blessingx

The US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Trump indicated, had killed many of the alternative leaders he had hoped to see in power. “Most of the people we had in mind are dead,” Trump said. “We had some in mind from that group that is dead. And now, we have another group. They may be dead also, based on reports.” He added that his options for replacing Khamenei were running low. “Pretty soon, we’re not going to know anybody.” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/3/worst-case-scenario-trump-weighs-replacing-khamenei-as-leader-of-iran

Yorgos Lanthimos Steps Back From the Movie Camera, and Picks Up Another One https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/arts/design/yorgos-lanthimos-photography-athens.html?unlocked_article_code=1.QFA.lpn0.ZIMYDk_kueUe&smid=nytcore-ios-share (gift article) https://www.onassis.org/whats-on/yorgos-lanthimos-photographs

“Iranian state TV has just confirmed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead.”

Does this clinch next year's Nobel Peace Prize?

We need to talk about naked mole rats.

^ While on the subject, The Netherlands' Tiny Desk(ish).

Digging deeper into Courtney Marie Andrews. May Your Kindness Remain and the Covid-era Loose Future. Ex.

Hope it's swirling fun day.

Hope it's a great, enjoyable one. Reactine marketing has the best animated gifs.

Hope it’s a great one Steve!

Clifford Brown, Trumpeter Whose Brief Life Left a Lasting Mark He was one of the most talked-about jazz musicians in the 1950s. After he died in a car accident at 25, his influence grew. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/obituaries/clifford-brown-overlooked.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MVA.U-8R.KeqzVnsWHn7_&smid=nytcore-ios-share (gift article)

Doing research. Chefs Blind Taste Test Frozen Pizzas "It's not like, a straight up crime against humanity"

Just in case anyone else is interested, these Aperture The Photography Workbook Series (they’re not really workbooks) are really nice. Softcover, but decent stock, solid printing and relaxed text by the photographers to inspire students. No longer sold on Aperture, but some available on Amazon and/or Barnes & Noble (and others), $19-29 each. Would recommend over most more expensive surveys. Still have Richard Misrach’s and Mary Ellen Mark’s incoming.

Catching up with earlier...

Continues to be the number one album to fry my brain in an attempt to think straight. The Lounge Lizards No Pain for Cakes. Ex.

blankets.mp4

Damn you LAiV. Just after I’m satisfied with your Harmony µDDC and µDAC you release a new, cheap combo DAC-headphone amp. Yo Rob!

The Controversial Photography of Martin Parr

Is this the joke? If so, it's supposed to be offensive, no?

RIP Catherine O' Hara. Details coming.

Not a ton of info, but if anyone is interested, here’s an interview with Mr. Zhou, of Light Lens Lab, on their recreations. I’m lucky enough to have several of the lenses discussed, including the 8-element, 1966 “Noctilux” (one of my faves), Z21 Angénieux, and the recent Double Aspherical. Big fan.

Mal Waldron's Breaking New Ground Ex. Suicide is Painless (M*A*S*H) https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/arts/music/mal-waldron-jazz-music.html?unlocked_article_code=1.HFA.-b1C.SIYIipEJh-Y8&smid=nytcore-ios-share

William Eggleston’s Lonely South https://archive.ph/2026.01.24-204543/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/william-egglestons-lonely-south https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/william-egglestons-lonely-south