The Politics of Laughter
Are you a fan of Silver Surfer? [picture]
“You should really change majors.” [Yahoo! Answers]
T-Rex trying things. [comic]
Great stools? Or the greatest stools? [picture]
The Wyoming Wind Sock [picture]
Smooth. [.gif]
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My teen daughter took me shopping a few days ago for some real jeans. The kind that looks like they’ve been run through an industrial grinder, splotched with bleach and carefully torn and tattered at the edges. You know, the cool kind. Actually, they call them “distressed” jeans. Although I’d never thought of it this way, it’s nice to have a pair of jeans that match my sense of self. Distressed. It’s edgy and yet congruent. I’m 48 and not willing just yet to resign myself to wearing dark shoes, white socks and shorts or dad jeans. So, how did it work for me? Did I look like a 25 year old Zac Efron (who I found out last night my wife secretly thinks is really cute but she doesn’t know I know)? According to my wife, “no” to any comparisons to Zac Efron (who in my opinion uses far too few letters to spell his name, I’m guessing for affect….so I could live with that). But “yes” as to making me look younger. “Not a day over 45 according to Rebecca.” That was just enough to whet my appetite. Tomorrow I may change how I spell my name to Jon Brn. I’m already feeling 42 just thinking about it.
I was assigned to read the verse about Peter denying Jesus three times and asked what would I have done in his shoes, if called by Jesus to drop everything (family, friends, business) to follow Jesus. Tough spot to be in. It’s church so, on the one hand, the pressure is on to give the Christian and obvious answer. On the other hand, it’s church so you better be truthful. And what if the two conflict? My answer was that I would have said, “Yes, sign me up! I’m on board….all the way!” And then later in the day, when no one was looking, I would slip off. People (including other disciples would wonder, “Where the heck did John go? He was here earlier.” I’d stay gone long enough for the group to move to the next town. And I’d show up where I left the group the next day. I’d blame Peter for giving me the wrong date and time to meet (pointing out that Peter’s seemed a little off the beam lately with all the denial stuff and I’ve been worried about him and praying for him). I’d further blame the rest of them for leaving without me. I’d remind everyone I was one of the first to sign on and cite my enthusiasm at the time…..and disappointment for being left behind. If you hadn’t figured out by now, I went with the “honest” answer over the “most Christian sounding” answer. I did add –and this was my “save,” sort of. I would quietly monitor the group for several weeks. If after that time it looked like they were completely legit, I’d make a surprise appearance, act like I’d been trying to catch up with them for several weeks and become a loyal disciple once and for all.
Brutal self-honesty and continuous self-reflection are integral staples of a well-lived life in which we can be “True to ourselves.” Last Friday I went by a trophy store in town and started asking myself some hard questions. It’s been a long time since I’ve received a trophy for anything. Or a plaque for that matter. And I really like receiving both and felt like it was about time to get something again that I could put on my shelf or wall and be affirmed by –and hope others notice and are impressed. So I started thinking to myself, “Who says you can’t buy yourself a trophy or plaque?” I mean, maybe it’s an oversight that I (we) haven’t received any kind of award in a long time…and by giving ourselves a trophy all we are really doing is correcting the oversight. More or less. Anyway, I felt comfortable with my logic and got to wondering what on Earth would I get myself a personal trophy for. And I wanted to be brutally honest about what I should and shouldn’t give myself for a personally purchased award. Because without self honesty, all the awards are just meaningless decorations. (I started by mulling an NBA MVP—but will back date it 12 or 15 years to be more believable. But I think I’m going to go with something that really could happen. “Best Intentioned Consultant on the Second Floor Bank Building off Ann St.” It’s not only believable ….it’s a really long title which always seems more impressive than short titles. Guess next I need to start working on an acceptance speech. ; )
1)Physiological Needs-Health, food, sleep 2) Safety Needs–shelter, removal from danger 3) Social Needs–love, affection, belonging to group 4) Esteem Needs–self esteem and esteem from others 5) Self Actualizatioin–achieving individual potential 6) Latest Apple product–iPhone 4S, iPad 2 The Politics of Laughter Here’s a first world problem that is finally solved. You know what I’m talking about. [picture] Just an old man. [picture] The real Titanic wasn’t real life enough. [picture] When the worst happens. [pidjin] Was he trolling or was he trolled? I don’t even care, that is amazing. [picture] Seems plausible – Why Congress created SOPA and PIPA. [pie chart!]
Maybe completely. Younger version of me: Was obsessively trying to improve myself. I used to spend a lot of time trying to pinpoint faults, flaws and quirks in my personality and try to correct them. I’d scan the Web reading up on a variety of mild but annoying maladaptive behaviors, take online tests, reading up on how to eliminate such unwanted traits and try to seek to remove them from my personality. And often having some success. Older version of me (now): It’s hard to describe but basically I don’t …… I dunno know….really care much anymore about self-improvement. I am still all for improving myself but only if it doesn’t take any real effort or concentration. If I identify some weakness, bad habit or maladaptive behavior, it’s not from taking an online quiz. I tried recently and didn’t even finish reading question #2 before quitting and mumbling to myself, “Really?! You really want to do this now?” And if I do become convinced I have some undesireable traits, instead of working mightily to be rid of them, I find myself saying things like, “It’s all good.” What does that even mean? I think it means, “I’m too lazy to do anything about whatever you’re complaining about. Here’s a quarter. Call someone who cares. I’m cool with my little quirks.” And get this! A younger friend asked me about a bad habit he had to give up and asked me what would I do. I gave it about 2 seconds of thought and said, quite seriously, “Instead of fighting it….or trying to “stop” doing it, why don’t you try ’embracing it.” I was serious. I wish I cared enough about self-improvement to finish this paragraph on an interesting and perceptive note, but I really don’t. Sorry. It’s all good! Kudos to LEO Weekly News (Louisville) political reporter Joe Sonka for the headline on his story of U.S. Senator Rand Paul’s encounter yesterday with the TSA: “The Glitch Set Me Up!” For those of you too young to get the pun, click here.
Oh, yes it does! I am now a Speedy Rewards Card Club Member. Just received my “membership card.” I have no idea what the criteria is, how many apply and are rejected, but I was offered membership on the spot without references, an interview, or even a short bio. I had never given Speedway service station/convenience store much thought before….but I am awfully impressed with their judgment, perceptiveness, and obvious rigorous standards for from the membership selection committee. I look forward to membership festivities, camaraderie and friendships sure to develop for new “club members.” These Speedway folks know quality when they see it. Well….and I guess I like to think I do too. I now put Speedway right up there with Costco as one of the great American retail chains. (Full Disclosure: I am a Costco Wholesale “Executive Member” Black Card holder.) |
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