“Their life consisted wholly and solely of war, for they were and always had been front-line infantrymen. They survived because the fates were kind to them, certainly—but also because they had become hard and immensely wise in animal-like ways of self-preservation.”—Ernie Pyle, World War II journalist, writing about what he saw at the front. Killed in action April 18, 1945.
Bob Dylan turns 74 today.
On February 20, 1991, Dylan was handed a Grammy “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Jack Nicholson. (Will they grant him a second one soon? The man is still working, after all.) Dylan in 1991 was beginning to receive the oldies act treatment and he did not appear to enjoy this fact even a little bit. Since 1991: nine albums, a hundred or more live performances every year on what critics decided to call his “Neverending Tour,” a dozen releases from his bootleg series. And his paintings and twisted-iron sculpture series, which he debuted two years ago.
Read More
David Letterman retired from his 33-year-plus career hosting late night television last night. One of his best guests through the years was Tom Waits, who usually showed a flair for comedy that he did not often display anywhere else. (The sad fact is that not many television shows have requested Tom Waits to appear at all, much less bring whatever object or idea that had sparked some comic possibilities in his brain.)
Out of Letterman’s 6000-plus shows, Waits appeared on only 10, whether or not he had a new album or tour or play or film to advertise. Last week, he appeared for the last time and debuted a song that keeps lingering with me, “Take One Last Look.” He directed it as a tribute to Mr. Letterman and was accompanied by Larry Taylor (once of Canned Heat) on upright bass and Gabriel Donohue on piano accordion, with the horn section of the CBS Orchestra helping on the choruses.
On his website, Waits joked, “I don’t know when I will see Dave again. I guess from now on we’ll have to settle for bumping into each other at Pilates.”
Read More
Celebrate Silent Film
stories, anecdotes, poetry, essays, and general magic
The blogging challenge keep you motivated and start the new year on the "write" track!
The Dangerous Blog of Mamie Van Doren
Daddy issues are for beta bitches
Poetry and the rumblings of my synaptic snap.
Poetry BLOG By Edge of Humanity Magazine
-- A Modern SuperWoman Life
Shortness of Breadth
because the story must be told
Award-winning historical murder mysteries inspired by classic 19th-century novels
My thoughts, sentiments, and scribbles on womanhood
Perfectly Imperfect Human
Discovering the joy of art
open your mind to a growth mindset and new perspectives
Truth of life
The Gad About Town 