Robert R. Owens, PhD
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
October 6, 2009

Believing in volunteerism and trying to help make my local community a place where neighbors know each other, a place where people gather to share common experiences and where good clean fun is part of life. Recently I devoted many hours to what I will call my local MegaFest.

Over the last seven months MegaFest rose from a cloud bank on the horizon to a tsunami crashing through the last few weeks of reality. I’ve seen "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly” in our local community and having walked through the blast, survived the storm to now sit contented by the fire I can honestly say I was in charge of the feats of strength.

Looming like a personal challenge at the entrance to MegaFest the imposing 18-foot old timey striker was where I watched the magic work. "Ring the Bell! Ring the Bell! The girls love it when you ring the bell!” Give me a crowd, something to hawk and out pops the carnie in me.

There were funnel cakes, local talent, enough politicians to kiss every baby in town and more than enough crafters to prepare for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza and Ramadan. The Junior ROTC was militantly helpful and the Keyettes were there every time you turned around doing the heavy lifting and folding the last chair. But what would a festival be without some obnoxious guy with a winy voice accosting people just as they walk in, "Ring the Bell! Ring the Bell! The girls love it when you ring the bell! ” Nothing says fun at a festival like the obnoxious guy urging you to do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do.

People reacted in many different ways. Some smiled, some scowled, some laughed and some dismissed but none ignored. Just like life the shrill guy with the meaningless challenge required some of your time and a little of your money but at least he gave you the chance to stand tall in the estimation of your children, seem mighty to your girl or show those silly boys that you can do it too. Even if the hammer was too heavy or the bell was too high the transparency of the required effect was so basic everyone could see how they fared immediately, 100, 200, 700, or "I rang the bell!” Those who missed the sweet spot were all told, Good try” or "Maybe next time” or "Wow that was close.” And for those who just couldn’t get it even after multiple tries at least they knew their money was going to a worthy cause, making our town a better place to live, a community where people have fun together and maybe even get to know a neighbor. That was the good.

Then there were those who had to be bad. The whiners who complained all the way and then wanted credit for everything everyone else had done. I wonder if they ever realize how obvious they are? Those who are pushing the wagon can always spot those who merely have their hand on the cart no matter how hard they pretend to groan. There’s a difference between finding money on the street and earning it and there’s a difference between pretending to help while getting in the way and doing the work. Even this far away from Washington there’re always enough shirkers willing to take credit for the work of others to make sure in the realm of real and perceived appreciation we act like twenty-first century Americans and spread the wealth around.

And yes Virginia, there was also the ugly. Some people really seem to think others enjoy putting up with them and their egos. The "Do you know who I am” crowd is always lurking ready to strike. Habitually rude people never seem to realize everyone else knows they aren’t just having a bad day it’s a life style. I’d feel sorry for them but life comes down to choices and they are living theirs while the happy people just smile and laugh in spite of them.