(this is a bad reproduction of a very old image I took of Joni Mitchell in concert)

I was walking up the hill to our house last Friday with Stephie. It was the end of a heady week.  Our work together is taking on a life of it’s own. The weekend was an island we were climbing up the hill towards, to reset our clocks.

There were three people walking in front of us. One was our neighbor Eve. She was with a couple – the guy carrying a tripod case and what looked like a video shoulder bag. Eve heard us, looked around and said hi. She introduced us to her sister and her sister’s husband. She said they were working on videos. When I asked what kind of video they explained they were doing 50 short scientific films about water – and they were just finishing up a film on Fracking. “Non-political” but of course VERY political.” The man asked what I did. “I am a photographer, but doing some videos now, too.” “What is your name?” “George Lange.” The guy then said, “That is so weird. I used to know a George Lange who was a photographer. I gave him a ride from Ithaca to Vasaar and he paid me with a Joni Mitchell print. I still have the photograph hanging in my house.” Slowly I recognized the face, remembered Philip’s name. I had not seen him in 35 years. They had plans. No time for catching up, but promises.

We looked in the front window at the two boys eating in the dining room. As soon as we turned the door knob the weekend would begin. We stood staring in at our life from the outside.

Jackson lept up when he heard the door open. Running over to us he yelled out, “Daddy. Mommy. I MISSED YOU!”

First, I apologize.   I try to do this everyday.  You are busy.  It is okay.  I am busy, too, but I am always thinking about you.  Wondering if you saw this.  When I sit down there is so much to share that the post gets much longer than you have time for.  Take a little bite.  Sip some coffee.  Come back when you can.  I will be here.

Started the year off meeting with Stephie in New York on January 2.  No one was working.  The city was cleaning up and quiet.  The office in NY was empty but really bright and sunny.   We needed a plan.  I have never planned.  We needed to keep a promise.  Needed to shine a light.  So we made a plan.   It was not that hard.  Stephie loves maps and has become a master cartographer for this ship.

Subalehka and Jonah whose two brains make a very balanced wonderful one – came in and helped us part on the left and comb everything into place.

Then…over the next weeks everything became wonderful and rich.   I can’t show the pictures yet – but soon.   I can’t talk about the videos we are doing – but so excited the new projects involve the leap to directing.   I can say the book we are doing for Workman is going to be totally amazing!   I can say the next weeks shooting in LA, in Utah, in Columbus, in Boston will be the best I have ever done.

Last night I stayed in NY writing for the book.  I don’t understand why some days I have such crazy energy and everything just comes pouring out.  I took a late train home.  Walking up the hill I heard this song I knew coming out of a bar.  A bunch of women were having a great time singing Karaoke.   The song was so familiar.   Then they came to the chorus of “Thunder Road.”  I kept walking.  Thought about the night a couple of years ago my mother asked me about Bruce Springsteen.   We sat down on the couch and I played her several videos of Bruce singing Thunder Road – acoustic alone, with the whole band.  I gave her a sheet with the lyrics.   I looked over and she was really moved.  She said, “I didn’t know he was so emotional.”   Months later she went to see him in Colorado with my brother.  They snuck up to sit close.

Links:
Great article in the Times yesterday on eating mindfully.  Hard to imagine slowing down this much, but does make eating lunch at your computer sound alittle insane.

Odd segue, but sticking with food – if you are in Nashville, visit Burger Up.  Love everything there from the room, to the staff – and onion rings stacked like a perfect mountain.  But go there for the coffee.   It is crazy that something we are pretty sophisticated about in NY they can rewire your body with in one cup.

Discovered the most amazing band in the middle of the night in Nashville over the weekend.  Could not sleep in the middle of the night.  Plugged my ears with a show called, “Acoustic Cafe.“   Not as Starbucks as it sounds.  They played, “King of the World” by, “First Aid Kit” that had Connor Oberest (Bright Eyes) singing on the track.  I checked out their videos.  I listened to the album they just released.  They are sisters, in their early 20′s – from Sweden.  I am so happy to share.  Here is music to take February back with

I saw a clip of Bill O’Reilly (which is a weird thing to say since I have never watched him before) DEFENDING JC Penney and Ellen Degeneres.   Then I did something I also have never done, I wrote to JC Penney supporting their support of Ellen.  They wrote this back, “As we focus on being in sync with the rhythm of our customers’ lives and operating in a ‘Fair and Square’ manner that is rooted in integrity, simplicity and respect, we couldn’t think of a better partner than Ellen DeGeneres. We are extremely proud to have her on our team.”

The rhythm of our customers…..   Maybe there is hope.

One last video for if the snow ever comes……from the Head & The Heart

Pulled this chestnut of Sophia Loren out after seeing, “The Artist” last night in Montclair.  The movie was great – especially when the sound really did become silent – and all you were left with were the visuals to carry the story.   As old school as the film was, it felt so modern at that moment.  Like Amazon crumbled and we were able to talk  without a sound.   Afterwards we went across the street to one of my favorite restaurants in our suburbia, Raymond’s It has the most flattering, glowing light – it was like we stepped right out of the theater and onto the set of the movie.   The hostess had the biggest smile.  It was shrimp and grits.

I took this shot in Beverly Hills.   Sophia did her own hair and  makeup, and was totally game going around with the leaf blower.  Total class.  We catered a really nice lunch.  Linen napkins.  When she did her lips after lunch and blotted them on a napkin, I asked her to sign it.  First and last time I ever asked for an autograph.

Song of the day from era of “The Artist”:  99 Out Of A Hunderd Wana Be Loved

Was taking the train home late last night.  Sharing earbuds with Stephie.  Watching the Louis CK show from the Beacon on the ipad.  Was thirsty.  Took a drink.  Lost it.

Song of the day: Little Fly

John Lurie did one album as a fictitious blues musician named Marvin Pontiac.  This is one of the cuts from, “The Legendary Marvin Pontiac.”

Went to Malcolm Kutner’s pillow event at Fortuny last night in NY.  Malcolm carried his drawings around like maps to show us how he navigated through the Fortuny fabrics creating his own spectacular pillow journey.  If you ever wondered where you would ever wear that dress or those boots you wanted to buy….it was here.  Met Malcolm’s personal clothier, Manolo Costa who had more style between his shoulders and his chin than any man I have ever seen.  Finished off at the Oyster Bar – where Stephie had never been, but often dreamt about.

a VERY special song of the day: Sweet Talk.

This is Mabel Mercer, one of the…rather…THE grand dame of cabaret music – singing one of my favorite songs ever.  The song was written by Cy Coleman & Floyd Huddleston, and the performance was at Town Hall with Bobby Short in 1968.  Completely sublime.

Our videos these past months have all been real adventures.  One King’s Lane has been big supporter of ours – leading us to the ladder, sending us climbing to the highest platform, and pushing us over the edge for a big splash.

Got this email from Elana Frankel at OKL when we delivered the final yesterday, “Rock and roll. We love it!!!!”

This shot of our new friend Malcolm Kutner in SOHO is an outtake from the new video.

Song of the day – Bon Iver – Holocene.   (for winter which needs to settle in already)

In honor of the second season of Portlandia starting up tonight: Portlandia

Music link of the day: Arnold Schwarzenegger – Its Raining Men

George Lois.  The great George Lois.  The incredible Esquire covers.  From his bio: “The legendary George Lois is the most creative, prolific advertising communicator of our time.”

Video for today:  King Charles

OKAY 2012.  The pieces of the puzzle are on the table. My hands are full of pushpins and you  are on the map.

It is finally cold.  We are back here in the bright white room in New York City.  The year  began with Patti Smith singing over a muted tv next to a burning fire.

The first song you play in a new house is always a big decision.  The first song you really crank in a New Year sets the table.  Here is the song: Of Monsters & Men – Little Talks

Happy New Year!