My wife says I’m turning into a crusty curmudgeon and while this post will do little to counteract her belief, I’m plowing ahead with it nonetheless. There are a lot of things that piss me off, but these are a few of my least favorite things (with a nod to Julie Andrews and The Sound of Music):
Geniuses who decided it was a good idea to have construction on two major highways that run parallel to each other at the same time. Do you really need to block off traffic in all possible directions?
Five people watching another person dig a hole on a construction site. Wouldn’t four be enough?
A tax code so complicated that it is nearly impossible to know if you are paying too much, too little, or exactly the right amount. How about doing away with the loopholes and then you pay what you owe? Or is that too simple?
Reality shows on network television. Toooooo maaaach. And how about some reality. Not really truthful to call a show “Dancing with the Stars” when you can’t tell who is the star and who is the dancer.
That no one makes music videos anymore.
Major League managers who feel the need to overmanage. If a guy can’t hit righties and lefties, should he really be in the major leagues?
Congress. All they do is call for investigations of each other. I’m picturing them sitting in a room sipping brandy, saying “Hey listen, we have to make it look like we are doing something. Tell you what. I’ll call for an investigation of you. Then you call for one of Chuck. Then we’ll make sure the investigations last so long people actually forget about them.” Brilliant! CLOWNS. Cue the Bad News Bears music.
Judges who are supposed to be impartial and yet feel the need to inject their opinions into cases.
People who complain about rights violations by rioting and inciting violence. Do you really think you are helping the cause when you hurt people and businesses that support your cause? On the moron scale of 1-10, this one is a 17.
The two party political system. Where are people supposed to go who believe in ideas and not platforms? There are some people that believe in ideas from each party. Why does it have to be one party or another?
People who drive slowly in the passing lane. If you’re not in a hurry, that’s wonderful, but why do you need to block other people? If you’re the traffic police, join the force. Otherwise, get out of the way!
Weather people that can’t get a forecast right until they stick their head out the window. By the way, it’s sunny outside.
Rainy weekends.
People who say they’re going to do something, don’t want any help, and then don’t do it. I think this is self explanatory.
The Motion Picture Academy thinking that most movies can’t possibly be good if they have a happy ending.
Car washes that close at 5:00pm. Umm, are we supposed to go during our lunch hour?
Rude people. (I get that this one is ironic given the title of this article)
Athletes that don’t sign autographs or give an attitude when asked for one. Shouldn’t you be flattered? Besides, you’re making millions. Pay me that much money and you can ask me in the middle of slurping my soup.
Super Bowl Sunday. Wouldn’t it make far more sense, and probably stimulate the economy much more if they played the game on a Saturday?
People who think that punching someone in the face is the answer to any problem. (Hitting them with a car is much more effective.)
But after I’ve been pissed off, there’s nothing like sitting down to watch a movie that doesn’t piss me off.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Dead Poets Society (1989) is the story of an unorthodox English teacher at a prestigious New England Prep School who inspires his students through a love of poetry and the classics.
I’m going to be honest. The first time I watched the film, I was pissed off that the kids caved to pressure from the school and their parents to railroad Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) into taking the fall for a student’s suicide. Yes, they stood on their desks at the end in a sign of solidarity and support, but give me a break. The guy was still out of a job. There is no way I would have allowed it to happen. But my parents were great parents and I didn’t grow up in the 50’s. Once I took a step back, I realized the power of the movie and what an amazing actor Robin Williams was. The only actor I know that could combine hilarity with sensitivity. You just felt there was something more inside him waiting to come out. His Mr. Keating was the teacher everyone wanted to know better. The one you respected and learned from because you wanted his respect. Dead Poets has a terrific cast and does a wonderful job expanding on the pressures of adolescence. It’s a must see for any who have not yet seen it.
Until next week, carpe diem, and try not to piss me off…