Author: Alfredo Casuso

(1974) The Times They Are NOT A Changin’

Written on March 26, 2026.

THE TIMES THEY ARE NOT a CHANGIN’
By J.D.Murphy 1974

Don’t gather ‘round people from

your comfortable homes

the action we’re taking can

be done on the phone

and accept the fact that

you’ll be throwing no stones

no time of yours will be wasted

so don’t bother moving

we’ll go it alone

For The Times Are Not a Changin’

Come sightseers and heretics

who speak with no yen

who can’t keep their eyes open

in spite of the sin

so talk all you want midst

the oil and the din

you won’t be escapin’ the blamin’

for the differences now

seem later to win

For The Times Are Not a Changin’

Run senators and congressmen

in your brand-new suits

it’s okay to pretend that

you’re not in cahoots

for he who gets caught

will find no rebuke

there’s a ritual out there being created

everyone’s going for the windows

and crawling over walls

For The Times Are Not a Changin’

Mothers and fathers throughout

the land

only sermonize the Lord’s

small commands

their sons and their daughters

are endlessly bland

their old road heartily laden

they can’t move out of the new one

‘cause it’s made out of sand

For The Times Are Not a Changin’

The dreams are connived

The hopes they are dashed

Slow ones now will

later get smashed

the order is mutely behavin’

and the worst ones now

will most likely last

For The Times Are Not a Changin’

J.D. Murphy is an American businessman, author, and filmmaker best known for co-founding the University of Phoenix. Born in Portland, Oregon in 1946, Murphy studied at San Jose State University and later taught there while running a community mental health program early in his career. In 1976 he helped launch the University of Phoenix with John Sperling, serving in senior administrative roles focused on government affairs and accreditation before resigning in 1997. As a filmmaker and writer, Murphy produced and wrote Valley of the Heart’s Delight (2006) and has authored books including Jury Rigging in the Court of Public Opinion, Mission Forsaken: The University of Phoenix Affair with Wall Street, and American Incendiary Populism.

Upon This Rock at sea on Rotterdam VII

Written on March 26, 2026.

Upon This Rock upon Holland America’s flagship, Rotterdam: a favorite ship of author David Eugene Perry currently onboard working on the sequel to his best-selling mystery thriller including an at-sea murder! ‘Tis the perfect Trans-Atlantic read set in the magical Italian hilltop town of Orvieto.

Currently in screenplay development and now in its second printing as the best-selling title ever for Pace Press / Quilldriver Books, this “elegant, twisty thriller” (Armistead Maupin) is “giddy with assassins, terrorists, shady priests, human trafficking, and megawatt conspiracies” (Kay Kudukis, Palm Springs Life) with “two detectives as sharp as Sam Spade and with the wit of Nick and Nora Charles” (Will Snyder, Bay Area Reporter). “Upon This Rock is fabulous. I can’t wait for the movie” (Jan Wahl, Emmy Award Winning Hollywood Reporter).

WINNER: Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

WINNER: San Francisco Book Festival

Get your copy at your favorite independent bookstore in San Francisco like the Best Bookstore in Union Square, Green Apple Books, Books, Inc or Fabulosa Castro!

Or on Amazon — instant ebook for Kindle or print — at the link below:

https://a.co/d/0gGLgv18

Ahoy! Atlantic Crossing on Rotterdam VII

Written on March 23, 2026.

Ahoy! Atlantic Crossing on Rotterdam VII

Ahoy! First off, a big thank you to Geoff DeVito for his generosity and encouragement. We wouldn’t be “at sea” without his good efforts.

From March 22 ‘til April 5, Alfredo and I will be aboard the Holland America flagship “Rotterdam”: the seventh vessel to sail with that storied moniker. During our crossing, we’ll be offering the following maritime history presentations.

After we dock, we’ll spend two nights aboard the iconic Rotterdam V, now moored in its homeport as a hotel and museum.

At-Sea LinerLore Lectures:

Titanic: Legend and Legacy

Without a doubt,most famous ship – and shipwreck – in the world,RMS Titanic has lived longer in memory and ongoing fascination than her all-too-brief maiden voyage. Learn of the 1898 book that “predicted” her story (and loss), and take a tour through the dozens of movies, and hundreds of books that continue to bring this classic sea tale to new generations. Plus – a Holland America connection!

Paddlewheels, Steam & Speed: The Birth of Oceanic Travel.

For millennia, humans have sought to bridge the “Old World” to the “New” over the “Western Ocean”. From St. Brendan to SS Great Britain from sail to steam, former ship office and award winning author David Eugene Perry chronicles the story of TransOceanic travel including the birth of the great Holland America line.

Ocean Olympians: Ships of State, Immigration & Sometimes War

From 1900 – 1914, millions of Europeans crossed the Atlantic: immigrants, business people and tourists. The competition among the ship owners of the US, Britain, France, Germany, Holland and others was intense, and changed the world leading up to World War I.

The Golden Age of Liners: Blue Riband Royalty. The Holland America greats including the iconic Nieux Amsterdam, Queens Mary andElizabeth, Rex, Normandie, Breman & Europaand SS United States. These fastest and most glamourous of liners defined an age, and a way of life, between the Wars, and after. A crowd pleasing “must sea” talk of the Sea!

From Crossing to Cruising: A New Golden Age at Sea. In the late 1950s, air-travel became “the only way to cross” the Atlantic. What to do with aging, elegant ships meant for passenger comfort but not competitive with jets? The answer: “Getting there is half the fun.” Learn how “crossing” gave way to “pleasure cruising” including Holland America’s significant contributions.

6) Linerlore: Classic Tales of the Sea and Famous Ship Stories.

Nothing is more evocative than “Tales of the Sea.” Learn about the Italian beauties Michelangelo & Raffaello, FDR’s presidential yacht Potomac, the only ship that ever sailed in two centuries, two millennia, and in two days – at the same time – plus more fascinating ship stories.

International Women’s Month Salute Marisa Rodriguez

Written on March 22, 2026.

International Women’s Month Salute Marisa Rodriguez

Today for International Women’s Month we salute Marisa Rodriguez, San Francisco’s “Cheerleader in Chief” and the driving force behind revitalizing the vibrant heart of The City as CEO of the Union Square Alliance.

A key destination and economic center for the Bay Area spanning 27 city blocks and accounting for $21 billion in assessed rates, the Alliance makes up 3% of the city’s total assessed value. Under Marisa’s leadership, the Alliance has achieved new heights, elevating its role as a destination marketing organization and reshaping the narrative of the square to attract visitors.

Kudos, congrats and thank you Marisa!

www.VisitUnionSquareSF.com

Upon This Rock” Brings Visitors to Orvieto

Written on March 21, 2026.

Upon This Rock” Brings Visitors to Orvieto

Ever since Alfredo’s and my first visit to Orvieto, Italy in 2014 we’ve been singing the praises of this magical Umbrian town. And, of course, it served as the inspiration and setting for my best-selling and award-winning mystery thriller Upon This Rock.

This month, we were delighted to see that the book paid off: inspiring my friend Ken Ferraris and his husband to visit. Of course, we gave them some “must visits.” To whit, they dined at Trattoria La Palomba and met our pal Michelle Narciso, visited with our dear friends Massimo and Tiziana Aloisio at OROGAMI and even managed a “photo opp” at Barrique Caffè where many a word was written and many a negroni imbibed.

Get your copy of the book “Tales of the City” author Armistead Maupin calls “an elegant, twisty thriller”
and “the gay ‘DaVinci Code’ but a lot better (Fenton Johnson) at the link below!

https://a.co/d/0e6TEfTW