Saturday, January 04, 2003
ON SALE!
Right after Christmas is the time of the year when he the term “on sale” has real meaning. The decorative candles you bought before the holiday are actually to be had at one-half the price you paid before. at the very same store where to shopped before. Smart shoppers, if they have funds left, can really do will this week-after in preparing for next year's Christmas buying spree.
And don't feel too sorry for the over-stocked store owner, either. Rest assured he still made a profit on the item, though smaller than before.
Sales haunt the lives of millions of men and women all year long and some are real while others are merchandising mirages.
In the many years I wrote advertising copy for radio I remember one furniture company which had a set policy of running a different sale - by name - each and every week of the year. Sometimes they overlapped, but it made no real difference and price went along pretty much on the same level through them all. Now and then they would throw in a new one - some quirk with words or a news event of the moment – and that eased the monotony.
There are very few husbands extant today, I dare say, who have not - at one time or another - heard their wives proclaim they bought an item “because it was on sale”. Husbands have long ago tried to reason with such money-saving enthusiasm by saying that every thing in the store was “on sale”. That's how the store owner made a business of it . He bought items a one price and put them “on sale” at another. Simply as that. Most husbands have learned, quickly, not to try that sensible argument a second time. It never works. Never has. Never will.
I also remember one used-car dealer who like to do his own commercials on the air and he could create sales items almost magically. I've watched him do it. He was the relaxed in his use of the English language. Among other things about the language he had never accepted was the spoken letter ”x”. It was a “s” to him regardless of it's shape and size. He presented “specials” and mid-way in selling its merits, he realized a particular car had features which made it an exceptional or extra value... so it became and “estra special”. It then became and “estra-estra special” in his rising enthusiasm . People rushed to get the car for fear he would buy it himself and remove from the display! They spoke of getting extra value and he had a few “estra” dollars he could call his own. It had very little to do with price or product or values and so many year-round sales thrive on that quality - of being in touch with the fad, folklore or slang usage of the day. People can do strange things in moments of wild enthusiasm . Can. And do.
The worst week of the year of for advertising copywriters is that lonely period between Christmas and New Year. For that span of twixt-and- tween times - clients/advertisers/accounts don't know what they want to advertise and salesmen - pardon me..” Account Executives” - think of the week as paid vacation time. Copy instructions for the week often consisted of short notes on the copy information form saying: “'Work up something cute for them this week!”,or: “Pull some old, general stuff from their files” , or “Make something up.” and many were content to keep saying Happy Holiday and Happy New Year again and again.
All except the furniture store and the car dealer. The one discovered Santa had erred and over-ordered love seats and sofas and had left his excess stock at one of their warehouses with instructions to “give it away”, if necessary. The car dealer had an “estra” special offer ready for ice and snow time!
Oddly enough, both of those firms are still in business and doing well.
A.L.M. January 3, 2003 [c679wds]
Friday, January 03, 2003
SELF-QUIZ
From time-to-time I ask myself a serious question just to see what I might say.
Try it. You may be amazed at the ready answers you get, and suprised by a few of them, having been unaware of the fact that you had even considered such possiblities.
Many year ago a GI-friend of mine was designated to man a machine gun location at the far end of the main airport runway where we were stationed. We had a manpower shortage at that phase during the World War II and we pulled duty alone rather than in pairs. His place was exceptionally lonely. Enemy bombers flew high overhead intent on targets hundreds of miles inland from our coastal location, so we seldom had raids of any kind. Someone asked him: "What do you do just to stay awake all night?" I remember his reply: "Is ask myself questions and , boy, do I get some stupid answers!"
It makes good sense, however, for us to consult our inner selves before we simply rely on others to decide what we think and do. To rely entirely on outside guidance can prove costly. After all, who knows more about what is in your head and heart - your dreams, aspirations and ideals - than yourself?
Ask yourself questions and listen to what you say.
For instance, at this moment, how do you feel about aircraft safety? Is it safe to fly commercially once again? Are your ready to do so?
You know about delays at the airport, and about all the stress and complaints from customers about inspections procedures, but your inner mind will clue you in on the fiact that it was only this week, January 3, 2003, that total luggage screening was put into effect at all airports in the United States - not September 11, 2001. Not only does my inner self tell me about such "quick responses", but it also reminds me that I don't, as a rule, fly anyway so the entire question is more-or-less moot for me save for any concerns I may have for others who do fly through necessity.
Ask yourself how you feel abouy the Canadian border?
How about these five, or "eight" or, maybe even "nineteen"..(there's that nasty number again!) "aliens" who, in some mysterious manner, "crossed" the Canadian border and entered the United States on Christmas Eve and haven't been seen since?
How, pray tell, me, did this quintet of "Arabic featured" men, Octet, or , or whatever "nineteen" would be ...get across the border untapped. We know they names, have their photographs, know their life history, and know the passports they used are fakes. Our F.B.I. and others are looking for them ,we are told, not to arrest them, but simply to "talk with them."
I'd like for them to be looking for whomever allowed the five to cross the border. Somebody, or some legal loophole gadgetry, held up a "Welcome"sign inviting them to come in.
A.L.M. January 3, 2003 [c505wds]
Thursday, January 02, 2003
NEW NONSENSE WORD
Start with the old-fashioned term "blather" which once meant an unnecessary, unneeded and unwanted sequence of words strung together to exercise the ear of hearers without supplying any edification whatsoever.
Then, pick up a "swatch" - another word from the time when a tailor or seamstress selected a piece of fine material to let you sample what your new suit or dress might look like when done.
Now, place the swatch just after the blather and give vocal expression to what you see there: "Blatherswatch!"
The term applies aptly to the current format of news panels and discussion goups on TV. So often it seems that the speakers are allowed to set to set forth a bit of blather concerning the general nature of the topic to be discussed. This is done carefully to leave doors, tangent lines of thought, other paths and new definitions open just a bit. He or she will, then, insert little swatches of useful information - just enough to titilate and tease but not enough to oppose anyone entirely. I often find it difficult to match the proper swatch to the correct batch of blather.
Far too many of the news shows done with groups have become little more than shouting matches. All persons present talk at the same time once they have been unchained by the Ring Master. Politeness, fair play and mutual considertion went out the window a decade or so ago. These verbal free-for-alls, which might also be called emcee killers, may well be among those forces driving viewers to attempt to seek out something – any thing, for that matter, in cable land or elsewhere that might be better fare. You may remember most of these news shows as being of half-hour duration. They actually were to run the full hour but with so many talking at the same time, they run short by at least half of the alloted time. Such resulting cleared areas are promptly filled with commericals or promotionals.
Blatherswatch is big and growing steadily. It lacks certain elements of quality, I'm sure, but it is with us and it does, in some ways, come closer, perhaps, to the real thing - the politician on the campaign trail years ago, at the rear end of a Pullman car harranging the people! Or, today, it might be a learned correspondent just back from his or her "tour of duty" of a week or more to one of our real or potential war-torn areas. They, too, have learned the art of blathering while dropping in small swatches of worthy information, just enough to spice up the mix and make viewers think something worthy might follow, if they stick with it.
The mutating, modifying, media is a frothy part of our modern day life.
A.L.M. January 2, 2003 [c474wds]
Wednesday, January 01, 2003
RHYTHM SECTION
As I remember it, meal times were often fun times for our family. It may have been because we were pleased to be together around the table. There were four of us for a long them; then, seven as the family was augmented plus a phase when relatives moved in.
We were never allowed to “play with our food” in the sense that some children seem to enjoy at snack times today. Food was precious, especially as the economic situation grew worse. Yet, meal times remained a time of pleasant association.
Since we were a musical family from the earliest times I can remember, I can understand why, for instance, we boys and girl's called celery, raw carrots and such side dishes “the rhythm section”.
Celery was the main noise maker at table. Soda Crackers actually cracked, however, just as Ginger Snap cookies snapped audiablly.
All of this came to mind just this morning when I was reading, of all things, a cook book. The chief who wrote the piece, extolled the merits and the demerits of various types of celery, with only slight reference to its “crunchy” sounds when being chewed... especially by children who used to see who could sound off the loudest, I recall.
The Chef/Scribe reminded me of certain celery facts I had forgotten entirely. Not too many years ago, he pointed out, when we went to the local grocer's seeking celery we looked through the display and tried to choose the longest, whitest stalks available - which also seemed crisp and firm and unblemished, of course. It was marketed in those days as being “golden”, but, today, when we shop we seek out green stalks and forget that all celery used to be sold as white or golden.
The difference is that, now that celery is available twelve months of the year, we draw from both California which remains the prime source, but there are also successful celery producers in Florida, New York, Michigan and other states, as well. Generally speaking, late spring is the poorest time for celery shoppers. That's when the giant California crop starts to go to seed and the tender hearts of the celery tend to solidify and, as the chef said it, starts to “eat woody” which, to me, suggests “noisier”, as well.
The green celery, which is now in favor among food shoppers, is called Pascal. Yellow and white types, sold as “golden”, are also available. Green Pascal is the favorite, exactly opposite of what it was fifty years ago .It was not uncommon for us, in years gone by, to catch long string of fiber between our teeth. I don't know if dental floss had been invented at the time, but we used the strings for that purpose and kidded each other about it being about time somebody's big mouth was being sewn shut.
Select crisp, firml packed bunches and avoid those which feel limp to the touch. If you have to settle for a limp stalk, it can be soaked in ice water for a time and be revived to some degree. We always clipped and saved the celery leaves to dry and pulverize as celery salt. That's still a good thing to do and can be used to make a god soup or roats even better. Store celery in covered containers in the refrigerator, or it's usefulness can be extended by wrapping cuts of it in aluminum foil for refrigerator storage.
It may not be called the rhythm section, but kids can still make chewing a stalk of celery a loud and laughable experience. One four your old girl we know likes to slice celery rib crosswise,per a quarter-of- an-inch thick, and set them up as a display of little green “rainbows.” In that form, they are best when touched with a bit of salt and consumed , end-to-end one at a time.
A.L.M. December 31, 2002 [c-657wds]
Tuesday, December 31, 2002
OLDEST HORSE
It's name was devised in the 1880's when the oldest horse species in the world , and the last truly wild horse, was “discovered” by a Russian explorer named Nicholas Przewalski.
Przewalski's Horse is thought to be descended from ancestors which lived in pre-historic times. It is one of several species which survived the glacial era as is said to be our last link with ancient, primitive horse breeds. It inhabited largely the whole of the Eurasian plains originally, but, as the grazing lands dwindled in size because of climate changes, the wild herds were diminished in size and in numbers and lingered, primarily along what would be today's Mongolia-China borders.
Wild herds of Przewalski's horse were last reported in 1968, but those who have admired the sturdy, small breed insist that it has withstood climate conditions far worse for generations and may well do so once more. There are about three hundred of the horse in zoos and natural habitat areas around the world. Just because the wry and wily steed has not been seen recently does not mean it has become extinct.
Herds are traditionally small. There will be several mares and young horses led by stallion. Mares come into heat are seasonal intervals and usually mate in the month of May so that foals will be born in that month of the following year. It is held by many that Przewalski mares give birth at night only, so the new foal can be up and ready - after a fashion - for the trail the next morning. The mare commonly takes the tail of the foal between her teeth and nudges the newborn along with her nose. They suckle their young for several months or until teeth are developed enough to permit grazing. Young females may stay with the tribal unit or join others. The lead stallion drives all male contenders away after one year, by which time they are old enough, strong enough and smart enough to gather their own harem of mares.
Herds commonly feed at dusk. in wooded areas. At daybreak, they return to their desert habitat to rest until sunset. The tend to favor specific areas and wear deep paths by continued use of the same routes. Such habits explain, to some extent, why the small groups may not be readily spotted by man.
This horse has another protecive advantages. It is usually a dull yellow-bwownin color fading to a ligher tinge under the belly.The long tail is black and has a short bristle base to it as does the black mane.The entire coat grows wooly and shaggy during the winter months. The mountains where the herds were first seen by man have been called "The Altai" for geneations - "the mountains of the yellow horses." The odd trait about the breed is, however, to be found in its hoof formation.. It leaves a print unlike any common breed. This gives it another, unpronounceble name in the fact that it belongs to the Order Perissodactyla which includes all mammels having an odd number of toes. The Prsewalski leaves what appears to be a single "fingertip" with the last bone widened and rounded off as a hoof. The adaptation has enabled the breed to run swiftly to evade attack.
A.L.M. December 28. 2002 [c555wds]
Monday, December 30, 2002
AT WHAT POINT?
We need to be concerned about exactly where, when, why and how pacifism becomes appeasement.
There is, to me, a very fine line across which one might easily pass without being aware of the fact that he or she has, in the very act of doing so, may have infringed upon the rights of others who do not think in essentially the same pattern and arrive at essentially the same conclusion.
To assume that yours is the only valid solution to the problem facing all of concerned is naive, immature and even foolish. Such a lone stance invites critical analysis, which your argument may or may not withstand in its formative state. If your plan has merit such attributes will be shown to best advantage when contrasting claims are made by others. To toss one's better trump card holdings upon the playing table area too early can be costly.
I quite often have the feeling that much political and social protest is mis-handled in this same profligate manner.
To often, far too often, elements of disagreement are given a shiny, but has hastily concocted coat of colorful holy glory and set forth for the ignorant beings who have not handled it, to be accepted without question as being Holy Writ or a sort. Nothing turns me “off” more quickly than a would this Holy Joe attitude.
Don't think, for one, fleeting and overly-pious moment, that you are the first or only person to ever really think about “Peace”, for instance, being better than - “War.” Given the words with which to do so, the small child on the side of the war torn roadway could tell you more about that thought, a thousand times over, than you can every concoct with all your special advantages. To march forth into public places with others thinking pretty much the same as you do, or even less in your modest opinion, is not so much a symbol of “valor” as it is of “vanity”.
How can we forget the pathetic figure of Neville Chamberlain deplaning in England after conferring with Adolph Hitler and knowing, at the time, he had given the dictator what he wanted in central Europe. He waved a piece of paper and said words about ”peace in our time.” He may well have been thinking of the legacy he would leave the world, perhaps, and it is quite different from what he had hoped it might be. He was thinking of the well-being of the very same people, Winston Churchill would lead into - and through - the war years. As so often happens in history, leaders sometimes see the term ”appeasement” as being the same as a “solution” but the chief synonym proves to be something akin to “temporary treatment.”
For the common good of the nation, we, as individuals sure we know what is in our own hearts. If you allow others to decide that important element is going to be , you are surrendering one of man's greatest treasures.
It is called self-respect, and you earn it. You do so by accepting responsible actions in times of crisis, rather than seeking paths which you may think will make it possible for you to avoid them.
A.L.M. December 27, 2002 [c-549wds]
Sunday, December 29, 2002
BEAT ME SOME OF THOSE
Plough shares ...pruning hooks!
It's about time to get busy beating them all back into the shape of swords. Indications are that conditions are such as to require the defense of our holdings.
I think we, for the most part, realize that the intent and value of such actions at this moment, have little, or nothing to do with what is ”right” or “wrong” concerning the reasons why we find ourselves at this particular moment. Much of history works backwards and it is the followers and leaders of a decade after an era who, can look back and determine what the “cause” of it all might have been which made things happen as they did. It is unlikely that we see it all sufficiently clear even as it begins to take place to make judgments as to which way it should go.
Let's not just stand here doing nothing but quibble over who's “fault” it might be that we are in the situation which faces us.
It is not a simple problem. It is more complex than we, as yet, admit, even to ourselves. We are currently at war. We may or may not choose to call it that, but we are aligned in opposition to existing forces which are fearfully real and numerous at various locations around the world. And, our friends are few ...let's face that harsh truth and do the best we can to make up for such a loss, possibly to regain some of that trust and consideration we once seem to have earned and merited.
After many years of downgrading our military might, we have, at last, started to regain some stability. It has been politically opposed all the way. It cannot be said that it has, in any way, been done without purpose, intent and the realization, however small, that we will again be called upon to defend the basic principles of democracy where it exists around the world.
It is not of our own choosing, but our defense it had better be and in sufficient strength to better the very best of those who call themselves our enemies. They have set the terms often primitive and harsh; they have dropped the gauntlet, blood-stained and ill-fitted, and it is time to be make ready to man the barricades.
Like it or not, and most of us do not seek it or even condone it, the time has come for our nation to step forward in force to defend what we, and some others, believe has proved itself the better way for Mankind.
The price will be high. We know that, and it should be a all the more reason for us to get busy re-tooling our normal way of living to wartime realities. We must do it now... or, there may be no “later on”
Now!
What a curious way with which to begin our New Year of 2003!
Is there, I wonder, any possible way we can raise the globe of light in Times Square, New York, this year for all the world to see? The world, and we at home, need to see the Light of Truth being raised and held high rather than being allowed to fall!
A.L.M. December 28, 2002 [c548wds]
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