Awesome Guys & a Blithering Idiot

One of the great things about this so-called "human condition" is our ability to take great joy and pride in the success and accomplishment of others. To take delight in the expression of another's dignity. To witness unselfish acts performed by others is to rejoice in the beauty of our existence.

Finale ... or a new beginning?

Outside of those two boys that share my name, I don't know that I've ever been more proud of a group of young men than I was last night at the finale of the World Series of Comedy. Two guys, Leo Hodson and Craig Travis, came to the conclusion that in comedy (or any performing art, for that matter) that competition is ... well, just plain redundant. As performers we are always in competition to get a gig, get a payout, find some stage-time. The two men decided that was enough and instead of staging competing shows, pooled their resources and staged on of the best shows to ever take place on the Brown Coat stage.

And then, when it was all said and done, and the prizes were to be distributed (since there was no "winner," per se) ... they upped the ante and decided not to take any money, but rather donate the cash prize to Laughing for Life, a comedy benefit show staged to raise money for local families negatively impacted by cancer. They gave it away ... in a generosity of spirit and attitude ... they gave it away! Bravo! They truly are the Justice League of Comedy!

A few people in the audience reacted in a confused, maybe even negative way. One of the regulars demonstrated to me just how clueless he is about generosity when he asked me, "so, who is the winner?" I responded, "Laughing for Life ... and area families dealing with cancer." He rolled his eyes. He didn't get it. Yes ... they kinda threw a big kink into the competition ... but they also sent a message: "we don't want to compete; we just want to bring the funny!" They brought the funny! They also brought compassion and largesse. That's bigger and better than any old competition!

Folks -- there's enough competition in the world! Sometimes it's better to join hands, mend fences if necessary, and just stage a good show. It's all about the show! So ... congrats to Leo and Craig! And to Kyle, Jeff, Hal and Anthony ... and to Krevens, Gordon and Papa D ... to all of you who realized that there are some things that are bigger than "who's better than who."

Blithering Idiot

I've noticed something about myself. In certain situations, my mind reverts back in time some twenty-five years and turns me into an awkward, shy, mumble mouthed teenager again. The one recurring situation is when I'm actually spending time with somebody who I am genuinely attracted to. (And by "genuinely attracted" please don't infer that it's purely sexual ... just simply somebody who I really want to get to know, spend some time with, etc.)

Yes, I'm speaking about somebody specific ... and no, I will not name names.

It is so rare to stumble across somebody that you have a good deal in common with, somebody that has experienced some of the pain and mistakes you have, that has suffered from similar wounds yet is wonderfully intelligent, good natured, compassionate and beautiful. One might think in that situation that I would rush to get to know this person, spend time with this person ... one might think. Instead I turn into a blithering idiot who doesn't know how to ask somebody out.

Ladies ... if I'm ever suddenly less charming and more ... well, let's say, "uncertain and slightly adolescent" ... than chances are I'm probably falling for you and have a huge puppy-dog crush on you.

Jeez! I'm thirty-eight years old! You would think I would grow out of this!