Not Bragging or Complaining

I must confess, lest you hadn’t already noticed, I am a fan of idioms, clichés, and similar catchphrases. I suspect a professional writer would be quick to accuse me of going a bit overboard or maybe even above and beyond. Oh well, as Popeye would say, “I am what I am.” Much like clapping, my mind also dances to a different beat. Sorry, I digress.

Anyway, I read a story online just moments ago, which apparently planted a seed that grew like a weed. Before I could move from my favorite chair to my computer room, a dozen or more relevant thoughts came streaming. Screaming to be captured before they were lost forever by a dozen or so screaming minutiae taking their place.

And if that wasn’t distracting enough, the title for this story popped into my head – yes, from out of the blue. It’s a phrase I use often and I am pretty sure I know who I heard using it for the first time. But nonetheless, I had to google it – just couldn’t resist.

Not surprising, Google had my back. What was surprising, the title above was also a line from a 1969 song by Merle Haggard. Granted I could tell you here and now, the title of that Merle Haggard song, but I have a story to write, so you’ll to have ask Google or Siri, or Alexa yourself. "What 1969 Merle Haggard song…" (Yes, and some of you will say: “Uh, who’s Merle Haggard?”)

Okay, so where was I? Right, the story I read online. It was about a recent interview with Michelle Obama and the rumor that she was getting a divorce. The truth of the matter spoke to the disparity between men and women, boy and girls. And it also put an appropriate blame on social media. Clearly two of my favorite punching bags, served on a platter in the same story.

Michelle’s absence next to her husband’s side during two recent events could mean only one thing – all was not well in the Obama house. And when one person suggested on social media that maybe she and her husband were separating – those words spread like wildfire and in a flash, the whole internet knew that a divorce was imminent.

After all, Michelle Obama “glued” to former president Barack Obama’s side could not have been because Michelle had a voice of her own. It couldn’t have been because she had a mind of her own. It couldn’t have been because Michelle simply chose not to attend two events that Barack had chosen to attend. And if rumors of a divorce were recorded on the internet, even just once, then a divorce was certainly the only logical explanation.

Right about here seems the perfect spot for a rabbit hole – or at least a slight digression. I am not sure of the whys or the wherefores, but I have always (or at least for a really, really long time) been a fan slash supporter for the girl slash woman in most all aspects of life.

I know that no one who knows me well would ever accuse me of being a mamma’s boy – or even a grandmother’s boy. The almost ninety year old black woman I speak fondly of, however, most surely deserves some of the credit. The many women I have worked with over the years most definitely deserve some of the credit. And frankly, I just enjoy seeing girls and women prove the naysayers and skeptics wrong.

I watch far more women’s sports than I watch men’s sports. I just about always root for the female contestant on Jeopardy. And I most definitely enjoy watching Scarlett, Kate, or Charlize in a badass, kicking ass, movie moreover watching Arnold, Sylvester, or Jason.

I have learned from, and in other ways been motivated and inspired by, some incredibly talented women. Many of whom could have held their own in any position on the corporate organization chart. All of whom, much like Michelle Obama had their own voice. All of whom, much like Michelle Obama had their own mind. All of whom I look back upon with great pride.

Incidentally, in case you hadn’t noticed, or in case you had noticed, the title for this story and the content of this story had absolutely nothing to do with each other. As I said in the beginning, those words just popped into my head. Why and how – I have no idea. Might have had something to do with the detour I took between my favorite chair and my computer room. Then again, I am bragging. I do indeed take pride in my stance on women’s and girl’s rights. And you won’t hear me complaining when they kick ass. And make no mistake – I am not talking about in the movies. I am talking about kicking ass, taking names, and breaking ceilings in the real world.