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Showing posts from January, 2014

Waves

Not quite the 40 foot waves at Mavericks yesterday, but fabulous to watch.  Photograph Copyright 2014 Alexander Chow-Stuart. 

Alan Watts On Our Relationship With The Present

Really lucid words from British writer and philosopher Alan Watts - who features in an intriguing way in Spike Jonze's wonderful movie, Her: The “primary consciousness,” the basic mind which knows reality rather than ideas about it, does not know the future. It lives completely in the present, and perceives nothing more than what is at this moment. The ingenious brain, however, looks at that part of present experience called memory, and by studying it is able to make predictions. These predictions are, relatively, so accurate and reliable (e.g., “everyone will die”) that the future assumes a high degree of reality – so high that the present loses its value. But the future is still not here, and cannot become a part of experienced reality until it is present. Since what we know of the future is made up of purely abstract and logical elements – inferences, guesses, deductions – it cannot be eaten, felt, smelled, seen, heard, or otherwise enjoyed. To pursue it is to pursue a const

Miami Nights

Flashback to a different time, when Charong and I lived very different lives. Parents don't party - at least not like this!

Miami Palms

Palms in our friends' beautiful Miami garden.  All photographs Copyright 2014 Alexander Chow-Stuart. 

Mickey Mouse Lives - Triumphantly

Finally saw Frozen last night. We all loved it - but loved the 3D Mickey Mouse short even more!  It was particularly interesting as our nine year old son Hudson and five year old daughter Paradise love watching the earliest Mickey Mouse cartoons, Steamboat Willie (the first ever sound cartoon released - in 1928 - and the first Mickey distributed, though the third one made) and Plane Crazy (the first Mickey short, made as a silent but released after Steamboat Willie with a soundtrack added).  That they watch these early classics of animation on an iPhone or iPad seems apt, since Disney was such an incredible visionary and lover of new technology.  The new Mickey, Get A Horse, seems vintage...but it's not. All kudos to director Lauren MacMullen for creating a fabulously entertaining and technically stunning "new-old" classic.  Read on: The full article is at:  http://www.babble.com/disney/walt-disney-returns-as-mickey-mouse-in-new-disney-short-get-a-horse/ Read more about S

Stormy Weather in the Florida Keys

A few days in the Keys, and some of the most primal light I have seen. A wonderful time staying with friends to research a project - and rain that would do a hurricane justice! All photographs Copyright 2014 Alexander Chow-Stuart.