George Ezra - Budapest

Music Appreciation

English singer-songwriter George Ezra has described Budapest as his first attempt at writing a love song. Featured on his debut studio album Wanted on Voyage, the track was released on December 13, 2013. Co-written with Joel Pott and produced by Cam Blackwood, it quickly became a breakout international hit, earning widespread acclaim for its warm, folk-rock charm.

Built on the first three guitar chords Ezra ever learned, the song’s narrative name-drops Budapest—though Ezra himself had never been there. The title, he has shared, was inspired by a missed flight to the city after a night out in Malmö, Sweden. Musically, Budapest is composed in F major with a tempo of 128 bpm, pairing its upbeat rhythm with Ezra’s rich baritone to create a distinctive and inviting sound.

The official music video, directed by Rob Brandon, premiered on YouTube on April 21, 2014. It depicts a motionless crowd dressed in varied styles and accessories, interwoven with shots of Ezra performing and occasionally crowd surfing. Gradually, the crowd springs to life—sharing moments of playfulness and movement—before freezing again as Ezra stands still. The closing scene, a quiet celebration on the ground, serves as a visual metaphor for human connection awakening from stillness.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://sonichits.com/video/George_Ezra/Blame_It_on_Me

https://www.catchy.ro/budapest/113547

https://kids.kiddle.co/Budapest_%28song%29

https://www.thissideofsanity.com/music/songs/bu/budapest.php 

https://www.thissideofsanity.com/music/songs/bu/budapest.php

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6705890/

https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/08915df2-9f09-4285-82c7-8febd383acf9

MODELING: Anya Taylor-Joy - Vogue Australia Cover Shoot

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"...Are You Infused, With the Spirit of Good Will Towards Men?"

Years ago, during a Las Vegas trip, I experienced one of those rare, memorable moments: being approached by a woman at a bar. While my buddy schmoozed at a business convention, I sat at the bar, minding my own business, reading a book on my phone like the party animal I am.

“Mind if I join you?” asked a woman who couldn’t have been older than 24 -- I was in my early 30s. She was a striking brunette with a warm smile, wearing a sleek dress and open-toed heels.

Looking around the bar, I noticed plenty of empty seats, which made her choice of company—me—a bit curious. Then it hit me: she was an escort. A call-girl. A lady-of-the-night. My inner journalist couldn’t help but lean in.

We ended up chatting for what felt like an hour. She was surprisingly open, sharing about her life as an escort. She had a daughter, was taking classes at a community college, and was doing what she could to provide for her family. She was candid about the risks of her job and how her family had no idea. Honestly, she was fascinating—just a regular person with an unconventional job.

Eventually, she asked if I was interested in her services. Out of curiosity (purely journalistic, of course), I asked about her rates. When she explained her "menu," I admitted I was married with and a kid, and therefore, a no-go. Still, she lingered a bit longer, indulging my nosy questions about her weirdest client requests, since I myself am kinky. One tidbit stood out: Steven Seagal had apparently been one of her clients. That threw me for a loop. Teenage-me, Blockbuster-renting-Seagal-movies-me, thought, No way.

As she got up to leave, I handed her a twenty—not for her services, but because I wanted her to have a little less pressure to find her next client. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, adjusted her dress, and disappeared into the casino, leaving me with one heck of a story.

When my buddy returned, I shared the whole thing. He didn’t believe a word of it. But hey, I know it happened, and that’s all that matters.

Marty Murphy (c.1950-60)

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RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Star Wars 1977 - 20 Weird Facts You Never Knew!

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A Statue Without A Belly

In our home, anniversaries aren’t just dates on a calendar — they’re milestones worth celebrating. We mark January 26th, the day of our first date, and the eighth of every month, our wedding anniversary. Most recently, we celebrated the anniversary of the day I proposed. It was our second, and we decided — why not make an evening of it?

My wife cooked us dinner; I brought home a dozen roses. We spent the night talking, sipping wine, and dancing between kisses. The mood was playful, the kind of night where teasing becomes its own love language.

As we flirted, I told her how stunning she looked. “Your new breasts look amazing,” I said, admiring her figure. She smiled mischievously and replied, “You’ve got amazing legs. If I were a sculptor, I’d carve everything below your waist.”

I gave her a puzzled look.

“I mean,” she clarified, “you have a belly.”

She wasn’t wrong. I laughed. “Wow. You only like me from the waist down?”

“Not true,” she said quickly, defending herself with a grin. “I love your penis, balls, legs, and feet. Just not the belly.”

“And my face?” I asked, half curious, half amused.

“And your face,” she said, smiling. “I’d sculpt your face, chest, and everything below your waist.”

Apparently, in her imagined marble masterpiece of me, I’d be a statue without a stomach — leaving the rest to the viewer’s imagination. 

AI generated

Where's the Chase?

Early in any relationship, there’s a natural rush — that moment when two people realize the chemistry is real and everything feels new and full of possibility. That was true for my wife and me when we started dating, and in many ways, that spark still remains.

Our beginning, though, unfolded differently from what most people imagine, yet probably familiar to couples who started dating right before the COVID lockdown. Instead of going out, our dates shifted to my place. 

There wasn’t much of a chase because we chose to ride out the uncertainty together. The usual “little black book” mindset disappeared for both of us. And honestly, without the lockdown forcing me to slow down, I might have sabotaged things — commitment wasn’t on my radar, and I’ve never been skilled at the chase.

Looking back now, I’m grateful I didn’t miss my chance. I found the person I want to build a life with. And yes, there’s still a bit of a chase between us — a playful one. She’s changed over time, and with her confidence growing after her breast enhancement, I admit a small sense of protectiveness kicks in, knowing others notice her too.

by Tom Toro for The New Yorker (Dec. 30, 2024)