Where's My Ribbon?

It's another late posting day. "Wife" took the day off and that always throws my schedule into upheaval. A lot was happening today. I had to drop my car off for service, and go to physical therapy. Then "Wife" wanted to go to breakfast and have me go with her to get an oil change. She said she was afraid that the guys would "take advantage" of her because she was a woman. I don't know exactly how that could happen. An oil change costs what it costs. Anything over that, say no. I have to admire the way the oil change guys try to up-sell you every time you go in. I'm not Richard Petty or anything, but I don't think I need a new transmission every three thousand miles.

We then did something we haven't done in years. Since it's Friday afternoon and Summertime, "Wife" and I stopped at our favorite Irish pub for a beer. I really enjoy drinking a beer during the day. It makes me feel like I'm on vacation, or living a life of leisure. Now I have a good feeling and am ready to get on with the day.

While we were out we got behind a car that had one of those magnetic ribbons on it. You know the ones. You can pick them up at any truck stop, gas station or Wal-Mart. They are supposed to show your support for whatever charity or cause hits closest to home for you. This whole phenomenon started with the Iran hostage crisis and the yellow ribbons being tied on trees. I blame Tony Orlando and Dawn, but I've been known to hold a grudge. Then came the red AIDS ribbons. These were worn on the lapel to remind people how horrible AIDS is and that we need to find a cure. I really don't think we need to be reminded of that, but I could be wrong. Now every cause you can imagine has a ribbon. The one I saw today was blue and ordered me to adopt shelter animals. No, not dogs that make good roofing products, but abandoned animals at shelters. Again, do we need a reminder? If I do, I'll go in the back yard, and while I'm picking up all the poop from my to shelter dogs, I'm sure it will hit me.

This has gone too far. Every single cause or charity has some magnetic message, and a less than magnetic supporter, who will slap it on their jalopy. What's next, hang up your cell phone ribbons, don't plug your cat into an outlet ribbons, ribbons with bite marks in them reminding us to ban fatties? If your social consciousness is best displayed by a magnet on your Chevy, I have to question your commitment to the cause. Plus, the whole world doesn't need to know every issue that you support while sitting in a traffic jam. It's just like those idiotic white stickers that people put on the back of their mini vans that show an outline of the whole family. Wow, I feel better knowing your entire family tree Alex Haley. All those are good for is telling me how many people I need to flip off when they screw up in traffic.

Well, "Wife" and I are off to pick "Daughter" up at camp. I can't wait to see how she survived. Maybe I'll fill you in on Monday. Have a great weekend. If you're up early or late, don't forget to tune into WGN Overnight Sunday morning from 1-5 am CST. Have a great weekend. Later...Brian