I'm on Fire

Good day. It's funny to me the kind of responses something as silly as a blog can get. I guess that's the point, you type some crap that's been swirling around in your head (mostly tongue in cheek for humor's sake) and then see what people think about it. Some people get it and think it's funny. Some people get it and think it's stupid (me). Some people just don't seem to get it at all and take real offense to it as if it was written in the Sunday Chicago Tribune. That's what is so great about the blogosphere, and part of the reason why newspapers are folding across this great land of ours. Anyone with a computer these days can just write whatever they want and anyone can read it and take what they want from it. After yesterday's entry: "It's Been a Month Y'all, Let's Rap" I received messages and comments that really had me chomping at the bit to get back in front of my trusty laptop and respond.

Isn't it strange how we all have opinions about people that we have never met? Whether they are athletes, celebrities, or even media people, as a society we love putting them in their place. I'm guilty of it, hell we all are. But I've always wondered why? For example: This whole Michael Jackson thing. I didn't watch 1 second of the funeral or any of that excess. It's just not for me. But my goodness, how could people be that upset about someone that they've never met? You knew him through your CD/Record player and that's it. As far as your CD/Record player is concerned, the King of Pop is still alive!!! You can pop that disc in any time you want and have the same relationship with MJ as you've ever had! Conversely, people loved piling on this guy as well. He's dead. You didn't know him. Move on with your life. You shouldn't have to pick a side on this issue and either be devastated because "Michael Jackson changed your life!" or spew hate towards the guy.

Now I would never call anyone in local or national media a celebrity (although a lot of them think that they are). YOU ARE NOT THE STORY. You report the story, or talk about the story or interview people who ARE involved in the story, but the story is NOT ABOUT YOU. The funny thing is... Am I wrong about this? Over the last 10-15 years it seems that media people ARE being viewed more and more as celebrities. I'm a big fan of score670.com. Most of you reading this blog are familiar with this site. If you're not, it's essentially a message board website devoted to Chicago sports media. Yes, people would rather talk about Chicago sports media members than actual Chicago sports! As a former member of the Chicago media (hopefully current member again soon :), I really enjoy this website. When I would do radio shows I could get instant feedback on what people liked/disliked about what I was doing. I truly value 99% of the opinions on that board. This brings me to some of the comments I've received on yesterday's blog entry.

Maybe I'm wrong (there's a good chance), but I've always thought that one of the most important traits a person could have is being "self aware." You know what I mean. We've all been at a party or gathering where there's always some guy that doesn't seem to know that everyone is making fun of him right in front of his face. Maybe he doesn't know when to shut up (let the game come to him), maybe his breath is unbearable, or maybe he's just making a fool out of himself...the problem is that he has NO idea that he's the butt of the joke. He's not self aware. I've always been sure to never be "that guy." Radio people are one of the worst groups of people at being self aware. If you ever have a conversation with a radio guy, be prepared to let them talk about themselves for a long period of time. That's who they are into. Themselves. A radio guy will talk about himself for an entire conversation and not even realize it. You'll just nod and smile over and over, and think to yourself, "man, this guy has NO idea that he's been talking about himself for the last 20 minutes." (I realize that a blog contains a lot of talking about yourself...Can't sneak anything by you.)

What I'm learning about blogging and even radio to a certain extent, is that it's 10 times as hard to be "self aware." I've never been called a douche by someone who's actually met me, I've never been the butt of a joke in person either, but over the Internet by people who have no idea who I am it happened in response to yesterday's entry. Over the airwaves it's a lot easier to tell if someone is being "tongue in cheek" with what they're saying. I get that. Everyone knows that you can't READ someones tone of voice, but I hope that people think that I'm smart enough to know that there are a lot of people who have lost their jobs, not just me. I'd also like to think that people are smart enough to know that staying at home and raising kids CAN be a full-time job. I've never done it, but I'm smart enough to know better. I find it hilarious that certain people think that I'm just drunk all day, and am not out trying to get back into the business, not that it's any of yours. But hey, I'm not mad at all. I'm just learning to be more "self aware" in the blogosphere. You Internet people are WAY ahead of me, but I'll catch up. I just appreciate the fact that you care about anything that I say enough to comment on it.

Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog.
Right now I'm enjoying Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," -fantastic song by The Boss.
Drink of Choice: Can't drink, don't want to upset any internet folk :)

Peace the F.
Webby