Tony Snow (1955-2008)

I never knew him personally, nor had I met him in person at all. He inhabited a world very different from mine, as different as two possible worlds could be.

But I confess there was an affinity or profound connection with him, close enough for my soul to feel deep grief in learning of his passing, and to automatically coat my eyes with a thin film of earnest tears watching honest tributes of him coming from other famous personalities in media and politics.

For indeed I knew him only from radio and TV. Nostalgic mental images of him start a slow pious procession in my affected mind, after being jolted by a curt headline on the Internet announcing his loss to the cancer that he was suffering from.

A very gentle voice unchanged and unfazed regardless of any hot topic he was dealing with whether on radio and TV. A telegenic presence that commanded respect, adulation, and credibility to any thorny issue that he was trying to unravel or communicate to his audience. Well-chiseled and squared facial features, held upright and admirably together by lanky but broad shoulders and a physically-commanding body.

There was not much anything one heard or saw of him that one could not like.

Good-bye and God-speed, Tony. God in his mercy and justice has now taken the task of showering His Divine Providence in loving care of the surviving rest of your beloved family.

It is only but fair, if only in just recompense for a life well-lived.

Living Bi-coastal

Click. Fox News channel quickly materializes into view, with tele-genic hosts delivering in soft and modulated cadence. Up to the minute streaming news and human interest stories parade through one’s ken, presented in typically very soothing fashion allowing one the feeling to sit back comfortably, create a calming atmosphere around the electronic presence, and generally feel good about the world. (Okay, maybe not the last phrase.)

Another Click. And comes the screechy high-pitched voices of newscasters and program hosts, giving an almost caricatured and very loud rendition of news reporting or program hosting. Jolting one to sit nervously on edge, and maybe run reflexively for the remote to reduce volume.

A world of difference?

Wrenched from my adopted country of almost 30 years and living again in the old homeland for the last three months, I do need to be kept abreast of the news (and maybe, scandals) on both coasts, for very understandable personal reasons.

Cable TV affords one that convenience of surfing not only through local channels, but through many of the international channels as well. From CNN, to BBC, and to the local upstart, Fox News.

One cannot help but compare how news and messages are delivered from two sources separated by a wide ocean and thousands of miles apart. Differences abound not only in the language that they are delivered, but also in how news/messages are articulated over the air ostensibly for the listening delight of the listeners. Although, local news and programs are also done in English and at times in a combination of both, called locally under the euphemism of Taglish (Tagalog interspersed with English, or vice-versa).

Locally, to bring across passion, commitment, seriousness and deliberateness it almost seems like the “town crier” has to shout every word, with almost unnatural modulation, and definitely, loud voice. Live programs with audience participation are almost always a shrieking cacophony of shouting matches from hosts to audience, from light banter exchanges to ad-libbed live ads.

Why so loud with each talker holding on to the best sounding microphones very close to the mouth, one is left to ponder. And tossing one at sea in bewilderment.

Is it too much to expect from producers of shows or the hosts themselves to understand that delivery is very critical in bringing across from studio to listeners whatever messages they are trying to convey?

That shouting them, especially in unison and cadence with others only serves to audibly blur the messages, or worst muffle them badly as to be lost to or even misunderstood by the listeners?

Haven’t the ever vigilant and money-wise advertisers not wakened up to this, and politely requested for subtle changes in how their messages are articulated and delivered electronically?

But hey, maybe I am wrong. Very dead wrong. Maybe there is deliberate method to this seeming madness. Maybe surveys have determined this is the best way to deliver not only messages to the Filipino listener, but also to show commitment, passion, and deliberateness.

Whatever it is, please do not shout at me!

I am just wondering aloud.

More From The Ancient Department

Ronson lighters were the Roll Royce of their times, when smoking of cigarettes was considered "cool" for both men and women. Well-crafted, dependable, and a bit pricey, especially compared to matches.

And to extend one's "coolness" to the bathroom, Ronson also made electric shaver products, fit for the coolest of smokers and a gift fitting for the gentleman who had everything.

This yeoman's facial hair remover was in the hands of most adult males in the mornings. Sturdy, convenient, and durable. Replacement for replaceable blades was easy to secure.

Another sturdy product of youth. A heavy cast-iron hulk of a two-hole puncher, weighing at least three pounds. Could double up as weapon against pesky officemates.

For the consummate devotee of orderly and neat office paper files, a small paper cutter able to fit easily on any table top.

Garbage Guaranty

UPDATE: (June 28th, 2008)

Now, does that look like "fresh" garbage added on the heap, after a newly-painted garbage drum has been added for the dumpers' convenience?

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One sure way to guarantee that garbage and refuse will be dumped on your vacant lot.

Of Older Stuff

Pictured below are old products that surely have gone the same dusty and forgotten way of Beta-Max, VHS, VCR, 3D films, etc.

A miniature Mamiya film camera that fits snugly in one hand but weighs maybe two pounds. Loaded with all the fine-tuning adjustments one found in a regular-sized camera then.
The Kodak Instamatic, the most convenient piece of picture-taking equipment appropriate even in the hands of a child. Most households had one then, and the price was quite affordable.
What about a sturdy, industrial-strength, made of heavy cast-iron, one-hole puncher for your school work. Weighs maybe two pounds.
And a manually-operated numbering machine that produced professional-looking numbers, then at least. Number crunchers had to have one.
For the audiophile, a transistorized reel-to-reel tape recorder that one could carry around for listening to recorded songs or for interviews of important personages.


Those were the days.

ADDENDUM:
Call this your check protector. After writing out your check, roll this gadget over all the text and numbers you just wrote and viola, instant protection. It embosses and perforates the areas touched by it. A hardy and endurable product made in the good old US of A.