Ban The Palooza

Sometimes a word or phrase becomes part of our vernacular and is used so often that hearing it causes people to lose all control. Who can forget when "not" was being used as a sarcastic crutch for the unfunny, or telling someone the tribe had spoken? Did you ever tell one of your mortal enemies to stick something "up their nose with a rubber hose", or to "sit on it"? I hope you tried to come up with something better, but if you're like most people, you went with the safe, tried and true phrases.

That's the problem. Someone uses the creative part of their brain and comes up with a new turn of a phrase or word, and then every brain dead copycat bastardizes it. Such is the case with "palooza". It all started with Lollapalooza, the music event. It was a catchy name that was easily identified, now however it has become the catch all suffix for every gathering, meeting or horrible buffet. Just today I saw signs or ads for "Latinpalooza", "parkapalooza" and wineapalooza". I have no idea what any of those things are. I know they sound festive, but other than deducing that "Latinpalooza" may have something to do with Hispanics, and that "wineapalooza" is probably not a gathering of complainers, I'm confusapaloozad.

"Palooza" is a marketing tool who's time is over. Every meeting or park district function is not another Woodstock. Taking a bike ride with some of your friends is not a rideapalooza, it's just a ride. If I have an upset stomach, I'm not experiencing a poopapalooza, I'm just sick. We need to stop making things into something they're not. Try to come up with a new name for your function. Don't be "proactive" or "think outside the box" either. If you do I'll kick your assapalooza. You may not think that "Ginormous, best ever, garage sale-a-thon sounds better than salapalooza, but you never know. Try to use your own ideas. Life's more fun that way.

Time to get "Wife's" car from the shop. I had to take it because you know how she fears anyone associated with auto maintenance. Have a great weekendapalooza (I couldn't resist). If you get a chance, check me out on WGN Saturday night/Sunday morning from 1-5 CST. Later...Brian