But what do we want to hear about? That's right, the man in the motorized recliner who was busted for a DUI.
I admit I was amused when I read the story about how 62-year old Dennis LeRoy Johnson converted his La-Z Boy chair into a not-so-street-legal vehicle complete with a lawn mower engine, stereo, and cupholders. I even laughed when I read how he drove it home from a bar in his Proctor, Minnesota hometown after drinking what he says was probably eight or nine beers.
I shook my head when the story revealed that Johnson tried to pop a wheelie, crashed into a car, and was arrested for driving under the influence. Some reports say that the lady passenger riding with him was tossed from La-Z Boy. I can only imagine that the failed trick or being thrown in the slammer didn't impress her nearly as much as Johnson hoped. The Police Department in Proctor even described Johnson's chairmobile as "quite decked out."
Johnson has since plead guilty to the charges and will serve 180 days in jail for his reckless reclining.
Even funnier than the flagrant laziness, drunkenness, and disregard for anyone's safety (or...umm, taste) is that this story has been covered everywhere from TMZ to NPR. What is it about this ridiculousness that appeals to such a wide audience?
Is it the confirmation that -- phew! -- at least we are not that crazy, lazy, or inebriated after all?
Whatever the reason for the fascination, all I can think of is how blessed -- and entertained -- we are to live in America, land of the free and home of the ultimate overstuffed La-Z joy rides.
This story came to me via my dad, who told me about, laughed, and then went back to doing his crossword puzzle in his own sadly non-motorized chair.
