Much like my reading a book about transitioning jerkily into someone’s mid- to extremely-late 40s (perhaps even early 50s), I now, at the age of 57, offer proof that I am habitually late to every cultural phenomenon (not counting the release of Star Wars in 1977, thanks to my mom). This often leads to awkward moments with family, friends, acquaintances and the occasional stranger thumping cantaloups next to me at the supermarket as I share my excitement over a newly discovered movie, TV series or musical talent.
“Have you heard that song The Year 3000 by this group of kids called The Jonas Brothers?!? They’re really great!”
“I’m sorry, were you talking to me?”
“Yes! Have you heard of them? They’ve got another song called…”
“Lovebug? Hello Beautiful? Mandy? Yeah. They’re like in their 30s now. And married. Were you in a coma or something?”
*thump… thump… thump…*
I used to tell myself it’s because I’m a non-conformist at heart, instinctively going against the grain and not wanting to succumb to mass marketing or letting myself be manipulated into lockstep with the collective societal sheep herd. But I’ve come to realize the reason is much less complex.
I’m just not hip.
Which brings me to Ross Murray.
I’ve known Ross since 2013, when we were both actively blogging during our days as humor — or in his case, humour — columnists at small newspapers, his in Quebec and mine here in Oregon. Over the years we’ve exchanged quips, comments, beauty secrets, mixed tapes, passports, currency, safehouses and real maple syrup for Kraft Mac & Cheese. At some point we both took a break from our blogs and coincidentally, within the past few months, began posting to them again.
No one knows why and, based on the number of “likes” we’ve been getting, no one knows at all.
But I distress digress.
It’s my disappearance from the blog-o-sphere that I’m blaming for somehow overlooking his 2019 book A Jerk in Progress, which I recently purchased online, prompting a swift response from my good friend:
“Your last name is spelled ‘HICKSON,’ correct?”
That Ross! what a kidder!
Alas, once again, I was late to the party, behind the curve, had missed the train, dropped the lasagna, lost the remote, used my wife’s razor… you get the idea (although those last three weren’t metaphors).
So here I sit, a cautionary tale trying his best to save you — yes YOU, the one about to grab that hot lasagna with a 25-year-old potholder you found at St. Vinny’s — from making the same mistake; with the lasagna and missing out on Ross’s book.
It’s true neither of us can go back through time and avoid being late-comers to his book at this point. Nor can we pretend we were part of the cultural phenomenon from the very beginning (I’ve tried. Remember that cantaloup situation?) But it doesn’t mean you can’t be laughing while playing catch-up, which is what I’ve been doing since last week.
For those of you who actually were part of the Jerk In Progress experience in 2019, I only have one thing to say:
Have you every seen the series Game of Thrones?!?
Ned's Blog 
I “discovered” the Backstreet Boys in the late 1990’s and raved about them to all and sundry, who always imperceptibly backed away from me at supermarkets. So, I hear you.
OK now I have to download Jerk In Progress. And subscribe to Drinking tips for Teens (and make sure my daughter never sees my reading list). Which means I am going to be spending the rest of the day there, instead of working on a deadline that my client is having kittens over.
You know you are evil, right?
I have a feeling we could “discover” a lot of great music and movies together…
Btw, you won’t regret getting the book or following Ross. Make sure to tell him Ned sent you… that’s H-I-C-K-S-O-N.
Seriously. though, he’s terrific and a really nice guy. I’m AM sorry for imploding your deadline schedule. However, it’s all part of my evil plan. Not sure what that plan is yet, but trust me when I say it’s evil.
Ned, anyone ever tell you you’re a sweetheart?
My wife, but it was in the nuptials. (In all seriousness, very glad to help share your hilarious book to as many as 12 people, my friend.)
Indeed, the “following” seems to have declined in the hiatus, has it now?
For sure. I’ve heard of something called, um … “TikTalk?” … that’s apparently all the rage. I’m planning to get on board sometime soon, like in 2030. In the meantime, I’ll just keep rattling around in this big empty WordPress house waiting to hear from “the kids.” Lol!
Have my replies been coming through? I can’t see them…
I have a tendency to miss some pop culture things also, especially music because I live in the past. Classic R&R is my first love, so I miss newer music unless I go looking for it. But I do love The Black Eyed Peas, The Record Company and other similar artist.
I have watched exactly three episodes of Game of Thrones and couldn’t get past the violence. I could never get invested in the characters, which is a must for me, to continue to watch. Don’t even get me started on “Outlander” Bleh!
My favorite story is when a friend of my daughter’s called her to tell her about “a new band” called U2! LOL! My daughter knew who they were of course and told her they weren’t only new but had been around since MY MOM WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL!!
“Oh no, this can’t be the same band” 😀 “Oh really! you think there are more than ONE band with the same name??? Their members are Bono, The Edge, Adam Clapton…” (I taught my daughter well. It was a proud moment for me) HA HA HA! She would not back down! This girl still believed she had made some great discovery of a new band. SMH! So we have a running joke in our family now “you know!! that NEW band” LOL!! (yes, she is a few fries short of a Happy Meal)
I have a tendency to miss some pop culture things also, especially music because I live in the past. Classic R&R is my first love, so I miss newer music unless I go looking for it. But I do love The Black Eyed Peas, The Record Company and other similar artist.
I have watched exactly three episodes of Game of Thrones and couldn’t get past the violence. I could never get invested in the characters, which is a must for me, to continue to watch. Don’t even get me started on “Outlander” Bleh!
My favorite story is when a friend of my daughter’s called her to tell her about “a new band” called U2! LOL! My daughter knew who they were of course and told her they weren’t only new but had been around since MY MOM WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL!!
“Oh no, this can’t be the same band” 😀 “Oh really! you think there are more than ONE band with the same name??? Their members are Bono, The Edge, Adam Clapton…” (I taught my daughter well. It was a proud moment for me) HA HA HA! She would not back down! This girl still believed she had made some great discovery of a new band. SMH! So we have a running joke in our family now “you know!! that NEW band” LOL!! (yes, she is a few fries short of a Happy Meal)