Steven Van Zandt's Reaction to the Hamilton/Pence Incident

While two weeks ago seems like forever in Internet-time, this is one issue I just wanted to share my two-cents on.  I promised more complaining after the election, so bear with me on this.

Here was Steven Van Zandt's reaction to the cast of Hamilton sharing a personalized message to Vice President-elect Mike Pence after the performance of a show.  Now, Little Stevie's entitled to his opinion, just like anyone else.  His point about letting art speak for itself is valid, but where I disagree with him is when he calls it "inappropriate", a "mistake", and says that they owe an apology.  In my opinion, there is no wrong way to do a peaceful protest, mainly because there is no right way to do one.  Cancel your show?  You get criticized.  Silently kneel during an anthem?  You get criticized.  Read a short message at the end of a show?  You get criticized.  I'd be open to changing my mind if I could find an example of a peaceful protest that was met with universal acclaim and succeeded in its goals.

As long as the message is peaceful and civil, there is room for it in the national dialogue, regardless whether it is part of an artistic performance or not.  With threats to the first amendment becoming more and more routine, I respectfully disagree with Stevie's opinion and hope other artists do not hesitate to share their thoughts and feelings.

Meeting Bruce: The Day I Never Thought Would Happen

Never in my life did I anticipate that I would shake hands, pose for a picture and be greeted by name by Bruce Springsteen. But that's exactly what happened today thanks to his appearance at Books-a-Million in Chicago.

Bruce: Hi, there
Me: Hi, I'm Steve. Nice to meet you
*Pose for picture*
Me: We played "Happy" as our first dance at our wedding
Bruce: Ah, thank you Steve

I waited in line just over 3 1/2 hours for that fleeting exchange. It was well worth it. Many waited longer than me, and in the cold.

In classic Legends of Springsteen fashion, he showed up 30 minutes earlier than advertised and got right to work shaking hands and giving hugs to his fans.

It was a very civilized group, many who had traveled from out of state (Indiana, Michigan and beyond) and embarked in the wee hours of the morning, I heard 4 a.m. departures referenced a few times.

The feeling itself was surreal. I felt compelled to go buy gum before I got to the store. I was envious of the families there together, hopeful that one day my children would be old enough and interested enough to experience something similar with me.

I kept my guard up that at any moment something might go wrong. Perhaps I was tricked by a scam ticket? What if my cell phone suddenly malfunctions? What if I accidentally step out of line or engage in any other general buffoonery? In the end, it was over before I knew it. I stood speechless with my signed book in hand and my photo on my phone, trying to process what had transpired.

It may have been over in the blink of an eye, but I wish every fan could be lucky enough to receive this experience.

And it only happened because of my wife. If she hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known about it. If she hadn't encouraged me, I wouldn't have gone.

R.I.P. Leonard Cohen

Yesterday, music legend Leonard Cohen passed away at the age of 82, as 2016 adds yet another dead legend to its list.  As we view everything here through a Springsteen lens, today we dip far back into Springsteen's past and re-share his cover of Cohen's "Suzanne".  Thank you for everything, Leonard.

Video Spotlight - "Badlands"

From the day after Reagan's election in 1980, here's a rousing performance of "Badlands".  Bruce starts it off with a small speech that reflects what many people may be feeling today.  I can't help but feel the famous facts Bruce had learned real good are particularly relevant.

Lyrics Spotlight - Election Day Special!

"Woke up Election Day, skies gunpowder and shades of gray
Beneath a dirty sun, I whistled my time away"
-- "Livin' in the Future", Magic

Long-time readers may be experiencing deja vu with this post, and they would be right.  Fellow LOS writer Steve and I have referenced this lyric on every election day since 2008.  We are truly a hilarious duo.

In last year's post, I encouraged everyone to "go out and vote", which, if you actually know me, is very uncharacteristic.  I'm very against pro-voting rhetoric - in fact, I didn't even vote in 2012.  I have various thoughts about the election process that I really can't devote the time and energy to properly present on this little blog; but basically, I feel that choosing not to vote is a personal choice that should be respected.

However, I also believe in the maxim "if you don't vote, don't complain."  Having not voted in 2012, I'm proud to say that I really haven't complained.  LOS writer OB and I frequently discuss politics, and while I have had my share of complaints with the country, I have not directed my frustration at the Obama administration.  With that being said, I will not be whistling my time away this year.  I fully plan to vote, not for patriotic reasons, but for whining reasons.  If my candidate loses, I really want to feel justified in my whinging and belly-aching for the next four years.

So, unlike last year's call to vote, this year, I'll just say: vote, or don't.  It's really up to you.  I'm just in it for the complaining.