Moaning out of the morning fog
comes sounds of horns
under Golden Gates, Alcatraz
passing inclined cable cars dinging the streets of this
"Sodom and Gomorrah," noontide a singing-A girl knows infatuations legitimized when a song recalls her name planted upon one boys soul suprised
Even if it's 80's style jam-
specifically a group called "Wham!"
A "Jingle a Jangle" 'bout how you know someone has reached that special status( or your a creep-most likely both) when a song reminds you of them.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
"In a Different Light" (Into the mind of a comic)
As usual another night of peaceful rest is interrupted by the pain at the pit of my very insides wanting to get something out. First off, I know what you may be thinking. I realize some of you may have just logged off. And from my tone I'm providing every indication that I may be describing:
(a) a stomach virus
(b) food poisoning
(c) that natural but slightly embarrasing nocturnal surprise that men may have from time to time.
Well, let's scratch (c) since you are laughing hysterically as everyone knows no adult male has experienced that since about fourteen. If he has he is lying or he has a bet on the line (and he is very cranky at the moment).....or he is.......don't worry it's not possible.....so omit (c).
So now that leaves us down to two. Surprise! I have good news! I refer to neither, although I will use them soon as parallels. Come on! I'm a humorist, you didn't think you'd not be plastered by some degraded form of intellect akin to actual puke did you?
IT JUST HAPPENS
The way comical premise comes about is no different than any other natural inclination. It just comes up. You don't have to try, it just happens! Much like the aforementioned stomach virus or food poisoning. And a premise, just like barf, can come at the most inconvenient moments. Most outsiders may think that comics set aside a special time to quietly contemplate and wait for ideas to come to us. Although, some writers do just this (I am studying one now that uses this method) it hits 'ya when you least expect it. Try to think of it as an artistic version of a:
(1) Breakup
(2) IRS notice
(3) alimony notice
or
(4) red carpet wardrobe malfunction
It just happens............ out of nowhere! Although it is a whole lot more fun to manage than those. But, if you don't handle it responsibly, unfortunately, like the other surprises it will lead to people telling you YOU STINK! It can be in the car, in the shower or at dinner. It just happens!
Most everyone has an opinion about Nature vs. Nurture. I for one tend to lean toward nature. Although nurture can and should be an aspect. But, like I've experienced if your a natural at something- it just happens! When my coach in Dallas sat me down at the beginning of our class she told me to always carry around a note pad. I could not agree more. All of us have experienced that midnight epiphany, especially when we were awaken for more mundane but natural reasons. For comics it turns into a writing session.
I will never forget how validated I felt while viewing a Seinfeld rerun. I remember one scene when Jerry woke up in the middle of the night, chuckled to himself, scribbled something down on a notepad, smiled, turned out the lights and went back to sleep. Now keep in mind he had no one else in the bed with him. And it appeared he was not being crude with himself either. So, it was appearent that no "monkey business" was ensuing. No, all it was, was a small but convicting look at what takes place in the mind of a humorist. I am not saying I am heading for career of stardom like that, but I am declaring that the basic signs are starting to manifest themselves. I am declaring that I have awakened in the middle of the evening myself and had a comedic premise that I wrote down, as so many that have gone before have also. Sadly, enough there were some I had that went unrecorded and lost forever-because I was too lazy or thought they were not good enough. Every child deserves to be born. I can say that I hate physical abortion but I also dispise the artistic type as well!
THREE DIMENSIONAL
As the comic Judy Carter states: "even if we don't like it, we see the world differently than most everyone else." We see it in more color. I like to say we see it in 3-D. Almost everything we see everyday can have a humorous bent to it. I learn by example so I thought I would emphasize my point by providing just that.
Over the past three weeks t.v. has been advertising the 50th year anniversary of the popular soap opera "General Hospital" (which is quite amazing). Now, most people would see a commercial like that and say meh!? They would think that such a run is quite impressive but being too caught up in their own lives would quickly turn the channel to "Southpark" or some reality legal show about Hillbillies smuggling heroin in the belly of a pig while aluding the cops (who happen to be cousins or inlaws). But, to a comic a vivid array of humorous premises would come out of just that one minute of airtime:
He or she would think of all the presidents
marriages, clothing and hair styles, fads
global conflicts and even small countries that
such a show outlasted.
Then:
He or she would consider all the infinite deter-
gent and incontinence aid commercials that
must have sponsored such a project after all
these years.
Then: He or she would have neurotically considered
how many clothing articles were burned by
by irons as maids and mothers across
the country left them mentally unattended
trying to figure out who murdered, impregnated
and committed adultery with who after 50 years.
(Although I have never stopped to view a full episode, let me say my hats off to all those involved in said project. What commitment and true loyalty to your chosen field of artistic expression).
Then: He or she would realize some cast members
have been on the show almost since it's
inception and will potificate (a) how much
longer it will last and (b) how long the actual
actors, actresses, directors and writers will last?
They: will begin to write a spoof, stand-up set
or spec script fast forwarding 35 years from now
when all casting will be filmed in a REAL
hospital instead of a GENERAL hospital. They
will carry out a description of the cat fights over:
chocolate pudding, middle aged orderlies or the
newest bed gowns or pans.
Now, you see just how mad we humorists can be. And I wish everyone could think like this, (well -you that are not diagnosed with a DSM-IV mental health issue) but statistics show that not everyone will. But, know this, when you wake up in the middle of the night with something in the "pit" of your stomach and it does not lead to a trip to the commode-Write it Down! It could be the next architectual masterpiece, human peace policy, medical cure or spiritual word of encourgement or salvation, or just a simple promise that rights a wrong. But please, write it down. Because everyone has something inside-that has to come out!
NOTE: if you don't the epicac or laxitive fairy will give your another reason-for it to come out!
J.C.B.
(a) a stomach virus
(b) food poisoning
(c) that natural but slightly embarrasing nocturnal surprise that men may have from time to time.
Well, let's scratch (c) since you are laughing hysterically as everyone knows no adult male has experienced that since about fourteen. If he has he is lying or he has a bet on the line (and he is very cranky at the moment).....or he is.......don't worry it's not possible.....so omit (c).
So now that leaves us down to two. Surprise! I have good news! I refer to neither, although I will use them soon as parallels. Come on! I'm a humorist, you didn't think you'd not be plastered by some degraded form of intellect akin to actual puke did you?
IT JUST HAPPENS
The way comical premise comes about is no different than any other natural inclination. It just comes up. You don't have to try, it just happens! Much like the aforementioned stomach virus or food poisoning. And a premise, just like barf, can come at the most inconvenient moments. Most outsiders may think that comics set aside a special time to quietly contemplate and wait for ideas to come to us. Although, some writers do just this (I am studying one now that uses this method) it hits 'ya when you least expect it. Try to think of it as an artistic version of a:
(1) Breakup
(2) IRS notice
(3) alimony notice
or
(4) red carpet wardrobe malfunction
It just happens............ out of nowhere! Although it is a whole lot more fun to manage than those. But, if you don't handle it responsibly, unfortunately, like the other surprises it will lead to people telling you YOU STINK! It can be in the car, in the shower or at dinner. It just happens!
Most everyone has an opinion about Nature vs. Nurture. I for one tend to lean toward nature. Although nurture can and should be an aspect. But, like I've experienced if your a natural at something- it just happens! When my coach in Dallas sat me down at the beginning of our class she told me to always carry around a note pad. I could not agree more. All of us have experienced that midnight epiphany, especially when we were awaken for more mundane but natural reasons. For comics it turns into a writing session.
I will never forget how validated I felt while viewing a Seinfeld rerun. I remember one scene when Jerry woke up in the middle of the night, chuckled to himself, scribbled something down on a notepad, smiled, turned out the lights and went back to sleep. Now keep in mind he had no one else in the bed with him. And it appeared he was not being crude with himself either. So, it was appearent that no "monkey business" was ensuing. No, all it was, was a small but convicting look at what takes place in the mind of a humorist. I am not saying I am heading for career of stardom like that, but I am declaring that the basic signs are starting to manifest themselves. I am declaring that I have awakened in the middle of the evening myself and had a comedic premise that I wrote down, as so many that have gone before have also. Sadly, enough there were some I had that went unrecorded and lost forever-because I was too lazy or thought they were not good enough. Every child deserves to be born. I can say that I hate physical abortion but I also dispise the artistic type as well!
THREE DIMENSIONAL
As the comic Judy Carter states: "even if we don't like it, we see the world differently than most everyone else." We see it in more color. I like to say we see it in 3-D. Almost everything we see everyday can have a humorous bent to it. I learn by example so I thought I would emphasize my point by providing just that.
Over the past three weeks t.v. has been advertising the 50th year anniversary of the popular soap opera "General Hospital" (which is quite amazing). Now, most people would see a commercial like that and say meh!? They would think that such a run is quite impressive but being too caught up in their own lives would quickly turn the channel to "Southpark" or some reality legal show about Hillbillies smuggling heroin in the belly of a pig while aluding the cops (who happen to be cousins or inlaws). But, to a comic a vivid array of humorous premises would come out of just that one minute of airtime:
He or she would think of all the presidents
marriages, clothing and hair styles, fads
global conflicts and even small countries that
such a show outlasted.
Then:
He or she would consider all the infinite deter-
gent and incontinence aid commercials that
must have sponsored such a project after all
these years.
Then: He or she would have neurotically considered
how many clothing articles were burned by
by irons as maids and mothers across
the country left them mentally unattended
trying to figure out who murdered, impregnated
and committed adultery with who after 50 years.
(Although I have never stopped to view a full episode, let me say my hats off to all those involved in said project. What commitment and true loyalty to your chosen field of artistic expression).
Then: He or she would realize some cast members
have been on the show almost since it's
inception and will potificate (a) how much
longer it will last and (b) how long the actual
actors, actresses, directors and writers will last?
They: will begin to write a spoof, stand-up set
or spec script fast forwarding 35 years from now
when all casting will be filmed in a REAL
hospital instead of a GENERAL hospital. They
will carry out a description of the cat fights over:
chocolate pudding, middle aged orderlies or the
newest bed gowns or pans.
Now, you see just how mad we humorists can be. And I wish everyone could think like this, (well -you that are not diagnosed with a DSM-IV mental health issue) but statistics show that not everyone will. But, know this, when you wake up in the middle of the night with something in the "pit" of your stomach and it does not lead to a trip to the commode-Write it Down! It could be the next architectual masterpiece, human peace policy, medical cure or spiritual word of encourgement or salvation, or just a simple promise that rights a wrong. But please, write it down. Because everyone has something inside-that has to come out!
NOTE: if you don't the epicac or laxitive fairy will give your another reason-for it to come out!
J.C.B.
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