Links to funny things that I did not write
Everyone thinks their friends are funny. That’s usually part of why you’re friends, because your senses of humor match. But some of my friends’ blogs make me think, “I bet other people would laugh at this, too.” So here are some posts that I believe you will enjoy, as penance for not having a “Snide Remarks” column this week (or next week, or the week after).
Chris Clark is very funny. He will pretend not to care that I said that, but secretly he is delighted and wants more people to tell him he is funny. You might enjoy his recommendations for making church Christmas parties more fun, and his feelings about his wife about to have a baby (key line: “WE ARE NOT VIETNAMESE”), and his not-at-all-bitter thoughts on some negative reviews he recently received. Oh, and DO NOT MISS “Eventide Masquerade,” which is his answer to the vampire novel “Twilight.” Actually, you will not go amiss if you just start at the beginning of his archives and work your way forward.
His wife is Lisa Valentine Clark, who has been one of my best friends since we were in the Garrens Comedy Troupe together way back in ’96. Lisa and I are very close. While she was pregnant this last time, I helped her by gaining as much sympathy weight as I could. We joke about me being the father of at least one of their children, but secretly we all wish it were true. I liked her story about seeing Maroon 5 in Las Vegas (her brother is the guitarist), and her charming thoughts on parent-teacher conferences, and an amusing story involving their daughter Phoebe. (Please note: Despite having been an actual English teacher at one point, Lisa doesn’t always spell words the right way. This, and the fact that she doesn’t give a rat’s arse, is part of her charm.)
I’ve known Craig Bates since high school. I believe I am partially responsible for getting him into acting, so if his wife is reading this, I apologize. Craig can rant and rave like nobody’s business, and he is not afraid to use a swear word here and there if necessary. Enjoy “What’s Wrong with Corporate America” and “Life Takes Visa.”
Then there is Emmie. Ah, Emmie. A “graceful beauty,” I once called her in a review of a stage production she was in. So true, so true. She is married to a guy named Steve that none of us have ever met, but we’ve seen pictures so we know he exists. Anyway, just as with Chris Clark’s blog, you would do well to just peruse Emmie’s archives (if you know what I mean). Among recent posts, I laughed at this one and this one and this one.
Ken Craig is another friend from the Garrens Comedy Troupe days. He lives with his wife and innumerable children in Las Vegas, where it is too hot to go outside eight months out of the year. He doesn’t blog very often, but when he does it’s because he has a topic that needs addressing. See “Dr. Schulze, I Presume” and “A Very Merry Christmas Movie.”
January 15th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
My husband’s spanish teacher must be Lisa’s dad! My husband was ever so excited to tell me that his spanish teacher’s son was the guitarist for maroon 5, and that no, we couldn’t have tickets to the show.
Professor Valentine was his favorite teacher last semester, because he’s apparently quite entertaining.
January 16th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Oh, so Chris Clark is the Jolly Porter! I used to read his blog at work a couple of years ago when I worked for direct mail company. I liked his quotes so much that I’d cut and paste some of his comments and send them to co-workers. Yes, you are right–Chris Clark is very funny.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Why do people think other people want to read their journals.
Yep, ES, everyone thinks his friends are funny.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Illiterati,
2003 called. He wanted me to let you know that his “idea of what a blog is” came up missing, he knows you took it and to please return it.
…
Brett,
David Spade called. He wants you to give back this lame joke structure. Now.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
In response to Illiterati
When I read a few Redwall books, I thought they were okay. They were fun reads and not very deep, and I knew fantasy reading kids would love them. Then, I saw a television special about the books, and got to watch interviews with Brian Jacques, the author. After listening to him talk about the books, when I read a passage I heard his voice in my head, with the fun inflection he used to talk about the characters and plot during the interview. The books seemed so much better written.
I think the same thing is true of other writings. When we know the writer, we know what kind of inflection and emphasis that person would use when speaking, and so the writing makes more sense and becomes better written to our own eyes. So people do think their friends’ comedic posts are funny, because their personality is merged with their writing.
It takes a lot of experience to be able to communicate on a similar level with a total stranger, which is why so many aspiring authors have friends who think they are great writers.
January 16th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Lisa Valentine Clark was my favorite actress of any play, Garrens Troupe comedy sketch, or Final Cut film when I was at BYU. She has amazing range and talent. And Chris Clark has one the most entertaining and unique directing styles I’ve ever seen. I will watch whatever he’s directed, so please keep letting us know about anything new. It was nice to hear about them both; thanks for plugging their blogs.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:08 am
After reading the Clark blogs, I almost wish I had gone to UVSC. I do plays and musical theater, and it would have been so cool to work with them. I’m now fully convinced that they are awesome. My brother-in-law HAS taken classes from Chris, and I’m jealous. Are they worth going to UVSC for? Probably not…. But maybe.