I believe humor definitely has a personal as well as a cultural twist to it. What I find funny usually involves laughing at myself or others of my own ilk. I also like irreverence, which is one of the most endearing aspects of the Mudcat, its irreverence. This seems to be a great quality to cultivate as a folkie, since taking oneself too seriously can be very boring for those who are patiently listening. Having said that, as a songwriter, I have a difficult time writing irreverent lyrics. I truly appreciated the "How to write a Folksong" classic thread because it really made me laugh at that quality in myself to diligently and mindlessly search for the "right" folk metaphor. On stage, it can be such a great feeling to say something on the spot that people find funny (even if the next song makes them weep), there's a lot of power in being able to say something genuinely amusing and unrehearsed. Since I'm also a creative arts therapist, I rely on humor, especially when working with adolescents, because the kids I see are having such a difficult time in their lives--laughing and playing are so healing, it's almost magical.