...AND BY....
Every year there is a danger that few really worthwhile books might not receive the recognition and acclaim they deserve.
For example, may I call your attention to the annual “Occupational Handbook”published by the U. S. Government. I find,on checking, that I did a review of this useful volume in 1970 which had absolutely no affect whatsoever on the sales thereof. At that time it cost $4.29 in soft cover. At almost 800 pages that was about $2.07 per pound. It was the yearly handiwork of the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics.
I had been disturbed by the absence of any written paean of praise several job categories. True enough, I must admit, the book lacked zip, zowie, zing, zap as well as bang and verve. It was dull reading throughout, at best - not just in random spots!
The title was an elongated killer to start with but its worthy purpose was to set forth, in alphabetical order, the complete list of occupations to which a person might aspire to undertake as a life's work. Each article developed the nature of the work involved, the geographical extent of employment in the field, working conditions, and average earnings one might expect. Parents and teachers found it to be an excellent aid in guiding their charges into occupational fields promising both aesthetic and economic enrichment.
May, I, however, not as a critic, but as a friend of the editors; as one eager to assist in such a worthy work, point out the absence of two well-established fields of endeavor to which any re-blooded, cholesterol-correct American boy or girl (F.E.P.C.) might aspire.
The first occupation, which should inserted in the R.O.T. l59.148 area as being associated with Radio/Television Announcers. It concerns a specialty which has come about through the practice of what is called “piggy-backing” or extended or multiple sponsorship for radio/TV productions. I refer to the unique and highly demanding talents of the “connective announcer” who joins the two conflicting commercial messages together without antagonizing the listener/viewer; without distracting in any way from the climactic fervor of the initial message, or diminishing in the slightest the traumatic insistence of the second piggy-backed proclamation.
He distinctive, non-intrusive role as the “Connective Announcer” has gone unheralded because the speaker is never allowed to be seen; never voices his or her name (FEPC) and is never thanked by on mike/camera personnel. His prime value lies in his being heard by not seen. Training demands comprehensive study of the words “Now.” and “By”to sooth the feeling is second who feels his should be first, and the first sponsor who feel slighted by being so far from the entertainment section of the program.
Above all, he must not let the viewer realize that he will by double chunks of taped commercials from that point on. The next time you are watching TV, take note if the special tones of that voice which inserti: “...and ...by!” You will agree it demands a tremendous sense of precise timing, confidence, stability, fervor, charm and downright sneakiness.
I also want to suggest, also, you add another occupational category to your fine list -.that of “Pin Putter”in subsequent editions.
A “Pin Putter” is be man or woman (FEPC) when men;s dress shirts are being packaged. The trained specialist manages to conceal pins in places the average man would never consider. Skilled operative are in demand. They're getting scarce, too, since many have followed the skirt makers to overseas locations
Now, take this new shirt I've just bought. I've managed to find every last pin in it ...ouch!
A.L.M. October 4, 2003 [c661wds]
