Cheezhead

Chicks dig me because I rarely wear underwear, and when I do, it’s always something unusual.
- Bill Murray, Stripes

Twenty-five years ago this month, the comedy classic Stripes hammered world’s funny bone. I remember it vividly for the laughs, and because it was filmed partly in Louisville, Ky, an area I called home at the time. It was my first contact with Hollywood.

Although it would be many years before I could (officially) see an R-rated movie in an actual theatre, the magic of VHS (or was it HBO?) and a father willing to look the other way allowed me to see it much sooner. I don’t think I’m any less for it. In a period of Cold War, Stripes allowed me to look at war, countries, politics and people a little bit differently, and as a result, life.

The lesson: To quote another great line, “Lighten up, Francis.”

Whether you’re in the U.S., ready to celebrate the Fourth of July or not, take some time this week to really think about what’s important in your life.

For myself, in contrast to soldiers and civilians dying in the Middle East, the world turning into a microwave oven and my father’s fight with cancer, I’m going to remind myself that Internet recruiting, Google, employment trends and the occasional cattiness of the blogosphere really aren’t all that important in my big picture. I have it pretty good when filtering out the fluff.

For your own life, I invite you to reflect on what’s really important as well. And if you need a good laugh - and we all do - see Stripes.