Parents on social media are conditioned to talk publicly about their children in a very specific way. We showcase their accomplishments for the “she’s amazing” comments. We upload pictures of the boo-boo on their knee to hear “get better, little guy.” We share their artwork for “prodigy” feedback. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s normal. Even if it is a little weirdly competitive. Like most parents, I’m proud of my kids too, and share our lives together often. And, sure, I…
I’ve always been a fan of George Carlin. He was smart and funny. And the reason he was so funny is because he showed us things about life that we glossed over. Things we missed. Things like, “Electricity is just organized lightning.” But part of his appeal was also stating the truth about things. Things we were too scared to consider. Especially things about living in America. As with most things Carlin, the clip below is DEFINITELY NSFW. In fact…
When he first broke onto the scene, Prince made me uncomfortable. Dude dressed in puffy blouses, wore high heels, makeup, and was named “Prince.” Who did he think he was, Bowie? I was a young man who’d just joined the USAF out of high school and was stationed in Myrtle Beach, SC. A raging fireball of hormones. A young bull. Screamingly heterosexual, my life was basically wake up, work, eat, go to bars, sleep. Prince made me uncomfortable because even though I…
In case you didn’t hear, a few weeks ago I fell unconscious 15′ from my roof without injury. I’ve never choked before. Until tonight. Woofing down a garlic knot, I was screaming at all the kids in my kitchen when it got stuck over my air pipe. I tried to cough to dislodge it. Couldn’t. Tried inhaling. Couldn’t. Panic sets in pretty fast when you can’t draw breath. My wife comes over and pats me on the back. I hear…
There was once a time, not long ago, when we’d yell “Love!” as my wife drove the kids away. First me. Then them. Then me again. Then (faintly) them. Then once more for good measure I’d cup my hands around my mouth and yell “LOVE!” at the top of my lungs in the direction they were traveling. Then, in my mind, they’d return the call one last time from the bottom of our street, having picked up on the cadence…
It’s 2016 and we’re deep into another political season in the United States. It’s fun, isn’t it? Like the Olympics. It’s actually not fun. It’s a four year reminder of why I have so little hope for the future of this once great nation. And this year’s political season is worse than ever. I believe we expend entirely too much energy on politics when we could be using that energy for more productive things that affect our lives, and the lives of those around us…
