Baby Boomers Having Difficulty Letting Go of the Cultural Car Keys

 

Fair use photo from Wikipedia

    Being a baby boomer myself, I always felt that radio music, television shows, fashion, and most other cultural aspects were designed to appeal to my generation.

   During the 1960s we had television shows such as Bewitched, Gilligan’s Island, I Dream of Jeannie, and my favorite…Johnny Quest. CKLW in Windsor/Detroit and WLS in Chicago played Beatles. Our age demographic controlled American culture!

   On February 1 1971 the Osmonds had the number 1 song at WLS.

“One bad apple don't
Spoil the whole bunch, girl
Oh, give it one more try
Before you give up on love

One bad apple don't
Spoil the whole bunch, girl”

 

The 1960s and early 1970s were a time of AM superstations like WLS which played a variety of hit sounds. Along with Iron Butterfly heavy metal and Tom Jones ballads groups like the Osmonds, the Jacksons, and even the contrived Archies held proper place on the charts and airwaves.

We listened on our battery operated transistor radios carried along much like smart phones today. We knew that our classmates would be listening to the same station, hearing the same songs played and we felt a sense of immediate community though we were not in presence or sight of each other. As we heard the songs we mentally recorded questions and comments we would share with our friends upon later meeting up with them.

   Likewise for television, since there were only three major networks to watch there was a very good chance that our classmates had seen the same shows over the weekend and therefore would have something to talk about at lunch-time at school on Monday.

   But, as AM superstations gave way to more localized FM stations that specialized in a particular genre, as cable television gave more options to viewing preferences, we baby boomers began losing our synchronized and outsized impact on culture.

    As younger generations exert influence on culture with their different musical and viewing tastes, we baby boomers feel much like our grandparents must have felt “That’s not music, that’s just noise!”, “They wouldn’t let smut like that be on television in my day!”

   Alas, it appears that American culture is for each generation to decide for itself. We baby boomers can no more impose upon younger generations what is and is not proper cultural norm any more than our parents tried to impose upon us.

I expect that as it happened for our predecessors, we boomers will increasingly become frustrated and uncomfortable with the prevailing tastes of the younger generations. We will feel detached. And what I think will irritate us the most is that we will be considered irrelevant.

Butcha know what! Periodically I run upon some young wait-staff person at a restaurant that names a 1960s singer or group as their favorite musical interest. Maybe we baby boomers really did set in cultural stone some undeniable and absolute classics that transcend subsequent generational whim. Yes…that’s what I’m going with!

Promoting my Al Capone story "The Unexpected Roommate"

 

Guilty verdict of Al Capone from National Archives

As Monday, January 25 is the anniversary of the death (1947) of Al Capone, I thought it might be fun for you to read my humor-lined fictional story about how a personal detective happened upon an old hotel on a stormy night and, as a result of spending the night there, was greeted, and ultimately financially enriched by the ghost of Al Capone.

I provide an excerpt…

 

   The male figure stopped, took a moment to assess the situation, and spoke calmly. “It’s been a while since there was a guest in this room. Besides me, I mean. What’s your name?”

   Charles was hoping to be the interviewer, asking the questions, but since the figure had preempted him, there was value in answering as well. “Charles. Charles Roy.” He felt obliged to deliver the fuller name.

The figure continued “Well, I’m Alfonse. Alfonse Capone.” The figure imitated Charles’ pattern of identification with a mischievous smile.

Scribbling almost legible notes in his journal, Charles pressed “Al Capone…of Chicago? Do you live here?”

“Live isn’t really the right word for it, Charles. But it does seem that I am a guest in perpetuity. Hey, usually the guest is outta here by now, screaming and leaving their things behind. You dead too?”

 

Celebrate, acknowledge, observe or otherwise mark January 25 as a significant moment in history by reading “ The Unexpected Roommate”

Which is one of a few stories in the digital book entitled

 “Preposterous Scenarios: Gathered Stories, Poems, and Memoirs”

available at Amazon.com as a digital download for $2.99.

What's Your Real Sabbath?

 

Yes, I attempt to observe a Sabbath. Usually my Sabbath is on Thursday. But, in full disclosure, or confession, Thursday is my technically observed, yet insincere Sabbath merely to be compliant with and in appeasement to peers and others who think they know what’s best for others.

    My real, restful, rejuvinative Sabbath is my practice of creative writing. I think most artists and writers will agree that one cannot schedule creativity to unveil itself on some predetermined day of the week.

Creativity emerges as the convergence of many informative and inspiring impulses that resist being told when and how to disclose their fruits.

    My real Sabbath, my creative writing, can happen anytime. And when it does, I become fully entertained by the task of word choice, sentence structure, and idea development until I reach the point of intellectual saturation with the project.

In my Sabbath I do not aspire toward professional stature. I wish to amuse, if only myself, by constructing sentences which, while grammatically correct, result in a raised eye-brow or whispered chuckle.

I offer the following example...

“It’s” is the proper contraction for “it is”. It’s often confused with “its” which is the possessive form of it. You will probably use “it’s” more often than “its”, but it’s up to you. Its improper usage in print will likely be more obvious than in speech. It’s fun, give a few sentences.

In my Sabbath I compose memoirs that may connect with someone else and thereby ease their day, inspire or comfort them. I compose narratives which prompt the memories of others and nudge them toward their own creativity.

In My Sabbath I write stories and descriptions that, if not entertaining to others, will distract them from some temporary boredom.

   Having completed my creative project, I then feel Sabbath- restored. Only then, seldom on Thursdays, “is it well with my soul”.

Incidentally, this particular narrative was composed on a Thursday.

Beatles For Sale...A Personal Memoir

 

I no longer have my original 1964 UK vinyl

I am sure any Beatles fan will agree that when asked which album is their favorite a certain bewildering panic sets in as if we must choose between which child to save. As soon as one album is determined the others will haunt the mind with doubt and second guessing.

   Each of the albums contain moments of excellence, surprise, unique achievement of technical expertise, mystique and elements that connect the album to some moment in our lives.

Highly as I regard all of the albums, my choice as favorite is Beatles For Sale.

Each time I listen to the album I am reconnected with my nine-year old self and remember the innocence of the moment and my optimism for the future.

I will describe my impressions of the album later.

But for the moment allow me to recall the event of my having come into possession of it in its original release when I was nine years old.

Being an enthusiast since seeing them on the Ed Sullivan show, I was compelled to own each album as released in the UK.

    My step-father, George Eckenrode, was kind and generous enough to accommodate my childish taste in what he considered an ephemeral phenomenon empty of any authentic musical value. His idea of music worthy of an intelligent person was Frank Sinatra or perhaps Andy Williams. Oh, I should not forget Petula Clark in whom we both agreed was great talent.

George was always trying to show kindness. Knowing that I preferred the UK version of the album over the American version “Beatles 65” he drove me and my mom from Detroit into Windsor Ontario one Saturday in December 1964 so as to purchase the record. Canada always released the UK versions before the American version was available in the United States.

George knew of an independent record store in Windsor.

I felt pretty important I tell you that we visited a different country to make this purchase. I would have the UK version before any of my friends would have even the US version.

In the store and on the sidewalk toward the car I held the album as if I had discovered the map of the whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant. The album carried an almost sacred effect.

We then went to a restaurant in Windsor to enjoy a celebratory dinner.

As we waited for our dinners to be delivered I could no longer wait to open the album to hold in my hand. I pulled the vinyl from its paper sleeve. I carefully held it between the palms of my hands allowing the light from the suspended incandescent globes to reflect off of the shiny blackness. I read the labels, front and back. Each title, word, letter, font imprinted upon my mind an anticipation of the sounds that they announced.

    This was quite a Christmas gift! I considered not only possession of the album, but also the visit to Windsor, the atmosphere of the record store, and also the dinner as perhaps the best Christmas gift I had ever received.

I was familiar with “Eight Days A Week” as that was the song played on CKLW radio station. But the other titles grabbed my imagination. What would they sound like…what would be the subject? I could hardly wait to place the album on my turntable and gently place the diamond needle on the fresh stereophonic vinyl.

And then, when I did, auditory excellence painted every surface and substance of the room, including my eagerly embracing intellect.

And so, I shall, from imprinted memory, try to describe my impressions which linger and reverberate over the past fifty-six years.

The most dominant impression was the intensely precise quality of the vocals. The melodies and harmonies, given much echo and fullness, seemed to contain more fullness of presence than previous recordings. Acoustic guitar chords mixed with electric sound and soft timpani punctuation introduced me to a deeper appreciation of studio technique and promise of what yet may be to come in the future.

   As the vinyl revolved on the turntable the music seemed to levitate from the surface of the album and circle around the room in much more than mere stereophonic effect. But perhaps I use psychedelic description before it’s due for the group.

Whatever description, Beatles For Sale continues to be my favorite.

The vocals, the echo affect, the precision of recording gave me the impression of a group very mature in their talents and strength of composition with more impact than the “bubblegum” level talent and product of other groups.

   The lyrics addressed some fresh topics and feelings. They also seemed well written and welcoming of a new audience.

Perhaps that was the greatest talent of the group, each succeeding album provided invitation and relevance to a wider audience to entertain, intrigue, and convert.

The Beatles, much more than an ephemeral phenomenon of 1964, continue to inspire succeeding generations of fans and those who are curious as to their cultural longevity.

Amen, Creational Authority, and Faithful Service

 

I periodically assert to my congregations that “amen” is much more than just a concluding punctuation point. The word “amen” is understood, roughly, as “so be it”, or “may it be”, or “truly”.

   I propose this; Rather than use amen as a “quit claim deed” regarding the issues, concerns, and petitions we have uttered to God, consider it the creation of a joint venture between God and ourselves in which we both take action on those petitions.

    Allow the sentiment of amen to be an invitation to God to attend to these uttered issues in His capacity and wisdom while we also, in partnership with God, do what we can regarding concerns spoken.

    God has created us in his image; he has blessed us with spiritual gifts, enabled us with cognitive capabilities, and trusted us with the faithful stewardship of all of His creation. That is a generous sharing of creational authority by   God.

    Our response to this sharing of creational authority should be faithful, diligent, enthusiastic, and active.

    I encourage you to look for opportunities where you can respond to improve someone’s condition, for situations of conflict where you can contribute peace and reconciliation, to display active hope in the midst of trials and sufferings rather than passive surrender to cynicism and futility.

   Rather than abdicate our role in creational authority, let us embrace it and be found good and faithful servants.

Hey, Let's Not Forget About Epiphany!

 

    Concurrent with Black Friday and the many days until December 25 each year is accompanied with the incessant play of Christmas music from radio stations, decoration of temporary and  domestic trees, and wrapping of gifts.

   And then Christmas Day arrives and folk quickly turn on their celebratory  heels to prepare for New Years Day, Super Bowl, Valentines Day and other celebrations punctuating a calendar of otherwise common or ordinary days.

   Epiphany, January 6^th, the 13^th day after Christmas, is quite a meaningful day of celebration to me personally. I have always been intrigued by this report n the Gospel of Matthew regarding Magi from the East. Though there are extra-Biblical accounts of from where and precisely who those men were, the Matthew report remains vague as to such details.

    The scenario that tickles my intellectual fancy is that these star-gazers probably were from the land that once impolitely hosted the Scribes, Priests, and academic class of the Hebrew people decades or centuries earlier.

    I further venture that the predecessors of those star-gazers in Matthew had conversed over coffee or tea with the Hebrew captives about theology, God, and their Scripture and recorded their interviews for use by subsequent generations of Magi.

    Though the Matthew report remains vague regarding the precise identities or nation of origin, it brings forth some remarkable ideas.

    One such idea is that God used the religion and practice of the Magi to lead them to Christ. God did not exclude them from this glory on the basis that they were of a different religion. God prepared them and directed them by use of what star-grazers would naturally look toward for guidance.

    This point can encourage us regarding evangelism, or sharing of faith with those who are of other faiths or of no faith. Be in discussion with folk, share your faith story. Though they may not immediately respond, those who are intentionally seeking will find guidance.

    Another idea regards the gifts presented. Bible scholars and theologians, and I have read many, speculate much as to the meaning of those specified gifts. I like the idea that those gifts were of sufficient economic value as to make provision for Mary and Joseph, poor as they were, to escape to Egypt. Again, though the report does not state where in Egypt they went, I tend to think it was the City of Alexandria. The city was an economic and intellectually progressive city. Perhaps this is where Jesus was educated, again, financed by those gifts of the Magi, and so learned much to take back to his hometown.

    Perhaps the most important idea regarding the Matthew report with its lack of details about the persons or identities of the Magi is the fact that outsiders, sometimes with much enabling gift to offer, are invited to worship out of sincerity as God has prompted them. 

    As this Epiphany approaches anticipate that God has been at work prompting folk to seek Jesus. They may be of different cultures, languages, religions, nations, or colors.  Let us take care not to ignore or dismiss them. Let us, like Joseph and Mary, receive them and feel blessed by them. They and the gifts they bring can enable our ministries, personal and congregational.

In conclusion…Happy Epiphany!