COMEDY IN THE NEWS: LARRY THE CABLE GUY

I actually purchased the very entertaining "Blue Collar Comedy Tour", and have watched it several times. 

I think the extremely country, beer-loving, fashion challenged, child-like, questionable wisdom-spitting Larry the Cable Guy is hilarious.

 

Daniel Lawrence Whitney, however, is an intelligent comedian and writer who hails from Nebraska. 

The character who has made him a wealthy man, is a parody. 

Larry may have been born out of experiences with real people, but he is not a real person! 

He is a persona of a particular educationally challenged, opinionated, bigoted southerner commonly, and even affectionately known as a "redneck".

Of COURSE Larry the Cable Guy endorses the Republican candidate! Who's surprised by that? A major news network thinks his pick for president (while in character) is news? 

(What has happened to journalism?)

This latest bit of entertainment is yet one more reason why I think the Republican candidate's campaign is all a joke--the success of which, has surprised even the candidate. 

It's success has necessitated enlisting an ever suspect cast of characters to continue the joke. 

I bet they all gather in the penthouse each night, and laugh their rich heads off, while opportunistic surrogates attempt to convince sober, thinking people of the logic and wisdom of his words and actions.

The Republican candidate deliberately says something outlandish, incendiary, and even untrue on a daily basis, and STILL has people who (at the cost of their own reputations, the questioning of their own hearing, perception, reasoning and sanity) defend him. 

It's like all of the people who ran behind Forest Gump, not knowing why, or how long he would run; and were left to find their ways back home when Forest decided he'd run enough--because he was tired.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Trump campaign is a brilliant ruse concocted to implode the Republican party, expose the seedier side of America, reveal the true content of American hearts, and help usher into the White House, once again, (by a landslide) his dear, longtime friends and supporters, Hillary and Bill).

I can hardly wait to see the selfies of the power couples Trump and Clinton, as they toast their accomplishment. 

Larry will probably photobomb it.

I HAVE A DREAM

"...we refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt...Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children..." ~Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #IHaveADream

CAREGIVER DIARIES: CAST OF CHARACTERS

I appreciate helpful, thoughtful people. Something as simple as remembering what my Dad likes and bringing it, will make his day; change his demeanor. 

The fellow men's chorus member who cuts the grass, the deacon who comes to cut his hair, the friend who brings fresh fruit when he visits a local farm, and the family member who brought dinner, represent how much thoughtfulness matters. 

I can count the consistent people on one hand. 

I think of the time when the front door of this house may as well have been a revolving one. These days, other than the ringing of the phone, it's quiet around here.

I imagine that many caregivers have stories of those who don't help, but always have an awful lot to say. 

They don't bother to care whether what they hear or say is even true, and show up every blue moon.

 

I've learned that when you identify a persons motive, and it's less than honorable, they will make themselves scarce, regroup, and try again when they think you're not around. (I've startled a few people just by walking up the basement stairs. "Is somebody here?") 

Opportunists, like leopards, however, don't change their spots. I've learned to have an answer when one of them asks, "Is there anything I can do?" They look downright defeated when you say, "Yes". 

The last thing they want to do is help you.

I appreciate those who will take my Dad out for a meal or a ride, even if, due to the hectic nature of their lives, I won't see them again for months. Caregivers don't poo poo on any degree of help, and appreciate a break, no matter how brief.

Some people show up and their demeanor is that of an inspector or a supervisor. A few have been on matchmaking missions. They were the funniest of all. Young women, I've discovered, definitely do not have a monopoly on gold digging.

The occasional shade I encounter is no big deal now. It didn't used to be. I used to be offended by the attitudes of people who acted as if we shared DNA; who showed up like bullies and always had something sarcastic or snarky to say; who were big on opinions, but lacking in effort. 

I know not to answer a fool, but I've learned when to speak up and it's rather liberating.

It's been 15 months now, and I used to be so bothered by those who knew there was a need, but for whatever reason, had an issue with me being here. It's funny how people who do absolutely nothing to assist you, seem to launch the most intense interrogations about the things you do each day--things they don't witness. They don't know how anything gets done, but they seem to be mad that somehow, it gets done--without their help or direction.

The "Blue Mooners" show up with the intention to: 

outshine you 

upstage you 

criticize you

depress you

discourage you

humiliate you 

correct you 

assess you

interrogate you. 

They show up to find fault, and save the day. 

They find, however, that the day has already been saved, and is being saved on a daily basis. 

Meals are prepared, 

housework is done, 

business is handled, 

appointments are made, 

meds are managed--all without their assistance. 

They don't find the dysfunction or disarray--or lazy bum they anticipated. They've been told there's a problem (or they want there to be a a problem), and they take it upon themselves to show up and handle it--and you. They act as if they plan to confront and reprimand a child. 

What they could do, is wrap their imposing hands around a vacuum cleaner or rake, or cook a meal, or scrub a toilet, or fold laundry. There's no kindness in their faces. They're armed with discrepancies and false impressions. Then, they see that there is no need for their concern or attitude. They're so flabbergasted by order and competence, that it leaves them speechless--and they disappear again, until the hear the next piece of gossip, need something, or think there's something to be had.

The two people I encountered today were a perfect example. They were church folk. I'd never seen them before. They didn't even bother to share their names when I introduced myself and shook their hands. They looked at me as if they didn't expect anyone to be here! 

They stood around, looked around, looked at each other, and stuttered. 

The woman looked at me as if I had three heads. The man seemed as rattled as the woman. It seemed as if they'd planned to stay, to do something, but they suddenly declined my Dad's offer to sit down. 

Why would two people get out of their car, activate the alarm, come into the house, and just stand? What was their initial plan? What did they have to say? What conversation had they planned to continue? What had they planned to ask for? 

They quickly left, with bewildered looks on their faces. I've seen those looks before. I could read their minds: 

"I thought he (she or they) said_______?"

"Why did I (we, you, they) have to ___________?"

"Perhaps I (we, you, they) owe someone an apology." 

"Why would ___________ lie?

"Maybe we should wait to ask him when she's not here."

"Maybe we should find another sucker. This one has a caregiver."

I got a good laugh today.

YARD GARDEN

The little plot of hard, dry ground beside the garage, that no one paid much attention to, was host to grass, weeds, rocks, and clover. When the grass was mowed, the weeds would be whacked, leaving a bit of an eyesore. My mom used to be the gardening bunny and I can't remember what she'd planted there. Perhaps, since it was so close to the kitchen door, she'd had an herb garden, or mustard greens. There was a reason why it wasn't paved. Something used to grow there.

Since the last three watermelons we enjoyed were chock full of black seeds, I decided to take advantage of the heatwave, break up the ground, plant all of the seeds, and see what happened. Now, I'm looking at that plot, and the bigger one in the back yard, every day. I still have to transfer three potted plants to the yard. I don't know whether there will be any fruit this year, but the beautifully shaped leaves are so much nicer than what was there before. 
#brightenthecornerwhereyouare

THE NEW RESUME

It never fails. Something tragic happens, people speak of a person in glowing, saintly terms--and then facebook photos surface--photos a person freely posted as representations of themselves--quotes surface, and they tell a very different, darker tale.

 

Enjoy free speech; by all means, do you, but remember, it's not "just facebook", "only twitter", or "harmless instagram". It's a public conversation.

 

Social media is the new resume, and is often considered more of an indicator of the real you, than any finely scripted Word document printed on fancy paper. Nothing (no matter how much we block, mute, and hide) is private. 

 

One may never know if the language one used in one's posts on a particularly bad day, or the photos one shared on a particularly self-confident day, were the reason one was overlooked for the opportunity one wanted--especially if it involved public relations, communication, or representing others. 

Don't shoot yourself in the foot under the guise of having fun. Yes, you can do what you want on your time. No. Potential employers DON'T have to understand, not when their reputations and businesses are on the line.  

#IJS

SOCIAL MEDIA BLUES

Comedian Steve Harvey said, "There are some people who take their brain power and use it the wrong way."

Ain't that the truth.

Many social media users skip finding out whether what they share is true because it fits an existing narrative, confirms suspicions, feeds their fears, injures someone they don't like, gives them the empty honor of being the first to break the news ...or they're just plain lazy. Once a hastily spread lie or misinformation is out, it's awfully difficult to retract it. Someone is always going to believe it even if it's been refuted...over and over again...year after year. Everything is not newsworthy. Reputations are forever tarnished because one person didn't think before they clicked "post", "share", or "send".

Juicy though the tidbit may be, anything shared, while seated at a computer or holding a smart phone, can be verified in the same amount of time it took to post it. We really have to care enough to take that time--and it's not much.

PASSION

I'm still not understanding why The Nightly Show was cancelled. It's not because it wasn't funny, smart and substantive. Wow. Who makes these decisions? Who do they ask? Who said quality doesn't sell? 

I read a comment by a discouraged young musician about the trajectory of his career. Someone apparently gave him an unfavorable review. That's the danger of placing your gift or talent on the platform of someone else. At any moment and for any reason, you can be toppled.

 

Remember why you do what you do. You want to make music? Make it. You want to be famous? That requires the cooperation and consent of others, and that's not always so easy to get, nor is it guaranteed. Don't lose the joy. It's called your "passion" for a reason. Being engaged isn't predicated on who else likes it.

 

There's a whole lot of mediocrity and delusion masquerading as excellence, and seeming to prosper because of the machine that's behind it. 

There are so many awards these days you lose count, and many are being tripped up by the politics, suckered into paying to play, and paying to be rewarded, but the Music--which SHOULD be the principal thing...well... 

I'm the first person to argue how subjective The Arts are, but we all know when our ears are working. Everyone will not enjoy everything, and audiences are as diverse. One has to find one's own.

 

There are lots of beautifully photographed and packaged CD's that you realize are nothing more than the Science projects of studio engineers after you've sat/suffered through live performances...People still want GOOD music. Even though we're more saturated with music than ever, we WILL find and support it. 

Ambitious young music makers should heed good advice and constructive criticism, but I hope they won't be deterred from their goals and dreams. Feedback is like fuel. Sometimes we assign too much power to people; we get blinded by perceived spheres of influence, and the opinions of those whose words are colored by things we don't even realize.

 

God knows a lot of people--and remember-- those who WILL be genuinely supportive of you--in lucrative, tangible, negotiable ways-- may not always LOOK like you. 

 

 #stayfocused

VOICES

I love to sing. It's the easiest thing for me to do.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/chaka_khan.html

 "I love to sing. It's the easiest thing for me to do...

I love to sing. It's the easiest thing for me to do.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/chaka_khan.html

There are two kinds of music –the music that relies on technology, and the kind that doesn’t..." ~Chaka Khan

JOYFUL NOISE

Sometimes, you anticipate a long, uncomfortable, thankless, hurry-up-and-wait, feeling-like-a-cow-in-a-herd-of-cattle, wish-I'd-dressed-at-home-or-stayed-at-home kind of day when participating in certain musical events. There's rudeness and snark and disorganization, and an unnecessary competitive spirit that reeks. There's an air of superiority and authority given by people who have no cause at all to be grand. It all makes you want to turn on your heels and go home.  Not today. NOT TODAY! There was such a pleasant, family- type atmosphere at BET studios! 

I was particularly impressed by the non-musical staff of "Joyful Noise", the new inspirational program airing in October. The staff and crew were patient, steady, accommodating, friendly, organized, gracious, and very helpful. From the security and parking staff, to the smooth check-in at the front desk, to the caterer (the chicken!), volunteers, make up artists, wardrobe assistants, technicians, directors, cameramen, audience coordinators...and the millions of bags of Cheetos, it was such a lovely experience...and it's always nice to hang with my Vision family. I do believe that's the first time we've sung "Hebrews 11 since the "Anthology" recording.

 

Godspeed Tye Tribbett, you make a delightful host. Great job Kobe King, you've certainly paid your dues. Thank you, Jason Cross for looking out for all of us! 

 

 #JoyfulNoiseBET

STAND DOWN

Sometimes you don't have to respond. You don't have to say a word. Just let people marinate on the words they've spoken to you to see if maybe they should be very glad you said nothing. Let them imagine all the harsh, embarrassing, and true things you could have said if you'd decided to abandon your filter and good home training. Let them simmer as they figure out when and how they're going to apologize...and then, when they do, (because their conscience will have a field day with them concerning their ridiculousness and grossly unfounded tirades toward those who don't deserve them), be ever gracious. Remember, God is always watching you to see how well you represent.

Save your strength for circumstances that matter. Yes. There is a time for righteous indignation, and when it comes, be your BEST righteous self. 

Some people rage continuously; they look for a fight anywhere. You don't have to oblige. Let them fight themselves. That's where the real battle is--within themselves.