March 2005

Brad’s Corner is a monthly commentary written by Brad about whatever he feels like. It’s supposed to be funny, interesting and thought provoking, but most geniuses are misunderstood. Check out the March 2005 edition of Brad’s Corner and see what’s on his mind. Growing up I never really knew what I wanted to be. One week it was an astronaut, then the Challenger disaster scared the hell out of me. Next, it was professional athlete. While I excelled as an athlete from youth leagues through college, I soon realized this was unattainable because for some reason I always cared about the team more than myself. And we all know there’s no place for nonsense like that in sports these days! My next flirtation was with journalism. I wanted to write stories and interview people and find out why they ticked. Then I noticed that most journalists are lonely, miserable bastards who turned to that route because their own life was so boring they had to live vicariously through others. Around this time my girlfriends, friends and family about had me convinced I’d be a good attorney because I liked to argue so much and always thought I was right. One of my favorite lines to use was one I’d learned from Uncle Jesse on Dukes of Hazzard. “There are two sides to every story, it just so happens that you’re on the wrong side.” That ‘ol Uncle Jesse was a wise one except when it came to stunt driving. I digress. As I neared high school graduation I’d come to the realization I’d always wanted to be a teacher. I knew what subject, the kind of school I wanted to teach at and all that good stuff. I set about coaching Little League teams and running summer camps to get experience with kids. Role models and mentors abounded. As a teen I looked up to certain people and thought they were the epitome of maturity and professionalism.

With these naïve and lofty goals I entered college as an education major. As I progressed through my courses and moved through my early college years I began to realize something. The people I’d looked up to as a student in school were really just older versions of the hung over frat guy and the way too bubbly elementary education major sitting on my right. The frat guy was on his way to becoming a beer bellied bullying coach. The bubbly elementary education major was on her way to becoming a well organized lady with perfect handwriting and the ability to remain more cheery than Katie Couric. My teachers in high school were young people in their 20’s and 30’s who were going to concerts and getting drunk at bars and having failed relationships. This realization discouraged me and led me to switch majors with my eyes on law school. During my pre-law years I discovered the same things. The hippie next to me with the long hair was just a few years away from being a cheesy, pony-tailed ambulance chaser with his own daytime tv commercials. I was nearing graduation and was offered a job making a decent salary. But, let’s face it, anything more than student loans and ramen noodles is a decent salary to a poor college student. Over the past four years at my current job I’ve slowly recognized that my dream of becoming a teacher never left and that I left it for the wrong reasons. Therefore, I’m currently enrolled in a course to attain my alternative certification.

All of this rambling mess brings me back to my original point. Do we ever truly grow up? I know I’m still a big kid and so are all my best friends. Sure, we can put on our social face for work, church, and mom. However, at heart we’re still the awkward 13 year olds who’d laugh at a fart joke as quick as our adult selves appreciate the humor of a Woody Allen flick. And I’ll be the teacher that my students think is really cool and has it all together. Yet, I’m still a confused, laid back, music lovin’ 25 year old country boy who’s always up for a good time. I’m working on that beer belly too.

Minor Chords -The Grammy’s and Oscar’s were both last month. I thought both shows were lackluster gatherings with brief moments of brilliance. Hours off my life that I can never get back. The only other comparable waste of time I’ve had that big was the time I spent trying to get that cat in heat out of my truck only to find out that a Rascal Flatts song was being played on my radio.

-GreenFest was a rousing success. Thanks to all the artists who played, all the people who came out and to the gang at RRIH for having our rowdy asses. Already planning the next one. And don’t forget the big Galleywinter sponsored event on Saturday March 26 in Waco featuring the Peter Dawson Band, Ryan Turner, Brandon Wayne Jones, and Brian Burke. It’ll be held at DJ’s Bar. Exit 343 off I-35. $5 cover for 4 great bands. Beers only $2 and the memories are free with a lifetime guarantee.

-For those of you that never venture into the Songwriter’s Lament forum please check it out. Larry aka lmofle is in the midst of hosting a “Galleywinter Songwriter’s Challenge”. Larry has been a great addition to our Galleywinter team. In this “challenge”, aspiring writers must create songs for 5 categories in 5 weeks. I’m personally participating. I don’t think I’ll be able to top my parody of Big and Rich’s “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy” which I titled “Save a Joke, Write a Song”. Go read it. I think Cledus T. Judd and Weird Al might need to make some room in their crappy little piece of the entertainment industry for a certain someone. Of course, I speak of David Kersh. Whatever happened to that guy? He could use the career boost of parody. Goodnight Sweetheart could be Good Lord Stinky Fart. (See, I hit you with the fart joke again!)

-Paris Hilton’s phone was hi-jacked last month and hackers posted her address book on the internet. Some of the people that were in it were lovely ladies I admire such as Lindsay Lohan and Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas. I for one would never take advantage of the situation and call or e-mail them as some people did. Wait a second, someone’s knocking on my door and talking about restraining orders…whoops.

-Larry Joe Taylor’s 17th Annual Texas Music Fest aka Redneck Woodstock (re. April 2004 Brad’s Corner) is just around the corner. To our neighbors in camping section G, SORRY FOR PARTYING, in advance!

-This month’s recommended album is: Mando Saenz Watertown. What can be said about one of the best debut’s I’ve ever heard in any genre of music. The songwriting, musicianship and vocals are all first rate. Mando is the latest in the esteemed line of Texas singer/songwriters such as Townes Van Zandt and Lyle Lovett. Lofty words for a lofty talent. Pick this one up immediately. He has a few tunes available to listen to on his site (www.mandosaenz.com)

-This month’s recommended film is: Friday Night Lights. The book by HG Bissinger is better than the movie. Yet, the movie is gritty and told in an original manner. The camera shots used by director Peter Berg are really innovative for a sports movie. And the extras on the dvd that catch up with the real people the characaters are based on are fantastic.

-Of all the thing’s I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.-Mark Twain