Today is the birthday of my hero (and the biggest influence on my snark) P.J. O'Rourke.
Some girls locked themselves in their bedrooms and sulked when Brad Pitt got married; I pouted when a humorist old enough to be my father did.
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I have a big crush on P.J. myself. His books were one of the sneaky ways my husband brought me over to the dark side. "Here, read this. You'll like it, he's funny."
Also...nothing wrong with older men, Tam. Nothin' at all. =)
Well, hell, Tam, I am probably almost old enough to be your father, and I'm available. I mean, damn, Tam, get with the program!
Martyn
In high school, most people in debate would use classic plays or monologues for individual competition.
I, on the other had, used a P.J. O'Rourke column from Rolling Stone.
Shoulda seen the judges faces when I followed some girl doing "Inherit the Wind" and my opening line was me yelling "War! War! Blood-red savage war! Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of ditto. Saddam Hussein - he's worse than Hitler, worse than Stalin, worse than waking up wearing a wedding ring next to Roseanne Barr. He invaded Iran. He invaded Kuwait. He even invaded some parts of the country he already lives in, that's how crazy Saddam Hussein is."
I made it to state... then lost to someone doing Brian's Song.
When I was in High School, in the Dark Ages (ie. the early 70's) I was influenced mightily, by 2 writers. They are in no particular order: P. J. O'Rourke and Patrick McManus. I loved Rolling Stone and National Lampoon primarily for PJ's insanity and I loved Field and Stream for Patrick's wild outdoor adventures.
If I could have a beer and a long talk with either one of them, I would almost be in heaven.
"Age and Guile Beat Youth, Innocence and a Bad Haircut"
Ditto on what srone said... although I think a nice Crown otr or a Drambuie would be more fun.
P.J. was my introduction to civics, starting when I was, eh, maybe 12 or 13.
The American Government teacher at my high school thought I was a fucking genius.
Hey srone, did you know that Patrick McManus has written a couple of murder mysteries?
And to think, if he'd been expelled from Oxford (Ohio) after l'affaire plum whip --which he richly deserved--today he could be the general manager of a thriving Buick dealership.
Old Grouch, thanks for the info on Patrick McManus' murder mysteries. I guess that I need to stop by the library and see if I can find either book. I also looked up PJ's book list and saw that I might need to get studious and check out his latest book "On the Wealth of Nations."
I saw the 40th Anniv. issue of Rolling Stone yesterday. I immediately wondered if PJ had a comment regarding the "Pit" that this once formidable magazine has fallen in.
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