Jacob All Trades #309
Birthdays, Tattoos, Animatronic Bears, Olivia Wilde, Dark Money, Aprons, Film Stills and The First Newsletter Riddle
My grandmother turned 95 today. NINETY-FIVE. She was born in Vienna, escaped the Holocaust, and came to the United States through Cuba. She still swims laps, goes on walks, and bakes brownies. Everyone who knows her looks up to her because she has a true zest for life. At her party yesterday, she said she never thought she’d make it to 75 and someone had to remind her she’s actually two decades older.
Also this week, my wife got a tattoo. I love her tattoos, even though I have none of my own, but every time she gets one I cringe at first because of the forever change (which she always reminds me is not really forever). We’re pretty certain this new one is the first Sandra Boynton tattoo. Or, if not the first, the first documented on the Internet.
And finally, some news for our little doc Full Picture, which qualified for the Oscars this week. It’s also screening at the very cool Champion Film Salon this weekend and was just selected for the Oscar-qualifying Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival which takes place at a HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK. I truly madly deeply wish I could attend in person.
Sometimes I write these newsletters all at once in an hour or so. Other times (like this week) it’s done five minutes at a time, half on my phone, half at a computer. The podcast version of the newsletter will be a little late this week as well. Sorry.
Hope you’re hanging in there, and if you’re Jewish, Happy New Year!
Jacob
A GOOD LONG READ
If you’re not already subscribed to Anne Helen Petersen’s newsletter, it’s a must-read. Her writing spans subjects but always has a rare depth – especially on topics that are usually surface level. Case in point: today’s newsletter is a deep dive into our fascination with Olivia Wilde.
There’s been a lot of ‘celebrity gossip’ about Don’t Worry Darling and I’ve kind of tuned it out because it all seems so trashy – but the way AHP gets into it is more anthropological (more ‘big picture’ and less ‘spitgate’) and it’s FASCINATING.
Here’s a quick excerpt:
Olivia Wilde is neither a Bergman nor a Taylor — she’s never had their star wattage, which isn’t her fault, per se, as much as a symptom of the current celebrity ecosystem, which is no longer in the mega star-cultivation business. But Wilde is part of the same celebrity lineage as Angelina Jolie: both exploited the hunger for a certain sort of male-gaze-y pin-up, just about a decade apart, before amassing enough power to lead their careers in a very different direction).
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
You ever go too far down a rabbit hole on the Internet? That’s where I live. I was looking up some info about the servos required to make an animatronic for an upcoming project and eventually got to this video. Enjoy. Or… don’t?
DO SOMETHING
One of my favorite politicians (and not only based on his terrific name) Senator Sheldon Whitehouse finally introduced his DISCLOSE act this week. It would be an enormous step toward rooting out the most insidious secret money in politics. Here’s real-life Sam Waterston character Shel (do people call him Shel?) with more info:
The Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act or DISCLOSE Act would mandate that all spending on elections be made public and make it much much harder for corporations and special interest groups to buy off politicians. This week, it deadlocked along party lines in the Senate, where it needed 60 votes to pass (due to the filibuster).
Whatever your political leanings, none of us want a cabal of shadowy billionaires pulling strings to influence our elected leaders or members of the judiciary. Call your Senators — especially if you live in a red/purple state — tell your friends — again, especially if they have Republican senators, to call and urge their Senators and ask why they voted NO on the DISCLOSE ACT. (Especially when so many of them like to talk about how they think Dark Money is ruining the country.)
TAKE MY MONEY
Hedley & Bennett makes the best aprons and they’re having a 60% off blind bag sale. I don’t get a piece of the action for writing about it but if you’re down to roll the dice on the pattern, it’s a great deal. Here’s the link.
CREATIVE RESOURCES
Shot Deck recently introduced a new feature where you can sort by color and it is very cool. If you’re anyone who makes decks, and especially someone who makes mood boards, directors treatments, shot lists, etc. – Shot Deck is a fantastic resource, and it just got better.
RIDDLE ME THIS
Here’s a new thing I’m trying. LMK if you think you have the answer…
Which of these phrases does not belong?
Priceless Artwork
Birth Announcement
WiFi Version Update
Breaks Even
Trombone Player
Alrighty, that’s it for this week. Feel free to leave a comment or share the newsletter using the links below.
Party on,
Jacob