How to celebrate Leonard's 80th birthday

[Tchocolatl]

I don't see "First, we Take Manhattan" on a bench in the future, brother.

"Come over to the window my little darling."

I see a new mayor, right now. Who will agree to name an existing park after the Man in order that diehard fans here could put the bench there.

Or create a new one.

[chrissie01]

I have been reading many fascinating pages of wonderful suggestions from so many devoted and caring fans, all emotionally involved in sharing ideas, and finding a way to make this even more meaningful than the beautiful tributes that have gone before. I found myself swept along with the idea of benches. and or/engraved stones on Hydra, our place of pilgrimage, and spiritual home. ....as it was his.

[Dem]

If we are talking about Hydra
just to inform you that there are no parks there.

Dem

[lizzytysh]

Tchoc has been speaking of Montreal, Dem.

[phillip]

im in too would love to do a racording for Leonard wishing him a happy birthday or maybe post pics of my Leonard Cohen collection for Leonard what do you all think?

[lizzytysh]

Well, Phil... so many people have such extensive collections, with some being shown at various meet-ups. My feeling is that he knows that many people collect his work and some very extensively. So, it would seem that would end up being more a matter of people singling themselves out as being various-level collectors vs. that lasting and meaningful thing that would focus on him for at least decades to come, for those who know of him and those who would be learning of him and then discovering his work. I like the universal potential of that. Someone here already suggested something about video recording ourselves, but there again, who would end up making it through the final cut... and that would be something that would become buried amidst other postings here [if it were connected via a link] or be just at Leonard's house or wherever it would travel to from there. Something that's in the public sphere, however, will reach untold numbers of people and bringing the same message to them, that Leonard Cohen is deeply loved... and the bench is practical, as well.

[phillip]

Well, Phil... so many people have such extensive collections, with some being shown at various meet-ups. My feeling is that he knows that many people collect his work and some very extensively. So, it would seem that would end up being more a matter of people singling themselves out as being various-level collectors vs. that lasting and meaningful thing that would focus on him for at least decades to come, for those who know of him and those who would be learning of him and then discovering his work. I like the universal potential of that. Someone here already suggested something about video recording ourselves, but there again, who would end up making it through the final cut... and that would be something that would become buried amidst other postings here [if it were connected via a link] or be just at Leonard's house or wherever it would travel to from there. Something that's in the public sphere, however, will reach untold numbers of people and bringing the same message to them, that Leonard Cohen is deeply loved... and the bench is practical, as well.

I agree well put like most fans I have got his entire collection of books, albums, concerts from 1970-present so whatever we do keep me posted would love to be part of the Birthday greetings

[Vicomte]

I agree well put like most fans I have got his entire collection of books, albums, concerts from 1970-present so whatever we do keep me posted would love to be part of the Birthday greetings

Philip, sorry but I would say the huge majority of his fans don't have that much at all and I suspect you are in a minority. When you think of all the many people who have been to see Leonard since his come back in 2008 and then see how many are regulars on this forum, the huge majority have no want to be on the forum and all the friends we have who are also LC followers are not here and have little else than his albums/CD's and a book or three.

[phillip]

I agree well put like most fans I have got his entire collection of books, albums, concerts from 1970-present so whatever we do keep me posted would love to be part of the Birthday greetings

Philip, sorry but I would say the huge majority of his fans don't have that much at all and I suspect you are in a minority. When you think of all the many people who have been to see Leonard since his come back in 2008 and then see how many are regulars on this forum, the huge majority have no want to be on the forum and all the friends we have who are also LC followers are not here and have little else than his albums/CD's and a book or three.

sorry but that does not make sense i have seen him 5 times in concert 1993, twice in 2008 2009 and 2013 I have got all his albums etc and am always on here so not sure what u are saying!

[Vicomte]

I agree well put like most fans I have got his entire collection of books, albums, concerts from 1970-present so whatever we do keep me posted would love to be part of the Birthday greetings

Philip, sorry but I would say the huge majority of his fans don't have that much at all and I suspect you are in a minority. When you think of all the many people who have been to see Leonard since his come back in 2008 and then see how many are regulars on this forum, the huge majority have no want to be on the forum and all the friends we have who are also LC followers are not here and have little else than his albums/CD's and a book or three.

sorry but that does not make sense i have seen him 5 times in concert 1993, twice in 2008 2009 and 2013 I have got all his albums etc and am always on here so not sure what u are saying!

Well to put it in simple terms. You have an awful lot of items associated with LC and I said that you are in a minority (as in not the majority) because you said "I agree well put like most fans I have got his entire collection of books, albums, concerts from 1970-present" and I don't think most fans do have all that. Most fans are are not on this forum and tried to size it up to the reality that most fans are not here in comparison to how many attended Cohen's concerts.

As for you not understanding, well sorry but your reply in italics has me bamboozled as well....

[jarkko]

Let's get back to the original topic.
Huge majority of people who have posted or sent their input by email are in favor of the Hydra bench.
This will be our project, if we get the necessary permissions from the Greek authorities.
Our local friend Lakis is working on that, and we will get updated reports from Henning and Demetris who are now on Hydra. Willy and Wijbe will also be on the island next week, and are going to follow the progress.

[jarkko]

Today's report from Lakis:

Our friend, an architect, has made already sketches of 5 positions along the road to Kamini.
The mayor has agreed on one of them and we all think that it’s the best spot of all. Next step is to apply the plans to the
Government offices.

Henning, Demetris, Willy, Wijbe, Bea, Christelle, Stamatina, and possibly Sophia and some others who are or will be on Hydra this week, are going to have a meeting with Lakis.

[surrender]

Good news, thank you Jarkko for keeping us informed.
I hope things work out soon, fingers crossed for smooth and successful negotiation with the Greek authorities (Keep Calm And Cohen On);
thanks to everybody involved.

Jarmila

[mnkyface]

I would like to see the google doodler acknowledge this milestone birthday. I don't know how to lobby him/her, or if its even possible. Would be nice though...

[scocoh]

.
.
Fantastic idea, Monk-E !!

How can Google users/the public submit ideas for doodles?

The doodle team is always excited to hear ideas from users - they can email proposals@google.com with ideas for the next Google doodle. The team receives hundreds of requests every day so we unfortunately can't respond to everyone. But rest assured that we're reading them

Let the emails begin, folks! That gives them three months to decide and design.