Mark it Zero

Today I almost had a Big Lebowski "Mark it zero" moment. If you have seen that movie you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, be warned there is a lot of bad language, partial nudity and other assorted inappropriate behaviors. But if you can over look that, there are some very funny moments. My favorite, "Mark it zero". You may not be on the Big Lebowski boat. So I'll give you the G rated version. Walter, Smokey and friends are bowling. Smokey steps over the line, which should result in a penalty. He wants credit for his turn and almost gets it, until Walter makes a stand with a gun. "Mark it (cover your ears here) zero."

Three reasons why I appreciate Walter in his own (#%#%#) words.

"Has the whole (insert bleep here) world gone crazy?"
Walter is crazy. There is no doubt about that. But I ask you why is he crazy? Was he born that way or did the world bring it out in him? Obviously Walter has made a poor life choice by pulling a gun on Smokey. This behavior should not be encouraged. The question though is a valid one. Has the whole world gone crazy? Yes Walter, sometimes I think it has.

"Am I the only one who cares about the (inappropriate word) rules"
Smokey made a minor error which could easily be ignored. But you have to wonder if this is a habit Smokey has gotten into. If so Walter is doing Smokey a favor by correcting this pattern before Smokey is possibly kicked out of the competition. Walter has probably seen so many things excused for whatever reason and is starting to feel like the rules only apply to him. That's a frustrating place to be.

"Dude, this is a league game, this determines who enters the next round robin. Am I wrong? Am I wrong?"
Walter has a point. This is the real thing not just practice. He refuses to let himself or those around him cheat at life. Walter even goes so far as to ask for clarification. Is he wrong? Thanks for reminding me that this is the real thing, Walter.

I like to imagine Walter a year down the road. He's gone to anger management classes and vocabulary rehabilitation training. But he still sees the truth in the situation. And this is what he has to say:
"Why have we become so self absorbed? Why doesn't anyone follow the rules? Why do we live as if this is just a practice life? Why don't we hold ourselves accountable and take responsibility for our decisions?" Thanks for the reminder Walter.