The Plaza
Today's photos are heartbreaking. Well, perhaps that's too strong a term, but let's just say that they are a bummer, dude. They're blurry. Was it a case of a cheap camera? Was the lens coated in butter from popcorn? They could have been so great if they were sharp and focused! But instead they went out for cigarettes and never came back. Wait, what were we talking about again? Anyway, it's probably no surprise to you that these are being shared on a Snoozer Sunday.
There's a nice lady, posing amongst some flowers over at the eastern edge of the Plaza. Maybe she didn't need to actually be standing in the flower bed? She's not THAT nice! These photos might be from 1955, but I always hesitate to say so unless they are clearly labeled as such. I still enjoy a few details, such as the ice cream vendor's red and white umbrella, or the two men scrutinizing what I believe is a menu for the Red Wagon Inn (behind us). Or howsabout the undeveloped area to the right? It looks so weird to see nothing but a hillside and shrubbery.
Next, we're still in the Plaza, but closer to the Castle. Another blurry lady stands in another blurry flower bed. This photo could have been a contender; it could have been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what it is, let's face it.
12 comments:
Major, these photos probably were from 1955 since there is no wire fencing around that planting area. And since there's no fencing, our posing lady is perfectly within her rights to stand amongst the flowers... it's the law. People are dressed for warm weather so maybe these photos were taken just a month or so after opening day.
I tried sharpening the photos (a lot!)... it worked, but of course now it's kinda grainy looking, but not too bad.
Major, I think you're being a little hard on that poor second photo. For one thing, that lady doesn't look at all like Marlon Brando. Actually, she's almost in focus. As are some of the tree leaves. It looks like the camera's focal distance setting was off, and the depth of field too narrow. I think maybe the Castle moved just as the photo was taken, causing it to be out of focus. You know how castles can be, especially young castles; always fidgeting.
They may be blurry, but they're still more focused than my eyesight, without my glasses. Thanks, Major.
Okay so THESE are the people that made Disney put metal railings around all of the planters! In the second pic, it looks like some of the "Home Depot" wire borders had already been put up. So that lady probably stepped over them to get where she is. Shame, shame....everybody knows her name!
Does no one but Lou know how to hold a camera steady? I agree with JB, I think the Queen Elizabeth hair style the lovely lady in the 2nd photo is sporting, puts her between '53 to '57. Given the lack of fencing, '55 fits perfectly. I would gladly give 10 acres of my spread for a Wayback Machine right about now. I would have no problem blending in, I would wear period clothing and rock the QEII hair style! Thanks Major.
Another Blurry Lady Sunday
Shaky cameras everywhere
Beds of flowers that are all the same
And no one seems to care
Blurry, or sharp and clear, I care not. These are definitely the Old Park.
I can’t say much to date photo 2, but photo 1 is definitely 1957 or earlier based on the plain green trash cans.
I know I have no hard data on the appearance of Fancy Cans, but I maintain that 1957 number based on empirical research.
And these two are definitely among the culprits that required the wire fencing and ultimately the comprehensive security regime now in place. Sad, since they look so nice, but are clearly hardened criminals.
Fidgeting castles can be a real problem, won’t stay on their foundations.
Thanks Major, “the saddest words blah blah blah, it might have been.”
JG
Wow! I wonder who lives in the blury big house behind the blurry ladies! Hey, maybe we're on Blurry Lane?
Your Wordle Word of the Day™ is 'focus'.
Thanks, Major
Zach
JB, I tried sharpening the photos too, but as always there’s only so far that you can take it before things start to look weird. I decided to just leave things the way they are. You may be right about the 1955 date, and I sure love the abundance of grass and flowers, especially in the first example.
TokyoMagic!, yes, I blame those ladies for EVERYTHING, including what’s going on at the park today. I formally apologize to Paul Pressler and Ms. Irvine!
Jonathan, my grandpa was notorious for blurry photos, I was so excited to find color slides that he took in the late 1940s, and almost every one is blurry. Maybe 10 percent are OK. What was up, grandpa? Interesting idea about the Queen Elizabeth hairstyle, you’re probably right. Your hair would look like a cruise ship??
Melissa, I can’t figure out the tune I’m supposed to use!
JG, since we can see one of those “map signs” beneath the umbrella in the first photo, these are probably from sometime in 1955 or 1956, because I am pretty sure those signs were gone by 1957. BUT… I COULD BE WRONG! “Fancy Cans”, a story of murder. Or cat food? Nowadays the grassy areas are surrounded by wrought iron, as if the grass has broken the law. I thought the saddest words are “I dropped my ice cream”!
zach, it’s funny, I know people reference “Wordle”, I have no idea how to play it though. It has to do with math, right? ;-) Would I be good at it because I like crossword puzzles?
Major-
Pleasant Valley Sunday, by the Monkees. And written by the great Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
(Thank you, Melissa-!)
OMG...I left such a great post today...where is it? It was THERE...I checked...I double checked...I triple dog dare checked....I copied the transcript...after I verified it I went onto the next thing on my Sunday agenda....now..not in my "copy" log...sooooo.....at a high level: great pics. Could easily get lost in them. Possibly '55: need to do more forensics...missing the smell of petunia's and geraniums...Spring will soon be here....QE2 hair do's....wire borders...Castles without dents...peace, calm and serenity. I'm glad Disneyland is still there, but I do long for the "park" in the Park. And make ODV wagons like this again. They look like ugly blue barges in Fowlers Harbor now...crawling with QR codes, and hand sinks, and freezers, and storage lockers...the grumpy old man is here again...thanks for the Sunday blurs Major!
Major, lots of websites will tell you how to play. Basically, you're trying to guess the 5 letter word of the day. None mention the irony that Wordle is a six letter word.
zach
"I think maybe the Castle moved just as the photo was taken, causing it to be out of focus. You know how castles can be, especially young castles; always fidgeting."
JB, you're probably right...SEE HERE!
BTW, while you're watching THAT ^ I'll be heading for the short lines on the JC and PotC. I'll meet you for a Dole Whip by the Tiki Room, afterwards.
Thanks, Major.
Sue, if I had to use one word to describe that, it would be "frenzied". I got a chuckle out of seeing all the phone screens lit up, recording the event, in front of us.
I've never had a Dole Whip before, but I have read a couple of recipes. Sounds like a pineapple soft freeze sherbet. I'd like that.
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