2.2.24

It was the summer of 1985, the first Saturday of summer vacation after 5th grade ended. I was wound up and waiting for my parents and sister to hurry up and get in the car already.

My parents had the afternoon off from working at the barn, and we were making the hour-long trip to S. Burlington, VT, to go to K-Mart. Typically this would cause a mild bit of interest at best. But Weird Al Yankovic’s new album, Dare To Be Stupid, had just been released and was on sale. I had clear plans for my allowance.

Weird Al had been on TV earlier in the week promoting the album, performing Like a Surgeon on The Today Show (if my memory is correct). He blew my 10-year old mind, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on that cassette.

After buying it, I listened to the whole thing over and over again. Especially I Want a New Duck, Yoda, and the title track.

I loved the song Dare To Be Stupid because it didn’t just encourage silly behavior; it also acknowledged the courage it takes to be silly in a world that takes things way too seriously sometimes. It made me feel better about myself and my inherent goofy weirdness, and it gave me hope that when I grew up, I could continue to embrace such a lifestyle. (Spoiler alert: I did and do.)

Tonight, at the end of a tough week, I can think of several times when I dared to be stupid just to keep myself sane. And to show the kiddos I teach that silliness is not merely a childish thing, but rather a childlike thing worth holding onto.

Heading into the weekend, I urge you to dare to be stupid. It might be the best thing you’ve done in a while.

Burn your candle at both ends

Look a gift horse in the mouth

Mashed potatoes can be your friends