Just figured out what’s happening in my “Starry Night with UFOs” T-shirt. The aliens are coming back to blast that village for being mean to their boy! Take that haters! Zzzzt!

I’ve always loved Van Gogh and his unique vision. I was an art student for two years, how could I not? I still don’t know if he’s been honored properly in recent times.

I like “American Pie,” but I’m frankly underwhelmed by Don McLean’s “Starry Starry Night.” It comes off kinda maudlin to me. I also wasn’t as impressed with the Doctor Who episode as my wife was, nor could I get into the Willem Dafoe movie.

I get the impulse we all have to try and make up for how shitty he was treated in his day, but the Doctor Who fantasy is not possible. He’s never going to know.

Maybe I have trouble with all the tributes. Of course his life makes a good, if sad, story. Who wouldn’t be interested? But I would focus on what he created, rather than how sad his life was.

That’s what he wanted. For people to look at his art and try to get it, not talk about his various humiliations.

I went to one of those traveling Van Gogh exhibits where they project his art on the wall and the floors. I still don’t know if it did him justice, but at least his art had the biggest part in the show.

What I see in Van Gogh is a challenge to creative people. How much are you willing to sacrifice to remain true to your vision? How much are you willing to compromise in order to be accepted? (Or as is increasingly the dilemma today, pay rent?)

He painted the way his soul demanded and gave up everything. Eventually it became impossible to ignore him.

I don’t like to like to dwell on “tortured soul” Vincent. I prefer to think of him as a badass.