Monday, January 21, 2013

WHO NAMED DAT CHURCH,BROTHER?

For a brief portion of my life I made frequent trips to the south side of Chicago for reasons that must remain closely guarded until I assume room temperature.

It didn't take long to notice that the churches seemed to be trying to outdo each other. 

I got the impression they believed the longest, most complicated name equaled the best church.

Before I got the the south side, while driving through the beautiful suburbs of Chicago, the churches had normal names (not Normal Illinois)like The Church Of God, 1st Baptist, 2nd Baptist(why would anyone want to go to 2nd Baptist,or even worse,3rd Baptist, isn't that like 2nd and 3rd place?),Saint Paul Church, Saint John Church; simple names, like Melvin,

Yes, this is a real church!

However, as I entered the south side, it was a whole nuther story! 

At first, it was not too bad;

THE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

but the next would be

THE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY ANGELS

And then

THE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY ANGELS UPON MOUNT ZION
Not actual picture of the south side church.

And then


THE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY ANGELS UPON MOUNT ZION TABERNACLE
Not actual photo of south side Chicago church.

And then they changed a up a bit 

THE TRINITY CHURCH OF THE SEPULCHER AND APOSTLES IN HEAVEN WITH JAZZ MUSIC NIGHTLY,  OPEN BAR, AND NO COVER CHARGE IN DIVINE WORSHIP TO THE MIGHTY SOVEREIGN OF THE UNIVERSE
CHURCH OF THE SEPULCHER?

Well, the church down the block wouldn't be outdone


THE AWESOME POWERFUL GOD IN CHRIST  SANCTUARY OF ABRAHAM, MOSES, AND THE PROPHETS OF OLD CHURCH OF HOLINESS,PEACE AND EXOTIC DANCING TO A BIG BAND BEAT WITH FREE PARKING ON HIGH,IN OUR FIVE STORY PARKING DECK, WITH COUPONS FOR HALF PRICE ON A DELUXE CAR WASH AND IN CHAPEL WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS AVAILABLE 24/7 RIGHTEOUS CATHEDRAL MEMORIAL TEMPLE



I guess no one could beat that, huh?

WRONGO, BIBLE BRAIN!!!

THE FAR OUT GROOVY HIPPY UNIVERSALIST UNITARIAN MOSQUE/TEMPLE/CHURCH OF FREE WILL AND ANYTHING GOES IF IT FEELS GOOD MONASTERY OF ALLAH/JESUS/BUDDAH/ALFRED E. NEWMAN,OF PINK FLOYDIAN  EXTRATERRESTRIAL ORIGINS WHICH INCLUDES GLORIOUS MUSHROOMS AND WACKY TUBAKKI TRANCENDENTAL MEDITATION OF THE THIRD KIND WHERE DRINKS ARE ALWAYS SERVED AT THE STEEPLE LOUNGE AFTER MIDNIGHT AND PYRO-TECHNICAL DISPLAYS ARE SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED AT OUR DISCRETION, LORD ALMIGHTY!!





MY BEST FRIEND, GREG

I really, really don't like mushy stuff, but I have to write about how I feel in my heart, or my uvula may drop off!
Sidebar: I was born with a uvula but no tonsils, REALLY!

Where was I? Oh, yeah...mushy stuff. 

In my past life, for about 40 years, I was not always the nicest person when I was off my meds, or even ON my meds!

Have you ever seen someone that had turrets syndrome, and could not control what they would say?
 I was very much like that, and it was ugly, and I lost a lot of friends.


I probably treated my best friend Greg worse than anybody! (Now, I'm not claiming I'm HIS best friend, but he is definitely MY best friend!)

Greg supported the  2 books that I wrote, had me on his radio show TWICE (Greg and Dan Show 1470 AM WMBD), let me do silly "bits" on the show, used a jingle I wrote, and has ALWAYS been a faithful friend to me!



MY BOOKS





I was often rude, ill mannered, unthankful, pushy, belligerent, stupid acting, and nasty!


I am not saying Greg took all of this with a smile, no way, but he was kind and patient enough to help me, and teach me to have more self control and empathy for others.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day, and I believe these words from Doctor King apply to Greg Batton in a profound way:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Martin Luther King Jr.



I know I have definitely been a challenge for Greg , but I also understand that he has met other challenges in his life with dignity and class.

If I know Greg, he is not going to like this mushy stuff that I wrote about him, but ...

I almost forgot, it's Greg's birthday Thursday the 24th, and just like Greg, he is giving ME and a friend of mine from abroad, a great gift!
(No, she's not a "broad," she's a sweet girl.)






Greg has also made it possible for me to get a shout out from my favorite comedian, Bill Cosby, AND actaully meet stars like Bob Zany, Yvonne Greer, and the Magnificent Marty Wombacher!







See what I mean about that big lovable teddy bear being soooo cool?

You will have to listen on Thursday morning (between 5:30 and 9:00 AM) to see what he's gonna do for me and my friend from Norway. HA! So suspenseful!                          

I don't think Greg reads my blog, but do you blame him? LOL!

Anyway, that don't matter, 'cause I just need to say,
 Greg, I love you, man!!!