True rebels hate their own rebellion. They know by experience that it is not a cool and glamorous lifestyle; it takes a courageous fool to say things that have not been said and to do things that have not been done.
― Criss Jami, Venus in Arms
Monthly Archives: December 2018
“Paper Lanterns,” Konstantin Korovin, 1898
Oil on canvas. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.
This reminds me of a certain friend of mine putting up “flying key” Harry Potter decorations outside her house for Christmas.
“Tell all the Truth but tell it slant,” by Emily Dickinson
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
*****
Thanks to Blog Correspondent Pete Harrison for pointing this poem out to me.
U.S. Christmas postage stamps, 1970
Christmas Toys set of four 6-cent 1970 U.S. stamps. The toys featured on the stamps are: a locomotive, toy horse, tricycle and a doll carriage.
Poster for “12 Monkeys” (1995)
Universal Pictures.
“The Walking Dead” scene I’m waiting for, but haven’t gotten yet.
- Take two characters fluent in martial arts (Morgan, Michonne, Jesus, or whatever martial arts bad guys they come up with).
- Have them fight one-on-one with melee weapons on a hilltop (not THE Hilltop, just an open, elevated position somewhere).
- Have zombies advance up the hill to attack both of them from all sides, so that they not only have to fight each other, but also multiple zombies from various angles.
It shouldn’t take a screenwriting genius to realize that the fans want this, right?
Or am I the only 80’s kid who grew up loving both ninja movies and George A. Romero’s films?
Anyway … I am loathe to criticize the show these days. It has gotten SO much better — SO much better. Season 9 is like a different show altogether.
Roanoke, Virginia, December 2018
It’s the categorically quiet Southern city. New Yorkers, this is midday during the holiday shopping season.
It’s an odd impression to get, but sometimes I feel as though I am walking through a university campus during Christmas break. (All the buildings are there, but all the students are away.)
But when you do run into people, they are the friendliest and most cheerful that you could ever hope to meet. I was just walking by and a local friend called out to me from her car on 1st Street. I love this sleepy town.
Poster for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)
Paramount Pictures.
Throwback Thursday: 80’s Toys!!
I happened across this video last night from Youtube user RAVN52AOL, and just had to share it. It’s six minutes long, and it’ll really take you back when your old favorite toy comes up in the montage. I think it’s the Duran Duran song that really ties the whole thing together. [UPDATE: I have just been indignantly informed by another 80’s kid that the song is by Simple Minds — not Duran Duran!! Apologies!!]
Tonka Trucks — I haven’t heard those mentioned in a long time (although, admittedly, they were around for a looooong time before the 1980’s). My best friend next door had a fleet of the big metal things; they were always scattered around the bulky square sandbox that his Dad built for him in his backyard. That kid loved his Tonka trucks.
Eric Robert Nolan, Author 