Love the painting! Subtle, but they were not ignoring each other. That painting has a lot to say and is quite remarkable. And your political comments were spot-on. We are all SO weary of U.S. politics, just want it - this poisonous election - to be over. But another four years of Donald Trump is unthinkable. We cannot all have lost our minds. Have we?
The music is incredible, I was unable to breathe waiting for them to emerge from the dark side of the moon, despite, obviously, knowing they were going to. Absolutely stunning and just what I needed to hear. The painting is wonderful too, that girl could so be glancing up from her phone. Your take on the debate is spot on too!
Regarding Apollo 8, the music, The Other Side, evokes the same emotions as when the Apollo 13 spacecraft was reentering Earth’s atmosphere. The extended period of uncertainty during communications blackout and the huge sigh of relief when the crew is safe and sound.
Apollo 8, the flight, itself, was one of the most gutsy missions in the history of manned space flight. The mission plan was changed from a high Earth orbit flight, testing the components of the Apollo spacecraft, to a lunar orbit mission without the Lunar Module. All to beat the Soviets to lunar orbit.
After Apollo 8’s successful mission, Frank Borman, the commander, received an anonymous telegram which read: “Thank you Apollo 8. You saved 1968.”
No headphones to hand, but even without, that was an incredible experience. I actually found myself holding my breath when they were waiting for the response. And then the releif at hearing them... Wow. This is more proof for me that music is magic. Thank you so much for sharing this.
The Germans are known for their exceptional eye for detail, regarding the painting. I hadn’t seen it before either but when you zoom in you see things like the father holding a cigarette and looking at a sketchbook. Remarkable.
So.. looked up the whole thing and it turns out it’s Danish, not German. However, the dude in the picture is the son of a tobacconist who later built a cigar factory. 😉
Sep 11·edited Sep 11Liked by Michael Marshall Smith
Listening to those old recordings of space launches fills me with hope. Listening to the debate, however, will not. Incidentally, Harris has the good debate transits. Trump has the shitting in public transits. But that means very little, apparently.
Absolutely love PSB - especially being a massive Apollo program geek. I know the era wasn’t perfect, politically; but it was a time of positivity and ambition. Of lofty, selfless goals. Where did it all go wrong?
Love the PSB shout...beg, borrow, steal, sell a body part. Do whatever you can, but go see 'em live. Saw them in Liverpool a few years back, playing, amongst other things, 'Gagarin' - ON GAGARIN DAY!! (April 12th, apparently...who knew?)
That sense of wonder, that edge-of-your-seat-holding-your-breath state of suspension as another human dares something not done before, the itch of not knowing what the outcome will be, the sheer joy when they succeed and we are released from our state of suspension: it’s a rush we don’t get much anymore in our online connected imaged world. What a thing. To go into the dark knowing that millions are waiting to exhale, and inhale again.
Love the painting! Subtle, but they were not ignoring each other. That painting has a lot to say and is quite remarkable. And your political comments were spot-on. We are all SO weary of U.S. politics, just want it - this poisonous election - to be over. But another four years of Donald Trump is unthinkable. We cannot all have lost our minds. Have we?
I wish I knew the answer to that question...
The music is incredible, I was unable to breathe waiting for them to emerge from the dark side of the moon, despite, obviously, knowing they were going to. Absolutely stunning and just what I needed to hear. The painting is wonderful too, that girl could so be glancing up from her phone. Your take on the debate is spot on too!
Yeah, we'll still bloody watch it tho won't we ;-) x
Thanks, Michael, for these items!
Regarding Apollo 8, the music, The Other Side, evokes the same emotions as when the Apollo 13 spacecraft was reentering Earth’s atmosphere. The extended period of uncertainty during communications blackout and the huge sigh of relief when the crew is safe and sound.
Apollo 8, the flight, itself, was one of the most gutsy missions in the history of manned space flight. The mission plan was changed from a high Earth orbit flight, testing the components of the Apollo spacecraft, to a lunar orbit mission without the Lunar Module. All to beat the Soviets to lunar orbit.
After Apollo 8’s successful mission, Frank Borman, the commander, received an anonymous telegram which read: “Thank you Apollo 8. You saved 1968.”
Wow - I didn't know that! Great background - thank you, Pat!
No headphones to hand, but even without, that was an incredible experience. I actually found myself holding my breath when they were waiting for the response. And then the releif at hearing them... Wow. This is more proof for me that music is magic. Thank you so much for sharing this.
You're so welcome. And you're right... even though we KNOW the came back around safely, somehow you still hold your breath...
I have never seen the painting or the video. The painting tells a great story and the video is fascinating. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed!
The Germans are known for their exceptional eye for detail, regarding the painting. I hadn’t seen it before either but when you zoom in you see things like the father holding a cigarette and looking at a sketchbook. Remarkable.
The moon thing gives me goosebumps.
Wow — I'd noticed the sketchbook (and assumed it's the father looking through the work of the son next to him, which is cute) but not the cigarette...
So.. looked up the whole thing and it turns out it’s Danish, not German. However, the dude in the picture is the son of a tobacconist who later built a cigar factory. 😉
Listening to those old recordings of space launches fills me with hope. Listening to the debate, however, will not. Incidentally, Harris has the good debate transits. Trump has the shitting in public transits. But that means very little, apparently.
Absolutely love PSB - especially being a massive Apollo program geek. I know the era wasn’t perfect, politically; but it was a time of positivity and ambition. Of lofty, selfless goals. Where did it all go wrong?
I do not know... but I hope it comes back.
I adore P. S. B.
Delighted you've shouted them out.
Cheers!
That's all :)
Delighted to do it!
Love the PSB shout...beg, borrow, steal, sell a body part. Do whatever you can, but go see 'em live. Saw them in Liverpool a few years back, playing, amongst other things, 'Gagarin' - ON GAGARIN DAY!! (April 12th, apparently...who knew?)
I'd *love* to see them live... I shall keep my eyes open, though California might be a stretch...
True, maybe on one of your jaunts back across the Atlantic...🤔😉
That sense of wonder, that edge-of-your-seat-holding-your-breath state of suspension as another human dares something not done before, the itch of not knowing what the outcome will be, the sheer joy when they succeed and we are released from our state of suspension: it’s a rush we don’t get much anymore in our online connected imaged world. What a thing. To go into the dark knowing that millions are waiting to exhale, and inhale again.
Exactly. And you're right... that kind of communal hope doesn't seem to have happened much in recent years/decades...