Rant #2,448: Just What I Needed

Yes, I overslept today, and I overslept really badly, waking up a full hour later than I normally do.

I had a bad night, what can I tell you.

I went to bed at the normal time, but I was up and down the entire evening, as I had a massive headache that I could not get rid of.

I don't often get migraines, but this is what I must have had.

Four aspirins later--at sometime after midnight--I finally got to sleep, and when I got to sleep, evidently there was no turning back.

The next thing I know, it was nearly 5 a.m., and I haven't gotten out of the bed.

I rushed out, shaved--I absolutely hate to shave, but on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings I do take that facial hair right off--took a shower, and got dressed quickly, because my wife was ready to get up and needed the bathroom.

She woke up as I was putting on my shoes, so I made it out right on time.

But, of course, getting up late has fouled up my breakfast and my writing here, so that is why this is such a short column.

I would like to comment on the death of Ric Ocasek, leader of the Cars, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers who were ubiquitous on my list of musical favorites when I was in college, 1975 to 1979 or so.

They became popular at a time when punk and new wave were packing a punch against disco, but they weren't the atypical punk or new wave band.

Ocasek and his mates--one of whom, Elliot Eisen, went to my high school in his earlier life as Elliot Steinberg--were older, had been around the block a few times by the time they finally hit it big, and their music was highly crafted, versus the punks and new wavers, who often sounded like they just got together and were playing for the first time (this had its uniqueness, too, by the way).

"Just What I Needed," "My Best Friend's Girl," "You Might Think," and "Drive" were three of the Cars' biggest hits, and while they constantly scored on the singles charts, their albums were where they made their mark, putting out some of the best LPs of that generation.

Ocasek was the frontman and leader, and while he didn't look like he was 20 years old--and probably at 20 didn't look like that age, either--he had this Roy Orbison-type look that was kind of freaky back then, perfect as the leader of this band.

He was either 70 or 75 when he died of natural causes the other day, but he leaves a large body of work that needs to be re-examined when all of us have the chance.

Well, we have lost Eddie Money and Ric Ocasek in just the past few days; if these things go in threes like it is said they are supposed to, who is next?

We heard in the past few days the Rod Stewart had a major prostate scare, the rockers of old aren't getting any younger, and life goes on.

All I know is that I am still tired, still in need of some sleep, but I will have to make it up tonight, because there is no looking back now.

Speak to you tomorrow, hopefully at the right time.