Rude Is The New Black

I tried to start this blog a number of times, but I kept having my keyboard commandeered by some drunk in a leather shirt, who, while professing his love for me and assuring me he would let me finish repeatedly sang the praises of someone else's blog.

It's been almost a week since Kanye West decided to once again show the world what an unadulterated tool he is by interrupting Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards and I still am having a hard time processing why this happened. Not this particular incident mind you. Kanye has exhibited ass like behavior on numerous occasions, and Taylor Swift will still sell a lot of CDs (especially to Daughter) despite the fact that she went home and had to cry herself to sleep on piles of money. No I'm talking about the overall notion that being rude is now the default way to act. People used to be ashamed when they acted rudely, now they wear their ugly behavior like a well deserved medal of honor.

I've seen it coming for a long time, but it really struck me last week when Congressman Joe Wilson heckled the President during a speech. If you haven't heard the infamous "You lie" shout out, then you need to pay less attention to the VMAs and more attention to CNN. Was that rude? Only to the people not following current events. What have we come to as people when one of us thinks it's appropriate to scream at the President, or interrupt an award speech because you don't agree with the outcome? Do we all have so much rage boiling inside us (present company excluded) that we have to erupt at the slightest provocation whether real or imagined? These human volcanoes are all around us, from the "I'm in a big hurry", my time is so valuable, can't get off his Bluetooth, guy at the grocery store who loses his mind because it's taking too long on his price check to the cell phone yappin', nail polishin', mini van drivin', mommy who flips you off and begins channeling Linda Blair when you dare to give her a little horn toot three minutes after a light turns green. Someone needs to bring a little civility back to society. That someone could be me., but I'll need your help.

President Obama, in what was supposed to be an off the record comment called Kanye a "jackass" for behaving the way he did. Good for you Mr. President. More people need to be called on the carpet for their rude behavior. The problem is, most of us are too nice to do it. We avoid the rude, braying jackasses for fear that they will turn their attention on us and then all hell will break loose. I say, it's time to stand up to the jackasses! If you witness someone being rude, don't turn a blind eye, call them what they are, a rude jackass. I know it seems like adding fuel to the fire, but if you do it in a clam, controlled way, you'll look and sound like the disapproving parent these boors obviously lack. It will take some time for this to catch on, but trust me, it will work. Call a jackass a jackass. Just do it from a few feet away so that they can't mule kick you.

I'll be spending the weekend spreading the love via the airwaves on WGN. While I may be accused of jackassery by some, my defense is that I am a social satirist. That and a jackass, but I've been grandfathered in. I hope you'll join the fun, Friday/Saturday 2-5 am and Sat./Sun. 1-5 am. We have a lot of things planned, but usually it's the unplanned events that are the most fun. You'll have to tune in to see which you prefer. Have a great weekend. Later...Brian

Going Into Labor.......Day

I almost fell victim to "taking the Friday before a long weekend off" disease. I could have said I was leaving the office early to get a jump on traffic, but you and I both know, "leaving the office early" in my case means putting on pants and walking into the kitchen for another cup of coffee. Sometimes I wish I had a more traditional job, so I could give into such urges, but then I realize that my whole life has been about giving into those urges, so I shut up and get to work.

This has been a wild week. I have, for reasons unknown, gotten involved in my community. Yes, I have become "a volunteer". There is a big "Fall Fest" in our town, and my subdivision is part of the association that runs the beer and entertainment tent. (BETA, get it?) I've volunteered for small shifts in the tent the last few years. Those shifts usually entailed pouring beer, putting wristbands on hot women and drinking for free. This year, I suffered a head injury and came to the conclusion that if a short shift was fun, being on the "management team" would be fun squared. I've never been good at math, so my theory hasn't really panned out.

I've never worked on a committee, or in an office type setting. When I have an idea that I think is a good one, I implement it. I don't have to run it by a bunch of burned out, long term volunteers who really don't want any young whipper snapper rocking the boat. "That's not the way we do it" has been tossed my way so many times, I started thinking I was in my marital bed. I know throat punching someone is not the best negotiating tool in the box, but I've been tempted to reach for it on more that one occasion. Two other guys from the block were my partners, representing our subdivision. We actually got along great. We listened to each other, didn't discount anyone's ideas out of hand and realized that hawking beer for four days isn't the be all and end all of the universe. We accomplished our tasks with ease. Wow, what a concept! Shouldn't all adults act that way? Well, yeah, but that wouldn't be any fun now would it? I'm starting to realize that some people are just...what's the term I'm looking for? Jackasses! That's the one. No matter what you say, they have to be contrary. They know best and you should just shut up. Then they complain that nobody wants to help. Gee, I wonder why? These do it yourself martyrs love to suffer and then tell anyone unlucky enough to be within ear shot how tough they have it. Call me crazy, but maybe your attitude is a volunteer repellent.

I'll be at the tent a lot this weekend and will give you a full report on the proceedings, including what my bail was set at after several episodes of throat punching on Tuesday. I've accepted my role as an adult and forgone mindless drinking so that I can still bring you all the "Radio Irreverence" this weekend on WGN. Join the fun Fri/Sat from 2-5 am and Sat/Sun from 1-5 am. I know we'll be talking cheap shots and bad athlete behavior, Oprah's ultimate act of entitlement, stinky people on the subway, adult binge drinking, and the beauty of Lingerie Football. All that , the Overnight Arcade and as always "so much more". I hope you can join me. Have a safe, and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend. Later...Brian