Tired of the Cavemen

-
When I made my First Communion the priest, during his sermon, asked the gathering if anyone knew what he meant when he mentioned the idiot box. Of course he was talking about television, but the kid he called on, who happened to be my next-door neighbor, said, "Is that the place where you keep the chalice?" The entire congregation laughed and I distinctly recall feeling bad for my neighbor.

"No," the priest explained, "the idiot box is the television because idiots sit in front of it."

My First Communion was in 1974 or '75, so that statement has hung with me for a long time.

Tonight, I was watching the commercial with the caveman riding the walking strip along the airport when he sees the picture of another caveman and reads the sign that says "So easy a caveman can do it." He acts all indignant and the song fades away as the Geico logo comes up.

I thought of the priest and the fact that I felt like an idiot for watching that commercial for what had to be the 50th time.

Fifty times thirty seconds is twenty-five minutes of my life that has been spent watching that stupid friggen' commercial.

I can imagine lying in bed, gasping for my last breath, wishing I had just a little time left. "Dear God, give me another half-an-hour!" I'll beg.

The skies will open and God's booming voice will answer - "Sorry, dude, (God is cool - he calls people 'dude') you wasted that half an hour watching that commercial with that caveman."

Idiot Box - why do I stare at the idiot box?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more