This week we got our wedding invitations back from the printer (featuring custom designs by Jara Montez!), and… it’s the coolest feeling. Just a few months away.
Art
Check out the Fungus of immortality.
Pierrot with Clarinet by Jacques Lipchitz. I recognize the word from the orchestral piece “Pierrot Lunaire”, the movie “Pierrot Le Fou”, etc., but never knew what it was – a sad clown!
Books
Zero Days. A husband/wife team of security consultants are caught in a web of intrigue. Been a while since I’ve read a book in first-person perspective. A bit wordy, but it flies right by.
School
Buckled down, finished a class. One to go. Great way to kick off the second half of the year.
Running
I’ve steadily been filling out the map, and got another quick win – finished running every street in Clinton Hill. With that and Crown Heights already done, next project is running all the streets in Fort Greene and Bed-Stuy.
Enjoyed my extra hill workouts this month, but recognize the cost in simple time away from home. I talked with a run club buddy this weekend about his prep for a 50-mile race, and he talked about how it “became his whole personality” for a few months. Not sure I want to go there.
Music
Thom Yorke, Confidenza OST. I like the woodwinds in “The Big City” and the hazy desert drug den trance in “Prize Giving“.
The Blue Nile, Hats. A lot of bangers on this one. My ears pick up some hints of Peter Gabriel/David Byrne. “Let’s Go Out Tonight“, “Headlights on the Parade“, and “Seven A.M.” are all great.
The Blue Nile, A Walk Across the Rooftops. “Stay” is straightforward ’80s pop.
Soulja Boy, souljaboytellem.com. I love a good intro → opening track transition. “Intro” → “Crank That” is so fun. “Let Me Get Em” and “Donk” represent the best of joyful snap.
Black Coffee, Home Brewed. Took a minute to get used to longer track lengths – all but one over 6 minutes! Didn’t know what I was getting into. “Mama” represents well the trance feel throughout the album.
I worked in a bunch more classical this week, especially woodwinds. I wonder what music of this era will still be heard in 200–300 years…
- Beethoven: Clarinet Trios. The Adagio in Op. 11 is lovely.
- Stamitz: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 3–5.
- Vivaldi: 7 Bassoon Concertos.
- Bach: Oboe Concertos.
- English Motets: From Dunstaple to Gibbons
- Handel: Water Music
Articles & Episodes & Twoots
USA Olympian heptathlete Anna Hall shared her competition journal, and it’s just fascinating to see the blend of goals, tips, motivational talk, progress tracking, etc.. “Choose Violence!!!!!!“
What does a board of directors do?
“Oftentimes when I just don’t feel comfort, usually that means it’s going in the right direction.”
One Million Checkboxes is a lovely experiment, like something from the web of yore!
“Dribbling out details of a character’s past like breadcrumbs is a hackish and tiresome device: Filling in backstory shouldn’t be confused with character development.” I’ve never watched the show in question, but really appreciate this criticism. I often feel ambivalent about flashback scenes, and now that it’s been spelled out, I think this is probably one reason why.
Movies
Trigger Warning. It’s not great, but it gets the job done. I appreciate Alba’s heroine using knives and machetes instead of a gun. Tiptoes close to “Kill Bill” form at a few moments – I think leaning more in the western/martial arts direction could have been interesting. Also appreciate all the Mexican pride – leather jacket with the eagle and snake, embroidered blouse, etc. – and the varieties of southwestern lifestyle on display. I could do without the slurs to underscore the villainy.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). Never saw the original, but got inspired to watch this after learning of Donald Sutherland’s passing. It’s so good. Creepy plant horror is under-explored.
TV
The X-Files, s2e20 “Humbug“. Murderous intrigue in a circus sideshow community. Right from the jump, it toys with your prejudices and expectations. Fun episode.
The X-Files, s2e21 “The Calusari“. Really appreciate how this episode was shot. One of the better climaxes in the series. Even if we’ve seen similar before in e.g. “The Exorcist”, some sights just don’t lose their impact.
The Leftovers, s1e1–2. I kept seeing this show pop up every now and then, even before the recent 10th anniversary appreciations. Finally piqued my curiosity to check it out. I’m in!
The Expanse, s2e11. I’m really growing to appreciate how much the political intrigue is becoming more compelling. They’ve shaped that arc and transition very nicely.
House of the Dragon, s2e2. The collective decision-making is just… come on, people! What a silly show.
Mark Larson 