Radical Transparency

(in case the other blogs need a friend) 
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November 14, 2009

The Trouble with Marty

This is a mud crab:

This is what a mud crab does to a finger when he can just barely reach it with his claw:

And this is one way in which mud crabs have contributed to Australian literature:

  
(download)

When I first heard that, I loved it. I've spent a some time with mud crabs. I've had a little bit of interaction with the indigenous people of northeastern Australia. And I can see the boat and the river and the crab swimming away.

So I found out who was talking and looked him up.

He's a white man, performing in black face.

And that's tough to handle. I keep playing the track. I keep listening closely. But I can't smile as much. I miss my imagination's innocence, the picture of an aboriginal comedian performing for a mixed audience.

(The photos above are Lauren's. The finger above is also Lauren's.)

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Filed under  //   australia   imagination   innocence   king billy cokebottle   mud crabs   photography   racism   standup comedy  

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December 18, 2008

And We Can Change It Anytime We Want

I met a girl tonight that had the words it's just a ride tattooed on the underside of her left wrist.  We exchanged stories about near-death experiences and Tool.

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Filed under  //   bill hicks   metaphors   standup comedy   tattoos   tool  

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October 31, 2008

I Can Wear That

I don't think this is how I operated when I was little, but I don't really even remember what was going on in my head when I was in college, let alone when I was seven.

Halloween is track 5 on I'm Telling You For The Last Time.

Halloween by Jerry Seinfeld  
(download)

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Filed under  //   candy   costumes   halloween   jerry seinfeld   memory   standup comedy   superman  

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October 8, 2008

Ducks Are Hip

I've loved Bill Cosby ever since I was little and he was Cliff Huxtable.  And the deeper I dig, the more I see or hear, the more brilliant I think he is.

Great comedians are great observers, and great observation is the source of great wisdom...

I was thinking the other day, which is really groovy.  You have to do that every once in a while.  You have to think.  You know, just lay up in your bed, and just think.  When you don't have anything to do, just think.

The Story Of The Chicken by Bill Cosby  
(download)

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Filed under  //   animals   bill cosby   ducks   observation   standup comedy   thinking   wisdom  

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September 26, 2008

With a Splinter in His Paw

Bill Hicks in 1993.  I post it in honor of tonight's debate, and I dedicate it to everyone's favorite Alaskan Governor.

  
(download)

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Filed under  //   bill hicks   dinosaurs   religion   sarah palin   standup comedy  

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August 20, 2008

A Pretty Good Man

Jerry Seinfeld thinks it's strange to call the guy standing next to the groom the BEST man. If he's the best man, then why's she marrying that other guy? He reckons there ought to be the groom and a pretty good man.

On Saturday, my friend Hesh will be a groom, a I get to be his pretty good man.

I drove to New Hampshire today to pick him up, and, tonight, we crossed Vermont and Champlain and headed into the Adirondacks to rendezvous with the bride and her family.

It was great to get some time alone with Hesh. Fun to hear his thoughts, feel his excitement. Fun to share his nerves. And fun to remind him that I'm working for him this weekend.

Anything gets crazy (drunk people, lonely guests, collapsing tent, grumpy old ladies needing dance partners), and I'll be ready.

I'm hoping for some adventure. Not heaps. But nothing's as fun if it goes perfectly according to plan.

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Filed under  //   adventure   best man   hesh   jerry seinfeld   standup comedy  

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