Stuff that makes me laugh lately: A Ramble

Dear Friend,
It is Friday night, I am pumped full of caffeine and a strong desire to write.  I cannot guarantee that what I am about to record will be entertaining or comprehensible.  If you choose to read this entry anyway I will consider you a true friend... or really bored, but either one is fine.

I have been practically devouring comedy lately.  It began with a whim to see some silent films. I chose to start off with Buster Keaton, and that was a success since I now adore the man.  It branched into a little Harold Lloyd, whom I had never heard about before researching silent films trying to find which of Buster's films I would probably like best.  I flatly refuse to watch Chaplin.  I cannot quite explain why. There is a strange quality about the man that I find off-putting and repulsive.  But Keaton and Lloyd films I will happily devour.  What I like best about these silent slapstick comedies is the physicality and stunts involved in the jokes.  I can't count how many times I've felt my jaw hanging open, making me look like an astonished fish when I see what these men were doing.  The best part is the lack of special effects involved in most of the stunts.  Honestly, I've grown tired of reading the rants of silent film fans who denounce the current method of using CGI to make most movie stunts these days, but they have a point.  What movie makers and actors did before computers (and frankly, insurance companies) took over is impressive.  But at the same time, it is incredible that these actors survived some of the shots they put themselves through.

Another great source of comedy for me lately is Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza on GSN.  (Red squiggly lines under the last third of that sentence, it's a shame they won't show when I publish...)   It is almost like a reunion of Whose Line is it Anyway, but not quite.  It still makes me laugh, to the point of tears sometimes.  It makes me so happy to see Ryan Stiles, Jeff Davis, Colin Mochrie, and Wayne Brady on TV again.  Drew has improved at improv since Whose Line, too.  (Aside note, I really, honestly like Drew Carey. He's the only reason I started watching the Price is Right again. I don't know why I like him so much... I don't think he's that great as a game show host, but he makes me laugh, and seems to enjoy himself doing it.) 

A friend of mine has been talking a lot about the Marx Brothers lately.  I love the Marx Brothers, myself, and hadn't seen any of their movies in a long time, so I put a couple in to watch this week.  It made me realize that my favorite Marx brother is Harpo.  He always has been, even when I was a kid.  I usually feel like Groucho gets all the attention, and he's definitely funny, but I'll always adore Harpo.

Also, somewhat related to my Marx brothers "epiphany," Wakko is my favorite of the three Warners in Animaniacs.  I thought Yakko was for the longest time, but it was always Wakko.  After all, all those years ago when I was a rather rude "hostess" when a friend was over and I insisted that she watch Animaniacs with me when she wanted to watch X-Men it was because it was a Wakko-heavy episode, not Yakko. 

Goodness, this has been a rambling and silly entry.  If you made it this far, consider yourself hugged.  I'll try to be more intellectual in my next letter. 

I blame my Dad

Dear Friend,

Would you believe that for awhile, particularly when I was in middle school and beginning high school, I was convinced that any movie made before I was born wasn't worth my time? And heaven forbid it wasn't in color! I'm sorry to admit that, yes, I was that foolish at one time. (I didn't even think about the fact that all those Disney movies I loved so much were made before I was even thought of, illogical thing that I was.)
My Dad has always been a fan of movies, old or new, and I think he probably prefers films to television.  He was a big influence for me to give old movies a shot. Dad always has a copy of a fairly recent Leonard Maltin movie book. I've been known to just flip through those books at random, just to read a quick plot synopsis and on occasion a cast list. Dad's also got a pretty sizable collection of DVDs on hand (though not as big as mine...), being a fan of the $5 or $1 DVD bins in supermarkets.  He sometimes finds some gems in there, amazingly enough.  He introduced me to the Marx Brothers who I found hilarious, despite the lack of hue on the screen. 
But I think the most encouraging part my Dad has played in my becoming a fan of classic films is that he's almost always willing to watch a movie with me.  Sure, there are movies that are decidedly "Mom and Me" movies, like romantic comedies, but most of the other films I want to see whether an animated family film, exciting sci-fi, or critically acclaimed classic or more recently silent slapstick I know that if I want to watch with someone else, Dad will most likely be up for it. 
So, now that I'm a hopeless fan of classic films, who literally turns on the Turner Classic Movies channel every single day, I can blame my Dad.  Or should that be Thank my Dad?

That Voice!

Dear friend,
It has been a very "Frankie" week for me.  I'm not complaining at all.

I don't have a celebrity crush on Frank Sinatra, mind you.  This isn't a case of "protesting too much," I just want to clear that up. A few years ago my Dad was under the impression that I had a crush on Cary Grant, when I didn't.  This is the same sort of thing; I love them, but I don't love them. (I do have a silly, little crush on a member of the Rat Pack, but it isn't Frank, and I'm not telling you who it is, so don't ask)

Anyway, as I said, it's been a very Frankie sort of week for me.  Turner Classic Movies aired a movie called the Kissing Bandit, which I just had to watch, since Frank was in it.  I have a fondness for Frank's early movies, ones where he played a lovable dork who was so nervous around women that he had no idea what to do.  He was such a little, skinny, silly looking dude that the roles fit him very well.  In my opinion, the only thing this movie had going for it was Frank. It was silly, beyond the point of being able to be taken seriously. The costumes were ridiculous, so much so that I burst into laughter at the sight of some of them.  Frank didn't sing nearly enough, either.  Still, I enjoyed watching it. 

A few other Frank movies were on but I, unfortunately, didn't catch all the way through.  I did, as I mentioned at the end of my birthday post, watched Ocean's 11.  I got it out of curiosity about the Rat Pack.  I enjoyed the movie, enough to look past it's ridiculousness.  (And like I said, I now have a crush on someone in the Rat Pack. Just for fun, use the process of elimination, it's not Dean or Sammy, either.)

The day after my birthday, I used some of my abundant supply of itunes money to buy a few "Essential" albums by Frank and Dean Martin.  I love them both. I don't know why it had taken me so long to get actual CDs from either of these two amazing singers, instead of picking up a song by them here or there.

My brother and my sister-in-law sent me a few musicals on DVD as birthday presents.  They sent me Singing in the Rain and Guys and Dolls.  The smile on my face as I opened the package was considerable. I love both of these movies but had never gotten around to buying either one.  As I write, I'm gleefully watching Guys and Dolls, enjoying the fact that Nathan Detroit, and so many others, aren't using contractions. Or should I say, are not using contractions.

I used to love those cartoons making fun of his screaming and swooning fans.  They were really my first indication that Sinatra existed.  Perhaps they were a strong influence on me, since I consider myself something of a Frank Sinatra fangirl.  I was amused to learn that some of those screaming fans were actresses hired and paid to make him seem more popular.

I don't think I could ever get tired of hearing that man sing. It's been an enjoyable week.

Do you hear me talking to you?

Dear Friend,
I'm in mania about Muppets. Yeah, I've been watching all sorts of Muppet related stuff. It has led to the strangest thing, though, I read Labyrinth fan fiction. I don't remember ever watching the entire movie, but I read some fic. Nothing I'd recommend. I don't tend to find Jareth "dreamy," instead I find him quite creepy. Most fans of that film... well, they disagree with me.
I've tried before to get into fan fiction, but it just doesn't stick with me. Even the best written story eventually loses my interest. I'm beginning to wonder if I have a short attention span.
Anyway, the muppets. I just love the music they used on the Muppet show. It was all so weird and funny and sweet. I've had Jamboree stuck in my head for over a week, I think. Other favorites would be You and I and George and Cottleston Pie. I really enjoyed the Roger Miller episode, because that dude had some weird songs. I was also tickled to recognize the voice of Alan a'Dale from Disney's Robin Hood. I always loved that voice. I've always liked what I guess would be classed as novelty songs. The muppets had a good mix of "real" good music and just plain fun.
Did anyone else notice that the opening of the Muppet Show was on this week's LOST? I was pretty distracted by that. I don't remember what else was on the screens during that scene. I probably should have paid better attention.

I'm going to try to do something with my Livejournal account. I gave up the Deviant Art. I was far too needy for that. I'll find other ways to share my art that aren't as prone to popularity contest-ism. I don't need another way to get obsessed with who isn't talking to me. I've started using my Twitter a little more often. I've got that locked so the pervs can't read my oh-so silly thoughts.

I bought some super cool, too dang expensive art markers. I've used them a bit, but I'm still practicing. I'm glad I had a half-off coupon. Discounts rock.

Snowy snowy snow!

Dear friend,
It's snowing and cold here in VA as I write this. It's snowing enough that it's covered the entire back yard. I stood at our guest room window and watched the snow fall and had a memory.
I remembered standing in the parking garage at Andrew Wommack Ministries, having been let off work early because of the snow. (That doesn't happen too often at AWM, or many other places in Colorado.) I stood near the garage door, looked up into the sky and watched the white flakes float across the grey sky. I remember thinking, "I'm leaving soon, I'm leaving Colorado, and might not see snow like this again. I'll miss it."
Well, friend, I just saw snow like that again. Maybe things will be all right after all.

I threw my hands victoriously in the air at this result!

Your result for The Classic Dames Test...

Rosalind Russell

You scored 21% grit, 52% wit, 24% flair, and 10% class!

You are one wise-cracking lady, always quick with a clever remark and easily able to keep up with the quips and puns that come along with the nutty situations you find yourself in. You're usually able to talk your way out of any jam, and even if you can't, you at least make it more interesting with your biting wit. You can match the smartest guy around line for line, and you've got an open mind that allows you to get what you want, even if you don't recognize it at first. Your leading men include Cary Grant and Clark Gable, men who can keep up with you.

Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the
Classic Leading Man Test.

Take The Classic Dames Test at HelloQuizzy

Was I really like that?

Dear friend,
My brother is here for the week and decided that we should transfer home videos onto DVD while we can still use the VHS. It's a good idea, which of course means that we have ended up watching the videos as they transfer. And I can't believe that the little 6 year old that I just saw doing the most basic of gymnastics moves, and skipping back into place after each one, grew up to be me! I honestly don't remember being that enthusiastic about anything, let alone in public where every one's parents were nearby.
I do happen to remember being a "look at me, look at me!" sort of girl when a camera was involved.
It's also fun to see how many different ways my Mom did my hair when I was younger.
It's fun to see my brother, especially in 80's and 90's clothes. I'm certain that a certain pair of sneakers my brother was wearing at my 6Th birthday party are being sold again at Journeys.
It's odd to see your life in clips. I'm now quite sure I won't audition for any reality TV shows. Like I was considering it to begin with. (Haven't found a clip of me developing my sarcasm, but maybe it's there.)

That can't be legal

Dear friend,
I can't be the only person who thinks that JCPenney commercial that copies the Breakfast Club is a complete tragedy, can I? I didn't think so.

Oboes aren't loud, they're expressive

Dear friend,
I saw two movies today, neither of them high on my "Oh, let's go see that!" list. I went to the theatre with my whole family to see Hancock. It was an OK movie. I would give it 2.5 stars out of 5. The biggest problem for me was that it was like the studio had the beginning of one superhero movie and then end of another and decided to stick them together and call it a day. I liked the beginning. I didn't care for the end.
The other movie I watched was Cloverfield. I had read so many reviews saying it was good that I was just curious enough to see it. J.J. Abrams association with it, and the previews similarity to the first scene we hear the Monster on LOST didn't hurt either. They were right, it is a good movie, but it's hard to enjoy. I don't like being on the edge of my seat like that. Suspense isn't high on my list of favorite things. I couldn't quite tear my eyes away, though, excepting the really bloody parts, of course.
To counteract the freaky-ness that was Cloverfield, I'm watching the Fairy Tale Theatre DVD of The Three Little Pigs. That explains the title of this post. Buck Wolf is the greatest role Jeff Goldblum ever had. Well, in my opinion it is. I wonder what his opinion of that statement would be. "If you're lying to me I'll come back and chew on your face."

I really shouldn't be proud of this...

The year was... I don't actually remember

I read a message board topic recently, asking people who owned the Wii when they first started playing video games; specifically how old were they and on what system. I can't remember a time I didn't play video games, to be honest.
If you specifically narrow it down to home console gaming; it would be the Nintendo Entertainment System (nes, for short). There's a chance, though small, that I played my family's Intelevision 2. I also remember playing a computer racing game. Actually, I only remember playing one course, I was really little (maybe three years old or thereabouts) and had memorized that one course. You know, if you consider that playing.
I also have fond memories of an arcade machine in a bowling alley. It was RoadBlasters, and that game rocked. I haven't seen it since, but I loved that game. The time line of my memory is really off, so I don't remember which of these events happened first.
Later, I know we got a Super Nintendo (which I need to check as soon as we unpack and make sure it isn't turning an ugly yellow color...) and I remember playing that.
But the first time I really got into playing video games was when we got our N64. I loved that system. That was when I actually started being able to beat people at games. I was able to win against my brother and two guys friends at Super Smash Bros. even when they all ganged up against me. I loved it. I also beat my brother's high scores at Starfox64, I managed to get his highest score as the lowest of all ten of the listed high scores. Awesome. I was even a decent challenge at Mario Kart 64.
Then came the Gamecube. Sadly, around then I met a guy who was better than me at nearly every game. I still gave him a run for his money, but usually he won. I was able to always beat his sister, though, so it was OK. I don't plan on getting too competitive on the Wii, it's too fun.
I had been really competitive with the N64. My friends accused me of being psycho once. I haven't been accused of that since.

Was there a point to this entry? Not really, just getting the thoughts out of my head.

It's been too long

I am now full-time at my job. That's caused more stress than it should have, but I won't bore all you people with all the drama. *audience (of one) applauds* Gee, thanks...

Anyway, I love being the person who duplicates CDs, except for the inevitable times when all there is to do is wait. Wait for CDs to print, wait for CDs to burn, wait, wait, wait. And hope that your boss doesn't wander past the door, since just standing around (or sitting as I sometimes do) doesn't make it look like you have much use there. But when you actually do stuff, it's cool to be the "CD duplicator lady" :-)

Oh, this song on my internet radio makes me sad. "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5. I think it only makes me sad because it's the first song I heard after our dog was put down. That memory sucks. I really feel sorry for a co-worker of mine, who lost 2 dogs in as many weeks. After the 1st one died, the other was so depressed that it died too. That so sucks.

I so want to hug whoever came up with TiVo and other such devices, such as our DVR. Why? It makes it possible for me to again watch Radio Free Roscoe. At my own convenience, yet! Everyday, there it is, a new-to-me RFR just waiting to be viewed. And eventually burned to DVD. My infatuation with RFR is pretty deep right now. I don't really know why. I can guess, though, probably the guys. There is just something so entertaining about TV high school guys stumble through their lives. It isn't so funny for TV high school girls, they tend to be too whiny. But Ray/Pronto, Robbie/Question Mark and Travis/Smog are just "cuties". (No, not that way! Ok, maybe Travis... Maybe)

My eyes are drooping and itchy, and it's only 9:30. I thought I would adjust to waking at 6 am by now...

Hey, guess what! They put Faery Tale Theatre on DVD! Anyone else remember that show? Shelley Duvall and various celebrities doing fairy tales! My favorite has to be The Three Little Pigs. Watching it recently explained why I've always liked Billy Crystal, I liked him when I was little and saw him playing a pig in colorful clothes, building his own brick house and playing the oboe. Years and years later, I still like him, though I'd forgotten why. Funny, huh? Jeff Goldblum was hilarious as the Wolf, too. Of course, now that I'm older and watching this series, it's got a lot more adult humor than I ever suspected when I was a kiddie and watching. Weird how stuff goes over children's heads, and they never knew it was there to begin with.

Anyway...
Till next I write