Well. Let me see.

I was pondering this one on the way to mass this morning. Strange I know. But that is just how the noggin on this ’59 Rambler works. Huh. Just came up with that one. Now I have a pretty decent nickname. Maybe a new email address? Passwords? The possibilities are endless. Thank goodness for all of you, there will be a conclusion to this one. Eventually. Guess what is next…

So humor to me has to work on several levels to make me laugh.

Surprise!

Things composed primarily of profanity, innuendo, insult and the like just really do nothing for me. Sam Kinnison had some moments, but that grew old fast. It was like there was no craft to it. No beginning, middle road and destination. Just shock. Maybe laughed ’cause of the state we were all in. And I don’t mean Illinois.

To elicit laughter, the transmitter somehow has to connect with the receiver in such a way as to be as one with them. Bring to mind a similar moment. Common thread. Shared experience. Perhaps the circumstance is not precisely the same, the individuals involved or what was said, how things were responded to and what happened next. Maybe it is just a “been there” moment. Something relatable. I am struggling for the right nomenclature.

I have never been a cat (been called something like it) or a mouse but Tom and Jerry crack me up to this day. The facial expressions, the yowls, smacks, situations just bring me to tears. Golfing. On the beach. Tom in the cradle saying, “Ah, goo” Out west, Texas Tom rolls a cig, Jerry licks it closed, he inhales the whole thing to exhale “Howdy” to the cowgirl next to him. Crambone.

I could go on and on. But to save on a gig or two, and stay true to my word on their being a conclusion. I will just list some others that make me laugh over and over.

Though my appearance says otherwise, I have no real connection to the brothers Jerome, Moe and Shemp, or their fellow stooge Lawrence.

To see me get up and walk in the morning, you would think I belong to the Ministry of Sillywalks. Same gait after I’ve been shopping.

Mr. Bean? Some quiet reflection is called for regarding that matter. I will get back to you on that.

Frank Drebbin taught me to mute when using the washroom.

The Barones, Michael Scott, Dwight Schrutt, Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson, “Jerry”.

Rob and Laura, Buddy and Sally, Mel, Allan.

Carol Burnett, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman.

Benny.

Muppets.

Tex Avery

All make me laugh over and over. So maybe its I see myself in a lot of these characters and the situations both they and I find myself in. When I recognize one, I may just smile and chuckle to myself. Or, if the mood is right, I will try to recreate the scene some how. Slap stick sound effects. Accents when called for. At the ready for a pun or three. Dad jokes? Guaranteed.

It may appear otherwise, but I do like to laugh.