The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

Deludable Sheeple (parody based on the Marilyn Manson song, “The Beautiful People”)   And they don’t want you, but they do need you   With your vote, they can’t ever be beaten   It’s not your fault that they’re always wrong   It’s your fault that you always follow along   Deludable sheeple, d eludable sheeple   When you’re told to look through a peephole   “Don’t dare believe anything you see”   “Even when your inflatable doll pees”     There’s no time to research nor think   Just turn around, nod three times, and wink or blink     Hey, you, what can’t you see?   All your dumb, debunked conspiracies?   Hey you, remove the tinfoil please?   Masking your eyes just helps to spread the disease   (Duh, duh)     The dopes, they live in their own holes   The best determined who can dig the most   The dutiful sheeple, the dutiful sheeple   They’re moronic, blindfolded, ...

I had a rather surreal experience over the weekend. Before I delve into what happened, I'll provide some backstory.  In 1996, when I was 15 years old and a sophomore in high school, I was introduced to a musician, via 101.9 The Edge in Omaha, who actually spoke to me. That musician was none other than Marilyn Manson. You can read the more detailed reason(s) why his music and interviews connected with me in a blog I'll provide here in parentheses ( https://thekind-heartedsmartaleck.blogspot.com/2021/01/how-music-saved-my-life.html ), but I'll now give you the condensed version of events. In the summer of '89, when I was just 8 years old, a babysitter, big-brother type, and I thought friend, stopped by to play Ice Hockey with me on the original Nintendo. My mom was away at Vacation Bible School; my brother was at a friend's; and my dad was in the basement, watching television. While my babysitter and I were playing the game, I won't go into details here, but he s...

On January 31st of last year, I published a blog which shared the story of my battles with sexual abuse and epilepsy growing up; the depression and suicidal thoughts which sprung from them; and how artist Marilyn Manson's interviews and music essentially saved me. Within hours of releasing that extremely personal story, actress Evan Rachel Wood published an Instagram post, which alleged Manson of multiple forms of abuse, including sexual. While it was an incredibly surreal moment for me, I refused to comment on it until both parties made their case and evidence was gathered one way or the other. Yes, call me crazy, but even as an abuse-survivor myself, while I feel every abuse allegation should be taken seriously, I'm also a staunch believer in due-process. For the most part, Manson (real name Brian Warner) stayed mum following the allegations. Not long after Ms. Wood posted her Instagram message, he shared one of his own, where he vehemently denied all allegations. After that,...

I just received this comment on a blog I released a little over a year ago, entitled, "How Music Saved My Life": - "Your story is heartbreaking, honest and will be healing to others who have a similar story. Thank you for sharing your healing through music. What an incredible journey to where you are today. 💗" The piece can be found and read at this link: https://thekind-heartedsmartaleck.blogspot.com/2021/01/how-music-saved-my-life.html

I've received the following comments on my latest writing, "How Music Saved My Life": - "A few weeks back I wrote about how music -- specifically the Beatles -- saved my life as a teen. Apparently my story helped inspire @CraigRozniecki to put this rather amazing story into words." - "This was truly wonderful. Thank you." - "I admire your strength." - "Mayor Hal Daub. I loathed him and I was from Lincoln! Sad and beautiful story and I'm glad you're still here." - "I don’t even know what to say. It’s a horrible story. I’m sorry that happened to you." - "I don't have words, that was big & heavy. And you said it. I believe music can save us. Thank you." - "Quite an amazing journey Craig, thank you for sharing." - "I just ready your story about how music saved your life. You are an amazing person!!!" - "Your writing of this is so raw and beautiful, Craig." - "I know ...

Someone recently shared with me an article they wrote which explained how music - namely the Beatles - saved their life. This inspired me to do something similar. I've always felt out of place. Yes, a straight, white, middle-class kid, raised in a Christian household in a Midwestern suburb always felt like an outsider.  It all started when I was 5 or 6, watching my neighbors playing tee-ball next door. I was just sitting; relaxing; and suddenly an odd, almost surreal sensation came over me. My head didn't feel right; I temporarily couldn't move nor respond; and immediately when this strange sensation passed, I ran inside and fell asleep for a few hours. Apparently my lips were purple; my mother called a neighbor who was a doctor; and this neighbor said I had experienced a seizure. Quickly thereafter, I saw a doctor; was placed on medication; and my life was back to "normal" again. Fast-forward a couple of years - the summer of '89 - and a babysitter, who I had...

Podcast: I Feel Snitty Episode 101: "The Best Words On Earth" (parody based on the Marilyn Manson song, "The Last Day On Earth") Premiere Date: 12/4/20 Length: 4:56 (213 words) Link: https://ifeelsnitty.podbean.com/e/the-best-words-on-earth-parody-based-on-the-marilyn-manson-song-the-last-day-on-earth/ Transcript:  “The Best Words On Earth” (to the tune of Marilyn Manson’s “The Last Day On Earth”) He talks like it’s a million years ago Cavemen still think that he is an a$$hole When they hear him, they palm their whole face Shake their heads and reach for Excedrin   Linda Blair’s eyes are a-rolling To the very back of her head My head – it bangs against a wall I wish that he would stop   He knows all the best words on Earth He will keep on talking until we cry He knows all the best words on Earth Talking until he dies   Unpresidented, covfefe, smocking Honer, Thighland, bigly Anonamoose, Two Corinthians Frorida, Uniom, Nambia M...

The latest episode of my podcast ("I Feel Snitty"), entitled, "'The Best Words On Earth' (parody based on the Marilyn Manson song, 'The Last Day On Earth')," is now available! Here are the lyrics: “The Best Words On Earth” (to the tune of Marilyn Manson’s “The Last Day On Earth”) He talks like it’s a million years ago Cavemen still think that he is an a$$hole When they hear him, they palm their whole face Shake their heads and reach for Excedrin   Linda Blair’s eyes are a-rolling To the very back of her head My head – it bangs against a wall I wish that he would stop   He knows all the best words on Earth He will keep on talking until we cry He knows all the best words on Earth Talking until he dies   Unpresidented, covfefe, smocking Honer, Thighland, bigly Anonamoose, Two Corinthians Frorida, Uniom, Nambia Melanie, educatuon Hamberders, emergy   And he knows all the best words on Earth He will keep o...