A Day in the Life of Humanity You!
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A while back a much-publicized photo book (I would call it a coffee-table book) came out called A Day in the Life of America. There have been any number of follow-up books published since, including one on Australia, China, Israel – well, there’s quite a few.
I always thought it was a brilliant concept, and in fact it was #1 NY Times best seller, with over 1.3 million copies sold. I believe they sent something like 100 professional photographers all over the US on this one particular day to capture images of everyday folks from all walks of life.
But it got me to wondering (that humming sound you hear). What if some cosmic editor decided to do a giant e-book (for a, you know, giant e-coffee table) called A Day in the Life of Humanity. This giant, imaginary book would contain a single photo for every single human being, illustrating a moment of their lives on one particular day. That one photograph would serve time immemorial as a representation of each person’s life.
Unfortunately, the size of the work and time involved for such a gargantuan project means that the editor has to just pick a random moment from each person’s life to immortalize. But here’s the kicker: he gets to pick the moment.
Yikes!
I’ve wrote earlier this month about being in the Aggie Band back in the ‘70’s at Texas A&M University. Well, there was this one game I remember with arch-rival (OK, I admit it: they’re all arch-rivals!) Baylor University…
It was a dark and stormy night (well, actually, it was in the afternoon – but that phrase really grabs your attention doesn’t it?) and the game was *cough*cough* NOT going too well. Baylor had (well, let’s see… how can one put this delicately?) kicked our butts all over the playing field during the first three quarters, and all indications were the fourth quarter would go pretty much the same way.
On top of that bummer, due to the rain, the cold north wind, and the, um, occasional need to scream at the players every now and then (I was a lot more passionate about football back then), my date and I had virtually no voices left. We were both pretty miserable, I’ll tell ya! And we weren’t the only ones, either; even the Alumni stands had mostly emptied out by now.
To be completely honest (something we always strive for here at the Zone!), we were basically just waiting for the game to end so we could get warm and dry again!
Anyway, there happened to be something of a lull in the excitement action boredom during that dismal fourth quarter. My date and I were sitting on about the third or fourth row (the band always sat at the front of the stands) gazing over at the end of the field (where those dirty rats feisty Baylor lads were about to score once more… *sigh*) when I noticed out of the corner of my eye someone walking by on the field in front of us.
Now, like most universities, our football field was surrounded by a running track; it’s where all the players’ benches, support equipment, etc. is during a game. So you always get various and sundry people walking back and forth about their business in front of the bleachers – photographers, players, coaches, the occasional police, and the Yell Leaders (the Aggie equivalent of cheerleaders).
So it wasn’t that unusual for someone to be walking by in front of us. But for some reason, a part of my mind (at least that part of my brain was activated that day!) noted the fact that this person walked up, stopped for a moment, then walked on. A few moments after the fact, it finally percolated into my forebrain, triggering the first twinges of concern.
As it turned out, the guy was a photographer. My concern turned into an unpleasant train of thought. Did that guy just take our picture? I sincerely hoped not! I knew that if so, we had, um, somewhat less than enthusiastic faces. Oh, well, I thought, he’s bound to have better, more photographic shots. The game (finally!) ended and we went back to the dorms to try to cheer up for another day.
The next day, smack in the middle of the front page of the school paper was - you guessed it - that photo of the two of us, sitting there looking like we’d just gotten the news that our grade-point averages had just plummeted into the basement with only 3 weeks ’til finals. I mean, it was just… pitiful.
(Note: I searched the internet and found a photo that pretty much echoed how we looked. Er, without the goofy hats. Pretty sad, isn’t it?)
What are the odds? To think that during that entire two-hour game, this was the photo the paper’s editor decided to use on the front page of the paper! Sheesh! Rats! And maybe doggone!
Well!
So back to that coffee-table book again. What if that particular photo was the one the editor ended up using for his Day in the Life… book? What kind of impression would every reader in the universe get of me?
Probably not too good.
OK, granted that life has its ups and downs, and nobody is going to be upbeat and cheerful 100% of the time. Besides, if you were, then it’s likely that most people would think you either a) were on drugs, or b) have lost touch with reality. It’s OK; I understand.
But the thing I’m asking is, on average, what are the odds a random photograph of you would catch you in an upbeat mood?
I mean, let’s face it; if you tend to have a frown on your face, or tend to complain about life, the universe, and everything – well, then the odds are pretty good that a random moment of your life will lead people to think you’re always like that, wouldn’t you say?
But if you are one of those folks who tends toward a more positive outlook, one that can suffer setbacks but still pick themselves up and keep trying, then the odds are far better that a random glimpse into your life will leave a much more upbeat impression. Hey, it stands to reason, right?
Hey, I’m no expert (nor do I play one on TV), but I know what kind of image I’d like folks to have of me – and believe me, it ain’t blue!
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13 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee and exchange ideas, big or small, with applications in the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
[…] of Texas A Day in the Life of Humanity You! » This Summary is from an article posted at Middle Zone Musings on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 […]
Great story, Bob! (although it would have been better if you HAD been wearing Aggie jester hats).
By the way, my condolences on Mike Sherman being named the new Aggie head coach…
Mike, I wish I’d kept that stupid issue of the Aggieland!
What a great post Robert! (Do you prefer “Bob” or “Robert?) I have been thinking about this quite a bit lately. I have tried to make a conscious decision to change my attitude. Life’s way too short to hang our heads and be down all the time!
On a long winded side note I thought I would share an aTm story:
I made a trip down to “Aggieland” in the late 90’s (maybe 2000) with a cousin of mine (who was a huge Kansas State fan). We drove the 16 hours non stop so we could get to the aTm vs KSU game in time to tailgate. Since I had a small tv that could hook up to a car battery, a group of Aggie fans (about a dozen) invited us over to their big tailgate (as long as we would bring the tv). As we were munching on some fabulous ribs, we saw an older gentleman walking his dog in the parking lot, and he was headed our way. What I couldn’t figure out was why he had another gentleman walking 10-15 feet behind him.
Well, as he got closer, we realized that it was former President Bush (Sr. - you know, the one without the “W”), and his FBI issued body guard. He walked right up to our tailgate, introduced himself, and started munching on some ribs with us. (We offered him a beer, but he declined)! The neat thing was, he pulled my cousin and I off to the side (because we were the only ones in “Wildcat” gear) and chatted with us for quite a few minutes. He invited us up to his presidential library after the game.
It was a pretty neat experience for a couple early year college kids: to rub elbows and (literally) eat ribs with a former president. My only regret was not going up to the library after the game. K-State lost the game, so we decided to dead head it back home.
I told you it was a “long winded side note!” But, I thought it would be neat to swap some aTm stories!
Wow, Eric - how cool is that! I can hear the water cooler conversation now…
“Oh, yeah - you know ol’ number 41? He’s a personal friend of mine. Why, we had lunch just the other day!”
Hey, that was fascinating. I often find myself wondering about things like that.
So…..why didn’t you give us the link to the photo? C’mon, you KNOW you need to do that to make this piece complete.
By the way I went to Baylor. 1980-84. In 1980 Baylor won the Southwest Conference and beat everyone they played except San Jose State. (The Rice band played “Do you know the way to San Jose” at halftime when they played us that year)
Anyway, there was this girl that I knew in high school. I always had a thing for her, and I kinda felt the same was true for her. But one of us was always dating someone else or whatever. I went to BU and she went to A&M. Then she called and invited me to come down and see the game with her. I was pumped because I heard the Aggies kissed their dates every time they scored.
Wouldn’t you know it. Baylor held the Aggies to zero points (or maybe there was a late score…I don’t remember but even if there was, no one was kissing by then)
I was rooting for the Aggies secretly that day. Just think of the scores of times the Aggies have slaughtered the Bears, racking up the points. What are the odds that I would be in the stands with an Aggie I wanted to kiss on that fateful day?
Actually, the Aggie Band is what tilted me toward attending Texas A&M. And then, when I found out about the, um, traditions… well, that cinched it!
On another funny note - my roomate had a Ford Torino that was Baylor green with the gold stripe down the side - Baylor colors! We gave him heck the entire year.
Hey Robert. The pic you chose is almost certainly from one of the most recent soccer games in which the English national team were beaten and which means they do not qualify for the hugely important and lucrative European Championships next year. English soccer fans don’t handle their team losing nearly as well as we Scots do…cos it happens to us a lot. But not this season - we have shone. And even though we are not in those championships either we are still taking delight that we went down fighting!
So after that brief but rambling sports lesson I would love to think that with my sunny disposition I could not be snapped looking grumpy. But I bet - like you - that if I was ever going to be in a front page pic I would be looking glum.
So I will work on being prepared for photographers all the time….that’s a good focus (pardon the pun)
Jackie
Howdy, Jackie! Hey wait a minute - “being prepared for photographers” - “good focus”… Oh, I get it! Bwa-ha-ha-ha!
Er, sorry.
Hey, congratulations to Scotland!
You look like a contrast in the picture. With a happy hat and an unhappy look. Anyway, it’s like having a universal yearbook, right? It would be nice if there are two pictures. One that you chose and one that the photographer did. That way, you’ll see two different sides of yourself.
Jen - wouldn’t it be nice if we could choose it ourselves! Ah, but that’s the problem, all right.
That’s quite a story, Robert–and it certainly gets one thinking! How many of us would really want one of our more negative–though of course infrequent–bad moods immortalized on film for all to see? Certainly gives one pause!
Thanks for the highy entertaining reminder! Of one thing we can be sure: If anyone should decide to snap a photo of us while we’re reading your blog, we won’t have a thing to worry about–they’ll never catch us wearing a frown!
Thanks for another great post!
Jeanne
Why Jeanne - what a kind thing to say! And thank you! As long as it stays true, then I feel like I’ve accomplished what I came to do: Teach the mind; touch the heart!