Choose Wisely

 Eighteen days ago I decided to free myself from the burden of all social media and what a difference it has made. (I should say almost all social media. I am still on Instagram to stay connected with some family.) But the rest of it -- Reddit, Threads, Twitter, and especially Facebook -- I've waived a middle finger and turned my back to the wind, as they say. I would recommend everyone to do the same.

Why did I do this? First, everything today is dominated by politics and I found myself going on social media daily (like almost everyone) and spending hours feeding into the paranoia, anxiety and outright anger of others. Even more pathetic is half the information on social media is false, but, incredibly, that doesn't even seem to matter!

Not only was I wasting hours doing absolutely nothing, but far worse than that, the time spent on those sites was weighing heavily on my mental health. I got to the point that it felt like the world really was ending. That's not how life should be lived.

If social media had a face...

So I pulled the plug.

Now I am finding myself a much happier person. Yes, I follow the news. And yes, I am among those that feel our country is in a very messed up place right now, but it cannot define my existence. 

Fast forward two and a half weeks: other than life's usual challenges, I am relaxing and reading Get Happy by Gerald Clarke, a biography of Grand Rapids' own Judy Garland. And my biggest stressors right now are my NCAA brackets and who to cut from my fantasy football dynasty team. That's the kind of stress I prefer.

Before I left social media, I remember someone, somewhere said, "How can people just go on living their lives like nothing is wrong?" That was the moment I knew I had to say adios to the screens and apps. Because what the hell am I supposed to do? Lock myself in a dark room and never come out? It seems that is what some people were suggesting.

Life is about choices. I've made mine.

^^^

On a related note, this weekend I have been enjoying watching the NCAA National Tournament... but even Instagram, my lone connection to social media, has more than its share of toxicity. 

McNeese State has a student manager named Amir Khan and he became a "social media sensation" early in the tournament after walking out with the team with a giant boombox around his neck. He even got a  nickname: "Aura." Khan is a 22 year-old sports management major from Lake Charles, Louisiana; just a typical college kid doing his job as student manager and having fun with his team; he is clearly beloved by the players. 

But the goons were out in force on Instagram. "He's an idiot" "WTF?" "A fat banana" were among the more kind comments. And it hit home AGAIN the reason why I left most social media. It is a fucking sewage tank full of pathetic souls who are miserable in the their own lives and it kills them to see anybody enjoying their own.

"Aura" Khan walking out with the team.

The fact is, these are young people enjoying the moment -- a once in a lifetime moment at that. I mean, Kahn was sitting next to Spike Lee on Saturday. How cool is that? Oh, and guess what? McNeese State defeated the heavily favored Clemson Tigers in the first round, which was their first NCAA tournament victory in school history. 

How dare anyone be happy for them? 

Life is about choices. Choose wisely.

No Social Media Experiment

 I had a revelation this morning while driving my son to school. I was surfing through channels on Sirius XM because they took away the mindless program I used to listen to in the morning, "Fantasy Football Morning." Fantasy football is a longtime hobby of mine and I enjoyed listening to fellow blockheads who shared that passion. Now it is gone.

[Whenever I find something that I really enjoy, the powers that be must find out about it and take it away, just to make me miserable: "Mike and Mike" on ESPN -- I watched that for years, then ESPN decided it was a good idea to get rid of it. Then Sirius XM launched a great channel a few years ago called "Volume," which was all music talk, all day. I listened to the channel morning, afternoon and night. I loved it. Then they took it away.]

Now they've taken away "Fantasy Football Morning," which I have enjoyed for several years. It sucks. One common theme to all these programs I enjoyed listening to? They never talked about politics. 

So, while desperately trying to find something to entertain me this morning (I settled on BBC World Service), I concluded that I cannot get away from politics anymore. And I cannot accept that. 

I know these are beyond turbulent times in the USA. We are a divided nation and I do not think that division will ever be repaired. I personally think the "great American experiment," as George Washington once eloquently described it, is sounding its death rattle. 

Politics and political talk consume everything, and seemingly, everyone. And it is ugly. 

Social media especially is a vicious, vacant black hole of political brimstone. Facebook. Reddit. Twitter. Threads. All are disgusting. Strangers insulting strangers. Threats being made. The hate in this country is palpable. I've finally reached the breaking point.

Which brings me back to my revelation today: I can control what I am exposed to. I don't need all this social media garbage! My god, what a refreshing thought! Constant exposure to negativity and anger and paranoia and outright hate wears on one's psyche. Not only is it unhealthy for the soul, it is a breeding ground for contempt, and ultimately, depression. I refuse to be pulled into the offal.

I am not sticking my head in the sand; I will continue to follow current events from proper, reliable sources (AP, Reuters, BBC -- yes, these are reliable sources; no, they do not report "fake news." Get a fucking brain cell). 

My plan of action:

I actually deleted my Twitter accounts more than a month ago, which was a good start. I knew I could control that. It's not much, but I felt good about doing it.

Reddit is gone. It is a fun place to explore, but it also has its share of angst. I'm too old for angst.

Facebook is worst of all and I only have an account because of my band; I need a personal account in order to have a business account. (Facebook used to be a fun, pleasant place to interact. It certainly isn't anymore, and I don't see it ever getting back to good). My solution to limit Facebook exposure was to download the Business Suite app which allowed me to remove the Facebook app from my devices. Again, it's not much, but I can control that.

I will keep Instagram only because my kids like to share videos and pictures with me from time to time. But the Threads app from Instagram is another dark, dark place to wander.

So I am going to try this experiment for a month (today is March 5) and see how I feel about... things. No social media other than Instagram. It will be difficult at first because social media triggers that "addictive" part of the brain. But if I could stop drinking alcohol for six weeks, I can easily do this.

It will also mean I will be reading books and writing a lot more, which is always a good thing. I think this is going to be a great, healthy change for me. I am excited to try it.

Random picture of the day: Portraits of wolves, taken at Dottie's Hometown Cafe in Grand Rapids, MN. Saturday morning, 1 March 2025.

Grand Rapids Weekend

 We went on an improvised getaway to Grand Rapids, MN, over the weekend. We've done a few little "flash vacations" to smaller towns around Minnesota over the last few years. It is surprising the neat things you can find if you just know where to look. 

We love breweries and Grand Rapids is home to two very good ones: Rapids Brewing and Klockow Brewing. Rapids Brewing was hopping on Friday night; the house playlist was great and the beer and food was excellent. We ordered the Italian Stallion pizza, which featured pickled onions and peppers and a crust glazed with maple syrup, baked in a wood-fired oven. It was spicy and paired great with beer (not a coincidence, I can assure you). They also had a full cocktail bar. A great place to unwind with friends.

Klockow Brewing had a local artist exhibit on display when we were there. It was a very cool, artsy vibe and the beer was most excellent.

Local artist Tom Page had his paintings on display at Klockow Brewing on March 1st, 2025.

Supply Line Hazy IPA and cards at Klockow Brewing

We enjoyed a delicious homemade breakfast at Dottie's Hometown Cafe, which is the last locally owned and operated cafe in Grand Rapids; keeping the theme of supporting small, local businesses I had to visit Wildflower Bookshop and (naturally) added three more books to my reading list.

The highlight of the weekend was the Judy Garland Museum and Birthplace. The experience was truly beyond my expectations. 

Frances Gumm, later known to the world as Judy Garland, is the most famous resident of Grand Rapids and this small museum had a surprising number of personal mementos from Garland's personal collection as well as a large collection of motion picture memorabilia. The original house she lived in is onsite and museum goers were free to walk around the entire place, which was a very cool experience.

An original dress from the Wizard of Oz test shot.

The original carriage from Wizard of Oz, pulled by the Horse of a Different Color, as Dorothy enters Oz.

An original Wizard of Oz script.

Judy and her sisters (known as the "Gumm Sisters") rehearsed on this landing in the 1920s, presumably because it was the shape of a small stage. The Gumm sisters first appeared on stage at the New Grand Theater in Grand Rapids. They later moved to California and hit the "big time," appearing in several films before Judy's solo career skyrocketed.

The living room of the original Gumm house, the landing "stage" is to the right.

Judy's personal datebook, with notes in her handwriting.

Judy's address book. That's Alfred Hitchcock's address and phone number at the bottom!

An original "Winkie spear" from Wizard of Oz

Judy's personal gold record for "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." She recorded the song on October 7, 1938, and it went on to be named the #1 song in a motion picture by the American Film Institute and the #1 Song of the Century by the RIAA and the National Endowment for the Arts. Groundbreaking and record setting in every sense.

It was a fun weekend and a much needed break from the routine. If you ever get the opportunity, the Judy Garland Museum and Birthplace is worth the drive!