Mick Rock, Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta, Lenny Kaye, 2000
RIP Mick Rock – LEGENDARY rock photographer, (David Bowie, Queen, Miley Cyrus).
I interviewed him twice during my writing career, for New York’s Westsider newspaper, but in this photo it was just a fun party at CBGB’s gallery, late 1990s or possibly 2000.
What a great guy! He asked me to get high, but I don’t smoke pot. Now I wish I did.
I first became aware of Mick Rock when I was 12 or 13. He photographed album covers for my favorite band, Queen. But he’s been known for photographing so many legends, as far back as Syd Barrett.
His work with Queen was dark and mysterious. But Rock seemed to be a huge fan of color too. A favorite of mine is the magenta/turquoise theme from Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock and Roll” album cover. His use of color has always been genius, with colors that pop out and grab you.
It’s always sad to see an icon from your youth pass away. In this day and age, 72 is not that old.
Did Mick Rock’s work inspire you? Share your stories in the comments section below.
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
Acts of kindness, whether giving or receiving, can change the entire mood of the day.
To keep it real, I have to say it can be shocking when someone does something nice. As much as we’d like to believe the world is filled with goodness, that’s not always the case. When someone is kind, it shouldn’t be taken for granted, but it shouldn’t be shocking either. The other day I was driving up the Garden State Parkway and came to a toll collector who was actually pleasant–most of them aren’t. I cheered her on. I let her know her great personality was appreciated. She certainly put a smile on my face.
In my home, there is so much love. I have an amazing husband who adores me (as I adore him!) and three loving cats (who are nothing like the cats on the television series “My Cat From Hell.”). We’ve created a cozy environment, decorated to our artistic tastes. We’re almost always playing music on the stereo and burning candles and incense. It’s easy to be happy and loving at home. It’s a peaceful, fun, enchanting place to be. But when you go out in the real world, you don’t know what you’re going to get. Small chores like running to the bank or grocery store can be stressful.
It bothers me that I’m a happy, fun, lovable person and I don’t always get the respect I deserve from others. I once read that people who are the nicest are also the ones others take their crap out on. They are unhappy themselves so how can they be kind to others? (Well, you know they are decent to the ones they think matter, like the person who signs their paycheck).
I just found a new dentist I like. And I LOVE the x-ray tech; what a great lady! But the receptionist — eh, not too pleasant. In fact, when I was there a week ago, she behaved snippy towards me. It was as if I bothered her by being there. How dare I interrupt her phone scrolling! I reported her and the dentist couldn’t believe it. She said no one said that before. However, when I looked up the reviews, people DID say that. Others commented that the receptionist was a bitch. I have no other choice now than to find a new dentist because the situation was uncomfortable. Life shouldn’t be annoying like this. If everyone takes a breather and THINKS before they react, I’m sure we’d have a lot more kindness in this world.
Maryanne spreading the word of love!
To celebrate kindness, I’m going to share three acts of kindness that recently happened from random strangers; and then share what I have done for random strangers.
Receiving
A few days ago my husband and I were in Whole Foods getting a vegan pizza. It’s unusual that we go anywhere for just one item. The line was very long, but a man in line saw us and said, “You just have one item, you can go ahead of me.” We declined his offer, as we don’t mind waiting. But, how cool was that?
It’s always a great feeling when someone in his/her car lets you get ahead of them in a busy intersection.
On rainy or cold days, the mailman (or mailwoman) walks directly to my door the hand me my mail, so I don’t have to go out to the mailbox in the rain or cold. That is so appreciated!
Giving
Over the summer I found a $100 bill in a hotel. I brought it to the front desk, and a second later, a teenager came to the front desk seeking their lost bill. I felt good that I found it. Not everyone would return in.
I’m a clothes freak. I’m always buying new clothes, but also cleaning out my closets to donate to the needy several times a year.
In a few weeks I’ll be promoting animal activisim for The Humane League at a local pet shop.
All this stuff is so random, but it shows how a little can go a long way!
Tell me about a random act of kindness, regarding giving or receiving, in the comments section below.
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
Living in New Jersey, USA, we are so blessed to have four seasons. I appreciate all of them, but autumn is the most beautiful of all. Leaves turn to shades of orange, yellow, and red — and the weather is perfect. It’s in the 50s or 60s. You can wear a heavy sweater or a light jacket. You don’t have to bundle up yet with scarves and gloves. Fashionably speaking, it’s the best!
Halloween was last weekend and it was a perfect autumn day. This season seems to go by so quickly, then we’re in for a long, snuggly winter. So, why do people RUSH the holidays. Halloween ended, and there are Christmas decorations everywhere already.
Not one to rush, I like to continue celebrating Halloween right up until Thanksgiving. I love driving around and seeing the homes of Halloween enthusiasts who leave their decorations up. It’s so festive to see, especially since we turned the clocks back and it gets dark so early.
So, for those of you who appreciate the creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky, this post is for you!
Do you love Halloween? Talk to me in the comments! 🙂
Photo of Maryanne and husband, Dennis by Jayne DiGregorio
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta 
You must be logged in to post a comment.