The Soviet Six.

I'm extremely lucky to have some wonderful, generous people in my life: but hey you don't want to read about that, what? It's all gush gush gush and love-ins. No one needs that. Maybe you'd prefer to read about SIX FREAKING AMAZING 1960S RUSSIAN CAMERAS, then?

Oh ok. Well I was recently given not one, not even two, but SIX amazingly beautiful. amazingly old-school, amazingly Russian cameras from a certain amazing bearded gent who is one of the generous people I referred to - cue squeals aplenty! And before you ask: no, I have no idea how to use them on multiple fronts, linguistic and technical. BUT I SHALL LEARN. OH YES I SHALL.

They have a pleasant weight to them and a few of them feature well-worn finishes... I can't help but wonder who used them and what they've shot in their past lives. Check 'em out:

Flexarel Automat. Sounds like the coolest coin laundry of all time. Is actually rad cam.

Sokol (which means "falcon" is Russian, and which I am therefore nicknaming Mordecai)

Zorki

Fed 3

Beirette is actually German but defected to the Soviet Union for the purposes of retaining the post title. 

Smena

Can't wait to get these babies loaded up with film and start testing them out. I'm kinda tempted to use them all at once, with six camera straps around my neck and/ or a camera pack mule. This may prove impractical though. Stay tuned for both a report on the mule front as well as my first pics from each camera. If you've ever used ay of these guys before, hit me up with tips!  

Yipee-ki-ay. 

That very special time of year is here which means only one thing: the traditional watching of the best Xmas movie of all time: DIE HARD.

HELLS YEAH! We have so much to learn from John McClane. When making your NY resolutions this year - actually no screw that, when making ANY decision in life, ask yourself: what would Bruce Willis in Die Hard do? The answers will lead you to mystical levels of life perfection and good hearted bad-assery.

The re-watching of Die Hard made me more inspired than ever to host my long-cherished idea of a DH Xmas party. We came up with a few more ideas to get this going as we watched:

1. Dress as a character (obvs). Gents, this means you can either opt for bloodstained tank/ no shoes/ cigarette ala McClane, or suave German with a Saville Row suit in the style of Rickman. Girls, same. Hipsters may wish to pay special attention to this guy:

With his head to toe, slim-fit track suit, geek glasses and chunky digital watch, he's very American Apparel model, no?

2. When anyone arrives, quote this:

3. When encouraging the rapid ingestion of booze, shout "SHOOT THE GLASS!"

4. Put some vintage Run DMC on and you're good to go.

This stuff practically invents itself!

I've been heart-warmed to hear of other Die Hard xmas viewings/ parties all over the shop. My kind are out there. Watching Willis. Which is what the xmas spirit is all about, right?