Friday Night Lights

In the words of David Byrne...."How did I get here?" Not here in this chair, duh. I know that part. I just walked in from the kitchen. I mean "here" in the bigger more metaphysical sense. I don't want to start the weekend with a heavy philosophical question, but really, what happened to me?

This soul searching is a result of my scheduled activities for this evening. I'm getting ready to head out to a high school football game. That would make perfect sense if I was the father of a high school football player, a high school band member, a high school faculty member or just loved scoping out Driver's Ed. cars. I am none of those things. I am the father of a Jr. High girl who plays clarinet. Every year the high school band has a night to honor the middle school bands that feed into the high school. It seems like shameless boot licking, since, for the most part, all these kids will be going to this high school anyway unless their parents cough up huge sums of money for an arguably higher caliber private education. I enjoy "Daughter's" musical endeavors since my ears were crafted from cut rate tin at birth. It's just that the thought of sitting on a cold aluminum bench surrounded by psychotic band and football parents and wild eyed, hormone fueled high schoolers isn't how I thought I'd end up spending my Friday nights.

I didn't think I would ever become the typical suburban dad. I always figured that since I had such a crazy job, I would be above the mundane activities that fill almost all of our lives. I'm not sure what I thought I'd be doing. Hanging out with super models and exotic dancers at exclusive club openings? Hobnobbing with the cultural elite, drinking Chardonnay in the stuffy confines of a think tank? Sitting in my underwear on rented furniture eating a 99 cent frozen pizza and washing it down with whatever generic beer was on sale while i watched my 25 inch color TV that made everything look green? That last one is probably the closest to what would have happened. I better shut up now, go to the game and thank my lucky stars i have the "Comfort king" and a 60" HD TV. Look at that. I worked everything out in a few short paragraphs and have come to the realization that sometimes, the ordinary life isn't so bad after all. I did it without any help from Jimmy Stewart either. Off to the game.

Don't forget to tune into the big show on WGN for four hours of "Radio Irreverence" Saturday night/Sunday morning from 1-5 am. It's sure to be a lot of fun. Have a great weekend. Later...Brian