With Apologies to Andy Rooney

I’m that Tired Guy, you know the one who hasn’t written a darn thing in this space in over a month. I’m that Tired Guy whose creativity ebbs and flows with my mood and stress level.

In other words, I’ve been distracted.

Writers block is like a dam against which my creativity struggles and breaks. I can feel its energy, an unbridled enthusiasm coupled with an intense yearning to put to words my thoughts and feelings and ideas.

My writing is fractured at times, like a glass pane shattered into thousands of scintillating fragments. I can sew together a brilliant tapestry rife with color and sound one night, and barely string together two coherent sentences the next.

I guess that’s why I don’t do it for a living.

So tonight’s piece is probably going to ramble in all kinds of directions. I’ve been focused on introspection lately, but that kind of exploration gets repetitive after awhile. Instead, I think I’ll just make random comments on some random thoughts that I randomly thought about recently.

In other words, here comes a rant.

Sorry folks.

What ever happened to consideration? Is it so gauche to hold the door open for people? Better yet, why is it such a difficult act to allow an obviously pregnant lady through a door first rather than just bull your way forward?

I believe one of the worst things to happen to Western Civilization was when society and fashion decided men should no longer wear hats. I’m not talking baseball caps, but actual chapeau from the 20s. Maybe I’m not seeing it, but society seemed more inclined toward politeness when men wore hats.

We can dance if we want to
We can leave your friends behind
‘Cause your friends don’t dance
And if they don’t dance
Well they’re no friends of mine

I’ve heard some women say they don’t want men to hold doors open for them. Apparently it’s emasculating…to a woman. Something about power, equality that sort of thing. I’ve got no problem with that. But I subscribe to the belief that chivalry isn’t dead. It’s simply been misplaced by the “me” culture. Fast food, in-your-face, it’s all about the way I want it and you can kiss my finely sculpted Calvin Kleins if you don’t like it.

How many times have you been locked in traffic, you let some car merge ahead of you and the driver doesn’t even bother to acknowledge your gesture. Oh I bet they’d acknowledge some other signs though right? A strategically placed bird right where their rear view window can catch it usually does wonders for one’s complexion. Apoplexy is totally out girlfriend. Road rage is the new red!

Signs, signs everywhere there’s signs
Blockin’ up the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign

Wow, am I really that petty?

Nah. But it does piss me off more often than not.

Consideration people! Is it that hard to give?

Apparently so.

I was taught to treat people as I would like to be treated. Maybe I’m just too nice? Oddly enough, seeing this kind of negative behavior motivates me to be nicer, more considerate. If there’s a cosmic balance then I better dump a whole lot of kindness, compassion and courtesy into the other bucket to offset the general stupidity I see on a daily basis.

Sadly I don’t subscribe to the “me” network.

I’m an “us” kind of guy.

The further on I go, oh the less I know
I can find only us breathing
Only us sleeping
Only us dreaming
Only us

I’m not directing anyone to be anything. My blog is not a recipe for salvation, a road map of ideas or a commentary on the soul’s weather vane. But I would point out that it’s generally “ok” to be courteous, respectful, kind, sometimes generous, forgiving, considerate and even a little nice once in awhile.

Maybe I need more sleep?

Just put me in a wheelchair
Get me to the show
Hurry hurry hurry
Before I go loco
I can’t control my fingers
I can’t control my toes
Oh no no no no no

G’night folks.