 |
This blog is so not about food or cooking. Not that I don't love to eat. However my culinary expertise-repertoire is limited to a decent tuna casserole and Dad's marvelous meatball recipe. I've prepared a decent veggie lasagna but not really that interested in becoming a domestic diva in the kitchen. I guess when I get tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and takeout, I'll pick up and crack open one of the many Cooking for Idiots or other "easy to follow" recipe books I already have, sitting on the kitchen shelf, collecting dust. Luckily my hubby knew what he was getting himself into and glad he likes to cook! But I am already past my 40th birthday (umm-humm--way past) and probably not that likely to change my un-Martha Stewart like ways unless I get struck by a ray of lightning or Rachel Ray herself performs some miracle intervention.
Anyway, before I get any further off track, this blog is all about me and my favorite things. I am a product of 1970's pop culture. I was raised by the Bradys, Partridges, Waltons, Ingalls and all of the ultra sweet, syrupy family sitcoms of the 1960's and 1970's. Sure, they all offered a simplistic and idealistic view of the world. But basically I learned to be kind to others, respect myself and that anything in life is possible.
Didn't get a colored television set until I turned fifteen in 1981. Unless I was lucky enough to visit a friend's house or head to the Bronx for a visit with my grandparents where I got to see my favorite tv families in living color, I got pointed in the Direction of Albuquerque with the Partridges or went to the Grand Canyon or Hawaii with the Bradys on a crappy black and white television set with rabbit ears. Sometimes the picture would roll more often than a 1972 Winnebago.
Let's begin with this scene from the "Personality Kid" episode of the Brady Bunch. Peter was devastated when his peers told him he had no personality and was positively BORING. So he tries taking on everyone else's persona including Humphrey Bogart's. Ultimately, he learns the nice little Brady message which is to BE YOURSELF.
Anyway, before I get any further off track, this blog is all about me and my favorite things. I am a product of 1970's pop culture. I was raised by the Bradys, Partridges, Waltons, Ingalls and all of the ultra sweet, syrupy family sitcoms of the 1960's and 1970's. Sure, they all offered a simplistic and idealistic view of the world. But basically I learned to be kind to others, respect myself and that anything in life is possible.
Didn't get a colored television set until I turned fifteen in 1981. Unless I was lucky enough to visit a friend's house or head to the Bronx for a visit with my grandparents where I got to see my favorite tv families in living color, I got pointed in the Direction of Albuquerque with the Partridges or went to the Grand Canyon or Hawaii with the Bradys on a crappy black and white television set with rabbit ears. Sometimes the picture would roll more often than a 1972 Winnebago.
Let's begin with this scene from the "Personality Kid" episode of the Brady Bunch. Peter was devastated when his peers told him he had no personality and was positively BORING. So he tries taking on everyone else's persona including Humphrey Bogart's. Ultimately, he learns the nice little Brady message which is to BE YOURSELF.
Remember the "Getting Davy Jones" episode of the Brady Bunch? Last year, marked the 40th anniversary of perhaps the program's most popular episode ever. In it, Marcia Brady broods as she enters her family's living room and plops down atop a coffee table. The eldest daughter with hair of gold is on a mission to get Davy Jones, the former Monkee to perform at her prom. Even though the world's greatest tambourine player is in town, her latest attempt to meet him has failed. She sadly sighs as her father offers her these Brady words of wisdom, "Well you did the best you could, Marcia. That's all anybody could do."
Getting a famous rocker to appear on your doorstep may not be a realistic task. However, every day teachers try to instill the notion that persistence can lead to success whether it's learning how to ride a bicycle, trying to get a "4" on your final draft of your personal essay or setting more long-term goals. As Marcia declares, "If I say I'll get him, I'll get him." The program also featured many other valid verses. Along with "Your real friends will stick by you" and "You have a responsibility to other people," Mr. Brady advised Marcia, "You really shouldn't promise something until you're sure you can deliver," when she seems to have exhausted every option of nabbing the former Monkee.
We've talked about this program in school. Kids "get" how it is a metaphor for making your dreams come true. (Hey, just get them to "envision" Justin Bieber or one of the Jonas Brothers in Davy's place and voila! Instantly the kids can totally connect!) Noted one former student (who is now a fifth grade teacher herself), ""With hard work and help and encouragement from your family, dreams come true!" Several years ago, we put on our own version of Getting Davy Jones and about fifteen years ago, I met the Davy Jones and shortly afterwards, did a two hour phone interview. We discussed how that particular episode (#63) was a metaphor for never giving up one's hopes or aspirations. The message rings true for all of us. Hey, if Marcia Brady can get Davy Jones to be her prom date well, then I guess I too, can be happy and successful as a teacher, writer or whatever else I want to do. Is it a bad thing to want to share that message with my students?
Last year, I paid $60 to have my picture taken with the Brady boys at a local comic book convention. I got three personally autographed pictures and three separate snapshots with Barry Williams (Greg), Chris Knight (Peter) and Mike Lookinland (Bobby). It was a moral dilemma because I am appalled by major league athletes who make millions of dollars a year and have the nerve to charge for autographs at card shows. These are guys who used to do quite well for themselves. But Mike Lookinland for one, is no longer in show biz. He runs some kind of business out of his home in Utah. He has two sons to support. His wife is a school teacher. I hate the term, "has beens." But there were a lot of them at the show I met the Bradys at. Some of these actors are way past their prime and this is an important source of income for them. Barry Williams (Greg) says he donates thousands of dollars to charity and gives his time to charitable causes all the time. I believe him. My friend actually confronted him for charging for autographs. She actually said she and I are school teachers--real-life heroes and role models--and how could they charge us for their signatures? (It was actually a little embarrassing but her perspective is not wrong, either).
But growing up a very lonely, only child, the Bradys and Partridges meant so much to me. Television lets us escape and sitcoms often allows us to have life's problems neatly wrapped up in half an hour. I still in fact, believe in the idealistic Brady way--that people can actually be nice and kind to each other! I actually met Danny Bonaduce (Danny Partridge) at a comedy show a few years ago. I got his autograph, took pictures and even got in on his act, a bit. He was so nice and did not charge a penny. We pay hundreds of dollars to see our favorite musicians perform in arenas. So I am on the fence on this issue. But I must say, it was quite a treat to meet these guys and get to tell them how special they have always been to me.Never thought I would pay for autographs but such a thrill to have my special moment in time with my childhood heroes.
We all need heroes. Yes, hopefully kids can look up to their parents and other important adult figures in their lives. They can look at everyday heroes who risk their time (and sometimes lives) to help other people. Or look at any influential historical figure who made a difference in our world by taking a stand for what he or she believed in. But most of us have favorite celebrities (musicians, movie stars, tv stars whatever) whom we admire. Sometimes we idolize them. They are people, too. They have great talents but they are flawed like the rest of us. Hey, even the Brady kids have said that their real lives were not very Brady like. Maureen McCormick (Marcia) grew up in an alcoholic household. Danny Bonaduce was abused by his alcoholic father. The list goes on and on. So will this blog.
Getting a famous rocker to appear on your doorstep may not be a realistic task. However, every day teachers try to instill the notion that persistence can lead to success whether it's learning how to ride a bicycle, trying to get a "4" on your final draft of your personal essay or setting more long-term goals. As Marcia declares, "If I say I'll get him, I'll get him." The program also featured many other valid verses. Along with "Your real friends will stick by you" and "You have a responsibility to other people," Mr. Brady advised Marcia, "You really shouldn't promise something until you're sure you can deliver," when she seems to have exhausted every option of nabbing the former Monkee.
 |
| One of the greatest moments EVER in television history--we all got to live vicariously through Marcia as she lands the prom date of her dreams! |
Last year, I paid $60 to have my picture taken with the Brady boys at a local comic book convention. I got three personally autographed pictures and three separate snapshots with Barry Williams (Greg), Chris Knight (Peter) and Mike Lookinland (Bobby). It was a moral dilemma because I am appalled by major league athletes who make millions of dollars a year and have the nerve to charge for autographs at card shows. These are guys who used to do quite well for themselves. But Mike Lookinland for one, is no longer in show biz. He runs some kind of business out of his home in Utah. He has two sons to support. His wife is a school teacher. I hate the term, "has beens." But there were a lot of them at the show I met the Bradys at. Some of these actors are way past their prime and this is an important source of income for them. Barry Williams (Greg) says he donates thousands of dollars to charity and gives his time to charitable causes all the time. I believe him. My friend actually confronted him for charging for autographs. She actually said she and I are school teachers--real-life heroes and role models--and how could they charge us for their signatures? (It was actually a little embarrassing but her perspective is not wrong, either).
But growing up a very lonely, only child, the Bradys and Partridges meant so much to me. Television lets us escape and sitcoms often allows us to have life's problems neatly wrapped up in half an hour. I still in fact, believe in the idealistic Brady way--that people can actually be nice and kind to each other! I actually met Danny Bonaduce (Danny Partridge) at a comedy show a few years ago. I got his autograph, took pictures and even got in on his act, a bit. He was so nice and did not charge a penny. We pay hundreds of dollars to see our favorite musicians perform in arenas. So I am on the fence on this issue. But I must say, it was quite a treat to meet these guys and get to tell them how special they have always been to me.Never thought I would pay for autographs but such a thrill to have my special moment in time with my childhood heroes.
We all need heroes. Yes, hopefully kids can look up to their parents and other important adult figures in their lives. They can look at everyday heroes who risk their time (and sometimes lives) to help other people. Or look at any influential historical figure who made a difference in our world by taking a stand for what he or she believed in. But most of us have favorite celebrities (musicians, movie stars, tv stars whatever) whom we admire. Sometimes we idolize them. They are people, too. They have great talents but they are flawed like the rest of us. Hey, even the Brady kids have said that their real lives were not very Brady like. Maureen McCormick (Marcia) grew up in an alcoholic household. Danny Bonaduce was abused by his alcoholic father. The list goes on and on. So will this blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment