“That deaf, dumb, blind kid sure plays some real hardball”

An Open Letter to the Old Fort Parkway Wal Mart in Murfreesboro, TN

Wal-Mart, More Hanna Montana than you can stand. Well, that's one CD but you know what I mean.

I find myself at a Wal-Mart about once a year.  Last night was this year’s time.  ‘Hoot’ (at about 4 years old) decided that she loves The Who.  So, I figured, a Who CD is just what that Disney, Cinderella, ‘Children’s Sunday School Sing-Along’ CD collection of hers needs.  I don’t know if it’s Roger Daltrey’s voice, Pete Townshend’s guitar, Keith Moon’s frantic drum pounding… Dunno.  I’ve never liked them that much.  But whenever they come on the radio in the truck or we pass by one of the dozens of commercials with their music in the background, she starts dancing and telling me to “keep it on this”.  Pretty remarkable, really.  I know their place.  Without them and Led Zep, rock music would be much different today.  So, to the CD section I go.

Hannah Montana, Weezer, Jay Z, Timberlake, crap FM fill in the blank blah, blah, blah… Nothing from The Who!  I checked again.  What the?  So, I get this kid with a name tag that was working on some high school honeys to help out.  I asked him if they have any of their CDs.  He looked at me like I slapped him.  Remember when Macaulay Culkin was pounding Uncle Buck with tons of questions in the kitchen?  It kind of turned into that. 

Me: Hey, man.  Do you have any CDs from The Who?

Kid: The what?

Me: No, The Who.

Kid: Blank stare

Me: You know… Moon, Daltrey, The Who!  (Blank stare) Won’t Get Fooled Again? My Generation? The Kids are Alright? Behind Blue Eyes? Whooooooo Are You?  Who? Who? Who? Who?

Kid: (cricket sounds)

I’m e-mailing someone in a red vest today.  I did see this while I went back out to check on my tire!  I think it’s like Corn Nuts.  Part corn part nuts all delicious.  I wonder how many deer it takes to make a bag this big