Endless Perceptions of Lloyd A. Green

BEYOND THE CASTLE ON THE HILL - Now Available

2020-03-04T01:41:00.001-05:00

BEYOND THE CASTLE ON THE HILL

Chronicles of the WELL - Book 2

Paralyzing fear causes Dora and Ethan to flee the ghostly terrors of the Dimensional Arts High School and seek the solitude of the Olympus One space station. They leave behind their friend Phillip who is exposing students to the life-extending Blue Mist. His ever-expanding group is unaware of the drastic side effects, which accompany their newly prolonged life. Can Dora and Ethan build up enough courage and find a way to turn back the hands of time, or is it already too late?

Beyond the Castle on the Hill - Book Trailer

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Beyond the Castle on the Hill, book two in the Chronicle of the WELL series.

Beyond - Back on Track (Journal #4)

2019-12-16T18:33:00.000-05:00

Beyond The Castle On The Hill will be completed by March 2020 but why did it take me so long? I'm pretty certain that my experience as a writer isn't as just isolated situation and will sound familiar to many others.

First of all, a bit of history - The three memorable years that I spent at the High School of Music and Art, inspired me to write a story of the future of my school. I wanted to heavily reference the gothic styled building and the warm relationships a school like HSMA could promote. In April of 2015, I published the sci-fi romance novella Castle on the Hill: Secrets. Thanks to innovative gadgets, a warm love story and new ways to express ones artistic talents, it turned out to be a thrilling view of the school that's been in existence since 1936.

Fast forward to late 2016 - I had a great many ideas for the sequel to Castle on the Hill: Secrets. For example: Adding new twists to the evolving relationships of Phillip, Dora, Ethan and Grace and their new connections with the Castle. Also, what's a marauding group of teenagers who feel they are indestructible have to do with an ominous space station orbiting overhead? After many variations, the working title became Beyond The Castle On The Hill. I began running advertisements for the upcoming book and even picked out potential book covers.

I got more than halfway through my first draft when suddenly I found myself obligated to catching up on other writing projects. I made the difficult decision to shelve Beyond for just a short while. A few months passed and I felt more comfortable with resuming my sci-fi sequel. Unfortunately, every time I sat down to get started, I experienced a severe case of writer's block. I had many ideas but they just weren't jibing with the existing material. The same thing happened every month or so that I attempted to return to this project.

A few weeks ago, I had an epiphany about how to combine those many new ideas with the story. Thankfully, I've worked pass my writer's block and I'm back on track with my goal to complete the sci-fi adventure Beyond The Castle On The Hill. I've finished the first draft and I'm pretty excited now that I'm one step closer to completing this saga.

Drawing by Picolo

One of the main characters, Dora, has gone through a quite a personality evolution as compared to book one, Castle on the Hill: Secrets. I'd like to say that most of these changes are due to the scientific experiments of her father, Dr. Zachery Stone or her flirty best friend, Grace but I won't. I will say that her change has something to do with the Castle on the Hill.
Watch out for the next journal entry.
Check out the previous journal entries for more info on
Beyond the Castle on the Hill.

JOURNAL #1 JOURNAL #2 JOURNAL #3

Playground Stitches

2019-11-06T19:40:00.000-05:00

Back in the early 1950s, when Foster Houses were first built, the countless playgrounds throughout the complex could not be missed. My childhood friends and I would loose our minds jumping around all the different apparatus available and our imaginations soared as we made up stories as we played. During our childish travels we were never concerned of how dangerous our newly built surroundings might be. It appears safety concerns are now paramount in creating playgrounds but that wasn't always the case.

Photo: October 2017

The largest playground in the complex was one that we all called 'The Big Park.' Presently, it's called the Martin Luther King Jr. Playground. Its borders are Lenox Avenue (Malcolm X Blvd.), 70 Lenox Avenue, 41 West 112th Street and 70 West 115th Street. Besides a spacious area to run and play, there were four handball courts, two full sized basketball courts, a sandbox, a large and small sliding board, children's swings, see-saws, adult swings and an enclosed sprinkler wading pool.

Drawing by Lloyd A. Green

I still have fond memories from the fifties and sixties of fun during hot summer days. In particular, I think of that huge rectangular wading pool that had multiple sprinklers. It was placed in north-east corner of the playground. All us crazy kids had lots of fun running wild through the controlled showers back then.

Sprinkler in Carroll Park 1960s

Unfortunately, by today's standards, that pool would have been closed. The entire thing was made out of concrete. All you had to do was fall and you could not avoid getting a bad scrape or worst. These types of injuries would happen often. Close by adults would scream, “Stop running, stop running,” but how could they expect kids to be careful. Hot weather and cold water had been mixed together. Half the fun was learning the hard way.

Speaking of pain, do you know why it was not a good idea to place your precious child into the uplifting metal child swing on a hot summer day? All that baked-in heat on the metal surfaces of the swing could easily give your child a first degree burn. The same can be said of the metal seat of the adult swing and the long metal sliding boards. I remember the times I anxiously climbed the steps to slide down but after touching the hot metal, I almost changed my mind. After sliding down, I jumped off as fast as I could. I didn't go back on the slide because I wanted to keep playing and not seek first-aid for burns.

(BTW - the child swings shown below are exactly the same type as one that used to be found in 'The Big Park'). The sliding board is similar.

Riding the swings at Oval Park. Photo: John Kachejian 1961

Photo: 1965

Please explain to me the rationale behind using a building material like concrete for kids to play on. Wouldn't that be considered dangerous? Oh yeah, concrete blocks could last for a life-time. The playground apparatus were made to be durable so that they would endure long after the kids were gone. In other words, children were considered secondary in this formula.

Which reminds me. Throughout the other playgrounds in the complex, there were these rectangular platforms that looked like three-step pyramids but were flat on the top. Of course, all of these "objects" were also made of concrete.

Concrete 3-step pyramid & barrels (west side of 70 Lenox Ave.) Photo: 1993

When I about eight years old, my older brother and I were having a great time, jumping around on this insanely durable pyramid. Then while we were playing tag, he had to go and slip and then fall chin-first. At first, I couldn't understand why he stood up crying and screaming bloody murder. Then I noticed that he was bleeding like a pig from under his chin and adding new color textures to the worn stone slab. We had to go to the emergency room so he could get about ten stitches. Talk about a ten-year old screaming his brains out. I watched in horror as others helped to hold him down so he could get this minor surgery. This was not a fun day for me or him.

Of course, none of this stopped us from returning to the playgrounds. The seven-foot tall cube made of steel pipes was one of my favorites. We called it the Monkey Bars. Unlike the photo shown below, there wasn't any soft surface underneath. The fun was worming yourself through the geometric shape, hanging from different heights, finding your way to the top, looking down at the rest of the playground and feeling thankful that you didn't fall on the way up. I never saw anyone fall off but I'm sure there were those that were a lot more daring than I was. The playgrounds that held this jungle gym were open day and night, which meant there was ample opportunity to get hurt.

The first jungle gym, at the Winnetka Historical Society. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

My real point in reminiscing about all this is, a lot of that fun has been lost for a little thing like child safety. Don’t today’s adults realize that all the rubber matting that's placed under every fun obstacle protects children from getting hurt but it does nothing to build character. The scars we used to get during childhood, helped us to grow up faster, a little crooked maybe, but we grew up, regardless. At least I did.

Want to know the rest of the story?
Check out

REFLECTIONS OF EL: IN SEARCH OF SELF

THE DREAM DILEMMA - 33% - 66% OFF

2019-09-26T11:13:00.000-04:00

THE DREAM DILEMMA

by Lloyd A. Green

Is available at a discounted price through

Kindle Countdown

9/27/19, 8:00 am - 10/4/19, 12:00 am

BUY NOW

Deidre’s dreams are unnerving nighttime excursions involving her fascinating brother-in-law and her dear sister. Hazy premonitions of dread, force Deidre to make three well-intentioned wishes then her blood suddenly runs cold. She soon realizes that in life’s endless barter, there are debts to be paid.

Available at Amazon.com

Alumni & Friends - Audition Stories

2019-06-23T19:06:00.000-04:00

Check out the Audition Series through the Alumni & Friends website and their Alumni & Friends Facebook site.

AUDITION STORIES

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

Regardless of the year, every student had to go through THE AUDITION in order to be accepted. These are the stories from alumni who experienced the anxiety of being tested and soon found that that glorious feeling of getting-in was only the beginning.

For more information visit:

LloydAGreen.com and My Castle Treasures

REFLECTIONS OF EL: IN SEARCH OF SELF

2018-01-16T10:02:00.000-05:00

FREE KINDLE COPIES AVAILABLE - 1/31/18 - 2/4/18

Fictionalized Autobiography that will draw you in.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RJ3NGS

Childish games are fun and safe until Dyllon is drawn to a locked trunk. Something sinister escapes and he finds that the seven deadly sins are not only real but the darkest part of his life. Dyllon must learn to deal with his inner turmoil as he searches for the love of his life.

During his travels, Dyllon’s heart is stolen by the overly self-indulgent Regan but the whirlwind romance takes a detour when he finally meets the optimistic and assertive Kelly. With hopes of happiness always in sight and a multitude of dark forces at his back, Dyllon must learn the difference between blissful passion and soulful commitment.

Join Dyllon on his quest to understand life, love and the demons that persistently haunt him in this fictionalized autobiographical account of the first twenty-three years of the author’s life.

Goodreads Book Giveaway - The Castle on the Hill: Secrets

2017-12-28T10:48:00.000-05:00

Chapter 3

Dora gathered up what little her courage she had left. She had no other choice. As her chilled knuckles slowly pulled the blanket down across her forehead, she could see wisps of her own breath escaping through the breech. As the covering passed her eyelashes, Dora was confronted with another set of eyes close enough to her face that they almost touched her own. Despite the panic that gripped her, Dora’s first reaction was to focus on the images that appeared within the thing’s dark colored iris. From deep within its eye, the shadowy face of a teenage girl slowly became more and more clear, moving nearer and nearer to Dora.

CLICK HERE WIN A FREE SIGNED COPY

Anna Saves Them All?

2017-09-23T10:58:00.004-04:00

Anna Saves Them All by Seth Dickinson

I've just finished reading a short story by Seth Dickinson called Anna Saves Them All and I was totally blown away. What would you do if you found yourself trapped by an alien being that was hell-bend on destroying all of humanity? Could you find the right words to save everyone on Earth, including yourself?

Anna has thrown herself into this situation with only a short time to find the shocking solution.

Seth Dickinson's entertaining short story pulls you into Anna's sense of dread as her uncomfortable past and our uncertain future hangs in the balance. This great tale is storytelling at it's best.

Anna Saves Them All is published through Shimmer Magazine

My Last Job Interview

2017-09-15T22:55:00.000-04:00

I remember my last job interview. Do you?

My Last Job Interview

by Lloyd A. Green

The Green Legacy - A Short Horror Film - Kickstarter Campaign

2017-06-21T10:57:00.000-04:00

A vindictive psychic seeks revenge on a not-so-innocent married man and his family in this paranormal horror film.

For more information, click
"The Green Legacy Kickstarter Campaign"

An Invitation To Confront Your Fears

2017-05-25T20:57:00.003-04:00

I invite you to explore the hauntings of the darker side of fiction from a slightly twisted perspective. As real as your conscious world might seem, a creeping anxiety moves you toward nervous laughter. Try not to flinch, as you suddenly perceive the sinister specter. Calm yourself. It only needs to feed on your overwhelming fear. But before you give out a muffled scream, take its cold, outstretched hand and feel reassurance. As you both move toward precarious depths, peer out through the empty eyes of its soul. Suddenly, you feel a warm glow of satisfaction. You have finally found what you’ve been seeking within the dark desires of the paranormal spirit. Welcome to my world.

This evenings shadowy doorway leads you to into an infamous haunted house
in a tale called:

Halloween - 1979

Believe You Can

2017-05-19T06:13:00.000-04:00

"Believe That You Can"

It’s not a question of whether God wanted Man to fly. He did.

That’s why he gave us imaginations.

Dyllon’s Law

http://lloydgreen.org/blog/category/believe

Meet the Author - Lloyd A. Green

2017-03-28T22:27:00.001-04:00

Saturday, April 1, 2017, 2:00 pm

Program Location:

Morris Park Branch Library,

985 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462

Event: Writing a Factual and Entertaining Family History

The True Story of the Villasca Axe Murders

2017-02-25T15:33:00.001-05:00

The date was June 9, 1912. On that ill-fated night in the rural community of Villasca, Iowa, eight people met a gruesome and untimely end. What you are about to read, really did occur. Just ask the dead. To this day they continue to haunt the home.

During the quiet Sunday afternoon of June 9th, 1912, the entire Moore family was attending activities at the Presbyterian Church a few miles from their home. Mrs. Sarah Moore actively led the Children’s Day Exercises, which extended well into the evening. As the sunlight faded across the countryside, families gossiped and children innocently played into the evening.

***

Just outside the Moore’s home, a tall man watched for others as the darkness surrounded him. After stepping onto their property, he pulled the axe out of the overused chopping block and allowed the weight of the tool to feel comfortable in his hand. After walking up the solid wooden front steps, he found the front door to be open. Once inside, he moved through the kitchen area, explored the parlor room with the upright piano and then leaned into the doorway of the scantily decorated parlor bedroom. Satisfied that he was comfortable with the layout of the first floor, he then returned to the kitchen and found the doorway to the curved stairwell that led to the upper floor.

The landing opened directly to a master bedroom, which the intruder assumed belonged the two adults in the house. He moved through the connected doorway to his left that led to a short hallway. As he walked through the darkened hallway, he noticed an open room to his left, which might be used for storage. The end of the hallway opened to another bedroom that contained two beds and a baby crib. The sizable room could easily hold the couple’s four children.

He turned around and returned to inspect the sloped ceiling, attic-like storage area. The coolness of the room comforted him. He found a recessed corner, made himself comfortable and loosened his grip on his newly found axe, which he laid within arms reach. He quickly pulled out two cigarettes and struck a match to light the first one. He knew it was best to smoke them now because the family might be home soon. He puffed a few rings of smoke towards the back window as he waited.

***

Sunday activities were over and everyone was beginning to start home. Lena Sallinger and her younger sister Irma were walking down the church steps along with their friend, Katherine Moore.

“I’m going to my granny’s house for dinner,” Irma said with a bright smile. The children looked in the direction that the two sisters were about to venture.

“Look,” said Irma’s older sister Lena. She pointed to a clearing in the field, which led into the woods. They could easily see that the kerosene lanterns, which normally gave light to the darkened path, had not been lit.

“I’m not going down there,” Irma said moving closer to her sister. “That’s too scary.”

“But we promised Granny we’d be there,” Lena said sounding reluctant.

Ten-year old Katherine pulled on both the girl’s arms. “Why don’t the two of you come to my house,” she said happily.

The three girls had caught up with Mr. and Mrs. Moore and their three boys. “It’s alright, isn’t it, father?” Katherine asked happily.

Josiah turned and smiled at his wife who nodded in agreement. “I’ll go back in the church and call your people to make certain that it’s okay,” Josiah said. “No need to make anyone worry.”

When he returned to the group, Mr. Moore stated that Lena and Irma’s older sister gave consent and said she would pass along the message. The group of eight then headed towards home on that cool June night. The family returned home about 10:00 pm.

Katherine and the two Sallinger girls chattered excitedly as they prepared to sleep in the first floor parlor bedroom. Mrs. Moore entered the bedroom. “Kathy. Get yourself upstairs with your brothers and not another word.”

Katherine began to object but then thought better about it. “Yes, mother,” she said politely. She then smiled at her friends and ran out the bedroom doorway.

“You’ve got fresh bedclothes, all the doors are locked and the pot is under the bed,” Sarah said. “You should be alright for the night. If you need anything else, just holler.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Moore,” the two girls graciously said in unison.

Sarah smiled at them and thought how nice it would be to have another girl child. She kissed them both on the cheek, blew out the mirror-framed light on the wall and then went upstairs to her family.

The building had no electricity, so the light from the kerosene lamps flickered the across the walls of the different rooms but were usually blown out at bedtime. On lamp was purposely been left on the kitchen table, mostly for the sake of the visitors. By 11:00 pm, everyone in the Moore house was deep asleep, except for one.

***

The unseen intruder quietly stretched his sore legs. He had waited until midnight before budging from his hiding spot in the attic. He moved out of the room and towards the parent’s bedroom. The wood of the axe felt sweaty but he would not allow the handle to slip through his fingers in the slightest. He stood at the foot of the bed determined to follow through with his plan. His closest prey was Josiah who slept quietly on the nearest side of the bed. The intruder struck him strong and swift with the blunt end of the axe instantly cracking his skull open. As Sarah began to stir, he leaned over and repeated this action with her. Sarah continued to move around so he continued to strike her repeatedly about her head and face. She finally laid still. As the killer moved towards the doorway, a line of blood slid down the bed sheet next to Josiah and landed into an upturned shoe just under the bed.

Once in the children’s bedroom, he bludgeoned Herman, Katherine and Boyd, who were asleep in their two beds and then Paul, who was sleeping in the crib. As he furiously swung the axe upward, the sharpened side struck the ceiling, leaving numerous gouge marks there. He did this numerous times until the faces of the children were unrecognizable.

After walking through the hallway, the killer then returned to Josiah and Sarah’s bedroom. He proceeded to chop multiple times at Josiah’s face. The father was so badly bludgeoned that his eyes appeared to be missing. While performing this act, the killer unknowingly knocked over the now blood-filled shoe, which spilled across the floor and onto his own shoes.

The killer quietly walked down the curved stairwell towards the first floor bedroom. When he was previously seated in his hiding place, he could hear extra voices coming from that bedroom. He knew that his work was not done.

Twelve-year old Lena lied half awake in her bed. She swore that she had heard creaking boards as if were someone walking around in the upstairs section of the house but it sounded so distant. Her eight-year old sister was on her left side, breathing heavily, which meant that she was fast asleep, as usual. It was clear that someone was coming down the steps from upstairs. Perhaps Mrs. Moore had forgotten something in the kitchen.

With only the moonlight shining through the window near her headboard, Lena saw the dark figure of a man standing in the doorway. Was she dreaming, she thought to herself? He was holding something in his hand but she could not make out what it was. As she moved her right leg off the bed to touch the floor, the man rushed at her. Now she could clearly see the shape of something that looked like an axe in his hand.

Her needs to instinctively protect her sister made her move her body over to cover her. As the killer swung the axe, she held her arm up to her face and cried out as the blade deeply sliced her arm to the bone. Before she could struggle further, the assailant hit her with the axe in her face. The last memory before she blacked out was of the sharp edge tool passing her head and striking out at her sister. His anger was so fierce that he kept wielding the tool of death until the heads of both girls’ heads were nearly cut off from their bodies.

After his attack was complete, the killer noticed for the first time that the older girl’s bedclothes had slid up around her hips. As she lies there with one foot on the floor, he could see that she wore no undergarment, so her private area was completely exposed. He dropped the bloody axe at the end of the bed, stared for a short while and then left the room in disgust. He had not wanted to fight with anyone. He simply wanted to finish his mission. He found a coat hanging in the bedroom’s closet and used it to cover the faces of the girls. He then made certain to cover the dresser mirror.

There was silence throughout the house. He could not leave until he was finished. He first washed his hands in a pan of water that he found on the kitchen table. He returned upstairs and covered the faces of the parents and children with whatever clothing he could find. The sight of his own work sickened him but this was something that he had to do. The killer also had to cover the mirror in each bedroom. Josiah seemed to be a similar body size so the killer changed from his bloody clothing but he decided to take his ruined shirt and pants with him in order to discard them elsewhere.

Some first floor windows had curtains so he drew them closed but those that did not have curtains; he found clothing and covered them so that in the morning, no one could see in the house. He got some of the stored food, made a plate for himself and sat at the table. His stomach growled as he prepared to eat but the smell of the bloodied pan of water turned his stomach. He did not want to vomit so he left the uneaten food he had prepared.

Lastly, he then made certain that the doors and windows were all locked and he then left the house through the front door, firmly locking it with the key he had found. He made his way into the darkness, towards the railroad tracks. A train was approaching, not far in the distance and one way or another he was going to be on it. The killer never looked back at the house. There was no need. He had finished what he had come there for.

***

When they were all found the next morning, the doctor stated that the killer beat them with the blunt and sharp end of axe beyond recognition, some were hit 25-30xs. The murders, not surprisingly, caused a national sensation, and while many suspects were questioned and even tried – later acquitted – this mass murder remains unsolved to this day. Only the ghosts of the home know the truth about what really happened on the moonlit night of June 9th and the morning of June 10th during 1912 in Villisca, Iowa. Is there any wonder why there would be unhappy spirits haunting the old Moore house?

Reflections of EL is at Channillo.com

2017-02-10T19:58:00.001-05:00

http://channillo.com/series/the-dream-dilemma-reflections-of-el-book-2/

Castle on the Hill: Secrets is Being Published

2017-01-25T14:39:00.003-05:00

I've got some really good news:
My book, Castle on the Hill: Secrets going to be published by Vagabondage Press. Thank you guys. You're the greatest.

Click to BUY NOW

Castle on the Hill: Secrets is an enjoyable mix of sci-fi and romance with secrets around every corner. But be careful. Your wildest dreams and your darkest fears might just come true.

Help Pick "Beyond the Castle on the Hill" Book Cover

2017-01-25T14:17:00.000-05:00

I need your help. I'm looking for a unique and eye-catching book cover for my new book, which will be available this summer 2017.

Which cover is your favorite out of the six?

Cover #1

Cover #2

Cover #3

Cover #4

Cover #5

Cover #6

Please place your choice in the comment section. Thanks a lot.

Book Giveaway - The Green Legacy

2016-10-20T14:33:00.000-04:00

Enter for a chance to win one of three free copies.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Green Legacy

by Lloyd A. Green

Giveaway ends November 03, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

During the year 1843, young Judy is sold into slave labor but all signs point towards the secretive teenager setting up the situation herself. She has psychic abilities and is driven to become an influential spiritual figure in the city of New Orleans but everything changes after she unexpectedly falls for a married member of the Green family. In addition to Judy’s hopes, there are others in the city who have needs and motivations that are on the insidious side. Secrets unfold as the line between truth and deception becomes blurred and good and evil find a home.

The Green Legacy is a work of fiction but it is also an exploration into the writer's family history. Most of the people in the story actually did exist.

Review:
An Amazing Read
5.0 out of 5 stars
By a Verified Amazon Customer

"The book is exciting, it builds momentum and its well worth the read. I think that this book deserves a place amongst the fantasy classics, and lovers of this genre would definitely not be disappointed. Multi-layered plots which has relevance to life."

Book Giveaways - Castle on the Hill: Secrets, The Green Legacy

2015-11-20T13:15:00.000-05:00

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Castle On The Hill

by Lloyd A. Green

Giveaway ends December 15, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Green Legacy

by Lloyd A. Green

Giveaway ends December 14, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Thank You, Mr. Cosby

2013-02-23T22:21:00.000-05:00

Long, long before I was born and long before there was television or the internet, there was this little invention which was called "the radio." I learned to first appreciate this box which spoke when I was about eight years old. My family had one of these stand up monsters which was actually a combination radio and record player. I don't want to scare the children who might be reading this but a record player played brittle vinyl discs and used very sharp needles. Any further unnerving descriptions of the console, I will save for another day.

My family generally used the console to listen to music and the local news. I, on the other hand, was more interested in a much darker use for this unit. Late at night, there were shows which presented imaginary stories. Some of these were crime dramas or adventure stories but the ones that I stayed up late for involved suspense and the creeping horror. Shows like Inner Sanctum and Lights Out scared me with their eerie sound effects and lead-ins to terror.

I began to appreciate how strong the imagination could be. At times, the sound effects were a little over the top but the mental pictures being painted were never boring. All that was needed to enjoy the drama was a set of ears and an open mind. As the narrator used the power of the suggestion to describe scenes, each utterance was causing my skin to shiver and making me to look over my shoulder more than once. As to not to continue to scare anyone, I will jump to when I was thirteen.

Around this time, I began mailing away for Columbia House Record albums. They did not carry the up to date stuff but they provided me with a lot of enjoyment as I listened to my old favorites like Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Chiffons, not to mention music soundtracks from many great movies. In search of newer music, I came across the comedy albums of Bill Cosby.

I had seen him in the breakthrough television series I Spy but I had no idea that he was also a comedian. After ordering and enjoying his first, second and third albums, I had to run to the record store to get his fourth and most memorable one called Wonderfullness.

The album was recorded in Harrah's in Lake Tahoe, Nevada so the laughter that you hear from the audience cracking up is real.

On the beginning of the second side of this 1966 album, Mr. Cosby did a routine which was called The Chicken Heart. During this, he describes how he loved to sneak and listen to the family radio and how he especially liked the late night scary shows. Sound familiar? His comical 12 minute rendition of an old radio show about an ever-growing monster, had me playing this track again and again.

The actual Chicken Heart does not show up until eight minutes into the act but the entire routine is more than worth listening too.

Thank you, Mr. Cosby for years of talent and comedy and especially for showing me that I wasn't the only crazy kid out there.

Check out my website at EndlessPerceptions.com

Food, You Were Too Dear To Me - Part 3

2012-10-14T04:49:00.000-04:00

The presentation to an eight year old that not only does she have some extra weight that she must lose but all the good times at McDonald's and the unrestricted ability to eat as she please was about to cease, seemed like really scary experiences ahead.

I was told a story from a friend at work about a similar experience she had gone through with her child. When she and her husband attempted to get their daughter to stop eating extra sugar, they found candy hidden in the oddest places around the house. When they were able to put a stop to this, they then got calls from the school about how the child was overeating and eating unhealthy there since she could not do it at home. In other words, their daughter felt she was justified to lie and hide food in order to continue fulfilling the need that she had to fulfill what she was missing. My wife and I could only pray that we did not have to deal with the issues that this couple did.

We sat our daughter down and explained that it would be better for her health if she cut out the sweets and the junk foods. We also made it clear that nothing else would change, like the weekend outings and the trips to the toy store when she and her sister were good. Her answer to all of this was "Okay". We waited for the "Willy Wonka" revolution but there was none..

As the months rolled by, we were amazed by the reaction of our daughter. She followed every food restriction without a fuss. She ran and played as she had always done and the new dietary routine that was set up for her simply became part of her life. By the time she was nine years old, it was amazing to see the difference in the way she looked.

As much as I would like to take a big part of the credit for the weight reduction, there was another factor going on which was really driving the little guinea pig. As much as my wife and I wanted her to lose the weight for her health, our daughter wanted to follow through with the program because SHE wanted to look a certain way. She was headed towards teenage years and wanted to change her image. It seemed that the little darling had a master plan of her own.

I worried for a while that she would relapse and gain the weight back but that never happened. I guess she liked the way that she looked

Here she is at age ten, then age eleven and then age twelve,

By age thirteen there was no stopping her. The love and concern that she had gotten from her parents helped but the dream that she had and the love that she had for herself is what drove her across the finish line and beyond. Not only is she she still my little cutey but she is a true inspiration for me. She made me as a father proud that she was so determined and she succeeded. The End.

Check out my website at EndlessPerceptions.com

Food, You Were Too Dear To Me - Part 2

2012-10-08T05:40:00.000-04:00

Between the ages of five and six, my lovely daughter had gained some extra weight. Perhaps you can tell the slight difference.

I guess the problem was that my wife and I couldn't see it. Being so close to the angel caused us as parent to say things like "She hasn't really gained that much" or "Her body is just going through a change" or the ever popular "It's just baby fat. She'll grow out of it soon." By age seven she was still growing but she looked so cute.

Life was going along smoothly with the whole denial thing. It was only mother nature we said to ourselves. We loved our daughter too much to possibly be responsible for her gaining. As loving and protective as we were, that just could not be so. Unfortunately, during the next visit to the pediatrician, we were in for a rude awakening.

Usually the our visits were friendly and I tried to be humble with all the compliments being thrown in my direction but this time Dr. Bombay blasted us both for being inattentive parents. He said that her weight gain was too fast and we were not taking what was happening to her body seriously. Finally he said that there was no need for this kind of weight gain and we needed to seriously do something about it or what was happening might affect her for the rest of her life.

Well blow me down and call me Elmer but I could not have been more embarrassed. We were given pamphlets and written instructions on what the child should and should not be eating. The junk food and any kind of fatty foods were definitely out of the question and this is not to mention sweets of any kind. We now had to admit that we had been loose and free with the "showing our love through food" game. We were the responsible parties.

We knew that we could cut off the pipeline but how was our little darling going to react when we told her that there would be no more Flintstone Dinosaur-Burgers? We were about to find out.

Our eight year old darling would hopefully understand.

To be continued...........

Check out my website at EndlessPerceptions.com

Food, You Were Too Dear To Me - Part 1

2012-10-05T16:20:00.000-04:00

I'd like to thank my daughter for my being able to do this piece because without her permission, she would have killed me.

When you are a caring parent, you have so much love for your child that sometimes you think that your heart might really burst. The first time you see that little face, you want to give them the world. This is the story of loving parents, their first child and food.

As my daughter grew, that feeling of giving of things also grew as a reflection of the love that my wife and I were trying to express. How could you help but want to give extra to this sweet little innocent?

This is especially true when the child is compliant and accepting of the rules that are being placed upon them. We as new parents were trying to learn our way through the perils of child/adult growth but the fact that our little one was always a such happy baby, made the entire experience one of life's greatest pleasures.

To see your child growing up healthy and smart was a blessing. That also made us want to have other children (as you can see) but that's a story for another day.

By age five, this little wise-cracker seemed to have her father's sarcastic sense of humor but never in a mean way. How could I help but spoil her? And this is where lies the danger, waiting to pounce like a hungry turkey leg.

With the invention of the Happy Meal from McDonald's, we found that that in addition to the food, the toys were a wonderful treat for them. These simple pleasures seemed to make them so happy. Don't get me wrong. I am not blaming McDonald's for their food being healthy or otherwise. My blame is aimed squarely on we the parents. We loved to shower our children with things that they liked but what we were not paying attention to was that when it comes to food, everyone's body is affected differently.

By age six, the extra love through nutrition was beginning to catch up with her. It all seemed to happen very quickly but it really didn't. What happened next was a child with unnecessary extra weight and a very angry pediatrician.

To be continued .........

Check out my website at EndlessPerceptions.com

Obsession with the Movie Chair - Part 2

2012-09-14T00:03:00.000-04:00

D-Box - My Obsession is Complete.

Let me simply say that I do not impress easily. It took about twenty years to get it right and it's time has come.

Ever since the advent of the VHS and Betamax (remember those?) videocassette players, movie goers have been slowly drifting out of movie theaters and into the privacy of their homes. Complex surround sound and even 3-D has certainly added to the enjoyment of the home-theater experience but what's next? Seems like replicating the theater experience at home will always be close behind if you are just a little patient but I think not this time.

The simple red chair that you see here is going to revolutionize the movie industry and bring thrill seekers out of their homes in droves. What better way to enjoy a 3-D movie than with a 4-D chair which will envelop and move you to the action which is surrounding you. Can you imagine the speed and the thrill of race car movies? Can you imagine how your skin will crawl as you are watching a 3-D horror movie sequence and you are suddenly throw into the action? I can. Presently this reality is available in 50 theaters across the nation and the number is growing.

I love my larger than life LCD television and my powerful sound system but they will soon not be complete without the chair. There's not much chance to own one of these chairs at home any time soon so if you want the experience you must go to the theater. You all know where I will be so see you soon.

Take a look at this three minute video if you have any doubts that you are seeing the future. After all. Why do you think they call them "movies."

If you'd like to learn more about the chair, go to: D-Box

Like what you read? Check out my website at EndlessPerceptions.com

Obsession with the Movie Chair - Part 1

2012-09-13T22:38:00.001-04:00

August 26, 1995 - Cinetropolis

Okay, I will admit it. I've been obsessed with movies all of my life. I desperately enjoy the big screen, the sound effects and the feeling that for a short while, I can lose myself in the fantasy which is burning in front of me.

During the summer of 1995, I sat watching some geek technical show on a Saturday morning. Little did I know that I would be pulled in a new direction. The commentator spoke about a place in Ledyard Connecticut which is the home of the Foxwoods Casino. Within this structure was constructed an amusement center called Cinetroplis. He explained that inside was a theater with a 360 degree screen which could totally immerse you in the movie. But what interested me the most was the movie seats that would move and bump with the action on the screen. By the time the television spot for the attraction had ended, I was hooked.

I mapped out this area and found that it was only 2 1/2 hours away from the Bronx. The wife thought I was nuts because of the sudden need I had to visit Connecticut but I stressed on how much fun the kids would have in a place like this (I kind of was referring to myself also when I said "kids" but I think she knew that regardless). I figured the best way to enjoy this extravaganza was to drive up there and stay at a hotel for a few days. Yes, I felt like it would be that much fun. Sort of like a mini-Disney World.

After driving us non-stop to Connecticut, we finally got to the quaint little hotel. It seemed really nice but I was too distracted to pay attention to it's charm. We put our things away in the room and then hoped back into the car.

We drove to the Foxwood Casino which was about a mile away. There in front of us was days of movie going enjoyment. It was difficult for me not to jump out of the car but I calmed myself long enough for us to park.

Once inside, there seemed to be an awful lot of gambling machines and a lot of people spending money unnecessarily. Didn't they know where the "real" fun was?

As we got to the section called Cinetropolis, I was a little disappointed that the "amusement park" was not bigger. We moved directly to the enclosed theater and climbed into the special seats. Yes, the motion seats were exciting but the entire movie feature could not have been more than ten minutes long. After the show, we found the one or two other attractions in the immediate area. Some interactive virtual reality games (games that use computer imagery to create artificial environments) but nothing to write home about. What I discovered was that after about one hour, we had gone through all of the attractions in the place. Dizzy Dad had to agree with the rest of the family. I too was bored. We returned to the hotel, refunded our money for the other two days and found our way back home.

Don't get me wrong. I really liked the motion chairs but the most exciting part of the experience wound up being the anticipation I felt about what I might find in Cinetropolis. Seems that the Iwerk company had invested mega bucks in putting the center together but then found it was a great deal of trouble to keep up with the dream that they had envisioned with only the 1990's electronics. This place was ahead of it's time and could not draw the interests of the public. The Foxwoods Cinetropolis Iwerks Theater closed down by 2002, as did it's sister complex in Japan.

This now brings me to my new obsession. It seems that the experience of Cinetropolis has finally come of age.

To be continued.......

Like what you read and want more? Check out my website at EndlessPerceptions.com