Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Miscellaneous Meandering: Throw me a Bone! (or A Bag of Apples)

In Germany, they like scary things. After all they have Frankenstein's Castle and they have lots of haunted houses at the various festivals. Halloween would seem a good fit...

Sept 1990: Haunted House in Frankfurt

I made this little cartoon for them. Despite my efforts, they didn't "get it" and never really caught on to the whole Halloween scene.


The German Apple growers even asked me to help them with a little ditty to sell apples in October. They had heard that Apples were a big part of the American Halloween and they were rather hoping the holiday would successfully transplant to their country....it didn't. Here is the jingle they chose.



Saturday, October 25, 2008

Miscellaneous Meandering - Fright Night

As you know I took some pictures during the recent Black & White Fright Night party using a special ectoplasmic camera. Looks like the T & B clan have got some real problems...



Too view at your own pace use use the

controlls at the bottom of the photo.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Part 7: Wurzburg (continued)

The Residenz was truly an amazing place full of intricate details...too amazing for just one log entry. It was also the backdrop for our first brush with fame. In the first photo below, you will notice a film crew and the blonde Mr. Rick Steves.

New Mexico Man (in disguise) recognized CameraMan, Steves' side kick, and managed to catch his attention by using his "puffing up" ability. CameraMan snapped his head towards us and said "Cool shirt graphic man" (you will see the cool shirt in a photo below). This comment was overheard by Steves and this led to more chatting and conversation with Rick Steves. Brilliant plan! New Mexico Man is my BSK4EVR!!
[Best Side Kick Forever].

If you see the episode where he tours the Residenz - well, we were there with him. He left the out the footage of us for our protection as he "realized we were meant for greatness and didn't want to give us away too soon". Great guy that Steves!


Note: You can click the pictures to 'gianourma-size' them.



Monday, October 20, 2008

Part 6: August 1990

Decided more training was needed. My first remedial training session out and about amongst the locals took place on the grand staircase of the Wurzburg Residenz. Accompanying me was my trusty side-kick New Mexico Man; he was also my photographer. As side kicks tend to stick close, he rarely was far enough from said side to get a good shot of my climbs.
Historical Excerpt: The staircase of the Würzburg Residenz's vault spans an area of 18x30 meters, without being pillared; a masterpiece of construction with a maximum height of 23 meters. Court architect Balthasar Neumann had to fight concerns, concerning the dangers of such an enormous Vault. The vault is adorned with a fresco by Venetian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.




August 18, 1990:
“The chapel was closed for a wedding. We went in a side door and climbed up a 2 story metal spiral staircase to the balcony of the Wurzburg Residenz Chapel. There was
an open door and a man motioned us in. We lucked out.”






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Most people are scared of New Mexico Man and narrow spiral staircases. Admit it, I am FEARLESS.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Miscellaneous Meandering: New Office Chairs

When I was in Germany, one of my hobbies was conducting ergonomical research. As a result my boss bought new inovative ergonomic office chairs for all of us. Soon all of Europe followed our lead. We made a spoof video...very cutting edge at the time. I'm the one in the white long-sleeved shirt leaning way back. I prefer watching it without the sound; but you can decide which way you like it better.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Part 5: August 1990

“Schloss Johannisburg - No, I don’t believe it!” you say? Well, it is true … I am The "Furchtlose Schloss-Aufsatz-Bergsteiger-Frau” and I was really there. If you don’t believe me, here is my proof:

August 12, 1990



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Most people are afraid of ending up with the Rechnung. Admit it I am FEARLESS.

Part 4: August 1990

My first Castle Tower Climb was one of the corner towers of Schloss Johannisburg. I only climbed one because as you can tell from the photo, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.

August 8, 1990:
“After exploring the open square castle and climbing one of the corner towers, we walked the grounds and found a small pool that looked like it might have been for bathing. We also saw some vines growing kiwis. I had never seen such a thing.”

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Most people are afraid of kiwis. Admit it I am FEARLESS.

Part 3: July 1990

Training continued in Germany frequently climbing the 32 flights of stairs to our 16th floor apartment (old elevators). Where I would hang over the balcony to launch flying origami and drop snap-n-pops on unsuspecting Americans.

July 1990:

"I took this picture of Glen carrying his duffle-bag while hanging over the balcony of our 16th floor apartment in Bischoffsheim. Our car is in the top row 3rd from the right.” Our car was a green Audi. That might mean something in the U.S.A. But in Germany Audi’s aren’t a big deal. They are as common there as Fords or Chevys are in our country."

Introduction, Part 2

Yes, I am the Fearless Castle Tower Climber Woman…but I didn’t start off climbing towers. Tower Climbing requires well-toned muscles and you need to build up to it. First I walked up a long switchback flight of stairs attached to the rocky face of Glenwood Canyon. For good measure, I climbed to the top of Hanging Lake Falls as well.




Then I climbed out onto a narrow jutting finger of a cliff at Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado. My “tower climber” training continued in El Paso where I climbed Waco Tanks. My photographer did not appreciate this pose one bit.


Introduction, part 1:

During my travels far and wide I became known throughout the land. In Germany, they called me the “Furchtolose Schloss-Aufsatz-Bersteiger-Frau” (Fearless Castle Tower Climber Woman).
I traveled and climbed in many places:


Hanau, Braubach, Frankfurt , Gross Auheim , Wachenbuchen , Flensburg , Arhus , Rudesheim , Kassel , Eberstadt , Konigsee , Steinau , Veitschofsheim , Schonburg , Wurzburg , Bingin Am Rheine , Butzbach , Kitzingen , Aschaffenburg , Dittlebach , Rothenberg ODT , Florsheim , Geltendorf , Nurnberg , Kempten , Darmstadt , Schwangau , Grundau, Jessenwang , Neuschwanstein , Munchen , Heidelberg , Salzburg , Moorenweis , Ronneburg , Rumpenheim , St Bartholoma , Annweiler , Vaduz , Volendam , Selingenstadt , Wolfgang , Munzenburg , Strasburg , Wolfersheim , Wiesbaden , Bruchenbrucken , Mainz , Friedberg , Luzern , Bad Homburg , Babenhausen , Karben , Dieburg , Niederdor felden , Lichtenstein , Cochem , Budesheim , Eltz , Dornigheim , Hungen , Berstadt , Giessen , Wilhelmsbad , Illesheim , BruchKobel , Neuremberg , Bischofsheim , Kleinostheim , Erlensee , Maintal , Santkt Goarshausen , Amsterdam , Paris , Etc. , Etc. , Etc.