ConstantCommentary® Vol. II, No. 37, December 3, 1998

So Sue Me . . .

by Mike Jasper


Mike Jasper is 45

Hulk Hogan turned 45 this year. He still looks pretty good. So does Dennis Miller, David Lee Roth, Hal Ketchum and Tim Allen. Another 45-year-old, Kim Basinger, definitely looks great.

Last week I turned 45. Draw your own conclusions.

Since it's my birthday, more or less, I've decided to write a truly self-indulgent column -- even more so than usual. Dave Barry wrote a column AND a book when he turned the Big 4-0. He did it again when he turned 50. I figure I'll write mine when I'm 45 and 55. That way I'm always five years ahead of him.

Don't worry. This column will be much different than Barry's. I'll include the gratuitous use of the word fuck.

As you might have noticed, I've added two more photos of myself. The one in the middle was taken three years ago when I was a rock star. The one on the right is a version of the one on the far left, but I distorted it with Photoshop. The photo on the right (or bottom if your window is small) is what I would look like if I got into a car wreck and had reconstructive surgery.

Some of you might have thought, "Ah ha! I always guessed he was an ugly fucker." But you'd be wrong. That's not how I look. It's just how I feel.

THE 45 THINGS I'VE LEARNED IN MY LIFE

1) Dave Barry will write a book when he turns 60. Unless, of course, I kill him.
 
2) The only thing more arrogant than getting a blow job and falling asleep is licking pussy and staying awake.
 
3) Premature ejaculation is way, way better than impotence.
 
4) Your tongue is ALWAYS hard enough.
 
5) You'll only remember 50 things from your college classes, so pay attention. For instance, the ontological argument is... ahhhh... okay, 49 things. The good news? None of them have anything to do with algebra.
 
6) When you're 45 you only have two things to really offer a woman, cash or credit cards. Plan accordingly.
 
7) Wear sunscreen.
 
8) I don't care if it's the dead of winter or you're spending the entire summer indoors, just wear the fucking sunscreen.
 
9) If you need a pill to get it up, consider Vicodin instead of Viagra. It's cheaper and if it doesn't work, who cares?
 
10) If your mother still buys you birthday presents after the age of 40, you can expect it to be accompanied by a sarcastic card.
 
11) Everything happens for a reason. Usually it's a stupid fucking reason.
 
12) If you hear someone's wife is having a baby it is always wrong to say, "No shit? Who's the father?" But say it anyway.
 
13) If you steal from Mark Twain people will swear you stole from Hunter S. Thompson.
 
14) Don't major in English... unless, like me, you want to guarantee you'll never get a real job.
 
15) Don't get a real job.
 
16) Don't write unless you can use the word fuck.
 
17) Unless you get paid.
 
18) Having sex with a family member is always a bad idea. That's why I'm opposed to marriage.
 
19) Women want one thing in a relationship. I have no fucking idea what that is.
 
20) Never take an 8 a.m. class.
 
21) Avoid 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. classes as well.
 
22) When you have the choice, take the night class. The instructor wants to leave early too.
 
23) If you want to get rid of someone, ask to borrow five bucks every time you run into him. Never pay it back. It works.
 
24) Don't bet on the ponies.
 
25) Do bet on football. But always bet against your favorite team, that way you're sure to get something positive out of the experience.
 
26) Learn a poem or a monologue (Shakespeare preferred) or the lyrics to Bob Dylan's song "Idiot Wind." When people start to get on your nerves (and they will) recite it as loudly as possible.
 
27) Get proficient at masturbation. If you don't get this right you'll never get anything right.
 
28) If a woman asks you how she looks, there is only one acceptable answer: You look great!
 
29) Make sure to cultivate at least one friend who's a total loser. No matter how bad life gets, you'll always have him to point at.
 
30) Always use a spell checker if you have won.
 
31) Better use a grammar checker too.
 
32) During your life span, you will meet at least three people called Skip, Chip, Biff, Muffy or Scooter. Plan accordingly.
 
33) Smoking should be illegal. So should fire.
 
34) Drinking alcoholic beverages should be mandatory. I want an even playing field.
 
35) Keep a journal and make sure it's well-hidden. Also, make sure it's not yours.
 
36) Don't get too down on yourself. Suicide, after all, is still the most sincere form of self-criticism.
 
37) You can only work so many hours a day and four is my limit.
 
38) Men: If you have a good looking female friend you will always want to fuck her. Women: If you have a good looking male friend it means you already fucked him or he's gay. (Note: Applies to heterosexuals only. Wish I knew more.)
 
39) The year 2,000 bug crisis is a hoax. Think about it. Who would know better than Bill Gates? And Bill Gates isn't worried at all. In fact, he just invested in a huge house -- a compound really -- that features computer-operated security features, a fence designed for a fortress, an on-site well, a gas-powered electrical generator... uh-oh.
 
40) There's no such thing as objective journalism. The news media reports on athletes, politicians and rock stars who have drug problems, but you've never read reports about TV broadcasters or newspaper columnists getting busted for drugs. We're like cops. We take care of our own. (Note: Peter Jennings always has the best shit.)
 
41) Some slogans to live by: Don't follow the crowd. March to a different drummer. Keep your own counsel. Think for yourself. (Note: The last person to follow this advice to the letter was Jeffrey Dahmer.)
 
42) Television is improving. For example, during the 70s every TV sitcom included a wacky blonde. Now every TV sitcom includes a wacky redhead. I see progress. I see big, big progress.
 
43) No matter what you do in this world, someone will always criticize you. He lives in North Platte, Nebraska. Avoid him.
 
44) Don't try to fuck without an erection. It's like shooting pool with a rope.
 
45) Size doesn't matter. Unless you have a dick.
   
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STANDARD DISCLAIMER: This column aims to be funny. If you can read anything else into it, you're on your own. Copyright 1998 by Mike Jasper.