"The Trial Of The Chicago 7"

Aaron Sorkin wrote this movie a decade ago but couldn't find financing. That was a blessing in disguise because today the film resonates in ways it wouldn't have in 2007. Its topics -- governmental oppression of political dissent; police brutality; judicial corruption -- are visible in today's racial justice protests, connecting us to the Sixties.

Sorkin treats that tumultuous time with wide focus, not narrowing it to any particular character's view. That's a smart choice because it describes the Sixties in a general, accurate manner.

Sasha Baron-Cohen plays Abbie Hoffman, a mischievous Yippie. Back then, I bought and read Hoffman's famous work, "Steal This Book." My parents were aghast but the book taught me valuable lessons in living outside the box of social convention. The book was self-published after being rejected by 30 book publishers and many retailers refused to carry it. Canada banned the book entirely. Which made it all the more attractive to young readers at the time.

NYC, Different

 I had to go into Manhattan yesterday. It was weird. 

The buildings are the same, the subway runs fine... but there are no crowds. Just a handful of workers. Being in places that are normally congested, without crowds, feels odd. It's comfortable if you forget why the city is empty.

I'll never forget the experiences of this year.

My Holga Week Entries

Last week was Holga Week, a time when crazy photographers use cheap, old cameras to take pictures. Did I mention the cameras are completely plastic and barely functional? That's Holga. 

I find the deficiencies of the camera increase the challenge of getting good photos. And I enjoy a challenge.

We're entering our pictures in friendly competition. Here are my submissions. Do any appeal to you?

 

My Halloween Costume!

 Here it is! 

What are you dressing up as this year? Send me a picture and I'll post it on Halloween.

World's Most Expensive Car

 

Do you know how much the world's most expensive car is worth? $70 Million dollars -- and that car is 60 years old.

The most desired car in automotive history is the Ferrari 250 GTO. Only 39 of them were made. They were built in the early 1960s for racing. At the time, the cars weren't considered particularly valuable but since then, they've become revered as the symbol of a magnificent time in auto racing. The 250 GTO represents Ferrari's summit.

Back then, used models were advertised for $3,000 to $9,000. Two years ago, the founder of WeatherTech paid $70 Million dollars for one and someone else paid $50 Million just before then. 

You can understand how a cherished piece of history might be worth millions to someone who cares about that era. (The 250 GTO is the car at the center of a recent film, "Ford v Ferrari.") What I find fascinating beyond its value is that owners of vintage cars frequently drive -- and even race -- their vehicles. The cars aren't sculpture sitting on a pedestal; owners take them to the track for personal enjoyment and use them in vintage races. That makes sense to me. That would lead me to spend $70 Million dollars on a car.

Join The Party!

Seven years ago I hosted a Halloween "party" -- a blog-post with pictures of my friends (many of you!) wearing Halloween costumes. It was fun.

Given that few of us can attend parties today due to the virus, let's give this another go. Make a costume, e-mail me a picture (fhu@pipeline.com), and I'll post it on the Big Party Post (BPP) on October 31st. Of course I'll add your name and link to your blog or wherever you want.

Start planning! Here are photos of some of my previous costumes...

Halloween

We're all experiencing pandemic fatigue. Tired of restrictions, we're blue. We need something POSITIVE to enjoy and look forward to.

Halloween! The ultimate holiday where there are no limitations except your imagination. Even if you don't want to venture out into public, you can still create a fun costume and share it with your friends. I plan to do that.

After being gob-smacked early this year (before the virus hit) by the character of Harley Quinn, as magnificently portrayed by Margot Robbie, in the hit-film "Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey," I'm choosing her as my costume. I'm assembling clothes and accessories, most of which I already own given my penchant for extreme fashion.

Does anyone have a big gold necklace that says "Puddin"?

I hope you'll create your own costume and share it with us.