A few changes prompted a new sub-section.
Movies, Shows, etc
US Open, week two
The non-stop action of week one is more fun, but week two still dominated our TV.
A-
The Americans, season four
In general The Americans is a bleak show. I forgot how beyond-bleak season four was. Thirteen episodes of crushing negativity, applied a little heavier each week. Important characters are killed or deported or exfiltrated or question everything about themselves. It wasn’t as flashy as some of the earlier seasons, but perhaps that makes it more like what spying really is like? Also a reminder that this show kept getting better as it progressed.
A
The Americans, season five
When it initially ran, this was the lowest rated season of The Americans aside from the first year. Now, that meant a 94 on Metacritic so “lowest rated” is relative, but people still complained about its slowness and rather restrained finale. Watching it when you know what comes next changes that. This was indeed a slow year, with lots of long, drawn out scenes featuring sad gazes and exhausted sighs. But it was all about setting up the decision the Jennings made near the end, and how that choice would carry over to season six. It also continued to focus on the tedium of being a spy than the cool, James Bond-y parts of the job. And while the finale lacked fireworks, it had a huge emotional impact. Ten episodes to go, which include several of the best in the show’s entire run.
B+
Pearl Jam – Orpheum Theatre, Boston, 04.12.1994
So fun and interesting to go back and watch this, considered one of their greatest shows of the era, and compare it to seeing them in person last month. A lot of experimentation on stage, with songs from Vs. not fully fleshed out yet in the setlist. Dave A on drums, for better and worse. Eddie weird, angry, and distant. Not even three albums into their career they could still bust out a 25-song show. The video quality is about a D-, but the sound is incredible.
A+
Shorts, YouTubes, etc
How an Interior Designer Maximizes Her 650 Square Foot NYC Apartment
This brings back memories of the two small, urban apartments I lived in alone before I got married. Of course, I was a late 20s/early 30s single dude and put zero effort into decorating or where the furniture would go. What a surprise this video was! You can actually put thought and care into your living space, no matter how small it is.
First 4 Minutes of NBC’s New Workplace Comedy | St. Denis Medical | Sneak Peek
There are some connections on the creative side of this show to both The Office and Scrubs, among others. Might be worth a look as my first regular TV sitcom since The Good Place ended.
Golf, Food, Baseball | Tron and Randy Explore Denver
All good things in a city we will be visiting soon.
The Office but just the dated pop culture moments
Not the best presentation, but I did laugh out loud when Dwight kicked his date in the face at Jim and Pam’s wedding.
The Office moments that were NOT scripted
It would be more fun to see how these moments came about, and any breaks they caused in early takes, rather than the finished product, where they don’t stand out as much.
Deeply Inappropriate Office Bloopers
Obviously I’m still a sucker for Office content.
Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament and Eddie Vedder on the road
PJ gets the CBS Sunday Morning treatment.
A Tour of Antarctica by Drone
This is nine years old. I wonder what an updated version of this would look like, between the better drone technology and what elements of the film have changed because of climate change.
The Conet Project – Disc one
After reading the two Jeff Tweedy books, I listened to a bunch of Wilco music, including their 2001 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, which took its name from this, a collection of recorded shortwave radio spy transmissions. So, naturally, I had to go listen to the Conet Project. Or at least the first disk. Remember, I had a shortwave radio as a kid so this shit is cool to me.
Car Content
Road To Lucid Gravity Update
1,000 Miles With TWO Charging Stops! Lucid Air Road Trip From California to Colorado
Finally dialing back the car vids, keeping it just to these two Lucid-related pieces.
Photography
Replaced the car stuff somewhat with diving back into photography-related videos. Rather than highlight individual vids, here’s a list of channels I devoted some time to.
Grainy Days
Camera West TV
Willem Verbeeck
Dylan Spitz
Gajan Balan
Podcasts
The Ringer WNBA Show
It took me a while but I finally added a WNBA pod to my collection. In my defense this one, hosted by the fantastic Seerat Sohi, is a new spin off from The Ringer’s NBA pod feed. I really enjoyed the episode that looked at the end of the Fever’s season, what they did right, what they did wrong, and the moves they need to make to improve their odds next year.