Album Cover
Album: Phil Collins - ...But Seriously
Released: November 20, 1989
Photographer: Trevor Key
Model: Phil Collins
Wikipedia
https://www.discogs.com/release/499511-Phil-Collins-But-Seriously
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
OneRepublic - Good Life
Music Appreciation
OneRepublic's hit "Good Life" is the kind of song that instantly puts you in a good mood—whether you’re cruising down the highway with the windows down or just daydreaming about your next adventure.
Released in late 2010, this upbeat track from their Waking Up album captures the band’s feel-good philosophy with lyrics that remind us to appreciate the small joys in life.
Co-written by frontman Ryan Tedder and friends, "Good Life" is a celebration of life's unpredictability, with its catchy whistling hook and infectious optimism making it a fan favorite worldwide.
The music video for "Good Life" is just as fun as the song itself. Premiered on Valentine's Day in 2011, it’s got this vintage, stop-motion vibe that feels like flipping through a collection of warm, nostalgic memories. Filmed in a mountain valley in West Hills, California, the video features the band performing in open fields, with whimsical symbols and cool cameos from stars like Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway. The rustic visuals, combined with the playful editing, make it feel like a day out with friends—simple, carefree, and full of good times.
via OneRepublic
Sources:
Wikipedia
Monday, November 18, 2024
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Saturday, November 16, 2024
From Tragedy to Satire: The Fall of InfoWars and Justice for Sandy Hook Families
Pardon the Interruption
It’s surreal revisiting my earlier post about Alex Jones in light of recent events.
The Sandy Hook families, who endured unimaginable pain compounded by Jones’ relentless and baseless conspiracy theories, have finally seen a semblance of justice.
After a series of defamation lawsuits that ended with Jones facing massive financial judgments, The Onion, a satirical media outlet, has acquired InfoWars. This symbolic victory underscores the stark contrast between Jones’ toxic disinformation and The Onion’s purposeful satire, highlighting the consequences of exploiting grief for profit.
While Jones once wielded his platform to spread fear and lies, The Onion’s acquisition feels like poetic justice. Instead of conspiracy-fueled rants, the platform is now a space for sharp, humorous critique of the very mindset Jones championed.
For me, this development closes the loop on my early encounters with Jones. Watching his transformation from an Austin personality to a national symbol of misinformation was unsettling, but this outcome is a reminder that actions have consequences.
The Sandy Hook families have fought tirelessly for this justice, and their resilience is a powerful testament to the enduring strength of truth over deception.
Drew Sheneman (Oct. 16, 2022)
Friday, November 15, 2024
America’s Political Whirlwind and What’s Next
Pardon the Interruption
Well, it took me a few days and a whole lot of deep breaths to digest the fact that America just handed the White House keys back to a guy with a felony record. So, naturally, I went down the rabbit hole, watching cable TV pundits toss around every theory under the sun. But when you cut through the noise, it boils down to the oldest campaign trick in the book: “It’s the economy, stupid.” Post-pandemic wallets are feeling thin, and it seems Americans just want one thing—cash they can actually spend. You could preach about how the U.S. dodged a recession and held its ground compared to other countries, but when people remember having a bit more financial cushion back in the day, all the economic stats in the world don’t mean much.
Were those Trump years truly rolling in cash? Ask five people, get five different answers. But the ads sure made it look like a golden age. Oh, and let’s not forget the “Kamala is for ‘they/them’; Trump is for YOU” messaging. As the parent of a transgender daughter, I see that, frankly, there's a big chunk of folks still uncomfortable with certain parts of the LGBTQ+ community, as if they're only OK with the LGB part from the ’90s edition. So, Trump's message stood strong for many.
So how did Biden pull off his last win? By talking about stuff that hits close to home: medical bills, jobs, and missing loved ones due to COVID-19. Lesson learned this time? Celebrity shoutouts and Kamala-style rallies aren’t swaying votes. This country has some serious reckoning to do, and yes, the government—and its policies—are in for some changes, for better or worse. How far that change goes? Who knows. But if we’re lucky, maybe in the next few years, we’ll get a shot at resetting things a bit. Here’s hoping!
Daniel Boris (Nov. 2024)
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Gunter Sachs
Photography Appreciation
Gunter Sachs was a man whose life defied the bounds of any single title. He was known widely as a playboy, famed for his high-profile marriages to captivating, strong women like Brigitte Bardot and Soraya Esfandiary, former Empress of Iran. Yet, there was far more to Sachs than his star-studded romances and jet-set image. A skilled athlete and bobsledder, he competed with passion and grit, a quality that followed him into every venture he pursued. And perhaps most compelling was his genuine love for art. Whether as a collector of surreal and pop art icons or as a photographer with a talent for capturing elegance in unexpected ways, Sachs’s dedication to creativity and beauty stood as one of his defining traits, making him an unforgettable presence in the worlds of both art and culture.
Born on November 14, 1932, in Schloss Mainberg, Germany, Gunter Sachs was a man of many talents and interests. As the grandson of Wilhelm von Opel, co-founder of the Opel car company, and son of industrialist Willy Sachs, he was born into a life of privilege. Despite this, Sachs carved his own path, becoming a noted photographer, author, and industrialist. His early years were marked by a passion for sports, notably bobsleighing, where he achieved significant success.
Beyond his athletic pursuits, Sachs was an avid art collector with a keen eye for contemporary works. His collection boasted pieces from renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Salvador DalÃ, and Roy Lichtenstein. In 1972, he opened a gallery in Hamburg, showcasing Warhol's works, which solidified his status in the art world. Sachs's collection was not just a display of wealth but a testament to his genuine appreciation for modern art.
As a photographer, Sachs gained recognition for his surreal and avant-garde style. His works often featured dreamlike elements, reflecting the influence of the surrealist pieces he collected. One of his most recognized photographs is "Ascot" from 1995, which captures the elegance and dynamism of the famous horse racing event. Sachs's photography was celebrated for its innovative use of light and composition, earning him exhibitions and accolades in the art community.
Tragically, on May 7, 2011, Gunter Sachs took his own life at his chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland. In his suicide note, he mentioned suffering from an "incurable illness A," which many speculated to be Alzheimer's disease. His death marked the end of an era for a man who had been a prominent figure in art, photography, and high society.
Augen & Gitter (1980)
Contemplation (1981)
Ascot (1995)
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/artsales/9138327/Gunter-Sachs-art-collection.html
https://galerie-von-stechow.com/en/project/gunter-sachs/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/8503379/Gunter-Sachs.html
https://www.icij.org/investigations/offshore/after-multi-million-inheritance-playboy-sachs-goes-offshore/
https://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/classic-life/playboy-and-gentleman-gunter-sachs-collection
https://www.thewrap.com/remembering-gunter-sachs-brigette-bardot-and-st-tropez-28602/
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/05/death-of-a-riviera-playboy-gunter-sachs-departs-the-party
https://www.sothebys.com/en/videos/an-introduction-to-the-gunter-sachs-collection
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