When (and where) would you go in a time machine?

[greg]

I'd go back into the beginning of time so I can see how the universe was made. I'd record it and then show the whole world the truth of the origins of the universe, whatever it might be, so there'll never be any disagreements about it ever again.

[greg]

or..... i'd learn German and then go meet Mahler or Schoenberg and hang out with them and talk music.  0:)

[Haffner]

or..... i'd learn German and then go meet Mahler or Schoenberg and hang out with them and talk music.  0:)

JA!

[BachQ]

My favorite portrait of Beethoven at this time:

excellent! ........ 

[Haffner]

excellent! ........ 

With that portrait, I can most easily imagine LvB running his hands through his hair, resenting having to appear in public (which means having to deal with people), almost constantly irritated...

[orbital]

How about this:

Being born (filthy rich) at 1880 somewhere with nice climate, lets say Barcelona. Being raised there watching along the rise of Gaudi. At the turn of the century moving to Vienna (where else), eating Sachertorte at Demel's, watching Klimt and Schiele at work and of course having a box at the State Opera watching Mahler conduct, at nights being rather naughty which would then make the morning visits to Dr. Freud a necessity. Occasional visits to Paris for the exhibitions (and Moulin Rouge) go without saying. In 1914 at the outbrake of WWI moving to Russia, let's say St.Petersburg, spending next few years there during pre-revolutionary turmoil attending for instance the opening of The Last Futurist Exhibition (30.12.'15) with Malevich in major role. Wisely avoiding Rasputin's evil eye and Tatlin's futile ideas about silly looking towers move out in let's say 1917, for a few years round trip through the middle east for instance (but stopping shortly in Paris to attend opening of the Modigliani's Nudes before the police close it down due to unacceptable amount of pubic hair shown to blushing Parisian public). After several years smoking funny pipes in Damascus and Baghdad return to Europe in the 20s. Where else but in Berlin. Spending the next decade there, days sleeping, evenings at the Kroll Oper watching premieres of Die Dreigroschen and Oedipus Rex under the baton of Klemperer, and nights of course at the Cabarets (some of the days would actually be spent at some hospital or other, treating clap, but well, some minor unpleasanteries can't really be avoided). With the rise of the austrian aquarellist it's time for another round trip, this time let's say South America in company of Erich Kleiber. After some time in Buenos Aires, listening to Gardel (before the tragic plane crash in 1935), dancing tango and coversing with Borges (not mentioning quilombos) move north toward Mexico, admiring Rivera painting murals and drinking large amounts of tequila with Silvestre Revueltas, much less with Lev Bronstein (just evoking some Petersburg days), when both poor guys bite the dust in 1940 (of too much tequila and much less lead) it's time to move again. Spending 1940s and 50s alternating between New York and pre-Castro Havana. I'd say spending more time in Havana (nicer climate, if you know what I mean) but not having season tickets for Mitropoulos era Philharmonic is unimaginable. 1960 time for the final move, across the US to Los Angeles to spend the rest of ones days sipping tea with Stravinsky and warming ones rheumatism (and other stuff picked along the way) at warm Californian sun..........       

Not much different from Crowley's Diary of a Drug Fiend 

Me, 1st half of the 19th century, Paris. I want to dress up dandy 

[Mark]

I want to dress up dandy 

Is that a bit like 'Dress-me-up Barbie'?

[orbital]

Is that a bit like 'Dress-me-up Barbie'?

I wouldn't mind a valet dressing me up  and white gloves and velvet fitted vest and a tailcoat either. I'd probably try to make Alkan go out a bit more 

[techniquest]

I'd go back into the beginning of time so I can see how the universe was made. I'd record it and then show the whole world the truth of the origins of the universe, whatever it might be, so there'll never be any disagreements about it ever again.

Unless someone doesn't believe you, in which case you might be publically ridiculed and ostrasized. On a similar vein, I'd kind of like to go back and find the person who invented religion and, just at the point when the idea sparked in his (or her) head, distract him (or her) so that the speark is lost forever. Just think of the pain and horror that would save throughout the centuries to come.
On another tack - I'd like to be in Southampton in 1912 to see the Titanic depart and I'd like to be able to delay it for an hour or so in order that the meeting of boat and iceberg on their repective paths would not cross at that fateful point.
I'd also like to have been able to meet up with Mr & Mrs Hitler Senior in order to prevent their union at another fateful point - many more lives saved. If I could perform a similar task with my own parents, so much personal torment and unhappiness would also be laid to rest, and this post would suddenly disappear into the ether.

[Haffner]

I'd be fascinated to travel back 1600 years ago when Saint Silvan was martyred, to learn
how he led his life and how it possibly led him to look like this today:

[Iago]

What a bunch of "sickoos" around here!!
Such GRAND schemes and GRAND illusions. You want to change the world. How noble of you.  Of course it's just a boatload of bullshit.

Haven't you ever lost anybody you've loved?
Haven't you ever rued the fact that you didn't say a final goodbye, or given/received that last hug and kiss?

Or is everybody so young on this forum that they've not yet experienced the PAIN involved in such losses? And if youth is not the reason for these "pie in the sky" posts, and you've really never considered what I have pointed out, then I'm awfully glad I DON'T call any of you (with only two exceptions) "friends".

[techniquest]

Uncalled for, pal.
Remember there's no such thing as a time machine, but if your hurt is that real - go get some help.

[Haffner]

What a bunch of "sickoos" around here!!
Such GRAND schemes and GRAND illusions. You want to change the world. How noble of you.  Of course it's just a boatload of bullshit.

Yeah!

I'm awfully glad I DON'T call any of you (with only two exceptions) "friends".

Preach on,dawg!

[Iago]

Uncalled for, pal.
Remember there's no such thing as a time machine, but if your hurt is that real - go get some help.

I don't know how old you are, but you post as if you were aged 3.

[Haffner]

I don't know how old you are, but you post as if you were aged 3.

If only more people listened to Iago. I mean, we'd finally get rid of all the rampant, histrionic goodwill, shallow (and entirely unbelievable) Idealisms, simple etiquette...we'd get to the real core of things.

[toledobass]

December 22 and 23,  1965 the Plugged Nickel in Chicago to see Miles and Co. kick some ass.  

I'd also be interested in seeing Bottesini play.


Allan

[techniquest]

I don't know how old you are, but you post as if you were aged 3.

What a kind, generous and thoughtful remark.  

[greg]

If only more people listened to Iago. I mean, we'd finally get rid of all the rampant, histrionic goodwill, shallow (and entirely unbelievable) Idealisms, simple etiquette...we'd get to the real core of things.

the world would be so much better if everyone not only listened to Iago, but were JUST LIKE HIM  0:)

can't you imagine what the a world full of Iagos would be like? there'd be no need for heaven....  0:)

[Haffner]

the world would be so much better if everyone not only listened to Iago, but were JUST LIKE HIM  0:)

can't you imagine what the a world full of Iagos would be like? there'd be no need for heaven....  0:)

I just accept his opinion as Manna, and dream away...

[mahlertitan]

the world would be so much better if everyone not only listened to Iago, but were JUST LIKE HIM  0:)

can't you imagine what the a world full of Iagos would be like? there'd be no need for heaven....  0:)

we need a couple of bigots to keep things interesting.