"There are no such things as dumb questions." We have heard that saying used by professors, interviewers and employees for most of our lives. I used to tell production assistants during their orientation that what's worse than a dumb question is not asking and then getting it wrong. I remember a producer once asked during a show meeting , "why does a switch hitter bat right-handed against a left-handed pitcher ?" On the surface, a pretty dumb question because the answer is obvious. After some laughter and good nature d ribbing, we moved on. A few minutes later, an intrepid researcher came back with statistics showing the list of left handed hitters who had great success against left-handed pitchers. It was at this point, that one of our analysts described how a switch hitting teammate once batted lefty against a southpaw and got three hits that day. I remember the producer screaming at him for not bringing this up earlier while he was getting abused for his dumb question. The bottom line is that it led to a very interesting segment of the show that was done because someone asked a dumb question.
It is human nature to be curious. What is not obvious to one person may be crystal clear to others. That doesn't make the question dump to the person asking the question.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Us vs USA
It came down to one incredible play by a Ghana soccer player whose name will never be remembered by most American sports fans. The U.S.A.'s 2-1 overtime loss at the World's Cup ended our country's brief flirtation with the rest of the world. We can now go back to our 20 million dollars a year baseball players on steroids and wait until the REAL football season opens in September. We will watch with bated breath as millionaire N.B.A. owners woo the games biggest names with dollar signs in their eyes to come play for their team in their city.
Sports in the U.S.A. has become too much about the almighty dollar and less about the game. We have disconnected from the rest of the world when it comes to soccer. Why ? Not enough scoring, not enough scoring opportunities ? Or is it just a snobbish attitude America has for the sport. It's not real football is it? Besides its spelled with a u, futbol. Even my spell check thinks that's wrong. Did you see the headline in Sunday's paper ? In this country, the game is considered stupid, but, around the globe this is the biggest sporting event there is.
You have to give ESPN credit. They are trying to educate a soccer illiterate nation to the nuisances of the game. Imagine showing Lady Ga Ga on tour to a Muslim extremist. The mind is closed to the performance no matter how artful it is. So too is soccer in the U.S.
There is no question that had the USA team won and advanced deeper into the tournament that the interest level would have ramped up and the country would have been totally behind the team. With this nation being pulled apart by a split government and an incompetant Brittish oil company, I think we could have used something to unite us. For all those who say the interest in the World Cup will make soccer more popular in the U.S., I say, been there, done that. While many school kids play soccer it has not translated into popularity for the sport. If the greates soccer player to ever play the game, Pele, couldn't bring the sport to America, then it never shall.
And once again America will isolate itself from the rest of the world.
Sports in the U.S.A. has become too much about the almighty dollar and less about the game. We have disconnected from the rest of the world when it comes to soccer. Why ? Not enough scoring, not enough scoring opportunities ? Or is it just a snobbish attitude America has for the sport. It's not real football is it? Besides its spelled with a u, futbol. Even my spell check thinks that's wrong. Did you see the headline in Sunday's paper ? In this country, the game is considered stupid, but, around the globe this is the biggest sporting event there is.
You have to give ESPN credit. They are trying to educate a soccer illiterate nation to the nuisances of the game. Imagine showing Lady Ga Ga on tour to a Muslim extremist. The mind is closed to the performance no matter how artful it is. So too is soccer in the U.S.
There is no question that had the USA team won and advanced deeper into the tournament that the interest level would have ramped up and the country would have been totally behind the team. With this nation being pulled apart by a split government and an incompetant Brittish oil company, I think we could have used something to unite us. For all those who say the interest in the World Cup will make soccer more popular in the U.S., I say, been there, done that. While many school kids play soccer it has not translated into popularity for the sport. If the greates soccer player to ever play the game, Pele, couldn't bring the sport to America, then it never shall.
And once again America will isolate itself from the rest of the world.
How to Work Out
Exercise, to some it entails actually having to get off the couch and exerting themselves. To others, it is a welcome diversion from the stresses of a day. And to a slightly larger group its a taboo word that will never become part of their vocabulary unless its to exercise their right not to exercise.
Thanks to the influx of infomercials we can watch on late night TV, there appears to be many ways one can pump it up and get those tired old muscles into tip top shape. Whether your exercise routine is to follow a video from inside your home,heading out to the gym,playing sports, or just going for a walk there are still some guidelines you should follow.
The first is to always stretch ! This loosens your muscles and allows your body to absorb any impact that comes its way. Work your way from the bottom up or from the top down. Make sure each side of the muscle is stretched out. Now you are ready to tackle that pair of dumb bells, a six foot five basketball player, or the dog walker with a German Sheppard and a Pit Bull blocking your path.
Your goal is to strengthen your muscles and increase your heart rate at the same time. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Try not to over exert yourself. If you are lifting weights, don't go so heavy that it affects your form. Try to avoid unnatural body movements. A twist can turn into a twinge that can turn into a doctors appointment. Know your bodies limitations if you are playing sports. I constantly have to remind myself that the mind of a 30 year-old coupled with the body of a 50 year-old is a good way to injure yourself.
Once you have been able to complete your exercise choice safely, then you can try to challenge your body. Increase the impact of your routines in increments. Cut down on the reps (the amount of times you perform the exercise) as the weight increases. This allows your muscles to grow slowly with maximum effect. If your a walker or a jogger, increase your distance every time you go out. After reaching a certain point you can then exert your body more and try for more distance at a quicker time.
The last thing you need to do is to repeat the first thing you did. Stretching helps cold muscles get warm and warm muscles stretch more allowing your body to expand and the muscles to fit more snugly.
For most people, its just a question of taking that first step. Once you get your hand out of the chips bowl and start exercising you'll see how much more energetic you feel both physically and mentally.
Thanks to the influx of infomercials we can watch on late night TV, there appears to be many ways one can pump it up and get those tired old muscles into tip top shape. Whether your exercise routine is to follow a video from inside your home,heading out to the gym,playing sports, or just going for a walk there are still some guidelines you should follow.
The first is to always stretch ! This loosens your muscles and allows your body to absorb any impact that comes its way. Work your way from the bottom up or from the top down. Make sure each side of the muscle is stretched out. Now you are ready to tackle that pair of dumb bells, a six foot five basketball player, or the dog walker with a German Sheppard and a Pit Bull blocking your path.
Your goal is to strengthen your muscles and increase your heart rate at the same time. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Try not to over exert yourself. If you are lifting weights, don't go so heavy that it affects your form. Try to avoid unnatural body movements. A twist can turn into a twinge that can turn into a doctors appointment. Know your bodies limitations if you are playing sports. I constantly have to remind myself that the mind of a 30 year-old coupled with the body of a 50 year-old is a good way to injure yourself.
Once you have been able to complete your exercise choice safely, then you can try to challenge your body. Increase the impact of your routines in increments. Cut down on the reps (the amount of times you perform the exercise) as the weight increases. This allows your muscles to grow slowly with maximum effect. If your a walker or a jogger, increase your distance every time you go out. After reaching a certain point you can then exert your body more and try for more distance at a quicker time.
The last thing you need to do is to repeat the first thing you did. Stretching helps cold muscles get warm and warm muscles stretch more allowing your body to expand and the muscles to fit more snugly.
For most people, its just a question of taking that first step. Once you get your hand out of the chips bowl and start exercising you'll see how much more energetic you feel both physically and mentally.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Module 4- Thesis Update
I'm very excited because I have found a character who I think will become a central figure in my thesis documentary. He is an old vaudeville comedian who used to perform with among others the singer Rosemary Clooney. For historical reference for some of you Rosemary Clooney was the aunt of an actor named George Clooney who I'm sure many of you are familiar with. Vaudeville, dates back to the 1860's, it was a combination of theater, singers, dancers, acrobats and comedians. It remained the focal point of American entertainment until talking movies phased it out in the 1930's.
The performer I found is the father of a friend of mine and he promises that he has tons of old photographs and programs that I can use as historical footage for my project. Right now I am doing my research so I can formulate the right questions to ask. Once that step is completed, I should be able to schedule my shoots. Time to turn this project from an idea into a reality.
The performer I found is the father of a friend of mine and he promises that he has tons of old photographs and programs that I can use as historical footage for my project. Right now I am doing my research so I can formulate the right questions to ask. Once that step is completed, I should be able to schedule my shoots. Time to turn this project from an idea into a reality.
Module 4- Devils Advocate
It is very frustrating to stare at a blank page and know you have to say something about anything. You try to concentrate on what you want to say, "OK focus, I can do this", then nothing comes out. My attention starts to wander, what's my dog Duncan up to ? Whose on Letterman tonight ? Any new apps for the iPad ? After each distraction, I bring it back to that blank page, "god it's getting late, why can't I think of anything to write?" How the hell am I ever going to find my voice if I don't have anything to say ? What in the world possessed me to take an online writing class in the summer? I'll get you for this Phil Simon.
I guess I could write about something that's going on in the world. Let's see, the Republicans are pissed off at the President because he went out and played golf with Biden while oil was still spilling into the Gulf. How do I feel about that ? I guess to some it would give off the wrong appearance, here's the President blasting out of a sand trap while the American economy and environment is being drained and polluted. But, I really don't think for a minute that some Secret Service agent would not put a call through if something major came up because Obama was lining up a birdie putt. And he is sharing a golf cart with Joe Biden for three hours. No, I don't think I want to write about that.
I can feel my heart pumping a bit faster as I realize that this writers block is creating some anxiety within me. I need to relax, take a few deep breathes maybe bang out a set of sit-ups. There I feel much calmer now. What else is going on ? There's this whole Lady Gaga baseball thing. Is she trying to out-Madonna Madonna. She's been to two baseball games in two weeks at Citi Field and Yankee Stadium. Both times she stripped down to her underwear and at Citi Field she flipped the crowd the bird and in the Bronx she was drinking in the clubhouse after the game. She must have a new album coming out. Either that or she has a real need to be the center of attention. She's one step away from shaving her head and taking a baseball bat to a car. Can't picture a celebrity going that crazy. Oh, wait a minute. Besides, who even knows what she looks like considering she walks around with a veil over the face all the time? What's up with that ? No, I don't think I want to write about that crazy lady.
Politics? Entertainment ? How bout sports? Yanks beat the Mets two in a row. I can't be too unhappy with a 7-2 road trip. Should be an interesting week coming up. The Mets aren't as bad as they were the first couple of months of the season but who knows if they are as good as they've played lately. If they play well this week, I hope they decide to go out and get a starting pitcher. They could use a reliever as well. Elmer Dessens in the eighth inning makes me nervous. I probably shouldn't write about the Mets either, how many people really care besides me ?
I have to find something to write about, I can't just leave an empty page, I'll fail !! Hold on, this page is not as empty as I thought. There are actually well constructed thoughts and sentences written. I just double checked it and you know what it makes sense. I can relax, watch Kimmel, maybe Professor Kalm is right. Just keep writing your thoughts and you never know when it will turn into a story.
I guess I could write about something that's going on in the world. Let's see, the Republicans are pissed off at the President because he went out and played golf with Biden while oil was still spilling into the Gulf. How do I feel about that ? I guess to some it would give off the wrong appearance, here's the President blasting out of a sand trap while the American economy and environment is being drained and polluted. But, I really don't think for a minute that some Secret Service agent would not put a call through if something major came up because Obama was lining up a birdie putt. And he is sharing a golf cart with Joe Biden for three hours. No, I don't think I want to write about that.
I can feel my heart pumping a bit faster as I realize that this writers block is creating some anxiety within me. I need to relax, take a few deep breathes maybe bang out a set of sit-ups. There I feel much calmer now. What else is going on ? There's this whole Lady Gaga baseball thing. Is she trying to out-Madonna Madonna. She's been to two baseball games in two weeks at Citi Field and Yankee Stadium. Both times she stripped down to her underwear and at Citi Field she flipped the crowd the bird and in the Bronx she was drinking in the clubhouse after the game. She must have a new album coming out. Either that or she has a real need to be the center of attention. She's one step away from shaving her head and taking a baseball bat to a car. Can't picture a celebrity going that crazy. Oh, wait a minute. Besides, who even knows what she looks like considering she walks around with a veil over the face all the time? What's up with that ? No, I don't think I want to write about that crazy lady.
Politics? Entertainment ? How bout sports? Yanks beat the Mets two in a row. I can't be too unhappy with a 7-2 road trip. Should be an interesting week coming up. The Mets aren't as bad as they were the first couple of months of the season but who knows if they are as good as they've played lately. If they play well this week, I hope they decide to go out and get a starting pitcher. They could use a reliever as well. Elmer Dessens in the eighth inning makes me nervous. I probably shouldn't write about the Mets either, how many people really care besides me ?
I have to find something to write about, I can't just leave an empty page, I'll fail !! Hold on, this page is not as empty as I thought. There are actually well constructed thoughts and sentences written. I just double checked it and you know what it makes sense. I can relax, watch Kimmel, maybe Professor Kalm is right. Just keep writing your thoughts and you never know when it will turn into a story.
Sports Talk
Sports Talk.... to many it conjures up the sound of WFAN or WEEI radio stations. Since 1987, sports talk stations have given us 24/7 coverage of our favorite teams. The good and bad on the field and the ugly off the field. It's where excuses become reasons and frustrated non-athletes become experts. A place where fans can play General Manager and Joe from New Jersey can get his own talk show. Yes, a whole generation has grown up on this non-stop critiquing of the athletes who play the games we love to watch. But, this is not about that kind of sports talk, this is about the kind of sports talk that has become ingrained in our culture.
The language of sports has been around for as long as the games have been played. Even Osama Bin Laden who actually does live in a cave, knows what a home run, a touchdown or a goal is. As I read Chapter 17 of "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser, I thought about how that language has been used both properly and improperly. It is a language riddled with cliches. The lazy announcers and writers fall into the cliche trap.
The team one game away from elimination has "its back to the walls", the team coming from behind to win has "snatched victory from the jaws of defeat" and the baseball player having trouble getting a hit is "mired" in a slump. There have been a couple of cliches that have made its way into the language of sports that I just don't get. In baseball, its the "walk-off". We have the walk-off hit, the walk-off home run and the one I laughed the hardest at last season, the walk-off balk. So what makes walk-off so special that it gets its own word ? Baseball fans know that for the home team to win a game in the bottom of the ninth inning or in extra innings it has to be a walk-off something. And what is a true freshman ? In college football and basketball a player has five years of eligibility on their scholarship. If they get injured and miss a year they can "red shirt" the season. For a long time you were either a red-shirted freshman (second year of eligibility) or you were a freshman. About three or four years ago, that freshman became a "true freshman". As opposed to what ? A false freshman ? It's just a cliche created for no reason, yet, if you listen to all network announcers, it has become a regular part of their broadcast language.
Lazy announcers and lazy writers can fill the media with one cliche after another. The key to success is to paint the description using words and expressions that everyone can understand. As Zinsser writes, "the value to look for when you write about sport: people and places, time and transition". If you want to understand what that really means, go on You Tube and listen to Vin Scully announce one inning of any Dodgers game.
The language of sports has been around for as long as the games have been played. Even Osama Bin Laden who actually does live in a cave, knows what a home run, a touchdown or a goal is. As I read Chapter 17 of "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser, I thought about how that language has been used both properly and improperly. It is a language riddled with cliches. The lazy announcers and writers fall into the cliche trap.
The team one game away from elimination has "its back to the walls", the team coming from behind to win has "snatched victory from the jaws of defeat" and the baseball player having trouble getting a hit is "mired" in a slump. There have been a couple of cliches that have made its way into the language of sports that I just don't get. In baseball, its the "walk-off". We have the walk-off hit, the walk-off home run and the one I laughed the hardest at last season, the walk-off balk. So what makes walk-off so special that it gets its own word ? Baseball fans know that for the home team to win a game in the bottom of the ninth inning or in extra innings it has to be a walk-off something. And what is a true freshman ? In college football and basketball a player has five years of eligibility on their scholarship. If they get injured and miss a year they can "red shirt" the season. For a long time you were either a red-shirted freshman (second year of eligibility) or you were a freshman. About three or four years ago, that freshman became a "true freshman". As opposed to what ? A false freshman ? It's just a cliche created for no reason, yet, if you listen to all network announcers, it has become a regular part of their broadcast language.
Lazy announcers and lazy writers can fill the media with one cliche after another. The key to success is to paint the description using words and expressions that everyone can understand. As Zinsser writes, "the value to look for when you write about sport: people and places, time and transition". If you want to understand what that really means, go on You Tube and listen to Vin Scully announce one inning of any Dodgers game.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Modul 3 Post 2- A Tabloid Society
Have you ever thought about what a tabloid society we have become ? How we idolize our sports heroes, movie and TV stars and politicians, yet, are so quick to revel in their misery during a scandal. There are many reasons we have evolved to this point. The 24/7 news cycle of CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News as well as the Internet and blogs will now take the most insignificant story and turn it into the most discussed issue of our times. Professor Kalm mentions the Brangelina phenomenon. At least they are two talented actors, but what about Balloon Boy, Jon and Kate, and Paris Hilton ? We know more about the lives of the untalented than anyone has the right to know. A couple sneaks into the White House, a serious security breach, so how does our society deal with them? By heaping tons of free publicity to them and getting them their own reality show.
Do we really care how many women Tiger Woods slept with ? Bill Clinton, yes. He was the President carrying on in the Oval Office. But, Tigers only judge and jury should be his wife, and she split, so why won't the story go away ?
Yes, there is a point where TMI is on overdrive. Reality TV has also contributed to this. You can't fool all of us, we know reality TV isn't really reality its just a scripted show. Yet, we are making stars out of some of the most obnoxious people to think they were famous. Please, who really has time for Omarosa, Snooki or any of the C-list celebrities on Dancing With the Stars ? Just think Simon Cowell walked away from hundreds of millions of dollars on American Idol for just sitting there and winking at the girls and telling the guys they sound like karaoke singers. And don't even get me started on Donald Trump.
So as my blood pressure returns to normal and my veins pop back into my skin think about this the next time you see a tabloid headline or sit down to watch your favorite reality show. Why do you really care about this ? Wouldn't I be better off writing another blog for my ICM 506 class ?
Do we really care how many women Tiger Woods slept with ? Bill Clinton, yes. He was the President carrying on in the Oval Office. But, Tigers only judge and jury should be his wife, and she split, so why won't the story go away ?
Yes, there is a point where TMI is on overdrive. Reality TV has also contributed to this. You can't fool all of us, we know reality TV isn't really reality its just a scripted show. Yet, we are making stars out of some of the most obnoxious people to think they were famous. Please, who really has time for Omarosa, Snooki or any of the C-list celebrities on Dancing With the Stars ? Just think Simon Cowell walked away from hundreds of millions of dollars on American Idol for just sitting there and winking at the girls and telling the guys they sound like karaoke singers. And don't even get me started on Donald Trump.
So as my blood pressure returns to normal and my veins pop back into my skin think about this the next time you see a tabloid headline or sit down to watch your favorite reality show. Why do you really care about this ? Wouldn't I be better off writing another blog for my ICM 506 class ?
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