Writing a weekly column for us over the past 12 years, Susan Vass hashas gone by the pseudonym Ammo Grrrll. I thought it would be funny to post a thumbnail photo of her so her fans would not be deceived by the pseudonym. That was my contribution.
I never saw Susan Vass doing her standup thing, but I am in awe of her career making people laugh for a living. That is a gift. I first saw her doing her thing for free on a Friday night when she gave the Shabbat sermon at Temple of Aaron. She read from a text — just like the rabbi. However, every line made me laugh — not like the rabbi. It was great.
When Susan first sent me a draft column with her offer to contribute on a weekly basis, she anticipated a long deliberative process on our end, but I posted it a few minutes later. I had forgotten that. Susan reminded me when I caught up with her at her most recent Commenter Conference.
It worked out well. I am grateful for the laughs from the ammo line she has contributed the past 12 years. I disagree with her in only one respect. I deny that I ever deleted a joke. I struck a sentence or two in the interest of good taste, but I don’t believe I ever left any jokes on the cutting room floor. Speaking for myself, I would like to add that from now on the humor on Power Line will be mostly unintentional.
I will miss Ms. Vass. I will miss editing her column on Fridays when I rise. I will miss her thoughts from the ammo line. I will miss the laughter they provoked.
I think in terms of the lyrics of popular songs. My theme for today is “Use Ta Be My Grrrll,” by the O’Jays. I have posted the video of the O’Jays performing the song live with Daryl Hall below. Kenny Gamble’s lyrics speak for me:
If I had the chance
I’d take her back,
Lord knows, as a matter of fact
Right away like today.
Set to Leon Huff’s jaunty music, they mitigate the sadness.
