I am desperate for a return to a normalcy that I am starting to fear may never be seen again. I want to refocus on family and work, but my continued need for a constant drip of political news and gossip (sometimes indistinguishable) has not yet found a decent placebo. Talking about the action at the Capitol has taken over my normal girlfriend chitchat, my Facebook page, and my dinner table. I couldn't tell you what's happening in the Middle East or in Middle School"only what's happening on the Square.
Everything is playing out 24-7 on the Protest Channel in my mind, but I was afforded a brief commercial interruption yesterday. I allowed myself to watch the Oscars with my family. I believe the producers may have succeeded in their goal of appealing to a younger demographic -- my kids thought hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco were hilarious. They may have been the only ones. But it was great to take my mind off politics for a bit.
I couldn't have been more thrilled when "The King's Speech" director Tom Hooper's name was called; I "heart" the movie tremendously. But it was the final words in his lovely acceptance speech, a reminder to "listen to your mother" that got me thinking about Wisconsin again. So many of my patented "momisms" have been turned on their heads in the past two weeks. It's like the Bizarro world of parenting. Just think about it.
You Can Think For Yourself, Don't Follow the Crowd: Unless it is a crowd of 100,000 marching and protesting.
Please Use Your Inside Voice: Unless you are chanting, "What's Disgusting, Union Busting" at the top of your lungs in the Capitol rotunda.
If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, Don't Say Anything at All: Except when it comes to protest signs, "Walker is a Weasel, not a Badger". Polite? Of course not. Funny and effective, sure.
A Concert on a Week Night? Are you Kidding Me?: Unless you are going to see Tom Morello rock Monona Terrace. And on a Monday, no less.
Always Tell Me Where You are Going, And Call When You Get There: Unless of course you are one of the Fab 14 and are heading to undisclosed locations in Illinois.
Never cross in the Middle of the Street: Although it is totally ok if you are carrying a protest sign.
I Don't Want to Have to Repeat This: "Tell Me What Democracy Looks Like, This Is What Democracy Looks Like". Enough said.
You Can't Eat Pizza For Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Unless it is Ian's. Mac and Cheese, Buffalo Chicken and Steak and Fries all represent different food groups, right?
Never Overstay Your Welcome: Unless of course, it is your "house". And the police say it is okay.
And, of course, my personal favorite:
Don't Make Prank Calls: But if you can get the Governor on the other end to reveal his true colors? Well, that's a different story.
Strange days, indeed. But in this topsy-turvy world anything can happen. Maybe even democracy.
