About

Snapshot 2012-08-13 23-01-02 Stephen Baum, writer and amateur musician, A.K.A. Bumba, was born in the Bronx in 1948, and was educated at City College of NY and Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Bumba plans to share his songs and stories on this bumbastories blog.  He hopes his love for country music, the blues, and jazz can be shared over cyberspace, and hopes to bring a smile here and there. On the blog is info on his two novels, a bunch of little stories, some poems, lotsa songs, and whatever else comes up. Why he keeps referring to himself in the third person, though, is a puzzling phenomenon, and frankly one which has us a bit concerned.

118 thoughts on “About”

  1. Stephen, I wrote a satirical novel featuring a Mexican man who stumbled into the US and must either find his way back to his home in Mexico City or somehow achieve his own American Dream. Now, I’m working on the sequel and came across your book on how to gain American citizenship—at least I think you’re the author of that book. Suffice it to say, I’ve discovered your Chester stories and I’m checking that out. The novel I speak of, by the way, is Max in America: Into the Land of Trump. You may actually appreciate the quirky humor.

    Reply

    1. I don’t know too much about American citizenship. H.F Saint wrote a terrific book called Memoirs of an Invisible Man which deals with all those practical hurdles. It was a disappointing movie with Chevy Chase, but the novel is great.

      Reply
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    1. Yes, me and Bumba are going to have to have a talk sometime. It’s quite the interesting question, who is talking to whom? Or, is that who’s on first, what’s on second?

      Reply
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    1. I’m glad you think of me – even if it’s a bus that reminds you. It’s sad that some people never ride the bus. It’s a class phenomenon I suppose. All the best. And Merry Christmas!

      Reply

  10. Hi Stephen! I know it’s been weeks since I was the winner of your prize. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to respond. I moved and my world took a while to piece back together. Anyway, this is my email: amyreesewrites at gmail dot com. I can’t seem to find yours. Hope you are well.

    Reply
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  19. Hi there! I just wanted to say that you have an incredible blog, and that I find your poems and writing to be both refreshing and apt.

    Reply

  20. Stephen, I think we have a lot in common. I was born in Brooklyn, grew up in NY and NJ, now living in LA. I sing, write and take pictures. Love your blog! Now I am going to start reading, here. 😀

    Reply
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    1. Wow! Thank you for the honor of being interviewed for your blog! It ain’t much of an interview, though. I mean there weren’t any questions asked. It was just my response to your email. I hope people don’t feel cheated and ask for their money back. But for me it works fine. It’s cool to open someone else’s blog and see a photo and article about yourself. Thanks Summer! And all the best!

      Reply

  30. Thank you. If you go to the Reader (on the right hand column) you highlight Blogs I Follow and then chose edit and there you can chose to receive email notifications.

    Reply

  31. Is there a way to follow you via e-mail subscription as I do not always find time to use the reader? Great Blog you have!

    Reply

  33. Thank you so much, Stephen, for stopping by my blog. Yours is quite beautiful, a package I will be returning to quite often from now on 🙂

    Reply
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  36. dear Stephen,

    Your blog is wonderful! I have nominated you for LIEBSTAR BLOG AWARD!

    TO COPY THE AWARD PHOTO, here is the link:
http://amidereve.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/liebster-blog-award.jpeg

    As usual there are several rules in accepting the Liebster Award– they are:
    1. Accept the award, post the picture of the Liebster Award on the top of your post and say who nominated you for the award and list their blog site.
    2. List 11 random facts about yourself.
    3. Nominate 11 other bloggers for the Liebster Award and list their blog sites.
    4. Notify the bloggers of their award.
    5.Ask the award winners 11 questions to answer when they accept their Liebster Award.
    6. Answer the questions left for you by the blogger who gave you the award.

    My Nominations of 11 other bloggers for the Liebster Award and their blog sites:
    1. Beautiful Absurdity http://www.beautiful-absurdity.com
If you ever need a recommend to read a book, visit Sham’s beautiful blog, she reviews the books she reads, but also, she write about life and nothing more.
    2. Thestifledartist: http://thestifledartist.com/
    If you love Art with all its glories, then you will love this blog.
    3. Mystery Tramp: http://samnorthcote.wordpress.com/
    Traveling and writing about one’s experience in different places never been better.
    4. Sarah Irving: http://sarahirving.wordpress.com/
    Sarah’s writing about the Middle East is a must read for any one wishing to have an alternative take of the region.
    5. Lost in Translation: http://bopaula.wordpress.com/
    Paula’s blog is beautiful for it is use of personal Photography and Sound Recording, she also has a weekly challenge that you could participate.
    6. Kitku: http://kitku.wordpress.com/
    Wonderful blog for any cinephile, review of new and classic films worth writing about.
    7. Bumba: https://bumbastories.wordpress.com/
    Little details of life captured to utmost details, wonderful.
    8. Tersia Burger: http://tersiaburger.com/
    Some of the most beautiful, sincere and emotional writings that I have read of recent did not come from a book, but rather from this blog.
    9. Word Wabbit: http://wordwabbit.wordpress.com/
    You discover many things hiding in this blog, explore it.
    10. Historianil: http://historianil.wordpress.com/
    If you read German, then this a blog for you, if not, then use Google Translate, for it is still a blog for you.
    11. Chiarina Loggia: http://chiaink.wordpress.com/
    One word is enough to describe this blog: Beautiful.

    11 questions from me to respond to with your acceptance of the Liebster Award (or choose 5 of the 11):
    1. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
    2. What is your best quality and draw us a portrait of yourself in writing or a poem.
    3. Which is your favorite meal of the day…breakfast? lunch? dinner? and describe it.
    4. What do you enjoy most in life?
    5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
    6. What do you “see” when you write? What is the your writing process?
    7. Why are you a blogger?
    8. What is the most important lesson you have learned in your life?
    9. What is your greatest fear and how do you work through it?
    10. If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be and why?
    11. What do you imagine life to be like after death?

    Hope you accept the award 🙂

    Reply
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    1. Nano means very small. “The collected wit of Stephen Baum, a nano blog”: I thought it was clever, but you are the first one to notice or comment on it.

      Reply

  39. I came over to check out the new writing challenge. One of the writers I communicate with regularly entered, and I saw her post. But I naturally had to read your ‘About’ page. Just thinking: If you talk about yourself in third person that must mean you think about your self in third person. That makes you rather like one of the characters you create for your stories. As a result , you are in a position to sort of re-create who you are on a regular basis, and that may be a good thing.

    Reply

    1. OK. If I think of myself in the third person, then who are the other two guys?
      I got into the practice of shifting directly into the voices of my characters and/or using multiple narrators in my second novel, the One Life or the Lives of Chester Knowles book. Last year I completed a little One Life sequel called The Phantom Speaks, which I hope to release soon. The characters really get out of control in that one. I guess it’s just something I do, something I’m trying. Thanks for visiting and commenting. And I hope I haven’t confused you too much.

      Reply
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    1. An update: Inspired by you words, I assembled all of the unmatched caps to my pens (well, most of them), and the next day rounded up all my capless ball- points. And they all had a conference, a meeting of the minds. Several very nice matches were made I’m happy to say and we wish them the best. The devil take the rest.

      Reply

    1. Thanks for visiting us. I did a post about 2nd person plural for y’all. I think it’s called hey you guys. Changing voices gives you some latitude (to a certain degree!).

      Reply
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    1. Jasmine,
      Thank you very much. But, following Groucho Marx’s advice to never join a club that would accept me as a member, I’m going to decline. I have a hard time trying to post anything at all. However, I would return the compliment to you and say that you are definitely an artist out there who is trying to do something good. All my best to you and thank you again,
      Steve

      Reply

  52. Hey Stephen,

    I’m not sure if you received my email, but here’s what I sent you.

    I’m compiling a free e-book about the Greatest Articles and I’m featuring excellent comments. Your thoughts in “What if.. You Sleep 2 Hours a Day” is a standout! I’m asking permission if I could include your words in the book?

    All the best,
    Justin G. Bautista

    Reply

  56. Fun blog. My mom always talked in 1st person plural – “We need to do this.” It always meant “You need to do this for me.” Funny what you remember when you read people’s blogs. Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m going to enjoy following yours as well. 🙂

    Reply

  59. keep shining through your intellect and creativity ! It surely inspires many of us.
    May you triumph through the journey with utmost success, strength and best tidings. Cheers.

    Reply

    1. Dear Tina,

      Thank you for nominating me for the Liebster Award.
      I hope you will forgive me if I do not answer all the questions and forward on the awards to other bloggers. It’s just that I don’t have time to do so many things. But thank you for nominating me, and thank you for visiting my blog. I’ll keep visiting yours, especially since it is so informative and aims to provide something uplifting to people.

      Reply

  66. Oh, this is charming! 🙂

    I just stopped by to thank you for visiting my blog from last year (53 at 53) and for liking my posts there. I always get a kick out of this. And thank you for your comments, too. I really appreciate it.

    Reply

  71. Hey, George Costanza refers to himself in the third person, so no worries…

    Thanks much for stopping by my blog and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it!

    Reply

  73. You have a very interesting blog! Shall return to go through it at leisure. MEanwhile thank you for visiting mine and for the kind comments!

    Reply

  74. I write myself In the third person often. It’s a good perspective if you read it later. A good exercise.
    It’s the the person we want to be, wish to be, are hoping to be, think we aught to be, etc…. fill in your own reasons. Keep writing. Thanks for visiting my blog.

    Reply

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