Saturday, July 21, 2012

The Man With The Yellow Hat

I was unable to provide answers when my son questioned me as to the nature of the relationship between Curious George and the man with the yellow hat.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Leave Your Shirt On

I was present for the Phish 2 day run at Jones Beach over the 4th of July this past week.  There's something bothering me that I just have to vent about.  We're all together in this thing called life.  There's this thing called a society, and being part of one includes you in a certain code of ethics that need to be followed.  Having said that, one of those things applies to concerts:
Wear your shirt!
We are all pressed together in fairly close quarters, and it is a violation of basic decorum to go shirtless during a concert.  I'm not talking about an outdoor GA lawn venue, where your are free to hang out in the back away from the masses and generally subscribe to a looser code.  I'm addressing a venue with seats, where bodies are basically cramped in tight side by side, front and back.  There is a certain social credence, by which we have consideration for our fellow persons.  This pertains to wearing your shirt at a concert.  I don't strictly direct this to the fat, hairy, sweaty men.  This is directed to all people--even you, Mr. "I spend 20 hours a week at the gym."  This also includes women, of all ilk.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of the female form.  However, there is a time and place for everything, and a concert is a time and place for the shirted.
The shirt is the basic fiber that allows for the separation of your sweaty body from other persons who don't want anything to do with your excretion of bodily fluids.  Violating this social contract is simply poor form.  I understand that is unconscionably hot outside.  I understand the desire to get cool by the simple removal of one's shirt.  I also understand that this is not a beach or a swimming pool, and that there must be a consideration for others.
Just think about it.  You're at a concert, your dancing, or listening, or just doing your thing.  The music is flowing.  You're finding your groove.  Just then, a sweaty, hairy shoulder blade slides across your forearm.  That's it.  Just like that the groove is shaken.  Sure it's only a temporary moment, and you're sure to shake it off.  But that moment did not have to happen if the guy next to you would simply leave his shirt on!
End rant...