November 2004

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 November 2004 edition of Brad’s Corner and see what’s on his mind.

This month’s column is a mess. I’m working longer and for more hours than child workers at a Kathie Lee Gifford clothing factory. In the last few weeks, as we’ve led up to this election and my life has become more crazy and busy I’ve had the misfortune of running into know it all a-holes. You know the kind of people who blame everyone else for their mistakes, failures and shortcomings. And I’m not just referring to the candidates! Voters, citizens, righteous college students; people from all walks of life have surprised me with their bitterness, rudeness and general lack of manners. That brings me to the point of this rambling mess. When did manners fly out the window? I’ve been cussed, prodded, called names, and these people don’t even have the common courtesy to leave the money on the dresser. Wait, that’s a different column. Sorry.

Really though, now I know how the express lane checkout person feels at Wal Mart on Christmas Eve when the last minute shoppers are loading up on those special, heart felt gifts like car air fresheners and those little things you stick in the ends of corn on the cob. I’ve also noticed that more so than other groups, old people are the most angry. The world has beaten them down, and like Phil Hartman’s Caveman Lawyer our world today frightens and confuses them. Phone systems in 9 languages with 3579 options before you talk to a real person, internet, e-mail, fax, 8 tracks, non-rotary phones etc all piss old people off. Occasionally you’ll run into one that’s technologically savvy, but they are a rare breed. While the older folks are angry and bitter, the college crowd are spunky know it alls with a rose colored outlook on the world. Sure, the world has problems and they have the answers. I know this because not so long ago I was one of them before I started my path to 75 year old bitterdom. The main thing I’ve noticed about the current crop of late teens and early 20’s crowd is that they displace blame and accept no responsibility for their actions. For example, it’s my fault that they’ve had since they were 18 to register to vote but didn’t think about it until 2 weeks before the election. Well in Texas, the law is you must be registered 30 days prior. Sorry for partying, it’s not my fault I didn’t come to your house 3 years ago, bring the application, have you fill it out and hand carry it back to the office. Help yourself people. Use it as a life lesson to learn from your mistakes and always check up on things that are important to you!

Minor Chords: -Sorry for the tone of this month’s article. Just couldn’t get in the mood with my crazy work schedule. I wrote it, then read the damn thing and realized I sounded like I was talking to a therapist about work.

-So Ashlee Simpson’s a great singer isn’t she? I called it months ago after I saw some episodes of her show. I could tell she wrote great pop songs, but her delivery was terrible. The best thing I could say about her stage prescience pre and post SNL gate is that she doesn’t make those faces and gestures her sister does that make Jessica look like she’s giving birth to a rhinoceros while having a simultaneous seizure.

-Friday Night Lights came out last month. Terrific movie. Better book.

-Ben Affleck upgraded in Jennifer’s this last month. Officially going out in public with the hottest woman around right now, in my opinion, Jennifer Garner. What do women see in this guy?

-How badass have the baseball playoffs been? The Yankees/Red Sox series was nothing short of amazing again. Then again, I’m a Red Sox fan so the Yankees losing was so, so sweet. And losing by historic proportions was even greater. However, as a true Red Sox fan I’ll be nervous until we get that last out. Even if we’re up by 57 runs and the Cardinals are down to their last strike I won’t be comfortable. Apologies to you Astros fans. I’m a Rangers fan so I wasn’t that disheartened by your loss. I want my Rangers to be the first team from Texas to win it all! That’ll happen the same time a team comes back from 57 runs!

-November is a big month for Galley get-togethers. Tore Up BBQ on the 13th, F Co at George’s on the 20th.

-This month’s recommended album is Yellowbelly’s “Bad Foot Down”. Check it out!

-This month’s recommended movie is the college classic P.C.U. starring Jeremy Piven. Based on a conversation we had in General Discussion the other day and Monty’s diatribe against “being THAT guy”!

-I’ll leave you with this. Randy and Wade are playing at Lakeside here in my hometown the night before Thanksgiving. I was talking to Wade about it and I said “Man, we’re all going to be hungover at Thanksgiving dinner.” To which he replied “If we ain’t, we ain’t doing it right.” -I promise next month’s column will be better!

“Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.”- Mark Twain