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5 Card Stud

We had request for a mini-episode so here is our first bonus episode. We talk about an old Henry Hathaway directed movie starring Dean Martin and Robert Mitchum. Hope you enjoy.

Country Music Series

Three chords and the truth. That's country. All I can say is I cried so massively throughout the whole series which we just finished up. The series ends in the time frame of 1996....and I wondered why. There were montages of some contemporary performers like Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley but no profiles. I would have liked to have another chapter and I wonder if their will be in the future. However...I couldn't help but wonder if the producers and writers wanted to wait to see how these contemporary stars continue? The most interesting people in this series for me, were the people who experienced that they needed to lock horns with what they felt was "real country" that would be the outlaws of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson (and Waylon Jennings etc_ then into the Judds, Dwight Yokum remaining centered in the past and where they are now. Naomi Judd said something that really struck me...when she started out they didn't need a "focus group" they came from the country. So many people start out a project and they want research into their demographics...even restaurants opening ask real estate agents to do a focus group. The corporate approach to creativity is a sore point for me. You've got to live with a dialogue open to the unconsciousness....and to the past and lock horns with the people before you. You don't need no stinking medals (or focus groups) We have a "focus group" within us if we are always looking within ourselves and the world we live in. The other thing that stood out to me was the saying "don't get above your raisin". My family had this attitude too it's big in Canada..."don't get airs"...it's like the worse thing you can do in Canada is "get airs." Don't be too fancy on the hockey rink, bitches. I'm so exhausted from crying three four times every episode!!!! Stagg was breaking out into an insane combo of laughing at my crying and crying himself. So funny!

#kenburns #countrymusic #rhiannongiddens #patsycline #johnnycash #pbs

To The Stars

I chose this photo because it is a sculptual/poetic essence of the movie AD ASTRA in a  way that sums up the movie and I’ve become fond of this image. I’m pretty sure if that first sentence bothers you, you should skip this movie LOL. And I apologize in advance for being pretentious LOL. I was going to talk about this movie on our podcast but we landed up talking about JUDY and I forgot to mention I had seen this too. In one way both Pitt and Zellweiger’s performances had something in common. I completely forgot I was watching either of them. during their portrayals. If you know how much I love Pitt (second only to my guy Keanu) then you know how remarkable that is to me. 

AD ASTRA is made by a very very thoughtful filmmaker, James Gray, whose movies THE YARDS and THE LOST CITY OF Z  are fascinating and really good stories. During the past few days I have found myself thinking  way more about AD ASTRA than the other movies I’ve seen this week including DOWNTON ABBEY. They were great movies but this one really made me think and feel in a  different way. 

It’s not a typical space movie…although it has peers like 2001, GRAVITY, CONTACT and SOLARIS. There is some stunning action and suspense, like an outstanding chase scene on the moon, and a haunted-house visit to a space station. Good stuff. But overall this is a movie about self-reflection. In fact, it is self-reflection that saves the day. May characters die off rather unexpectedly and with no sense f logic. What is going on here? These characters had the same kind of training, intellect, and skills that Pitt’s character has…is this rampant lazy hero-making? No it’s not. One has to really think about what we see in such a minimalist portrayal and setting and say…what are the clues. The answer is very Malcolm Gladwellian. These highly skilled physically  elite college honoured astronauts died because…they did not use common sense or free will. How topical is that?! They did every thing right, followed all the rules and yet were unable to utilize critical thinking to problem-solve. It took me a glass of wine and after-movie discussion with a friend (thanks Cybele) to articulate this and made the whole movie going experience so rewarding. This is a movie for meditation: 10/10. BTW “ad astra” means “to the stars”. (If you want movie review about Judy please find our podcast THE AGENCY on iTunes or Podbean.) 

#reverie #reverieisaskill #alone #loneliness#platoscave #criticalthinkingaboutpoliticswillhelpus#useyourmindtounderstandlife #bradpitt #theagency #malcolmgladwell#adastra #jamesgray

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Hey visitors please down load our podcast. It will really help us as we hope to get this thing really going. If you get a chance to listen, even better. Let us know what you think. You can email us at theagency.podcast@gmail.com

The Spy In The Cold

Been following the Cameron Ortis spy case as much as is barely possible right now.

Readings:

VICE this is a good one because it hints at charges

This is an excellent exploration of what the organized crime connection to this case provides criminals on CBC link

National Post article including a high school yearbook photo

#rcmpscandal #cameronortis #gamblingcompromis #mice #drugdebt #burnerphones

Behind The Scenes Of Podcast

Thats my mic and desk. Eugene and I record over Skype. Movie tickets from The Gene Siskel Film Centre are there to remind me to talk about what movies I saw this week.

We have started out a little slow getting both our mics up and going but after a few minutes we start to roll.

Someone asked for a pic of my car. In the first podcast I talk about i. My little Cabrio convertible here is in New York City. It's been to Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Connecticut, NYC, Memphis, New Mexico, Yellowstone and many other road trips. I probably take my car much longer distances than other people and sometimes it gets engine trouble.

In first podcast I mention I had to prime a guitar for Stagg to paint and auction off at a fundraiser. I had to leave Chicago to get spray paint as spray paint is illegal in the City of Chicago. I felt so badass.

I taped off the hardware and took the guitar out back in landlords garden to spray paint.

Here is one of Eugenes books. You can order it on Amazon


All of our tables have bevelled edges a fact I did not notice till I tried to vice grip the wind protector onto a small table. Second episode I have some troubles. Yes, that is my famous "Cunt Chair" in the back ground.

Here is a little detail of what Stagg is painting on this guitar. These are there famous sculptures in downtown Chicago. The "Cloud Atlas" or nicknamed "bean" is reflecting the Chicago flag.

Here is my shameless plea for you to visit our iTunes page and click "subscribe"...please please
Here is the link for podcast iTunes page. This weeks episode is called I SAY STRIPPER, YOU SAY SUBMARINE.


And if you want to hear Eugenes perspective on this process please visit his blog 27th Street here.