You Could Be In Pictures

Ever notice how a soundtrack can make a good film a great one? How music in film can create tension, fear, elation? How a story can be advanced with soaring strings, dissonant chords, or the ominous rhythms warning us of an approaching great white shark? How music heightens our fear as the knife-brandishing stalker moves through the dark house? (Turn on the lights, you fool!) How music seems to increase the speed and excitement of any chase scene? How a love song, growing in volume as the couple on screen finds each other at long last, can make your heart dance and your eyes tear?

Sure you have. Music is one of the great things about film.

Ever notice, though, that the players on camera never hear the music? Seems like a missed opportunity. Because if they heard what we hear there would be far fewer shark victims and fewer people getting skewered in the dark. Characters would know sooner and with greater clarity who longs for them. Tragedy might be averted. Love might flourish. And while it would undoubtedly diminish the viewer's experience, it would help the characters on screen immeasurably.

Which brings me, at last, to the point: Where is our soundtrack? Where is the music that defines our life? Where's our playlist?

What music plays in the background as we move through the week, during our highs and lows? What music warns us of impending trouble or foreshadows upcoming joy? What music confirms the emotions behind a stranger's -- or co-worker's -- fervent glance? What music provides confidence and purpose to our gait? What music offers hope?

It's there. It's got to be there. We just can't hear it.

What a shame, too. Because we can all use the help a soundtrack would provide. We can all use guidance as we move headlong toward trouble. We can all use every clue we can get to make better decisions. We can all use the added joy, the increased confidence, the greater richness background music brings. We can all use more support. We can all use more romance, more love. Definitely more soul.

But unlike the movies, in real life we're left to our own devices. Which means, of course, that the soundtrack to our life is up to each of us. And I've started to assemble mine.

I leave you with a Bonnie Raitt tune and a Tower of Power medley that are part of my soundtrack. Crank up the volume, kick back and enjoy. And while you're dancing, ask yourself: What's in your soundtrack?

May this -- and every week -- be filled with great music that defines you.

Hope

For some of us (and you know who you are), the events of the last couple of weeks urge reflection, contemplation, a look back at the year just ended and a look forward to the year beginning. The look back is intended to teach and in part to humble. The look forward is to provide hope: That the next year will be somehow better, somehow freer of our human foibles and frailties, somehow more embracing of others, somehow more purposeful. Somehow happier.

No, this is not about religion. This is about hope.

Hope. A belief that a desired positive thing will happen -- and the ability to see how that positive outcome can be attained.

Hope. That curious, powerful emotion that keeps our head in the game, our heart positive, our mind able to ward off the nasty, ugly fears that dance on the periphery or, from time to time, that dance center stage.

Hope. The emotion that helps many of us get out of bed each day, giving us energy and determination to continue the pursuit.

Hope. For some, the only thing preventing resignation to despair and failure.

Hope. A -- the? -- quintessential human emotion.

Yes, this is about hope.

Hope that:

• Those who are ill are returned to health
  

• Jobs are found for the jobless

• Chivalry is not dead

• We run to help others

• Justice is applied equally to all
  

• Hatred and prejudice are extinguished

• Wars end

• Violence and aggression are not used to effect change

• Teaching and learning are lifetime pursuits

• We care and support those hit by disaster long after the headlines end (hello Haiti, India, Chile)

• Love flourishes unabated

• Singing in public is the norm

Hey, it's that time of year. A guy can hope.

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

As a public service to you, our dear reader, TJOW offers two stories that caught our attention this week. Two stories, frankly, we clearly should have anticipated. Indeed, given that we pride ourselves on having a reasonable grasp on how people behave at work, we should have known that these events would occur. And while we can offer the defense of being preoccupied with the needs of our clients, the New Year (L'shana tovah!), and a pennant race, it humbles us to admit that we did not foresee either development.

Forgive us, please. We won't let it happen again.

Let us begin with plans to enhance airplane seating. Here, 'enhance' is used very loosely.

As reported in USA Today, a new seat is being considered for commercial aircraft. The SkyRider, fashioned after a saddle, would have passengers sit at an angle with no more than 23 inches between their seat and the one in front of them. Designed by the Italian airline seating firm Avioninteriors, the seats, according to Dominique Menoud, the company's director general are:

For flights anywhere from one to possibly even up to three hours ... this would be comfortable seating. The seat ... is like a saddle. Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in the saddle.

Right. Ever see how cowboys walk?

Thankfully, you won't find the seats on any airplane quite yet. But, you can be sure that most low-cost airlines will be looking into this option for cramming, er, packing, er, utilizing cabin space more effectively.

Ah, but that's not the only idea being floated to increase revenue on low-cost airlines. How about 'vertical seating'?

Talk about oxymoronic. Actually, talk about moronic.

What's vertical seating, you ask? Essentially standing room only. According to Stephen McNamara of European discount giant Ryanair, passengers “wouldn't be fully standing, they would have something like a stool to lean on or to sit on." The new 'seating' configuration, also being considered by China's Spring Air, could provide space for up to 50% more passengers and cut costs by 20%. Spring Air's spokesperson Zhang Wuan states that "It's just like bar stools. The safety belt is the most important thing. It will still be fastened around the waist." Wuan adds that European aircraft maker Airbus has told Spring Air its proposal could be implemented safely.

The concept is under review for flights up to 2 hours in length.

Ryanair, by the way, is the same airline that has proposed a toilet fee and a 'fat tax' for overweight passengers. The airline is moving forward on the first idea but is postponing the latter. (Too bad, as the 'fat tax' has potential.)

Other ideas have already been rejected, including 'horizontal seating'. Like any novel concept, this one also has drawbacks. Aside from the severe wrinkling and soiling of clothing, the inability to breathe, and the hardships encountered while attempting to use one's computer, this idea has been sent back for review. The reason? Our belief is that this space-efficient concept would significantly reduce in-flight sales of food and beverages. It's simply too hard to eat and drink in this position. Rest assured that once they figure out how we can eat and drink while sitting horizontally, there will be buyers for this concept, too.

Makes automobile and train travel sound more attractive every day, no?

Now, let's move to Camp Hope, the site of the 33 trapped Chilean miners. Here, among the families standing vigil for loved ones 2,300 feet below, as many as 5 wives have met women claiming to be their husband's mistresses. As reported in the Telegraph, the women were drawn to their men and to the compensation that awaits the significant other of each miner. The wife of one miner has apparently encountered four.

Why didn't we see this coming a mile away?

At some point soon we're told, each of the miners will have to designate a significant other for compensation purposes. Oh, the fun that's bound to provide.

Three images come immediately to mind:

1. Certain miners tunneling deeper underground.

2. Women -- both wives and mistresses -- using bulldozers to fill the rescue shafts being drilled.

3. Tunnels of Love, the new Fox reality television show from Chile.

We told you to be afraid.

On Inspiration

On this Labor Day -- a day devoted to honoring those who toil daily in the fields, factories, offices, restaurants, hotels, mines and streets -- let us turn our attention yet again to Chile where a story of unparalleled perseverance and inspiration is unfolding before our eyes.

On August 5, 33 copper miners were trapped 2,300 feet below the surface of Atacama Desert in the San Jose mines of northern Chile. For 17 days, searchers above drilled frantically in hopes that the men had made their way safely to one of the 500 square foot shelters constructed in the mine for that very purpose. Each of the first seven attempts produced no signs of life. On the eighth try, those on the surface heard sounds on the line that suggested life below. On removing the probe, the searchers found two handwritten notes enclosed in a small bag attached to the end of the line. All 33 men had found shelter during the blast and were alive and in good spirits.

Celebration!

As the news spread throughout the country, horns blared, traffic stopped, flags were waved, strangers hugged, family members cried. The miners, presumed dead, had been found alive! A moment of unabashed joy swept over Chile, a country still recovering from its recent devastating earthquake.

Only later did the sobering truth begin to unfold.

We first learned that the men had survived those first 17 days -- in 90 degree heat and 90% humidity -- on 2 mouthfuls of canned tuna and a half glass of milk every 48 hours. Seventeen days not knowing if they'd ever be found.

We then learned that, if all went well, their rescue could take upwards of 3-4 months.

For many, that's where the story began.

Thirty-three men trapped for another 3-4 months nearly a half mile below ground, 90 degree heat, 90% humidity, with a 500 square foot shelter and 500 yards of tunnel as living space. One month underground already -- which is now the longest recorded mine entrapment. And three to four more months without sunlight, loved ones, freedom.

At least they've been told the truth that their rescue is not imminent. Curiously, those on the surface contemplated keeping this rather important fact from the men below, fearing that they were not able to handle the truth. Clearer heads finally prevailed and the men were so informed last week. They have apparently dealt with the sobering truth as we would expect: With calm and a resolve to survive.

(What they haven't been told yet is that the owners of the mines may have to declare bankruptcy later this month. It might be wise to keep this piece of data close to the vest for the time being.)

Three to four more months underground. But, alive and surviving.

Talk about inspiration.

Indeed, the miners have become a symbol of strength -- fuerza -- for Chile. More, they've become a symbol of hope. Hope that the miners will eventually emerge from their near-grave thousands of feet below the surface, be reunited with their families, and, as a survivor of a long underground entrapment said, "be reborn".

For when that day comes and the miners are rescued, as one Chilean told me, "We will be a stronger people, a stronger nation."

Why?

Because, as my friend said, "We will have survived."

These 33 men did not foresee the power they would hold over their country when they entered the mine that morning one month ago. Nor did they seek to inspire a nation or a world. Even so, these trapped miners -- strangers to nearly everyone -- are now in the hearts and prayers of millions. A symbol of strength, a symbol of hope.

And should they survive this unfathomable ordeal and again hold their loved ones and feel sunlight on their skin, their months underground will not have been meaningless. For these 33 men will have proven that we can persevere, that we can come together, that we can accomplish miracles.

Which, in its most romantic sense, is what Labor Day is truly about.