CHARIOTS OF THE GODS?

Chariots of the Gods by Erich von Däniken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

CHARIOTS OF THE GODS? - The theories advanced in this book have had a profound effect on popular culture. Chariots of the Gods by Erich Von Daniken has taken a lot of criticism, with accusations such as questionable evidence, some critics have gone so far as saying the arguments he built are fraudulent. Some naysayers contend he ripped off HP Lovecraft, to come up with the ideas covered in the book, see The Call of Cthulhu. Nevertheless, Von Daniken has sold millions of copies the world over. Is there any validity to claims of ‘gods’ from outer space? Did extraterrestrial aliens visit early human ancestors and bestow advanced technology on them? Was Von Daniken sloppy and over-reaching with his early claims? ‘Probably’ to all three. However, what is clear is this book solidified the idea of the UFO, in the collective unconscious. With television shows and movies like The X Files and Ancient Aliens. With the dystopian genre of literature so firmly entrenched in the reading public. With a scientific theory that shook the concept of God and religion to the core. What if it were true? If so what does that say about the future of human-kind. I have no idea but it is certainly something interesting to think about. See below for a link to the television series.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2joowE...


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A Different Kind of Imperfection by Thomas Beller.mp3

A Different Kind of Imperfection by Thomas Beller.mp3

GAY AND LESBIAN PULPS

GAY AND LESBIAN PULPS - One of my most popular blog posts from last year (6-12-12) covered the topic of the pulp novel along with several of the best covers. Today’s post looks deeper; into the gay, lesbian or bisexual pulp. Let your imagination wander to an era before any celebrity, athlete or even actors and fashion designers were ‘out of the closet’. The lives of ordinary gays and lesbians were rife with subtext, innuendo and mired in the ability to ‘pass’. I love some of these books, not because they are necessarily the greatest writers, or are even all that polished in terms of dialogue/ prose. What makes them great? Imagine the half-world of the mid-fifties up through the early seventies in a time of sweeping activism and social change. If you look up ‘lesbian pulp novel’ on Wikipedia, it lists The Third Sex by Artemis Smith, along with the sensational 1959 cover, in first place. With credits that include spokeswoman, playwright and novelist. Or, consider (what is arguably the best example of) a gay male pulp cover, Caves of Iron by Chris Davidson. He was the author of fifteen novels published between 1967 and 1969, coinciding with the Stonewall riots of 1969, commonly held as the anniversary of the modern gay civil rights movement. These books take you there, in the way only a novel can do, pick up a copy and allow yourself to be transported, if only for an hour or two. 

• Cutie on Call by Hank Janson 
• Donnie and Clyde by Sam Dodd 
• Forbidden: She Walked Strange Paths of Love by JC Priest
• Go Down Aaron by Chris Davidson 
• Lost on Twilight Road by James Colton 
• Man Alone by William Doyle 
• Satan Was a Lesbian by Fred Haley
• The Fall of Valor by Charles Jackson 
• The Strange Path by Gale Wilhelm 

BUTTERFLIES & BLOOMS

BUTTERFLIES & BLOOMS – Spring is the magical time of year when buds transform to blooms and the chrysalis cracks open to reveal beautiful butterflies. An exhibit on display through October, titled Butterflies and Blooms, is now available at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. When you’re there you can see a dazzling array of butterflies including monarchs, swallowtails and admirals. If you’re a regular visitor to my blog check out pics from past conservatory exhibits including Playland at the Beach and Boomtown Barbary Coast. See beautiful examples of Mother Nature’s designs as they flit about roaming from daisies to sunflowers to zinnias as they drink nectar and become dusted by pollen. The Butterfly Bungalow protects free-flying insects as well as displays the transformations that occur inside the cocoon. The bug’s body liquefies reorganizing all of its cells from a caterpillar into a butterfly. This powerful message of change and transformation applies universally as we shed our winter layer and bask in the warmth of the spring sun.