blessingx

As strange as it seems, and the review is from a narrow lens, but there are those who feel the opposite... https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/aug/31/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-review-so-astounding-it-makes-house-of-the-dragon-look-amateur

I suppose the greatness of any documentary is related to knowledge the viewer has or hasn’t going in, but HBO’s Hostages, about the Iranian Hostage Crisis, hits something I have far too many gaps in. If you’re anything like me it’s highly recommended. Plus strange to watch in the contemporary shadows of all the UK monarchy turnover and the January 6th mess.

Makaya McCraven’s In These Times Title track

I’m interested in the new doc and don’t pretend to be objective here. SNL has had over 600 musical guests during its run and by my estimation two have used the platform well. Costello is in the number two slot. And I’m talking about her less commonly discussed appearance (strangely missing from web). Sure it was only a couple years, but Sinéad practically defined the rock&roll-punk mindset there for a bit and who else would tell Frank Sinatra to fuck off? It hardly seems an exaggeration to say, for a while it was like Sinéad versus the world and some of us weren’t sure who was going to win. It’s hard to ignore everything after, but if you squint and can, there are not many who flashed so brightly, staying pretty true and avoiding the rock star trappings… for a short while. Last indicator I’m probably taking this all too seriously, when Melissa got pregnant and I thought about music to play when they arrived Pet Sounds immediately came to mind. When we found out it was going to be a girl I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got was first album to be mentally added. EDIT: In other news, the doc, Nothing Compares, can't use Nothing Compares 2 U, because Prince's estate thinks his version needs protecting. That’s funny.

I have to admit I was a little mixed on season one of Reservation Dogs, though its genius more than occasionally showed through. Absolutely no doubt on season two's greatness. Loved every episode so far. FX/Hulu.

Miss you.

Also the echos of more contemporary events - Southern border policies (steal jobs and al-Qaeda could sneak across), Syrian refugees (who is in disguise?), only 114 Ukrainian refugees entered the U.S. last month, etc. It’s the same policies, and the same party fighting, using the same chant of jobs and terrorism (replacing concern over spies).

It’s true. Russian Ark couldn’t compete with Chicago.

Russia withdraws from Oscars. Expected to sweep Oskars. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/27/russia-to-boycott-oscars-as-cultural-isolation-deepens

^ This

I kinda miss the old, unemotional NASA.

Roger Waters cancels gigs in Poland after Russian invasion comments https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/sep/24/roger-water-cancels-gigs-in-poland-amid-row-over-ukraine-war-comments?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

How’s this for a quote? “Life is a movie. Death is a photograph.” - Susan Sontag

Hope it's a great one!

Louise Fletcher, aka Nurse Ratched, RIP https://www.npr.org/2022/09/24/1124904771/louise-fletcher-cuckoos-nest-nurse-ratched-died

Thanks. I am lucky with Esmé, though it's more a fight now, than in the past. All part of understanding self-image, I suppose. But if you lock them in a bubble. I certainly agree on the dials (though I still kinda want one). Even Leica has reintroduced labels. SL vs. SL2/SL2-S.

A Funny Mishap On A Famous Monk Recording https://lewisporter.substack.com/p/an-audible-and-funny-mishap-on-a

For the Better Call Saul fans… https://9to5mac.com/2022/09/22/apple-tv-plus-vince-gilligan/

Yo @Dusty Chalk https://petapixel.com/2022/09/21/the-pentax-k-3-iii-jet-black-special-edition-is-now-available-in-the-u-s/

Couldn't they keep switching rapidly back and forth to make everyone happy?

Close. There are other subtle reminders of differences, like the all the Fuck Newsom flags on surrounding properties and the 60ft Trump Nation banner right across the street. Still other similarities inside the time warp bubble…

Speaking of a different experience, yesterday went to London (though some old timers referred to its historical name - “Hollister”) and visited the Queen (lookin’ good!) and the extended royal family, aka lizard people. Also other confusing things.

Also in the absence of real diners, looking for a restaurant open weird hours, with a variety of items on the menu (last weeks favorite may be hated this week), and both a discounted kids menu and truly kids friendly (that was a learning experience)… well, the options narrow quickly. Basically Esmé popped and my relationship to Denny’s did a 180. And yes, also problematic Black Bear is preferred, though you lose the hours.

Lou Reed's Words & Music, May 1965 Ex.