Tag: entertainment

Re: Channel

A past recording comes to mind from the likes of Firesign Theatre. A roommate at University played this LP for me on our first introduction. It’s a line from an absurdist album called, ‘How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You’re Not Anywhere at All.’ that has stuck in my mind. “And swim the English Channel?”  

This was a big deal (swimming the English Channel) at one time. Canadian Marilyn Bell has done it. I was surprised to discover that folks are still trying to beat the record crossing (6hr 45min 25sec, in 2023). 

Channeling creativity is a big thing for artists. Channeling spirits was once a big thing for séance leaders until magicians like Houdini and Randi debunked these psychic practitioners. These days, I like to channel my thoughts away from bad news by playing music from Youtube (an internet music channel) or doing a web search thru Wikipedia (a computer information channel not unlike a dictionary). Using a smart TV it has become easy to find out stuff by channel-surfing, even though it might be frowned upon as a waste of time. 

Changing the channel on a television wasn’t always an easy thing for a couch potato like me, in the days before a remote control. At the end of a program the viewer had to get up, walk to the TV Set and turn the dial to a desired number. If the signal wasn’t coming in well, a few minutes adjusting the aerial was required. In my childhood there were only a few channels. With the invention of cable transmission, the multi-channel universe was available. Now with streaming, a person could never be without entertainment. Ah comfortably numb!

Yesterday, I channeled something in the nature of the film A Beautiful Mind. During sleep I saw clearly a host of numbers, geometry, and formulae that might create a map to the theory of everything. I had to get up and write it all down on a piece of paper before the vision passed. Naked, I worked on all-fours, on the floor, near a night light. With pencil and paper I feverishly scribbled, trying to be quiet in my excitement, lest I wake the sleepers in the house. So sure was I, that I had ‘heard’ a eureka moment, I sent my discovery to my local university. The Physics faculty, the Astronomy department, and the Mathematics college were contacted, yet not one representative even acknowledged my inspiration. I can’t get no respect!

People might think, from time to time, that my observations come from another dimension. It can be deflating when it seems I’m not being heard. At least my 97 year old special mom generally finds my revelations fascinating. She likes to be tuned in to these modern technology things that I share with her. I feel proud, like a teacher would, of a student, when she incorporates these ideas into useful language. For example, the other day she didn’t like the way a conversation was headed so she asked, “Can we change the channel?”

Re: Baseball

Hollywood and Baseball are the only two truly great things that come from the United States of America. Whether you refer to it as a game, a sport or a pastime; Baseball has something for everyone. I believe the meeting of spectator and athlete at the Old Ball Game has an artistic quality to it, with church-like overtones. The stadium is the sanctuary, the diamond is the nave, the pennant is the holy grail. Buy me some Cracker Jacks please.

Baseball is a story, generally played out in nine chapters by two teams with nine players on each side. During the game there is drama, strategy, plots and intrigue. Occasional foul play is rare, but umpires are there, to ensure that there is an overriding tone of gentlemanly interaction and level headed sportsmanship. I like that Baseball is a team sport as well as an individual sport. The first batter to approach home plate is truly one player against nine. With each swing of the bat the goal is to secure a place on the next base. Once there, by fate or the will of the baseball gods, the runner prays his teammates will get him home. Barring a home run, all members must work together. Coaches are allowed near first and third bases to give runners some encouraging words. It’s collaborative. It’s collegial. It’s an example of the way life can be.

Variants of ball and bat games predate the development of Baseball which got its start in North America in the mid-nineteenth century. As the sport grew in popularity it was played on vacant lots, streets and open fields. The dreams of many a boy began with hearing the exploits of their favourite player. I had a small transistor radio I kept in my desk in grade six. It gave me updates on the exploits of Roger Maris and Willie Mays, my two favourite players. I played hardball and was a terrible batter. However, I caught the league winning fly ball in my last season as a left fielder. I collected Baseball cards, kept them in a shoe box and, like everyone else, after I left home for college, my mother tossed them out,

The pace of Baseball appeals to my personality. It takes its time. The players are diverse in shape, size, colour and disposition. My favourite player right now is a catcher named Alejandro Kirk. He’s not a stereotypical athlete but damn can he perform! In a world that often seems unfair, the rules of Baseball are regularly being updated to make for more egalitarian play. Umpires, like a third team, are present to see that justice is done, that a level of respect is maintained. When judgement is questioned there is allowance for impartial review. Scandals have existed on and off the stadium grounds (steroids, gambling, conspiracy, corporate usury) but when all is said and done, regardless of who you are, you have a chance to realize your dreams on the field of Baseball.

The spirit of this game shall endure forever.

Re: Amuse

I was musing over U.S. election news telling me how a new ‘soulful’ White House might respond to the crises of our time. Blessedly, without The Donald in charge, there will be less amusement.  Much of the world was certainly not amused by Trump’s selfish antics. He was a president who’s only muse was power. He showed no sign of comprehending the Arts as described in Greek Mythology. That ancient culture appointed nine Muses to watch over artistic pursuits: Three styles of poetry were inspired by Calliope, Erato and Polyhymnia, In theatre Melpomene and Thalia teamed up, Euterpe brought music when Terpsichore danced, and Clio kept a record of it all (hopefully an accurate one) for posterity’s sake. 

I feel that government’s responsibility is not to entertain the masses. Those we elect are not there for our amusement. By voting we have entered into a contract with our representatives to do good by all. This is so different from what you expect when you purchase an amusement park ticket. You step right up for the greatest show on earth. You come along for the ride. You strap yourself in. You are entertained by the unexpected extravagances. You will be thrilled. You choose to be thrilled! I have fond boyhood memories of going to Toronto’s C.N.E. at the end of every summer. Another more permanent amusement park nearby is called Canada’s Wonderland, once boasting the longest roller coaster in the land while promising to lift all of your adventures to ‘new heights’!

If life is like a circus, relationships can offer these kinds of random experiences too. We may try out a different personality, against our ‘type’. I did that once, anticipating an adventure. Turned out it was not the ride I had imagined. She felt that way too. When your situation is no longer amusing it is time to look elsewhere, maybe try something or someone, who is tamer, more your speed. No shame in choosing a roller coaster or some such gravity defying device that makes us dizzy, it’s how we learn. Just be realistic to the truth that what goes up will at some point come down. It’s inevitable. When we get to the end of the attraction we can choose to move on to something else or ‘go round again’. I’m not a thrill seeker so you’ll find me at the Bumper Cars or maybe if I’m really brave, The Fun House. I’m not entertained by captive animals either. If I want a wild experience I’ll go for a hike in nature.

How we amuse or entertain ourselves can make a difference to our well being. I’ve enjoyed the cotton candy of a carnival yet I prefer to be edified through the study of Art and Science. I’m so lucky since my food, housing and relationship needs are all being met during these Pandemic times. I am sheltering in place with someone whom I refer to as my muse. We currently work on jigsaw puzzles while inspiring each other to know.