I would like to express gratitude to those teachers who’ve introduced my story One Thousand Likes to students recently using Google Classroom. I observe my website stats and am stunned. I never imagined such a small story would be read by so many. It’s a writer’s wildest dream come true!
Now it’s time to start brainstorming again!
There are many more places to walk in San Diego and many more photographs to take. Unexpected new adventures await! Thanks for coming along!
Favorite fairy tale and storybook characters live in a mural by the Linda Vista Library.
A mural painted on a building wall next to the Linda Vista Branch of the San Diego Public Library promotes children’s reading. Books take wing and fly!
Small scenes from fairy tales and fables appear in a colorful landscape surrounding a castle. The mural is home to The Tortoise and the Hare, Humpty Dumpty, Puss in Boots, the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, Mother Goose, the Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, and other classic storybook characters.
Murals fade, but worlds painted by human imagination do not.
Flights of imagination. Timeless stories take wing.Once upon a time there were magic books that could fly. Their goal was to teach children.
Soar to new heights. Read.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I also write fiction. Like fairy tales, my short stories concern life. You can read them at my website Short Stories by Richard.
There’s a very cool mural painted on the side of Lhooq Books & The Exrealism Nonprofit Project in Carlsbad, which occupies a small barn that was built in 1941. I happened to notice the artwork as I was walking down Carlsbad Village Drive. The artist, I learned, is professional skateboarder Kris Markovich.
Lhooq Books & The Exrealism Nonprofit Project, according to their website, is a vintage bookstore, espresso bar and underground venue, as well as the headquarters & a compound for “The Exrealism Project.”
Many phrases are written inside the mural’s abstract human faces. The words–which together read like a two dimensional poem or stream of consciousness–are raw and very real.
The words are disturbing and inspiring. They are disjointed and profound. They are expressions of doubt, and frustration, and confusion, and revelation.
The words tumble directly from a personal experience of life.
It is a mural painted with life.
DO THESE THOUGHTS SCARE YOU . . . THESE WORDS WILL CHANGE THE WORLDEXREALISM MY REDEMPTIONthe thawing of your heartSTUCK ONE PLACE BEHINDOPEN YOUR EYES YOU MIGHT LIKE WHAT YOU FINDEGO KILLERWe’re all mad here.YOUR WORRIES ARE JUSTIFIED . . . BROKEN PROMISEWORDS . . .OPEN FOR THE TAKING . . . MEANINGTHE LURK IN THE BUSHES KIND OF WEIRDi don’t knowBLEED FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONSYOU WANT THE BEAUTIFULWhat someone thinks of you is NONE of your business.I USED TO THINK I WAS AN ARTIST BUT I NO LONGER THINK ABOUT IT . . . I AM.We ALL suffer.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Imagine. (John Lennon mural in North Park by Rik Erickson and Sam Ballard.)This is the story of a man who sold his shadow to a little man in grey. (North Park art installation The Man Who Sold His Shadow by Derek Weiler.)He tries to get his shadow back.His beloved stops noticing him.He puts on his seven-league boots and travels the world.Footsteps on the sidewalk.Are we all still going to meet at the corner?Cats hidden in flowers.Deliberately covered eyes.Secrets.Skeleton takes to drinking.Light as a feather.A journey into space.Walking forward through life.
Did you enjoy this odd little story?
I took these photos during a walk through North Park on Saturday!
If you’d like to read some thought-provoking short stories (and several poems) click here.
I discovered a poem that was written on the sidewalk yesterday. Chalk words express gratitude.
You might enjoy reading this simple, heartfelt poetry:
I fell a far distance –
You caught me many, many
Times – Awoken revived thankful
to be alive – Living is a privilege
Take care – See the life you’ve
been given – Cherish it
The words came to me in Balboa Park while I listened to my friend Mitchell playing didgeridoo. People walking down El Prado would pause before the strange, resonant instrument. A brave few would dance.
As people came and went, I wondered what effect their movement might have on the planet. Both Mitchell and I are curious about strange, cosmic things.
Today I met two cool people during my walk around Balboa Park. One is a travelling poet, the other a Scottish bagpiper.
The poet’s name is DJ Leary. You can find him online @wordsbydj.
Danny was perched in front of an old manual typewriter by the entrance to the Casa Del Prado Theater. Inspired words were pouring (pounding?) out from his fingertips for curious passersby. I peered over his shoulder at sudden lines of truth. We talked just a little. We shared some experiences. I could tell in an instant that Danny loves writing and life’s endless mystery.
The bagpiper is Frank Hunter. He’s a member of the House of Scotland Pipe Band. I met him while I was walking across the grass at the International Cottages.
Frank kindly introduced me to the bagpipes: their ancient origin, evolution and important role in history. He brought out his instrument, assembled it, tuned it, and performed. He told me about his own heritage and how the Highland Light Infantry is his family regiment. He had much to say, and all of it was immensely fascinating.
I’ve heard Frank playing bagpipes around Balboa Park before, and I urge visitors to the park to listen for their unmistakable voice. You will not be disappointed.
Balboa Park is full of amazing people.
Simply smile and say hello.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Those who love to read meet those who love to write at the San Diego Union-Tribune 3rd Annual Festival of Books!
This morning I headed to Liberty Station in Point Loma to enjoy the San Diego Union-Tribune 3rd Annual Festival of Books!
I was excited to see that a positively enormous crowd had gathered to celebrate reading and writing! I didn’t attend any of the panels, but I did walk around to check out fascinating displays by local authors, publishers, cultural institutions and organizations that promote literacy. I spoke to many of the writers and was inspired by their creative energy and optimism!
These days the written word might be read on phones more frequently than on paper, but those words are just as vital as ever.
What would life be without words?
Words connect people.
Words define the world to our minds.
Words are how we create meaning.
The big San Diego Union-Tribune Festival of Books was held at beautiful Liberty Station in Point Loma.Many local and regional authors showcased their books at the festival.Readers could meet friendly authors, get a signed copy, and make new discoveries!Looks like Frida Kahlo is into that book.Books as decor? READ THEM, you silly people!Write Out Loud, who produces TwainFest and other cool literary events, smiled for my camera! PoeFest in Old Town’s spooky-at-night Adobe Chapel is coming in October!I read a few days ago that the La Jolla Playhouse’s musical Diana is heading to Broadway. Thumbs up!These cool folks representing the San Diego Repertory Theatre told me their digs at Horton Plaza are getting an upgrade!An exciting new era is beginning at the San Diego Symphony. Their new conductor is internationally acclaimed Rafael Payare!I know why these folks are smiling. Comedian Steve Martin’s funny farce, The Underpants, is now playing at the Old Globe Theatre!Letras Sin Fronteras had their cool bookmobile at the festival.The state of Maine asked Coronado author Tamara Merrill to write a book about prejudice in that region’s past. It’s titled Shadows in Our Bones.I remember seeing Sheri Fink with her fun Whimsical World children’s books during my walks near Seaport Village!I love the cover of The Happy Little Garbage Truck by author Josan Wright Callender!I caught an energetic performance by San Diego Taiko at the festival stage.I also enjoyed seeing some awesome Star Wars cosplay!First 5 San Diego was promoting parents reading to their children at a very young age.Some fun, easy books that any young kid would surely love!San Diego Writers, Ink had a table at the Festival of Books. They nurture local writers with classes, groups, workshops and readings!Author Jim Stevens said I couldn’t read a few sentences from any page of this novel without laughing. I did . . . and I did!San Diego Zoo Global Press has launched fun children’s books about animals! I met author and illustrator of Periwinkle’s Journey, Suzy Spafford, of Suzy’s Zoo fame.A penguin makes a journey…Anyone could piece together poems like mosaics at the Words To Go table.I learned UC San Diego Extension is building a new facility in downtown’s East Village. Very cool!Some colorful kids art at their table!Local word lover Richard Lederer, the Wizard of Idiom, was showing his many books and silently correcting my grammar.Mister is the true story of a chicken, inspired by a San Diego teacher!Eat. Sleep. Read.KPBS had a table display of this year’s One Book, One San Diego titles.Visitors to the festival could write the title of their favorite book on this big chalkboard.The San Diego Public Library had a booth, plus a nearby bookstore at the festival.Visitors could write suggestions for the San Diego Public Library. Ebooks appeared to be a popular desire.The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper had a special indoor exhibit concerning journalism. Truth is Always the Strongest Argument – Sophocles.The Festival of Books is an absolutely amazing San Diego event where writers and readers meet and share a love for the written word!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Cool San Diego Sights! 