Exactly 2 months have passed since my last update. Despite that, the world still turns, the sun still shines, and Justin Bieber still annoys me. Now however, the
I suppose the item noticed by most people was the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that swept the nation/globe, leaving even the most jaded national press agog with the phenomenon. For about 3 weeks, you couldn't avoid the videos of folks doing their best to combat a truly devastating disease, but in a way that permitted them their Warhol-ish 15 seconds of fame. Then, at what seemed the feverish height of this movement, it was derailed by reports that an inordinate amount of the donated funds were being used for administrative expenses. I'm not sure about that; I believe the movement simply ran out of steam. After all, when every person on the planet has either done the challenge or refused the challenge, where do you go from there?
No matter; on the heels of this, came the Positive/Thankfulness challenge. This mini-wave has not demonstrated the shelf life of its predecessor, and is apparently dying the slow death of indifference. Of course, nature abhors a vacuum, and as such, I offer a solution to the attention starved, media worshipping, carnival showman that lies deep within us all. I propose the creation of a
The balance of the summer's happenings around the globe were primarily depressing - too much so to recount in this lighthearted tome. However, I cannot let 2 news items go without mention; the retirement of Barbara Walters and Dianne Sawyer were at once an astonishing breath of fresh air at ABC, and occasions that made my unpublished list of things for which I am thankful. Though these well seasoned heifers will still have "special reporting" assignments, putting them out to pasture was a merciful act, as Babs had become the Willie Mays of the '73 Mets, and Lady D wasn't far behind. I've got nothing against blondes; I love my little cowgirl, but they had to go.
The final touches of my summer were more recent. In late August, I reprised my Road Warrior role with the school bus company. Summer's bucolic song was shattered by the sounds of pre-pubescents' raucous, top-of-their-voice communiques - made only worse by my employer's insensitive refusal to allow Gin & Tonic fixins' on the bus. It's gonna be a long year.
At this point, you're as up to date as you're gonna get. I'll do my best to post more regularly, because I know it's sinful to deprive you of that to which you've become addicted. Quando te absim me fallunt.