The bells of summer
I can appreciate this article about the search for the elusive ice cream truck jingle that has a pleasant wear upon the ears. 1994 was my summer of 's'creams at the helm of a Frosty Treats freezer van in north St. Louis County (MO). The money was much better than I expected-- it paid for the entire out-of-state relocation for the summer with enough left over to buy a stereo system, but the exterior sound system of the truck made the work days interminable at times. The music box (fastened to the dashboard) had only four musical settings. One was an instantly repetitive "ding-dong"-like bell and another was "Pop Goes the Weasel," so that narrowed it down to really only two musical settings.The most-manageable two were the couple mentioned as ice cream truck staples in the linked article-- "Do Your Ears Hang Low?" and "The Entertainer." The latter had the distinction of having been composed (by Scott Joplin in 1902) and published also within the Frosty Treats coverage area of mid-city St. Louis, but despite that, and despite its honors (ranked #10 on the Recording Industry Association of America's "Songs of the Century" list), no melody can be endured on a loop for nine to ten hours a day, 60 days a summer. Pity the drivers, then the residents.
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These guys sell beer better than Harry Caray.
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Speaking of Missouri, their Democratic governor has signed a Republican-led bill today that puts severe restrictions on strip clubs and adult-oriented businesses located in the state. The bill restricts the location of strip clubs, bans alcohol, outlaws nude dancing entirely, prohibits semi-nude dancers from touching patrons, and closes the doors of clubs to commerce each night at midnight. This is the second go-round for such a measure. A similar law passed in 2005 was earlier struck down by the state supreme court.
Iowans, you're next. The South is creeping its way north. They'll come for our gay marriage, and take our naked dancers while they're here.
posted by CM @ 2:47 PM
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