Nowhere / Cat Stevens / 1970

your true colors …

no mountains were moved …
no seas were parted.

I’ve had a very fortunate and favoured life.
I’ve experienced many miracles.
But most miracles are not large.
They are small.
Yet no less important or wondrous.
I recall one such small miracle that occurred many years ago.
I was depressed that day. (I think most of us get that way at times).
And I was sitting on the edge of my bed …
thinking about how unworthy I was Spiritually.
Then I suddenly got a nudge:
“Turn on your radio.”
I listen to those nudges.
I leaned over and turned the radio on.
This song was playing:

We are God’s children.
And no matter what,
You are Loved unconditionally.
Forever …

Spring 2022 … The Mighty Crocus

This Storm Shall surely Pass / Fraser & Debolt / 1973

“A single crocus blossom ought to be enough to convince our heart that springtime, no matter how predictable, is somehow a gift,
gratuitous, gratis, a grace.”
– David Steindl-Rast

Could you spend 4 days under the snow and then just pop up and carry on
like nothing had happened?
I don’t think so.
But the mighty little Crocus does it all the time.

Look at those guys!

Wikipedia says: Crocus (plural: crocuses or croci) … The crocus has been known throughout recorded history, mainly as the source of saffron … It is valued as a spice and dyestuff, and is one of the
most expensive spices in the world.

“Croci!” Really? “Hey Rose, the Croci are lookin’ good.”
That just doesn’t work.

Saffron? Don’t recall ever using that, for anything.

But it’s history is possibly longer than my memory.

“In saffron-colored mantle from the tides
Of Oceans rose the Morning to bright light
TO gods and men.”
– Homer

Mexico Trip 2022: The Wheel of God

Windmills Of Your Mind / Dusty Springfield / 1969

Life is full of mysteries.
The Mayans (and Aztecs) didn’t seem to know about the Wheel.
They moved things around by other means?

YET! …
The Mayan Calendar is round …
A Wheel.
In fact, it’s full of Wheels.
It’s Wheels within Wheels.
But none of them ever hit the ground.
Go figure …

Spring Blizzard … 2022

Camelot – The Final Scene / Richard Harris / 1967

God heard me whining about the snow.

I should have kept quiet.

Winter passing by … Spring

The Pied Piper / Crispian St Peters / 1966

Yellow Crocus ... in our back yard last week — **Yellow Crocus … in our back yard last week**

We had a good Winter.
Only one cold spell. Not much snow.
Only had to shovel a couple of times.
But Winter never leaves without a passing dump.
Like so …

It’s a cool wind out there today, but per usual, the Sun is shining.
So we might be able to go out for bike ride.
Hope so.

Also hope you are having a good Spring so far …

Let’s go to Palenque / Mexico Trip 2022

SHAMANIC MUSIC -_Yucatan – Mayan Ritual Call_- Marcus Viana

We will probably never physically visit Palenque.
Or Rome. Or Greece. or Stonehenge … or a thousand other places …

However !
Through the wonders of modern media we can still
have a visit to all these places without even leaving our homes!
Check this out:
A movable video image:

https://youtube/kd8fBAaKU90

Now click on the screen.
Although this 1:42 video was taken Live
you can move your viewpoint around 360 degrees!
Amazing!

Further:
A 3:33 drones eye view of Palenque!

https://youtu.be/Zu3LBky75Nw

Even if you were physically there you wouldn’t
get this viewpoint.

And below:
There are several excellent Videos on Youtube of Palenque.
I like this one.

Lastly:
A google virtual walk of Palenque:
Below: Copy this URL and Load it up.

https://www.google.com/maps/@17.4886792,-92.0466124,456a,35y,180h,44.86t/data=!3m1!1e3

This image will appear:

I just saved you thousands of dollars and hours of travelling misery.

You’re welcome.

Enjoy!

Blade Runner … an incidental ‘revisit’ …

“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe.”
– Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) from Blade Runner: The Final Cut

Flipped on the TV today and the final scene the film Classic Blade Runner was showing. This was a somewhat of a coincidence since last night I had watched “The Last Duel” (2022) also Directed by Ridley Scott. (It’s not a Classic and I won’t be watching it again.)

This version of Blade Runner was Director Ridley Scott’s Final Cut (2007).

I favor the Original version however, and I’ll tell you why.

Blade Runner (1982), poster, US | Original Film Posters | 2022 | Sotheby's — **Blade Runner Original 1982 poster**

Harrison Ford ,Blade Runner 1982 classic movie poster silk fabric print 12x18.20x30.24x36.27x40 inch print Wall Decor|harrison ford|blade runnerprint wall - AliExpress — **Blade Runner – The Director’s Cut Poster 2007**

Wikipedia says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_Runner

“Versions of Blade Runner:

Edited by me (MFW):

Several versions of Blade Runner have been shown. The original workprint version (1982, 113 minutes) was shown for audience test previews … in 1982. Negative responses to the previews led to the modifications resulting in the U.S. theatrical version. The workprint was shown as a “director’s cut” without Scott’s approval … in April 1991, … Positive responses pushed the studio to approve work on an official director’s cut. A Sneak Preview was shown only once, in 1982, and was almost identical to the U.S. theatrical version but contained three extra scenes not shown in any other version, including the 2007 Final Cut.

(Confused yet?)

Two versions were shown in the film’s 1982 theatrical release: the U.S. theatrical version (117 minutes), known as the original version or Domestic Cut, and the International Cut (117 minutes), also known as the “Criterion Edition” or “uncut version“, which included more violent action scenes than the U.S. version … The International Cut was later released and Criterion Collection in North America, and re-released in 1992 as a “10th Anniversary Edition“.

Ridley Scott’s Director’s Cut (1992, 116 minutes) had significant changes from the theatrical version including the removal of Deckard’s voice-over, the re-insertion of the unicorn sequence, and the removal of the studio-imposed happy ending. Scott provided extensive notes and consultation to Warner Bros. in creating the Director’s Cut.

Scott’s definitive The Final Cut (2007, 117 minutes) was released by Warner Bros. theatrically in 2007, and subsequently released in 2007. This is the only version over which Scott had complete artistic and editorial control.”

(Whew!)

OK. However, strangely?, I can’t recommend Scott’s Final Cut (2007) Firstly because I liked Harrison Ford’s “voice-over” narration in the original. Secondly, because I also liked the original ending in which Deckard (Ford) reveals how Rachael was “special” – she had an extended (eternal?) lifespan – unlike other Replicants. A happy ending. That worked for me.

Like “tears in the rain”.

In all, I wonder how many viewers eventually figured out that Deckard (Ford) himself is a Replicant? This is what made him “the good one” as a Replicant hunter – and also tells us how he was being blackmailed by the authorities into doing so.

Despite it’s versions and variations … still a Classic.

Sweet Surrender …

Was forced to listen to some of the ‘New Music’ the other day.
When I got home I felt I needed to cleanse myself.

This did the trick.
No problem.

“… remembered by few … ” ??
I hope not.

(Whisper: Miss you John)

Mexico Trip … Day 1

South of the Border / Patsy Cline / 1961

Travelling.
It’s such fun.
So here’s what you do:
Get up and 6:00 am. (In the dark)
Call Taxi. Load bags.
Go to Airport.
Haul bags in; Check in;
Go through Security; Covid crap; etc. etc.
Then Wait.
At about 11 am. you get on the plane.
Plane gets de-iced.
Takes Off.
Flys South across the US.

Crosses Time Zones.

Arrive in Mexico at 8:00 pm.
5 and a half hour flight.

Get Taxi. Go to Resort.

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

Outside I take a blurry pic (or is it just me?)
of Mayan King Pakal.

In the Lobby:
Check In: 10:00 pm. (In the dark)
16 Hours travel time?

Theme of the Resort is posted in Lobby.

“ECO” – Nature is the theme here. Jungle and animals.

Lobby pics.
Pardon my poor photos.
I hope they will still give you an idea of the place:

Looks pretty nice.
But we’re tired and hungry.
Grab a bite. Head to our Room.

The first thing we really wanted to see:

Did I ever dream I would be having such experiences?
Never.

Spring Fever …

Starting a New Life / Van Morrison

Daffodils,
That come before the swallow dares, and take
the winds of March with beauty.
~ William Shakespeare

The steeds are out of the barn.

The Bow River / Calgary. Used to be that I would shortcut across here in the Winter. And I could judge if it was Spring or not when the ice disappeared.

The water on one side of Prince’s Island. In Grade 3, my brothers and I played hockey here. It was a slough back then – where people threw junk and garbage. It made for an interesting hockey game though, stickhandling around tires and stuff sticking up through the ice.

Geese that used to fly south for the winter.

Ancient elevator.
Need a workout?

Time for some Thai Food.

Not bad at all.

The 70’s … and those Vultures

The vultures I saw on the pyramid at Coba (in my last post) reminded me of
this famous blacklight poster from the 70’s.

The 70’s rode in on the massive wave of change that started in the 60’s.
A true revolution.

All spearheaded by the power of the incredible music of that time.

HAIR! / The Cowsills

The Cowsills ??? Damn right! Don’t know what else they did,
but this was bloody brilliant.

The Age of Aquarius / The 5th Dimension

White Rabbit / The Jefferson Airplane
(Play this LOUD!)

Then there was this:

Revolution / The Beatles

And “change the world” they did.

Ballad of the Green Berets / SGT. Barry Sadler

Shelter from the Storm / Bob Dylan

Tomorrow is a long time / Bob Dylan

70’s Artwork.

Monday Monday / The Mamas and Papas
Unforgettable.

Controversial Artists.

Break on Through / The Doors

Little Wing / Jimi Hendrix

Little Girl Blue / Janis Joplin
Proof she could really sing.

Ripple / The Grateful Dead
How sweet it is.

Fresh Air / The Quicksilver Messenger Service
Proof that good artwork and a good name can sell albums.

Proud Mary / Creedence Clearwater Revival
Proof that Great Music sells even better.

Almost overwhelming.
Music and images embedded in me from a truly magical time.

Coba and the Stairway of Time …

Bay of Mexico / The Kingston Trio / 1958

We’re back.
From Mexico.
Took me a couple of days to recover
and re-acquaint myself with snow.
The truth is, I don’t ‘travel well’ anymore.
I’m 73.
So here’s some Free Advice:
Don’t wait till you retire to go Travelling.
Why?
I’ll show you.

This is the big pyramid at Coba/Yukatan/Mexico.
It’s 120 steep and irregular stone steps.
At one time I could run up those steps in less than a minute.
Now it would take me an hour – with periodic rests.
Soon I won’t be able to do it at all.
And I really wanted to.
But God saw me coming – and spared me.

**Net photo of people climbing the Coba pyramid**

Because they recently stopped people from climbing the pyramid.
I believe they finally realized that these valuable artifacts are being destroyed by thousands of people clamoring over them every year.
But I think there’s also another reason they stopped it:
It’s dangerous.
A fellow traveler told to me that about 2 people
were being killed here every year.
Not to mention a number of injuries.
I believe it.

**Net Photo / People on the Coba pyramid.**

You can see how steep that is –
with a number of people coming down on their rumps.
The safe way.
But I was still disappointed.
Yet also happy.
Because these very valuable artifacts need to be protected.
As they should be.

Onward …

Curiously I noticed 3 vultures at the top of the pyramid.

Possibly waiting for me to sacrifice myself.
But that was another lifetime.
Today I was spared by the Gods.

**Famous Blacklight poster from the 70’s**

We’re off … Sandos Caracol Eco !

Sandos Caracol Eco !

We’re going away for a week.
To a place called Sandos Caracol Eco !
It’s a Resort in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
It looks sorta like DisneyLand in the jungle.

But there’s an ocean nearby.