THE MAYANS BETTER BE WRONG, 2012 LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR !

"THE FREIGHT TRAIN DOESN'T COME THROUGH TOWN EVERY DAY," is a gambling axiom that suggests, good fortune is fickle, rare and comes in an indeterminable size.

Luckily my son Andrew is not gambling.  In his case, since the beginning of 2012, (probably longer), he's been riding an incredible winning streak which has been based on a solid foundation of hard work, confidence, intelligence and talent...rather than chance.

I estimate that my boy's victorious ways started back in August of 2011.  That's when he was hired as a department store cashier.  By the time January rolled around, his boss rewarded him, for out-performing full-time coworkers, as a part-timer, while never exceeding a twenty-hour week.

In February, Andrew was voted his school's "RENAISSANCE MAN."  Ala Leonardo Da Vinci, this title was attained because his peers recognize his skill and knowledge in a wide range of fields.  Or as I like to put it, whatever my boy takes an interest in, he does well. 

PAINTINGS LIKE, "THE LAST SUPPER," MADE LEONARDO DA VINCI (1452-1519), ONE OF THE  GREATEST ARTISTS KNOWN TO MAN.  BUT HE ALSO EPITOMIZED THE END OF THE DARK AGES WITH HIS, "UNQUENCHABLE CURIOSITY," AND HIS "FEVERISHLY INVENTIVE IMAGINATION." IN LEADING THE RENAISSANCE MOVEMENT, HE ALSO EXCELLED AS, A SCULPTOR, ARCHITECT,  MUSICIAN, SCIENTIST, MATHEMATICIAN, ENGINEER, INVENTOR, ANATOMIST, GEOLOGIST, CARTOGRAPHER, BOTANIST AND WRITER.

Andrew will be permanently enshrined, in his senior class yearbook.  I'm thrilled that my child draws this comparison to Da Vinci and that this honor will encourage him to continually aspire to new heights.

I once jokingly called Andrew, "The First Singing and Dancing Edelblum."  While he may not be ready to hoof his way onto Broadway, he is always willing to take a challenge that would put him on stage.  For his school's February 3rd talent show, (our dog Roxy's birthday), he was a key man in choreographing and organizing, a twelve-man team in their, "EPIC RAP BATTLES OF COMIC BOOKS."  On the face of it, their act seemed like pure silliness.  But he and a select few, dedicated themselves to aiming their content at a specific target audience, maintaining a vigorous and focused practice regimen and an enthusiasm to win.

BATMAN, IRONMAN, THE FLASH, THOR, SUPERMAN AND THE OTHERS MUG IT UP WITH THEIR TROPHY.

The positive message embodied in their performance was appreciated by a teacher in the audience, from a local elementary school.  She paved the way for the rappers, (two weeks ago), to reprise their act, complete with a question and answer period, for the sixth graders at her school.

While all this is going on Andrew put in beaucoup hours rehearsing for the school's, (Emanon Players), spring drama presentation of Stephen Sondheim's, "INTO THE WOODS." The show (March 9, 10 and 11), was well received, but many seniors were disappointed that this particular vehicle featured few major roles. Plus many of those parts went to underclassmen.  So two students (not Andrew), decided to write their own play (with the blessing of the school), with the intention of giving outgoing graduates a last hurrah behind the foot lights.

IN, "INTO THE WOODS," ANDREW AND SEVERAL OTHER SENIOR DRAMA CLUB VETERANS GOT SMALL OR NON-SPEAKING ROLES.

For the new play, "MAKING THE MUSIC," Andrew auditioned and won the singing and dancing, male lead, (Jason).  It will be performed at the end of April.

On March 13th, Andrew's next great accomplishment was his acceptance into his college of choice, the College of New Jersey (TCNJ).  Whether his current winning streak is still going in September or not, I am positive that Andrew will thrive there because he and the school are a perfect match.

A POOR MAN'S IVY LEAGUE COLLEGE, TCNJ  WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1855, (KENDALL HALL above).  THE U. S. AND WORLD REPORT, SELECTED IT AS 2012's,  #1 SCHOOL IN THE NORTHEAST.  FORBES CHOSE IT #1 IN NEW JERSEY AND KIPLINGER PICKED IT AS THE BEST VALUE PUBLIC COLLEGE IN NEW JERSEY.  ANDREW AND EVERYONE IN THE EXTENDED EDELBLUM CLAN, ARE PROUD THAT HE WILL BE ONE OF THE SELECT 7,000 TO WEAR THE BLUE AND GOLD AND CALL THEM SELF, A TCNJ LION. 

Somewhere along Andrew's hot streak, a tryout notice for the Mr. Absegami Contest was posted. Many area high school's participate in some form of this "beauty pageant" for senior boys.  Here, it is one of the most anticipated events of the year.

This highly coveted honor, is decided by a competition that concentrates on poise and personality, while combining battles of, form versus substance, the ridiculous and the sublime, as well as talent and gimmicks.

At first, Andrew was intimidated to get involved.  But even back when he was a freshman, he always considered the Mr. Absegami concept cool, so slowly, his inhibitions melted.  He was swayed by friends until his attitude morphed into a "what the hell" mode.  Then once he saw a way, his passion skyrocketed.

My boy made it through the tryouts and was one of the fifteen contestants. Andrew thought long and hard on what would be the best way to deliver a "wowing" talent. His final decision was to write a poem in the "free-verse," style.  A couple of days later, he read me the rough draft. I wasn't impressed...I was awed when I said, "Don't change a word." 

Along the way, he picked up a support team starring Sue, his mom.  Plus his friends, friends of the family and of course, the lovely, talented and generous Lexie who would escort him during the formal wear competition.

The night before the contest, the momentum of positive energy surging through my house so staggering that I dropped my usual modesty and wrote on FACEBOOK that I thought Andrew had a chance to win it all.

On the evening of March 16th, in anticipation of a sell-out, Sue and I arrived at the theater early.  Armed with cameras and a video recorder, we got front row seats. A teacher, Mr. Murray acted as emcee and set the proceedings in motion.

THE SHOW OPENED WITH A DANCE AND GYMNASTICS NUMBER WITH ALL THE COMPETITORS WEARING THE SAME OUTFIT.

The swimwear portion was next.  Many of the jocks flaunted their physiques and made the audience whistle when they struck suggestive poses.  Andrew was the eleventh competitor.  His first solo on stage was as a male, mermaid...complete with yellow scuba flippers and black socks.

ANDREW HAD THE CREATIVE CONCEPT FOR THE MALE, MERMAID COSTUME.  WITH MOM'S INGENUITY AND THE HELP OF HER FRIENDS...HE CERTAINLY MADE A NICE SPLASH.

For their talent, the other contestants were mainly musicians and singers.  However, there was a DJ, a Whitney Houston impersonator and even an extreme yo-yo exhibition.

ANDREW STARTED HIS FREE-VERSE RECITAL OF, "ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS," SEATED ON A RISER. WHILE POURING OUT HIS SOUL , HIS MESSAGE TAPPED INTO EVERYONE'S INSECURITIES AND SENSITIVITIES.  SOON HE USED THE WHOLE STAGE AS HIS PALLET AS HE FLAWLESSLY CAPTIVATED THE AUDIENCE BY NAILING A PRIVATE TOPIC, WE CAN ALL RELATE TO. 

Prior to his performance I was concerned that the audience wouldn't appreciate some of the nuances that made the poem so powerful...but they listened and understood.  On some occasions someone in the crowd would call out words of encouragement.  Incredibly, Andrew came out of his performance, remained, "in-character," and delivered, on-point one-liners addressing that issue before seamlessly continuing.  Despite my obvious subjectivity, when he was done, I think it's still objective to say, he brought down the house.

Next was the formal wear competition.  All the boys wore the same style tuxedo and their escorts wore dresses that matched.

RESPLENDENT IN CARNATION PINK, LEXIE ACCENTUATED ANDREW'S APPEARANCE.

The panel of judges tabulated their scores to determine the four finalists as one of the escorts sang in front of the participants.


DURING THE SWIMWEAR PHASE, ANDREW'S GOOD FRIEND "H," A GIFTED MUSICIAN WAS LATER SELECTED AS A FINALIST.



Another close friend of Andrew, "S" was the third finalist chosen.

DURING SWIMWEAR, "S" ANOTHER FUTURE FINALIST, SCORED WELL.

On one hand, I thought Andrew making into the final round was a slam dunk, but I must admit after the first three were chosen, I was more nervous than ANYTHING Andrew related, since his birth.  I decided to be optimistic so I went for broke and focused the camcorder on Andrew and risked photographing his disappointment.  But my positive instinct was proven right when he WAS picked to be a finalist.

The emcee, Mr. Murray gathered the final four and asked them to select an interview question from a hat.  Andrew went last.  All three previous answers were okay without being fantastic.  Andrew was then asked, "What was the best advice you were ever given and why?"  Andrew didn't hesitate and said, "That's a no-brainer."  Then with the poise of a well-rehearsed speech, he rocked the house while complimenting Sue and I.  In effect, his answer turned out to be a sort of acceptance speech...as a spontaneous chant of, ED-EL-BLUM, ED-EL-BLUM was initiated in the audience.

WHILE WAITING FOR THE FINAL RESULTS.  "A" (far right), "H," (next), "S" AND ANDREW, (far left).

When the final votes were in, Andrew and "S" stood side-by-side.  The emcee, Mr. Murray did a great job in prolonging the agony as he teased the auditorium with well-timed delays. 

MR. MURRAY'S CLEVER SHENANIGANS TORTURED, "S" AND ANDREW WHILE KEEPING EVERYONE ELSE ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEAT.

When "S" was chosen first runner-up, the Andrew joy fest went into high gear.

MR. ABSEGAMI 2012,  IS SWARMED BY THE OTHER CONTESTANTS.

This honor highlights Andrew's high school career and will forever remain a warm and enduring memory.

YOU CAN'T GO BY ME BECAUSE I USED TO CRY AFTER MONTY HALL ANNOUNCED THE BIG WINNER ON, "LET'S MAKE A DEAL." BUT WHEN HIS RIVALS HOISTED ANDREW UP, I CRIED LIKE A BABY.

Sue and I were approached by reporters from the local newspapers and posed for photographers.  The ATLANTIC CITY PRESS wrote a small item.  But the GALLOWAY CURRENT telephoned Andrew  the next day and filled in all the personal information for their magnificent full page spread, during a forty-five conversation, (see Andrew's picture on the over and story on page 31 of the Current of Galloway Township, March 22, 2012  VOL 15, NO. 49).



A GREAT MOMENT IN EDELBLUM HISTORY.

Every day is a great day to be an Edelblum but some days are even better...and the night of Mr. Absegami was definitely one of the better days.

Long after the audience left the theater, a large group of Andrew's friends lingered with Sue and I while waiting for him to get back into street clothes.  My heartbeat was just about back to normal when some of the kids started singing, "WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS," by QUEEN.  The greatness of the night seemed like it would never end until the janitorial staff asked us to leave.

OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL, THE GIANT, ENORMOUS, COLOSSAL MEGA-TRON SIGN PULSATES SO FAST THAT IT TOOK ME THREE SHOTS BEFORE I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS MESSAGE.

My first hope is that Andrew's winning streak lasts forever.  He is hyped-up to finish his high school career on a high note and he's even more stoked about starting college in September.

My other hope is that the Mayans December 21, 2012 doomsday prophesy is wrong!  Humanity has ridden the, "freight train," for centuries but we now know that given the earth's long history, its good fortune can be fickle, rare and of a indeterminable size.

I'M AN ETERNAL OPTIMIST.  DID ANYONE EVER THINK THAT THE MAYANS CHOSE SUCH A SPECIFIC DATE BECAUSE THEIR STONE CALENDAR RAN OUT OF ROOM?  I SAY, USE THE OTHER SIDE, I BET CIVILIZATION CAN SQUEEZE OUT ANOTHER 50,000 YEARS.

Think about it, today's world weather patterns are erratic with tsunamis, tornadoes and earthquakes all over.  Plus the threat of global warming, solar flares knocking out our electricity and the populous turning on themselves, make our immediate future seem bleak.  But I choose to keep the camcorder of life focused on my son Andrew...I say, stay positive, stick with a winner, (him), and we'll all be okay.