Last week I was out of town for 3 days, out in San Francisco for a work conference we were hosting. I’ve been there maybe a half-dozen times now, and I think it’s gotten better each time. Or I’m just different, finding it a bit easier to get on its wavelength.
On the day of the conference itself, I didn’t have formal responsibilities. So just tried to be a welcoming and friendly presence, using the opportunity to strike up conversations with customers, prospects, vendors. Not my natural inclination in a crowd – I was completely fried by the time I went to bed, after the after-after-party – but at the very least, a nice change of pace from the usual.
Two trips to the Pacific coast in the last month, but the view from the plane had me itching for a mountain edition.
Art
The Mellow Paid, oil on canvas by Stuart Davis. The Flatiron, platinum print photograph by Edward Steichen. Departure of Summer, oil on canvas by Man Ray. LA 8, oil on canvas by Shirley Goldfarb.
Books
Sense and Sensibility. Inconsistency is hurting my moment. Need to get back on track.
Running
Heading out of town threw off my rhythm, and cut into my mileage but I rallied for a great long run yesterday. Cooler weather seemed to boost everyone’s mood – lots of greetings and smiling faces. Even the seedier neighborhoods couldn’t deny it.
Around the Web
Oliver Burkeman on threading the beads of life.
Questions to ask when you think need to finish something.
Policing and prosecution, inside vs. outside of NYC.
The closest you can get to walking around New York City, 1670?.
Music
Invocazione Mariane perf. Andreas Scholl, Alessandro Tampieri with Accademia Bizantina. I really like the countertenor sound. See “Chi mi priega” and “Quis non posset contristari“.
Old Harp Singers of Eastern Tennessee, Old Harp Singing.
Phantoms, This Can’t Be Everything.
Movies
Get Out. Masterpiece, gets better every time.
Challengers. So fun! Sexy, messy, shot in interesting ways, makes dramatic mountains out of molehills. Interesting to watch a movie where I’ve heard the soundtrack before seeing it.
TV
Abbott Elementary, s4e22. I think I’ve seen more season finales than regular season episodes? Always surprised how gently they close things out.
Line of Duty, s4e1. They know how to start with a bang.
Mark Larson 