Monday Humor Update 07/14/2008

The happiest man in the world is a pink little guy I used to care for at the Faribault State Hospital in Minnesota. "The Colonel" was born with severe Down's Syndrome, yet he enjoyed life more than anyone I have known since.

He loved two things. Smoking his morning cigar (a violation of at six pounds of statute and procedure) and afterwards, he spent the day in rapture twirling a quilt panel cut from an old blanket. These things were the center of his life and he lived blissfully.

My boss, Charlene, would often point to The Colonel to remind us the secret of life is to remain easily entertained.

Charlene was onto something there. But when I think about it, she was the holder of the secret, not The Colonel. She was the second happiest person in the world, because she had the generosity of spirit - to entertain.

She kept The Colonel happy, her staff happy and herself happy by taking the time to ensure we all remained easily entertained.

How about you?

There is no life secret about how to entertain people. You just make them laugh.

But laughing is easy and writing is hard.

Here is a series of articles by John Philipp to help you kick start humor writing.

Writing Humor Part I - Random Association

Writing Humor, Part II - The Art of Exaggeration: Steal from the Barry Best

How to write Humor - Part (whatever the next number is)

Also do not miss today's afternoon feature on humor writing

Upgrading the funny by Jenn K.

For today's Humor Monday - read:

Bush Considering End of Term Pardon for Pee-wee Herman by Con Chapman

And you wondered what Bush will do next?

Achoo! by Kimberly Ripley  

A primer for the etiquettely challenged.

The Pocket Versus the Purse by Greg Schiller

More on the mysteries of gender and mastery of simple things

Driving on the cheap and Saving Money on Gas by John Philipp

The do's and don't of squeezing another quarter penny from a tank of gas.

 And more catoons from John L.

 Cartoon: Ten-Second Fool

Code Breaker 

 Know Subject

 Also from John L., a great piece on "the hook" or the opening paragraph.

Dark And Stormy, Right?

Have a great week writing.

 -Greg