E is for Engelbert Humperdinck

It probably is symptomatic of something dire that, in casting around for a plausible "E" topic, the first thing that sprang to mind was this dubious moniker. However, it just wouldn't leave, so here we are.

At the time I got the idea for this post, I had absolutely no clue to whom or to what this name refers. (Do I hear gasps from the crowd?) It's one of those names that just makes you snicker. Now, there's not a lot you can do to improve your poor kid's lot in life when your name is Humperdinck -- the makers of The Princess Bride knew this. I'd be an evil prince too if I had had to go through life saddled with a name that sounds like a vulgar invitation. I still firmly believe, however, that in this case, a strong, no-nonsense given name like Hans or Klaus or something would really have helped. It almost seems like the parents went "Aw, hell, what's the point, we may as well wreck his life with a flourish."

A quick Google search turns up not one, but two distinct referees. Engelbert Humperdinck the First, a man possessed of an impressive handlebar moustache, was a composer and musician. He served as music tutor to Wagner's son, who probably didn't lose as much study time sniggering at his tutor's name as one might expect, given that, in the native German, a word like Humperdinck probably gets lost amidst other silly-sounding words (and probably doesn't suggest quite the same act as in English, either). He is best remembered (and I didn't know this) for the operatic setting of "Hänsel und Gretel", a whimsical and unpretentious piece which garnered more public success than any of his future works. So much for Engelbert Humperdinck the First.

Engelbert Humperdinck the Second is possessed, not of a handlebar moustache, but of impressive sideburns. His official fansite explains that "he has been a legend in the international music industry for the last thirty years, with over 130 million records sold. Engelbert Humperdinck [...] has recorded everything from the most romantic ballads to the platinum-selling theme song 'Lesbian Seagull' for the latest Beavis and Butthead movie." (Of course, his official fansite also frequently refers to him as "The Humpster", so you have to wonder, with friends like that....) Enge was born Arnold George Dorsey; it was a manager, one Gordon Mills, who plucked the Engelbert Humperdinck out of the history books and said "Hey, no audience will ever forget someone with with THAT name!" (And again I ask: with friends like that....) Still, I guess he was right, sort of: the first page of Google returns contains seven links for this modern-day Humperdinck, compared to the original's three.

Two interesting comments from Englebert Humperdinck II's fans:

"Engelbert should add the song Universe by Savage Garden to is [sic]stage act.
Regards Christopher Eggen"

"When I was 11 or 12 my mum (now sadly departed) had the most enormous crush on you and dragged me to your concert in Portsmouth with her.
I say dragged, because I was far too young to have any thoughts on what music or groups I liked. I will always remember her swaying to your music at that concert and her clapping and crying (yes, crying!) when you left the stage. That was some 35 years ago! And do you know what – you formulated my first experience of being mesmerised by a man! You paved the way for me in what I was going to want to listen too, the type of men I was going to be attracted too and my whole idea of romance. You were the yardstick by which most were measured against!"

Now that I know about this guy, I'm thinking that he's the inspiration for Rex Manning from Empire Records. I'm wondering about first, brief, deeply formative impressions, like the woman above describes. I'm also wondering what Engelbert Humperdinck I would be thinking if he knew that his namesake penned a song called "Lesbian Seagull". Thoughts?

~SQ

D is for 'maybe it's not just about denim'

Let me start off with a quote, courtesy of Flames.

'...but I mean things like Gap are always ok...but the most recent thing is all the jeans that look like they've been worn for years...bleached in various spots...you know what I mean...not to mention the A&F stuff that has rips in it or has crummy lettering on it...I don't get how clothing companies figure we'll actually want something that LOOKS like it's been worn for about 5 years already...and pay 30+ for it at that!! Actually, what's worse is that most people we went to school with actually DID this...and what's even worse is that *I* am starting to find these things attractive....'

I won't explicitly post my thoughts on this matter as of yet - my intent is to open up a discussion of sorts. Let me point out to you the portion of the above quote that is highlighted in boldface. Now, we all know that the high school which we all attended tends to be associated with all things 'materialistic' or 'superficial'. Why is it bad that 'most people we went to school with actually DID this', and why is it worse that some of us are 'starting to find these things attractive'?

This is not necessarily a superficial discussion, as the reasons behind differing viewpoints are more complex than one would think. I see culture as one of these reasons, but will leave it at that for now.

Undoubtedly - like New York City and Tori Amos - such topics tend to inspire extreme feelings and very little indifference, as SQ succinctly put it, and I reckon that a discussion on the link between sartorial matters and our schooling will provoke much division in opinion.

Discuss. But first, let me get my claws out.