Do...Re...Mi

America’s got glee, talent, idols and a special “X” factor. Everybody loves or wants to be a singing sensation. Why not? It’s fun. There seems to be an onslaught of reality contests, shows and movies geared toward music.  That’s because we’re interested again.

In the last decade, the shift in supply and demand for musical entertainment is evidenced by the popularity of such shows as Glee and American Idol.  Even those who scorn pop music have an outlet in television shows like Rock Star, and country fans can root for or aspire to become a Nashville Star.

While the popularity of karaoke declined in previous years, the recent resurgence suggests that people once again have something to sing about. Those who prefer to rock out in anonymity have the option of becoming a Guitar Hero in the privacy of their very own home arenas.

All this singing and dancing is good for us.  Scientists are studying the effect music has on mental health and immunity (http://www.sciencedaily.com/), while we are searching for ways to satisfy our inner Gleeks.  I’m not suggesting that you break into a musical number in the steam room at your gym or at the elevator at work (oh, golly gee but that would be swell), but wasn’t it a kinder, gentler world that clamored for new cinematic releases filled with stars singing and dancing through story lines?  Yes, the movie musical is also making a not so stealthy comeback with hearty receptions for films like Chicago, Rent and Hairspray.  This year, movie makers made a pointe of appealing to dance enthusiasts with Black Swan.

As we spill out of the sheet music closet and into the streets, it becomes contagious.  Groups actually do break into song in unexpected places around New York City like museums, shopping centers and even Time Square (http://www.breakintosong.com/). Maybe that steam room number isn’t such a bad idea after all.

(Promo shot for Plan 9 From Outer Space by Frank Cwiklik www.dm-theatrics.com)

When I was a little boy, I dreamed of being on Star Search.  Alas, that dream never came true.  But I still have a song in my heart and a spring in my step because I know I can be a rock star at a neighborhood karaoke bar any day of the week. I hope I see you there.

Cheers,

Ceddy



The Bright, Optimistic Young Man

There was once a bright, optimistic young man who lived a life of excitement in a grand metropolis. One morning, he stood on the vibrant platform of a subway station, awaiting the train that would speed him onward to the adventures of the day. Suddenly, as the speeding train approached, he felt himself heave forward, onto the perilous rails of the train track. He reached desperately for the friend that had been standing beside him on the platform, but to no avail.  He simply could not reach.

At the last possible moment he hoisted himself onto the platform.  “This is a dangerous situation,” he thought to himself. “I’m going to have to leave this city if I want to survive.” And he did.

One afternoon, the bright, optimistic young man was enjoying a walk through a quiet village town.  He came upon a bridge built above a rapidly rolling river. Crossing the bridge, he enjoyed the sound of the surging water. Suddenly, he lost his balance and sailed over the railing of the bridge into the water below.  As he fought against being swallowed by the waves, he reached for his friend, who still stood on the bridge above, but to no avail.  He simply could not reach.

Finally, he grabbed on to a nearby branch and pulled himself to the safety of the shore. As he struggled to regain his breath, he thought, “This situation is as dangerous as the last.  I’m going to have to leave this village if I want to survive.” And he did.

Determined to survive, the bright, optimistic young man climbed high into the serene mountains. Early in the evening, he stood on the edge of a cliff to take in the awesome view that spread before him. As suddenly as before, he lost his footing and slipped from the edge of the cliff.  He caught himself before falling to the jagged rocks below. As he hung helplessly, high above the world, he reached for the friend who had been standing on the cliff beside him, but to no avail. He simply could not reach. 

“Why doesn’t my friend reach out to me?” He thought to himself desperately.  He remembered that each time he had fallen he had pulled himself to safety while his friend stood idly by. The dazzling city, the bucolic village and the majestic mountains had not betrayed him.  They had been constant and true to their natures…but the friend had not. He realized that, each time he had fallen, he had been pushed.

You see, not all relationships and situations are beneficial to our well being. Some are destructive. We must be able to recognize when we are being taken advantage of and when we are being abused. Too often we allow this behavior to happen because we are blinded by friendship and love. We try to justify the other person’s behavior because, in our hearts, we truly believe the situation will change. In our minds, however, we know that it will not. We all have the ability to accept, to love and to forgive. We forget that we also have the ability to walk away.

Finally, the bright, optimistic young man mustered enough strength to pull himself back onto the cliff.  He dusted himself off and he walked away, leaving his friend behind. 

“I’m going to have to find some new friends if I want to survive,” he thought to himself. And he did.

Cheers,

Ceddy