A Big Sur Podcast
A Big Sur Podcast
An ongoing conversation with people from near and far about Big Sur's past, present, and future. A Big Sur Podcast interprets “community” to mean ALL people from around the world who are curious about, and who care about, the preservation and restoration of the wild and rural character of Big Sur. Stories are told by visitors and residents, plumbers and linesmen, musicians and authors, dancers and jugglers and others. Sometimes we drift (way) off-topic into the arts, sciences, personal stories, gossip, politics, philosophy, ornithology, Henry Miller, and our zeitgeist in general. We like that!
The opinions expressed here belong to the people who express them. They may or may not line up with yours, mine, or your neighbor’s — and that’s exactly the point. Different perspectives, lived experiences, and even wildly clashing views are what make conversations worth listening to: enriching, infuriating, life-affirming, and sometimes all three at once.
If you are planning a visit to Big Sur and you listen to some of the folks on this Podcast talk about their love of the place your visit will probably be a lot more rewarding. Please email magnus@henrymiller.org with any comments, critique & suggestions.
Music intro clip courtesy John Holm: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0Rh2QU
Sound editing software by Hindenburg: https://hindenburg.com/
Please support the podcast by making a donation to the Henry Miller Library, a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization. Thank you!
A Big Sur Podcast
# 96 Iguana John speaks about his early life.
We lost Iguana John Thursday morning, May 23.
He died from heart failure at the Community Hospital.
John was born John Carlin in January of 1956. Many of us here in Big Sur have been touched by John. He did indeed have an Iguana on his shoulder for many years. Both his parents were deaf so John signed fluent ALS (American sign language). He lived for many years at Kay Shorts house in Coastlands, he also lived on Pfeiffer Ridge and for the past several years he was the caretaker at the Henry Miller Library. Seeing him sign with deaf guests at the library is unforgettable. He came to life with the love of 'speaking' in the way he knew so well. We love John and we miss him.
John leaves behind his sister Sheryl Pierce, his brother Paul Carlin, and his niece Nicole Burnett.
At the time of writing this there's no plan yet for a memorial gathering. If and when that happens it will be announced on Big Sur local social media sites.
The audio you hear is John and Magnus driving to the hospital at a previous occasion.
/Magnus
PS.
John lived in his van for the past 12 years or so. He was a war veteran, a short stint in Vietnam. He had little Buddha’s and prayer flags placed inside his van in several places. He thought of a spiritual realm through the teachings of the Buddha.
Portrait of John by Dan Bern
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This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County!
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