Miscellaneous Meandering: Medieval Help Desk

Europe is home to much Medieval History. Some people in America think that Al Gore invented the Internet, that Bill Gates invented the home computer, and that perhaps they both hand in the Helpdesk Profession by proxy. However, living in Germany, I learned this is not true. In fact there are historical records of Medieval Helpdesk Technicians scripted in old dusty tomes long forgotten in the libraries of European Abbeys and Monasteries. Here is a recreation of the first documented workday of just such a professional.

If you find the subtitles on the following video too small to read, you can us this link to go directly to the YouTube clip... then click on the rectangle Icon at the bottom right of the video to maximize. The words will be blurry but bigger. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ


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Most people are afraid of forgotten libraries. Admit it, I am Fearless.

Miscellaneous Meandering: A Mr. Bean Christmas

Merry Christmas!
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Many people are afraid of dinosaurs. Admit it, I am Fearless.

Miscellaneous Meandering: Ah Yeah! Holidays

As mentioned in a previous post, I am unable to recall all of the the domestic details of our life in Germany. However, I'm sure we must have been Bounty fans.

And so with that...
Encore for the Paper Towel Gang, Ah Yeah!


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Many people are afraid of encores. Admit it, I am Fearless.

Miscellaneous Meandering: Ah Yeah!

You know its funny, I have absolutely no recollection of using or buying paper towels while in Germany. I am positive that we did...and that our brand in those days was certainly Bounty - the quicker picker-upper. However, I am unable to recall even one paper towel musing.

Odd how the human mind selectively saves some snippits, and loses others for all time. Here is a little video that is sure to joggle the brain waves.


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Most people are afraid of independent scientists. Admit it, I am Fearless.

Miscellaneous Meandering: Harry und Charlie Mix & Remix

Because you simply can't get enough of a good thing: Hip Hop Harry (view then scroll down).

And lastly, is there nothing in this world
that can't be improved a Synthesizer?
[you might neet to hit the pause button and give it a head start in loading]
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Most people are afraid of Charlie. Admit it, I am Fearless.

Miscellaneous Meandering: Harry und Charlie

When we lived in Germany, we came across many British workers. They were often employed by the local attractions as tour guides for the English speaking tourists. As I became increasingly well known they numbered among my followers. They had nifty accents and children with names like Alister , Edgar, Harry, and Charlie.

One time when the weather was poor, little Harry carried New Mexico Man’s cape to prevent it from becoming heavily soiled. He was a most charming tyke and we rewarded him with hard-boiled sweets. Here is a video of little Harry and Charlie.

Miscellaneus Meandering: Honey Bees - Encore!

...It's hard to look cool in a Honey Bee suit!
(We got to be extras, can you find us?)

Miscellaneous Meandering: Honey Bees

While in Germany, one of New Mexico Man's favorite hobbies was Honey-Bee Herding. Over time, it became a bit of an obsession. In fact the compulsion became so great he could be found herding honey bees in nearly every spare moment. Day or night he'd herd those little buzzers with nothing more than his bare hands. Only one honey bee was ever a match for him and that little stinger had 'high-flying" super powers. Sixteen-stories-high flying abilities to be exact.

Anyway there was a plethora of honey bees in Germany. Certainly more than a country's fair share; especially a rather small country. At one point we even worked on a campaign to export the excess honey bees; even helped put together some marketing materials for the U.S.A.. Alas, we were ahead of our time and the U.S.A. didn't see the need for importing honey bees.

Suppose they'd be more receptive now, perhaps this little video would do the trick. (New Mexico Man was the stunt double for the guy on the pogo stick and I was in charge of the bee smokers).
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Most people are afraid of honey bees. Admit it, I am Fearless.

Miscellaneous Meandering: Fearless, the Video

Jay Chou needed a crew of many when working on this video for Fearless. Naturally he chose me, The Furchtlose Schloss-Aufsatz-Bergsteiger-Frau , as one of the technical advisors. It was fun working with the actors to help them overcome fears of falling off the fighting platforms; and fighting in the lush meadow (which was filmed on the edge of a cliff).Thanks to my childhood dance classes I actually got to work on some of the choreography as well (note the footwork 34 seconds in). And it was a kick to be an extra in the outdoor crowd scenes - I wore a pointy hat to blend in.

Being my faithful side-kick, New Mexico Man came with me and helped the actor in the blue uniform work on "military bearing". He also got to be in the video, right in front of the scene! He's the crazy guy bobbing his arms up and down in the outdoor fight scene (2:03 minutes in) . It took hours in the make-up chair to add those hair extensions.


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Most people are afraid of crowd scenes. Admit, I am Fearless.

Miscellaneous Meandering: Snowman Walking in the Air

And finally, the Grande Finale...

Miscellaneous Meandering: The Snowman again

Oh no...still wrong?! Let's try again...
All I can say is thank goodness we don't live in England...other than that, I'm speechless.

The Snowman has also been made into a stage show. It was first produced by Birmingham Repertory Company in 1993, with music and lyrics by Howard Blake, scenario by Blake, with Bill Alexander and choreography by Robert North. Since 1997 Sadler's Wells has presented it every year as the Christmas Show at the Peacock Theatre. As in the book and the film, there are no words, apart from the lyrics of the song "Walking in the Air". The story is told through images and movement. Special effects include the Snowman and boy flying high over the stage (with assistance of wires and harnesses) and ‘snow’ falling in part of the auditorium.

The production has had several revisions – the most extensive happening in 2000, when major changes were made to the second act, introducing new characters: The Ice Princess and Jack Frost.
Back Stage Pass:

Miscellaneous Meandering – The Real Snowman

Oh my, that wasn’t the right clip at all. Here is the clip, just as we remember it… sing along with me.

Miscellaneous Meandering: The Snowman

While away in Germany, I would suffer the occasional bout of home-sickness (especially around Christmas). One of the things I fondly remembered about Christmas at home was the first time “The Snowman” was aired on Christmas eve. Originally a children’s book, it was turned into a short animated film. I thought it was wonderfully magical. Here is the clip - just as we all remember it...

Miscellaneous Meandering: Autobahn Flab

When I was in Germany much time was spent jetting around on the autobahn, including frequent stops to eat yummy German food like pomme frittes. I quickly learned that while the car was getting quite a workout, I was not. To combat “Autobahn Flab”, I came up with an exercise program that sparked the exercise video craze staring these two Euro-studs. The videos were sold all across Germany and eventually spread as far as Russia. Here is the Belgium edition (English lang.) of the project that helped me earn my first million. All of the proceeds were donated to the worthy cause of creating a nature preserve for obese swans.

Some of you may have seen this video before; however, I find new exercise tips can be gleaned each time it is viewed. Don’t forget…multi-tasking takes concentration! So, if this is a problem area for you, please practice this routine while stationary- in say a parking lot or your driveway. I recommend a public parking lot since your form tends to be better when you know others are watching.
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Most people are afraid of Euro-studs . Admit it I am FEARLESS.

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.

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.

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.