There has been enough knee jerk reaction to the situation at Penn State to make all the Chiropractors & Orthodedic surgeons in the world richer than they ever dreamed.
Having said that, I'm still confused by the recent moves of Penn State University.
Joe Paterno was fired by the Penn State Board of trustees. I couldn't help wonder then, as I do now, how far up the ladder the alleged knowledge of wrongdoing at Penn State extended.
Trust me. I'm neither looking for nor desire to extend the popular conspiracy theories now rife in the media as to who up at the university had prior knowledge of the alledged wrongdoings by former coach Jerry Sandusky and failed to act responsibly prior to the grand jury's findings.
But, would it be unrealistic to wonder whether or not some members of the Penn State Board of Trustees were members and/or disciples of the "don't ask -don't tell mentality club" up in Happy Valley?
That thought reoccurred when Penn State announced recently that Dave Joyner, a highly respected orthopedic physician and scholar/athlete has been selected as Penn State acting athletic director.
Don't get me wrong. Anybody with even the slightest knowledge of crisis management knows that the best action is one that is concise and immediate. Both are strategic tactics which Penn State officials have previously failed miserably.
The interim appointment captures the described desired strategies - almost.
Joyner was a two sport athlete at Penn State as well as the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for his many contributions to sports: college, professional, and the U.S Olympics.
He received his bachelor's and medical degrees from the university. He also served, until taking this new appointment, as a member of Penn State's Board of Trustees.
On the surface, the latter role might not disqualify him for his new position as acting athletic director. But, does it?
Reasonable people might conclude that, at this juncture of what many highly respected individuals are referring to as the worst University snafu of all times, a little hesitation might have been in order.
Please let me try to clarify via this recent news item:
Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "State Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis would not rule out the possibility that Penn State University trustees would face scrutiny from a campus investigative panel seeking to ascertain what campus leaders knew about child abuse allegations and if they responded properly"
When asked in a phone interview by the Post-Gazette writer if the possibility that current or former board members knew of the the assault allegations had or would be explored, he responded "that's one of the things the committee will be looking at."
Tomalis is a Penn State trustee and vice chair of the committee.
The article goes on to say: "Penn State has not identified the full list of members who will sit on the special investigative committee, but officials have suggested in recent days that the panel will be limited to those with university ties."
Yeah, that should satisfy watchdog groups, ethicists, and the media.
It would appear to this blogger,only those House members serving on the House Ethics committee - with no expressed authority to punish wrongdoers - could possibly see this as good logic.
There is no intention to disparage Dr. Joyner here. His reputation appears to be as impeccable as few other leading citizens and has demonstrated nothing to contradict this.
It's just the timing of his appointment that is sure to raise eyebrows. If the man is to be "acting" athletics director, was there nobody without university ties who would have been equally qualified to serve in a temporary capacity?
It's also apparent that, given the man's sterling reputation and intelligence, he may have made the decision to accept this "acting"
post primarily as an example of the compassion he has demonstrated in his other capacities of providing service to his country.
Assuredly, no attempt is being made here to compare him with another highly respected Penn State figure who fell from grace recently.
However, you gotta wonder. Was there no other person the board may have considered who either did not attend college there, reside in University Park, or who was a former stellar athlete/scholar at Penn State?
Is there some University requirement that only someone with any vague tangential knowledge of the geographical area in which Penn State is located is possibly qualified to serve as investigator of this incredible embarassing screw-up?
Sorry, but that appears to be a strange way for a major university to operate during a crisis that has gained worldwide attention.
If Dave Joyner is as qualified as suspected, why not have him in a position of "Athletic Director in Waiting"?
That would be similar to what many schools do when posturing themselves with a "Head Coach in Waiting" as a replacement for some head coach whom administrators believe may soon be retiring or seeking employment elsewhere.
Let's assume there exists a community wide belief up in Happy Valley that concludes familiarity with a business, or possession of an extensive expertise as to the problem needing addressing, is a pre-requisite.
If so, one has to wonder if any of the leading banks in the State College area had in the past ever considered hiring famed bank robber Willie Sutton as their Director of Security?
Surely, there must be some scholar or professor at Penn State who could have explained to the Board of Trustees,Plutarch's writings which later became known as the concept of "purer than Caesar's wife"
You have to conclude that Penn State still doesn't get it.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
JOURNALISM OR EXPLOITATION?
It was professional - according to media standards.
But when does journalism end - and exploitation begin?
It's a line that more and more has become hazy.
My wife commented to me today," Why does it seem that the alleged acts of a former defensive coordinator now take second place to the faulty logic and apparently horrible decison making of Joe Paterno?"
Good journalism has been replaced with misleading sound bites and questionable interviews that make the reporting source, an overly invasive reporter, or a network often under fire, more marketable.
It has also been replaced by lousy judgment and a spin cycle response that says everything that is thought to be reportable is OK.
I seem to remember the same defense being offered by the owners of Confidential Magazine - way back in the 50's.
Time and time again we see the parent of a child questioned on camera as to his/her actions in raising their child - as though they have not yet sustained enough grief or soul searching.
Other times the child is a victim of a horrible act and the parents are questioned on camera as to how they feel about the loss of their child.
Today, at the end of the Penn State/Nebraska game, we saw "The Return of The Body Snatchers" acted out in high definition for an audience of millions.
I'm speaking about the ESPN journalist and his interviews, at the completion of the game. And, let nobody argue; his approach had the desired effect -to the extent that the interview later received repeated national exposure.
The questioning of Tom Bradley,the interim head coach of Penn State, was somewhat less invasive - as it should have been. Here's a guy who was going on limited sleep in the past four days due to all that has taken place - and had taken on a huge responsibility - temporarily replacing a legend.
Yet, despite that, including his new responsibilites and sudden media exposure, his reaction to the final outcome of the game - included referencing an incredible response by his first place Big Ten team during the second half, was not made a subject of interest.
Unfortunately, both the questioning and his response were merely a prelude to what was to follow.
The coaches' team had almost turned the game around after a first half that clearly reflected their response to the pressure placed upon them due to the well known publicised circumstances involving "Happy Valley."
You had to wonder as a viewer of the game what was the cause of the teams failure to execute in the first half, as they have done in a mixed fashion leading up to their success as exemplified by a 6 and 1 record? What was the cause - ineptitude - jitters - or just a great opponent from Nebraska?
But no, that apparently wasn't the subject you might have expected to have been explored in depth,and pursued by ESPN of any college coach as a logical attempt to accurately determine his assessment of what went right and what went wrong. It was even more incomprehensible as Penn State had fallen from the ranks of the unbeaten in their conference.
Folks, the coach's response to a loss does not make ratings when you have a much more accessible agenda for your questions - particularly those that are deemed to be ones that will ostensibly increase your ratings.
ESPN eschewed the normal after the game in depth questions - at least in a follow-up format - while tangibly framing all questions involving the game with a focus that instead was their repeated reference to the devastating accusations and revelations involving Penn State.
We were subjected to a performance by the reporter that more closely resembled those of Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson in the popular show "The Closer", particularly as she sucks in the suspects with apparently benign inquiries before going for the jugular vein.
Penn State's interim head coach responded well - with little "coach speak" other than his expressed admiration for the spirit of the team and their group effort in the second half.
But, what the coach didn't know was that he was only the opening act - a setup for the individual whom the network apparently determined was the main event.
ESPN decided that focus would be Jay Paterno - the deposed coaches son - who served in a much less responsible role for the outcome of this game - at least more insignicant than the replacement coach - although admittedly both were exploring new territory as coaches.
Again, no questions as to strategy were posed.
The ESPN interviewer was slick - recognizing that his approach in his opening question had to disguise his intent in the interview.
Had Brenda been watching - she would have been proud.
The ESPN "reporter" first tried to put his "interview" subject - who probably had not done more than a few interviews - if any - on national television - at ease. So far - so good- one might respond.
His lead-in to the obviously distraught former coaches son was to assure him that his initial question was the same that he had asked of the interim head coach.
Good move. Jay Paterno appeared to relax and his response seemed to echo that of his new boss.
And then came the follow-up questions during the highly seminally regarded TV ratings period.
The ESPN reporter made reference to having an advanced knowledge of a letter that the son had sent to his parents following the recent events.
I don't know about you - but I had no knowledge of this letter.
Again, Jay Paterno appeared to relax and a small smile came across his face - probably in anticipation there was recognition that he was a good kid who truly loved his parents.
When questioned further as to the content of the letter, young Paterno summarized the content by relating that the theme of his communication was to assure his Mom & Dad that he was proud of them.
Recognizing the nature of the sentimental response, the reporter opted not to close the interview - but to dig further - until Jay Paterno started to cry on national TV.
The son and coach then- mercifully for all of us watching - ended the interview by saying, "That's all" as he turned from the interviewer. He then - walked away, hunched over, his shoulders turned forward and inward- with tears continuing to stream down his recently snookered countenance.
The interviewer made no attempt to comfort him - nor conclude the interview when the tears were slowly commencing.
The witch hunt had ended.
Chief Brenda Johnsons adroit questioning is the crux of the success of the popular highly rated TV show. It is fictional. She is attempting to solve a crime.
My wife and I were left during and after the interview to try to determine what crime this poor guy had committed - other than being the cooperative son of a disgraced father.
My question: Is that journalism - or exploitation?
But when does journalism end - and exploitation begin?
It's a line that more and more has become hazy.
My wife commented to me today," Why does it seem that the alleged acts of a former defensive coordinator now take second place to the faulty logic and apparently horrible decison making of Joe Paterno?"
Good journalism has been replaced with misleading sound bites and questionable interviews that make the reporting source, an overly invasive reporter, or a network often under fire, more marketable.
It has also been replaced by lousy judgment and a spin cycle response that says everything that is thought to be reportable is OK.
I seem to remember the same defense being offered by the owners of Confidential Magazine - way back in the 50's.
Time and time again we see the parent of a child questioned on camera as to his/her actions in raising their child - as though they have not yet sustained enough grief or soul searching.
Other times the child is a victim of a horrible act and the parents are questioned on camera as to how they feel about the loss of their child.
Today, at the end of the Penn State/Nebraska game, we saw "The Return of The Body Snatchers" acted out in high definition for an audience of millions.
I'm speaking about the ESPN journalist and his interviews, at the completion of the game. And, let nobody argue; his approach had the desired effect -to the extent that the interview later received repeated national exposure.
The questioning of Tom Bradley,the interim head coach of Penn State, was somewhat less invasive - as it should have been. Here's a guy who was going on limited sleep in the past four days due to all that has taken place - and had taken on a huge responsibility - temporarily replacing a legend.
Yet, despite that, including his new responsibilites and sudden media exposure, his reaction to the final outcome of the game - included referencing an incredible response by his first place Big Ten team during the second half, was not made a subject of interest.
Unfortunately, both the questioning and his response were merely a prelude to what was to follow.
The coaches' team had almost turned the game around after a first half that clearly reflected their response to the pressure placed upon them due to the well known publicised circumstances involving "Happy Valley."
You had to wonder as a viewer of the game what was the cause of the teams failure to execute in the first half, as they have done in a mixed fashion leading up to their success as exemplified by a 6 and 1 record? What was the cause - ineptitude - jitters - or just a great opponent from Nebraska?
But no, that apparently wasn't the subject you might have expected to have been explored in depth,and pursued by ESPN of any college coach as a logical attempt to accurately determine his assessment of what went right and what went wrong. It was even more incomprehensible as Penn State had fallen from the ranks of the unbeaten in their conference.
Folks, the coach's response to a loss does not make ratings when you have a much more accessible agenda for your questions - particularly those that are deemed to be ones that will ostensibly increase your ratings.
ESPN eschewed the normal after the game in depth questions - at least in a follow-up format - while tangibly framing all questions involving the game with a focus that instead was their repeated reference to the devastating accusations and revelations involving Penn State.
We were subjected to a performance by the reporter that more closely resembled those of Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson in the popular show "The Closer", particularly as she sucks in the suspects with apparently benign inquiries before going for the jugular vein.
Penn State's interim head coach responded well - with little "coach speak" other than his expressed admiration for the spirit of the team and their group effort in the second half.
But, what the coach didn't know was that he was only the opening act - a setup for the individual whom the network apparently determined was the main event.
ESPN decided that focus would be Jay Paterno - the deposed coaches son - who served in a much less responsible role for the outcome of this game - at least more insignicant than the replacement coach - although admittedly both were exploring new territory as coaches.
Again, no questions as to strategy were posed.
The ESPN interviewer was slick - recognizing that his approach in his opening question had to disguise his intent in the interview.
Had Brenda been watching - she would have been proud.
The ESPN "reporter" first tried to put his "interview" subject - who probably had not done more than a few interviews - if any - on national television - at ease. So far - so good- one might respond.
His lead-in to the obviously distraught former coaches son was to assure him that his initial question was the same that he had asked of the interim head coach.
Good move. Jay Paterno appeared to relax and his response seemed to echo that of his new boss.
And then came the follow-up questions during the highly seminally regarded TV ratings period.
The ESPN reporter made reference to having an advanced knowledge of a letter that the son had sent to his parents following the recent events.
I don't know about you - but I had no knowledge of this letter.
Again, Jay Paterno appeared to relax and a small smile came across his face - probably in anticipation there was recognition that he was a good kid who truly loved his parents.
When questioned further as to the content of the letter, young Paterno summarized the content by relating that the theme of his communication was to assure his Mom & Dad that he was proud of them.
Recognizing the nature of the sentimental response, the reporter opted not to close the interview - but to dig further - until Jay Paterno started to cry on national TV.
The son and coach then- mercifully for all of us watching - ended the interview by saying, "That's all" as he turned from the interviewer. He then - walked away, hunched over, his shoulders turned forward and inward- with tears continuing to stream down his recently snookered countenance.
The interviewer made no attempt to comfort him - nor conclude the interview when the tears were slowly commencing.
The witch hunt had ended.
Chief Brenda Johnsons adroit questioning is the crux of the success of the popular highly rated TV show. It is fictional. She is attempting to solve a crime.
My wife and I were left during and after the interview to try to determine what crime this poor guy had committed - other than being the cooperative son of a disgraced father.
My question: Is that journalism - or exploitation?
Thursday, November 3, 2011
EARLY AMERICAN HUMOR
Having just completed a blog on radio humor of the 40's, an e-mail was received listing the humor of Will Rogers, the subject of previous blogs.
Here are some of my favorite Will Rogers quotes:
There are two theories to arguing with a woman - neither works.
If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
Never miss a chance to shut up.
There are three kinds of men:
The ones who learn by reading.
The few who learn by observation.
The rest of them who have to pee on the electric fence
and find out for themselves.
Good judgment comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
Senior Humor:
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth - think of Algebra.
Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
I don't know how I got 'over the hill' without getting to the top.
And, one of my favorites:
Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Now, it's called golf.
A closing thought - especially appropriate for this old blogger:
After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral: When you're full of bull - keep your mouth shut.
Stay well.
Here are some of my favorite Will Rogers quotes:
There are two theories to arguing with a woman - neither works.
If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
Never miss a chance to shut up.
There are three kinds of men:
The ones who learn by reading.
The few who learn by observation.
The rest of them who have to pee on the electric fence
and find out for themselves.
Good judgment comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
Senior Humor:
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth - think of Algebra.
Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
I don't know how I got 'over the hill' without getting to the top.
And, one of my favorites:
Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Now, it's called golf.
A closing thought - especially appropriate for this old blogger:
After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral: When you're full of bull - keep your mouth shut.
Stay well.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
"T'aint Funny, McGee"
My wife often accused me of being stuck in the 50's when it comes to music. I don't protest, partially because it's probably true - but,also because I'm not sure she doesn't mean the 1850's.
In truth, my humor may be stuck in the 40's. Radio comedy was big in our house growing up. It included Amos & Andy, because we were of a different generation and still naively unaware that what we were laughing at was prejudicial against an entire race of people.
Hopefully, the advent of B.E.T television clarified the assumption.
It was a different time and much of the humor those days has not translated well to that of our present generation. Listening to some of the old comedy show tapes suggests that what we found to be funny was actually kind of amateurish.
There were exceptions. When listning to an old Fibber McGee and Molly recently.I found Fibber's defense of the weather being extremely cold to be vaguely familiar. When asked how cold it was, he stated, "It is so cold that I saw the snowman down at the department store blowing on his hands."
Apparently, the writers of Johnny Carson's tonight show felt it could be updated and included the premise in his response to Ed McMahon when questioned as to explaining, "How cold is it?".
It would take too long to go into all the radio comedy shows I found amusing as a child. Needless-to-say they included comedy entertainers such as Burns & Allen, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Red Skelton, and my alltime favorite, Fibber McGee and Molly.
These were two former vaudevillians, Jim & Marian Jordan, who were also husband and wife in real life.
The humor was easy going and lacked either the dirty language or the mean comments of many of today's successful comedians.
Molly's continuos use of the line "T'aint Funny McGee" was as well known as Fibber McGee's closet that poured various items down on McGee when he attempted to open the door.
I enjoyed the sound effects almost as much as the sound of breaking glass that followed the exclamation by former Pirate broadcaster Rosey Roswell following a homerun by the Pirates, "Open the window Aunt Minnie, here it comes!" - a line all us kids adopted when playing ball over at Atlantic Avenue School's playground with the short right field.
Fibber was the main character in a show that lasted from the 30's into the 50's.
The show stood out for me as it included many characters and was the precursor of todays successful situation comedy shows. The actors who portrayed the characters, such as Harold Perry, Gale
Gordon and others survived radio and were star character performers on TV.
The premise of Fibber McGee and Molly was simple and usually took place entirely in the McGee's living room where the various characters, mostly alleged neighbors, made a regular appearance.
They included Wallace Wimple, a hen-pecked husband who was constantly dominated and battered by his never seen spouse,
Cornelia, to whom he referred as "Sweetieface" and/or his "big ol wife".
The part was played by Bill Thompson, who was also "The Old Timer" a hearing challenged senior citizen who coined the popular phrase, "That ain't the way I heared it!"
Another character actor, Richard LeGrand created the part of Ole Swenson, a Swedish-born janitor at the Elks Club and who later became Mr. Peavey on the Great Gildesleeve. Ole complained a lot that he was "joost donatin' my time." (another gem)
There was also another character referred to alternately as "Sis" and "Little girl", who was voiced by Marian Jordan. Her catchphrase was that of ending her statements with the tagline, "I betcha."
I think I liked her most because of my Grandma Sullivans neighbor and close friend up in Wilmerding, Pa., Mrs. St. Clair, who drove me nuts as a kid by insisting on ending each sentence with the utterance, "So I did" or "So, I said.".
We have been stealing jokes, comedic techniques and one-liners since the beginning of time.
Puns and the stealing of malapropism infested humor from the style of Mrs. Malaprop", a character in Sheridan's classic, "The Rivals."
were employed in the 40's and continue to be a great source of simple humor - including the popular NCIS.
The lines and sayings of the characters on FM & M became part of this nations vernacular in the same way that TV stars Milton Berle's "MAKEUP!", Gleasons,"And, awaay we go!" & "Someday Alice - right to the Moon!", and Flip Wilson's, "The Devil made me do it" stuck with generations that survived the humor of the 40's.
There were fewer of us in the 40's but we were still more than willing to highjack these catch phrases and employ them at just about any moment in time.
The idea of including homemade characters on radio was adopted by local Pittsburgh morning drive time host, Rege Cordic, who with the imagination of Bob Trow and Karl Hardman, developed such favorites as "Louie The Garbage Man", "Brunhilda", "Omicron", "Big Ube & Little Ube" and Carmen Monoxide, a champion punster.
As Junior High kids we weren't allowed to stand around the water cooler and recite lines from Cordic & Company due to the always present hall monitors - so we wandered off to the bathrooms instead.
But, guaranteed, Dad and his work cronies were probably standing around the coke machine at Beadling Motors on Wednesday mornings, repeating their favorite jokes or lines from the previous nights Texaco sponsored Berle show.
These are tough times financially and emotionally. Maybe we need to install more water coolers at work and try again to make comedy truly funny.
In truth, my humor may be stuck in the 40's. Radio comedy was big in our house growing up. It included Amos & Andy, because we were of a different generation and still naively unaware that what we were laughing at was prejudicial against an entire race of people.
Hopefully, the advent of B.E.T television clarified the assumption.
It was a different time and much of the humor those days has not translated well to that of our present generation. Listening to some of the old comedy show tapes suggests that what we found to be funny was actually kind of amateurish.
There were exceptions. When listning to an old Fibber McGee and Molly recently.I found Fibber's defense of the weather being extremely cold to be vaguely familiar. When asked how cold it was, he stated, "It is so cold that I saw the snowman down at the department store blowing on his hands."
Apparently, the writers of Johnny Carson's tonight show felt it could be updated and included the premise in his response to Ed McMahon when questioned as to explaining, "How cold is it?".
It would take too long to go into all the radio comedy shows I found amusing as a child. Needless-to-say they included comedy entertainers such as Burns & Allen, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Red Skelton, and my alltime favorite, Fibber McGee and Molly.
These were two former vaudevillians, Jim & Marian Jordan, who were also husband and wife in real life.
The humor was easy going and lacked either the dirty language or the mean comments of many of today's successful comedians.
Molly's continuos use of the line "T'aint Funny McGee" was as well known as Fibber McGee's closet that poured various items down on McGee when he attempted to open the door.
I enjoyed the sound effects almost as much as the sound of breaking glass that followed the exclamation by former Pirate broadcaster Rosey Roswell following a homerun by the Pirates, "Open the window Aunt Minnie, here it comes!" - a line all us kids adopted when playing ball over at Atlantic Avenue School's playground with the short right field.
Fibber was the main character in a show that lasted from the 30's into the 50's.
The show stood out for me as it included many characters and was the precursor of todays successful situation comedy shows. The actors who portrayed the characters, such as Harold Perry, Gale
Gordon and others survived radio and were star character performers on TV.
The premise of Fibber McGee and Molly was simple and usually took place entirely in the McGee's living room where the various characters, mostly alleged neighbors, made a regular appearance.
They included Wallace Wimple, a hen-pecked husband who was constantly dominated and battered by his never seen spouse,
Cornelia, to whom he referred as "Sweetieface" and/or his "big ol wife".
The part was played by Bill Thompson, who was also "The Old Timer" a hearing challenged senior citizen who coined the popular phrase, "That ain't the way I heared it!"
Another character actor, Richard LeGrand created the part of Ole Swenson, a Swedish-born janitor at the Elks Club and who later became Mr. Peavey on the Great Gildesleeve. Ole complained a lot that he was "joost donatin' my time." (another gem)
There was also another character referred to alternately as "Sis" and "Little girl", who was voiced by Marian Jordan. Her catchphrase was that of ending her statements with the tagline, "I betcha."
I think I liked her most because of my Grandma Sullivans neighbor and close friend up in Wilmerding, Pa., Mrs. St. Clair, who drove me nuts as a kid by insisting on ending each sentence with the utterance, "So I did" or "So, I said.".
We have been stealing jokes, comedic techniques and one-liners since the beginning of time.
Puns and the stealing of malapropism infested humor from the style of Mrs. Malaprop", a character in Sheridan's classic, "The Rivals."
were employed in the 40's and continue to be a great source of simple humor - including the popular NCIS.
The lines and sayings of the characters on FM & M became part of this nations vernacular in the same way that TV stars Milton Berle's "MAKEUP!", Gleasons,"And, awaay we go!" & "Someday Alice - right to the Moon!", and Flip Wilson's, "The Devil made me do it" stuck with generations that survived the humor of the 40's.
There were fewer of us in the 40's but we were still more than willing to highjack these catch phrases and employ them at just about any moment in time.
The idea of including homemade characters on radio was adopted by local Pittsburgh morning drive time host, Rege Cordic, who with the imagination of Bob Trow and Karl Hardman, developed such favorites as "Louie The Garbage Man", "Brunhilda", "Omicron", "Big Ube & Little Ube" and Carmen Monoxide, a champion punster.
As Junior High kids we weren't allowed to stand around the water cooler and recite lines from Cordic & Company due to the always present hall monitors - so we wandered off to the bathrooms instead.
But, guaranteed, Dad and his work cronies were probably standing around the coke machine at Beadling Motors on Wednesday mornings, repeating their favorite jokes or lines from the previous nights Texaco sponsored Berle show.
These are tough times financially and emotionally. Maybe we need to install more water coolers at work and try again to make comedy truly funny.
Friday, October 28, 2011
THE AMAZING "SIXTH"
As a sports fan I most often attribute the term "sixth" to being a referral to "the sixth man" in basketball.
That's the guy who comes off the bench - usually early in the game -and performs so well you wonder why he's not a member of the starting five. John Havlicek, early in his career with the Boston Celtics, is a classic example.
However, the term "Sixth" may now forever be associated with last nights World Series game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers.
One of the quotes I read on-line today said that most of the players in the game - won in dramatic fashion by St. Louis in the bottom of the 11th- expressed a belief that this was the best Series game of all time.
Bill Mazerowski may disagree.
But, even Maz would have to admit this game was one for the ages.
It was filled with errors that heretofore were most closely associated with defensive play at either a Little League, or perhaps, Pony League play.
It was a tough call as to whom I was rooting for as the game bounced back and forth with the sloppy fielding and clutch hitting.
I was watching the "Sixth" in the living room at home after a rather long day that included one more doctors visit and an evening spent with friends.
I had ordered take-out and, despite all the advice of nutritionists, was devouring it as I watched the game.
Phyl and the Chihuahua were busy sawing logs in the back of the house. Apparently I became jealous of their comfort level while I strained to keep my eyes open. That happens to old people a lot.
But, Sony and Brighthouse to the rescue. I simply hit the record button and went on my way to join Phyl and the dog in Dreamland.
The secret to using this modern day recording trick is to avoid any news about the results of the game via next mornings newspaper.
In my case this is not difficult as I skip the local paper, and rely on my USA Today,that is conveniently delivered to our door around 3 or 4 A.M.
This is a great newspaper in my opinion.
The flip side, however, is my conclusion that they should change their motto from "The Nations Newspaper" to one that declares: "Yesterdays Sporting Results - Tomorrow".
Thus, there was no need to fear my paper would reveal the results of the game - until Monday - as they don't publish on Saturday.
So, I sat back down in my recliner this a.m. and turned on the tape.
The players were at least half right. What I was able to watch was indeed exciting, replete with the above mentioned errors and clutch hits.
What was not half-right for this old guy was the game from the bottom of the sixth on.
For, it was about that time my Brighthouse cable people who foolishly assumed a baseball game - with as many commercials as playing time - would conclude at exactly three hours - and turned off my precious recording of the event.
My congratulations to all of you baseball fans who had the stamina and will power that I sorely lacked.
Or, at the very least, had the requisite smarts that told them it might be best to also record the show subsequent to the showing of their sporting event.
Something I definitely plan to do this evening in case this old
f--t doesn't make it through the "Seventh" game either.
But, just in case - please don't call me tomorrow morning.
.
That's the guy who comes off the bench - usually early in the game -and performs so well you wonder why he's not a member of the starting five. John Havlicek, early in his career with the Boston Celtics, is a classic example.
However, the term "Sixth" may now forever be associated with last nights World Series game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers.
One of the quotes I read on-line today said that most of the players in the game - won in dramatic fashion by St. Louis in the bottom of the 11th- expressed a belief that this was the best Series game of all time.
Bill Mazerowski may disagree.
But, even Maz would have to admit this game was one for the ages.
It was filled with errors that heretofore were most closely associated with defensive play at either a Little League, or perhaps, Pony League play.
It was a tough call as to whom I was rooting for as the game bounced back and forth with the sloppy fielding and clutch hitting.
I was watching the "Sixth" in the living room at home after a rather long day that included one more doctors visit and an evening spent with friends.
I had ordered take-out and, despite all the advice of nutritionists, was devouring it as I watched the game.
Phyl and the Chihuahua were busy sawing logs in the back of the house. Apparently I became jealous of their comfort level while I strained to keep my eyes open. That happens to old people a lot.
But, Sony and Brighthouse to the rescue. I simply hit the record button and went on my way to join Phyl and the dog in Dreamland.
The secret to using this modern day recording trick is to avoid any news about the results of the game via next mornings newspaper.
In my case this is not difficult as I skip the local paper, and rely on my USA Today,that is conveniently delivered to our door around 3 or 4 A.M.
This is a great newspaper in my opinion.
The flip side, however, is my conclusion that they should change their motto from "The Nations Newspaper" to one that declares: "Yesterdays Sporting Results - Tomorrow".
Thus, there was no need to fear my paper would reveal the results of the game - until Monday - as they don't publish on Saturday.
So, I sat back down in my recliner this a.m. and turned on the tape.
The players were at least half right. What I was able to watch was indeed exciting, replete with the above mentioned errors and clutch hits.
What was not half-right for this old guy was the game from the bottom of the sixth on.
For, it was about that time my Brighthouse cable people who foolishly assumed a baseball game - with as many commercials as playing time - would conclude at exactly three hours - and turned off my precious recording of the event.
My congratulations to all of you baseball fans who had the stamina and will power that I sorely lacked.
Or, at the very least, had the requisite smarts that told them it might be best to also record the show subsequent to the showing of their sporting event.
Something I definitely plan to do this evening in case this old
f--t doesn't make it through the "Seventh" game either.
But, just in case - please don't call me tomorrow morning.
.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
JAZZING WITH JAMAL
Simple pleasures are often the most fun.
One of mine is music. Others include the Anna Maria beach upon which, in solitude, I have both walked and prayed late at night. The sounds of the waves can be incredibly soothing.
Another pleasure is writing this blog. It gives me an opportunity to share various parts of my life and beliefs as well as the chance to deliver some cautionary messages.
Today, let's concentrate on music - specifically the piano style of Ahmad Jamal, who grew up early on in Pittsburgh a/k/a Fritzy Jones.
I run hot and cold on listening steadily to either jazz or classical music. Both styles are in ample supply in every nook and cranny I can find to store same in our modest home. I call it "Music on Demand".
Our early decision to close in and extend our lanaii another ten feet resulted in one of the best acoustically friendly rooms in which to listen to great music.
I chose to pass on purchasing some of the more sophisticated music components out there today. I continue to rely on my ancient Sansui receiver, a couple of large (34 x 17") Advent floor speakers and a crisp Sony CD player.
In the back room - a less musically friendly location, I augment the above components via a remote switch with a couple of midsized Bose bookshelf speakers that are wired into the Sansui and mounted above eye level on a couple of storage cabinets.
This operation allows us to fulfill our desire to listen to music in a more humble manner as we sit on our small back porch or work in the yard.
I am indeed a music buff. On one of the coldest nights in Harrisburg history, Brother Jim agreed to work with me to pre-wire my three story home, crossing beams, and climbing rickety hand built ladders,in order to beat the builder who was about to start insulating same the next day. The result was an access to music in just about every room of the house.
Listening to music - particularly jazz - requires good speakers - often referred to as "usually the weakest link in your sound system".
By dint of the equipment combination above we are able to actually hear the subtle brushes of the drummer and the soft spoken melodic cleverness of an experienced bassist - electric or acoustic. We favor the latter.
My interest in jazz may have begun with my attendance at Grove City College in 1955 when Errol Garners group was performing live many of the tunes on his just released classic album "Concert By The Sea".
It was further intensified by my introduction to the various time changes of Brubeck via a guy who lived at the end of my dorm hall - and had a penchant for playing his records at top decibel volume.
This morning I was in a light classical mood. That was until our dog Bella loudly protested the opening strains from what I always thought was a great early morning mood setter - a classical collection entitled "Teatime with Tchaikovsky".
The Chihuahua strongly disagreed.
So, the music was switched to a CD on Chess records (GRD-803) entitled "Ahmads Blues" - a collection originally recorded on analog tape that was re-stored and slightly upgraded from the Ahmad Jamal's Trio 1958 appearance at the Spotlite Club in D.C.
The producers, who included musical genius Dave Grusin, wisely opted to retain the music order of the 16 songs included in the original two set performance.
Here, Ahmad's incredibly inventive piano style is strengthened by his two sidemen, Israel Crosby, once a a bass player with Fletcher Henderson, as well as the amazing drummer, Vernel Fournier, who was part of a Teddy Wilson group before joining Jamal.
Some folks find only smooth jazz to be pleasureable.
So, an early warning. Jamal may not be for everyone - particularly those that embrace only the tangential jazz sound. Ahmad has been known to stretch the box a little at times and can sound repetetive.
However, he follows a very simple principle - espoused by Dave Brubeck - who described one of the secrets of his success as: "If you state the melody in the first chorus, then people will allow you the freedom to improvise the melody."
Jamal is a master at this technique - using improvisations from other tunes - including even a few bars from the beginning of the last segment of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture", a classical favorite.
My favorite version of the latter was at a 4th of July celebration on the Savannah Riverfront. The Savannah Orchestra's brilliant performance was magnified by the addition of both fireworks and cannons.
After first becoming a fan of the Jamal group, I would play various tunes from his fabulous album: "But Not For Me." in order to help a good friend of mine, Larry Kosanovich. Larry was just starting his jazz education and was anxious to learn more about the music form.
The object of our game was for Larry to listen - much like a "Name That Tune" contestant - in order to see how long it would take for him to correctly identify the standard that Jamal was improvising.
Larry was a "quick study" - as it was not always a simple task.
I enjoy sharing my favorite jazz tunes and performers. I introduced Brother Tom to the Ramsey Lewis Trio at The Crawford Grill, up in Pittsburgh's Hill district. We also travelled to Manhattan where we took in a couple of Buddy Greco sets at the old Basin Street East club
Tom's interest in jazz really took off and may have even become a little more adventurous than my own.
Chess records incorporated on CD much of Jamal's "But Not For Me", recorded at the Pershing. The album was on the top jazz list for about 107 weeks. The Chess CD is entitled "Ahmad Jamal At His Very Best"" (PCD-2-1244), and added a few songs from other performances.
Included in this collection are some of Jamal's "Greatest Hits" featuring "Night Mist Blues", "Surrey With The Fringe On Top", "Poinciana", "Like Someone In Love" and the album title tune.
If you're not already a "true" jazz fan, but enjoy a pleasurable but at first challenging jazz version of America's standards, you may wish to give both CD's a listen.
Now the cautionary note. Like walking and praying on a beach it's often best done in solitude.
One of mine is music. Others include the Anna Maria beach upon which, in solitude, I have both walked and prayed late at night. The sounds of the waves can be incredibly soothing.
Another pleasure is writing this blog. It gives me an opportunity to share various parts of my life and beliefs as well as the chance to deliver some cautionary messages.
Today, let's concentrate on music - specifically the piano style of Ahmad Jamal, who grew up early on in Pittsburgh a/k/a Fritzy Jones.
I run hot and cold on listening steadily to either jazz or classical music. Both styles are in ample supply in every nook and cranny I can find to store same in our modest home. I call it "Music on Demand".
Our early decision to close in and extend our lanaii another ten feet resulted in one of the best acoustically friendly rooms in which to listen to great music.
I chose to pass on purchasing some of the more sophisticated music components out there today. I continue to rely on my ancient Sansui receiver, a couple of large (34 x 17") Advent floor speakers and a crisp Sony CD player.
In the back room - a less musically friendly location, I augment the above components via a remote switch with a couple of midsized Bose bookshelf speakers that are wired into the Sansui and mounted above eye level on a couple of storage cabinets.
This operation allows us to fulfill our desire to listen to music in a more humble manner as we sit on our small back porch or work in the yard.
I am indeed a music buff. On one of the coldest nights in Harrisburg history, Brother Jim agreed to work with me to pre-wire my three story home, crossing beams, and climbing rickety hand built ladders,in order to beat the builder who was about to start insulating same the next day. The result was an access to music in just about every room of the house.
Listening to music - particularly jazz - requires good speakers - often referred to as "usually the weakest link in your sound system".
By dint of the equipment combination above we are able to actually hear the subtle brushes of the drummer and the soft spoken melodic cleverness of an experienced bassist - electric or acoustic. We favor the latter.
My interest in jazz may have begun with my attendance at Grove City College in 1955 when Errol Garners group was performing live many of the tunes on his just released classic album "Concert By The Sea".
It was further intensified by my introduction to the various time changes of Brubeck via a guy who lived at the end of my dorm hall - and had a penchant for playing his records at top decibel volume.
This morning I was in a light classical mood. That was until our dog Bella loudly protested the opening strains from what I always thought was a great early morning mood setter - a classical collection entitled "Teatime with Tchaikovsky".
The Chihuahua strongly disagreed.
So, the music was switched to a CD on Chess records (GRD-803) entitled "Ahmads Blues" - a collection originally recorded on analog tape that was re-stored and slightly upgraded from the Ahmad Jamal's Trio 1958 appearance at the Spotlite Club in D.C.
The producers, who included musical genius Dave Grusin, wisely opted to retain the music order of the 16 songs included in the original two set performance.
Here, Ahmad's incredibly inventive piano style is strengthened by his two sidemen, Israel Crosby, once a a bass player with Fletcher Henderson, as well as the amazing drummer, Vernel Fournier, who was part of a Teddy Wilson group before joining Jamal.
Some folks find only smooth jazz to be pleasureable.
So, an early warning. Jamal may not be for everyone - particularly those that embrace only the tangential jazz sound. Ahmad has been known to stretch the box a little at times and can sound repetetive.
However, he follows a very simple principle - espoused by Dave Brubeck - who described one of the secrets of his success as: "If you state the melody in the first chorus, then people will allow you the freedom to improvise the melody."
Jamal is a master at this technique - using improvisations from other tunes - including even a few bars from the beginning of the last segment of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture", a classical favorite.
My favorite version of the latter was at a 4th of July celebration on the Savannah Riverfront. The Savannah Orchestra's brilliant performance was magnified by the addition of both fireworks and cannons.
After first becoming a fan of the Jamal group, I would play various tunes from his fabulous album: "But Not For Me." in order to help a good friend of mine, Larry Kosanovich. Larry was just starting his jazz education and was anxious to learn more about the music form.
The object of our game was for Larry to listen - much like a "Name That Tune" contestant - in order to see how long it would take for him to correctly identify the standard that Jamal was improvising.
Larry was a "quick study" - as it was not always a simple task.
I enjoy sharing my favorite jazz tunes and performers. I introduced Brother Tom to the Ramsey Lewis Trio at The Crawford Grill, up in Pittsburgh's Hill district. We also travelled to Manhattan where we took in a couple of Buddy Greco sets at the old Basin Street East club
Tom's interest in jazz really took off and may have even become a little more adventurous than my own.
Chess records incorporated on CD much of Jamal's "But Not For Me", recorded at the Pershing. The album was on the top jazz list for about 107 weeks. The Chess CD is entitled "Ahmad Jamal At His Very Best"" (PCD-2-1244), and added a few songs from other performances.
Included in this collection are some of Jamal's "Greatest Hits" featuring "Night Mist Blues", "Surrey With The Fringe On Top", "Poinciana", "Like Someone In Love" and the album title tune.
If you're not already a "true" jazz fan, but enjoy a pleasurable but at first challenging jazz version of America's standards, you may wish to give both CD's a listen.
Now the cautionary note. Like walking and praying on a beach it's often best done in solitude.
Friday, October 21, 2011
FAMILY
I'm struggling with both writers block and a lack of energy to complete a blog - now in storage.
The subject is that of comparing the concepts of predestination and free will- one that probably will not be of interest to any of this bloggers readers - but, continues to fascinate me.
Therefore, this A.M., I paused to enjoy a CD from Brother Tom. The closing notes of a Stan Kenton production now waft around my small front office as I attempt another blog about family.
Nice way to enjoy a chilly Friday morning. Retirement is great - not just for me - but my wife who is recently retired. We find a lot more time to talk about everything - and nothing.
Early last evening we were healing our wounds after helping the economy at a local Cadillac dealer to the tune of about $1600 - one more reminder of the expense side of a good 2 1/2 month vacation.
We commiserated at, of all places, Hooters - located just down the road from the Caddy dealer, a good place to enjoy some Mondavi Pinot Grigio. ("You go Mr. Getz!". Oops, was lulled away by Stan Getz's mellow version of "Early Autumn")
Wife Phyl and I discussed everything from cabbage to kings - including my lifelong disdain for sauerkraut.
Primarily though, as we often do, we talked about our five kids and their families. We recently spent 2 1/2 months with my three and their progeny of nine.
These are the grandchildren with whom we had passing sight of as they moved from place to place at whatever family affair we visited. You sort of enjoyed them in bits and pieces with a few serious discussions interspersed. A good mix.
When you haven't been around kids for so long, that was fine with us - and we do love them dearly even if we were slightly overwhelmed at times.
We admit to having looked forward to a long but enjoyable weekend with Phyl's youngest, Tad, up in Baltimore. Tad is not married and is sans kids.
Tad's hosting skills are superb and include spurts of conversation infused with periods of just sitting and saying nothing.The man certainly does enjoy cooking new recipes along side his Mom.
Ethan "the elder" son and his wife Jen, now residing in Atlanta, have honored Phyl with her only biological grandson - a great little guy who responds readily to anything that sounds like Liam - his given name.
My three - in chronological order - Bruce, Michael, and Beth have always been a delight and true gifts from God. Phyl feels similarly about her two guys.
Both are enjoying careers with good compensation and job satisfaction and are moving up the ranks in their respective professions.
Our time in Pgh gave us a long overdue opportunity to visit and, for this old guy, to watch in amazement the growth and maturity of my kids.
As always, Michael, who seems to work 8 days a week got the least of our attention. It never detracts from my appreciation of him - a truly unique guy who may not have an enemy in the world.
(Sorry, was temporarily sidetracked once more while listening to Brubeck and Desmond do their thing.)
Anyway, we spoke a lot last evening about Bruce and Patties struggles with the big C - and how amazingly they are dealing with it. This challenge and it's intensity matches the personalities and strong will of both of them.
So far the only dispute they seem to have had during Patties recouperation is how many dishes should remain unwashed in the sink.
This is not my first blog on family. I recently cited their lives, parenting styles, and conquests as my legacy in a previous blog.
I sometimes wonder what a married couple, who have not been blessed with children and grandchildren, find to talk about - with or without wine.
I know that sounds silly - and more than a little self-serving- but I also admit that this subject is often the focus of many of our conversations, and seems to serve as a foundation for a good bond.
(Oooh, got to get back to that jazz. Miles is getting it on with his smooth version of "It Never Entered My Mind" - and Lady Day is about to do her famous treatment of "God Bless the Child" - one of my favorite tunes.)
Life is good.
The subject is that of comparing the concepts of predestination and free will- one that probably will not be of interest to any of this bloggers readers - but, continues to fascinate me.
Therefore, this A.M., I paused to enjoy a CD from Brother Tom. The closing notes of a Stan Kenton production now waft around my small front office as I attempt another blog about family.
Nice way to enjoy a chilly Friday morning. Retirement is great - not just for me - but my wife who is recently retired. We find a lot more time to talk about everything - and nothing.
Early last evening we were healing our wounds after helping the economy at a local Cadillac dealer to the tune of about $1600 - one more reminder of the expense side of a good 2 1/2 month vacation.
We commiserated at, of all places, Hooters - located just down the road from the Caddy dealer, a good place to enjoy some Mondavi Pinot Grigio. ("You go Mr. Getz!". Oops, was lulled away by Stan Getz's mellow version of "Early Autumn")
Wife Phyl and I discussed everything from cabbage to kings - including my lifelong disdain for sauerkraut.
Primarily though, as we often do, we talked about our five kids and their families. We recently spent 2 1/2 months with my three and their progeny of nine.
These are the grandchildren with whom we had passing sight of as they moved from place to place at whatever family affair we visited. You sort of enjoyed them in bits and pieces with a few serious discussions interspersed. A good mix.
When you haven't been around kids for so long, that was fine with us - and we do love them dearly even if we were slightly overwhelmed at times.
We admit to having looked forward to a long but enjoyable weekend with Phyl's youngest, Tad, up in Baltimore. Tad is not married and is sans kids.
Tad's hosting skills are superb and include spurts of conversation infused with periods of just sitting and saying nothing.The man certainly does enjoy cooking new recipes along side his Mom.
Ethan "the elder" son and his wife Jen, now residing in Atlanta, have honored Phyl with her only biological grandson - a great little guy who responds readily to anything that sounds like Liam - his given name.
My three - in chronological order - Bruce, Michael, and Beth have always been a delight and true gifts from God. Phyl feels similarly about her two guys.
Both are enjoying careers with good compensation and job satisfaction and are moving up the ranks in their respective professions.
Our time in Pgh gave us a long overdue opportunity to visit and, for this old guy, to watch in amazement the growth and maturity of my kids.
As always, Michael, who seems to work 8 days a week got the least of our attention. It never detracts from my appreciation of him - a truly unique guy who may not have an enemy in the world.
(Sorry, was temporarily sidetracked once more while listening to Brubeck and Desmond do their thing.)
Anyway, we spoke a lot last evening about Bruce and Patties struggles with the big C - and how amazingly they are dealing with it. This challenge and it's intensity matches the personalities and strong will of both of them.
So far the only dispute they seem to have had during Patties recouperation is how many dishes should remain unwashed in the sink.
This is not my first blog on family. I recently cited their lives, parenting styles, and conquests as my legacy in a previous blog.
I sometimes wonder what a married couple, who have not been blessed with children and grandchildren, find to talk about - with or without wine.
I know that sounds silly - and more than a little self-serving- but I also admit that this subject is often the focus of many of our conversations, and seems to serve as a foundation for a good bond.
(Oooh, got to get back to that jazz. Miles is getting it on with his smooth version of "It Never Entered My Mind" - and Lady Day is about to do her famous treatment of "God Bless the Child" - one of my favorite tunes.)
Life is good.
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