Mr. Trouble, Mr. Van Dyke & Mr. Bennett

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130739954

I heard someone say, "I may never be happier than I am right now."    I had to agree with him at that moment.  I was listening to an interview of Dick Van Dyke on the radio program, "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me."  He's such an interesting guy and played such great characters over the years.

I was too young to watch the old Dick Van Dyke Show where he and Mary Tyler Moore broke into TV, but I've seen the re-runs of it.  It's incredibly funny because it was so well-written and the actors were such great performers.  Of course, there were also the Disney movies, "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

What brought me to my knees (figuratively, though -- because I was driving at the time), was finding out that the theme song to the Dick Van Dyke Show, which is a very familiar tune, has lyrics -- and he sang them for the audience.  Here they are (along with Peter Sagal's reaction):


MR. VAN DYKE:  (Singing)  So you think that you've got trouble, well trouble's a bubble, so tell old Mr. Trouble to get lost.  Why not hold your head up high and stop crying, start trying, and don't forget to keep your fingers crossed.  When you find the joy of living is loving and giving, you'll be there when the winning dice are tossed.  A smile is just a frown that's turned upside down, so smile and that frown will defrost.  And don't forget to keep your fingers crossed.

PETER SAGAL:  Bravo

SAGAL:  I may never be happier than I am right now. 

 

If you want to listen for yourself to the interview or just read it, I included the link.

And finally, tonight was the first game of the World Series.  I always associate the World Series with my birthday.  There has only been one year that the World Series was not played either on or around my birthday:  1994.  The major league players were on strike that year.  Thank goodness they are not on strike this year.

Anyway, I had to listen to the first part of the game on the radio as I was driving home from work (long, long day).  Lucky for me it was already on our TV when I walked in the door.  I didn't even stop to get the plate that had been saved for me from dinner.  I went straight to the sofa and the big screen.  The game itself was not so much fun, but man was the 7th Inning Stretch ever worth it.  Tony Bennett sang "God Bless America."
It was gorgeous, definitely bringing tears to my eyes.  I truly cannot remember when I've heard it sung better.  Yes, I've heard Ronan Tynan sing it at the Yankees games, and he does a fine rendition.  But Tony Bennett is a true American treasure.  And the man is 84 years old!

If that were not enough, Fox replayed Mr. Bennett's first-inning performance of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."  'Twas just the way for me to close the evening -- with a golden memory of San Francisco and a wonderful singer warming my heart.

Thank you, Mr. Bennett.  And Mr. Trouble, get lost. 

Points and Numbers

While I was on hold waiting for a conference call last week, I almost got lost in the music that played for those several minutes.  As I listened I remembered more and more about the piece, because it was one that  I played when I was in high school.  It was one of my favorites, a difficult piece (at least it was hard for me).    As I thought more about it I realized it was Rachmaninoff -- the Prelude in g minor.  Here is a link to someone on YouTube playing it (probably infinitely better than I ever could -- but I don't know that she ever enjoyed any more than I have).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QB7ugJnHgs&feature=related

If you take a moment to skip over and watch the performance and if you get lost in music, as do I, then maybe you will understand my unexpected pleasure when I got a few minutes to sit on hold and just do nothing except listen to that exquisite music.  A total gift for me alone.

See the thing about music is that it is all about numbers and how everything is related to each other.  They are notes on scales and they move around, in combination, creating harmony or contrast, and rhythm -- also about numbers and relation and space.  The ear hears it and the brain interprets it, sensing all sorts of things.  (I actually associate colors with certain keys -- but that's another story.  I've had discussions with other musicians about the topic, and apparently I'm not totally crazy.)

But numbers mean other things to people, too.  Sometimes people think that if there is an idea or belief that the majority of the people hold, then it must be true.  I do not subscribe to this notion; neither did Galileo, Copernicus, nor Columbus.  I am perfectly comfortable being in the minority when I believe I am right about something.  It may be that its time to be proven true has not yet come to pass.

When this really becomes important to me is in two areas.  The first is in individual rights that are -- and should be -- protected under the U.S. Constitution.  If we allowed people to vote on the rights of others, then only those those curried favor with the majority would ever be protected.  Unpopular minorities could be locked away forever.  The beauty of our Constitution and the wisdom of our Supreme Court have recognized that certain things should not be put to a vote.

The second area is religion and morality.  That, too, is not something that other people get a vote on or that is subject to what other people think.  Other people do not have a say, or to quote a wise child, "You're not the boss of me."  For too many people religion and morality is all about numbers and keeping score -- for other people.  They keep track of the injuries other people have inflicted on them, and of the shortcomings of their fellow humans.  I am not worried about the numbers when it comes to religion or morality.  They are irrelevant in my construct.  To my way of thinking The Supreme Being is an Immutable Force -- Never Changing.  If anyone needs to change, it is I.  I am not responsible for anyone else out there.

My change is not to go from any one point to any other point -- Point A to Point B, or even Point Z.  As Frankie put it, we are to go from Point A to Point God.  Well said, Sir.  Thank you for that nugget of gold. 

And I might add, that sermon was delivered by Frankie on 10.10.10, the mark of perfection in some judging guides.

Outsiders

 I had a totally different post in mind to write, but I changed my mind after watching last night's episode of "Glee."  I so love this show, yes for the singing and dancing, but for lots more.  I've often thought about why.  Some of it has to do with the overall fun, but mostly I think it comes from the sheer Truth it tells (granted in a campy way), but a Truth that everyone has lived as a teenager, one way or another.  No, we were not all in Glee Club, but we all felt those feelings that are being expressed by the characters on Glee.  So what is it that they tell us?

This episode,entitled "Duets," displayed the characters' penchant for partnering up -- in differing ways and for differing reasons. (The plot involved Mr. Shue awarding the winners of the competition dinner at Breadsticks Restaurant, and of course, the competition required a duet.)  What struck me, though, was the way the episode exemplified the theme that makes the show so popular:  They are all Outsiders, each in his or her own way.

Sam is the new kid, most obviously an outsider.  Kurt, who is gay -- and you can't get much more of an outsider than that -- makes assumptions about Sam, the assumption being that Sam is also gay.  For the majority of the time we are left wondering.  Is he or isn't he?  That presents a great opportunity for Kurt's dad to explain to him that even though he may be sure about his identity, not everybody else has figured that out, and he can't keep hitting on straight guys.  However, the outsider with a great arm that can throw the winning touchdown (that's not what happened last night, I'm just making this observation) is more easily accepted than some of the other outsiders we see.  (More on that thought momentarily.)

We got a glimpse into Brittany S. Pierce last night that was totally heartbreaking, and the epitome of the Outsider.  Brittany's character so far has been a sidekick, totally dense, and all about sex.  It seems that she has had sex with just about everybody in school (boys - and at least one girl, Santana, but she also thinks Britney Spears is hot), but as for true friends, there are none.  She asks Artie to sing the duet with her for the competition, but Santana spoils everything when she spills the beans to Artie by telling him that Brittany is just using him.  After Artie calls off the duet with Brittany, she tells him about how she really wanted to take him to Breadsticks (I know, it's cheesy) when they won the competition so they could share spaghetti and meatballs just like in Lady and the Tramp.  The last scene of the show with Brittany dining alone, and nosing the meatball to the other side of the plate, to her nonexistent dinner partner just choked me up. 

What grabs me about Glee is how it shows that everybody feels left out from time to time.  It doesn't matter how beautify (Quinn), or talented (Rachel), or popular (Finn), or like able (Mercedes), or smart (Emma), or winning (Sue), or powerful (Principal Figgins), you still feel like you are somehow left out.  There are probably a lot of reasons for that.  The most obvious reason:  They are in high school.  By definition they are just beginning their journey.  Although we in the audience can see how splendid Kurt's talent already is, to his average high school peer it's beyond their capacity to fathom, for their grasp of the world is limited.  It is immature, because being a teenager means a person has yet to mature (of course, some never do).

So revisiting all of those episodes of teenage angst that is a rite of passage for everyone could be boring, except that we are on the other side now.  We know the rest of the story.  We know that we survived the teenage years -- not only survived them, but what we turned into is REAL story.  We would all love to whisper in the ear of those characters in Glee and tell them it's going to be okay, this is just temporary.  Those other kids that are so mean to you, throwing those slushies in your face -- they're going to have to call you "Boss" 20 years from now.

But here's what else is so important about Glee.  It's not just teenage angst.  Many people still feel like we are on the outside looking in even many years later.  For a lot of people they never feel they quite fit in or that they quite belong anywhere.

It's hard to figure out:  Who am I?  Lots of people never do because they never even try.  They let themselves be defined by something external, whatever group or movement or tribe or fill in the blank.  Others are much more reflective and want to understand within themselves what they are all about.  (Guess where I fit ... ) 

The group within New Directions -- the Glee Club -- represents acceptance of the Outsiders, seen as misfits or rejects by the rest of the school -- but something special for its members.  In other words we have to accept ourselves and we can do that by recognizing the so-called misfits as one of us.  Indeed, we hold the mirror up and see ourselves in them, thereby attaining acceptance for all.  But what we are really looking for?  That's easy.  Love.  Finding it?  Start by showing it.

In the meantime, thank you for the music, Glee.  To quote ABBA:

So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing,
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me.

People Who Need People

Barbra Streisand made a little money over the years singing a song entitled, "People."  One of the lines says, "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world."  Guess I fall into that category.  I don't consider that a bad thing at all.  What made me start thinking about this idea was a phone call last night.

I was watching the baseball game (stay with me here, the connections are a bit random), and I realized the date was October 7, meaning it was two days past October 5 and I had missed someone's birthday.  And since I had not spoken to her in a very long time -- even though I often think of her and miss her very much -- I decided it was well past time to call her.  I'm so very glad I did.  It was her 85th birthday this year, and who knows how many more birthdays she will have?  Or how many any of us will, for that matter.  We had a lovely conversation that warmed both our hearts.  I'm not sure who got more out of it, but I can tell you it did me a world of good to talk to her again.

Then there was the night before that I went to dinner with one of my friends, whom I absolutely adore.  We had a fabulous time, catching up on personal events, swapping stories, sharing wonderful food and wine.  Oh yeah, we let the spouses tag along, too.  It helps when the enjoy each other's company also.

I also have a group of friends that I call the Vegas Rules Group.  We don't get to go out together very often because our work lives are complicated and busy.  Some of us also have personal lives that have complicated obligations as well.  When we do get together, we have a lot of fun.  A lot of what we talk about is work (okay, so we're gritching about it mostly), but we usually digress and get on to individual stories as well.  That is where the term Vegas Rules comes from.  We all have sworn an oath not to reveal what we talk about during those sessions -- because Vegas Rules apply -- you know, like the commercials on TV, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  So that allows us to be silly and blow off a lot of steam, knowing that we can trust each other not to blab to the rest of the world just how silly we may have been at some point in our lives.  And I've probably said more than I should have right now.  So, no more because I do not want to compromise any of my Vegas Rules friends.

Of course, I can't talk about People without mentioning all the Little People in my life -- all those beautiful grandchildren of mine.  I stopped at the store on the way home yesterday to get French bread, and along the way I saw strawberries -- a favorite of one of the grandbabies -- and also brownie bites.  Since I had not gotten a basket -- who needs one just for French bread? -- my arms were pretty full once I got to the checkout counter.  But the brownie bites were just the cure for a bobo that someone had on a finger when I got home.  And for the other one that speaks Chinese -- or that's what it sounds like anyway -- after his third one, I had to tell him that was enough for the night.  He could have another one for breakfast.

Yes, I do need People -- big, little, and in-between.

Haves and Have Nots

I'm writing a bit earlier in the day today -- actually it's my lunch hour -- because I want to leave plenty of time tonight to watch Glee.  Yes, I confess, I'm a Gleek.  I truly love the show, from the music to the characters, the story arcs, the great acting, singing and dancing, and of course, the way they make putting on a show look so easy.  But Glee is not the point today.

One of the very basic lessons I have learned -- but sometimes must be reminded of -- I relearned today.  Or at least I was reminded about and remembered to go back to this basic.  Sometimes it is very easy to get caught up focusing too much on the things we don't have, rather than the things we do have.  Yes, it's easy to look at it in terms of material goods -- a house, a car, nice furniture (or needing one of the above).

But sometimes it can be something more intangible.  We expend a lot of energy and time concentrating on or daydreaming about something we wish we had -- like a different job, fame, a size 2 body, the perfect mate -- and we lose sight of what is right under our nose. 

Not only that, we can get trapped by getting lost in those daydreams by unrealistic and negativistic thinking.  By that I mean when setbacks come along or difficult circumstances, do we withdraw into the daydream of the perfect fantasy mate, the perfect size 2 body, in our mind -- while on the outside we flail at the people around us because they are not who we want them to be?  Or do we look at those circumstances as opportunities to learn from the event or the person and grow -- not because we're looking for a fantasy, perfect mate -- but because we want to be the best person to whomever is our REAL mate (either the one we have now or the one we will have).

So I am looking around me and taking in what I have been given -- and it is so very, very much.  I have the sun by day, and the moon and stars by night.  I have wonderful, loving people in my life -- family of birth and family of choice.  I am watching multiple generations growing up and exploring the beauties and mysteries of life.  I have interesting and meaningful work to do that makes a difference in people's lives -- and I do it with people that I really, really care about.  I have a roof over my head, and plenty of food to go into my belly.  I don't have everything, but I don't need everything.  I have everything I need.

Finally, I think I have a pretty good understanding of my place in the Universe.  I'm still trying to ask the right questions there.  Don't have all the answers -- probably never will.  But I'm still asking.  That's what it's all about.

Game Changers

I am always fascinated by reinvention -- whether it's leftovers made into a great new dish for dinner, or an old piece of clothing that's repurposed into an entirely new design, or even a business that turned inside out and sent a totally new direction.

Americans are a forgiving lot.  I read today that Eliot Spitzer's has his big debut tonight on CNN with Kathleen Parker in which they discuss current political events.  He would be running for re-election right now had he not had that little scandal in which he was Customer Number 9.  Martha Stewart's board of directors expressed great concern when she decided to spend five months in prison, but now her corporate enterprise makes more money than ever.

Martha shrewdly figured out that her magazine and other publishing ventures needed other support measures to survive the hit her reputation would take.  The publishing business relies on advertising but Martha's other businesses had built on Martha's own persona, her expertise and endorsement.  Thus, it only made sense that she should turn to marketing -- a much more profitable business venture -- to expand her empire.  Now Martha is simply everywhere.  Not only does she have dishes and paint and embroidery designs.  She has a contract with Costco to offer fresh and frozen foods for them under their Kirkland label, and she is even going to produce a game for Nintendo!  That's a pretty big comeback.

It's yet to be seen how welcome former-Gov. Spitzer will be with Ms. Parker.  I like her newpaper columns, and the New Yorker - South Carolinian angle could be interesting.  I just have a hard time getting over the image of Silda Spitzer standing there at the press conference in her navy blue suit with the beautiful silk scarf draped so carefully, and I can't stop thinking about their three teenage daughters.  I know everybody deserves forgiveness, and I know everybody needs to make a living.  But it's not up to me to forgive him.  I'm not his wife, and I'm not a voter in the State of New York.  And it's not like he really needs the money from CNN -- his family is worth millions and millions.  No, this is part of the rehabilitation of his image in order to run for office again someday.  Well, good luck with that.

In the meanwhile, I think I'll watch "The Good Wife" on TV.  I think I will also be very thankful that I don't live in the public spotlight.

But for the whole idea of Game Changers, Raina Kelly has a regular column in Newsweek Magazine.  It was her story on Martha Stewart that caught my attention and got me thinking about this whole idea in the first place. 

How many of us need a game changer in our own lives?  We've already seen game changers in our communication.  When was the last time anyone used a pay phone?  Even little old ladies are on facebook now!  And no one would think about leaving home without their cell phone!  The mode of delivery has spilled over into movies and TV.  When I was growing up there were three TV channels, and maybe two movies playing.  Musicians don't even make music the same way anymore.  It may be on a traditional instrument such as a piano or violin, or it may be on a computer -- or both!

What's wrong with one of us having the idea that becomes another Game Changer?  I've got my thinking cap on.  That may not be the secret though.  It may be one of those happy accidents that happens when we least expect it and just let it be.  But then we're just stubborn enough to believe in it and keep pressing forward when everyone else tells us we're crazy.

After all, Fred Smith's economics professor at Yale gave him a C on his paper in the early 1960's when he proposed an overnight delivery service with one central clearing house located in the middle of other locations, an integrated air-ground system.  Today we know this business as FedEx.

So, for all the Game Changers out there -- and all the Game Changers that are yet to be -- thank you!