Fujifilm X100VI and Sam Abell

Finally, the long-awaited Fujifilm announcement is here! On February 20, 2024, at the Fujifilm X Summit in Tokyo, Fujifilm revealed the latest version of their beloved & world-famous X100 camera … the X100VI. Since then, I’ve watched dozens of YouTube videos about the new X100VI. All of them discussed the technical specs of the camera, but none of them is able to show us the soul of the camera. That is until tonight … when I discovered this short documentary featuring the X100VI and Sam Abell, a photographer whose photographic wisdom of “compose and wait” I love so much.

When you have 17 minutes, I hope you’ll watch this lovely short film.

I bought my X100V back in 2020 and then shortly after I gifted it to my nephew. It’s the most beautiful camera I’ve ever seen! And it takes gorgeous photos as well. The perfect everyday camera for me. I imagine the X100VI embodies the same … a perfect everyday camera … for me.

This lovely X100V was briefly mine for a while until I gifted it to my nephew.

January 2024 Movie List, etc.

I can’t believe I have not posted anything in so long – blog or vlog. Real life has been consuming much of my time. Blink and it’s now the second month of 2024. Just a note to check in and let you know I’m still here.

In my precious free time, I’ve been watching endless movies and TV series, as well as reading books, screenplays, and listening to podcasts. I fell in love with Anne With an E, having watched it for the first time a few weeks ago. I love it with almost as much intensity and devotion as I love Gilmore Girls. Yet, there are just three seasons to consume. I’m on my 2nd series re-watch, discovering even more gems as I go along, the second time around.

Watching Anne With an E (Netflix) on my laptop

Oh and do you remember our short film The House on the Cliff? I have a bit of good news on that front. THOTC won “Best Sci-Fi” at the 2024 Black & White Film Festival this month!

This tiny film made by 4 friends while on a road trip in Colorado 2 years ago has had quite a journey. Even though it made no money (as expected), it has gotten a few in-person screenings in 2022-2023 as well as being accepted in many film festivals. All in all … the short has surpassed my expectation in every way! And I’m proud of our combined efforts in making this passion project.

On to another topic. This year, I decided to keep a log of my favorite movies, series, books, podcasts, etc. Similar to Soderbergh’s annual lists – which I love and follow religiously each year.

Hopefully, by December 2024, I’ll have my own list of favorites to share with the world. Not that anyone really cares. But me.

MOVIES/SERIES IN JANUARY 2024
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Amelie, True Detective: Night Country, Queen of the Desert, Saltburn, Austenland, Gilmore Girls (both the OG and AYITL). Many on this list I re-watched, by the way. And they’re still just as good, if not better. There are other movies/shows that I have not mentioned since they somehow have escaped me.

FAVORITE PODCASTS
Fujilove and Kraig Adams. Both are so relaxing to tune in to when I’m on a solo walk or drive, washing dishes, or cooking.

CURRENTLY READING
Independent Ed by Edward Burns
Screenplay: The Foundation of Screenwriting by Syd Field
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
The Secret History by Donna Tartt (I’ve been reading this for the past 2 years, it’s not the sort of book one can finish in a weekend, apparently.)