75th birthday approaching

[hydriot]

I like Mirek's idea very much, and was earlier thinking of something similar ... that we should proceed with Maarten's mosaic, but make each pixel-image clickable, to bring up a few seconds of YouTube-style film of typical moments in each of our daily lives. After all, Leonard has generously let us intrude into his life, so it is only fair that he be given a glimpse into ours, if only to see just how diverse is the community that he has fathered.

[anneporter]

Nice ideas, the mosaic and the CD, but it seems wise to remind ourselves, before we get too absorbed in our own reflections, that a gift for Leonard is about Leonard, not about us...

[Maarten]

Hydriot,

If anyone here has some flash-knowledge, perhaps we can make some sort of a photo gallery with our pics and put some kind of a personal message on the back of each photo...
Similar to this one (demo):
http://www.airtightinteractive.com/proj ... iewer/app/

Anneporter has a point is her comment about our gift being for Leonard, not focusing on us. But it would be fun to make something like a gallery...
I have only put up the "easy mosaic" info because you guys were looking in that direction, but I'm not voting for us to make it, just providing info. I'm still looking for the right gift...

Maarten

[lizzytysh]

Hi Mirek ~

I really like your idea in incorporating all the mother languages with snippets of Leonard's own work . I still want to participate in some way, though... and I don't have MP3 recording capabilities or sending knowledge or any of the rest, so I'd be auto-excluded as I know so would some others, if that were the only option. Perhaps, as someone suggested, some of each. I like the idea of something written on the back of a photo... something that Leonard can peruse in his own time, at his leisure. Perhaps, Maarten would be willing to do that aspect of a mosaic and you [or someone else?] would do the MP3?? Time passes so quickly, that it feels to me like there really isn't so much time... as in the sooner, the better, let it begin... let the guests come in... one way or another... however they most feel comfortable and are able. Anne, as usual, makes her own salient, excellent point!


~ Lizzy

[Judy]

Please, count me in as well. I really like the mosaic idea .... but it has to be simple .

Lizzy, what is your beautiful but simple idea ? Can you tell those who would like to participate by pm ?

[friscogrl]

I understand what Anne is saying but the mosaic is a personal gesture (as personal as a forum can be). I think to take the cover of Songs of Leonard Cohen and have his photo comprised of our little faces is something special from those of us who he has touched via his work over the years. Plus every now and then there could be a tile with a little picture of a naked lady. I am sure he would enjoy that.

Marsha

[lizzytysh]

Haha... GREAT idea, Marsha . In fact, Leonard might not mind at all if the entire mosaic were one of naked ladies . I really do like the idea of us... perhaps, interspersed with photos of him... Marie's site has so many and so does Jarkko's... I love the flip-around idea of those with us.

Yes... I will PM you, Judy. It really is a simple one .


~ Lizzy

[hydriot]

Nice ideas, the mosaic and the CD, but it seems wise to remind ourselves, before we get too absorbed in our own reflections, that a gift for Leonard is about Leonard, not about us...

Hmm, that's an interesting angle. When I have had my fifteen minutes of fame, and strangers have approached me, some to curse and some to bless, I have been singularly uninterested in their view of my life, but very interested in exactly who they are and who it is I have touched with such passion that they feel they must contact me.

The nicest email that I ever received was from a man who was enquiring about something completely unrelated, but suddenly added "I don't suppose you are the same person who wrote ..." When I confirmed that I was, he sent me a lengthy email telling me how after he bought my book he would rush home from work to continue reading it every day for a week. But what amazed me is that this was a book that had been published about fifteen years earlier! The fact that I had affected a person like that, and that he had remembered my name through all those intervening years, gave me a real sense of satisfaction.

Is Leonard really interested in a gift about himself? My suggestion wasn't egotistical, but rather a development of "Look at me, Leonard", before we cover him up like a baby that is shivering. For one of the truly extraordinary things about Leonard's work is the sheer breadth of humanity he has touched: people from wholly unrelated walks of life, from princes to paupers, from pensioners to teenagers, and from diverse cultures too. My idea was simply to give him a glimpse of the shadow of his reach.

[anneporter]

My idea was simply to give him a glimpse of the shadow of his reach.

Sounds good when you put it like that.
Anne

[Paula]

Well Lizzie and Maarten - whoever thought of it it is a really great idea it is personal, it is well thought out and I think it will be well received. That is the sort of present that is nice to get time and effort spent not just money.

[lizzytysh]

I agree, Hydriot, Anne, and Paula. In line with Hydriot's comments [I like the way you expressed it, too, Hydriot], it continues to resonate what we heard long ago, that Leonard really doesn't care for birthdays. Still, we've greeted him every year and wished him the best. About as literally as it can be for this situation, giving him a little [literally ] of ourselves really could be appreciated by him. It's also in keeping with the continuous silver and golden threads that tie us all together in his concerts. He gives to us and we give back to him and we all feel an affinity with each other. To give of ourselves, on an occasion that happens to be his birthday, could be just enough to bring it all into balance for him.


~ Lizzy

[MaryB]

In fact, Leonard might not mind at all if the entire mosaic were one of naked ladies . I really do like the idea of us... perhaps, interspersed with photos of him...

~ Lizzy

Does this mean Lizzy that we have to be naked in the photos of ourselves for this mosaic ?!?!?

[Mirek]

In fact, Leonard might not mind at all if the entire mosaic were one of naked ladies . I really do like the idea of us... perhaps, interspersed with photos of him...

~ Lizzy

Does this mean Lizzy that we have to be naked in the photos of ourselves for this mosaic ?!?!?

Not everyone - just ladies. At first stage there will be a special committee approving the photos. Any volunteers?

Mirek

[lizzytysh]

Someone did mention the possibility to me privately [teasingly]; I suggested that there would be those who would be appropriate for such photography and others, well, simply not . It would make for an interesting mosaic, though, would it not ?


~ Lizzy

[burningviolin]

Calendar girls 2010. Something along these lines but with different head gear?!! (Just for the record, I'm not serious.) Though I think the mosaic idea is great!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picture ... endar.html