The Noto Photo Protocol

The NoPhoPro is a quasi-formalized method of getting a good group photo of a large number of individuals where there is no central authority (or poor recognition thereof,) not everyone is in the know, and there is perhaps little cohesion. It was developed by the Ungisphere Department of Counter-Ennui for the Ungisphere, where not everyone knows each other, nor who is HNIC, and are a lot of fiercely independent New Yorkers who hate being told what to do. It is named after long-time Ungisphere captain David Noto because... it rhymes.

OUTLINE:
1. Initiate by saying "Class Photo." This is a specific and iconic code word of sorts that signals to people who know what to do that it has begun.

2. People who are down with No.P.P. ("seeders") then gather in a group photo formation. The goal is 1 - 4 rows of people, depending on group size, with the front row sitting or reclining, the next row back squatting or kneeling, then standing, then--if applicable--standing on something (or just very tall.) Seeders should start with the standing row and squatting/kneeling row.

3. The person operating the camera ("cam-op") begins taking (or pretending to take) photos. Typically just the sight of this is enough to prompt other people--who may not be aware of the protocol--("others") to glom on to the group; a snowballing effect. Seeders assist by inviting people into the formation. A cam-op should always take several photos, even if everyone is cooperating and frozen in a good pose.

4. A persuasive or bossy person ("director") will then begin adjusting people to pretty up the shot. Director and cam-op can be (and usually is) the same person. This involves, where possible, any or all of: arranging people by height (and importance,) shifting for symmetry, balancing out rows, repositioning to fit and fill the photo frame. Seeders assist by eagerly moving as directed and persuasively encouraging others to do the same.

5. Signal to end and break up (by director): "Class dismissed."

Meat Receipt

Urskin & Friends In Concert

A friend occasionally moonlights as the drummer for his band Something Heavy...

... which occasionally lands a gig or two at a party or show...

... through the machinations of their frontman, who occasionally persuades his extended friendosphere to don costumes...

... and dance around on stage during their performance.

Urskin Primer

Occupy Wall Street

Urskin

Urskin Primer

The Naked Rudeboy

The Naked Cowboy is a well-known, long standing character in the pantheon of costumed street performers of Times Square in New York City. Created and played by Robert Burck, his act consists of playing guitar and singing--mostly goofy songs of his own penning--on the street dressed in his signature white cowboy hat, white cowboy boots, and white (cowboy) briefs. It is believed that he has been doing the Naked Cowboy routine since 1998, and after thousands--perhaps tens-of-thousands--of photo-ops with enchanted tourists and natives alike, having your picture taken with the Naked Cowboy is one of those uniquely and quintessentially New York Things.

I have been a fan of the Naked Cowboy since learning of his existence. He stands out from every other Times Square character in that his is a unique and original image and character, built from scratch (not derived or appropriated wholesale from mainstream commercial entertainment.) And he is in effect a champion of the fool persistent in his folly, become wise. A template, if you will, for alighting upon a simple, slightly perverse idea and sticking to it, until it becomes famous.

I thought it only fitting that I assume a character in kind for the obligatory photo with the Naked Cowboy. As a fan, at the time, of Ska, the Naked Rudeboy was dreamt up, as a tribute to the Naked Cowboy. ("Rudeboy" is a slang term for male afficionado of Ska.)