Too much entertainment?

Three hours at Yankee Stadium, watching and listening to the constant stream of “entertainment” quite separate from the game gave me pause. Just because the technology exists to create and broadcast those images does not mean we must have them non-stop, that we cannot separate ourselves for a few short hours from videos and “kiss cams.” Music at the ball park used to consist of The Star Spangled Banner before the start of the game, with Take Me Out to the Ball Game and perhaps the Mexican Hat Dance during the seventh inning stretch. There was a scoreboard that simply showed the tallies of balls and strikes, hits and runs. That scoreboard has been replaced with an electronic version, but while the design is basically the same, every free moment is filled with flashing lights and views of fans waving at the roving cameras.

Yesterday a young man proposed to his girlfriend at the park. I have heard that elaborate engagements have become quite popular, with some young men spending significant amounts of money to stage memorable events. This one during the game must have been prearranged, although I could not tell whether or not she was surprised. But two thoughts come to mind, neither of them especially positive. First, what if she does not wish to marry him? How awkward would it be if he popped the question and she responded “no, thank you, it has been fun but I cannot see spending my whole life with you”? Second, where does he go from here? What will he ever be able to do to top that? It seems to me that if you start with an elaborate engagement in front of 30,000 people, you have nowhere to go but downhill.

I want to believe that the fellow who goes to that much trouble to impress the young lady will be the one who stays up with a sick child or spends nights in the hospital where his wife is undergoing chemotherapy. I am just not sure that willingness to stage an elaborate marriage proposal requires the same skill and compassion as those more challenging events in our lives. I just hope this young man can rise to the cause.

Late last night we all heard the news of Robin Williams’ death. He was certainly a talented fellow who had an impressive career. People come to feel that they “know” these celebrities. For years I was such an avid Carole King fan that I just assumed she must know me (just to avoid any confusion here, Carole and I have never met)! Today, hearing so much about Robin Williams, I cannot help but think about all the people around the world who died yesterday in wars or from sickness or starvation. We might want to use some of the prayers and wishes for Mr. Williams’ family to make a larger plea for the end of tragic loss in all of its forms.

Love,

Rebecca