DAY TRIPPING
With the undying support of ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications
A comprehensive directory for Day Tripping
About seventeen years ago, I had the occasion to visit a new museum that opened near Trafalgar square in London, UK. The display was divided into two sections, the first being a walkthrough of the bunker offices where Churchill and his command team operated during WWII.
The second part of the museum tour is dedicated entirely to the life of Sir Winston Churchill. There is no doubting the significance of this individual’s place in history, but what interested me most about this section of the museum was the new technology being implemented to exhibit his life.
The most prominent of…
Life is filled with Crossroads. Choosing those which fire the imagination
As we move through life we are met with choices. If you move slowly, the choices are bountiful, and sometimes too many.
So you speed up a bit, travelling past successive crossroads at a pace where a decision isn’t an option. Then, you find you’re moving faster and faster, and the intersections slip by in a blur, leaving you to fly on without the knowledge that a choice even exists.
What on earth does this have to do with my biography, you ask?
I have seen my life at various speeds, and I have to say I’m enjoying this one…
Tough to look at, and hard to kill
Remember the joke that went around when The Rolling Stones announced their Steel Wheels Tour way back in 1989?
People were calling it the Steel Wheelchairs tour because, at the time, the ageing rockers were approaching their 50s. Well, another thirty years on and these guys are still going, and seemingly, indestructible.
Since that tour so long ago, Mick Jagger has survived open-heart surgery, Keith Richards has survived about everything he’s ever done to himself.
And Charlie Watts? Well, he’s survived working with Mick and Keith.
Now, Ron Wood has revealed that he has beaten cancer…
Twice!
Years ago, Ronny…
ILLUMINATION / FICTION STORIES
At least, my family thinks I am
The play on words aside, a better fiction writer is what I aspire to be, and reading better writers like Liam Ireland and Britni Pepper inspire me to pick up my game. Finding these terrific writers on ILLUMINATION-Curated and ILLUMINATION has somehow lit a fire in my brain.
Their inspiration and my own love for ‘the story’ has become the spark that propels me. Money is a lovely and useful thing to have with the right perspective, but writing stories that resonate are for me, the ultimate prize.
As a filmmaker, I have always been drawn to visual narratives and…
Cinema — Myths and Meaning🎥
How to get more from your viewing experience
Movies of the past still hold magical powers of imagery and symbolism that resonate today.
If you appreciate the artistry and detail that goes into filmmaking and you would like to explore cinema’s rich and diverse history with a discerning eye, please join me on a journey of rediscovery. You may even find a few new surprises along the way.
Each month, I will offer up two or three titles for viewing at your leisure. My goal is to explore these selections in detail and how they connect with today’s world. Exploring genres and film conventions in ways you may…
Pres and Prince
No matter the politics of the 44th President of the United States, Barak Obama who was born in 1961 was at least a thoughtful dignified human being.
“We are reminded that, in the fleeting time we have on this Earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame, but rather how well we have loved and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better.”
Those are qualities all leaders need to return to for all our sakes. …
Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born in1926 and ninety-five years later, Tony Bennett is still thrilling crowds with his golden voice.
“It sounds so simple, but if you just be yourself, you’re different than anyone else.”
Bennett has maintained a simple philosophy of being honest and dignified throughout his long career. He has continued to perform in the studio and on stage with Lady Gaga even with the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Today is:
Grab Some Nuts Day — Celebrating everything from almonds to walnuts, this is intended to create awareness for the health qualities of nuts. …
We took Aqaba
If there were ever a photograph to describe the word, ‘iconic’ the above would be appropriate. Born in 1932, Peter Sheamus O’toole was trained on the British stage.
“I’m not an actor, I’m a movie star.”
Of course, the best part about Peter O’toole is that he never took himself too seriously. This line from the movie, My Favorite Year is only partly true in real life. Peter was an actor’s actor and a veteran of the Shakespearean stage, and a movie star. And, he was all Irish.
My favorite food from my homeland is Guinness. My second choice in…
July Recap
An easy reference guide to each month’s place in historical context
Pick a day; Any day.
For a little over a month now, the Earth has revolved around The Moon and seems much happier for it. With some refreshing and a new perspective, Day Tripping has evolved into stories about the people who matter on ech day.
At least to me, anyway.
Some of the amazing people I learned about and recalled last month are documented below.
Please enjoy them at your leisure.
JULY
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Whale of a tale
Herman Melville was born in 1819, but the novel that made him famous became popular a century after his birth. Moby Dick was such a critical success, William Faulkner said he wished he’s written it.
“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.”
Herman was not a good student or extraordinary in any way. He just sat down and wrote the best damn novel he knew how. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he experienced life at sea first.
Today is:
Raspberry Cream Pie Day — I’m down with that.
Respect for Parents Day — Shouldn’t…
