Positively Guilt-Free Wednesdays: A New Series

Wednesdays will now be the day for all of us to share something without fear of ridicule or negative criticism. It doesn't necessarily need to be music. If you baked a cherry pie and impressed the shit out of your significant other, if you told a joke and killed all of your party guests with laughter, if you just got a promotion, if you watched "Road House" and enjoyed yourself. if you just went from a 36" waist to a 33" and you want to tell the world, Wednesday is the day, and this is the place.

Why? I will tell you.

Facebook is poison.

What set me off?

Two things, and neither happened to me, though stuff like this happens to me and everyone more times than it doesn't.

My friend posted a video of The Cars' "You Might Think." I think a guppy would surmise it's because he liked the song. First comment on his post was, "Never a fan of that silly MTV period." Why? Is that comment a revelation? Is it possible that my friend was just looking for a few people to chime in in a positive way? The need to deflate is sick.

Another friend, from New Orleans, innocently asked if there was anyway to get Bruce Springsteen Broadway tickets for less than $1600. First comment was, "Nothing says working man like a $1600 ticket." This doesn't even make sense. Another was, "I'd pay $10 if he'd actually sing." These are his FRIENDS! What makes anyone think it's a good idea to trash someone or something that is obviously loved by someone else? If you're a critic and you write a column, knock yourself out. But again, I am pretty sure my friend was hoping for a helpful answer, and if nobody had one, they should have found something else to do with those 12 seconds of their life.

I'm tired of the criticism, the emptiness, the smug remarks, and most of all, the lack of support from so called "friends" and "family."

Burning Wood is a destination. You come here because generally, you know what you're in for. If you've got something to say, there's a 99% chance you've read what I've written and that is why you commented. There are no "like" buttons here. You can't hit and run.

I have one rule on Wednesday and this is it--

If you don't have anything good to say, say nothing. Save the criticism and difference of opinion for a post that relies on discussion for legs. It's not a bad rule seven days a week, but hey, we have to have some fun.

Simple, yes? Think you can handle it? Now...speaking of cherry pie...

Why is there a Warrant song posted up top? I'll tell you.

I have always had an intense dislike for the band's hit single, "Cherry Pie." But, I have always LOVED their other hit, "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Aside from those two songs, I had heard nothing else and I didn't care. But I acquired a copy of the new reissue of "Cherry Pie" that was just released on vinyl and I played it, because I really felt like hearing "Uncle Tom's Cabin." You know what? I still don't like "Cherry Pie." But, some of this record really knocked me out, like "Bed Of Roses," and especially "I Saw Red," a power ballad to beat all power ballads. I had no idea this was a Top 10 hit.

There. I've said it.

I can hear the muttering already.

"Is he okay?"

"I'm worried about that boy."

"It was better with Todd Rundgren posts."

(That was a softball, so bite your lip.)

I'm fine. I may be ranting, but I am fine. I'm just tired of people shitting on other people. The lack of sensitivity and responsibility is overwhelming.  I promise, I'm just trying to do something positive for a change. Don't worry. I won't lose my edge or my snark. There's a new Dave Matthews record out and I am sure Adele will be coming out of retirement soon enough. And if I decide to trash either of them, I'll do it here, not on my friend's Facebook page, where he often posts about Adele because he is a fan. I am just opening up this space once a week so everyone can sound off and share something without fear of being shot down.

Remember...share something you feel good about and save your insensitive crap for another place and time.

One last thing---you must know that I moderate comments. In almost ten years of Burning Wood, I can count on both hands the times I chose not to post someone's comment, even those that were written with no other intention but to wind me up. Though I may choose not to publish negative comments on today's post, I will still see them. If you have a heart of steel and choose to send me something that is meant to wind me up, may you rot in Paramus.

"I Saw Red," baby!