The Photography Diaries - In Memory of Astrid Kirchherr
Watched: Inhuman Resources
Reading: The Time Bubble by Jason Ayres
Sat 16th of May
I just found out that my favorite photographer of all has passed away. Astrid Kirchherr. It’s peculiar when someone dies you are have never met and it hits you with as much an impact as someone you know closer to home. Connection is a curious thing. I can only attribute it to the effect and contribution that certain people make on our lives.
The first photographs that spoke to me were by Astrid. I have always been touched by her story which is both glorious and tragic. Astrid took the first photographs of the Beatles when they arrived in Hamburg and was quickly in a relationship with the Beatles bass player Stu Sutcliffe who was John Lennon's best friend. Stuart was an art student. He tragically passed away, in Astrid's arms, from a brain hemorrhage at the age of 21. A huge talent whose paintings are still displayed in galleries to this day. The story of Astrid and Stuart and John Lennon was later turned into a movie, BackBeat.
Sun 17th of May
Sunday. Weather is beaming. Up early with the little ones. Man, if I’m not up before them. I’m not including Louis, my 15-year-old, in this statement. He zombied down around 11. Popped to the rope-swing with Jesse and Sophia and then they were all picked up and away by 2 pm latest.
Alone again. Bliss! :) Seriously I miss them so much when they’re gone even more so in the current climate and I have a lot of stuff I want to get done this week. Today though is mine. Book, garden, chill.
Nearly read the entire book. Blood Orange. Pretty damn cool if ya like mystery thrillers with a legal twist.
Damon Albarn performed some of his new music ‘Nearer the fountain’. I missed most of it and had to watch it back here.
Mon 18th of May
Up late after binge-watching Caliphate last night. An intense show based on Fatima, an agent of the Swedish Security Service, who receives a tip that a terror attack is being planned in Sweden. This is an incredible show you have to check out.
Shot an entire VLOG today. I took about an hour's break for a ZOOM with Fariyal in Spain.
Tue 19th of May
I’ve just started a little Wim Hoff meditation program. I did a cold shower for 60 seconds and feel amazing. Feel like I’ve done 2 hours meditation in 60 seconds. That combined with the breathing exercises is roasting. Claire made me laugh. She said to me that she thought she was a natural ice woman and as her body had seemingly acclimatized more or less instantaneously to the freezing water. She was all happy with herself until she realized the hot water was still running.
Wed 20th of May
Posted a new Vlog. I have binged Normal People from last night. Truly exceptional show. This show is autobiographical to the creator. It must be. It has such vulnerability in it’s sharing. It is this I think which is having a profound effect on people. The narrative and the visuals are great but they aren’t exceptional relative to other very good TV shows. This has something else. It is as much to do with what is not said as what is said. The best show I’ve seen on TV for a long time and at times the hardest to watch.
Fri 22 May
I haven’t written for a few days. Not like me. I need to write this Journal as it keeps my mind clear. If I don’t write I get sluggish of thinking. Sophia and Louis are back today. With the pigeon who is now a human with wings. I have a sneaky suspicion that he can fly and he’s pulling a stroke, i.e. he simply loves his cushy life with us and the last thing he wants to do is join the rat face of pigeons hunting worms and all that cobblers.
A bit threadbare this week on the journal front.
