The Power of Gold

Andrew Gold died June 3rd.

You may not know who Andrew Gold is, but he came from musical pedigree.  His father, Ernest, was an award-winning film composer.  And if you've ever seen the movies "West Side Story", "The King and I", or "My Fair Lady", then you are familiar with his mother's work.  She did the original singing overdubs for Natalie Wood, Deborah Kerr, and Audrey Hepburn in those classics.

No surprise than that Gold became a musician.  And you likely know some of his work.  "Thank You For Being a Friend" was one of the American singer/songwriter's biggest hits, long before it became the theme song for the popular sitcom "The Golden Girls".

But back in 1977 - what a year! - Gold was near the top of the charts with "Lonely Boy", a stirring pop number about a boy who feels neglected by his parents once they welcome his younger sister into the world.
It was a jaunty, piano-based tune typical of the era.  But there is something about that song, even today, over 30 years after hearing it on the AM radio of our discolored station wagon, that still makes the hairs on my arm stand on end.

We have know way of knowing how we will be affected by songs, books, movies.  They can inspire us, move us to act, stir up anger, dare us to dream, as well as so many other emotions.  So comparatively speaking, in the course of a lifetime, think of how many more words we say to each other and the impact they can have.  Words can inspire.  Words can move us.  They can also cut us down.  Words can hurt us.  We go through our days likely not even considering that fact.

One day, not so long ago, I bumped into a former student who I hadn't thought about in years.  After some obligatory catching up, she informed me that I was responsible for her career choice - one that had taken her around the globe and one for which she has achieved great acclaim.  Stunned, I listened as she told me the story of how she was struggling with what to do with her life.  And how I had told her to do something she loved.  Which she happily did.

I do not remember the conversation whatsoever.  It is one of millions that I've had which have subsequently passed into the mist of time.  I have no delusions that most of them were as inspiring as this one turned out.  It is more likely there are a greater number that skew to the negative rather than to the positive.  And that's a shame.  Think of all the conversations we have during one day, one week, one year.  Now, how often do we consider the power of our words and the impact they may have on someone?

I never met Andrew Gold.  But 30 years later, one of his songs still manages to move me, to lift me up, to shake me out of whatever funk I may be in at the time.  Music can have that power.  So can our own words.  And Andrew Gold continues to remind me that what we say (and often how we say it) can have a lasting influence long after we've forgotten what we even said.

R.I.P., "Lonely Boy".  And thank you for being a friend.

None of the Above

In the 1985 comedy remake "Brewster's Millions", Richard Pryor plays Monty Brewster, an aging minor league baseball player who inherits $30 million from his uncle.  But a provision of the will allows for Monty to inherit the true value of the estate - some $300 million - provided he spends all of the original $30 million in 30 days.  He can't give any of it away, he can't damage anything, and, perhaps hardest of all, he cannot tell a soul, including best friend (and team catcher) John Candy, why he is engaging in such monetary madness.  At the end of the 30 days, he has to own absolutely nothing but the not-so-proverbial Cubs jersey on his back.  Otherwise, he gets nothing!

It isn't as easy as you might think.  Unaware of the codicil of the will, friends place bets that shockingly pay off or make investments that reap unexpected rewards for Monty, leaving him right back where he started.  Even a satiric run for Mayor of New York City - under the protest banner of "None of the Above" - backfires when Brewster begins leading in the polls and learns that he will earn a salary if he wins.

There was a primary election today.  I didn't vote.  Ordinarily, I would feel guilty about that.  The freedom to vote is one of the tenets of America that makes this country great.  It affords citizens the chance to have their voice heard and to impact who the decision-makers will be - or in the case of a primary, which candidates will face-off against each other come November.  It doesn't feel right to pass up the opportunity to participate in such a truly democratic principle, especially when one sees so many around the globe fighting for that very privilege.

Except today's ballot featured no options for any office in my area.  Everyone was running unopposed in their respective parties.  I didn't understand the logic of that - or the subsequent purpose of holding the primary at all.  PL chimed in - you'll hear alot from her, as do I - PL chimed in that it allowed for the possibility of a write-in candidate.  Okay, I get that.  But what if Mickey Mouse, Lebron James, Carrot Top, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Holden Magroin - all popular write-in names in the past - are having off years?

Few elections are ideal.  I suppose there will always be elections when it seems like you can't find a coherent candidate.  Or when you are regrettably choosing the lesser of two evils.  Or - and I don't abide by this, but I do understand it - when exercising the right NOT to vote sends a message (or intends to) that the potentials aren't up to snuff.

And suddenly, a "None of the Above" ballot doesn't sound so bad.  Where have you gone, Monty Brewster?