Out of touch with the American Music Awards

In yet another sign that my age is not the primary target demographic of advertisers, popular culture, and now music, I watched the American Music Awards tonight and failed to recognize three of the four award-winners featured in a half-hour time frame.

The ones that I did recognize were: Whitney Houston, who received the International Music Award, for her lifelong impact on the music industry. It was pointed out that she has had 7 number one hits and has sold 170 million records. Many of these were from the 1980s, when she sang such hits as "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and "How Will I Know?" She is now old enough to receive a lifetime achievement-type award, and, although she may have have "work" done to not appear as if she's aging, she has gotta be in her early 40s. She is no spring chicken.

Jennifer Lopez was the other singer I recognized. She was introduced by the "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" boxing announcer and then she pranced down an aisle to a makeshift stage wearing a boxing robe. She sang a song that had something to do with this boxing theme, but I can't remember its name. It was pretty bad, and I felt strange for knowing who she was, but not being able to name a song she sings. I'm making her connection mostly through Ben Affleck.

I could not recognize most other nominees and performers. One woman, who was dressed oddly in a panty hose-like outfit (even covering her eyes)took a microphone stand, simulated breaking glass and then played a piano that was partly on fire. She performed and then was nominated for the Best Artist award. I would be really concerned if she won.

Special effects seemed to be loom large on this night, as other performers, including J Lo, featured explosives on stage. The audience seemed to like it. I wonder if the TV audience did.

I don't remember, really, specifics about the American Music Awards when I was a kid, but I think Kenny Rogers and Neil Diamond may have won some awards. A few years ago, James Taylor won an award, I think, for being old. I recall John Mayer winning an award several years ago, too, for "Your Body is a Wonderland." (Almost typed "Wonderful," there.)

It's weird, though. I listen to top 40 radio pretty often and know bands' names, yet the bands featured tonight were... I don't know... not from top 40. Maybe they're from the rap/dance station genre. Not into that anymore. Stations I listen to which say they're oldies now play 80s music, which is old, but not that old. This is discouraging.

Kings of Leon - who I have heard of and like - was up for Artist of the Year, along with the psycho-looking woman performer. But, again, three of the four nominees were unknown to me. Not like I matter, anyway. I'm 36, nearly 37, and getting to the almost middle age part of life. Advertisements, like for iPhones and TMobile, the sponsor of tonight's event, aren't meant for me. People in my age bracket are just not that influential.

Now, when I watch the Nightly News, and the ads for cholesterol medications come on... now that's closer to my reality. Sadly.

Leaf-blowing blows

The leaves, except for just a few stubborn ones, have fallen, now. They have fallen across the back and front yards, blanketing most of my property. Since we own over an acre and live on a heavily wooded lot, last year we decided that it was time to stop raking and get a leaf blower. This was, mostly, a good idea.

But leaf blowing still sucks.

It has consumed large fragments of my time for the last three weeks. An hour after work, 45 minutes on a Saturday morning, an hour and a half on a Sunday. This weekend, I probably spent about three hours in all blowing leaves into the woods, and I'm still not done.

I will admit that blowing the leaves is definitely easier than raking them. We have just too many to rake. A few weeks ago, though, when I was trying to start the leaf blower, I pulled the starter string too vigorously, I guess, and the string wouldn't recoil. Thus, I ended up raking the front yard. Now, after a $45 repair, the leaf blower is back in action.

We probably have another half day to clean the leaves up. Then, I get to mow the lawn one last time, vacuuming the remnants of autumn, before winter drops its own coating upon the lawn and the driveway.

What do I think of snowblowing, you ask? I will not get into that right now, but you can read an older post here.

Public radio fundraising and touchless paper towel dispensers

Two things that irritate me.

First, public radio fundraising drives. It's not that I wouldn't possibly give money to NPR or Connecticut Public Radio or public television. It's the approach that the broadcasters have during these annoying "pledge campaigns." - especially on TV, but on radio, too. They try to make you feel guilty if you don't give. Like you are actually stealing the content.

If public radio/TV wants to raise more money, they need to stop this approach. It's actually a negative campaign. Public radio, like all of radio, has advertising, but in the form of sponsors, grants, foundation support, and corporate donations. I have read recently that public media is doing well financially, although they claim to rely on money from private individuals to run their operations. If they want more people to consider giving, mail them some information. That's the only way I'd consider it. I'm not going to call in a pledge.

One trick that makes me feel better about this is when I know NPR is looking for money, I quickly switch the station just as the announcer comes on, cutting him off in mid-sentence. It is strangely satisfying.

Second thing: Touchless paper towel dispensers, now commonplace in restaurant bathrooms. In an effort to save paper (and money), these dispensers only give about 6inches of paper towel. Then you have to wave your hand in front of it to get more. This practice may actually be more annoying than public broadcasting fundraisers.

I don't know how much money this saves businesses, but I hate being restricted about how many paper towels I use. (I do tend to take a lot.) So, now, because I feel the restaurant is unnecessarily controlling me, I just hold my hand in front of the dispenser and take far more than I truly need.

When there are two dispensers side by side, I hold my hand in front of both of them. I suggest that you also do this, just to be a pain.

Sometimes, you need these little passive-aggressive behaviors to help you to cope with daily annoyances.