Rating: NSS
The first time it happened was in college. I was visiting a friend's room and the TV was on but muted; music was playing on the sound system (I don't recall if it was radio, CD, or other). Then it happened--the television show went to commercial and the music playing happened to synchronize. The song and the commercial fit together quite well, and those of us in the room happened to notice. The one commercial ended and the next began, but the music still fit. The commercial was an airline commercial. As the song came to an end, a person in the commercial struck the cymbals dramatically above his/her head. We all laughed at how seamless the picture and music had been.
This incident has happened again more than once. It's been in mostly restaurants where there are televisions on and background music. It hasn't been as dramatic as that day in the dorms, until today.
I was in a restaurant today when a Diet Coke commerical came on. The music fit so unbelievably well that if I hadn't known in advance that it was background music, I would not have known it was not the music for the commerical.
It has me wondering: is this merely a coincidence when it happens, or is it that there is something about pop culture that makes visual/auditory fit together well, or is it that we have been conditioned by the media culture where our mind automatically makes the connection for us? It is just something that makes me go hmmm. . .
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Everything on a Stick
It's happing now and I'm missing it! The greatest event of the summer, and I am taunted by the realization that even though it continues for the next week. I was taunted yesterday by the radio--or at least the computer broadcast, as The Morning Show broadcasted live from there. I was going to go, but it was blocked by the Republicans--at least their convention.
What is this place, you ask, this event, this not-to-be-missed spectacle of food, fun, people, wonder, and awe? It's the State Fair of all State Fairs, of course. Some say it's not the greatest in the country, some say it's too expensive, too crowded, too--whatever. I say bring it on!
Food on a stick? Sure! Live TV broadcasts? Yeah! Getting to see your favorite radio show live? Of course! Animals, baby animals, midway games, barfelous rides, every 4-H project imaginable, free entertainment, chocolate chip cookies in a bucket, ethnic handicrafts, display upon building of display? Yes siree! What is a better way to spend a summer day than at the fair? Sigh.
Did I mention the butter sculptures?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Guess What--You’re NOT Entitled
Rating: S
Our newspaper has rotating advice columns in the “Everyday” section. Today it had Miss Manners, Dr. Donohue (for some reason that one never rotates), and Annie’s Mailbox. Annie apparently went to her mailbox to publish responses to the question of why men have affairs. Read the article in its entirety—it’s enough to vex anyone. Here are some quotes from married men around the country: “. . .it’s all emotion and hormones.” “The problem is sex. . .I found relief with a woman in my office. The sex is passionate and varied.” “She never made me feel important.” “When a young gal paid me some attention, it boosted my self-esteem like you would not believe.” “I am in the process of finding a woman I can have a physical relationship with.” “Every few months I pay $150 for an hour with someone who takes care of me and doesn’t tell me I’m wrong about everything. That hour lifts my self-esteem so I can continue in the marriage.”
Wow. Bad grammar aside (a preposition is not something to end a sentence with), these guys should have their man licenses revoked. Real men don’t whine about self-esteem. Real men wake up and realize that married life is not all about being young, virile, and sexy. Real men take seriously the vows of “for better and for worse” and “forsaking all others.” You’re not entitled to have a wife that fulfills your every whim. If you don’t like the situation, here’s a novel idea—try talking to her. Get some marriage counseling if you feel you can’t deal with it. Don’t give up on her and walk away. That’s why our society is falling apart. People think everything is supposed to be idyllic and hearts and flowers. They have to persistence when life gets rough. So guys, be men and take care of your women. They need you more than you think.
If marriage shows us how Christ relates to his bride, the Church, thank God Christ doesn’t give up on us when the chips are down, or we would have been condemned long ago.
Our newspaper has rotating advice columns in the “Everyday” section. Today it had Miss Manners, Dr. Donohue (for some reason that one never rotates), and Annie’s Mailbox. Annie apparently went to her mailbox to publish responses to the question of why men have affairs. Read the article in its entirety—it’s enough to vex anyone. Here are some quotes from married men around the country: “. . .it’s all emotion and hormones.” “The problem is sex. . .I found relief with a woman in my office. The sex is passionate and varied.” “She never made me feel important.” “When a young gal paid me some attention, it boosted my self-esteem like you would not believe.” “I am in the process of finding a woman I can have a physical relationship with.” “Every few months I pay $150 for an hour with someone who takes care of me and doesn’t tell me I’m wrong about everything. That hour lifts my self-esteem so I can continue in the marriage.”
Wow. Bad grammar aside (a preposition is not something to end a sentence with), these guys should have their man licenses revoked. Real men don’t whine about self-esteem. Real men wake up and realize that married life is not all about being young, virile, and sexy. Real men take seriously the vows of “for better and for worse” and “forsaking all others.” You’re not entitled to have a wife that fulfills your every whim. If you don’t like the situation, here’s a novel idea—try talking to her. Get some marriage counseling if you feel you can’t deal with it. Don’t give up on her and walk away. That’s why our society is falling apart. People think everything is supposed to be idyllic and hearts and flowers. They have to persistence when life gets rough. So guys, be men and take care of your women. They need you more than you think.
If marriage shows us how Christ relates to his bride, the Church, thank God Christ doesn’t give up on us when the chips are down, or we would have been condemned long ago.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Clothing Wars
Rating: MS
I read an article in the Lifestyle section of this morning's paper entitled "Grandma, tween debate clothes." It talked about a grandmother who took her 9-year-old granddaughter clothes shopping. The article spoke of the two trying to come to some sort of mutual agreement when it comes to purchasing clothing that is a compromise between the child's style and the grandparent's allowability (if that's a word).
There were a few lines in this article which stuck out--"sexed-up tween fashions" and "Often, the kids have a stronger say in the purchase"--but one sentence really struck me: "Which is not to say that parents should impose draconian standards that strip any individuality or experimentation out of their child's control." Perish forbid.
[Okay, I admit, I had to look up draconian first because all I could think of was the character Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter books--draconian means "excessively harsh" in terms of laws.] Yes, the studies show that parents who are extreme in being too strict or too lax will have problems controlling their children. The children with too many rules will rebel, the ones with not enough rules will never learn better. That's aside from the point.
Any parent reading the line about not stripping individuality will read into that as "don't tell your kid what to do." No. . . Love and Logic talks about shared control. Sure, give your child a chance to pick out what he/she wants to purchase to wear; just remember, you're the mommy or the daddy and you have veto power. You, as a parent, have the right--not to mention the responsibility--to say, "no way."
Maybe the easiest way to solve back-to-school-shopping woes is to encourage your school to invest in uniforms. They're cheaper, cover more than some of the trendy fashions, and contribute to a better learning environment.
I read an article in the Lifestyle section of this morning's paper entitled "Grandma, tween debate clothes." It talked about a grandmother who took her 9-year-old granddaughter clothes shopping. The article spoke of the two trying to come to some sort of mutual agreement when it comes to purchasing clothing that is a compromise between the child's style and the grandparent's allowability (if that's a word).
There were a few lines in this article which stuck out--"sexed-up tween fashions" and "Often, the kids have a stronger say in the purchase"--but one sentence really struck me: "Which is not to say that parents should impose draconian standards that strip any individuality or experimentation out of their child's control." Perish forbid.
[Okay, I admit, I had to look up draconian first because all I could think of was the character Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter books--draconian means "excessively harsh" in terms of laws.] Yes, the studies show that parents who are extreme in being too strict or too lax will have problems controlling their children. The children with too many rules will rebel, the ones with not enough rules will never learn better. That's aside from the point.
Any parent reading the line about not stripping individuality will read into that as "don't tell your kid what to do." No. . . Love and Logic talks about shared control. Sure, give your child a chance to pick out what he/she wants to purchase to wear; just remember, you're the mommy or the daddy and you have veto power. You, as a parent, have the right--not to mention the responsibility--to say, "no way."
Maybe the easiest way to solve back-to-school-shopping woes is to encourage your school to invest in uniforms. They're cheaper, cover more than some of the trendy fashions, and contribute to a better learning environment.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Little House the Musical
Rating: NSS
It seems as though there is a new musical for the old (and not so old stories) these days. There’s one for the Wicked Witch of the West, one for Mary Poppins, even one for Elle Woods and her trip to Harvard; therefore, it is no surprise that there is a Little House on the Prairie musical.
According to MPR, the show is doing well in Minnesota; again, no big surprise as Laura Ingalls Wilder is revered as a Minnesota author, even though she lived there for fewer than 10 years when she was young and did all her writing in Missouri. It was pretty clever of them to cast Melissa Gilbert as Ma. The musical’s creators plan to take it on tour before taking it to Broadway. If it comes to the Gateway City, I’d like to see it.
I wonder if any of the convention attendees will buy a ticket or two at Labor Day. . .the Guthrie is only on the other side of the river from the Xcel Center, you know.
It seems as though there is a new musical for the old (and not so old stories) these days. There’s one for the Wicked Witch of the West, one for Mary Poppins, even one for Elle Woods and her trip to Harvard; therefore, it is no surprise that there is a Little House on the Prairie musical.
According to MPR, the show is doing well in Minnesota; again, no big surprise as Laura Ingalls Wilder is revered as a Minnesota author, even though she lived there for fewer than 10 years when she was young and did all her writing in Missouri. It was pretty clever of them to cast Melissa Gilbert as Ma. The musical’s creators plan to take it on tour before taking it to Broadway. If it comes to the Gateway City, I’d like to see it.
I wonder if any of the convention attendees will buy a ticket or two at Labor Day. . .the Guthrie is only on the other side of the river from the Xcel Center, you know.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Don't it Seem That Way?
I think that some people I know would agree and wear the tee around me!
Check it and other interesting stuff at this fun-loving website. Remember: Don't take life too seriously--no one ever gets out alive!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Growing Older
Rating: NSS
Dave Barry says that there comes a time when you should stop expecting people to make a big deal over your birthday, and that time is 11. I stopped a long time ago, but I think I'm subconciously still hoping. I guess I've always been a little neurotic about my birthday--I think it's a birth order thing. (That and the fact that my grandparents always left town about the time of my birthday every year when I was younger.)
Dave Barry says that there comes a time when you should stop expecting people to make a big deal over your birthday, and that time is 11. I stopped a long time ago, but I think I'm subconciously still hoping. I guess I've always been a little neurotic about my birthday--I think it's a birth order thing. (That and the fact that my grandparents always left town about the time of my birthday every year when I was younger.)
I turned 30 with much kicking and screaming, figuratively, that is. I don't like getting older, thank you society, so being past 30 is not a treat for me. They say it's better than the alternative, but I don't know. I liked the book The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I just can't imagine it being made into a movie.
I've given up cake anyway; it's not on my diet--that isn't to say that I won't use my free Coldstone coupon, let's not get ridiculous. I just don't expect certain siblings to call, that's all. Oh well--we can't always get what we want; otherwise I would have my Darth Tater by now. . .
Friday, August 8, 2008
Where is that?
Rating: MS/NSS
I am watching the parade of nations in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. I have the globe at hand, looking up the countries as they come in. That must mean I am a visual person. I sometimes have to rely on the little globe on the bottom of the screen, or I listen to the commentators explain where the country is if it is an obscure one. But now I know where Vanuatu is; likewise, I know that Mauritania and Mauritius are not near each other. Who says Americans don't know their geography? Now maybe I'll go to the great state of Chicago--it's capital is Illinois--I know this because the sign on I-44 says "Downdown Illinois."
I am watching the parade of nations in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. I have the globe at hand, looking up the countries as they come in. That must mean I am a visual person. I sometimes have to rely on the little globe on the bottom of the screen, or I listen to the commentators explain where the country is if it is an obscure one. But now I know where Vanuatu is; likewise, I know that Mauritania and Mauritius are not near each other. Who says Americans don't know their geography? Now maybe I'll go to the great state of Chicago--it's capital is Illinois--I know this because the sign on I-44 says "Downdown Illinois."
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Whose Space?
Rating: MS
Warning: I'm feeling ornery. You've been duly warned.
I'm not going to comment on the My Space suicide (although I guess I sort of just did). I am a Facebook user myself, and I do not have a My Space account. This is only because I don't want the hassle of keeping track of two such accounts. I keep up with many people through Facebook--former students, high school/college friends, people from church--and I find out much about them. When a former student announces an engagement or pregnancy, I'm happy for them (unless they are too young to get married or unwed and shouldn't be pregnant--but that's another blog for another day).
Then my husband happened to set up a My Space account, primarily because of his job. He happened to stumble across the fact that I'm going to have a new niece or nephew. Here's the thing, I don't mind finding out such news by computer. I don't mind finding out such news about far-away friends by Facebook. I DO mind finding such things out about family by accident. I wonder how long it might have been before they told me if I didn't happen to see the post and search for the answer.
Here's the advice part (you knew it would come): Do the right thing and tell your family yourself. Don't let them happen to stumble across it, and don't forget how to spell assume when you assume they'll find out via family grapevine.
Warning: I'm feeling ornery. You've been duly warned.
I'm not going to comment on the My Space suicide (although I guess I sort of just did). I am a Facebook user myself, and I do not have a My Space account. This is only because I don't want the hassle of keeping track of two such accounts. I keep up with many people through Facebook--former students, high school/college friends, people from church--and I find out much about them. When a former student announces an engagement or pregnancy, I'm happy for them (unless they are too young to get married or unwed and shouldn't be pregnant--but that's another blog for another day).
Then my husband happened to set up a My Space account, primarily because of his job. He happened to stumble across the fact that I'm going to have a new niece or nephew. Here's the thing, I don't mind finding out such news by computer. I don't mind finding out such news about far-away friends by Facebook. I DO mind finding such things out about family by accident. I wonder how long it might have been before they told me if I didn't happen to see the post and search for the answer.
Here's the advice part (you knew it would come): Do the right thing and tell your family yourself. Don't let them happen to stumble across it, and don't forget how to spell assume when you assume they'll find out via family grapevine.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Huh?
Rating: NSS
I've heard the commercial twice now. It for a Brides Against Breast Cancer gown sale.
I think this is a nice idea. I just have one question about their commercial--at the end it says, "Help make a memory come true." Huh? A memory is remembering something that happened. How can it come true? It's a pretty-sounding platitude that takes ad jargon and organizes it in a way that makes a sentence.
This is the way advertising works. Who else caught that statement? Maybe we need to pay more attention to ads. Take the Sound Room universal remote commercial. The poor guy with multiple remotes has an utterly messy room. The guy with the universal remote has a tidy room. Hm. How it pulls us in when we're not paying attention. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Brides' gown sale or don't shop at the Sound Room. I'm saying that we need to think a little more about the sights and sounds aimed at us, getting us to buy.
I've heard the commercial twice now. It for a Brides Against Breast Cancer gown sale.
I think this is a nice idea. I just have one question about their commercial--at the end it says, "Help make a memory come true." Huh? A memory is remembering something that happened. How can it come true? It's a pretty-sounding platitude that takes ad jargon and organizes it in a way that makes a sentence.
This is the way advertising works. Who else caught that statement? Maybe we need to pay more attention to ads. Take the Sound Room universal remote commercial. The poor guy with multiple remotes has an utterly messy room. The guy with the universal remote has a tidy room. Hm. How it pulls us in when we're not paying attention. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Brides' gown sale or don't shop at the Sound Room. I'm saying that we need to think a little more about the sights and sounds aimed at us, getting us to buy.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Customer Care Advocates?
Rating: NSS
I had to place an order today, so I called the 800 number. I reached the usual “. . .thank you for calling our company. . .” message and then, of course, there were the touch-tone options following the welcome message. Option #2 was if I wished to speak to a “customer care advocate”. I waited for more options, and #3 was to place an order, so I pressed 3. Then I got hold music and a recorded voice said, “All advocates are busy; please hold.”
What is a “customer care advocate” anyway? I understand “customer”. It is a person who purchases a product from a business. I understand “care”. It is to take concern or interest in and acting accordingly. I understand “customer care”. It is a business taking concern or interest in a person who purchases a product from a business and said business acting accordingly.
I mostly understand “advocate”. It is either a person who stands for a cause, or a person who acts as a go-between to plead a cause for someone else. I don’t understand “customer care advocate”. Is it a person who stands for taking concern or interest and acting accordingly for a person who purchases a product for a company? Is it a person who goes between the business and the person who purchases a product from a business and the person makes sure the business takes concern and interest and acts accordingly toward that person who purchases a product from the business? Confused yet?
This is when fancy titles become obfuscatory. Trash men became garbage collectors became sanitation workers. Waiters and waitresses became wait staff became servers. Stewardesses became flight attendants.
I expect any employee of the company will take care of me, the customer—this is what is called customer service. Why does any employee need a title of advocate? Maybe they don’t realize that an employee who is engaged in customer service should care for their customers and work to take care of them. This is the problem with customer service today. Companies would rather give out fancy titles to give the impression of doing their business well, instead of actually doing such.
I had to place an order today, so I called the 800 number. I reached the usual “. . .thank you for calling our company. . .” message and then, of course, there were the touch-tone options following the welcome message. Option #2 was if I wished to speak to a “customer care advocate”. I waited for more options, and #3 was to place an order, so I pressed 3. Then I got hold music and a recorded voice said, “All advocates are busy; please hold.”
What is a “customer care advocate” anyway? I understand “customer”. It is a person who purchases a product from a business. I understand “care”. It is to take concern or interest in and acting accordingly. I understand “customer care”. It is a business taking concern or interest in a person who purchases a product from a business and said business acting accordingly.
I mostly understand “advocate”. It is either a person who stands for a cause, or a person who acts as a go-between to plead a cause for someone else. I don’t understand “customer care advocate”. Is it a person who stands for taking concern or interest and acting accordingly for a person who purchases a product for a company? Is it a person who goes between the business and the person who purchases a product from a business and the person makes sure the business takes concern and interest and acts accordingly toward that person who purchases a product from the business? Confused yet?
This is when fancy titles become obfuscatory. Trash men became garbage collectors became sanitation workers. Waiters and waitresses became wait staff became servers. Stewardesses became flight attendants.
I expect any employee of the company will take care of me, the customer—this is what is called customer service. Why does any employee need a title of advocate? Maybe they don’t realize that an employee who is engaged in customer service should care for their customers and work to take care of them. This is the problem with customer service today. Companies would rather give out fancy titles to give the impression of doing their business well, instead of actually doing such.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Local Protest is all in Fun
Rating: CNS (because sometimes you just gotta laugh)
So there will be a World Naked Bike Ride in St. Louis this weekend to protest rising oil prices and oil dependency. “Come as bare as you dare,” the organizers say, since there are some indecency laws that may be enforced by police who are willing to come close enough.
If you want to ride, it begins at Tower Grove Park at 9pm on Saturday. If you want to watch, and who wouldn’t?!, bring binoculars. The riders will be the lightish (or multicolored—if they participated in the pre-ride paintapalooza) blobs against a dark night. If you don’t have a bike, you may rollerblade or skateboard.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay is pleased to host this event. He says that while they mean well, their methods “should be looked at more closely”. I wish I could link you to the page from where the Mayor’s quote comes, but I heard it only on the radio news on 106.5 The Arch.
So for all you protesters, bicyclists, and clothing haters, come frolic and have the most fun you can have on wheels! We hope to see you out, especially if we are driving our gas-hogging SUVs, because it’s really hard to see bikes in the dark from up that high. . .
Oh yes, organizers remind all participants to wear helmets--safety first, folks!
So there will be a World Naked Bike Ride in St. Louis this weekend to protest rising oil prices and oil dependency. “Come as bare as you dare,” the organizers say, since there are some indecency laws that may be enforced by police who are willing to come close enough.
If you want to ride, it begins at Tower Grove Park at 9pm on Saturday. If you want to watch, and who wouldn’t?!, bring binoculars. The riders will be the lightish (or multicolored—if they participated in the pre-ride paintapalooza) blobs against a dark night. If you don’t have a bike, you may rollerblade or skateboard.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay is pleased to host this event. He says that while they mean well, their methods “should be looked at more closely”. I wish I could link you to the page from where the Mayor’s quote comes, but I heard it only on the radio news on 106.5 The Arch.
So for all you protesters, bicyclists, and clothing haters, come frolic and have the most fun you can have on wheels! We hope to see you out, especially if we are driving our gas-hogging SUVs, because it’s really hard to see bikes in the dark from up that high. . .
Oh yes, organizers remind all participants to wear helmets--safety first, folks!
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