2012

Listen People!

2012 is an awesome movie.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry... or to use another cliché.

Seriously

Honest Abe or Halloween Part 2

The decision to be dedicated to growing out my beard was a decision to be Abraham Lincoln. I consulted with my beard mentor Brigham on how long it would take. I stopped shaving and started growing on October 5th 2009. That gave me 5 weeks of solid growth.

For the actual costume I had my Karl Lagerfeld H&M double breasted long coat, a black vest Collin gave me from a production that he worked on, my black wool crêpe pants, and my black boots. I went to the trim store and bought black ribbon - two yards just incase I messed up - which I did. I tied the bow tie on and then I cut it to the historically accurate shape that President Lincoln wore. The hat came from my A. Lincoln birthday party I hosted back in February.

(Side story... I wanted to get a real hat. There was a beautiful one on ebay that I wanted to win. I determined to get it no matter the cost. I figured no matter what I paid for it there would be a market and could resale it for what I paid for it. I watched the auction for five days then put in my bid for $200 and went out for the night. When I got home I had been out bid! It went for $255! Everything worked out in the end though. While waiting in line for the parade to begin it started to raining hard. The top hat was fur and would have been destroyed and lost it's resale value.)

In preparation for my once-in-a-lifetime roll as A. Lincoln I memorized the Gettysburg Address. While at party later that night Hillary yelled out say the Gettysburg Address. I grabbed my jacket lapels and laid out the Address like it was nobody's business. I made two errors... but guess what? - nobody was the wiser. People had looks of surprise and delight on their faces at my recitation. When I finished Collin started a chat of "FOUR MORE YEARS". It caught on through the party. It was a worthy reply for my hard work.

My friend Brittany Watson wrote a most delightful blog post about A. Lincoln's beard. I suggest that you read it.

Oh... there were a few other Abe Lincolns around town that night but they were pretty amateur. First of all, they had prosthetic beards. Secondly - I know for a fact none of them had even thought of taking the time to discipline themselves in the quest to memorize The Gettysburg Address. Nonetheless I salute them for their endeavors and encourage them to keep working on their Lincoln methodology.

Tear Down This Wall!

Oh Berlin Wall - I remember the times I was told about you when I was but a child. I remember the time in sixth grade when the teacher wheeled a TV into the classroom for us to watch you come down. It's been twenty years ago today. Oh what fun we had.

"Hey Baumer" or Halloween Part 1.

The Royal Tenenbaums was filmed in the house pictured above. It is located in Harlem, but until Saturday I had never been there. I have been growing my beard out for 5 weeks in preparation for my Halloween costume when it dawned on me that I could also be Richie Tenenbaum my favorite character from The Royal Tenenbaums.
Then I realized that I could go to the house that the movie was filmed and take pictures out front.
I have never seen my dad or brothers (nor my sister or mom) grow out a beard. With Brigham coaching me as my beard mentor I discovered that I could indeed grow a beard.

For those of you that have not seen The Royal Tenebaums here is a good scene with Richie.

Who? The Mighty Boosh that's who.

UPDATE.... NY Times article

I got a text from Mighty international man about town Lars, who by the way is back in NYC (hopefully for good this time), saying that a Mighty event was happening on East 4th St that he thought I should know about in a Mighty way.
What could be the reason for this Mighty line?
What Mighty thing was behind all the clamoring around this record shop window to get a peek from umbrella holding girls and burly Harely riders. Not to mention, justify pics from a Mighty cute NY Times photographer?
Why it's Mighty Bob Fossil (Rich Fulcher)!
And Mighty Vince Noir (Noel Fielding)!
And the Mighty Howard Moon (Julian Barrett)! Also known as The Mighty Boosh. My most favorite TV/comedy troop of all time (they're British).
Here is a Mighty Mighty Boosh fan with his Mighty spoil. What's that you ask? Why Yes, it is a Watch Tower. This Mighty Mighty Boosh fan is a Mighty monkey genius, he knows just what the perfect item is to have signed!
Watch Tower close up. This will surely put the JWs on the map!

What's that you say?... you don't know or have never even heard of the Mighty Boosh? Well that is Mighty wrong my friend. Let us rectify that situation post haste! Watch these two Mighty clips and everything will be okay in a Mighty way.

I live in Gotham

More treasures from Germany

The best thing that happened to me today was I got this mysterious letter by luftpost. I had no idea what it could be.
Looks like it is from Germany... I thought, "oh Germany you know my love for you and you are reaching out to me. That's sweet of you Germany."
Then I opened it and inside was a picture of a German Sailor playing an accordion on a boat. What delight. Then I remembered... oh yeah I won this on ebay. This is by far the best surprise I have ever given myself.

it's all but a dream…

Dream job?
Dream ride…
– dream lady to ride with 

RIP MJ

Do you remember when Michael was little and cute?
Oh.... do you remember that time that Michael had a great haircut?
Do you remember how Michael would go on dates with beautiful women?
OH... do you remember that one time when Michael had that chimpanzee as a best friend?
Oh... do you remember that time when Michael and Webster were buddies?
Oh do you remember how Michael's dancing was amazing?  Oh and those white socks of his were amazing as well.
Do you remember the time when Michael hung out with people that we wish we could hang out with – like Slash of G'N'R?
and the Reagan's…

and the Bush's…

and the Lisa's, Washington's, Einstein's, T's, and Lincoln's?

Yeah... that was great. 

Have you ever wondered?

If you (like me) have ever wondered what I would look like flying First Class – this is the post to find out in. 
“Do you want some warm nuts and a newspaper?“

"Yes I would.  Thank you"

This is what it looks like when I get the Journal and warm nuts in first class.
This is what it looks like when I get silverware and cute salt and pepper shakers in first class
"Would you like an appetizer"

"Yes"

"Do you want the Spring Roll, Shrimp Bisque, or Chicken Shish Kabob?"

(noticeable perplexed look on my face)

"…do you want all three?" 

"Yes"

This is what it looks like with I get appetizers in first class.   

"Would you like a salad?"

"Yes"

This is what it looks like with I get a salad in first class.
This is what it looks like I get tracking info on the first class flight in first class.
This is what it looks like when I get a beverage and view Casa Blanca in first class.
"What main course would you like?"

"The Beef and Potatoes, thank you."

This is what it looks like when I get the main course in first class.
"Would you like a fruit plate or crackers and cheese?"

(noticeable perplexed look on my face)

"…would you like both?"

"Yes, thank you"

This is what it looks like when I get various fruits, cheeses, and crackers in first class.
This is what it looks like when I keep up with current events in first class.
This is what it looks like when I catch up on zzzzzz's in first class.
–hours later–

"Do you want a cheese burger before landing?"

"Yes... Yes I would, thank you."

This is what it looks like when I get a cheese burger before landing in first class.

Listen to me… first class is wonderful – not necessary, but delightful.

New Music

New Music is in my life again.  After seeing The New York Dolls and Iggy Pop and the Stooges play live a few years ago anything else just doesn't cut it.  And if that wasn't enough, watching Jon Brion break his guitar neck and then proceed to play when doves cry on it really made me wonder 'where do I go next for musical kicks'?  

Now for a moment of clarity.  I wish I was so musically inclined as the above makes me appear. The truth is, my friend Paul moved from the city years ago and he was the one that brought me all the cool music.  I'm starting to fend for myself.

I've diligently been taking notes of songs that my ears fancy.  I've been listening to KCRL on the interweb and when I hear something that I like I scribble it down.  Later I review the songs on itunes.  Sometimes I think 'what was I thinking' other times I think 'oh yeah this was a good one'.  The most helpful thing has been to see bands repeated on my list.  This is a sure witness of two or three that it is true and correct music.  Here are my cheat sheets... you know the crib sheets, front and back.   

Some bands that have made an impression on me:

Talking Heads - - - as if there was ever a question

Fleet Foxes

Harlem Shakes

Bill Calahan

Sexton Blake (cover album with great covers of Daniel, Making Love Out of Nothing at All, etc.)

Camera Obscura - - - the new album is really making it happen

The Short Wave Set

Silver Jews

Deer Tick

The Magic Suit

Dinner for a Man of Substance.

Doesn't above just look like what one would eat in Denmark? Well... that's because it is.
This is what it looks like when your done eating in Denmark.
This... oh this... thin pancakes with ice cream, jam, chocolate, whipped cream, such a pleasure to eat.

Note: no after picture of the dessert plate due to the passing out from joy of the photographer.

Vor Frue Church

This is the actual church that has the actual statue of...
Thorvaldsen's Christus. This is the statue used in many temple visitor centers.
Above is a peek at the construction of the walls.
This is the big league of hymn numbers.
The church has not only the statue of Christ but all the apostles. Above is Peter with his keys. Do you remember when President Packer told that wonderful story about President Kimball?

From President Packer's April '08 general conference talk The Twelve:

In 1976 an area general conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Following the closing session, President Spencer W. Kimball desired to visit the Vor Frue Church, where the Thorvaldsen statues of the Christus and of the Twelve Apostles stand. He had visited there some years earlier and wanted all of us to see it, to go there.

To the front of the church, behind the altar, stands the familiar statue of the Christus with His arms turned forward and somewhat outstretched, the hands showing the imprint of the nails, and the wound in His side very clearly visible. Along each side stand the statues of the Apostles, Peter at the front to the right and the other Apostles in order.

Most of our group was near the rear of the chapel with the custodian. I stood up front with President Kimball before the statue of Peter with Elder Rex D. Pinegar and Johan Helge Benthin, president of the Copenhagen stake.

In Peter’s hand, depicted in marble, is a set of heavy keys. President Kimball pointed to those keys and explained what they symbolized. Then, in an act I shall never forget, he turned to President Benthin and with unaccustomed firmness pointed his finger at him and said, “I want you to tell everyone in Denmark that I hold the keys! We hold the real keys, and we use them every day.”

I will never forget that declaration, that testimony from the prophet. The influence was spiritually powerful; the impression was physical in its impact.

We walked to the back of the chapel where the rest of the group was standing. Pointing to the statues, President Kimball said to the kind custodian, “These are the dead Apostles.” Pointing to me, he said, “Here we have the living Apostles. Elder Packer is an Apostle. Elder Thomas S. Monson and Elder L. Tom Perry are Apostles, and I am an Apostle. We are the living Apostles.

“You read about the Seventies in the New Testament, and here are two of the living Seventies, Elder Rex D. Pinegar and Elder Robert D. Hales.”

The custodian, who up to that time had shown no emotion, suddenly was in tears.

I felt I had had an experience of a lifetime.

I have found churches in Scandinavia so pleasant.
They are simple and clean.
The Domo in Milano was amazing, but a bit overwhelming. The Vor Frue church had a bright soothing spirit about it. This was one of the best sights on this trip to Europe.