I hate getting sad news but it seems there is just no way to avoid life’s sudden down turns. Waking up today to here that George Carlin had passed away was not really a surprise, since he had been suffering with a variety of issues concerning his heart of the past several years, but it was none the less a sad piece of news.     I noticed that George Carlin was a bit angrier than what I would have liked from one of my favorite Humorists/comedians/social observers, over the past couple of years. His views on politics, social issues as well as basic human behavior he wrote about in books of used in his stand up routines seemed at little harder for me to agree with over the past few years. It reminds me of what Mark Twain once said about growing up and how the older he got the smart his parents seemed to have become. But with George it seemed to be going the other direction. For me it was realizing that not everything Mr. Carlin would rant, rage, ridicule, rip, roast, or otherwise just flat out trash through his books and stage shows was my gospel anymore. I would actually get a little pissed off listening or reading some of his thoughts on a wide range of subjects like parenting, politics, social issues and the like.       But just as I was once a huge and loyal follower of the Late Hunter S. Thompson, it was hearing the news of each one’s death when I realized just how important they were to my life and to the world we live in. You see you don’t have to agree with everything a person you admire says to be a supporter or a fan of them. You just have to have an open mind and the ability to be accepting of   one’s own personal strangeness and be able to laugh at yourself and then the world around you.      If it wasn’t for my George Carlin records, The National Lampoon Album “That’s Not Funny, That’s Sick” or for that matter my Cheech and Chong records I don’t know that I would have ever been able to realize my ability to write and develop a sense of humor that has allowed me to have the confidence to get into radio and have the career I have had. Remember when being politically incorrect wouldn’t get you thrown in jail (oh wait, Carlin did get tossed in Jail in Milwaukee when he did his 7 words routine)        So I think I can speak for many of the old gang I grew up with when I say, what would our lives been like if we hadn’t had a George Carlin making comedy records, Hunters books, Monty Python, National Lampoon magazine and radio hour, SCTV and of course Saturday Night live. I just wonder what kind of crazed smart asses we might have become! We might have dared to question authority, the government, big business, education, pop culture, social behavior, the media. Or question  those who think Global warming is only because of America, or have developed a serious loathing for  people who  cheer for a college football team who’s mascot is a hairless NUT! Wait a minute! I did become like that! And I’m damn glad I did! And guess what, I also care deeply about my fellow man my planet and the future for our children! So thanks George! You were one of the greats!

I just wanted to send out a message to a very important person in my life. He’s the Block I was chipped from, he’s the tree this nut  didn’t fall to far from, he’s the man who made me such a crazy Michigan fan that Istill can’t sleep the night nbefore the annual Michigan Ohio State game. He taught me how to catch a football and after figuring out I was a lefty and just maybe the next Ted Williams, he taught me how to play baseball. He’s the guy who took our family on so many wondeful trips and adventures not to mention the fact that I got to practically grow up in the Big House,Michigan Stadium thanks to him!

He taught me what it takes to battle through some of lifes biggest challenges,he battled cancer and HE BEAT IT! Most of all though he taught me how to be a man and that was probably his toughest challenge. Knowing what I was like growing up has just made me love and respect him  more each year. I know i couldn’t have put up with me if I was you, let alone turn me into well…ME!

Dad I know I haven’t always acted like I was listening and I know I made you flat out crazy somedays,but I want you to know I couldn’t do what I do and I couldn’t have become the dad I am for my daughter without you and everything you’ve taught me. So Happy Fathers day from one dad to another .And thanks for never giving up on me,it’s what mattered the most. I love you! You old son of a bitch! and I mean that  as a compliment!

I’m just sitting here trying to keep my head from banging on my desk top and no it’s not what you probably think. It’s not because the Detroit Red Wings lost in triple overtime in game 5 of the Stanley cup playoffs last night, it’s because I stayed up as late as the game went only to see that and not getting any sleep after being up all night drinking berry Flavored Maalox and asking myself the question, “what in the hell is wrong with me?” Why do I let a sport like hockey on TV just take over my life and set the tone for my next day at work and for that matter effect every other part of my day as well? I know I have blogged on this subject before but after the past few games in the Stanley Cup playoffs I had to really take a look at the price a person pays for being so wrapped up in his or hers sports team. The stomach problems, granted I could probably eat a lot better and not suffer the sour acid burning gut I seem to get every playoff season (the redwings have made the playoffs 17 straight years now so that’ made for a lot of stomach damage) which in turn effects my wallet, having to purchase various med’s and for occasional visits to the Dr.’s. My work can suffer when I’m so preoccupied with the outcome of the previous night’s game or worrying about the game coming up next that I just don’t focus on the tasks at hand that day. Relationships, well let’s just say that you can really screw things up for yourself if you let the heat of the moment (I mean the excitement in the game you’re watching) get between you and the “little lady”. And to think you can watch hours of meaningless drama on TV with them only to be looked upon like a freak when you ask them to let you just “watch” the game. But I realized last night that I just don’t watch the game, I live it, and I let every twist and turn in the contest effect the way I feel, act, speak, sleep, eat, and treat other people around me. So I just wanted to take a few moments to tell those of you who must live, work or have contact with me during these difficult times in my life to BUG THE HELL OFF till at least next week you  damn…..