Legal Weapon

One of the greatest fears for any expatriate has just came true for me: the phone call in the middle of the night, announcing terrible news.

Goodbye, Dad.

Fly high, Spaceman, way above the Heavens.
God gave rock'n'roll to us. Now you can play rock'n'roll for the Almighty.
May you rest in peace and keep rocking for all eternity, and a day.

#RIPAceFrehley

I know it seems a strange suggestion, but I think you would make a fantastic US president, Mr Martin.

Think about it!!

I share your pain: same thing happened to me on Friday, and just when I was about to get this year's jab.

May I wish you get well soon!

The damn virus is still around.

BE SAFE.
Take the appropriate precautions.
Get vaccinated.

How about a saga in seven chapters, where the zombies trap their victims and, in each individual movie, read to them an entire volume of Marcel Proust's "À la recherche du temps perdu", in the original French (one volume per movie)?

I believe (and I am just stating my belief, I am not asking you to agree with it or share it) that this world, this entire universe was created as an act of pure love.

And I am seeing, day after day, how we are destroying it, and ourselves, with hate.

Nothing further to add...

I second and third and fourth that proposal!

PS: I do know those pictures were not what the original post was about, but I felt they could lighten the mood, as this absurd world situation, where every day things turn even more pear-shaped than the previous day, is one where at least the hint of a smile might help.

I have been there and back again.
It's a small quaint village on the shores of a Norwegian fjord.
They even have a mall (that figures) where they serve food at hellishly expensive prices (although the devil's food cake was particularly tasty, I must say).
And I had to buy a t-shirt there too!

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to a woman who is wonderful in a billion different ways!

🎂🥂💖

@lyndacarter.bsky.social

Rest in peace, Ozzy, and thank you.
From a (now feeling very old) metalhead, who should have listened to much more of your music than I actually did.

YouTube video by JudasPriestVEVO Judas Priest - Sinner (Official Audio)

Grandissimo Jannik!!

youtu.be/W5Opvi_UHLY?...

Rest in peace, George Wendt, and thanks for your art and the gift of laughter you gave to so many of us.

(And buona fortuna to Alphonso with his date!!)
😂

Again, I thank you for your reply.
And I should rephrase my original comment, written in haste (for this, I apologise).
It was not the character Alphonso himself I had an issue with but rather the pseudo-Italian accent (hit a nerve, as I had endured "accent-mockery").
But I knew you meant no insult.

PS: hope you enjoyed Venice and you should go there during the Carnival!

Similarly, Sir, I had no intention to criticise you (although I do accept that my words might have this weight).
And I thank you for taking the time to answer me.

I just wanted to let you know how it felt to me, that's all I can do.

I am not "without sin", I admit it.
I have a close Indian friend and, decades ago, I would sometimes talk to him in a "mock Indian" accent (not unlike Peter Seller's)
I had no intention to offend a friend, but, as he told me he found it insulting, I apologised unreservedly (and no longer do it).

Let me make it clear, I have a great opinion and respect of you and your art, and know you had no ill intent towards Italian.
I wanted to convey that, having been for years at the receiving end of people mocking the Italian accent, I found it hurtful to see it done by somebody I admired so much.

(*smiling*)
You put your finger in it: I always refused to watch "The Sopranos" or (*anticipating gasps of horror*) "The Godfather"series, for me they glorify awful criminals.
And when they shot one episode of "The Sopranos" in Naples, they did not even use local extras (their accent is a giveaway)!

Are you suggesting, perhaps, that I am being "woke" or a "snowflake" for taking issue with this?
Because, if you are, you are wrong. I hope that helps, too.

But I guess that, unless experienced on one's own skin, it's hard to understand.
(" 'O sazio nun crede a 'o digiuno" Neapolitan proverb).

Let me make it clear: I did not, even for a moment, think there was any intention on your part to mock or insult Italians.

What I was hoping to convey is that certain clichés or stereotypes (and ways of talking), whatever the reason behind them, may hit a nerve and, even unintentionally, offend.

I understand that it is a satire.
You have often expressed your pride in your Italian ancestry, this is why I was surprised by seeing "Alphonso" (should it not be "Alfonso"?).
And I, like many of different cultures, find Peter Sellers movies (made many years ago, incidentally) offensive.

And I am sure there will be many who will comment with nonsense like: "Get a life, it is just a joke!", "Have a laugh", etc.

Try enduring this sort of "mock-Italian" talk from others for years (sometimes from those who can barely speak English) and then you will tell me if "it is just fun".

I understand that you have Italian roots.

Being Italian myself, I must say (with some pain, as I admire you as an artist and a person) that I find this the usual cliché and stereotype about Italians, which does not become you, frankly.