Yes, Ragnar Kjartansson’s The Visitors is wonderful. I first saw it at Guggenheim Bilbao then when it came to London. It brought me to tears both times.
Nailed it on the comment about the title of Billy Joel's documentary - I thought the same thing -although the case for 'and so it goes' seems to sum up HIS perspective vs. his
Movin' Out is a 2002 jukebox musical featuring the songs of Billy Joel. Conceived and created by Twyla Tharp, the musical tells the story of a generation of American youth growing up on Long Island during the 1960s and their experiences with the Vietnam War
I read recently that Billy Joel was not particularly fond of Piano Man, and even now is puzzled why it’s such a hit. If he had any say in the title of the documentary that might be why it didn’t reference that song.
I finally got around to reading the travel tips from Tuesday. So many good ones. This road warrior never leaves home with her collapsible travel hot water kettle. I use it for making coffee (Starbucks Via Italian Roast), and oatmeal. I bring a little bowl with me and packets of Qià Oatmeal, and use the hotel ice bucket lid to cover the bowl while the oatmeal cooks. And yes, I wash it well after using. 😀 Like you, I always take a photo of my hotel room number, only not as artfully, and bring a nightlight with me for middle of the night bathroom visits. I buy them in bulk because I always forget to pack them when I leave!
I need to look into these collapsible kettles! Also that oatmeal. Meg got us some good low-sugar packets for the last trip but I forgot to make note of what they were
Thanks for that SNL "Romano Tours" vacation clip. So sad, so true, so hilarious!
Similar feelings about Billy Joel - his songs represent pretty much one of the soundtracks of my life, but I was never a big fan. But I really enjoyed this doc.
"so it goes" (minus the "And") always takes me to Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five.
I was also a little underwhelmed by the Thiébaud exhibit but I did love the parts where they displayed not only his pieces but some of the pieces that inspired them. That’s a really cool museum move. I also found that I enjoyed the other works upstairs more and differently after seeing the Thiébaud exhibit, especially the portraits
I want very much to go back to Hawaii. I was in Honolulu last October after many many years and it was wonderful to reconnect with family who live there.
Mark Twain: "No alien land in all the world has any deep, strong charm for me but that one; no other land could so longingly and beseechingly haunt me, sleeping and waking, through half a lifetime, as that one has done. Other things leave me, but it abides; other things change, but it remains the same. For me its balmy airs are always blowing, its summer seas flashing in the sun; the pulsing of its surf-beat in my ear; I can see its garlanded crags, its leaping cascades, its plumy palms drowsing by the shore; its remote summits floating like islands above the cloud rack; I can feel the spirit of its wooded solitudes; I can hear the splash of its brooks; in my nostrils still lives the breath of flowers that perished twenty years ago."
I didn’t think I cared about Billy Joel but after watching the doc I became obsessed with the song And So It Goes - a perfect heartbreak song - so def appreciate that in the doc title.
I’m listening to Jon M. Chu’s memoir Viewfinder now on audiobook. Highly recommended for any Spielberg fan. :) or for anyone who’s ever made anything or wanted to.
Hi Austin, did I miss your mention of Andrea Gibson’s passing in your Friday newsletter? When I heard about their death on 14 JUL, I was rather keen to read what your thoughts would be about losing a fellow poet. 🤓
Oh my god I use that Zoolander quote ALL THE TIME! It's always a little awkward to use in conversation - "Have you seen Zoolander?" "Umm...yeah like 20 years ago." "Ok well there's this part where...." I use it for people like Tom Waits and David Lynch, whose personalities I tend to like more than their actual work. Billy Joel on the other hand is an all time fave and was a connection point for everyone in my family growing up.
Also speaking of Steven Spielberg, fun fact that the movie theater where he saw The Greatest Show on Earth as a kid is two blocks from my house! Unfortunately it's now a Planet Fitness. They recently put up a weird plaque for him that says "Steven Spielberg, 1946 - ", every time I walk past it feels so unecessarily morbid.
Yes, Ragnar Kjartansson’s The Visitors is wonderful. I first saw it at Guggenheim Bilbao then when it came to London. It brought me to tears both times.
Nailed it on the comment about the title of Billy Joel's documentary - I thought the same thing -although the case for 'and so it goes' seems to sum up HIS perspective vs. his
'moniker' if that makes any sense;)
This may be of interest:
Movin' Out is a 2002 jukebox musical featuring the songs of Billy Joel. Conceived and created by Twyla Tharp, the musical tells the story of a generation of American youth growing up on Long Island during the 1960s and their experiences with the Vietnam War
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movin%27_Out_(musical)
Tharp thought that Joel‘s music was the perfect soundtrack for that era.
I read recently that Billy Joel was not particularly fond of Piano Man, and even now is puzzled why it’s such a hit. If he had any say in the title of the documentary that might be why it didn’t reference that song.
I finally got around to reading the travel tips from Tuesday. So many good ones. This road warrior never leaves home with her collapsible travel hot water kettle. I use it for making coffee (Starbucks Via Italian Roast), and oatmeal. I bring a little bowl with me and packets of Qià Oatmeal, and use the hotel ice bucket lid to cover the bowl while the oatmeal cooks. And yes, I wash it well after using. 😀 Like you, I always take a photo of my hotel room number, only not as artfully, and bring a nightlight with me for middle of the night bathroom visits. I buy them in bulk because I always forget to pack them when I leave!
I need to look into these collapsible kettles! Also that oatmeal. Meg got us some good low-sugar packets for the last trip but I forgot to make note of what they were
Thanks for that SNL "Romano Tours" vacation clip. So sad, so true, so hilarious!
Similar feelings about Billy Joel - his songs represent pretty much one of the soundtracks of my life, but I was never a big fan. But I really enjoyed this doc.
"so it goes" (minus the "And") always takes me to Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five.
I was also a little underwhelmed by the Thiébaud exhibit but I did love the parts where they displayed not only his pieces but some of the pieces that inspired them. That’s a really cool museum move. I also found that I enjoyed the other works upstairs more and differently after seeing the Thiébaud exhibit, especially the portraits
yeah the catalog has the pieces he stole from big on the opposite page next to his paintings, so it's really clear.
Billy Joel’s music was a big part of my teenage and young adult years. Cool to hear the songs again.
I want very much to go back to Hawaii. I was in Honolulu last October after many many years and it was wonderful to reconnect with family who live there.
Mark Twain: "No alien land in all the world has any deep, strong charm for me but that one; no other land could so longingly and beseechingly haunt me, sleeping and waking, through half a lifetime, as that one has done. Other things leave me, but it abides; other things change, but it remains the same. For me its balmy airs are always blowing, its summer seas flashing in the sun; the pulsing of its surf-beat in my ear; I can see its garlanded crags, its leaping cascades, its plumy palms drowsing by the shore; its remote summits floating like islands above the cloud rack; I can feel the spirit of its wooded solitudes; I can hear the splash of its brooks; in my nostrils still lives the breath of flowers that perished twenty years ago."
I didn’t think I cared about Billy Joel but after watching the doc I became obsessed with the song And So It Goes - a perfect heartbreak song - so def appreciate that in the doc title.
For me “and so it goes” is a phrase that just makes me think of Nick Lowe!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEpr8kaczck
I’m listening to Jon M. Chu’s memoir Viewfinder now on audiobook. Highly recommended for any Spielberg fan. :) or for anyone who’s ever made anything or wanted to.
cool, didn't know about this!
Hi Austin, did I miss your mention of Andrea Gibson’s passing in your Friday newsletter? When I heard about their death on 14 JUL, I was rather keen to read what your thoughts would be about losing a fellow poet. 🤓
you didn't miss it — I didn't really know their work and they passed while I was gone, so I'm just catching up
Oh my god I use that Zoolander quote ALL THE TIME! It's always a little awkward to use in conversation - "Have you seen Zoolander?" "Umm...yeah like 20 years ago." "Ok well there's this part where...." I use it for people like Tom Waits and David Lynch, whose personalities I tend to like more than their actual work. Billy Joel on the other hand is an all time fave and was a connection point for everyone in my family growing up.
Also speaking of Steven Spielberg, fun fact that the movie theater where he saw The Greatest Show on Earth as a kid is two blocks from my house! Unfortunately it's now a Planet Fitness. They recently put up a weird plaque for him that says "Steven Spielberg, 1946 - ", every time I walk past it feels so unecessarily morbid.
fun fact: ZOOLANDER is one of director Terrance Malick's favorite movies (I guess this fact is only fun if you've seen a Terrance Malick movie)
I have that MIDI keyboard! I don’t know how to play piano, but I have a a big keyboard as well. Any tips on where to start with pianos?
honestly, I've seen people give them away for free because they're so hard to move — keep eye on craigslist, Facebook, etc.
I meant learning/ lessons!
There are many teachers working out of their homes, I’m guessing in most towns.
Check the library bulletin board, or the local college.
ohhh. that I don't know. lots of YouTube videos out there — you could also check with the local music school and see if students teach, etc.
yeah I like those ideas. Maybe others here will chime in on other ways they’ve learned.
luckily, learning the piano is something people have been learning for hundreds of years LOL