A Panoramic Photo Blog

International Pillow Fight Day, 2010 - New York

� Internatioanl Pillow Fight Day 2009

The 3rd annual International Pillow Fight Day took place on a beautiful spring day on Union Square. It was the 5th annual overall, but the in its first two years, the event did not enjoy participation from around the globe.

If the turnout was smaller than expected, that must have been due to the crowds splitting their priorities between the pillow fight and being among the first to pick up their iPad, released on the same day . . . .

International Pillow Fight Day - New York

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Non-Stop Trucking by John W. Brown

Just as the city began its painfully slow recovery from the snowstorm over the weekend, Wednesday morning brought on more snow and some trecherous winds with speeds of up to 50 mph. Local bus services were cancelled and drivers were discouraged to drive by the threat of hefty penalties.

In the meantime, on the cusp of the city's industrial underbelly, not far below the slowly awakening neighbourhood bars of Canton, Clinton Street was bustling with trucks under the watchful eyes of John W. Brown.

Non-Stop Trucking by John W. Brown

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Mi Casa es Su Casa

Baltimore snow storm 2010.

There was snow. It needed to be transformed into either a pile on the edge of the sidewalk or . . .

Mi Casa es Su Casa

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Baltimore Snowstorm 2010

Christmas may have passed, but - not unlike like the pine needles in the creases of your floor - Frosty lingers.

Frosty at Mt. Vernon Place

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These panos weight in at 3MB+, but I really thought that the added zoomability and detail was worth it. I hope you feel the same way upon your wait while downloading them.

Mount Vernon Place Methodist Church

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Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge 2010

This year's Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge held to benefit the Maryland Special Olympics was as polar as could be. Maryland's First Lady took the plunge in the company of Joe Flacco and Adam Terry of the Baltimore Ravens.

Air and water temperatures were around 23 and 36 degrees, respectively.

Polar Bear Plunge : Maryland's First Lady, Joe Flacco and Adam Terry

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Craig Robinson, Clark Duke and Rob Corddry showed up to promote Hot Tub Time Machine - while also schlepping down $10,000 for MD Special Olympics. Panorama to follow.

Santacon : Boston 2009

The Boston Santacon kicked off at the Purple Shamrock. Red, white and green people gathered until having gained the momentum to launch onto the streets and into more pubs, restaurants and the subway.

More to come, as always.

How the Grinch Stole a Guinness

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Amanda Palmer at The State Theater (Falls Church, VA)

Amanda Palmer performed live at The State Theater during her Fall tour, accompanied by the Nervous Cabaret. She can't do wrong, but she really did right tonight!

More soon . . . 'til then, visit her.

Amanda Palmer at The State Theater

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National Cathedral - Washington, D.C.

The National Cathedral website has recently published a dozen of my panoramas. Please visit and check them out. You will need QuickTime to view them. Those with iPods, iPhones and iTunes or Macs should have that already in place.

I am including one below plus a couple of eye candies from the same panorama.

I am grateful for the challenge of photographing this one. The last minute fabrication (i just about had to be kicked out of Home Depot that night) has paid off and have used the setup it yielded on several subsequent sessions, most notably during my Washington Monument project.

Washington National Cathedral

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Published

Thanks to Molly Crabapple, who chose my photograph to accompany the New York Times article about her endeavors, you can see a partial panorama in the Art section of the October 4 issue.

This is a very exciting reprise to the Washington Post having carried the interactive version of my Monument crowd panorama during the Obama inauguration.

Thanks again.

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School - New York : Manko

Yet another deliciously twisted session brought to you by Molly Crabapple and friends. Dedicated to Lucha Libre, Manko, the beautiful British model started off her poses as a mysterious man of generous proportions.

Note the rarity of the occasion as Molly gets to actually sketch at an event she hosts.

Manko at Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School

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Manko at Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School

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Sziget Festival 2009

Once again I have returned to Sziget Festival with an exceptional support team. While you will notice that my own panoramas not yet made it up to the site - I have been busy keeping the project together and have had no internet access of my own since the end of the festival - there are some amazing couple of dozen views up there, with another 80 or so to follow.

The (similarly) incomplete archives of the past 8 years contain well over 300 panoramic images by the Sziget360 Media Farm.

"Some images are more equal than others."

Sziget Festival 2009

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photo by Sandor Boros

Artscape 2009 : July 17-19

R&B legend Dionne Warwick was the opening main act at Artscape 2009. Her undiminshed charm fittingly glistened without showing any tarnish from her 50 year carrier on the typically quietest night of the Festival.

Dionne Warwick at Artscape 2009

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CAKE took stage on Saturday night enroute from the Toronto Blues Festival to Richmond. The usual standards, f-bombs and crowd sing-alongs. The hillside by the old Mt. Royal Train station was packed solid. No time for giving trees away this time.

CAKE at Artscape 2009

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Cocktails in Fells Point

My little buddy took me out for a drink in Fells Point. It doesn't get much better than this.

Cocktails

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Ethel Ennis

Ethel, Baltimore's Grand Dame of Jazz, performed at the historic Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore. The concert, organized by the schools alumni, celebrated the rich musical history of the school , showcasing the talents of its current students and graduates of the past half dozen decades.

I haven't seen Ethel in a long time. She still makes every song uniquely her own and lost not an ounce of the rare abillities afforded to only a few entertainers of our time. She radiates on stage and her 'soft power' irresisitibly pulls you into that beautiful world mostly gone, and only too rarely exposed through unique, magical talent such as hers. Baltimore is lucky to have her.

Douglass High continues to produce brilliant sounds - be sure to seek out the Dukes of Jazz for their award winning, energetic and innovative arrangements.

Ethel Ennis at Douglass High

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Pillow Fight Day - New York City

It's been a long time coming, but somehow I never had the time to join in the pillow fight in New York City. Even as the event - brought to you by the Urban Playground Movement - went international last year. But, finally, I made it!

I was unable to drum up deserved panoramic coverage elsewhere, but fellow panoramic photographer Gabor Rev did cover the Budapest event. Mind you, Hungarians hosted pillowfight on this second world-widened event day in a dozen cities, leading the international pack by a considerable margin. Hajr� Magyarok!

I have not yet photographed a more tumultuous crowd from dead center, as it was requireed of me on this Pillow Fight Day in New York City. While the pillow fighters were as accomodating as they could be on the jam-packed square, I received my fair share of pillow bangs.

You may argue that the density should have helped, as there was no room to fall, this was no still crowd and, consequently putting these imges together was unusually fun-filled both on the account of the violently shaken handheld nature of the source and the inherent mobility of the subjects.

Pillow Fight Day - New York City

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The suggested rules on the official Pillow Fight Day site do talk of responsible littering and commitment to cleaning up, but I am uncertain how that aspect of the day went in New York City. Shortly after the crowd disbursed, leftovers were aplenty . . . and some liked it that way.

Pillow Fight Day - New York City

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The making of : see me squeezing my way through the crowd and trying to set foothold while snapping pics - courtesy of pretty Amy Gallinagh.

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I made it into a couple of youtube videos, but this one really gives a sense of what it was like to photograph there. Look for me at the 8:17 mark coming in from the right hand of the screen.

Been Quiet

It has been very busy around here lately. Although I have not had the chance to post, rest assured that some 50 panoramas are awaiting to become live soon. More Dr. Sketchy's and burlesque performances, some risque b-movie making, music performances by Red Sammy, Deer Tick and the What Cheer? Brigade to name a few. And we are not missing out on World Pillow Fight Day either, so please check back soon.

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, Philadelphia

Philadelphia's Dr. Sketchy's hosted an appearance by the city's premier burlesque group, The Peek-A-Boo Revue. Nicola Black, graphic designer by day, Doctor Of Sketchy by night has her event down to a science, complete with on-site scanning of artwork inspired by the infamous models.

The Peek-A-Boo Revue at Dr. Skethy's

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The turnout was great. And the sketchers continue to amaze me.

Sketchers at Dr. Skethy's, Philadelphia

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I have not yet had the chance to see The Peek-A-Boo Revue in full performance, but the cheeky taste has certainly whetted my appetite, and I can recommand their show unseen . . .

Simply Cheeky - Dr. Skethy's, Philadelphia

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Integral to all Dr. Sketchy's sessions are playful opportunities to win prizes with variable relevance and use in sketching but of equal value through the fun of obtaining them. Here, some cards were matched, but the method escapes me in retrospect although hostess Nicola Black's attire matching the magic of the cards is hard to forget.

Playing Cards with Nicola Black

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The free beer and wine bar helped little in balancing on a barstool while holding a monopod some 5 feet over my head looking upward, not unlike during a sobriety test in the snow lane of an interstate highway.

But Jesus looked upon me and the scantily dressed Peekaboo dancers with such love that I knew no harm could come to us.

Jesus And The Girls

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Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, Richmond

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Richmond has been recently started up by Runaround Sue. Sue's southern charms have suffered none in the bustle of the Big Apple where she's sure to bring her Sugarshack Burlesque group to fame.

Runaround Sue, Hostess Ectraordinaire

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Although spring break kept most of the local art students away, the mood was high, and the old firestation (now home to Gallery 5) was the perfect spot for the smoking Betty Page tribute.

Betty Page never looked better. Ageless, she still towers above all. Boo Boo Darlin held still, true to a pin up on a dented locker door.

Betty Page Towers Over Us All

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You can't keep a good girl down. I've not seen speed until I saw Runaround Sue lift out of her dress and onto the podium joining Boo Boo Darlin for the final pose.

Betty Page and Company

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After the Dr. Sketchy's Session at Gallery 5, we headed over to Cous Cous for an earful of Fight The Big Bull, a mouthfull of drinks, both of which have amplified effect in company such as that of Miss Runaround Sue and Boo Boo Darlin.

Fight The Big Bull at Cous Cous

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It is not often that you get to toast with Betty Page. To the awesome improvisations of Fight the Big Bull, to boot. A lot can be said about southern hospitality, but for not let 'I had an awesome time' suffice. Here, I have swithched to coffee in anticipation of my three hour drive home in the wee hours to come.

Toasting with Betty Page

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Lady Vile at Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School

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In essence a drawing event, but one injected with burlesque cabaret, dirnking games and other non-linear happenings, (originally a brainchild of Molly Crabapple and Alia Vulnavia Phibes) Dr. Sketchy's Anti -Art School has grown into an international franchise. The events are now held in forty-some cities, certainly putting its growth in the upper percentile for its agegroup in 2009.

One of the several dozen cities where Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School has taken foothold since its 2005 beginnings at the Lucky Cat in Brooklyn, NY is Baltimore. The frequent events, which nowadays get invariably sold out (at $7 a head) are held on select Monday nights at Dionysus Restaurant and Lounge. It's good time to be had for the art monkeys blessed with the opposing thumbs capable of producing facsimilies of the beautifully odd models in various states of burlesque and undress.

Lady Vile : Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School (Hat)

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For someone such as myself, who requires electronic extentions to be able to produce likenesses of others, it's a pretty amazing experience to see sketches transform from uncertain pencil tracks into brilliantly interpreted reproductions in less time than required to unload a flash card from a camera.

Lady Vile : Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School (Hat Drawing)

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If you're as uninitiated in the art of modeling as I am (not to say that I don't have the build and the looks; yeah right), let me tell you briefly that these persons are capable of holding still for 20 minutes (the longest i witnessed). And when I say still, I mean they-must-be-breathing-through-their-eyeballs still.

Lady Vile : Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School (Umbrella)

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Lady Vile, guest of honor, got to choose two favourite drawings upon completion. Two more were chosen under further subjective evaluation by others and ultimately the sketchers voted for the ultimate favourite by clapping the loudest when presented with it. Prizes were donated by local shops but alcohol was to be won in some rounds, as prescribed by the Anti-Art School formula.

Lady Vile : Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School (Contest)

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For the record, let it be known that I did all I could to refrain from disturbing the progress of art around me, and all my photographs were taken during ten minute or longer poses, taking up no more than 20 seconds each time, once only during each of those sittings. My thanks go out to Lady Vile and Dr. Sketchy's Baltimore, who welcomed me to their drawing session.

Lady Vile : Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School (Laid Back)

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While the drawing session took place upstairs, down at the bar it was business as usual with traffic slowly building up as the hours grew . . .

Dionysus Restaurant and Lounge

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Red Sammy CD Release and Recording Session at Mobtown Studios

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Although it may appear as if panoramablog.com is turning into a music blog, this is not the case, no matter how hard it may seem to prove with the string of music panoramas of late.

As a matter of fact, not going to see Red Sammy at Mobtown Studios would have been much more out of line from me. Hosted by the band's newly found label, The Beechfields Record Label, this is as quaint as it gets and no better for the country graveyard music of Red Sammy.

The Beechfields Record Label is Baltimore's own not-for-profit label which allows its recording artists to keep all income from the proceeds they garner through the sales of their music. The non-profit model of The Beechfields Record Label paired with its philosophy to grow the music community makes for a perfect marriage with Mobtown Studios, a similarly driven venture to provide quality recording services affordably to all.

Imagine yourself in a living room hanging out with your friends, sipping beer while listening (and part-taking) in the live recording of music you love. That's what a Micro Show is like at Mobtown and there are many to come still.

Red Sammy CD Release/Recording Session at Mobtown Studios

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Here's another view of the recording session through the glass of the control room and onto the recording console. You can also hear The Beechfileds Record Label intro . . . .

Mobbtown Studios Control Room in Session

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The Senator Sessions

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The overall attendance at The Senator Sessions was less then deserved by both the bands performing and the cause. As typical for all, but musical performance audiences, people left the front rows empty, except for the photographers who took the opportunity to turn those rows into a photo pit.

The John Hardy Boys however, lured some of their fans just short of onto the stage.

The John Hardy Boys during The Senator Sessions

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James Brown stayed on the quiet screen while Wye Oak performed during The Senator Sessions, a benefit performance series at Baltimore's landmark historic venue. Proceeds from the attendees go toward the efforts to preserve this beautiful space from oblivion.

The amazing sncronicity with which James Brown and his musicians moved to Wye Oak's music at time was amazing, if not magical.

Wye Oak and James Brown during The Senator Sessions

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Aural States Fest at Sonar

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I only recently have become aware of Aural States a mostly local (but also national) music blog which has hosted the night's event at Sonar. A dozen local bands performed live on two stages from 7:30pm 'til 2am - i left at around 1:20 and Hollywood, the last band had just finished their 3rd song at the time.

It's rare that my $10 would by me this much music - and the place filled up to the tilt by 11pm. Arriving early, I even got a goodie bag with CDs of some of the performers and some other stuff, although what exactly, I will never know since while packing up my photo gear, I left my bag behind. So if anyone found it by the club stage, please send it along - yeah, right.

The place was so dark, that it posed a pretty good challenge to shoot some panoramics and I couldn't help but recall the similarly dark Sonar space on Canton Square, which I photographed some 8 years ago. I will attempt to find the panorama to post here for chuckles. But even with the significantly more advanced equipment I had along almost a decade later, the 1600-3200 ISO images will come through grainy - not unlike the experience photographed, so I hope you still sense the feeling and the music through the noise.

Thanks to everyone attending for letting me up front for the shots.

Arbouretum at the Aural States Fest

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Wye Oak at the Aural States Fest

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Imperial China at the Aural States Fest

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Governor O'Malley and the Baltimore Ravens

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Special Olympics athlete Ben Collins, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and members of the Baltimore Ravens football team take a plunge in the icy waters during the Maryland State Police sponsored benefit event for the Special Olympics.

(The Ravens team members are: Joe Flacco, Adam Terry and Jason Brown.)

Governor O'Malley and the Baltimore Ravens

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Let The Plunge Begin!

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The Shockers Team

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Maryalnd State Police Polar Bear Super Plunge 2009

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The two day Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge has gotten under way today. Thse who raised 10,000 dollars in sponsorship may participate in the Super Plunge. That is plunge every hour on the hour for 24 hours before the rest of the plungers get wet.

Super Plunge 2009 Begins

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Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration

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I am unclear on the attendee headcount at the inauguration, but there were a lot of people there today. I mosied on down to D.C., and was one of the many attending in the oveflow area for non-ticketed visitors watching the ceremony on a large screen.

You can also view this panorama on the Washington Post website.

By The Washington Monument

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Yes We Can

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Barack Obama's Pre-Inaugural Speech in Baltimore

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40,000 people turned out on this cold-cold day to catch Barack Obama's pre-inaugural speech in Baltimore. Ex-senator Obama made his stop in Oriole City, on his way to Washington for his inauguration taking place three days later.

The enthusiastic crowd once again showed that no event is big enough to shorten the 'Oh' in the National Anthem, and the infamous bird retained his place among the honored on this historic day.

President George Bush and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley got shamelessly boo-ed but the Obama-love was not enough to be extended to fellow onlookers, as people worked to protect their spots craftily and in suprisingly cunning solidarity once they pushed and pulled to set foothold.

I suppose, despite the now institutionalized message of Mr. Obama's election campaign to the contrary, some things never change.

Barack Obama in Baltimore

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TECHNICAL NOTE: Since security, complete with metal detectors and x-ray belts was prohibitive to carrying in panoramic paraphernalia, or anything that could make for the displaying of signs of any sort (think monopod), this panorama was shot handheld.

That is, I held the naked camera above my head in portrait position and rotated around my own axis to shoot 4 images, ca. 90 degrees apart with a 10mm lens onto a full size CCD. One exposure only for each.

Halloween 2008 in Fells Point

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The Halloween celebration in Fells Point got kicked off by the children's costume contest. Some as young as a foot, others a bit more lanky, but equally as enthusiastic as the adults who followed.

Kids' Costume Contest

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And to prove that truly all ages have been mobilized for a proper celebration of the exhibitionist in all of us, here is a slightly riper group . . .

The Circus

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Once you're sufficiently impressed by the crowd turning out for the Halloween bash in Fells Point every year, complete with costume contests hosted by 98Rock for all age groups 3-100, you are certain to get even more stupified by the realization that the crowd you just witnessed on the street is promptly doubled by those inside the fine watering holes of the old sailor quarters.

Vampire Girl

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A fine group of scientists-by-day. Yet another proof that you don't get smart by going to school and reading books. It's all about hands-on experience. So quick, get your hands on another drink, and you will see how things start to make sense suddenly. Have yet one more - you shall know all.

Research At Its Best

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I've been told that Christ could teach me a thing or two if I only opened my heart and soul, but I never expected to find Christ in the company of Thing 1 and Thing 2 - plus Sarah Palin, the Jamaican Bobsled Team and two cute dominatrix/police/male-fantasy types to boot.

Christ and Company

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There wasn't much to the Baywatch Girl costume really, nothing new at that. However, you have to admire someone who stayed in her blossoming character from start to finish: making her way to center stage (and off) in slow motion gallop and maintaining her toothpaste ad smile while posing for photographs by the stage afterwards.

Baywatch Girl

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I thought the reason for me not getting any presents over several Christmases was that I did not make the list. It is no great consolation to know that I likely made it onto the list, even through the second check, because Christmas is all about the presents, isn't it?

Yet, if i were Santa and had the helpers pictured here, I would, too miss some deliveries.

Santa's Helpers

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. . . more to come . . .

Mt. Vernon Place (Washington Monument) in the Halloween Sun

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Finally Halloween has come around, and what better way to do scary while not yet dark than this . . .

Or would you believe me if I told you that the thingie in Washington's hand is a remote and he is merely trying to fool you as he non-chalantly looks away from the lens as if unaware of his self-portrait being taken?

I mean somebody had to press the button up there.

Mt. Vernon Square in the Halloween Sun

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Great Halloween Lantern Parade 2008

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Halloween Lantern Parade : After Party (1)

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Halloween Lantern Parade : After Party (2)

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Halloween Lantern Parade : Ready to Go (1)

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. . . more to come . . .

Bike Jam : Mike Steidel

Seemingly in contradiction with the laws of nature, Mike fill jump onto a slab at 4+ feet from a stand-still and plunges to the asphalt fron the top of his trailer. Without ever leaving his bike, I may add.

Don't miss another annual Bike Jam at Patterson Park.

Bike Jam

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