Funny Shit...

Another goddang work week, and we all need a few cheap laughs. Hopefully, you won't have seen all of these. In the first, Governor Rick The Dick Scott gets a righteous earful of truth to power- and inexplicably (but all too predictably) most Right Wing douche bag commenters rush to his... defense (although one commenter did describe him as an elongated testicle).

And from local to national politics...

Finally, what's a few laughs between friends w/o a little racial humor...

100% Natural

Photo: © S. Banos

Hey, I coulda easily made something up like so many other places, considering the date and all, and just thrown it up for a cheap laugh. But you don't come here for that, we got scruples and stuff- and I got a brand to uphold.

Making America Great Again!

Cowardice
Are you serious?
Apologies for freedom, I can’t handle this.
When freedom rings, answer the call!
On your feet, stand up tall!
Freedom's on our shoulders, USA!
Enemies of freedom face the music, c'mon boys, take them down
President Donald Trump knows how to make America great
Deal from strength or get crushed every time

C'mon!!! Any song that begins with the word cowardice has to, has to be great! And let's not forget The Donald's impeccable war credentials- he got a medal for neatness in military school while racking up his five deferments.

Republican Heroes

You Can Observe A Lot By Just Watching...

I'm not as much drawn to sports as when considerably younger, but even then, I was particularly drawn to those who transcended their sport, who exhibited signs of life beyond their sport, those who either impacted life head on like an Ali, or simply displayed a certain sense of irony or humor as in the case of Yogi Berra (to whom one can attribute the quote above).

And speaking of astute observations, particularly when it comes to life and its passing moments on the streets we tread daily, the name of photographer Cristophe Agou most certainly comes to mind- a good tribute here.

Thanks, and RIP guys...

Without Comment...

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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SB on B...

I "discovered" Blake Andrews a few years back. Two things you realize right off: the guy's good (that's rare enough), and... he's also funny. Lord knows most comedians are painful to watch or listen to- the great ones are not only rare, but extremely observant and often insightful. And successfully translating some modicum of humor into photography on a consistent basis (which B does) is an extremely rare achievement! But enough about him...

Actually, the man has been kind enough to interview your humble servant on his own home turf @ B...

You Will Be (So) Missed...

Because what other journalist, news anchor, or reporter will ever rise (or even possibly ever aspire) to this level of humor, honesty and truth to power???

Solid Gold!

Meditation On The Obvious

Photo: © S. Banos

No, it probably won't make the official "portfolio," but it's actually one of my favorite shots. It's the kind of shot that probably had passerby wondering what the hell that nut was taking a picture of, the kind of shot that had me wondering what the hell I was taking a picture of. And most of the time, when the banality level is that high- the picture does in fact... suck. No doubt, most people looking at it probably think it sucks, and sucks bad. I got no problem with that. 

Surprisingly, the shot came off exactly as I wanted, which doesn't exactly guarantee anything in and of itself- especially when there's just so very little there to begin with. Human imperfection, front and center, accentuated and amplified in almost perfect symmetry for all to see- lipstick on a pig! Someone thought to go all out and class up the joint by sticking a couple of Ionic columns on a building facade already so fake and shallow, it just screams- "Why!?"

Why do we do it? Why do we always so desperately try to be exactly that which we are so clearly not- when it's all so desperately obvious...

Age Old Truisms, Part...

Photo: © S. Banos

Granted this no doubt has an overwhelmingly greater philosophical (and humorous) impact in your twenties, than in your fifties. That said, it's the kinda thing that'll no doubt continue to provide insight and entertainment... for generations to come.

Bye, Bye 2014...

And this pretty much sums up the year- as well as any other...

Have A Listen...

One of the best This American Life programs in some time- particularly about the bus driver in 1947 who turns his bus left instead of right one beautiful, sunny weekday in NYC and... keeps driving to Florida, and the episode where they interview seniors about time travel.

Meanwhile, Russell Brand, whose very sight would make me cringe (until I heard him speak) continues to outtalk and out logic anyone, anywhere when it comes to socio/economic/political discourse on either side of the Atlantic...

Oliver Hartung

Photo: Oliver Hartung

Despite the rigid stereotype, I'm happy to report that all things are indeed, possible- not only do Germans with a sense of humor exist, some even incorporate a few laughs into their photography, thank you very much.

And speaking of stereotypes, seems Mr. Hartung's roadside Americana type curiosities are not solely limited to America, or even the Christian persuasion for that matter, as clearly evidenced in his travails throughout The Middle East.  My admiration of his work did fall into momentary jealousy when I discovered we had traversed some similar paths in the American Southwest and he had managed to come upon a few gems that had totally eluded my travels- not surprising since things are kinda "stretched out" over there,* though still subject to change more than one would think (one of the reasons I continue to love returning there). Petty "jealousies" aside, it's a joy to look at his work- been a while since I've felt the urge to get a photo book.

*Being a city boy, I'm used to experiencing change within a few city blocks. In desert environs, those same changes are measured in... hundreds of miles.



Photo: Oliver Hartung

 

Mark Page- Man On A Mission

A YEAR IN PROVENCE 2013- Mark Page

HENS 2013- Mark Page

Mark Page, me ol' mate from across the pond  (my best Cockney impersonation- even though, it should well be noted he hails from Manchester*) and collaborator at Expiration Notice has been a most busy man of late. Not only has he created a series of brilliant and exquisitely tongue in cheek Still Lives, he has also set about single handedly establishing the much adulated and critically acclaimed Museum of Takeaway Menu Art (MoTMA)- yes, complete with requisite gift shop, interactive family education center and related art sundries.

Again, nice to see someone operating with a sense of humor out there- and coming up with the goods to show for it! Can't keep a good man down...

*would call him a Manc- but hesitate upon reading these "definitions." Are there really that many Manc haters out there, Mark!?!?

Yep, Just About Says It...

Peter de Krom

Photo: Peter de Krom

Give me an interestingly composed photo with a subtle, wry sense of humor and I'm all yours- hook, line and sinker... And of all the notable work that stood out at Photoville this year, the one guy whose work immediately drew my attention was Peter de Krom's conga lines of elders merrily scooting about colorful suburban landscapes. His website (in Dutch) may not be particularly easy to navigate for most- but it does lead to some nice surprises. Think Parr meets Carl de Keyzer!

Of course, if your name is not Erwitt, Parr or the guy with the dogs, humor and "serious" photography are seldom breathed in the same sentence. It's the demimonde of lowly street photographers, snapshot shooters and the generally ill and inbred. Photography's continued legacy of self imposed insecurity in the art world pantheon has deemed that humor must be limited to a precious, sanctioned few- proper decorum and respectability must be preserved and maintained. So kudos to Peter for spreading the humor, and letting us all breathe a little easier...

Photo: Peter de Krom

God's Pocket

Three minutes into this movie, I turned to my wife and said, "This is so freakin' depressing- it's one of my favorite all time movies." Of course, it was a ludicrous thing to say- at least the latter part. And even though I was the only guy laughing out loud in the theater for the first two thirds of the movie- in the end, I was right on both counts. 

This movie has some major plot holes, but... it's the little hapless, off center character touches that inundate both the visuals on screen and the characters themselves that give this movie its dark, foreboding humor and its uncanny ring of authenticity ('70s and otherwise). The main characters are all fatally flawed and frayed, everyone hanging on dearly for that last gasp of life giving air and salvation- all so they can live to fuck up just one more time the very next day...

On a minor note, the film should have ended when Seymour Hoffman's character went walking down the darkened street (instead of what seemed like a tacked on "happy" ending)- needless to say, this movie made especially real how much Seymour Hoffman will be missed...   A Must See.

America- The Greatest Health Care System In The World... Bar None!

Except the 36 countries in the world ahead of it!
(Hilarious- esp about 4 min in...)

The Daily Show
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Christmas Card of the Year!!!

The following is blatant, in your face, commercial exploitation...

Not quite the calendar I've yet to make, but a step in the right direction; and must say, I'm rather quite pleased by it! You can make your own cards (and other stuff) quite easily at Zazzle, or better yet, buy mine so that I can continue to live my decadent bourgeois lifestyle while doubling down my commitment to... The War on Christmas!

Photo © S. Banos

Unfortunately, my card printed with a bit of a light streak on one side- Zazzle offered to reprint and pay return postage on their dime (as well they should)- their customer service was both quick and commendable...      UPDATE!