Did you know that the sun makes a figure 8 in the sky? I thought it fitting to celebrate this fact and date it with eights all around, because, well, eight is such a great number. I had everything for this planned one way today and then twisted it, remembered a few things, got inspired and went crazy with it.

I cannot find this, the best version of The Grid tune, on either of the major streaming services, but Soundcloud saved me again. I wish I could tear myself away and go ahead and buy a subscription, but . . . everyone knows how that goes. Pry my cold, dead fingers off the screen or the mouse or air or whatever, I’m not changing. We’re all kinda stupid like that: Marketing chains us to the most illogical loyalties. “But he can’t be a man/cause he doesn’t smoke/the same cigarettes as me”.

Speaking of chained: The Prisoner, which I could have used earlier, but I forgot. For some reason I searched for it and Lo and Behold, there was “Prisoner 48” ready to proclaim his Gospel to the World. This is a clip of the very last episode of the brilliant 1967 series. When I was a kid, the Prisoner came on late at night – 10 p.m., probably – when I was already sleepy and dreamy, and the surrealism of those Dali-esque images never left me. Rover, though, gave me suffocating nightmares. This episode’s hippy jargon and context might confuse you somewhat, but I urge you and all of your friends to watch the series. It could not be more pertinent. Here is the first episode, free on the YouTubes: The Prisoner: Season 1 Episode 1 – Arrival (Full Episode).

So this was an easy and fun break. A few more struggles for me and then I will release all of us from the pain of my artistic pretensions. Just a few more.

PS: I think this photo was a reflection from the windshield of a taxi parked by the Pantheon. I say this because it looks AI-generated. I assure you it’s not. If I ever do use AI, I’ll let you know.