Lazy Germans

A hot summer day in Berlin, so The Funk Doc and I (The Old Man) decided to take a short walk from his place to Boxhagener Square and to lounge among the lazy Germans.

This was the most spontaneous show we have done. Normally we take a few notes with us - maybe a newspaper article or two - but this time, we decided to just sit back, watch the people around us and we came up with a topic to talk about.

The topic was generally about art, artists and the role of creative people in society. After a musical break we talked specifically about film and perception of the real world.

Personally, I think it was our best show yet.

Our location was Boxhagener Square in eastern Berlin, very close to the Funk Doc's apartment. We took our places in the "human zoo" (see the photo at the top) and started recording.

Not much more to say about the recording except for this short warning:

If you see two people in Germany (or anywhere, for that matter), and they appear to be speaking into microphones and recording something, WAIT UNTIL THEY HAVE FINISHED RECORDING BEFORE YOU ASK THEM WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

Sounds reasonable enough, but listen for the interruption during the show.

NOT an American tourist. He's wearing black socks.

Another thing...We always use the same opening track for the podcast, and in this episode, we finally named the song for the first time. It's the theme music from one of the first "independent" films ever made and most likely the first Blaxploitation film ever. The movie is called Sweet Sweetback's Baaadass Song and was written by, directed by, scored by, and starred the legendary Melvin van Peebles (whom the Funk Doc and I saw in Berlin). More about him in the podcast.

We also mentioned Beethoven.

Here's a sweet picture I snapped after we recorded the podcast. We were sitting in the park there next to the swings, and some drunk guy thought it would be a good place for a smoke and a nap. The little girl doesn't seem to mind either. You can click on this photo to see the original color version. Cracks me up every time.

I think it also illustrates a social difference between Germany and America. If a drunk sat on a swing next to an American kid, the mother would be there in a matter of seconds, bundle the child away, and probably seek therapy for the little girl (who, by the way, would be decently dressed).