BS: A sense of humor

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: gnu
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 04:06 PM

After I opened my own company and peeps asked me "How's it going?" or whatever, I would oft replysommat like, "Terrible... the boss is an awful slave-driver." Or similar.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: gnu
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 04:19 PM

Oh.... I was just at the dentist having my wallet extracted from my ass pocket thru my mouth.

Actually, it was a cleaning... $80 or so. VISA knows the exact amount.

The DH said I REALLY should have xrays done because of "too detailed" and because I haven't had any for ten years. I agreed.

She fired up the gun on the left side, came back into the room and removed the riggin, upon which I asked, "Is it supposed to hurt like this?"

Well, she had a good laugh.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 04:23 PM

Daftest joke I ever heard.

Q. What do you call a swan with a wooden leg?

A. Frank.

I still laugh now even though it makes no sense. Does that mean my sense of humour is good or bad? I dunno. I laugh at most things.

DeG

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: gnu
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 05:15 PM

To laugh at sommat that makes no sense to you is a great gift, Frankly. Enjoy it Dave.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 05:19 PM

Maybe that's it, Gnu. If you can only laugh at things that make sense there is no hope!

:D (eG)

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 05:20 PM

There are large laughing exercises every morning in India. I have it on DVD
The USA could use some of these gatherings instead of town hall meetings.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 05:35 PM

Have you met Frank?

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 05:37 PM

Yes, while at Hilton Head we watched him swim in circles for hours.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: gnu
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 05:38 PM

Yes... he's rather forthright.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 05:43 PM

Perspective alone seperates humor from tragedy.

If I get a torn toe nail, it is a tragedy.
If robomatic falls through the sidewalk from a missing man hole cover while he is on his i phone and dies, it is a comedy.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 05:54 PM

Sheesh. it's official now: I have no sense of humor.. I do not find the sit com that John Mackenzie linked to funny at all.

In fact, I think the whole premise is not only lame but distasteful. It is a very, very inept take off on I Love Lucy. "Funny bone tester"? Ha.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 06:01 PM

Hee hee, It was not a test to see if you found it funny Ebbie my friend. It was test to see whether people found it funny, or NOT funny.
Personally I found it more like Burns and Allen, but that was before your time I'm sure.

JM



ROCHESTER !!!!

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 06:09 PM

My dad had two jokes:

Q: What is the definition of zebra?
A: Twenty-five sizes bigger than an A-bra.

and

Q: Why is an orange?
A: Because a duck has no armpits.

I still laugh like an idiot each time I think of either one.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 06:09 PM

You buggers have set me off again. I definitely need a new keyboard now.

Closer to the spirit of the thread I can quote a personal experience. At Fylde Folk Festival some years ago we were wandering around Fleetwood between sessions only to find a joke shop a the top (seaward) end of Lord Street. The sign on the door warned people 'Door sticks'. Well, I went in and asked how much the door sticks were.

You would have thought joke shop owners would have had a sense of humour wouldn't you!

:D (eG)

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 06:16 PM

so... a zebra is 6 sizes larger than a teacup?

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 06:36 PM

Makin somthin funny to a *polarized audience has some rules...Yep ya gotta be willin to insult both sides at once so that they know it. That way both sides can laugh at each other with impunity while the comic gets the credit.

*polarized as in gay straight, Christian Jew, right left, etc
It even works for 'stupid smart'. It used to work in the reverse with Laurel and Hardy but now 'stupid smart' is the sole domain of redneck humor or merely repeating the words out loud and slowly of any of the new Republican leaders.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 06:44 PM

"The sign on the door warned people 'Door sticks'. Well, I went in and asked how much the door sticks were."

Ah, but I find that funny. so maybe there is hope for me.

Burns and Allen? Before my time? I'm so old that I'm sitting here trying to remember who came before Burns and Allen. :)

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 06:56 PM

who came before Burns and Allen?

that depends if you are talking aboout radio or TV

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 06:58 PM

A sign at my hardware store advertised old wine barrels for sale....some of them cut in half. It said "half barrels $9.98, full barrels $18"

They didn't get the humor when I asked what flavors 'full' barrels came in. (They didn't even recognized that it WAS humor)

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 07:02 PM

(Robert) Burns and Allan (Ramsay) were 18th century Scottish poets, and there wasn't much before them, at least in the post-Union period.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: kendall
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 07:57 PM

I get a kick out of signs that are not printed right. Here in Maine there is a guy who sells fishing worms and crawlers.
I saw one on the door of a small store in Buxton, and it said DICKS WORMS AND CRAWLERS.
There again, when I asked the price of a dick all I got was a blank stare.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 08:05 PM

You either find humor in all sorts of crap or you don't. If your mind is (most often entirely by accident and circumstance) trained to see many ways of interpreting things and seeing all the ways stuff is funny, then you just have no choice but to see humor in everything.

When you begin to qualify and quantify what is okay or funny and what isn't, you become the lieutenant played by Bruno Kirby in "Good Morning VietNam." Lot of that going on around here on this thread.........and poor old Joe gets complaints about my ass all the time!

So if that fits you, let me send you one of the surplus Anne Frank Drum Kits and, uh........................


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 02:27 AM

There was a huge sign outside a house near me ... it read "FREE TIBET"...... I guess you can se where the humour is!!!

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:39 AM

Poem 14 of 230: NIGHT OR DAY?!

In the far north of Sweden,
    A "Land of the Midnight Sun,"
A strange thing chanced upon me -
    And I'll tell you, just for fun.

Got off a train late-morning
    (Had to catch same one next day)
And trudged far to the Youth Hostel -
    Paying for a one-night stay.

I spent the afternoon sightseeing,
    Then, after a latish dinner,
Returned to my own small bedroom -
    The comfy bed proving a winner.

For I soon dozed into dreamy sleep -
    Waking what was just two hours hence;
But my watch was an analogue,
    And night or day I couldn't sense!

I quickly packed all my things
    (My train an hour or thirteen on)
And hurried out the bedroom -
    The bright sky a sneaky con.

I wandered down the track a bit
    (The Hostel office empty),
Before a smiling helpful local
    Did kindly enlighten me.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:04 AM

I do try to keep quiet about WAV's doggerel, but, sorry mate, that is crap.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: GUEST,Lox
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:21 AM

Hey Jacqui,

"I think, for me, humour has to have an element of intelligence, something that goes beyond the obvious of the banana skin trip."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seIdHOrUNSs

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: kendall
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:33 AM

John, beauty is in the eye of the "Beer holder"

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Acorn4
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:42 AM

John Mac,

That was a bit brusque. Are you not a morning person?

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: kendall
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:52 AM

It's after 10 am there.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 06:00 AM

"John, beauty is in the eye of the "Beer holder" (Kendall)...for what it's worth, I prefer mead or cider (or, if again as far north as my above poem, snaps).

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 06:16 AM

Dear Acorn,

    I think I know where you went wrong about JM. As I see it, you considered his comment to be brusque, possibly even rude, and you were thinking this might be due to his sensitivity level to others in the morning hours. Let me assure you that this was not the thing that caused your trepidation. What sounded brusque to you is simply the normal surprise that comes over us when JM shows one of his flashes of superior intelligence and perception as he has done in this case.

    Let's all send JM a "Well Done Lad, VERY Perceptive" message of congratulations for seeing the truth through so many verses of drivel.

Best Regards,

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 07:21 AM

If I were to translate what Spaw just said ... for my fellow dyslexics :



The more full your mind is, the funnier your brain becomes.

There are dangers inherent in a humorless brain as well as a brain that is too funny.

I suppose if your brain reaches a critical mass, everything would become so funny that you could become "more than happy" and they would have to put you in a rubber room.

To stay below that critical threshold of "pan funniness" ONE COULD PRACTICE CONTROL AND SUPPRESS THE URGE TO LAUGH OUT LOUD AT:
the idiots who believe they are in charge. However that would hinder a most important social function of naturally curbing the most delusional people among us.

As for those poor unfortunate souls who have no internal humor what so ever, there are drug therapies of LSD and Extasy cocktails that could save them from a life of "funnilessness", but that is deliberately illegal in this country. Authority can easlily lock up one laughing idiot but Authority has a hard time dealing with a crowd that laughs them off the stage.

So I think it would be best to keep at least half of all your laughter inside your head unless you are a professional comic, who is given a broader lee way in our society. So go ahead and Laugh on inside and reserve laughing on the outside to about half of everything that is funny. Or as I call it "the LOI vs LOL equilibrium theory.   Gentlemen can I have a Harumph?

harumph harumph

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: GREEN WELLIES
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 07:30 AM

Sorry but I roar at really stupid things like my horse farting when he trots (he only does it occasionally). My husband says I've never really left the playground.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 07:52 AM

At Heathrow Airport in England, a 300-foot red carpet was stretched out to Air Force One and President Bush strode to a warm but dignified handshake from Queen Elizabeth II. They rode in a silver 1934 Bentley to the edge of central London where they boarded an open 17th century coach hitched to six magnificent white horses. As they rode toward Buckingham Palace, each looking to their side and waving to the thousands of cheering Britons lining the streets, all was going well. This was indeed a glorious display of pageantry and dignity. Suddenly the scene was shattered when the right rear horse let rip the most horrendous, earth-shattering, eye-smarting blast of flatulence, and the coach immediately filled with noxious fumes.

Uncomfortable, but maintaining control, the two dignitaries did their best to ignore the whole incident, but then the Queen decided that was a ridiculous manner with which to handle a most embarrassing situation. She turned to Mr. Bush and explained, "Mr. President, please accept my regrets. I'm sure you understand that there are some things even a Queen cannot control."

George W., ever the Texas gentleman, replied, "Your Majesty, please don't give the matter another thought. You know, if you hadn't said something I would have assumed it was one of the horses."

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: kendall
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 08:04 AM

John, you just made my day. That is one of the funniest things I've read in ages!

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 08:09 AM

There was a whole host of signs we spotted at Fleetwood that year.

This pier is open all year round from November 1st.

These toilets are fitted with anti-climb

This is NOT a ladies toilet (In the window of a glass office)

and the winner...

Disabled toilets in Birdcage (We couldn't even ask)

:D (eG)

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: GREEN WELLIES
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 08:16 AM

And I thought my husband and my horse were the only things who could fart at will.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: jacqui.c
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 08:28 AM

Lox - the link didn't work!

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 08:32 AM

Sign on local music pub

Roger the Pianist, every Wednesday.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 08:45 AM

It is good that this thread is part joke thread and part humor analysis.

When Janie wrote about humor or comedic relief as not being just a time out but rather that it offers another perspective. Often that other perspective is the most truthful and the most dangerous for its time.

IMO
The light hearted humor that offers a higher perspective usually reminds us of human frailty, misconceptions, the unintended and hubris.

The low humor perspective is often mean, demeaning and insulting and speaks of things that are usually repressed or too hateful to be said aloud without a fight. In fact low humor requires a repression in the audience to work.

Both high and low humor perspectives can be funny and mix well together. Some comics rely one one more than the other.

For example Robin Williams relies on the higher while Rush Limbaugh relies on the lower.
"keep your mind full and your bowels empty" vs. Hillary Clinton's ass is so big...

Whether you take the high road or the low road we can still laugh together. The way you sell a joke with gestures or timing is not as important as you think. You might consider the funny voices and faces of Richard Pyror, George Carlin and Wanda Sykes as funny but given the right material even the electronic voice of Stephen Hawkings can be hilarious.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 10:08 AM

Lewis Black did an hour show on the History Channel, What is funny.
Discussing why things are funny is not nearly as funny as one would hope. Watching a Simpson's episode was more fun.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 10:18 AM

Simpsons! Now there's something I find totally unamusing.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 10:40 AM

Re: horse farts

When I lived in Chicago, a friend owned several horses and I got to ride for free by helping to exercise them. The mare became pregnant and was overdue so we each took turns watching her so that if she went into labor the vet would be called instantly.

So there I sat chatting with the old girl about her baby to be when she started to strain and push and,in my eyes.contract.

I called the house. Down came the owner, the vet and assorted others to witness the birth. The vet examined the mare carefully and stood back she let off a huge fart then went back to lazily chewing some hay.

She gave birth about a week later.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 11:23 AM

"An elephant hauling logs on the Nangapartam River (in India) went wild yesterday and trampled a man to death. Then it returned to its work."

"The vet examined the mare carefully and stood back she let off a huge fart then went back to lazily chewing some hay."


Somehow there's a similarity between these two stories. :)

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Lox
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 12:17 PM

Sorry Jacqui,

I think i must have chopped a bit off.

I'll try again.


Intelligent Humour.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 12:42 PM

perfecto

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Lox
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 02:41 PM

Somehow there's a similarity between these two stories. :)


Except that in the second case it sounds like the vet resumed chewing the hay ...

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:38 PM

hahahha I hadn't noticed that.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: kendall
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 07:23 AM

No thats an example of unintentional humor.
I the film, "The Wizard of Oz" Uncle Henry mis understood Elvia on purpose and made he look silly.
The old witch came to take Dorothy's dog to be put down and in explaining what happened she said that she "was all but black and blue from the bite on her leg." Henry says "Oh, you mean she bit ye"?
Witch, "No her dog." He says
"Oh, she bit her dog". I've always loved that scene.

Subject: RE: BS: A sense of humor
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 07:33 AM

Man bites dog.