The things you didn’t know you didn’t want to know, but you’re glad you asked anyway…
Q: Crazy Rick, what is your background?
A: It’s unique. I have a BA in Foreign Languages and Cultures from a state school, and an MBA from a fancy-pantsy private New England school. I served in the Army for 7 long years as an intelligence officer, and spent time overseas in South Korea and Afghanistan. I am also an entrepreneur and, thankfully, an ex-Amazonian.
Q: I work for a newspaper/business/advertising agency/non-profit/nunnery and I recognize that your writing and background might benefit my organization. Do you freelance or consult?
A: Hell yeah, I do! As a one-of-a-kind freelance writer, I am happy to help you with humorous copy, speech/script punch-up, or pretty much any other project that you are undertaking. So, let’s take your boring-ass content and make it sexy! I’m looking at you here, nuns.
Also, I have used humor throughout my career in communicating with, speaking to and leading diverse groups of people.
Well over half of the people I have led told me I am the best “boss” for whom they have worked. Ever. And I have managed a plethora of people. I attribute this success in large part to my sense of humor.
If people don’t routinely look at you (or leaders in your organization) with tears in their eyes and thank you for your leadership, then perhaps management isn’t for you. But before you quit, or worse – keep on managing, let’s talk about how a humor-based management approach might benefit you or your organization.
Q: Where did the name Crazy Rick come from?
A: The name Crazy Rick is an homage to my grandfather Rich Simpson, who was well known in the South Puget Sound area as “Crazy Rich” for his sense of humor. His jokes and antics were written about frequently in The Tacoma News Tribune by his friend and columnist Denny MacGougan in the 1970s and 1980s.
Crazy Rick comes from a hilarious, creative family of singers, actors, and stand-up comedians. He is proud to be carrying on the tradition with this creative endeavor.
Q: Your humor is among the most ideologically scattered I’ve ever encountered. You make fun of everyone and everything. What’s up with that?
A: Well, I’m hard-wired as a stoic, so while most people have too-strong emotional connections to their beliefs and ideas, I am always looking to expand mine using reason, logic and my unique analytical prowess. I only have emotional attachments to living things. Like my wife, family and friends. Sometimes my dog. And occasionally other people, too.
Also, I’m a registered Independent and pride myself on being as bias-free and apolitical as humanly possible. As such, I see humor in everything. Yes, everything. It is most likely a medical condition.
This means that if you follow me, you will, at some point in time, get offended. But rest assured – I do not care. You will get over it. I promise.
Q: I’m calling BS on that, Crazy Rick! Everyone is passionate about something. What do you care about?
A: Good point, you are right. Here is what I care about besides living things –
1. People need to chill out and laugh more. Humans don’t live all that long, so, relatively speaking, your death is imminent. The world will either be a better or worse place for you being in it. If you are (in my eyes) making it a worse place, prepare to be mocked. If you are making it better, keep fighting for whatever causes in which you believe – there are lots of things that need our attention. However, please take some time to laugh at how ridiculous this world in which we live is, lest your time here be even shorter than you desire.
2. Cannabis should be legalized federally. I actually voted against its legalization in WA back in 2012. Damn, was that ever a mistake! I have since seen the benefits of cannabis for myself and other veterans, as well as for myriad other patients. Additionally, people of color have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. Increasing awareness of this issue and legalizing cannabis nationwide are much-needed steps towards improving racial equity. I look forward to sharing my cannabis journey with you at some point.
3. Wells Fargo needs to be shut down. This is a universally known and accepted fact, but for some reason, people still work and bank there. What’s so bad about them? Just look it up for yourself. Wells Fargo is so terrible, even a Bing search will provide you with millions of data points as to why they should cease to exist. My goal is to mock this evil institution into oblivion. Please help the cause by switching your “career” with them to another bank or moving your accounts elsewhere. Your soul will thank you.