I've always wanted to be funny. But maybe that doesn't sound right. Maybe what I meant to say is "comical"? No, perhaps humorous. Witty? Hilarious? Peter Mark Roget probably told jokes way longer than they were supposed to be...
Funny or Not
Sometimes things get interpreted way differently than we meant them to be. I'm not sure I'd want to be a stand-up comic these days. Actually, I could never realistically do a good stand-up routine. Telling jokes was never my forte. And often my jokes aren't taken well. Maybe they would be if I told them well. Well, well, well--that's about all I have to say about that for now.
What I really was wondering is if you've ever received silence or anger or some other unexpected reaction to something you said that you thought was kind of funny? How do you fix an "awkward" moment? Are too many people today overly sensitive?
Battle of the Bands Results
The current Battle between Claire Lynch and Ali Matthews was a good race. This was one of those pairings where I switched my vote after reevaluating the recordings. Like many of the voters I was initially captivated by Ali's vocals, but after further listening I started to prefer the vocal harmonies and instrumentation of Claire's version and that's where I cast my vote.
My vote was with the minority, but only a minority by a very narrow margin as the total votes indicate...
Final Vote Tally
Claire Lynch 8
Ali Matthews 9
Next Post Wednesday August 1 (Unless I change my mind)
Some things in life take time--especially when those things involve other people as so many things do.
There were more awkward moments when I was younger. I've learned to just keep things to myself now.
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, I didn't care as much when I was younger, but now I do often stay rather reserved in things I say.
DeleteLee
I've developed a sort of dry sense of humor so that people can feel free to notice or not to notice that a joke has just been told. Usually, they don't. It's okay. Future generations will recognize my humor for what it was.
ReplyDeleteHarry, most of my humor goes essentially unnoticed and is often for my own amusement. I'd like to think people now would appreciate some of my unrecognized humor, but if a future generation gets it then that would be cool.
DeleteLee
There can be problems when people don't share the same style or sense of humor. For example, I hate sarcastic "humor," and don't think I've ever laughed or smiled at anyone's attempts at it. It's one of those styles of humor it might not be such a good idea to bring out if you don't know the other person very well and know it won't be taken poorly.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, I can get pretty sarcastic sometimes. Usually my attempts at humor are just plain silly or above everyone else's heads. I usually don't intend to be mean, but some people have taken my humor that way and that's sad (for me at least).
DeleteLee
I used to have those awkward moments all the time when conducting training classes.
ReplyDeleteJohn, those more serious moments can be bad times for humor, but also so tempting sometimes.
DeleteLee
I've found that my sense of humor doesn't work with everyone. A good example is when playing Cards Against Humanity. I do pretty well with one group of friends. With the other group, most of my input falls flat. Guess it just depends on the audience.
ReplyDeleteLoni, you stumped me with "Cards Against Humanity"--that's a new one for me.
DeleteLee
Excellent Battle, LEE. I thought Claire wuz a-gonna get clobbered, but she held her own quite well over the long haul.
ReplyDeleteI think most people "get it" when I'm joking. But occasionally I'll make a joke and then have to explain it when the other party didn't make the "connection" or recognize the common denominator.
And then there are other times when I crack a joke for my own amusement, knowing full well that the other person isn't privy to enough background info to understand it.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
STMcC, I was thinking Claire was doing poorly until I started counting the votes and realized that she was pretty close to Ali throughout.
DeleteI often make jokes for my own amusement since a lot of people either don't get my humor or just get mad because they do get it and don't like it.
Lee
My kids and gr-kids have told me that they are never sure if I am teasing or telling something. Sense of humor is very dry here in my genes. Now I try to smile now and then.
ReplyDeleteSusan K, my humor is often rather subtle--or dry maybe. I'm amazed when people take some of the things I say seriously.
DeleteLee
Had the winner Lee in the BOTB.
ReplyDeletelook forward to the next.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, you have had a good record at picking winners in my Battles.
DeleteLee
To answer your questions, yes, I wish I knew, and WAAAAY yes.
ReplyDeleteCW, I'm with you on all of your answers to my questions. We are in what are often unfunny times which is sad. The world needs more good laughter.
DeleteLee
Ha! I'm with CWMartin on the answers ;-)
ReplyDeleteArlee, you've cracked me up on many occasion. Maybe I just get your humor ;-)
Diedre, I sometimes wonder if anyone gets my humor. Maybe sometimes they just aren't reading those parts or just skimming through so they miss the humor.
DeleteLee
My dad had a great sense of humor - always telling 'dad' jokes. He'd make it a point to tell all the new neighbors as they moved in about a little unknown law that had been passed - 'anyone living within a mile of the cemetery could not be buried there' And then sit back and watch their expressions.
ReplyDeleteI've developed a bit of sarcasm, which never translates well online. And I've had my own inside jokes (I call them 'location' jokes - you had to be there!)
Looks like there were quite a few battles that had close-ish scores this time around.
~Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Mary, both of my parents had good senses of humor although they were quite different. My dad dreamed of doing stand-up comedy and always added jokes and sight gags to his single juggling act. We would laugh at his jokes no matter how many times we had heard them.
DeleteI guess we mostly picked good contenders for our recent Battle. I like the outcomes to be close.
Lee
This was a great battle! People are way too serious right now and, although I can be in total agreement with many things said, I also think the thought police have too much on their mind and need to loosen up a bit. Dave Allen would never make it today nor would the Dean Martin Roasts although they were funnier and classier than the roasts on the comedy network which I often find just rude. I am not a prude but blecchhh. Now, as for telling a joke...there was a priest, a rabbi and ...nope forget it...I suck at telling jokes
ReplyDeleteBirgit, much of the humor that I grew up with would be more than just frowned upon these days. And who has the right to be funny is very selective from the standpoint of certain groups. I've gotten into "trouble" so many times while merely trying to be light-hearted and silly. Sometimes I feel like just keeping to myself and staying silent.
DeleteLee
Seems like there are lots of people just looking for a reason to be offended. A sense of humor makes life so much easier.
ReplyDeletePatricia, I think it's more than "seems like"--I think there are actually groups with legal representation to shut down any certain types of humor that in reality is basically innocuous..
DeleteLee
People are way too sensitive and easily offended about things. I've both witnessed and experienced it first hand extremely stupid employees get their panties in a bunch (guv'ment employee here) over the most mundane things.
ReplyDeleteGB, if I were working in a government or similar environment I'd probably keep to myself a lot and not speak unless I was required to say something.
DeleteLee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI've always wished I had a quick-wit to come up with that purrfect line in any situation but I'm not. Often times I'm a bit slow on the take. DH has a great sense of humor. His playful serious appearance fools the recipients frequently who never really know what to do with what he's saying until they see me laughing, then it clicks. You know it's kinda like watching a movie where the star is doing something ridiculously funny and you're busting a gut but the other people are clueless. I think DH missed his calling in life. He should've been a comedy actor. :)
Your last battle was really skin tight! I sided with the winner this go-around.
How do I fix an awkward moment...I try to quickly jump topics. Folks today are way too sensitive about EVERY THING! I'd like to scream, "GET A GRIP! IT'S NOT ALL THAT BAD!" Maybe, I'm being too sensitive. What do you think? :)
Cathy, I don't think you're being too sensitive other than appropriately sensitive about the irrationality of so many these days. Sometimes it can be so frustrating to hear the same complaints repeatedly that were untrue or distorted in the first place.
DeleteLee