Wednesday, July 23, 2008

"The Music Man Gambit"

I have to assume some majority of people reading my blog are familiar with the music from the Broadway Musical (and the Hollywood movie of the same name) "The Music Man". Basically its about a sleazy salesman (Professor Hill) selling the idea of a band , complete with uniforms and instruments, to keep the kids from going a stray----. One of the songs in this musical sums up his approach , his sales pitch to the good citizens of River City, "Theres Trouble in River City"---the lyrics of the Song---"Trouble, trouble, trouble, theres Trouble right here in River City, Trouble, thats Trouble with a "T", that rymes with "P", and that stands for POOL---and here comes the real pitch---now that he has everyones attention----"Does johnny leave the house and rebuckle his Knickers BELOW, the knee----does he hide books in the corn crib, books telling stories from Captain Willy's Wizbang (gasp), and are certain words creeping into your boys vocabulary, words like ---"Swell"---and "So's your old man!---WELL you got trouble folks, trouble right here in River City----it goes on from there, its a great lyric and a extremely well done bit in the movie done by Robert Preston.
I mention all of this as, each succeeding generation chafes under their elders, wanting to break free and do things they're way----the elders, pretty sure their younguns aint smart enough yet--fighting em tooth and nail, but -------time does march on. Oh man, if I HAD been born 50 years later -----why I could---?? aw hell who am I kidding----nothing has really changed all that much. Oh Sure today we have computers, IPods, everything is digital.
Kids today apply for a job, no experience, just some grades and a few folk willing to vouch that Johnny or Sally are really good kids---and the kids get the same answers we got, gosh we were looking for somebody that has real experience-----or I'm sorry we also have a person who is married who has the same experience and skill as you do. In short the current generation goes though the same crisis we did when we were they're age---and it is and WAS traumatic for all of us. I mention this just to caution Parents dealing with offspring who are trying to spread their wings, trying to fly---be supportive, don't laugh , don't do the ever so easy to do , "I Told ya, I told ya a hundred times, you never listen--" bit. At this point in their lives, they already KNOW ---don't humiliate them by making them admit it.-------Thats all I have to say about that (when they aren't around to see ya, THEN you can laugh and jump up and down and relish the moment----but only briefly, unless ya get the kid a job, your stuck with him living at home----forever---yeah, thats not so funny is it?

8 comments:

  1. I love the music man. I sometimes catch myself singing that same song. Although the only part I can ever remember is T and that stands for trouble.

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  2. I"m just wondering here, but are you glad that you didn't have children? There are very few people who I can ask that, due to most people having at least one....two....three.....YeGods!!

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  3. I worry every day about my kids. It is a tough world out there.

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  4. My Brother, having sired a Half dozen----took an awful lot of pressure off of me---and a good thing, as it turns out---barely can afford me. (heh, heh, heh)

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  5. Leslie:----know what ya mean, if I could remember all the lyrics of all the songs I have heard over the years----but I can't , just some of the better lyrics, and even those I kinda screw up somewhat----thanks for the comment.

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  6. "We live in a decaying age. Young people no longer respect their parents. They are rude and impatient. They frequently inhabit taverns and have no self control." -Inscription, 6000 year-old Egyptian tomb

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  7. Demeur:---which just goes to show ya---truth always wins out----the world is going to hell, they turn 50 and they think they know everything.

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  8. Let me guess you turn 70 and you forget everything :-)

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Speak up, don't be a nebish---your opinions do count.