What is it to fail?

Apparently the good folks at Merriam Webster have not updated their online definitions for 2005. Under the word 'fail', the third example is:

3 to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of (Boston Red Sox fans are pretty much used to having the team fail them) -- see DISAPPOINT.

Pretty much can't say that anymore. As for computers, mine's been flooded with ideas of not working, and so it doesn't work. Something is up. These things are, what's an appropriate word? Failing.

Asides from gas prices being at their highest ever, and a city below sea level joining the annals of Atlantis, not much going on. I predict in 4 months, or whenever we can start laughing about it, it's definitely too soon right now (and 4 months might be insensitive, but what can I say but that I'm dead inside), New Orleans will be the new Atlantis. Might take a year or so. How soon is too soon? Who has the right to make things appropriately funny? Not just for major disasters, but for anything, breakups, spilling milk. When does it become socially appropriate to laugh?

For example, when will it become appropriate to play "New Orleans is sinking" by the Tragically Hip? It's a great song, made the list of top 500 songs of all time on a local pop radio station, and they refuse to play it. I'd contest that it's never been more appropriate to use it than now. To that extent, here are the lyrics to the song, and I'll let you be the judge.

Bourbon blues on the street, loose and complete
Under skies all smokey blue-green
I can't forsake a dixie dead-shake
So we danced the sidewalk clean
My memory is muddy, what's this river that I'm in?
New Orleans is sinking man and I don't wanna swim

Colonel Tom, What's wrong? What's going on?
You can't tie yourself up for a deal
He said, "Hey north you're south shut your big mouth,
You gotta do what you feel is real"
Ain't got no picture postcards, ain't got no souvenirs
My baby, she don't know me when I'm thinking bout those years

Pale as a light bulb hanging on a wire
Sucking up to someone just to stoke the fire
Picking out the highlights of the scenery
Saw a little cloud that looked a little like me

I had my hands in the river
My feet back up on the banks
Looked up to the lord above
And said, "Hey man thanks"
Sometimes I fell so good, I gotta scream
She said Gordie baby I know exactly what you mean
She said, she said, I swear to god she said...
My memory is muddy what's this river that I'm in?
New Orleans is sinking man and I don't wanna swim

More reasons to avoid people. They change their minds about funny. It's sunday not even 1 pm, and it's already been a long week. I can't wait for football to start.