After 9/11 (oh brother, HERE we go) there was a feeling that the world had changed forever, and that in so changing, we might have to get rid of laughter. What use was it? What was the point? This lasted for a couple weeks, and then there was an episode of Saturday Night Live or something. But a couple weeks without laughter is actually a pretty long time if you think about it. Try and imagine. You barely can, even. Everyone just sitting in their darkened homes staring hopelessly at the television, wondering if it is truly possible for human skin to grow around clothing and furniture and absorb everything into the body, Johnny Tremaine style. I’m not saying that last week was 9/11, but it was definitely heavy in its own way, and there was a certain unrelenting aspect to it. If a single event wasn’t traumatic enough for you, just wait five minutes and there would be another traumatic event, possibly not even related. Sheesh. And yet, it is a demonstration of New America’s resilience that we don’t have to sit around and wait anymore. Wait for what? This “Big Butts Rule” music video isn’t going to blog itself!

Welcome back, ladies and germs. We will be here all week.