Skeleton and Cat In the Hat

Grateful Dead Skeleton, Cat in the Hat, and ?


Grateful Dead Skeleton and Cat in the Hat

Sesame Street's Ernie Visits Penny Lane

Digitally Restored Sesame Street's Ernie Is Happily Seated Next to Death - The Driver
.
Not sure what the creature seated behind Ernie is. Maybe it's a lion, or a bear? Big ears, and purple is all that I can come up with. Could it be a Grateful Dead Bear? Ernie played many roles on Sesame Street as I recall. The Ernie in the Penny Lane Mural is a long haired rock star version of Ernie.

Not seen in this close up are Darth Vader to the left. Darth is hanging out of the entrance of the bus with light sword in hand. To the right of Ernie (also not seen) is a skeleton man, in the Grateful Dead style. Mr. Bones is definitely driving the bus folks. Ernie seems unconcerned.

The name of the bus "Further" is a reference to "The Bus" which was a psychedelically painted school bus used in a 1964 cross country bus trip. Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters brought plenty of acid, and every other kind of drug along for the tour. The bus was crammed with rock amplifiers, and musical instruments. The tour influenced a generation helping to kick start the counter culture revolution of the 1960s.
.
.

Ernie of Sesame Street Fame Is Prominently Featured On The Penny Lane Mural

Thanks to my readers I have now correctly identified Ernie as Ernie, and not his sidekick Bert.

Ernie is seated in the front most passenger seat on the Penny Lane Bus. Penny Lane is located in Springfield, Illinois. The exotic novelty shop is covered in murals. I am presenting a segment of the Penny Lane Mural here in digital format.

I have digitally restored the mural for presentation here, but the actual mural, despite needing a revamp is even better. Go visit Penny Lane. It's a neat little shop, and check out the murals on your way in.

Darth Vader

Darth Vader With Light Saber - Penny Lane Mural - Springfield, Illinois

Mostly Restored.



Penny Lane Digital Mural Restoration

Darth Vader

Elderly Psychic Quietly Sanctifies Union Station

Union Station (1879) Located In Springfield, Illinois Holds Many Intriguing Secrets
.
Union Station In Springfield, Illinois has seen many incarnations over the last century. Now as a part of the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum the station's past is carefully being rewritten. As state and local officials attempt to present a friendly facade for tourist the station's real history is being hidden.
.
.

Elderly Psychic Inspects & Sanctifies Springfield, Illinois' Union Station On Opening Day

The photographs which appear within this post were taken at Union Station on its opening day. The station is to act as a portal to the Abraham Presidential Library and Museum and other Abraham Lincoln related historic sites throughout the region. Few tourist seem to know that Union Station was built after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, and fewer seem to appreciate Union Station's dark past.
.
.

Drawing Of Union Station As It Was One Hundred Twenty Five Years Ago

Photographs of an elderly gentleman appear within this post. To the casual bystander the elderly gentleman, and his young female assistant may have looked as if they were ordinary tourist. However to the initiated it was obvious that the old man was in the midst of performing a sanctification ritual.

The elderly man walked with a cane as he moved slowly from one room to another within the station. He held a Bible in one hand and large silver Crucifix hung around his neck. He quietly glanced into his Bible and read in Latin, and would pull holy water from his pocket thrashing his arms about during this secret blessing.
.
.

Assistant (Background) Watches Over Elderly Psychic During Sanctification Ceremony

Hobbling about with his cane his assistant seen in the background of the photograph above kept careful watch as the elderly man continued on with his incantations.
.
.

Clues Abound - Union Station's Masonic Origins Still Evident

Large Parts of Union Station are forbidden to the public. During my visit I was under constant surveillance. Just taking these photographs in the non-forbidden areas brought unwanted attention.
.
.

Union Station Springfield, Illinois On Opening Day - March, 2007
.
While I still recommend any tourist visiting Springfield, Illinois take the time to visit Union Station, do not attempt to bypass ALPLM security to ascend the clock tower, or attempt to descend to the subterranean level. It is both forbidden, and dangerous, and could land you behind bars.

Reveal Yourself

We Are Trapped Here

Master Yoda

Master Yoda Mural Digitally Restored
.
Note aside from Master Yoda of Star Wars fame that Calvin and Hobbs are also in this mural. They are at a bus stop next to a tree. This is part of the Penny Lane Mural in Springfield, Illinois. I am digitally restoring the damaged mural for historical, and artistic purposes. And present it here on my blog.
.
.

Master Yoda - Penny Lane Mural - Springfield, Illinois

Master Yoda of Star Wars fame appears in the Penny Lane Mural. As the photo above illustrates the mural is in disrepair. I'll restore it digitally for this blog, and present the results here soon.

Buying A Used Car - The Liar

Buying A Used Car - The Liar!

Last week I called Dave of the11thhour up, and told him I had purchased a used car. It seemed too good to be true. The auto was in excellent shape, checked out on CarFax.Com, and was going for a thousand dollars under the Kelly's Blue Book price.

We were told there was only one hitch - a lean that needed to be paid off.

The owner even brought the car over, and we parked it in our garage for the evening.

The next day I simply had to show up at the dealership, and payoff the lean, and a little more - and the title would be mine.

It quickly dawned on me that I didn't want to pay off someone's lean unless I knew for certain I had the title in my name - BEFORE handing over any checks.

And so I called the dealership, and was told that they didn't hold the lean.

I then called the real lean holder, and discovered that the person selling the car wasn't the owner!

That's right - the woman's mother actually owned the car.

Needless to say the car still sits out along a major road here in Springfield, Illinois awaiting someone stupid enough to give this young woman some money.

NEXT POST - Buying A Used Car - The Thief

Where I 've Been - Buying A Car

My post have been significantly reduced in the last week or so.

Not only have I been working on a digital restoration, and preservation of the Penny Lane Mural, but I've also been in the process of purchasing an auto for my daughter.

What a story to tell.

I'll share more as soon as I get the garage cleaned out.

The never ending saga.

Jerry Garcia In The Clouds

Penny Lane Mural - Jerry Garcia In The Clouds - Restored



Penny Lane Mural - Jerry Garcia In The Clouds

Felix The Cat On Grass & Mushrooms

Digitally Restored - Penny Lane's Mural Features Felix The Cat

Once again my meager attempts to capture and re-present the Springfield, Illinois Penny Lane mural fails to do the original justice. The brush strokes which make up the grass in the actual mural would have taken me too long to faithfully represent. I did however apply a lighter set of greens mixed with yellow to brighten up the image for presentation on the computer screen.

I also decided to animate the image - see below. Felix the Cat is certainly enjoying life in the scene in the mural. Imagine a life in which there were no stresses, and plenty of time to take in life. Childhood comes and goes for most, but Felix the Cat certainly expresses the inner child in us all. Just looking at this section of the Penny Lane Mural makes me wish I had a few weeks off to go spelunking about the country side.
.
.

An Animated Version of Penny Lane's Mural Featuring Felix The Cat Trippin On Life

Felix doesn't take drugs. He's just high on life laying out on the grass. I posted these images on April 20th, which for some reason has become associated with the celebration of the use of marijuana. Back in the days when selling drug paraphernalia was legal Penny Lane was often referred to as a head shop. I spent many hours playing pin ball in the back rooms of Penny Lane. The owners were friendly, and the place was "cool".

.

Photograph of Penny Lane's Mural - Springfield, Illinois - Felix The Cat

The Penny Lane Mural located in Springfield, Illinois is a modern work of art. Murals are taken for granted by the majority of those who see them. We drive past them, and they seem to catch the eye for just a moment until another image replaces them.

Despite the surplus of images which compete for our attention in this modern life I feel murals have a place. Murals aren't just streaks of paint upon walls. They actually change the space around them. One simply can't go anywhere near the Penny Lane Mural without feeling its affect. Whether you like the mural or not it works the space and fills the entire area with its set of messages about the 1960s and 1970s.

Moon and Stars In Trees

Moon and Stars in Trees Digital Restoration

I've edited the image for blog presentation. I hope to do the original justice.



Primordial Moon - Penny Lane Mural

At one point Earth's Moon looked primordial, and much closer in orbit.

The artist behind the Penny Lane Mural in Springfield, Illinois is very talented as is evident in his art.

Still Bloggin - Just Short of Time

This Penny Lane Mural Digital Restoration Project is taking a huge amount of time. And this is coming at a time when I have no time. So I've fallen back on my postings.

But I'm still here!

JP

Winnie The Pooh

Winnie The Pooh Hippie Digitally Restored




Winnie The Pooh With "Oh Man, That's Beautiful" Sign

From the Springfield, Illinois Penny Lane Mural

Kermit The Frog

Kermit The Frog With Banjo Digitally Restored

More on this post soon...


Kermit The Frog With Banjo

Next Project - Kermit the Frog with Banjo

Part Four in the Penny Lane Mural Digital Restoration Project

Cheshire Cat

Cheshire Cat Mural - Digitally Restored
.
I was always amused by the Cheshire Cat. There's something special about any creature that can become invisible. And that smile. Cats do smile - kind of spooky - but they do. This restoration includes significant editing on my part. I've changed the sky somewhat, but this digital media is another media versus a mural, and I felt it appropriate.
.
.

Photo - Cheshire Cat - Penny Lane Mural

The original mural art was created by Mike Moyosky. The image is based upon a photograph which I took of the Penny Lane Mural located at on Macarthur Blvd in Springfield, Illinois.

The Alien and The Owl

Restored - The Alien and The Owl - Penny Lane
..
I've digitally restored another portion of the Penny Lane Mural, and present it here for my readers. The Mural is the work of Mike Moyosky.
.
..

Photograph of The Alien and The Owl

Such a nice piece of art. I just had to capture it before it's too late.

Spot the alien?

And the tootsie pops?

What Is A Green Meanie?

Penny Lane Mural - Green Meanie

I have completed my digital renovation of this small section of the Springfield, Illinois' Penny Lane mural. I'd be embarrassed to admit how many hours it took me to edit this image. Yet I like the effect. This section features what I'm calling the Green Meanie. He's only mean because he's sticking his tongue out, and doing the nana nana boo boo with his hands and ears.


What Is A Green Meanie?

I believe the creature is some type of gnome, and is probably an alien.

I've seen these cartoon characters presented with with one eye before. sometimes more. I'm not sure if the one pictured above actually has an eye.

I suspect they are very intelligent, but are usually comical and therefore possibly inept.

Then again I'm only guessing as I've never seen or hallucinated one.
.
..

Springfield, Illinois - Penny Lane Mural - Green Meanie

The original mural of which Green Meanie is a part is located in Springfield, Illinois on south Macarthur Blvd. Green Meanie is just one character on an incredible mural on Penny Lane's north side. The mural is now in disrepair having been painted in 1995 by Mike Moyosky.

Saint John's Ghostly Mounted Horseman

St John's Ghostly Horseman Await Their Bounty

They wander unseen and rarely felt.

The living and the dead know them not.

They are claimed neither by God, nor the Devil.

They are watchers, and knowers.

Lurking close to the place of parting they await their bounty.

Twenty Two Degrees April Seventh 2007

CNN-ScreenCap What's With The Weather?

About two weeks ago temperatures were nearing eighty degrees here in Central Illinois. Those temperatures were abnormally high. Everyone seems to celebrate the end of Winter when an early Spring is in progress, but deep down we know there's something wrong. And we try not to think about the long term, big picture implications of Summer weather in March.

Now just a few weeks later the weather has turned upside down. It is December outside, and yet it's actually April! An unbelievable mix of frigid subfreezing temperatures mixed with strong gust of wind has turned Spring into Winter.

Despite loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in crops, and the obvious sign that something is very wrong with the weather some people continue to stick their heads in the snow.
.
.

(AP) Texas Snow Storm - April 2007 - Bush Crawford Texas Ranch Entrance
.
Drunken Republican Fools Still In Global Warming Denial
.
Last night I ran into two drunken fool twenty something republicans who were claiming that weather like this (i.e., subfreezing temperatures in April) proved that global warming didn't exist. Of course these same ignorant fools were still big on the Iraq war (obviously not enough to join up, and serve), and were critical of Al Gore. I usually don't get hot under the collar, but despite the fact there were two of them, and one of me, I wanted to thrash them both - with the truth folks, only with the truth.

The Exchange

JeromeProphet: Have you boys gone to college?

TwentySomethingRepublican: Yes.

JeromeProphet: I was wondering, because you seem so uninformed.

TwentySomethingRepublican: Well Gore spent $35,000 on utility bills last year!

JeromeProphet: And this proves there's no global warming?

TwentySomethingRepublican: Gore's a hypocrite!

JeromeProphet: Don't you think this weather is just a little odd?

TwentySomethingRepublican: No.

JeromeProphet: Maybe it's because I'm a little older than you, but I can tell you this weather isn't normal.

TwentySomethingRepublican: Well I think it is normal.

JeromeProphet: I talked with people all around the country today, and those who spoke about the weather, from South Dakota, to Georgia, to New York City told me they believe there's something mighty odd about this weather. For God's sake it's December out there!
.
.

WeatherChannel - More Snow Predicted For This April 8th 2007 Weekend
...
Fragile Republican Brains Unable To Grapple With Complex Relationships

Their fragile conservative brain cells couldn't quite grasp that global warming is actually driving bizarre weather like this. By adding energy into frontal systems global warming is increasing the number of hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, flooding, and movement of fronts - including cold fronts.

With less energy in the global weather system there is less energy behind fronts, and cold temperatures tend to stay farther north, and hot weather tends to stay farther south at this time of year. Putting energy into the system is forcing anomalous weather like the kind we are currently experiencing. This isn't good for anyone. From agriculture to insurance being able to predict weather is important.

While a few cold days in April is certainly normal in Central Illinois, a week of subfreezing weather is breaking records for a very good reason - it just doesn't happen - not within a normal human lifetime.

Central Illinois isn't the only area effected either as the entire Midwest, and Eastern U.S. has been effected.

What's going on with the weather folks? It's time to take responsibility. To own up to the situation. We must own the problem, before we can address it.

Never A Friend To Me

I'd never join a club that would allow a person like me to become a member
-Woody Allen-
.
.
The Truth?

I've been declined, or at least my request to be included on SJ-R's blogroll has been utterly ignored.

I'm not really serious about the "Sell Outs" graffiti on my artwork above.

Actually, I'm asking a question, not making a statement.

Child like as it seems the image above is timely, and thought provoking.

When an independent minded blogger becomes beholden for a certain percentage of their esteem, or their blog hits due to such a link will the blogger begin to soften their criticism of that main stream media outlet?

Would the blogger's fear of being removed from such a list tend to inhibit the blogger's post?

Will any of you on the list ever feel as comfortable critiquing SJ-R as you did before you made it on their Springfield Blogger's list?

So does that make you victims, or sell outs?

Before any of you comment, let me make one admission here.

Since establishing my relationship with the Illinois Times I can say that on several occasions I have found myself editing my own post for fear of being seen as too fringe, too controversial, too radical, too non-politically correct, etc.

I'm sure I do it on a subconscious basis too.

The effect is real whether realized or not.

Beautiful Downtown Springfield Illinois' Shoreline

Downtown Springfield, Illinois As Seen Offshore

Springfield's posh restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs ring the south side of Lake Springfield.

During Summer tourist mingle with swimmers and fisherman at Lincoln's Beach and Mary Todd's Pier. In Winter the Beach is closed to swimming, but ice skating is allowed.

Downtown Springfield, Illinois - Not Just About Abe Lincoln Anymore!

A Slice of ALPM Anyone?

Crescent Moon & Venus Over The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

I love Spring.

Why We Met

Two Little Lassies On Saint Patrick's Day
.
.
Why We Met
by jp

You said I was
Someone
You'd seen before
Someone
You knew
From long before
Someone
Who hurt you
Someone
Untrue

I was in pain
When
Confusion reigned
Then
I needed to
See
What I could
Be
What we could
Be
I needed to
See

I was scared to
Grow
I needed your
Grace
I needed to
Know
The smile on your
Face
I needed to
Know
I just had to
Know

Many years have passed
I wonder where you are
If you're near or far
From time to time
If you'd be mine
If you'd be mine

You'd like me now
I'm more stable now
Sort of happy now
Still confused now
After all these years
I'm still filled with fear

Still I'm here
Thinking of you
Wondering if you
Ever think of me
Like I think of you
My love was true

Bloggers Help Cure CANCER For Free!

Screen Shot from Stanford's Protein Folding Program
.
Calling on Bloggers To Install Stanford University's Folding Software

To Join the Bloggers For A Cure Team!

Use Team Number: 63924

I'll post more on this software soon!

Check out the link above, and join me in using spare CPU cycles to help researchers speed up their search for cures for Cancers, and other genetic diseases.

This program can be configured to run completely in the background. You decide when it runs, and how much computing power it uses.

Mammatus Clouds Over Springfield Illinois

Mammatus Clouds Over Springfield, Illinois March 31st, 2007
.
Learn more about these mammatus clouds. Why are they called Mamma Clouds? Use your imagination.
.
.

Mammato Cumulus Clouds Over Springfield, Illinois

Thunder Storm Chatham Road

Thunderstorm From Chatham Road Overpass

This was a grab and shoot with some digital processing before posting. The shutter hangs open for a fraction of a second and creates a motion blur effect.

A little after sunset.

I'm at the top of a railroad overpass driving North into Springfield, Illinois. Down the hill a car approaches - thus the little squiggly line.

Dark ominous clouds to the front right are slashed with lighting while behind me and to the left the sky has begun to clear.

I am driving back into the storm - back into the city.

More storms are expected tonight.

Abe Lincoln's Home Town Haunted?

This Orb Photo Was Taken September 2006 - Near Abe Lincoln's Home - Springfield, IL
.
Whispers Within The Silence
.
The photograph of the Orb (above) taken last summer just one block from Abraham Lincoln's Home led me to search out those in our historic community who may have witnessed unusual phenomena.

One local blogger has made several references to such encounters recently. I'll leave it to my readers to encourage this brave young woman to share her stories with the rest of us.

I too have seen my share of unusual phenomena, and have been reluctant to share.

Springfield, Illinois may seem like a typical little town living a typical little daydream, but there's something deeper going on here - and has been for a very long time.

Something seems to be taking place at a level which barely registers. Like echoes bouncing within the miles of abandoned coal mines which run under our city the stories of these strange phenomena seem to bounce from one person, and one generation to the next.
.
.
Ongoing Haunting Taking Place

For several months now I have been consulting with an individual who works at a historic building here in town. This individual has sworn to me that he has seen a ghost!

He claims that ghostly phenomena is taking place on a regular basis in one of Springfield, Illinois' oldest and most historic buildings.

According to this gentleman the ongoing haunting is so frightening he is close to quiting his job. He tells me that several of his coworkers are aware of the haunting, and that at least one photograph has been taken of the ghost!
.
.


The Haunted Lake Club - Springfield, Illinois - As It Appeared In The 1940s
..
While Springfield, Illinois locals know about of The Lake Club Haunting there are many other stories to be shared about unusual phenomena taking place right now in Springfield, Illinois!
Local Main Stream Media won't touch this due to the controversial nature of the subject, but we've all heard the stories.
.
.

Wooded Knolls - Location of the Lincoln's Home Historic Area Ghostly Orb
.
Isn't It Time To "Out" Springfield, Illinois' Historic Ghost?

None of the locals want to announce to the world that Abe Lincoln's hometown is bedeviled by unwanted spirits, but isn't it time to be honest about this? Isn't it time to admit that Abe Lincoln's hometown is haunted?

The Indian tribes, log cabin settlers, and those pioneers who followed have moved on long ago, but some may not have done so for a reason. Denial isn't going to help anyone.

Nasty Virus Floating About Springfield, Illinois

While I feel o.k. for the most part, for some reason I feel a bit run down.
My blog posting has been a little sparse of late.
Just a bit more tired than usual, but that won't last long.

My daughter seems to be sick. The whole fever, chest cold thing.

Except for feeling tired, and wanting to sleep a normal amount of sleep I don't seem too bad off.

I guess when the worst a person gets hit is that they desire a full nights rest that's not that bad.

I heard on Pam Furr's radio program that Springfield, Illinois Mayor is down with pneumonia.

So I guess this can get worse if it's not watched carefully.

Anyway, I'm going to bed now.

Watch Out Panther Creek - I've Won!

WHO BELIEVES SCAM-SPAM?

Attention: Winner,

Congratulations to you as we bring to your notice the result of
Euromillion Loteria Español 2007 promotions.We are happy to inform you that
your email address have emerged a winner of Five hundred and fifty
thousand euro(550, 000.00)Euros.
NOTE: to file for your claim, please contact the claim department below
on email or phone

.
HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!

REDBOATH FINANCE AND SECURITIES,S.L
Contact person: Mr.Lopez Javier
Tell:34 696 756 270
Email: espanollots2007@aim.com

Find below your promotion date, Reference and Batch numbers. Remember
to quote these numbers in your correspondence with your claims agent (Mr.Lopez Javier)

PROMOTION DATE: 26th of March 2007.
REFERENCE NUMBER: LSLUK/2031/8161/07
BATCH NUMBER: 15/051/IPD

Congratulations once again from all our staff and thank you for believing on email
communication and also for being part of our promotion program.

Sincerely Yours,

Mrs.Elena Lucia
THE PROMOTION COORDINATOR


SMS schreiben mit WEB.DE FreeMail - einfach, schnell und
kostenguenstig. Jetzt gleich testen! http://f.web.de/?mc=021192
.
.
I'VE WON!
I'VE WON!
I'VE WON!
.
I'm quiting my job!

I'm moving to Panther Creek!

HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!

Saint Patrick's Day Parade - Springfield, Illinois V

US Army Jeep - Springfield, Illinois 2007 St Patrick's Day Parade
.
The Jeep above was followed by another Jeep which was equipped with some type of mounted rocket launcher. Thought that was cool looking because I recall playing army as a child with plastic Jeeps similarly equipped.
.
.

Chrysler Vintage Pickup Truck - Rich Brauer - Springfield, Illinois
.
This is an incredible design for a truck. You can see it looks like some sort of creature. Back in the day when trucks, and automobiles like this were manufactured in America designers were creating far out designs the likes of which we'll probably never see again.
.
.

Vintage Fire Truck - Seventh and Washington - Springfield, Illinois
.
This antique fire truck is incredible. As we can see it has been wisely put to use by a local political candidate.
.
.

Model A - Saint Patrick's Day Parade - Springfield, IL 2007
.
Each one of these Model A's are a work of art. Their owners obviously put a great deal of time, effort, and money into keeping them at top shape.
.
.

Model A - Springfield, Illinois - 2007 St. Patrick's Day Parade
.
And to finish this post I'll toss in another Model A. See my other prior post for more Model A photos taken during the Springfield, Illinois 2007 Saint Patrick's Day Parade!
.