Here We Are - You Have to Laugh

 

Take a Break From the Daily Doom and Gloom (AKA "the News")

 I was looking for info (years on the air) for the old TV show Dharma and Greg the other day and decided to watch a couple of episodes. 

This is a thoroughly delightful series. No violence, superb writing, great comedic timing, and just plain entertaining. Dharma (flower child), Greg (lawyer), Dharma's parents, Larry (old hippie), and Abby (free spirit), Greg's parents, Edward (CEO), Kitty (socialite) are the characters but they are really caricatures of themselves.

The juxtaposition of conservatives and liberals in the context of two diametrically opposed families brought together through marriage is the basis for some hilarious situations. Dharma's father, Larry, is so serious in his denigration of republicans, the wealthy, the police and the government (he's almost a right-wing liberal, if that makes any sense). 

Greg's parents are so stereotypically a white privileged classist couple. Dharma and Greg are always trying to get their parents on the same page, but it is nearly impossible.

So much of the dialogue and humor is still relevant today. However, I think, we unfortunately lack the humor nowadays.

Watching more episodes is on my TO DO list. Hope you enjoy the show as much as I do. Link to full series:

https://youtu.be/QA6D79_7IXQ

Finally Discovering My Drag Personna (?)

A couple of weeks ago I recommended “From Scratch” on Netflix as we enjoyed it a lot. So we also recommended it to our neighbors, Susanne and Larry. They really liked it.

But over coffee Sunday, Susanne made a comment that took me off guard.

I should state that I have never been confused about my gender (I came out as gay rather late in life but definitely identified as male).

Susanne happened to mention that the old Sicilian woman/grandma/widow who was Lino’s mother, (Filomena played by Lucia Sardo) reminded her of me!!!

Lucia Sardo as Filomena

Filomena with her son Lino

That is the first time anyone ever told me I reminded them of an old Italian woman. (I'm sure I could have reminded her of Lino 40 years ago. - Leon says I was a real "Guido") But now...I'm a Filomena...

I’m thinking about getting an ankle length black dress and a pair of black low heels. Maybe a shawl too. I'll do drag as Filomena, or maybe Phil O'Meana...and my dream is to be featured on the YouTube channel “Pasta Grannies” …hmmm.

 As far as Old Italian women are concerned, here are my real Italian Grandmas

And my real Italian Grandpas

Road Fatigue? Yeah, That's the Ticket

Please indulge this interlude while I continue to prepare photos from our trip for a future post(s).

I often get TEXT messages from political candidates and the like, usually asking for donations and ending with a notice to text "STOP" if I no longer wish to receive text messages from this group.

So imagine how puzzled I was when we saw this sign on an Interstate Highway, I think it was in Pennsylvania.

 I turned to Leon and asked "Why would you have to text "STOP" at the rest area? And who do you text it to?

I blame it on having spent too many hours on the road.

Fortunately we both had a good laugh at my expense.

MASH-UP: Trump’s al-Baghdadi Speech & Obama’s Bin Laden Speech

I just couldn't resist posting this. It's the first time our so-called president has made me laugh.



 

Sometimes Humor Is The Best Response

All the terrible things that happen since the "gays got married" here:

It Would Be Funny If It Weren't So True

No, it is really funny.

OK, So I'm a Little Less Depressed

Or Among the Former Muscle Boys:
The Very Popular 宫保鸡丁 and  麻婆豆腐
(Kung Po Chicken and Stir-Fried Bean Curd in Chili Sauce) 

I Need Subtitles for Life

I am not a stupid person. I went to college and even managed to get a Master's Degree.

Leon has dyslexia but is probably smarter than me in many ways.

He watches a lot of BBC TV and has no trouble understanding English. I have trouble with Downton Abbey on occasion and once even turned on the closed caption so I wouldn't miss anything.

Leon pointed out this Budweiser commercial and said "It's cute, watch it."

So I did. I said, "Yeah, it is cute. But I didn't get the story. The lady wants to adopt a puppy. The puppy went to say goodbye to the horse. Then the cute guy who had the puppies gives the puppy to the lady. The lady and the puppy drive off with the husband. Then the horses come and attack the car as they're driving off. And the puppy gets out and runs with the horses. I don't get it. The story doesn't make sense. And what are they advertising anyway?"

Leon: "You need subtitles for everything in your life."

I Really Enjoyed This Video - In The Spirit of The Christmas Season - From WestJet Airlines

Thanks to Wicked Gay Blog for this:

Craig's List Humor

Let me know what you think.....

Last week Leon and I posted an add on Craigslist for a futon sofa and futon arm chair.  (As our dog Benni said in his blog, we bought a new couch that we needed like a hole in the head).

Our asking price was $425 for the two solid oak mission style pieces.  As anyone who's done Craigslist knows, people negotiate and haggle.  We expected an offer, but not this.  

First Email: This person expressed an interest and asked if she could buy only the sofa for $100.  

My reply: I replied that $100 was too low, besides, we wanted to sell the two pieces together.  Then the following exchange occurred: (Complete with uncorrected spelling/typos):

On Feb 18, 2013, at 10:41 AM, CTbuyer wrote:

Hi

It i Marisa again.  I really want this.  Let me know if there is a way of negotiating.  Note - I have 2 mission recliners for sale on Craigslist, they are brand new.   Almost 600 plus tax and shipping.  I have only literally sat in one a few times.  Selling them for 450 each.  Too large for my tiny place.  Willing to trade with you one of the recliners - the one I never used if you wont sell for 100.00. Let me know.  On craigslist title is mission recliners.  Photos are in the ad.  They are solid oak.

My reply: Sent: Mon, Feb 18, 2013 10:56 am

Subject: Re: 2 Mission Style Futons - $425 (Bristol)

No thank you; selling as a complete set for price listed;  I will give to charity if I cannot get a serious buyer.

On Feb 18, 2013, at 11:00 AM, CTbuyer wrote:

I am a serious buyer.  You will give to charity and not make a penny vs. make money.  Well if it means anything..............   I have a cat rescue organization.  I do cat rescue and adoptions.  Hey, i am trying.  I really love that futon.  Please consider it.  Let me know how negotiable you are...   if it does not sell as a set you are just getting rid of it?  does not make sense.   You wont do 100 for the sofa?  If not, what are you willing?  Pleasee work with me.  It would go beautiful in my living room, but I already have two recliners I have to sell, I cannot take in your chair.

[Like I will donate it to her cat rescue organization so she can put it in her living room?]

[I'm trying to discourage further discussion here]

My reply: Sent: Mon, Feb 18, 2013 4:28 pm 

Subject: Re: 2 Mission Style Futons - $425 (Bristol)

Complete set only - price is firm.

On Feb 19, 2013, at 11:06 AM, CTbuyer wrote:

So what happens if no one wants to buy it or spend that much money?  Your than just giving it away?   Does not make sense.  Well good luck.  If you look on craigslist you wont find a futon anywhere above 150.   Your futon is gorgeous, and looks good quality, but it is a shame.   if you change your mind, let me know.  I tried negotiating with you.  You should put in your ad, no negotiations.........  it is like a teaser.  Well, there is someone else in (TOWN) that is selling theres for 50.00 so I guess I will go with that, but I really wanted yours being it goes with my furniture.  If I bought your futon, and than you sold your chair separately you could probably make yoru 400 that you are looking for........  Alot of people like mission chairs.......I have them, but mission futon chair........... there is a ton of them on craigslist.  

[this woman cannot take a hint, and I had another reply from someone willing to pay full price, so this was my reply]

Sent: Tue, Feb 19, 2013 12:01 pm

Subject: Re: 2 Mission Style Futons - $425 (Bristol)

IT'S BEEN SOLD AT THE PRICE I ASKED - NOW LEAVE ME ALONE

[but it didn't end there]

On February 19, 2013 5:24:11 PM EST CTbuyer wrote:

wow, glad I did not give you my money.  YOU ARE A PRICK!

RUDE SON OF A BITCH. FUCK OFF.

[My bitch side got the better of me and I couldn't help replying, stooping to her level and suggesting she look in the mirror...I don't know if there was more as I blocked any further emails from her]

Exchanging Valentines in the Age of Frugality

Leon mentioned that he was at the pharmacy and had planned to buy me a Valentine but by the time he picked up some other items it slipped his mind.  So much for romance!

I told him I'd been at the pharmacy the other day and had actually picked out a card but there were ten people at the checkout and, well, I am not a patient person.  Given that the card was priced at $4.99, the decision to put it back on the rack was easy.  So much for romance!

The interesting thing, as I told Leon, was that I had found a card suitable for two men and whether that was the intent or not, it worked for me.

We decided to go back to the pharmacy and do our usual temporary shopping routine, only with photos: we would pick out and exchange Valentines right there, take some photos of the event, return the cards to the rack, walk out and put the $10 we just saved toward a dinner out.

Now, as I said, this is not a new tactic for us.

I started this kind of "shopping" years ago when we would go to KMart or other big box store.  I would put things into the shopping cart - a nice jersey with a breast pocket, two new folding beach chairs, a waffle maker, some new bath towels, whatever.

We would continue walking around the store shopping.

Then I'd say something like, "I really don't care for the color of that jersey and for that price I can do better.  I'll wait till it goes on sale." Then we'd walk back to the Mens Dept. and put the jersey back on the rack.

And then I would get to thinking and comment, "Gee, we already have some perfectly good beach chairs, do we really need to spend $45 on two more?  We'd walk over and put them back.  Then I'd make some excuse for the waffle iron and the bath towels and they'd go back on the shelf too.

We'd walk out of KMart without buying anything and go out for pizza.  It was a perfectly good shopping trip and very satisfying.  And I think I enjoyed the pizza so much more as a result.

Now we've never done this with greeting cards, but it makes perfect sense.  After all, what do you do with a card once you open it and read it?  Put it on the credenza for a few days?  Toss it in a drawer?  Throw it away? This way, we have a nice photo and a lasting sentiment.

OK, here's the card I chose for Leon:

And here's the card he chose for me:

This one was also a contender in the M4M category, a bit more sentimental and meaningful; probably the one I like best:

And we're looking forward to dinner out tomorrow evening.  Nothing fancy mind you, we only saved ten bucks.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY HONEY!

Restaurant vs Home Cooking

Home Cooking

OK, so we saw this restaurant "Le Louis XV" on Giada's TV program, I'm not even sure of the name of her new program - probably something like Independently Wealthy Perky Breasted Food Network Star Eats Her Way Around Europe Without Gaining An Ounce.

So we thought we'd jet over to Monte Carlo next month and check it out.

We checked out their website, and unfortunately they're closed from February 19th through March 6th - the only time we could have possibly gotten away.

Oh, well, here's what we'll be missing - and just for your information the current exchange rate for Euros is 1€ = $1.35.

Makes Mama Leone's 1962 Gold Standard Shine