Hey Joe

Searching for a needle of honesty in a haystack of tomfoolery

I’ve been thinking a lot about this column, and I’m trying to figure out why I’m having such a difficult time coming up with things to write about. It didn’t used to be this way. Once upon a time I could knock out 600 words about nothing; literally. I wrote columns about garbage and toaster-ovens.

My very first column, way back in July of 2003, was about how my then 6-year old daughter was such a picky eater. She was in first grade, my son was in preschool, and I was preparing to be laid off at the end of the year. Today my daughter is in her second year of high school, my son is in seventh grade, and I just celebrated the two-year anniversary of my second lay-off.

So, what’s different?

To read the rest of this article, click HERE and scroll to page 12.

Look, no theme song!

I commented in the comments that this blog has become one long theme song. Once upon a time I used to bore my reader with recaps of my weekend, weird news stories, and other drivel. Somehow I've gotten out of the habit, but mostly I think I've just lost my motivation. 

Part of the problem is Facebook. With everybody updating everybody on everything all the time, no one has the time, or attention span, to read anything longer than a two-line post. People want their updates short, crisp, pithy and in less than 20 words. Who has time for a 250 word blog post?

"Come on, Joe, cut to the chase, ya long-winded bastard!" 

The other problem with Facebook is that with everybody "talking" all the time, a lot of us have stopped listening, and frankly don't really give a shit what anyone is saying anymore. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm the only one who doesn't give a shit what you're saying anymore. All I know is that the whole FB thing is starting to annoy me.

There are some things that I really love about it. I'm in touch with cousins and friends that I haven't seen in years and wouldn't be "talking" to otherwise save for the occasional email. I get to see pictures of them and their kids. I feel like they're more a part of my life because I'm involved with their daily lives, even if it is just a post from an East Coast cousin calling me a "loosa." 

Truth be told it's not just Facebook; it's smartphones and all this other multimedia crap. It probably sounds stupid, but it totally irked me to see people camping out a few weeks ago to get the latest iPhone. Is a new smartphone that important that you need to camp out on the sidewalk? Is it that much better than the last iPhone? Maybe it is. Maybe those that know about this stuff could rattle off a hundred reasons why spending the night on the sidewalk was "like totally worth it." Not me. I've got better things to do, like read a book or yell at my kids. But then I think we all spend too much time diddling with this crap already. I see couples all the time, sitting together at a restaurant, both of them dicking around with their phones instead of having a conversation. It's ridiculous. I guess my point is that I see the constant FB updating as the same thing. Live your life instead of broadcasting about it. 

I'm curious as to how many of my FB friends will actually take the time to read this whole post. I know. I can be a long-winded bastard sometimes, but if you've made it this far please post "Read it." in the comments section of this blog, not on FB.

The Wonder of Theme Song Thursday

 

This was another great show from my 80's youth; the stories of an average suburban family dealing with life in the turbulent 60's and 70's. Funny how watching this show makes me nostalgic for three different decades.

Get your freak on for Theme Song Thursday

 

This show was not on very long, but as I recall it was pretty good. And check out all the future stars from this studded cast: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jason Segel and future Velma Dinkley hottie, Linda Cardellini.

An Impossibly Long Theme Song

 

Charles Napier - R.I.P.

Charles Napier

1936 - 2011

With all the hoopla over the death of Steve Jobs (which sucks, don't get me wrong) it's easy to forget others who passed on the same day. In addition to English Cricketer, Graham Dilley and Scottish folk musician, Bert Jansch, we lost the fine actor, Charles Napier.

Napier's face was a staple of 1970's and 80's television where he was best known for his "portrayals of square-jawed tough guys and military types." However, Napier is also remembered for his role as Tucker McElroy in The Blues Brothers, and as the cop who got disemboweled and hung up like an angel in Silence of the Lambs. That scene still gives me the willies. 

So, yeah, while everyone is lamenting the loss of Steve Jobs let us not forget the others who have moved on to their next adventure.

Godspeed, Chuck.