It's time to break out that aluminum pole once again because it's Festivus season.
Though it may not have the presents or Santa Claus or the music of Christmimoas, Festivus still makes its case as a holiday for the rest of us. Festivus also coincides with another favorite season of the year: List season. Magazines and newspapers are around the world come up with the best of, worst of, etc. lists.
Whether it be something like Rolling Stone's best albums of the year or the far more substantial hotties of the year from Entertainment Weekly, everyone loves lists. So I've decided to combine my love of list season with the Festivus tradition of the airing of the grievances (and to respond to those who've said I've gone soft). Without further adieu, here is my list of grievances for the year 2007.
Slow Walkers. Seems kind of simple and perhaps irrelevant, right? That is until you're late to class and some person walking in the middle of the sidewalk at a glacial pace is blocking your way. Usually they'll be yammering into their cell phone about God knows what or with their iPod earbuds in, oblivious to the world. I don't have a problem with either of those, provided you actually walk like you're trying to get somewhere. Resisting the urge to punch them in the back of the head grows harder every day.
The Average Movie-Going Public. One of the simple joys of life is a good movie. Sadly, good movies are a rarity throughout the year and usually if any come, you have to wait for fall or December.
One of the reasons bad movies are continually being made is the average moviegoer is an idiot and is simply OK with it. I'm alright with a check-your-brain-at-the-door movie like "Transformers" once in a while, but when I recently saw the outstanding "No Country for Old Men" and overheard several people complain at the end that (SPOILERS AHEAD) "they didn't get the bad guy at the end" or "wow, that ending was depressing. Couldn't they have made it brighter?"
It makes me shake my head in disbelief. God forbid a movie doesn't follow a predictable formula and makes you think.
Campaigning in America. Our governmental system may be the least bad option when compared to other countries around the world, but that doesn't make it suck any less. The fact that the presidential election is now 11 months away and yet we are already a year into the campaigning for it, says something. I'm so sick of Hillary, Obama, Rudy and Mitt that I'm ready for Papa Putin to come in and take over with his enlightened leadership. I'm a poli sci major and I can't stand this stuff or the constant media onslaught.
The NFL this season. This has been one of the most boring and overall crappy years I can remember. We've got Michael Vick torturing dogs, Bill Belichick spying and running up the score, my beloved Broncos are mired in mediocrity, the Patriots make the Yankees seem cuddly and lovable. The only plus side has been seeing Rex Grossman and Brian Griese continue to prove that you only need a torso and pulse to play quarterback for the Bears.
Ahh. It feels good to get those off my chest, which is why I encourage everyone to celebrate Festivus this year and cleanse their conscience by airing their grievances with the ones they love. Remember, even if you don't like what they or I have to say, there are always the feats of strength you can challenge them to.