A Fine Line…
It occurred to me yesterday, after I posted the awards, that I somehow managed, maybe, to come across as insecure. And here’s the thing — I’m not insecure. I may struggle with finding the right word, I may second-guess myself on occasion, and I can be neurotic, but overall I think I’m okay. I think sometimes humor, in all its forms, does not always translate very well. So I thought it might be worthwhile to investigate HUMOR – especially since I think everyone reading this is naturally funny and I’m sure has some thoughts on the topic.
Truth be told, I’m a great audience. It doesn’t take much for me to find humor in things. I love to laugh. I can be funny, but it’s usually hit and, or, miss, depending who I’m with. If I’m with people who are what I call, smart funny, I’ll rise to the occasion. It’s like playing tennis. If you play with someone good then your game improves 100%.
I’ve been blessed with a REALLY funny family. They’re what I call “brave funny” – they have no fear when charting new territory. The ability to say what people are thinking is what takes humor to the next level. Honesty mixed with total abandon is comedy. (Or, as Alan Alda says in Woody Allen’s, “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” “Comedy = tragedy plus time.”) Me, I always want to say, “Just kidding!” immediately following or, in the case of blogging, use the smiley face so there’ll be no misunderstanding. I’m too sensitive and censoring. My family – they never even flinch, in fact, I think they find humor in humorless people.
My funny bone is all over the board. I can be neurotic, sarcastic, self-deprecating, absurd, dry, cynical, observational, ironic, etc. This may be part of my problem. No one knows what to expect from me. I imagine people reading things I’ve written and thinking, “Is she serious?” 99% of the time the answer is, NO.
Things That Don’t Make Me Laugh
- A mean sense of humor – There’s a line and when it gets crossed it’s ugly. There are certain “comedians” that don’t make me laugh and probably never will. I don’t like a person who mocks another person’s beliefs, values, etc. In my book, this is so not funny.
- Puns – they’re innocent enough, but a pun is never gonna illicit a big laugh from me.
- Political humor and current events humor CAN BE FUNNY as long as it’s not MEAN SPIRITED.
- I’m not a slapstick kind of gal. Sure, the occasional “Jackass” segment can make me laugh, but I’m usually laughing at them laughing at themselves – not the actual stunt. Gross.
- Lastly, if you really want to see me cringe, try out your best GOOFY CORNBALL humor. Oh Lord! Help me. I almost get mad when people are corny to the extreme. Especially when they expect me to laugh with them. UGH!
ALBERT BROOKS MAKES ME LAUGH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0rS5Zusw4M
SPINAL TAP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOedpA9qIic
BRIDGET JONES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcIaT5D4Iwc
I swear–once again, you’ve said what is in my head. There goes that post idea. heh.
(I hate puns)
Thanks, Addie. Once again I can’t fix my links. I need to wait for Lily to wake up so she can do it for me. haha!
Funny you should bring this up. Budda-boom. El G will be happy you dont dislike limericks
Who doesn’t like limericks?!?
Limericks are an acquired taste, like Grey Poupon.
haha! Some of our funniest comedians are Canadian imports — but you already knew that, eh?
I don’t think I’d classify Limericks as a type of humor, more like a silly poem, although when Guapo writes them they’re pretty ridiculous and he does make me laugh.
It all started with rich little lol
He was the bomb back in the day. Comedy certainly has changed. You don’t find too many doing only impersonations.
I don’t think puns are supposed to make you laugh. I think their success is measured on the strength of the groan elicited.
Yeah, I think you’re right. Let’s just say some people have a natural ability to make others groan.
No worries — you never seem insecure! Although I guess it’s okay to show one’s vulnerability at times, which is kind of an insecurity, right? A very human one anyway. I love your sense of humor, Grippy. What was the name of that book, “I’m Okay, You’re Okay…” something like that. I’m with you though, I do not like mean-spirited — of any kind. And you are most certainly NEVER that. Love Albert Brooks, Spinal Tap and Bridget Jones’ Diary is one of my favorite movies. :).
I guess, like everyone, I don’t know how I’m always perceived. When I think someone is off the mark, like thinking I’m insecure, I have to speak up. It’s easy to miscommunicate through these written comments. I much prefer to be face to face.
Funny, I thought of that book, too, “I’m okay, you’re okay.” haha! Great minds think alike.
Uh oh @ the first one on the list :-X
What are you talking about? You’re SOO not mean. I totally get you, Pete. You’re like a lovable softy. You can’t fool me. It’s why I adore you! You crack me up!!
Phew 😀 Sometimes I worry if I sometimes come across as mean haha
No worries. You are loved : )
Yesterday I was reading a childhood book my mother once liked to read. It was about a girl who went on a schooltrip and at the end of the day, they got some clay to make an animal figure. ‘She decided to make a marabou’ I read, and almost died of laughter. I didn’t even know what a marabou was, and that a 6 year old girl decides to make a marabou of clay…
I’m still dying of laughter now :).
And yes, I often laugh with things other people don’t laugh at…
As you say, I also fear that people won’t know I’m joking, which happens quite often, because sarcasm is so hard to understand when being written down… 😀
Ahahaha! That makes me laugh, too! It’s because it’s so ridiculous and off the beaten path! A Marabou! I’m sure her little 6 year old mind thought differently. Lol!
I always love a good funny! But I agree, no mean spirited stuff. Sure, I poke fun at peoples beliefs and habits, but I really try to make it a light poke rather than a stabby jab!
Yeah, I think there’s a line. Some people don’t get where that line is and they go a wee bit over and everything turns sour. The funniest people know where the line is and go right up to it. I probably hang back too far! haha! A stabby jab is never fun.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting!
It would never occur to me to think of you as even remotely insecure, Grippy. And I always appreciate Brave Funny, when it’s done cleverly and not just for the sake of shock value. Corny and slapstick don’t work for me either, I just don’t think they’re funny. For instance, I will probably never laugh at the Three Stooges. Ever.
Same with me — The Three Stooges shouldn’t be funny to anyone unless they’ve had a lobotomy.
Corny, goofy and slapstick = Hee Haw. You know what I mean?
You’re one of those people that elevates me to a higher level of play. Just saying.
I didn’t really think you were being insecure, I just like to be encouraging, if I can.
Now, comedians that mock beliefs and such are okay, AS LONG AS they give free reign to everyone. Lewis Black and David Cross come to mind, I like these guys.
I have to admit that I like a good pun, and use them every once in a while. I believe I said something the other day like “I’ll slay them like Rudolf did Santa.” If you like gangsta rap, than you like puns I guess.
The political humor is that same as above. Lewis Black dislikes authority, not just Republicans or Democrats. That’s how it should be.
I laugh at the Three Stooges.
Did you hear about the guy that had to quit the can smashing plant. Yeah, he said it was soda pressing……get it? This type of corny?
Albert Brooks is wonderful, Defending Your Life is one of my favorite movies.
Uh oh, WARNING: DO NOT read the above comment on The Three Stooges. tee hee
I can’t stand Bill Maher – he’s obnoxious. He thinks he’s so intellectual and above everyone. Blah!
Albert Brooks always makes me laugh – I love his neurotic humor.
Before I became “The Convert” I didn’t mind Bill Maher, now is a different story. I don’t like when people deal in absolutes, and he does that a lot……the “of course this is how it is” type of thing.
I totally agree. His thing is to elevate himself by making everyone else look like idiots. 90% of the stuff he says is inaccurate anyway, which really makes my blood boil.
I like corny when it’s so incredibly bad you feel sorry for the person. I laugh the hardest and the laughest when I’m watching someone try to be funny. I love a good trainwreck. Even if I’m the conductor on that train, the next day I have to enjoy my own pity.
Insecure would be not being able to admit your faults. Then the insecurity builds. I try telling people this yet they keep their flaws a secret. Let it out my brothers and sisters. Nobody’s perfect. Being able to admit it and joke about it is more secure than anything.
This is why you and Lily get along so well. She has no problem with causing moments of awkward discomfort, she just shrugs it off and sometimes laughs even harder. I can’t do it. I’m too sensitive. I can’t even watch a “trainwreck” on TV – I actually have to change the channel real fast. haha!
I think sometimes we can project what we want onto other people. I’m not insecure or needy – not at all. It’s easy on wordpress to think highly of everyone or give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure I’ve attributed only the best qualities to everyone I follow, read or cross paths with. Maybe they’ve done that with me?
point taken 🙂
I’m sorry, did I accidentally make a point? haha!
🙂 🙂
I meant other than the point on my head. : )
I totally agree about it being so hard to convey “how” you mean something in comments and posts and humor can get tricky if someone is not in the same frame of mind. I can tell that humor is highly prized in your family. You and Lily always make me laugh! And the Spinal tap clips! I didn’t even know those existed!! How funny because I’ve been watching Spinal Tap every night for the last couple of nights! Oh how I love it. And Albert Brooks is so quietly hilarious and humorously satisfying! We are definitely all on the same humor page!! 😀
I can’t believe they can keep a straight face while talking about Druids in that Spinal Tap clip. I couldn’t do it. And Albert Brooks – quietly hilarious. My husband and I still bring up the $100,000.00 box. haha!
Lily always makes me laugh. When she was young I’d get nervous because she’d say what ever came to mind, but then I learned to let it go, especially when I saw that everyone was laughing. Nothing is better than being surrounded by a funny family. I can only imagine how your kids turned out! haha!
Ha! Well my kids are pretty funny. . When they were little for some reason they started doing this thing where they would go outside and come in the front door and they’d be a different character every time. They would take turns entertaining me for hours. And then Nikki my youngest daughter has an audio memory. She does really funny imitations of Donald Trump and all the cast members of Reno 911. I gotta say they make me laugh a lot.
I’m really looking forward to watching all those Spinal Tap clips. I think I need to watch the Albert Brooks movies again I don’t remember the $100,000 box. Which is good because now I know it will be really funny if you guys love it! 😀
Coming in the front door as a different character each time sounds like something I would do. I remember one character I made up was a blind house maid! haha! Why are kids sooo funny!? I’d love to hear some of Nikki’s impersonations! What a gift!
I guess we’ve been blessed with humor – I wouldn’t trade that for the world. : )
Not only do I never say “Just kidding”, I don’t like when you say it either! Hahah I like everyone to laugh at my jokes, feel uncomfortable, and then go home and laugh to themselves after thinking about it for a while. That’s what I try to achieve. I hate cornball, or like happy, clean, modest humor. Like jokes you would hear at a church bbq. Barfff. I’m the worst person is what I’m trying to say.
I’m pretty sure you’re the worst person ever, based on your response.
Grippy,
I must have missed the “insecurity” undertone… I’d day you come off quite confident without ever sounding overly-confident.
And things that make you laugh… You forgot Le Clown.
And Crimes and Misdemeanors is still today one of my fave movies of all time. A beautiful tribute to Ingmar Bergman (again) up to Sven Nykvist’s cinematography.
Le Fan Clown
Le Clown! How could I be so remiss! Of course you should have had your own category. Thanks for the lovely comment.
I’m glad you’re also a fan of Crimes and Misdemeanors – pretty perfect, I’d say.
I love a good pun. Sorry!
If they’re extra clever, I’ll let it pass. : )
I’m extremely corny, but you don’t have to laugh if you don’t want ;]
Don’t worry, I won’t! Haha!