There are days when I wake up, stretch my back (which now makes more noise than a gravel road), pour my coffee, take one look at the world, and think: “Well… this is why we can’t have nice things.”
As a native Minnesotan, I’ve always carried a certain pride — the kind that comes with surviving winters so cold they practically exfoliate your soul. But lately?
Let’s just say I’ve reached the point where I’m embarrassed to admit where I’m from. And trust me, if a Minnesotan is admitting embarrassment, you know it’s serious. We’re a people who apologize when other people bump into us.
But now, apparently, asking a simple question or raising an eyebrow makes me the villain of the story. Not just your everyday villain, either — oh no. I’ve somehow become the full‑on, over‑the‑top, cape‑wearing antagonist from a 1950s cartoon.
One minute I’m wondering why things look like chaos, and the next minute someone’s acting like I’m about to tie a damsel to railroad tracks for dramatic effect.
I didn’t sign up for this supervillain origin story.
I mean, if I’m going to be cast as the bad guy, can I at least get a theme song? Or a henchman? Maybe a volcano lair with good Wi-Fi?
Honestly, half the time I’m not even mad — I’m just confused. Confused and a little tired. And hungry. Why is nobody ever labeled “hangry” instead of “hostile”? Seems more accurate.
I miss the days when we could have a disagreement without someone dramatically clutching their pearls and declaring me the human embodiment of doom. I miss conversations that didn’t end in sighs, groans, or someone storming off like they’re auditioning for a soap opera.
But hey — being Old, Bold, and Bald means I’ve earned the right to call out nonsense when I see it. Even if the world insists on misunderstanding me in increasingly creative ways.
At this point, all I can do is laugh, shake my shiny head, and keep showing up anyway.
Because if I’m going to be the villain, I might as well be a fabulous one.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Bald Guy Trying Not to Lose His Mind