Essay: "The Best Time of the Year"

Essay: "The Best Time of the Year"

Some people believe that Christmas is, as the annoying Andy Williams song says, The best time of the year". Others think the summer is. They both have a point I suppose. However, Christmastime where I live is too cold and stressful, and summer is too damned hot. To me, autumn is the best time of the year. Fall is neither too hot nor too cold, at least at first. But the real reason that fall is the best time of the year is that by late September the "Fall Preview issue of the TV Guide (R, TM?) comes out and it is time to watch as many shows as I can before the damned highly flawed Nielson (TM?) rating system causes many good shows to meet their demise. At least for me, my DVR machine is working overtime, and what shows I don't have room to record or watch, I try to view online. I purchase the Fall Preview issue every year. It includes all the new shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and the CW (formerly the WB). Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to include USA, TNT, FX, TBS HBO, and other good shows on basic and premium stations. By the way, other than music and talent competitions, I pretty much detest so-called Reality Shows. Plus I prefer dramas over comedies, especially situation comedies. (tbc?)

Essay: "Writing Contests"

Essay: "Writing Contests"

I subscribe to several free on-line writer's websites such as WinningWriters.com. In addition to advice, poetry, essays and prose these websites feature writing contests, most of which have monetary prizes for winners. I have entered very few of these contests, but I have noticed that at least 80% of writing contests have a mandatory "reading fee". For those who offer these contests I'm sure that these reading fees add up. If a contest requires a $5 fee, if one thousand people enter that's one thousand dollars. If a contest requires a $10 fee that's ten thousand dollars if 1000 people enter. If anyone is foolish enough to pay a $20 fee, if one thousand people enter that's an easy $20,000 for those who put on the contest. Anyway, I refuse to enter any writing contest that requires a fee of any kind. Some of these contests offer several thousand dollars in prizes, but if there is a fee I don't want to be scammed, manipulated or exploited. Who knows if these contests are legit? Another thing to be wary of is if a poetry contest requires or recommends that poets who enter contests purchase an anthology of winning poetry. I made that mistake a decade or two ago and wasted about forty dollars. To their credit, WinningWriters.com does offer free writing contests, but to access all of the 750 some-odd free to enter contests you have to pay a quarterly free. It is hard to say if that fee is a worthwhile investment.

Essay: Too Good To Be True Radio Ad

Essay: Too Good To be True Radio Ad: If you hear an ad about "free groceries" do not respond.

A little over a month ago I was listening to the Rhode Island-based alt-rock station WBRU. After listening to several songs I heard an ad by Nelson Research Group about calling a survey and in return I would get $1000 in "free groceries". Against my better judgment I responded to the ad. Before I knew it, I was asked to give them my credit card information (what should have been a giant red flag to hang up). Also, I was signed up for several programs (such as "Auto Savings USA" and "Powerhouse Savings", among others) that I neither wanted nor needed to sign up for. Each of these programs would cost me $19.99 per month on my credit card if I failed to cancel within a month. In the coming month I had to pay at least $50.oo on my credit card for responding to this ad. I successfully canceled all the programs I was signed up for, but I had a hell of a time calling and canceling them all. I must admit I did get a voucher for supposedly 'free groceries', but it is a coupon service; which I have to pay a fee each time I order the coupons. I have yet to order any of these coupons, but I have a feeling I won't save anywhere near what I hoped to save (if any). Hopefully, I won't lose money on the deal. At least I learned my lesson.

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 6 of 6

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 6 of 6

If Virtual Reality became perfected over time, I'm sure that a sizable segment of the population might say: "Screw reality! I think I'll remain in Virtual Reality." As for myself, if I had the choice between a world filled with disappointment and mediocrity, or a world of unlimited fulfillment of all or most of my wants, needs and desires; I think I would choose VR.

VR may end up being about the closest to Utopia or paradise that anyone could ever experience. There may be some drawbacks to being there too long, though. For instance, if someone was born and raised in Virtual Reality, or if they spent too much of their life there; once actual reality faces this person(s) again, they may be unwilling or unable to cope with the constant disappointment and broken dreams which all-too-often are associated with the real world. Also, if two or more people, especially those with opposite outlooks on life, become trapped in the same VR habitat together, then even Virtual Reality might become a nearly unbearable hell on earth. One way or the other, Virtual Reality is what the real world should be but isn't: an Anarchist's Disneyland.

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 5 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 5 of Several

My VR experience would be like "Westworld" without Yul Brynner. Virtual Reality is the intermediate step between passive experiences like TV, movies or live theater (at least for the audience), and the active pursuit of life, or reality.

Virtual Reality could be positively used to perhaps, for instance, to overcome shyness, with simulated conversations or social situations; or any number of other simulated rehearsals for real-life situations, only in a virtual environment.

It would not surprise me at all if criminals someday may use VR to prepare for real-life crimes. Likewise, it wouldn't surprise me if perverts or pornographers eventually use Virtual Reality in conjunction with 976 Numbers, or to offer all the decadence, debauchery, vice, and voyeurism than anyone can stand, and then some. Speaking of sleaziness, I'm sure the military or the CIA will soon use VR for their own evil purposes. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and was later part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 4 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 4 of Several

In my VR world, I could make certain people who have wronged me die 10,000 deaths, each one a little slower and more painful than the one before. I could also, at my whim, take the image of any professor or teacher who ever gave me a failing grade, or of anyone who ever gave me a lousy job recommendation, and eviscerate them; without causing any actual harm or breaking any rules or laws.

Other than that, I might be inclined to devise a Virtual world, pristine and untainted by mankind or religion. As a future ad for Virtual Reality might say: " It's getting awfully radiant in here, especially with the pantheon of South Seas Island James Bond girls I have programmed into my VR simulation. You can do the same... "

As I'm sure you've figured out by now, the Real World is very limited in feasible possibilities, but Virtual Reality is a simulated world which has almost unlimited possibilities. Its only limitations are: imagination, fear, or personal inhibitions. (to be cont'd)

The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University in the early '90s and later was part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 3 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 3 of Several

In Virtual Reality, a simulated world you yourself create, you can program a world where you never again, for instance; need experience rejection or resistance. You could also simulate doing just about whatever you like, without ever needing to experience guilt, shame, embarrassment or regrets. Virtual Reality is also a world without rules. You decide when and if anything will happen. You say what goes, and for once you are literally your own boss. Virtual Reality is a world where no artificial, man-made concepts exists to impede your success or fulfillment,such as: laws, propriety, etiquette, sin, or social graces, unless of course you want them to. For example, in VR you could slay or torture a simulated image of whoever wronged you, without breaking any laws or actually harming anyone. You could safely by pushing the envelope in any direction you choose. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later was part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 2 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 2 of Several

Wrecked dreams are hard enough to bear when you have no ambition or talent(s) to make up for one's shortcomings, but when you have talent(s), versatility, ambition and perseverance, what can be worse that when even your slightest hopes remain unfulfilled?

Not too long ago, a new way to cope with the fact that our so-called 'perfect' Creator (if he exists), or the Fate(s) deprived us of an ideal, semi-perfect world had been invented. It is called Virtual Reality. You can soon conceivably experience all of the pleasure(s), but none of the pain, disappointment, BS, or hypocrisy all-too-often associated with reality and life itself. In Virtual Reality or VR, all good or evil, right or wrong, risque thoughts, and realizable, possible, improbable, or even improbable dreams, fantasies or pipe dreams can all become simulated as coming true. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 1 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 1 of Several

Life is arguably a Mexican standoff between what you want, what you need (or think you need), and what you get. Unfortunately, what you get always prevails, especially when you do not get what you want or what you believe you need. Few people get everything they need, and even fewer get everything that they want. Hence, there is a 50% divorce rate, a high rate of depression among both genders, and at least 60% of us are strongly dissatisfied with our job or career (if we are lucky enough to have one in this terrible economy).

Most people become resigned to the mediocrity that is their life. If they experience enough pain, disappointment and heartbreak, even the most confident and optimistic of individuals could let their zest for life slip away; and thus perhaps perpetuate a lifetime of adversity and discontent. Some people certainly bring their own disappointments upon themselves, but injustice is so widespread in this world that at least as many folks are impeded from success or happiness by a variety of external factors. (i.e. other people, bad luck, or fate). (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later appeared in my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "900 Numbers", Part 4 of 4

Essay: "900 Numbers", Part 4 of 4

Especially puzzling to me is why certain people call those so-called party lines. First of all, the people on the other end may be actors trained to keep you talking. Second of all, there are at least six billion people in the world. If you really want to talk to someone, there is bound to be a real person around, locally or not too far away, to talk to or get to know.

Finally, even if the people on the other end of a party line are just there to talk and not actors, rather than to just make money off your loneliness, why take the chance of perhaps meeting a Jeffrey Dahmer, an ax murderer or murderess, a fatal attraction type, a criminal, swindler, rapist, or other undesirable dreg(s) of humanity?

[Note: the original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in 1992 and was later part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "900 Numbers", Part 3 of Several

Essay: "900 Numbers", Part 3 of Several

Any 900 number contest is automatically suspect of being a sham, since most contests don't require a purchase. ("No purchase necessary."). Before you call an astrology line, go to the library and read the horoscope in the newspaper for free. Even buying a book about astrology or going to a psychic in person would likely be cheaper than repeatedly calling a 900 number.

If you call a confession line, why not confess your secrets to a close friend, a shrink, a clergyman, or anonymously blog about it on the internet? Or why not keep it to yourself and save your money? Instead of calling an advice line, read someone like "Dear Abby" and perhaps write in, or go to someone who knows what you need to know, perhaps for free; or at least for legitimate advice. (to be cont'd).

[Note: The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and was later part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "900 Numbers" Part 2 of Several

Essay: "900 Numbers", Part 2 of Several

Calling a 900 Number costs at least one dollar per minute, and very few callers can resist talking for a minute or less. As a matter of fact, in many cases, the people on the other end (for instance, on the party lines) are actors or actresses specially trained to keep people who call in talking for as long as possible. Naturally, any phone line which costs an astronomical amount per minute or for conversation is bound to attract crooks, con artists, and all around sleazy groups and individuals.

It wouldn't surprise me if all the sleazy and potentially sleazy groups and individuals get in on the action. I could imagine people and/or groups such as the CIA, indicted or convicted members of the Reagan administration, unindicted members of the Dubya Bush administration, tv evangelists, organized crime and religion, and many others all establishing nine hundred number lines to exploit the public. (to be cont'd)

[Note: The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and was later part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "900 Numbers"

Essay: "900 #s"

Never mind the perverts and the lonely hearts who call those party lines and sleazy phone sex lines; at least for now.

Nine hundred numbers- They're made for exploitation, for many folks across the nation.

In the last decade or more, what started out as an underground industry has been made almost mainstream from many people's points of view.

During the nineteen eighties, underage kids routinely got through to the sleazy adult phone lines. In the last decade or so, 900 #s have proliferated like a virus. There are contest lines, astrological and psychic lines, confession lines, advice lines, and you name it, there is probably a 900 line for it. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in August of 1992 and was later part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: The Demise of Boston Radio's WBCN FM

Essay: The Demise of Boston Radio Station WBCN FM

After forty-one years Boston's progressive rock station WBCN FM went off the air forever on or around midnight on Wednesday August 12 at midnight. In its place was the new Mix 104.1, formerly Mix 98.5. A few DJs from WBCN, Toucher and Rich and a few to be named later moved to the new All Sports station at 98.5 FM.

WBCN had forty-one years of history, but it was no forgotten relic. In the beginning, in the late sixties, Peter Wolf was a DJ before he hit it big with the J. Geils band. Chalres Laquidara was a DJ for decades. The station frequently had on-air celebrities and live music. It also had the guts to play local musicians on the air. A Battle of the Bands called the WBCN Rumble became an annual tradition. In the seventies and eighties the station was a hard rock station, but some time in the nineties the station changed its format to so-called Alternative Rock. That made it appealing to young people and college students, but it may have turned off older listeners.

In the late eighties or early nineties WBCN aired the Howard Stern show, a raunchy comedy/talk show with very little music, with the shock jock known for pulling racy stunts and R-rated content on air, which likely turned off more potential listeners.. After Stern moved to satellite, BCN aired those other notorious shock jocks Opie and Anthony, whose mean-spirited comedy bits and stunts also likely turned off a lot of listeners. Not too long ago, BCN had some success with DJs Toucher and Rich, but they played little or no music and talked on and on about such inconsequential people as this insignificant guy Adolfo, a slob who probably lived with his parents. Anyway, I'm sure these guys turned off potential listeners who tuned in to hear music.

The consolidation of media by such giants as Clear Channel and Greater Media may also have hastened BCN's demise on free radio. Fortunately, the station is still available on WBCN.com and on high definition radio. Unfortunately, a receiver for high-def radio can run into hundreds of dollars, but I understand that a portable receiver may be available for under sixty dollars at certain stores. I hope that new sports station crashes and burns. I hope no other stations on free radio that I enjoy listening to will fade to black anytime soon.

Essay: "Dancing with Censorship", Part 1 of Several

Essay: "Dancing with Censorship, Part 1 0f Several

       In Missouri, a certain religious sect demanded that a certain high school forego their annual dance because, according to the sect, "Dancing is evil and is a device of the Devil". It is hard to believe that in this day and age people would have such ridiculous and archaic superstitions.

       Admittedly, I don't dance. I can't dance, and I don't particularly care to learn to dance. I also never enjoy myself much at dances. In fact, at most dances in ten minutes I'm late for the door. As a matter of fact, I generally don't give a damn about dancing or dances. What I am concerned about is the reason why this dance in Missouri was banned. After all, there is supposed to be a separation of Church and State in this country. Fortunately for the rest of us, back in the day Thomas Jefferson had the wisdom to see the abuse of power which would result if Church and State were not separate. Thus, Jefferson helped make sure that Church and State were separate entities in America. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court (in the early '90s) set our nation back several centuries by allowing this ban to be upheld. (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and in my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 8 of 8

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 8 of 8

       An unfortunate result of the new NC-17 rating is that many morality groups and religious leaders want rating boards to rate films on a community by community basis. As a result, filmmakers in certain areas of the country may lose their artistic freedom, and likewise actors, directors, producers, screenwriters, movie theaters, and potential moviegoers may lose the freedom to choose what film(s) they would like to see, make, buy, or audition for.

 [The original version of this essay, then entitled   "NC-17 Films", first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s, in my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays", plus in UMass/Boston's  Mass Media student newspaper in the mid-'90s.]

       

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 7 of Several

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 7 of 8

       NC-17 is nor so much a moral issue, but an issue of freedom vs. censorship. In a free country we can live with NC-17 films. The alternative is to allow a few morally deluded moralists decide what is moral or acceptable for everyone. Then we will all be up the creek, because freedom will be in jeopardy. By the way, "protecting the children" as an excuse to censor is a right-wing cop-out. There ought to be a way to allow those of age to watch and to keep children out if need be. If you value freedom, and if you deplore censorship, urge the MPAA to retain the NC-17 rating. (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay, then entitled  "NC-17 Films" was first published in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s, in my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays, and in UMass/Boston's Mass Media student newspaper in the mid-'90s.]

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 6 of Several

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 6 of Several

       Almost as soon as it was established, small-minded people already started to fight against NC-17 films. As could probably be expected, the pesky ultra-right-wing religious group, the American Family Association (with less than 3000 members in the early '90s) threatened to boycott Blockbuster Video if they ever started to carry NC-17 films. Soon afterward, Blockbuster Video caved and announced that no NC-17 films would be sold or rented in their stores.  A similar morality group,  Focus on the Family, pressured Burger King to stop advertising on allegedly violent or to them  'objectionable' tv programs, and BK likewise gave-in to a small minority of vocal loudmouths who put their narrow agenda ahead of the majority's interests. Likewise, Catholic bishops, continuing in their antiquated pseudo-moral arrogance, have judged the NC-17 rating sight-unseen. Fortunately, the notoriety of these prudes may result in more people seeing such films. Perhaps most disgraceful of all, even some major newspapers have refused to advertise NC-17 films. So much for the First Amendment! Those newspapers, Blockbuster Video, Burger King, and others deserve to be boycotted for promoting or giving-in to censorship.  (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s, in mu unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays and appeared in UMass/Boston's Mass Media student newspaper in the mid-90s.]

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 5 of Several

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 5 of Several

       "Henry and June", the first movie officially granted an NC-17 rating, ended up being a big box-office failure. It lost money in part because, in most cases, television, most newspapers, and later video stores would not advertise or carry the film. And besides, certain cinemas, due to pressure by politicians, self-appointed morality groups, and narrow-minded citizens, would not or could not carry NC-17 films. (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s, in my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays, and in UMass/Boston's Mass Media student newspaper in the mid-90s.]

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 4 of Several

Essay: "NC-17 Films and Censorship", Part 4 of Several

       An alternative to receiving an X or NC-17 rating was and is to fail to submit a film to be rated at all. Filmmakers are charged a fee in order to be rated. It is hoped that once a movie is rated, the target audience will more than offset the fee that must be paid before film is rated. Since children under 17 are supposedly restricted from seeing R-rated movies, a movie which receives an R-rating could receive much lower box-office receipts than it might have earned as a PG or PG-13 film. When there was still the possibility of receiving an X-rating from the MPAA, an X-rated film could lose a substantial portion of its potential audience. So far, the impact of an NC-17 rating has had a negative consequence on a movie's audience appeal and on box-office receipts. So far, no NC-17 films have been very successful at cinemas that I know of, but Paul Verhoeven's notorious  "Showgirls" has become a cult classic on home video. Likewise, unrated films could also lose a large share of their potential audience. (to be cont'd)

 [The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s, in my unpublished manuscript  "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays, and in UMass/Boston's  Mass Media student newspaper in the mid-90s.]