Flukey the Flower's Odd Petal in an Odd World

We hear you, Fluke. We're living in a... special time.

Metropolis is One of the Greatest Pictures

Late last night I was reminded that the German (post-expressionist) science fiction feature film Metropolis was first screened for the public on January 10, 1927, in Berlin. To me, it is a prime example of the possibilities of the motion picture form. All production departments are front and centre, including Gottfried Huppertz's magnificent original score.

This fan of UFA, the classic flick's producing studio, and of director Fritz Lang, should not have missed that special birthday: 99 years ago... vor neunundneunzig Jahren.

A plaqued Metropolis mini-poster hangs proudly on my wall....

... it replaced a plaqued mini-poster of Klimt's "The Kiss". With that move did I unwittingly pull some symbolism? I must find a certain kiss and give it its well-deserved place on my wall: re-place it.

Postscript: I labelled Metropolis as being "post-expressionist", which is what it was. Too often it's slotted into "German Expressionist Cinema". The picture certainly has many touches fitting comfortably within that film form, but overall it is "post".

Something I Read Minutes Ago... Something Brilliant

"One key difference between 1930s Germany and 2020s USA is that 1930s Germany didn't have 90 years of books, movies and documentaries warning it about 1930s Germany."

It really resonated with this student of history... especially that history.

Picturing: Bloor Street at Dalton Road, Toronto

While running a few errands early this afternoon, I snapped a few pictures. While walking east along the north side of Bloor Street, I stopped at Dalton Road, raised my Canon 'mirrorless', and fired away. It was relatively mild today, about 6 Celsius (43 Fahrenheit).

The above pic has a pleasant subtext, I think.

Environment Canada is calling for Toronto temps of 10 Celsius (50 Fahrenheit) tomorrow.

Before I go: In my best Mark Daley voice....

"From the corner of Bloor and Dalton, this is CityTV. Everywhere!"

Picturing: Many of Us Would Just Love to See This

With what's going on in the world right now, the above machine, the fictional Starship Enterprise, would be most welcome: not so much for her phaser banks, but for her "transporter room"....

"Locked onto Mister Trump and Mister Putin, sir. Ready to beam them up."

Quote: Paramahansa Yogananda on Positivity

"Never give up on the things that make you smile. Learn to be calm and you will always be happy."

Indeed! 

A Discussion on BBC Radio 2 Re: Trump's Invasion

I'm listening to BBC Radio 2 right now, "Jeremy Vine" (with Tina Daheley sitting in). The discussion is about Donald Trump's invasion of Venezuela, the kidnapping of ruthless dictator Nicolás Maduro, and the obvious driving motivation for this intrusion... access to rich oil deposits.

A big concern expressed is that it may well set a dangerous precedent: China has been threatening for years to reclaim Taiwan; Trump and his corrupt cronies have their sights on resource-rich Greenland; Russian president Vladimir Putin won't stop with Ukraine....

For about a decade now I've been saying something that some people find troubling, concerned about my sanity, and my twisted "sense of humour", while others just laugh it off:

"The human race will be done by twenty sixty [2060]... plus or minus a few years."

Picturing: My Canon DSLR From My Canon Mirrorless

... Or, it might be: My Canon Mirrorless From My Canon DSLR

Picturing: Photo Shoot With Model Lisa

NHL Gum Card: Rene Robert (and the Buffalo Sabres)

During my preteen years, like many young men, the National Hockey League (NHL) was the most important thing. Ice hockey ruled our world, its players, our sports heroes. O-Pee-Chee marketed player trading cards, and these would appear in our corner stores. For ten cents, one got a few cards and a stick of 'gum'. The convenience store on the "South Side" of CFB Borden was my go-to place for these little packets of goodness — yes, I actually liked that gum.

The above card is from the 1972 - 1973 season.

René Robert was upper deck.

While the speedily-talented winger wore four different team uniforms, including that of the lowly Toronto Maple Leafs, during his NHL career, René Robert (1948 - 2021) hit his peak when he played for the Buffalo Sabres. With "French Connection" teammates Gilbert Perreault and Richard Martin, he was a playmaking and scoring force, especially during the NHL's 1974/75 season when the Sabres eliminated my beloved Habs (Montreal Canadiens) from further playoff participation.

Quote: Aristotle on Man

"At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst."

Given the latest news, does that remind you of anyone?

Quote: Alfred Lord Tennyson on The New Year

"Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, 'It will be happier'."

I had intended to upload that quote at the very end of last year. However, before I pressed the upload button, sobriety mush have taken a hold on me... Or was it the wine?

Will and Mist Say: Happy New Year 2026!

Yep, Willie had that right.