I am nearly never surprised anymore. I have come to believe that if it’s preposterous, it’s probably true. One of my favorite movies is Being There starring Peter Sellers. It’s a wonderful story about a dignified appearing simpleton, played by Sellers, known as Chance the Gardner. Chance never went out and lived in a house in Washington D.C. in the domestic employ of an elderly man who finally passes on. When probate finally settles the old man’s affairs, Chance is put on the street without any knowledge of anything other than what he has learned on television. After a limousine accident involving wealthy Washington socialite played by Shirley MacLaine, Chance the Gardner mistakenly becomes Chauncey Gardener confidante to political insiders and the President of the United States. At issue here is that Chance’s, or now Chauncey’s, profundities are merely simple statements that are given weight by the listener. Witness this exchange by the President and Chance.

President Bobby: Mr. Gardner, do you agree with Ben, or do you think that we can stimulate growth through temporary incentives?
[Long pause]
Chance the Gardener: As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden.

My guess is that you know what I am driving at here. This morning, the GOP Congressional Aides gather for a meeting of the Conservative Working Group. The purpose of this group is to chart GOP strategy. Their special guest at this meeting? Josef Plummer, known to you and I as Joe the Plumber. Another instance of life imitating art.

☞Although an unlawful action, I’m not certain that what Michael Phelps did was necessarily wrong.  But one thing is self-evident, he sure didn’t think about the consequence of his actions. This dumb young man watched millions of dollars flow up and out of that bong pipe. Yes, he’s young and everyone does it but it’s still a very costly error of judgement by Phelps. Maybe his brain is water-logged.

☞I love Etta James and Koko Taylor. Give me a soul-blues shouter any ole day. Shemaika Copeland is a 30 year old old-soul like James and Taylor. And why wouldn’t she be; Shemaika Copeland has a great pedigree. Her pops is legendary Texas blues guitarist, Johnny Copeland. This song, Broken World, is more of a slow smoker but I really love the sound of Copeland’s voice here. Here is Aye Wonder’s song of the week.

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☞I am heartbroken. Scarlett Johansson is now a brunette. Damn. Don’t get me wrong brunettes, it’s just that Johansson seemed built to be blond.

☞If you are a news junkie like me, you should get yourself over to GlobalPost.com. Unlike another favorite site of mine, The Daily Beast, GlobalPost actually originates news. They were first on the scene in Gaza, a full three days before anyone else. It was co-found by Phil Balboni, founder of New England Cable News, and Charlie Sennott, Boston Globes foreign correspondent for years.  Look for GP to become a stiff competitor to the AP wire.

☞If you’re ever looking for a fun (virtually) clean joke, this is the one to tell.

Percy and Agnes are in their 80s, and Percy always wanted an expensive pair of alligator shoes. Seeing them on sale one day, he purchased them and wore them home, asking Agnes “So, you notice anything different about me?”

“What’s different? It’s the same shirt you wore yesterday and the same pants. What’s different?”

Frustrated, Percy goes into the bathroom, undresses and comes out completely naked, just wearing the new shoes. Again, “So, Agnes, do you notice anything different?”

“What’s different, Percy? It’s hanging down today; it was hanging down yesterday and will be hanging down tomorrow.”

Angrily Percy yells, “Do you know why it’s hanging down? ‘Cause it’s looking at my new shoes!!!!!”

To which Agnes replies, “You should have bought a hat!”

☞We have always been limited with music because it’s only 8 notes, as this video proves.

☞If you’ve ever thought that we are to blame for the Joe the Plumbers of the world, you are likely right. Oscar Wilde contributes this week’s Aye Wonder quote of the week.

It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.

Aye Wonder (not as often recently) and I hope you do too.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Time for an AWT Good News Edition
• A New Decade AWT – I Feel Better Already
• AWT is on the Record
• The Decade in Review – The AWT version
• An Old Year’s AWT. The New Decade on its Way.