Funny People

I'm not funny. I've never been able to tell a joke, relayed to me or self created. As soon as someone tells one to me, I forget it. I thought of a joke several years ago, and considered writing down jokes over the course of time to make a stand-up routine. It started and ended with the one joke. Let's see if it translates to funny:


My wife says it's her "time of the month" (I'd raise my hands and make the air quotes here). I am not sure why it's called a period. For my wife, it's more like an ellipsis... (I always envisioned the sound of crickets chirping several times).


I do not recall the reason I thought about this or came up with this "joke." It's not remotely true, but I think I remember telling it to Cyndi. I think she chuckled. Maybe it was courtesy laughter.

Years ago, I wrote a screenplay called "Truth or Dare." It is supposed to be a romantic comedy. I've shown it to a few people and no one ever laughs. I just call it a romantic. I've occasionally dropped hints with people I think are funny, asking them to add the comedy to my manuscript. No luck yet.

I have a lot of respect for people who consider themselves comedians or humorists. I saw the movie "Funny People" yesterday, and I think it gives some insight into the process of stand-up comedy. It looks grueling. And when it works, it looks cathartic.

I think writing, in general, is the same thing. Grueling and cathartic.

Today, it's grueling.