I have been sick this week. Sicker than I have been in a long time. I got my annual flu shot, but it didn’t protect me from whatever ‘crud” I’ve been battling for the past 10 days. It really hit me hard this week. I missed two improv rehearsals, and three and a half days of work. And it is not done yet. While I sip some lemon, ginger and honey tea… and scan a roll of film I developed last night, I thought I would share 36 random thoughts that came to my mind this week. Maybe it’s the vast amount of over-the-counter medications, or the upended schedule of work and sleep that this illness has brought, but one thing being stuck in bed affords you is plenty of time for your mind to wander.
1: I have too many cameras. I am trying to weed out my collection, by giving cameras that I haven’t used in a long time one more chance to stay in my favor. Otherwise, I might “gift” it to a deserving friend, or it goes on Ebay. I shot my Olympus Trip 35 this week, and I’m scanning the film as I write these words. Not sure I need another zone focusing pocket camera.
2: I have too many cameras, and I bought another one this week. Damn you Ebay, damn you G.A.S.! Since I recently fell in love with a sexy little half-frame camera from Japan, I’ve been smitten by the unique format half-frame cameras provide. It is very “lomo-esque” in many ways. I really love the freedom of shooting this way, so I broke down and bought a Yashica Samurai from Japan. When it arrives, I’ll give you more of my thoughts on this oddity.
3: Courage is a rare quality these days… just watch the news.
4: Hot water is a gift from the gods. A hot shower, a hot bath, a hot cup of tea… all essential this week.
5: “Babylon Berlin” on Netflix is a binge worthy treat. Decadence and intrigue. Weimar Germany at its worst, and best. Bonus points for the opening titles, and the amazing theme song over each episode’s closing credits.
6: You can use Google extensions to block out your Facebook news feed and to block out suggested videos on YouTube. Who knew? I didn’t. But this tip via Joey Schweitzer / Better Ideas literally improved my life this week.
7: Posole vs Green Chile Stew from Garcia’s. Which is better? This is neck and neck for me right now.
8: A 20-something co-worker was listening to Duran Duran at the office this week. I turned him on to Kraftwerk. My Gen X, good deed of the day.
9: Eddie Murphy was great in “Dolomite Is My Name.”
10: If I am honest with myself, I admit that I fear living a life of mediocrity.
11: I could eat pizza or pasta every day.
12: Pulling the bed covers over my face never fails to make me feel like I’m eight years old again.
13: Regrets are a bitch.
14: John Green’s podcast “Anthropocene Reviewed” never ceases to amaze me. Or push me close to tears.
15: “The Candid Frame” is probably the best photo related podcast out there. Ibarionex just released his 400th episode. Quite an achievement. Every talk is quality.
16: Can I really commit to 36 of these?
17: Yes, it’s all about the follow through.
18: David Bowie’s album he did with Tin Machine in 1989 holds up pretty well 30 years later, though some of the lyrics could have used more polish.
19: I can’t decide if reading old journal entries from decades ago is a good or a bad idea. I was kind of dumb back then.
20: You could stay at a youth hostel for about 5 bucks a night in 1989.
21: Wow, three different thoughts, all about 1989, wtf???
22: There is a video posted on YouTube of a movie I acted in. A college film, made by some dear friends. I watched it last night. I was a bit of a “pretty boy.” And a bad actor. Or maybe I was pretty good for a guy who’s only previous stage experience was as a background thug in a high school production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”
23: The neighbor’s dog barks all day long while she is away.
24: Is it better to be a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond?
25: Scanning film is meditative.
26: Photo District News is going away. After 40 years in print. That makes me sad.
27: Instagram is the devil. But a necessary devil?
28: How do you carry your burden of responsibility? I’m not asking this rhetorically.
29: Life is short.
30: I used to like the smell of stop bath. Now I prefer the lingering aroma of fixer.
31: I took the Jeopardy online test this week. I actually auditioned for the show a couple of years ago but didn’t get on. I blame this guy.
32: The new Destroyer album is well worth your time.
33: I listened to Tyler, The Creator after reading he won a Grammy. And I enjoyed it. Go figure.
34: I always want to know who got me sick. Like, who spread the germs that got my sick. I need someone to blame. Which is pointless, I know.
35: I got my wife sick. She can clearly blame me. She is also 100% tougher than I am. I’m a wuss when I don’t feel well.
36: I truly hope someone out there was entertained enough to get to this last thought. Thank you. Want a free camera?