R.I.P. George Carlin

Some of my favorite memories as a kid were sneaking into my Dad’s LP collection and playing “Class Clown” with my friends. We got a hell of an education from George Carlin. Not the stuff you learn in school, but you know, the real stuff. Not all of it was so serious, of course - his “New! Nabisco Tits!” line from the 7 Dirty Words (”ShitPissFuckCockCuntMotherfuckerandTits” - which I would recite at parties at ages 15-28) was a huge hit for me. I think it may have gotten me out of getting my ass kicked by an upper-classman once.

It’s fair to say George Carlin was a lot like my grandpa. Both were fans of quality stand up comedy like Lenny Bruce, Cosby and Pryor, both were extremely well spoken, opinionated role models and scary as hell to a kid, what with their dry, sarcastic senses of humor and all. As a grown man, I appreciate them more and it’s the people like that you want to spend more time with, but never really do.

George, you were right - life is a series of dogs. One dies, and you go get a new dog. Though I’m not sure the new dogs can ever live up to the legacy of the ones before them. Only time will tell, I suppose. I still have no idea how much the fake dog crap in the window costs, though, by the way.

Friends of mine talk of meeting George Carlin while he was doing shows in Vegas, and they’re always fond of it. Some celebs are a true pain in the ass off stage. Carlin was reportedly very cordial.

Thanks for the good times, George. Never met ya, but I wish I did, so you could sign my copy of Brain Droppings and I could thank you in person.