I’ve always believed that each and every one of us is shaped and defined, not only by his or her own personal actions, but by those who’ve influenced, educated and – ultimately – inspired them throughout their individual lifetimes.
As a guitarist and musician, my influences are fairly easy to spot, musical geniuses with names like Clapton, Hendrix and Vaughan, to name just a few.
As a writer, however, there’s one particular individual, who goes by the name of Andy Rooney, who’s single-handedly helped me on my way to becoming the columnist and journalist I am today, such as it stands.
On Sunday, Mr. Rooney gave his final “official” broadcast for the long-running news institution that is 60 Minutes, and it was with no small amount of regret that I watched the notorious curmudgeon sign-off for the last time. In many ways, he’s unknowingly been a mentor to me throughout my first two years as an Evening Sun reporter, particularly when it comes to this, my weekly column.
What can I say? Whenever I’m having trouble coming up with something interesting to write, whether it be controversial, humorous or even silly, I always ask myself the same question ... what would Andy Rooney say?
What I most loved about Mr. Rooney’s final adieu? The fact that he’s always considered himself a writer first ... and never a television personality. On top of that, over the past three decades, you simply never knew what to expect from the man. No topic was off limits (which did get him in trouble a time or two) and no matter one’s political beliefs, Rooney always seemed so matter-of-fact, so down to earth and likable that every word, every sentence seemed based on pure, unfettered common sense.
Sometimes, Rooney would drop those unforgettable little philosophic tidbits, some of which I’ve gone back to hundreds of times over the years, such as ... “Happiness depends more on how life strikes you than on what happens” or, “If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.”
