Random photos [01]

Just a short post to share some recent photos while moving through everyday life...

First, a shot from the third floor of my apartment building, looking north.  You see one of the few tall buildings in Munich, metallic and modern.  It was a cloudy/stormy day, and I just like the clouds plus the contrast with the small white building in the foreground:

I was walking to meet a friend for dinner, and went by one of the old homes -- high steep roof, tiny windows, and short doors.  Squished between two post-war buildings, I found it ironic that in front were parked two Minis!

Also on the way to meet my friend for dinner, I decided to cut through a cemetary.  I like what bracketing + fusion/tonemapping in Photomatix does to the stones and flowers.

Then I found one site with a cross, and lined the setting sun into the center.  Again Photomatix-ed.

I arrived a bit early, and clicked away at Frau U when she was walking down the sidewalk.  She just looks happy! 

While I was waiting, I wanted to try a technique that I read about.  It is often discussed regarding photography of fast moving items...

A short shutter speed will "freeze" the action, like our photos of the Women's World Cup.  However, sometimes you would like to give a sense of a subject's speed/motion.  To achieve this, you want your target to be clear (obviously) and the background to be blurred.  It is implemented by panning the camera while you shoot -- following the subject at the same rate.

It's funny because the first thing people are told NOT to do is shake the camera - it causes images to blur!  In this case, you direct the blur to the background while trying to keep the main subject sharp.  My first try is below - not so good, even though it is an older guy driving his Volvo!

This is tricky to do.  I have even more respect for the pros now.  If you're interested, check out this great article on car racing photography at a favorite photo Web site of mine (this is good too).

Yup.  Still have LOTS to learn about photography...

East Asia in Munich's Westpark - China

Another part of the "East Asian" area in Munich's Westpark is the Chinese "Garden of Fragrance and Splendor".
The Chinese garden's designers were Cantonese and it's theme is the four seasons of the year.  It was a direct cooperation with the People's Republic of China (both design and construction).

You enter the garden through the "Gate of Spring":

The pavillion on the left represents the enjoyments of Summer.  You can (barely) see people having tea there!

Here is a different view of the Summer pavillion, that also is supposed to represent a houseboat.  In the foreground is a Taihu rock.  It represents wisdom, and these come only from the Tai lake west of Suzhou. 

On the opposite side of the water, with a tiny waterfall, is the Winter pavillion.  It's very peaceful and relaxing.

A small patch of bamboo and stone also is associated with Winter:

Autumn is represented with a wall and small alcove.  The wall was made in Canton and transported here:

 

This park garden was shady, quiet, colorful... a perfect destination on a warm September Sunday in Munich.

Oktoberfest - night photos

I headed to the Wiesn last Friday evening with camera and tripod to capture some Oktoberfest photos.
This time, rather than focus on the beer tents, I prioritized the lights of rides and games.

I started at the top of a nearby hill to get an overview of one section of the fairgrounds, first looking left...

...then straight ahead down the broadway of people, rides, and games.  Long exposure is fun with the rides:

In fact, that ride in the previous photo was worth a close up.  The lights look something like ribbons:

Then, panning right, you could see more of the Wiesn with roller coaster, spinning ride, and ferris wheel:

Another ride gave me a rainbow of colors!

The "hill" I was on is actually the home of the Bavaria Statue and Hall of Fame: 

The statue was commissioned by Ludwig I of Bavaria, and was completed & dedicated in 1850.
It's considered a "technical masterpiece" because all 87 tons are cast bronze and it stands 18.5m high.

I descended to see some rides close-up.  "Techno Power" gave photos like they came from a spirograph!

"Breakdancer" was another fun ride to photograph.  This couple stood still observing the ride in action...

...while this couple looks like they're at a rock concert!

This is what the ride looked like when I stopped the movement with a faster shutter speed:

One ride is "just" some standing swings.  But if you get enough momentum, you can rotate 360 degrees:

The guy on the left generated enough centrifugal force that he felt safe going hands free at the apex!

It was fun to walk around and shoot away.  More Oktoberfest photos to come in later posts!

Babies - new excuse for old elevator music

Friends of mine with new babies have alerted me to some interesting song remakes (thanks Tim in Chicago).  Specifically, classic and hard rock & roll tunes are changed into lullabye format!

Example CD titles are "Rockabye Baby!" and "Babies Go..." (e.g., Babies go AC/DC - yes, that does exist!).

Here is the Rockabye Baby! rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" (yeah, I love this song):

Another example -- their rendition of Guns-N-Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine" (with intended irony, I'm sure):

In my opinion, these are just "elevator music"/muzak versions that use baby-oriented timbres... but why not?

How about another song to help your baby sleep peacefully... "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd:

However, I'm not so sure about others you'll see on YouTube:

- AC/DC's "Highway to Hell"?
- Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"?
- Kiss' "Rock & Roll all Night"???

They're probably making a mint on these songs...

BMW Museum - Art Cars

In the news recently, a BMW "art car" was sold for $770,000 at action:

BMW "art cars" are simply versions that have been painted by an artist.  The above is a BMW M1 painted by Frank Stella.  Luckily, the BMW Museum had a collection of many of their "art cars" on display when we visited (it was a "special exhibit").  We'll end our series on the BMW Museum by looking at some of these objets d'art.

The first art car was in collaboration with  Alexander Calder.  It's a BMW 3.0 CSL, 1975.  430hp.  This actually raced in Le Mans!  (Most are not really driven)  Calder did not paint this himself.  He painted a toy car, then a 1:5 scale model, and handed it over to BMW to replicate on the actual car: 

Frank Stella.  BMW 3.0 CSL, 1976.  Also raced LeMans.  Inspired by engineering drawings and charts:

Roy Lichtenstein.  BMW 320, 1977.

Andy Warhol.  BMW M1, 1979.  First artist that actually painted the car himself (rather than submit a scale model to car painting specialists).  Some paint is quite thick, creating texture:

 

Ernst Fuchs.  BMW 635CSi, 1982.  Called "Firefox":

Michael Jagamara Nelson.  BMW M3, 1989.  Rooted in / inspired from aboriginal patterns:

 

Ken Done.  BMW M3, 1989.  Motif partly based on the colorful parrotfish (so Frau A should like this one):

 

Matazo Kayama.  BMW 535i, 1990:

A.R. Penck.  BMW Z1, 1991: 

 

Sandro Chia.  BMW M3, 1992: 

David Hockney.  BMW 859CSi, 1995:

Jenny Holzer.  BMW V12 LMR, 1999.  This was my personal favorite, both for the car and the "art".

 

  

Here is a summary of the text on the car:

Top:  "Protect me from what I want"  (If you only see the hood, it simply reads "What I Want".  Very cool)
Seat:  "What urge will save us now that sex won't?"
Left:  "The unattainable is unvariably attractive"
Right:  "You are so complex you don't respond to danger"
Back:  "Monomania is a prerequisite of success"
Spoiler:  "Lack of charisma can be fatal"

Which is your favorite?  What artists should be the next to paint a BMW?

Oktoberfest Songs 3 - The Songs You Already Know

In the first two posts, we learned some of the most popular Oktoberfest songs and dance moves.

First, the more recent Wies’n hits

Second, the older Traditional and Classic songs

Today, we’ll feature the other songs you’ll hear often, but should already know. 

Sorry to break the stereotypes, but you probably will not hear any Hasselhoff songs at Oktoberfest.  However, as anything that gets the crowd singing or dancing or swaying is fair game, you will hear quite a few popular American songs or covers of them.   

Here we’ll just give you the video and a link to the lyrics in case you need them, rather than taking up space with all the lyrics. 

Speaking of stereotypes….we’ll go straight to the #1 Oktoberfest song you already know 

Country Roads:

I don’t know what it is about this song, but it’s everywhere. My theory is that part of the passport application process for Germans is a test to see if they know the words.  Per capita, there probably are more Germans who know the words than Americans.  There’s even a bar in Bangkok called Country Roads, and they will definitely play it for you.

If you stay long enough in a tent or party where trachten is worn, you WILL hear Country Roads, and everyone WILL sing along.  If you don’t know them already, learn the words.  You’ll thank us later – and you’ll have a ready karaoke song next time you need to come up with one in Asia.   

The lyrics page just further supports my theory – they have an option on the left for 11 additional languages! 

The Ketchup Song & The Macarena:

Strangely, The Ketchup Song (actually titled Aserejé) seems to be more popular than the Macarena, though you probably will hear both. Apparently Aserejé swept Europe as a huge hit but didn’t quite capture the same success in the US. Here are the videos, to refresh you on the dance moves.  

You think I’m joking, but I’m not…we heard both at Pappasito’s a few weeks ago…

I’ve shown the Spanglish version that’s most popular, but you can also check out the full Spanish version (lyrics shown here and video here ) 

You may want to check out the lyrics, but definitely learn the dance moves.

And the Macarena (lyrics)

Walking on Sunshine:

Katrina and the Waves’ 1983 hit is a huge hit and really gets the crowd dancing on the benches. (Lyrics)

Hey Baby:

While most Americans will think of Dirty Dancing when they hear this one, it’s really DJ Ötzi's version that has driven the resurgence of this song.  If you’re a Rockies fan, you’ll hear this version during the 7^th inning stretch.

While almost EVERYONE seems to have covered this song (including The Chipmunks), I think the Dirty Dancing and this version are the most popular. This one is similar to the original, but with the “ooohh, aahhh!” lyric added.

99 Luftballons:

While this one is a German song, it’s a big enough international hit that everyone will recognize it.  You’ll likely hear the German version, so we’ll show the lyrics and translation here.  Since Nena released a separate English version, the English song 99 Red Balloons isn’t really a translation from the German – it’s a different song, with the same spirit and tune.  

99 Luftballons Hast du etwas Zeit für mich Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich Von 99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Denkst du vielleicht g'rad an mich Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich Von 99 Luftballons Und dass so was von so was kommt 99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Hielt man für Ufos aus dem All Darum schickte ein General 'ne Fliegerstaffel hinterher Alarm zu geben, wenn es so wär Dabei war'n da am Horizont Nur 99 Luftballons 99 Düsenjäger Jeder war ein großer Krieger Hielten sich für Captain Kirk Das gab ein großes Feuerwerk Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft Und fühlten sich gleich angemacht Dabei schoss man am Horizont Auf 99 Luftballons 99 Kriegsminister - Streichholz und Benzinkanister - Hielten sich für schlaue Leute Witterten schon fette Beute Riefen Krieg und wollten Macht Mann, wer hätte das gedacht Dass es einmal soweit kommt Wegen 99 Luftballons 99 Jahre Krieg Ließen keinen Platz für Sieger Kriegsminister gibt's nicht mehr Und auch keine Düsenflieger Heute zieh' ich meine Runden Seh' die Welt in Trümmern liegen Hab' 'nen Luftballon gefunden Denk' an dich und lass' ihn fliegen

99 Baloons (translation) If you have some time for me, then I'll sing a song for you About 99 balloons On their way to the horizon. If you're maybe thinking about me now then I'll sing a song for you About 99 balloons and what comes from such a thing. 99 balloons on their way to the horizon People think they're UFO's so a general sent up a fighter squadron after them Sound the alarm if were so but there on the horizon were only 99 balloons. 99 fighter jets Each one's a great warrior Thinks himself a Captain Kirk then came a great firework the neighbors didn't understand and felt provoked so they shot at the horizon at 99 balloons. 99 War Ministers - matches and gasoline cans They thought they were clever people already smelled a nice bounty Called for war and wanted power. Man, who would've thought that things would someday go so far because of 99 balloons. 99 years of war left no room for victors. There are no more War Ministers nor any jet fighters. Today I'm making my rounds see the world lying in ruins. I found a balloon, thought of you and let it fly away.

For the English Version:

99 Red Balloons (English Version):

You and I in a little toy shop

Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got

Set them free at the break of dawn

Til one by one, they were gone

Back at base bugs in the software

Flash the message, something's out there

Floating in the summer sky

99 red balloons go by

99 red balloons

Floating in the summer sky

Panic bells - it's red alert

There's something here from somewhere else

The war machine springs to life

Opens up one eager eye

Focusing it on the sky as 99 red balloons go by

99 Decision street

99 ministers meet

To worry, worry, super flurry

Call the troops out in a hurry

This is what we've waited for

This is it boys, this is war

The president is on the line

As 99 red balloons go by

99 knights of the air

Ride super high tech jet fighters

Everyone's a super hero

Everyone's a Captain Kirk

With orders to identify

To clarify, and classify

Scramble in the summer sky

99 red balloons go by

99 dreams I have had

In every one a red balloon

It's all over and I'm standing pretty

In this dust that was a city

If I could find a souvenir

Just to prove the world was here

And here is a red balloon

I think of you, and let it go

Summer of ’69:

Staying in 80s classics but moving back to North America, we have Bryan Adams’ 1985 anthem. (Lyrics)

New York, New York:

Moving backwards in the classics department, we get to Sinatra. Between its status as a classic and New York’s status in the German vacation preferences, everyone loves this one.

I doubt anyone needs the lyrics, but just in case…

Sweet Home Alabama:

And 4 or 5 years back further, we have Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama.  I was shocked the first 5 times I heard this played in Germany – at Oktoberfest, a fair, a fireworks competition, and the Women’s World Cup downhill – and then I realized how popular it is here.

Kid Rock’s All Summer Long that samples Sweet Home Alabama is also popular among the younger crowd.

Lyrics for the original, and for Kid Rock’s version.

Not the original, but a 2003 concert version:

And Kid Rock’s All Summer Long:

Or if you prefer, Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd performing together, on some awards show.

Mambo No. 5:

Changing pace back to songs that we all love to hate (but secretly love), we have Lou Bega’s 19 hit.  In Germany’s defense, he is German…and spent his early years (until 15) in Munich. So, I guess this is appropriate for Oktoberfest after all.  (Lyrics)

Sweet Caroline:

Thank you, Niel, this is a great one for the crowds! (Lyrics)

If you haven’t had enough DJ Ötzi yet, he released a cover a few years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RacmAUst7g0&feature=related

La Bamba:

Another oldie and another one with a little Latin influence (in this case, a LOT!)…

There are quite a few versions out there, but here are Los Lonely Boys and Carlos Santana at the 2004 Latin Grammy Awards.

The Spanish lyrics are available here.

Off on a tangent…Berlitz did a cute commercial using this song to show misunderstandings.

Que Sera Sera:

Another of the oft-covered classics, Dutch group Hermes House Band’s version has become quite popular.  The lyrics are the same, just remixed and faster. 

Hermes House Band - Que Sera Sera: Video Vidéo MoeAva sélectionnée dans Musique

  

YMCA:

Since the crowds love Fliegerlied and The Ketchup Song, it should be no surprise that YMCA is a popular Oktoberfest song.

I don’t think anyone really needs a refresher to the words or the song, but here’s the original video, which may be something most of us have never actually seen.

Is this the way to Amarillo:

For our final “oldie” on the list, we have Tony Christie’s 1971 hit. I hadn’t heard this one before moving to Germany.  Apparently it was a huge hit in the UK and continental Europe, especially Germany, where it topped the charts, but never was very popular in the US.  I’m not surprised about its success in Germany….it’s schlager and has a nice “lalalalalalala” chorus for the audience to sing.

The song has been remade several times and somehow has become a popular football chant in some UK and German stadiums.  A parody by British soldiers in Iraq in 2005 was so popular it crashed the Ministry of Defense servers! (see the video here)

So, maybe we should file it under “most popular American song that no Americans know” or something other than “songs you should know.”  The lyrics are simple.

Angels:

Like Country Roads, Robbie Williams’ ballad hit big in Europe and SE Asia. Another good option to learn for your karaoke songs.

It’s My Life:

And we’ll end the list with one of my favorites, by Bon Jovi.  Catchy, energetic tune and the lyrics are well-suited to a crowd that wants to sing and scream.  

So now you’ll know a large percentage of the songs most commonly played at Oktoberfest.  If you really want to get the full singing experience, you should go in the evenings when the bands are playing more and the crowds are more energetic.  Herr J and I highly recommend the Kaiserschmarm Tent, which is a little smaller and intimate (it’s wine, prosecco, and cocktails, not beer) and has a great band playing songs everyone loves.  Wherever there’s an opportunity for props and costumes (YMCA, for example), they’ll take it.

And after Oktoberfest? If you want to keep singing? Many locals go to the après Wies’n parties at local clubs.  MünchenBlogger has a list of some common spots. Löwenbräukeller and Park Café are always popular hot spots, as are the usual clubs like P1 and 089. Or keep your eyes out around town for posters showing “Après Wies’n” parties.

Let us know your favourite Oktoberfest songs, and if we’ve missed any.

Have you seen... [liquid nitrogen and pools]

I don't know who has a stash of liquid nitrogen just lying around their house, but these two must have a source.  First, a cool billow of fog is created when liquid Ni is dumped into (on top of?) a pool.

Second, this group filled a contained with liquid Ni.  It starts evaporating right away but the change accelerates into a controlled explosion (underwater).  Probably not the one to try at home, IMO.

Makes these guys that just use dry ice (solid CO2) seem pretty lame, huh?