During the winter of 2004/2005, my sister Kelly bought a small puppy for my father. The puppy was to replace a stray that had wandered onto my parents farm and made a home for itself on the farm and in their hearts. Jack was a terrier mix and loved dad...he wanted to be with dad all the time. Tragically he was killed Thanksgiving night as he darted into the road and was killed.
It hit everyone hard. Kelly was moved to buy this puppy and named her Brooxie (or my preferred spelling...Brooksie). From Kelly in Ohio, to Kim in North Carolina, finally to Virginia. She was nervous nondescript dog but she had a personality. I was determined to not get attached to her as I hate losing an animal. She loves to go outside, walk and wander on the farm. Mom and Dad both could not exercise her as much as she would like. So it became my chore at home to take her out walking when I was there. Except, it wasnt a chore.
I cant recall exactly how or when the bond began...but it did. We became friends, buddies. The highlight of my week became my weekend when I would go home and see Brooksie. Likewise her highlight was my coming home. She would get excited when she knew I was coming home, when I got there. She would dance, run, grin, kiss, you could feel her little heart race with joy. During the week, she'd sleep where she could keep an eye on mom and dad. But on the weekend, she'd stay with me curled up at my feet.
She would not go for a walk to the old house if mom and dad where not with her as she did not want to have them out of her sight. For me tho...she'd head straight for it as the fields, ponds became her favorite playground.
We enjoyed each others company. During those walks, the terrier in her would come out and she would literally spend hours digging, tracking, exploring. Sometimes she'd run to me, tap me on the leg and dart away telling me "Come this way." Othertimes she'd run, jump on me and just stand there...looking in my face. It was like she was saying you are my friend and thank you for being with me.
When the time comes for me to leave and return to my home, I tell her goodbye. You can see her become still and see a bit of joy and life leave her. She knows what my goodbye means. But she also knows I will be back and will share more time with her.
Its hard to exactly describe the bond. Many times you here the saying a dog is man's best friend. Until Brooksie, I never really bought into that, but Brooksie changed it. She got me outside, walking, caring and spending time with a dear friend.
She will be 5 this September. Already you can see where she is slowing a bit for arthritis, but her heart is still young and strong. Hopefully she will be there on the farm waiting for me when I retire. She is my friend...a good, true and faithful friend.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Theater of the Mind....
...so has radio drama/comedy been called.
Every Sunday, it has been my curse to work on Sunday in DC...a 76 mile door to door one way excursion up I-95 to work for you, the American Taxpayer. (Snide comments about federal employees are surprisingly appropriate ;) )
What makes this drive bearable is my car...a Hyundai Elantra that provides me with 3 options for getting an OTR (old time radio fix)...an aux input for my mp3 player, a cd player that reads mp3 and XM radio (which may not be with us here longer).
This morning, as I drove up, I was alongside Johnny Dollar as he investigated another insurance fraud where a "respectable doctor" is brought to justice and later as he "digs" for the truth to discover a killer.
Some have asked me in the past why I love old time radio. In some ways, its hard to explain a fascination with a form of entertainment that died years ago and despite some attempts at revival has never come back to life.
A recent post of mine mentioned I dont like much of today's tv....albeit with a few exceptions. TV can be a great informational, teaching, entertainment tool but more often than not suffers from a multitude of failures. Two examples are striving for the "lowest common denominator" (read into that gutter, non funny humor that tries to pass for humor) and a formula mentality that creates a blandness, a sameness that you have seen this before.
In its heyday, radio had a vibrant energy. There was no "sameness" all over the dial. There was a lifeblood of vitality. And this vitality was not limited to Hollywood. Not everything came from one source. You could live in Oklahoma City and create a series that would be picked up by a major network and carried nationwide. Scott Bishop did that with his series Dark Fantasy, and Richard Thorne created Hall of Fantasy in Utah. Each was picked up by a major network NBC and Mutual respectively. Or you could be WXYZ in Chicago that during the depression years came up with three series that went national and are still famous having bridged radio into television and films. Challenge of the Yukon, The Green Hornet, and The Lone Ranger are the shows that this station created.
Any one day on the radio would be a smorgasboard of variety...not only in types of programming but writing, acting, etc. Television and films are guilty of letting great visuals, flashy graphics hide hackneyed writing, wooden acting, poor direction. You can sit a dozen people in front of a tv watching the Simpsons and everyone sees the same thing. You cant go back days, weeks later and recall too much about the show....just that it was funny at the time.
Radio however did not have the visuals, it did not have the graphics. All it had was sound. And a show as well as the mediums success depended on the sound. Take the same dozen people, place them in a room with a radio and let them listen to a Johnny Dollar episode. Each one will have a different "movie" in their mind. Their Dollar will be unique and different to them because they are creating it in their mind. Tight writing, skillful voice acting and direction along with skillful use of sound effects could make the best radio show of yesterday be just as effective today.
Orson Welles realized the power of radio on halloween 1938 with War of the Worlds a broadcast that started a panic as listeners truly believed an invasion by aliens had begun. Arch Obler experimented with the effectiveness of sound as a storyteller with Lights Out. Jack Benny with his skilled writers and coworkers (not to mention his own abilities) created a skinflint cheapskate personna on his own show. That personna was so artfully crafted that a famous skit is where Benny is held up and the robber tells him twice "Your money or your life". His response "I'm thinking about it" drew one of the shows longest laughs. Why? Because it was such a perfect response by a character listeners had created in their mind. The Jack Benny of real life was nothing like the Jack Benny of the show. But because of the skills, talents of the people involved, Jack and his world seemed real life.
Of course, not all old time radio is excellently crafted. A lot is quick, rushed, or bored work. A listen to any Philo Vance show will prove that one. But there are many gems to be found. And on a lazy day, when you want to expand your mind, open up the imagination, radio theatre is a great way to go.
Some of the greatest shows of yesterday could still hold their fascination today. I see that in the interest 2 of my nephews and nieces have in the shows. I hear it every time I listen to a radio show where by the skillful and artful work by talented writers, musicians, sound effects
Every Sunday, it has been my curse to work on Sunday in DC...a 76 mile door to door one way excursion up I-95 to work for you, the American Taxpayer. (Snide comments about federal employees are surprisingly appropriate ;) )
What makes this drive bearable is my car...a Hyundai Elantra that provides me with 3 options for getting an OTR (old time radio fix)...an aux input for my mp3 player, a cd player that reads mp3 and XM radio (which may not be with us here longer).
This morning, as I drove up, I was alongside Johnny Dollar as he investigated another insurance fraud where a "respectable doctor" is brought to justice and later as he "digs" for the truth to discover a killer.
Some have asked me in the past why I love old time radio. In some ways, its hard to explain a fascination with a form of entertainment that died years ago and despite some attempts at revival has never come back to life.
A recent post of mine mentioned I dont like much of today's tv....albeit with a few exceptions. TV can be a great informational, teaching, entertainment tool but more often than not suffers from a multitude of failures. Two examples are striving for the "lowest common denominator" (read into that gutter, non funny humor that tries to pass for humor) and a formula mentality that creates a blandness, a sameness that you have seen this before.
In its heyday, radio had a vibrant energy. There was no "sameness" all over the dial. There was a lifeblood of vitality. And this vitality was not limited to Hollywood. Not everything came from one source. You could live in Oklahoma City and create a series that would be picked up by a major network and carried nationwide. Scott Bishop did that with his series Dark Fantasy, and Richard Thorne created Hall of Fantasy in Utah. Each was picked up by a major network NBC and Mutual respectively. Or you could be WXYZ in Chicago that during the depression years came up with three series that went national and are still famous having bridged radio into television and films. Challenge of the Yukon, The Green Hornet, and The Lone Ranger are the shows that this station created.
Any one day on the radio would be a smorgasboard of variety...not only in types of programming but writing, acting, etc. Television and films are guilty of letting great visuals, flashy graphics hide hackneyed writing, wooden acting, poor direction. You can sit a dozen people in front of a tv watching the Simpsons and everyone sees the same thing. You cant go back days, weeks later and recall too much about the show....just that it was funny at the time.
Radio however did not have the visuals, it did not have the graphics. All it had was sound. And a show as well as the mediums success depended on the sound. Take the same dozen people, place them in a room with a radio and let them listen to a Johnny Dollar episode. Each one will have a different "movie" in their mind. Their Dollar will be unique and different to them because they are creating it in their mind. Tight writing, skillful voice acting and direction along with skillful use of sound effects could make the best radio show of yesterday be just as effective today.
Orson Welles realized the power of radio on halloween 1938 with War of the Worlds a broadcast that started a panic as listeners truly believed an invasion by aliens had begun. Arch Obler experimented with the effectiveness of sound as a storyteller with Lights Out. Jack Benny with his skilled writers and coworkers (not to mention his own abilities) created a skinflint cheapskate personna on his own show. That personna was so artfully crafted that a famous skit is where Benny is held up and the robber tells him twice "Your money or your life". His response "I'm thinking about it" drew one of the shows longest laughs. Why? Because it was such a perfect response by a character listeners had created in their mind. The Jack Benny of real life was nothing like the Jack Benny of the show. But because of the skills, talents of the people involved, Jack and his world seemed real life.
Of course, not all old time radio is excellently crafted. A lot is quick, rushed, or bored work. A listen to any Philo Vance show will prove that one. But there are many gems to be found. And on a lazy day, when you want to expand your mind, open up the imagination, radio theatre is a great way to go.
Some of the greatest shows of yesterday could still hold their fascination today. I see that in the interest 2 of my nephews and nieces have in the shows. I hear it every time I listen to a radio show where by the skillful and artful work by talented writers, musicians, sound effects
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Reflections on Reading
My nephew Pete, is truly a remarkable guy. Bright, energentic with an interest in the classics (witness his blog Paladin's Pen)
It is while I was perusing his latest postings that my mind wandered to how rare it is nowadays to see children have such an interest, much less be exposed to them.
In a world now full of XBox's, Playstations, cable tv, computers (gaming and web)...reading especially a book, seems to be rare nowadays. Many of the stories (as Pete points out) were created to teach moral truths in a simple, effective way. Parents back in the old, old, old days usually had few books in their possessions, and those were highly prized. You would always nearly find a well read, well worn bible and perhaps a book or two of classics. Parents would use these to teach, instruct their children in simple truths and lessons.
There are many things I could say about the family unit today, but perhaps that will be for later. Instead, how much valuable learning today has been lost to the electronic vampires of today. Vampires that in a sense steal time, energy from the young.
As a child, I grew on a farm, no one really around to pal with. My first interest/love was a book. I remember many enjoyable hours reading...going to my aunt and uncles antique shop to get new books. I remember going to Cloverleaf Mall with my mom and sisters for shopping. They would always drop me off at the Walden Bookstore (one would not dare do that nowadays with their child) and knew that no matter how long they took, I'd be there when they got back.
I learned much from reading. It opened a world of learning and imagination. Over the years my tastes changed. From boys adventure/detective stories to science fiction, to mysteries and now to non-fiction...history, books were friends that I felt comfortable with and enjoyed.
It is a pity that nowadays, instead of curling up with a good book, most children prefer to watch cartoons or other kid shows on tv...play on the computer (games or surfing), or use console gaming for entertainment. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Penrod, Hardy Boys, Sherlock Holmes, have given away to Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Pokemon games.
Something has been lost. I love to read, always will. It's a shame that in a way, the love of reading is dying. People like Peter tho, give me hope that there will always be those young minds who will love and cherish a good book.
It is while I was perusing his latest postings that my mind wandered to how rare it is nowadays to see children have such an interest, much less be exposed to them.
In a world now full of XBox's, Playstations, cable tv, computers (gaming and web)...reading especially a book, seems to be rare nowadays. Many of the stories (as Pete points out) were created to teach moral truths in a simple, effective way. Parents back in the old, old, old days usually had few books in their possessions, and those were highly prized. You would always nearly find a well read, well worn bible and perhaps a book or two of classics. Parents would use these to teach, instruct their children in simple truths and lessons.
There are many things I could say about the family unit today, but perhaps that will be for later. Instead, how much valuable learning today has been lost to the electronic vampires of today. Vampires that in a sense steal time, energy from the young.
As a child, I grew on a farm, no one really around to pal with. My first interest/love was a book. I remember many enjoyable hours reading...going to my aunt and uncles antique shop to get new books. I remember going to Cloverleaf Mall with my mom and sisters for shopping. They would always drop me off at the Walden Bookstore (one would not dare do that nowadays with their child) and knew that no matter how long they took, I'd be there when they got back.
I learned much from reading. It opened a world of learning and imagination. Over the years my tastes changed. From boys adventure/detective stories to science fiction, to mysteries and now to non-fiction...history, books were friends that I felt comfortable with and enjoyed.
It is a pity that nowadays, instead of curling up with a good book, most children prefer to watch cartoons or other kid shows on tv...play on the computer (games or surfing), or use console gaming for entertainment. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Penrod, Hardy Boys, Sherlock Holmes, have given away to Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Pokemon games.
Something has been lost. I love to read, always will. It's a shame that in a way, the love of reading is dying. People like Peter tho, give me hope that there will always be those young minds who will love and cherish a good book.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Patrick McGoohan--R.I.P 1928-2009
Dr Syn (The Scarecrow)
John Drake
Number Six
Rafferty
King Edward "Longshanks"
A few of the many roles this British actor portrayed over a career that began in the late 1940s and ended a few years prior to his death.
Originally he was approached to be both James Bond and Simon Templar (the Saint), turning down both offers. They later went to Sean Connery and Roger Moore respectively. However, when television producer Lew Grade approached him on a new series about a secret agent, McGoohan accepted. With a few conditions. His agent would not use weapons, instead relying on his wits, intelligence. In addition...no romantic involvments or hint of involvement. They agreed.
Dangerman was the first series, 30 minutes in length was each episode and had Drake as an operative for NATO. Seasons 2 and 3 had shows expanded to 60 minutes and had Drake working for a British spy agency. The stories were well written and well acted. In the US, the show was renamed Secret Agent.
Season 4 filmed 2 episodes when McGoohan left the series. Instead he concieved, wrote and produced what is perhaps the greatest cult show of all time: The Prisoner.
A secret agent resigns his position. At his apartment, he is gassed and taken to a remote village. When he wakes up, his name, like everyone else's is taken away and he is given a number. He is Number Six. Thru 17 episodes, Number Six tries to escape the village and to learn the identity of Number 1. Each attempt fails. His captors try to break him, find out why he resigned and the information that is locked in his head.
The ending of the series was ambigious leaving much food for thought as to who is Number 1, why is Number 6 a prisoner. Who is he imprisoned by, or is he imprisoning himself.
McGoohan left a large body of work that will be enjoyed for many years by fans old and new.
Thanks Patrick for your work.
Much more could be written
John Drake
Number Six
Rafferty
King Edward "Longshanks"
A few of the many roles this British actor portrayed over a career that began in the late 1940s and ended a few years prior to his death.
Originally he was approached to be both James Bond and Simon Templar (the Saint), turning down both offers. They later went to Sean Connery and Roger Moore respectively. However, when television producer Lew Grade approached him on a new series about a secret agent, McGoohan accepted. With a few conditions. His agent would not use weapons, instead relying on his wits, intelligence. In addition...no romantic involvments or hint of involvement. They agreed.
Dangerman was the first series, 30 minutes in length was each episode and had Drake as an operative for NATO. Seasons 2 and 3 had shows expanded to 60 minutes and had Drake working for a British spy agency. The stories were well written and well acted. In the US, the show was renamed Secret Agent.
Season 4 filmed 2 episodes when McGoohan left the series. Instead he concieved, wrote and produced what is perhaps the greatest cult show of all time: The Prisoner.
A secret agent resigns his position. At his apartment, he is gassed and taken to a remote village. When he wakes up, his name, like everyone else's is taken away and he is given a number. He is Number Six. Thru 17 episodes, Number Six tries to escape the village and to learn the identity of Number 1. Each attempt fails. His captors try to break him, find out why he resigned and the information that is locked in his head.
The ending of the series was ambigious leaving much food for thought as to who is Number 1, why is Number 6 a prisoner. Who is he imprisoned by, or is he imprisoning himself.
McGoohan left a large body of work that will be enjoyed for many years by fans old and new.
Thanks Patrick for your work.
Much more could be written
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Regrets and wishes
I was a know it all as a young person. Time has a way of mellowing one, teaching and showing one what could (and perhaps should) have been done differently.
My degree in college was Communication Arts. It was all I really wanted to do ever since I was a child. My folks knew the job options would be more difficult and the rewards few in that line of work. They tried to broaden my thinking, my options. But I heard none of it. I got my degree at JMU. I got my degree in "real life" afterwards. It eventually led me to where I am now at VOA in Washington and perhaps it has worked out.
BUT
If I could have done it over, I would have liked to have majored in history. Always an interest of mine and one that has grown over the years. What has gotten me thinking of this lately has been William Shirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. A massive tome that I'd never read before even tho I own the book. I still haven't read it but I have been listening to the unabridged audio book of it. And it has been absorbing. By listening to it, it has stirred my curiosity and desire to know more about the years leading up to the war...from the Weimar Republic (and its failures) to the rise of National Socialism, from Hitler's rise to power and the impotence, fear of Britain and France to respond to Hitler's threats with aside from appeasement.
It has made me want to research and study more this period of history. Not the war itself but the reasons, the policies, the machinations, the personalities. I have found many of my preconcieved notions to be in error (such as the belief that Hitler's 'power of personality' had everyone in Germany behind him in blind support).
Finishing this book will likely lead me to other sources to delve more deeply into this. If I should live long enough to retire and be fortunate enough to go back to college, studies in history would not be unwelcome.
My degree in college was Communication Arts. It was all I really wanted to do ever since I was a child. My folks knew the job options would be more difficult and the rewards few in that line of work. They tried to broaden my thinking, my options. But I heard none of it. I got my degree at JMU. I got my degree in "real life" afterwards. It eventually led me to where I am now at VOA in Washington and perhaps it has worked out.
BUT
If I could have done it over, I would have liked to have majored in history. Always an interest of mine and one that has grown over the years. What has gotten me thinking of this lately has been William Shirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. A massive tome that I'd never read before even tho I own the book. I still haven't read it but I have been listening to the unabridged audio book of it. And it has been absorbing. By listening to it, it has stirred my curiosity and desire to know more about the years leading up to the war...from the Weimar Republic (and its failures) to the rise of National Socialism, from Hitler's rise to power and the impotence, fear of Britain and France to respond to Hitler's threats with aside from appeasement.
It has made me want to research and study more this period of history. Not the war itself but the reasons, the policies, the machinations, the personalities. I have found many of my preconcieved notions to be in error (such as the belief that Hitler's 'power of personality' had everyone in Germany behind him in blind support).
Finishing this book will likely lead me to other sources to delve more deeply into this. If I should live long enough to retire and be fortunate enough to go back to college, studies in history would not be unwelcome.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
