Metaphysical Time Travel

                                                             

                                                       

 

We all have that one special person in our lives that had influenced us by their words and actions to be the best we could be. For me, my siblings and my cousins, it was our maternal grandmother, Maria Grazia Federico Chiusolo. My grandmother was a very spiritual woman and she also had strong psychic abilities that she passed down to all her grandchildren. She has been on my mind recently.

                                                                

                                                              

Grandmom was born in Benevento, Italy. She came to America at the start of World War 2 and it was a good thing because her home was bombed during the war. My grandfather was already living in Philadelphia and when Grandmom arrived in New York, she brought along her three children: Anna, Lucia and Mario. This is a photo of them as young children and long before they came to the States.

                                                               

                           Aunt Anna, Uncle Mario and my mother, Lucy

They moved into a home on 7^th and Ellsworth and there she and grandpop lived until her death sometime in the early 1960’s. Grandmom never spoke a word of English, but she understood me and, I understood her. She always had rosary beads in her hand. She was always praying for us...we were mischievous kids who also happened to be accident prone. We needed every single prayer to keep the Angel of Death at bay.

                                                             

Like I mentioned at the start, Grandmom has been on my mind, lately. Maybe it’s because I am going to Italy this month. It’s the first time I’ve ever been out of the country and although I’ll be with a tour group, I’ll be by myself. That’s okay. I’m not afraid and in a way, I won’t be entirely alone. I have inherited my grandmother’s gift and I can see dead people. In fact, there are two ghosts that live in my house. They are my parents. Their names are Fred and Lucy. I told my parents that I’m bringing them with me on this trip. I also asked my grandmother to come with me. Maybe they can translate for me.

My sister Jane recently sent me copies of some important papers belonging to Grandmom. I studied the papers and the photos and after a few minutes, I was back in time. I must have been around nine years old and I watched as my grandmother sang an Italian song as she cooked the pasta on the stove. The door in her kitchen that led to the yard was open. It was a warm, sunny day. I watched the chickens pecking for food outside in the yard while grandpop cooked a steak on grill that he made from a metal can.  

                                                               

                                                          

Time and space are connected and maybe we don’t need a machine to travel back or forth in time. Maybe our minds, because we are connected to the Universal Collective, are able to make that jump. I did that jump today while looking at the old photos my sister Jane had sent me. You can try this technique, too. Find a photo of a special person who has passed away. Sit in a quiet room. Play some meditation music. Light up some incense. Hold the photo in your hand. Take deep breaths...think of your loved one...now...go back to that moment in time when you were your happiest with them. Let me know if it works for you.

Happy Accidents

                                                                                    

I don’t remember seeing the trailers for this film when it premiered in 2000, but I’m glad that I got to see it this week. This film was written and directed by Brad Anderson and stars Marissa Tomei, Vincent D’onofrio, Holland Taylor, Jose Zuniga and Nadia Dajani. Sometimes, my insomnia has its benefits.

Plot

Ruby Weaver (Marissa Tomei) lives in New York and has a knack for dating losers. She’s seeing a Therapist played by the delightful actress, Holland Taylor, who is known for her cutting edge wit on Two and a Half Men. She plays Charlie (Charlie Sheen) and Alan’s (Jon Cryer) mother on the show.

                                                                      

 

Ruby has to set boundaries and take care of her own needs and show concern for others. She is having a hard time with this exercise, when she meets Sam Deed (Vincent D’Onofrio) who claims that he is from Dubuque Iowa on the Atlantic Coast. Yeah, that slip makes Ruby curious and after much prodding, Sam admits that he is from the future 2470

                                                                      

                                                                          

His time is a world where the ice caps have melted and Iowa is the new coastline. Children are not begotten by conventional ways but cloned by corporations. Sam’s parents live on a reservation and produced Sam the old fashion way via sex. He tells Ruby he’s there to save her life. Ruby loves Sam and so does her parents, but is Sam telling the truth or is he a little crazy? Ruby doesn’t know and on top of this quandary, she thinks Sam is cheating on her with someone called Christie Delancey.
                                                                              

The supporting cast includes: Jose Zuniga a co-worker of Sam’s, Nadia Dajani a close friend of Ruby’s, Tovah Fedlshuh as Ruby’s mother. Anthony Michael Hall makes a guest appearance as himself. The film is humorous science fiction, but it is done well and received positive reviews at the Sundance Film Festival, and received 3 out of 4 stars by Robert Ebert.

Conclusion

I liked the movie and highly recommend it and give it a 4 star rating.

Episode Seventy-three of Lilith's Escape

                                                                   

“What the hell is your problem?” Edward shouted to the guards, who were pointing their weapons at him and Scouter. “Stand down!” he ordered, hoping to bluff his way out of a deadly situation.

“Sir, you haven’t gone through decon, and I can’t let you pass until you do,” the admitting guard replied, keeping his gun aimed at Edward.

“Move aside, soldier,” Edward replied. He had seen the hesitation on the young soldier’s part; the quick blink of the eyes; the weapon being slightly lowered and then quickly raised. Edward stood his ground; the bluff working. “I said, move aside!” The soldiers lowered their weapons and stood aside for him to pass.

                                                                      

“You, come with me!” Edward ordered one of the guards after he was handed back his credentials. Edward needed someone to lead him around the prison. They entered the prison and the guard led them to the main office, where the warden was busy eating his lunch.

“How did you escape?” the warden asked while chewing his food.

“Are you writing a book?” Edward answered the warden’s question with a sarcastic one of his own. “I need to go over your prisoner list, and I need this man put in a cell.” Edward pointed to Scouter.

“We’re getting ready to turn a few more prisoners and then release them. Do you want this prisoner included with that batch?” the warden asked Edward.

                                                                  

“No, this man helped me escape. No one is to touch him. Just put him in a cell and get him something to eat.” After the warden instructed the guard, who had accompanied Edward to his office, to lock up Scouter, and after the guard and prisoner left the room. Edward said, “Before you send out the next batch, let me see who’s on the list.”

                                                                        

“What’s the big interest? The list hasn’t changed that much since you’ve seen it last,” the warden replied, wiping the ketchup from his lips. But, when Edward didn’t reply, the warden let out a sigh and pulled out the files with the names of all the prisoners and their locations.

“Is this everything?” Edward asked. When the warden nodded, Edward quickly grabbed hold of the man’s head and twisted.

                                                                       

After dragging the body to the closet, Edward shoved the man inside.

Episode Seventy-two of Lilith's Escape

                                                                   

The jeep holding Lieutenant Scott, Edward, Scouter and three other soldiers pulled through the gates of the naval base. Edward and Scott were arguing on the ride over, but Edward won and Scouter would be spared the injection. Edward would be the one to interrogate this prisoner.

“It looks like you were knocked around some. Do you need to stop at the base hospital?” Lt. Scott asked Edward aka Brandish.

“No, I’m fine. Just let me take care of my prisoner,” Edward replied. He was hoping to get inside the holding cells and find Rita’s husband and Lazarus.

                                                                    

After the jeep dropped Edward and Scouter off at the prison, it took off, heading towards the Command Center. “You think they bought our story?” Scouter asked.

 “I’m not sure, but we'll soon find out,” Edward said, as the guard at the prison gate ordered them to stop.

                                                                         

“Your credentials, please,” the armed guard said, putting out his hand. Edward handed over his identification and waited.

                                                                            

“There seems to be a problem,” the guard said. Before Edward could reply, two more guards showed up with their weapons drawn.
This was definitely not part of the plan.   

Episode Seventy-one of Lilith's Escape

                                                            

Shots rang out and two of the zombies fell to the ground before Edward had a chance to get a shot off on his own. As the jeep pulled up to Edward and Scouter, the soldiers inside the jeep put down the remaining zombies.

“We thought you were dead,” the officer, who climbed out of the jeep and walked over to Edward, said.

                                                                     

“Me too,” Edward replied. His British accent hidden, his mind clicked through the descriptions given to him by Tzaddik of the known comrades of Captain Brandish, but he could not place this officer’s face. “Thanks to this fool, I was able to escape,” Edward added, trying to buy some time, but he was saved by one of the soldiers who had called out to the officer.

                                                                          

The officer walked away from Edward to speak to his men, but when he returned he said to Edward, “You can ride with us, Captain, but we won’t need him.” The officer then pulled out his gun and aimed at Scouter.

                                                                             

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Edward yelled at Lieutenant Scott. He knocked away the officer’s arm and said, “This man is my prisoner and I’ll decide when he dies.”

Lieutenant Scott gave Edward a dirty look, but he put his gun back in his holster. Edward could hear Scouter’s sigh of relief, but they weren’t out of danger, yet. “When you’re done with him, we’ll inject him with the virus and set him loose,” Scott countered.

                                                                           

This was not starting out to be a good day for the rebels.

Episode Seventy of Lilith's Escape

                                                                        

                                                                                                                    

Episode Seventy of Lilith’s Escape

Edward disguised as David Brandish and Scouter acting the role of prisoner made their way towards the Philadelphia Naval Base. This base was now used by the Illuminati as a prison and medical research center, and the zombies who had attacked the rebel’s underground hideout were created here.

“I hope we don’t run into another herd of zombies. I’m almost out of ammo,” Scouter said as, he pulled his knife from the skull of the dead man.

“Hopefully, they’ll see my uniform from the towers,” Edward replied, pointing to the lookout towers rising above the entrance.

                                                                    

 He had seen the soldiers moving about in the towers; they were scanning the area with their binoculars. If they recognized his uniform, they might send out a vehicle to investigate. Edward was counting on this because he was down to three bullets.

“Here they come,” Scouter cried out as several more zombies stumbled towards them.

                                                                  

"Give me your gun," Edward said. They were too close to the base for Scouter to use his weapon on the zombies heading their way. Scouter needed to act the part of prisoner. Edward quickly snapped on the handcuffs and then pointed his gun at the first zombie to reach them. That one went down, but there were more coming

"Don't miss," Scouter said.

"Don't worry we have company," Edward replied, as the jeep sped down Broad Street towards them.
                                                                           

 

Episode Sixty-nine of Lilith's Escape

                                                                      

Edward was dressed in the uniform of the dead Illuminati Captain, David Brandish. He had all the proper identification and a prisoner. Scouter was dressed in his rebel camouflage outfit. Once they got closer to the Naval Base, Edward would place the handcuffs on Scouter’s wrists.

                                                                          

But, there was one thing he wanted to do before he left. He headed to the makeshift infirmary to say hello to a special little boy.

                                                                

Rita was holding little Tommy in her arms. “How is the boy?” Edward asked, kissing Rita on her forehead. “And how is his mum?”

“Both are fine, thanks to you, Edward. Are you leaving now?”

“Yes, in a few minutes, but…may I hold him?” Edward normally kept away from children. Thinking most of them; little spoiled brats, but spending time with the rebels had changed him somehow.

“Sure, slide your hand under his head…” Rita instructed as she handed the baby to Edward.

“I’ll do my best to bring back his father,” Edward said to Rita, but his eyes were on the sleeping child in his arms.

                                                                      

“I know.”

Edward handed the baby back to his mother and left the room. He found Scouter talking with the toddler known as ‘Little Bit.’

“Bring me a dolly when you come back from your trip,” the child said to Scouter.

                                                                     

Scouter promised her that he would. The two men were led to a tunnel that led to the outside.

“Think we’ll make it there and back in one piece?” Scouter asked Edward as they began their quest.

“If we don’t, then I’ll be dying alongside a friend and comrade…” Edward knew that Scouter was fishing for encouragement, but Edward wasn’t feeling any of that at the moment.

                                                                      

Episode: Sixty-eight of Lilith's Escape

 

                                                                       

Edward was worried and went looking for Lilith as soon as he returned to the refugee area. She was in the midst of a group of soldiers and busy talking to Tzaddik. When Edward walked up to her, she smiled.

“You got a minute?” Edward asked her. He didn’t mean to sound so gruff, but Ruth and her arsenal, worried him.

“Yes,” Lilith replied and then followed Edward to a quiet corner.

                                                                  

“Don’t let Ruth fire those missiles,” Edward whispered. “I’ll get into the enemies base and I’ll bring back Lazarus…just keep that trigger happy bitch from blowing up the east coast.”

“She’s scared, that’s all. Don’t worry, love,” Lilith said moving into Edwards arms.

He was still angry with her, but when she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him; his anger was replaced with a much stronger emotion; lust.

“Let’s get out of here,” Edward said to the nymph in his arms. Luckily, Lilith knew of a few private areas inside the underground stronghold that were perfect for their romantic escapade. She was able to find a storage room.

                                                                         

“Are you still angry with me?” Lilith asked Edward as she closed and locked the door. But Edward answered her question with a kiss and much more.

                                                                         

Episode Sixty-seven of Lilith's Escape

                                                                  

Ruth led Edward and Scouter down the dark corridors to an underground tunnel. The guards here were more heavily armed and all wore full radiation protection hazmat jumpsuits.

                                                                

“You’ve got to be kidding, right?” Edward said to Ruth.

“Do I look like I’m laughing? Ruth replied, hands on hips.”

                                                            

“What weapons are kept in here?” Edward asked, ignoring her reply and attitude.

“We have several Peacekeepers, Russian SS-18 Satans and a few medium range warheads from Israel. If they try to get into this place, the Naval Base and all of Philadelphia will be history.”

                                                                    

“But, you’ll destroy the good people with the bad. Are you willing to do this?” Edward was a bit worried that Ruth was a little too hawkish.

“They crossed the line by creating those zombies, and yes, I’m ready to do what is needed to stop them.”

                                                                         

“You’re freaking nuts!” Edward replied.

“Am I?” Just do your job and bring back Lazarus,” Ruth replied. She turned away from Edward and headed back towards the refugee area.

“I don’t know who to fear more, her or the Illuminati,” Edward said to Scouter as they began walking back towards the refugee area.

 

“You go with the Devil you know,” Scouter replied.


                                                                            

Episode Sixty-six of Lilith's Escape

 

                                                                         

“Come to my office,” the commander ordered Edward and Scooter.

Edward wanted to have a moment with Lilith, but he was pretty sure the woman in front of him was not accustomed to waiting. So he followed her and Scouter down a dim lit hall way to where her office was located.

                                                                      

Ruth took her seat behind the desk and gestured for the men to grab the folding chairs against the wall. “You’re going into enemy territory tomorrow. Are you ready for this?” Ruth asked as she lit the tobacco in the pipe that she grabbed from the desk drawer.

                                                                     

Yeah, we’re ready to go,” Scouter replied. Edward nodded.

“I’ll have to say, the doc did a fabulous job on your face,” Ruth said to Edward.

“I’ll have to take your word on it, because I’ve been too busy to check in a mirror,”

“No, it’s good and the doc said that most of the swelling will be gone by tomorrow when you’re ready to start out.” Ruth leaned back in her chair and studied Edward as she puffed on her pipe. Edward felt like a bug under a microscope.

“How come the enemy doesn’t attack this place? They have to know that you’re here, am I correct?” Edward asked, hoping that she would stop staring at him.

                                                                 

“Oh, they know we’re here, alright,” she replied.

“So, why haven’t they attacked?”

“It might be better to just show you,” Ruth said, as she stood and placed her pipe into the china tea cup that now acted as an ashtray. “Come along boys, I ain’t got all day.”

As the men followed Ruth from the office, Edward asked Scouter, “Do you know what’s she’s talking about?”

                                                                      

Scouter nodded and said, “unfortunately.’  

Episode Sixty-five of Lilith's Escape

 

                                                                 

 

“Slow down,” Edward yelled over the noise of the quad. The driver was zigzagging all over the place and Edward was worried about Rita. If the driver heard his protesting, he had no idea.

                                                                           

Just then a rocket flashed past them, followed by an explosion overhead. Edward looked over his shoulder to see a drone crash to the ground, but that’s all he had time to see before the quad drove down a ramp that led under the museum.

                                                                    

As soon as they reached the underground tunnel, the metal doors were slammed shut. Lilith, Bradley, Jones, Scouter, the entire caravan had made it to safety.

The driver climbed off the quad and pulled off her helmet. Edward was amazed; the woman had to be in her 70’s. “We need a medic,” the woman shouted when she realized that Rita was in trouble.

                                                                      

While the medics rushed Rita away, Edward thanked the woman and asked for her name. She shook his hand and said, “I’m Ruth, the Commander of this post, and who the hell are you?”

“After today, I’m not sure,” Edward replied with a chuckle. He immediately took a liking to the little old lady who had a very tight grip on his hand.

                                                                         

Episode Sixty-four of Lilith's Escape

                                                                       

Heavy artillery was ringing out in front of them, but Edward’s attention was on the woman he carried in his arms as he rushed to safety. Rita was screaming something, but the explosion from the grenade that had gone off several feet behind them, made it impossible to hear anything but the ringing in his ears.

“We’re not going to make it to safety, please…put me down,” Rita was struggling to free herself from his tight hold of her.

Edward needed to catch his breath and lowered Rita to the ground, but when he realized that she was bleeding, his heart sank. “I’m not giving up and neither are you, he told her.”

                                                                          

                                                 

Instead of replying Rita pointed her gun at Edward and shot. When he realized the bullet wasn’t meant for him, he turned and saw the zombie lying on the ground. There were another twenty or more heading their way. “These bags of bones picked the wrong day to start with me,” Rita said through clenched teeth.

                                                                    

The sound of a loud engine caught their attention and when Edward spun around, gun aimed, he was surprised to see an elderly woman sitting on a four wheeled vehicle.  This was Edward's first introduction to a quad.

                                                                         

“What the hell are you waiting for? I ain’t here to take your pictures; climb on, now,” the grandmotherly rider shouted out.

                                                                        

                                           

Edward had no time to question the woman, not with the zombies within hand’s reach. He helped Rita onto the back of the bike before joining her. Edward was forced to hang on for dear life as the driver raced away.