blessingx

Hope it was a great one.

For those without AppleTV+, it’s free this weekend (1/3-5). Time to watch Slow Horses. https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2024/12/get-a-free-all-access-pass-to-apple-tv-the-first-weekend-of-2025/

You and I are a lot alike on the reflection front. What's the old quote I can never find a record of? "We live just long enough to doubt everything we believed in" (or something similar)? Anyway, within photography, and I know not everyone agrees, gear got good enough at least a decade ago (and probably much longer - four decades?) and common big photographic questions answered (at least in pursuit of realism?), so whatever constitutes image making now seems at least partially tied with experimentation and alternative views, no? I mean is a mouth camera much crazier than the fact that the mouth camera is a film pinhole camera in 2024? Anyway, looking forward to other orifices in 2025. 🫠

Vinyl-focused listening bars inspired by ones in Japan are opening across New York, attracting audiophiles and city dwellers looking for a respite from the cacophony outside their doors. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/30/style/vinyl-listening-bars.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mE4.DoPV.rDeIpFwipn7h&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&tgrp=on. (gift article)

I dunno. Maybe. Maybe, even likely, but she's an artist across media for almost 40 years. This is another one focused on image-making and even on the narrow photography front going from EVF to eye contact OVF or waist-level can have impact, why not experiment elsewhere and stare in each other's eyes? I think of Errol Morris' contraptions to do the opposite. Again, this may be all be for attention and notoriety, but there's a decent chance it may not. And I kind of like aiming for relevance. 😉

Whatever your current mood hope you have a decent New Year’s Eve and Day.

The Untold Story of the White House’s Weirdly Hip Record Collection Jimmy Carter’s grandson is unlocking its mysteries https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/05/03/the-untold-story-of-the-white-houses-weirdly-hip-record-collection/

Mouth pinhole camera

Reminder…

2024: A Year In Pictures https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/world/year-in-pictures.html?unlocked_article_code=1.lE4.Dgq5.LZRv4dFGBE4Y&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&tgrp=sty (gift article)

That reminds me of, and maybe based on (?)…

Thanks everyone. Great to have this community. Fun, chill day so far with family gift giving and heading to the coast for a friend's gathering shortly. Hope everyone is having a great holiday too.

Christmas Dreamers: the Numero Guide to Yuletide Country (Spotify playlist)

Trio Mediaeval - Yule Ex.

Hope it’s a wonderful day Ken.

Stingray (S01E12): A Christmas to Remember

It’s because of the damn movie, right?

Different drivers, different housing, and different pads? Never affected the sound of a Grado before. 🙃

Apple gave Hysterical their podcast of the year award. It’s pretty good. ‘Hysterical is a podcast about a mysterious illness that affects a group of high school girls in LeRoy, New York in 2011. The podcast explores the cause of the girls' sudden and violent symptoms, and whether it was something in the water, inside the school, or "all in their head".’ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hysterical/id1753789609

Amnesty International’s report on Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory “This report documents Israel’s actions during its offensive on the occupied Gaza Strip from 7 October 2023. It examines the killing of civilians, damage to and destruction of civilian infrastructure, forcible displacement, the obstruction or denial of life-saving goods and humanitarian aid, and the restriction of power supplies. It analyses Israel’s intent through this pattern of conduct and statements by Israeli decision-makers. It concludes that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.” https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/8668/2024/en/ https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/MDE1586682024ENGLISH.pdf

Thanks much. I actually picked it up yesterday, along with three Michelangelo Antonioni films (they'll probably never release a Blu-ray box set at this point), but that makes me feel even better (was still debating on the Sony UBP-X800M2 and its SACD support). Now to plug it into my old 1080 TV. Kinda strange it dropped another $50 from Friday.

Film Camera Heaven in Finland

So you’re thinking the Leica Q3 Monochrom? Modern P&S is tough as you hint. Maybe one of the previous Sony RX100 versions? The Ricoh GRs go way back. For older a Canon G9/G10 or Powershot SD1000? In between a Nikon Coolpix A? And of course the Fuji X100 goes generations back. How large would she likely carry? How frustrated would she likely get with old AF? Is she chasing CCD sensors or anything? Need WiFi? Maybe glance through the Snappiness and One Month Two cameras (both mentioned in last few articles on the subject) YouTube channels. They’re really driving which models are currently in. P&Ss aren’t my focus, but I do have a Canon G2 you’re welcome to. It’s just the camera and I’m not sure 4MP is where I’d start in 2024, but PM if interested. EDIT: Honestly, those are pretty practical, uninspiring choices too. Let us know if you’re looking for exotic, difficult to process, ones.

Happy Thanksgiving and hope everyone is having a great day. I’m thankful for DC fast charging on Thanksgiving trips.

Thanks all of you. It seems unless you go up to $1K+ (that UB9000, Magnetar Oppo clone, etc.) it really comes down to the Panny UB820 or Sony X800M2. Unless Sony's better build quality or additional audio support like SACDs are the goals, everyone is leaning Panasonic for auto-Dolby Vision and more reliable 4K playback. And Black Friday (everyday!) sales bring them closer together in price. If anyone has any thoughts on I having that all wrong please let me know. I hereby swear I have zero interest collecting Blu-rays (I'm saying this as much for myself as to you), but will pick up career box sets of favorite directors or films missing from streaming. Plus I have a bunch of old Criterion DVDs* and no way to play them. Now to see as we approach Xmas and my birthday if my family has caught on to all the not exactly subtle hints about that Akio Jissoji set. *