I know when people recommend I listen to a podcast, I never get around to it. But honestly, give this one a listen. Seriously. Maybe at the gym or something. My time should be freeing up soon, so when I think of something to write I'll post. Then we have to get that Yearley guy involved

Great post. It has inspired me to play guitar facing my window. I recently listened to a podcast very related to this. It's a story about Keith Jarrett and his refusing to perform a concert because the piano was in such bad shape, and David Bowie and Brian Eno recording their Berlin records. I will leave it at that and not spoil it. I think you will like it very much. (It's 30 minutes.) https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/pushkin-industries/cautionary-tales/e/66123572 P.S. Nice to see the ol' E.C. back in action. And I like the new design, too.

Inspiring. Thank you Rolando.

Beautiful. Thank you for writing this.

Really beautiful, Roland. We should all have such encounters with such people.

Really beautiful, John. Thanks for writing this.

Nice choices! The Ten Commandments surprises me. I thought you might be more of a Cleopatra man!

Love it! Thanks, Bruce.

Feh, my second line has 8 syllables instead of 7. I could have written: Dialogue? Subtitles? No. But screw it. Staying as is.

Yeah, I really don't get it. It's like online dating, when the person on the other end posts photos of themselves 10 years and 50 pounds less ago. How do they expect the person to react when the reality presents itself?

Thank you, Amy F. Such high praise, I'm not worthy. I blush. Bow my head.

Thanks for reading, John. It's a good film and well worth the 96 minutes it runs. If you haven't seen Antonio Gaudi by Hiroshi Teshigahara, check it out, it's really special. No talking heads until the very end. Just Gaudi architecture and music and a virtuoso behind the camera. Kind of stunning.

John, when I'm not consumed by jealous rage because you're such a talented writer, I am inspired by you.

"When a long, consuming writing project ends, that safe space disappears for a while. More terrifying still, I have to take the thing I wrote in that warm safe place and send it out to be judged by the world. It is a prospect that fills me with dread. I feel exposed, a little raw." Good god, is that ever the truth. There some kind of grief thing that happens with me. Or maybe it's akin to sending your child off to college (not that I'd know). There's a what-do-I do-now-that-you're-gone feeling.

Thanks, Roland. I'm excited to see where this story goes from here. Will Kyu work for said educational institution again over the winter break? Next summer? Will he pursue his interest in film after he graduates? He's smart and talented and has the whole big world at his feet. It'll be interesting to witness the decisions he makes. Stay tuned.

Great piece and great comments. I really have nothing to add except, you know, this blog is wonderful. Still and always.

How many times and how many ways can I say it: I love your writing, John. This piece is an inspiration. Maybe I'll start watching those films I've not watched for whatever reason. Wild Strawberries being one of them. And sometimes that one image is enough, as we discussed about Monika and her gaze into the camera. Thanks, my friend.

I'll have to add this to the ever expanding list of books I will probably never get around to reading, just because that list is so damned long and my life is so damned short. And because I'm a slow reader. I wish I had something more to say about your comment, other than, as always, thanks for the thoughtful comment.