THE TWILIGHT ZONE

I suppose this thread:

http://www.artforthemasses.us/castacon/ ... .php?t=305

from back in the summer of 06 might be as good an introduction as any. I happened upon this thread discussing Patty Partin and some stories I had written about a woman I secretly called “The Camel Lady” just the other day. It was a joy to find this site and your interest in my related experiences. I believe this woman, who I only knew as Patty, was likely the famous Blue Scout, but I’m not sure. Truth is, I don’t know what is true, and would love to hear the opinion of those here on that matter.

I’ve posted a site of stories related to an old gold miner named Walt Bickel. Some of the stories there would be of interest to followers of Carlos Castaneda. It was at this gold camp, many years ago that I was introduced to The Path.

First, a recently deceased friend of mine named Alex Apostolides was in fact a close friend of Castaneda when they both worked at UCLA. Many called Alex a shaman and some have even implied he was actually Don Juan. I simply don’t know. Still, that story seekers might find to be a good read:

http://www.zyworld.com/billgann/AlexApostolides.htm

Next, meet Outlaw John and the Camel Lady. When I knew these people, I had no idea that the Camel Lady might have some connection to Castaneda. In fact, though I’ve been a lifetime enthusiast of Castaneda’s work, I had never heard of Blue Scout until she became a pile of bleached bones in Death Valley. That story is in two parts:

http://www.zyworld.com/billgann/Outlaw1.htm

and part two:

http://www.zyworld.com/billgann/OutlawP2.htm

Finally I did attempt a bit of research as to the veracity of the Blue Scout/Camel Lady connection here:

http://www.zyworld.com/billgann/CastanedaConnection.htm

Lastly, I did gain a small measure of knowledge over the years I seriously took the Path With Heart. At best, I’m more a buoyant fool than a shaman, but this story:

http://www.zyworld.com/billgann/BlackMountain.htm

from the path itself might hold some interest and truth.

Ya Ta Hey Bill Gann

_________________
Light words matter

It is indeed a tremendous pleasure, Mr. Gann, that you have come here at last, just as Abe/Blackbeard has hoped and I have hoped too...

Welcome! And thank you coming!

Now, I shall get down to business and make a thread for us all - for you, myself, and anyone else - down there in that "Castaneda's Legacy" forum.

It happens, Mr. Gann that your story about the "Camel Lady" caused quite a stir of controversy some time ago, and ever since there has been many unresolved, "delicate" questions surrounding it....

What a wonderful opportunity to clear the air...

FC

Hello Bill and welcome on board!

Yes, as Funny Cloud said your Camel Lady story was hotly discussed some time ago on another bulletin board after Abe first found your site and there were many interesting questions risen. I hope FC will put some of them to you because she was one of the most active participants of that discussain.

And I even translated this your story into Russian language then and posted it in a Russian Forum. So I just hope you don't mind I did it, don't you?

Thank you!
Yah Teh Hay!

Welcome to this board Bill Gann!!

Yes, I was indeed hoping you would show up some day and tell us a bit more about your experiences with the Camel Lady , but also about this Alex Apostolides, your friend. For even if this Camel Lady proves to be totally unrelated to Patti Partin, then still your stories and info about Alex Apostolides are very interesting.

For starters, I have this question: was Kleo Apostolides a daughter or sister or niece of Alex Apostolides? Kleo Apostolides was once married to Philip K. Dick , the famous science fiction writer. I just hope it is not just a coincidence that both Alex Apostolides and the ex-husband of a Kleo Apostolides were science fiction writers.



Are you willing to tell us how you found this board, Bill?

I found your website once by simply Googling Partin's name, and I must say I liked to read your stories about the community in the desert, aside from the possible connections with Castaneda and Partin.



Abe (= short for 'Abramelin', a username I used for a couple of years here and there...).

I don't get it...

Perhaps I am slow, but where is the connection between a drunk, licentious slut in the desert, and a sorceress of Castaneda's party??

Either I am incredibly stupid for not seeing it, or someone else is for even proposing this.

*smells heap*

Shark, the problem is in the timing of the things that happened in the desert community, but I hope Bill Gann here is willing to tell us more about that.

And like I said: there is another - possible - interesting connection with Castaneda, and that is Alex Apostolides. I have searched and searched on the internet, but all I could find is that Alex Apostolides was a (co-)writer of science fiction stories and novels. Bill Gann seems to be the only one who can tell us more about this man who was his friend.

First, I don't know if Blue Scout and the Camel Lady the same person. I would love to know for sure. Let's see if we can find out. Anyone have ideas how we might do this?

I did know or thought I knew Alex Apostolides fairly well. It's now clear I didn't know all there was to him. Interesting to note that back in those days out there in the desert, there was another woman who hung around Bickel Camp. She's quite old now. She was an Apache and of all things, an opera singer. Her name was Betty. Alex loved her and always spoke of her with great respect. She, on the other hand, always called Alex “That damned old Brujo.” She also always called her husband who I think is now dead “The Chief.” Anyway, I’ll see if I can find her. She might help with information on Alex. Alex was indeed a friend of Carlos Castaneda’s and talked of discussing shamanic life with him before he published “The Teachings of Don Juan.”

Someone mentioned Alex’s sister. I can ask his widow about her. Alex’s father was a San Francisco medical doctor. Alex was a Greek lover of life, a fantastic photographer, a descriptive writer, and great story teller.

For the record, like all of you here I’ve had a long interest in Castaneda’s work. I’m not pretending to offer anything more. I’m not a shaman or even a wannabe witch. I’m nothing more than a seeker like you. I suppose I’ve charted my own path with heart and following that way generated an experience or two. Please don’t follow me as experiences, acquaintances, and observations do not make me a man of knowledge or mystical warrior.

_________________
Light words matter

I assure you, I'll treat you just as crappy as I do everyone else..

Welcome.....

_________________
Art for the Masses

Sheesh Allister,

Youv'e always been decent to me!

Don't you like me?