December 30, 2010. The Four Questions

There are a few important questions in my life: 1) Why a Duck? 2) Who's On First? 3) How fast does a swallow fly? 4) Where Wolf?

If you recognize these you are not a fan of classic comedy. I am a fan.

One of my favorite songs is "Smile." Whether it is sung by Nat King Cole, Barbara Streisand or Tony Bennett, it is a beautiful song. Did you know that the music was written by Charlie Chaplin? I think that he wrote it for "City Lights." Which if you haven't seen is your homework assignment.

Nothing makes me happier than to make somebody laugh. Whether it be by telling the same joke that I've told for thirty years, or by making some pithy statement, that everyone thinks is "off the cuff," but has been floating in my head for years. As the song says, "My ad-libbed lines are well rehearsed." I am also full of pith.

I know how to tell a joke. I learned from the movie "My Favorite Year." Mark Linn-Baker gives the best lesson on how to tell a joke. Always stand, use your hands. It works. By the way, this movie is also part of your homework assignment.

What does this have to do with Parkinson's Disease. One of the indications of PD is a masked face. It no longer is natural to smile. All that I keep thinking is that the stone-face worked for the great Buster Keaton.

So if you tell me a joke, and I give you back a blank stare, don't feel bad. It may not be the joke. Then again it may, try standing and please use your hands.

November 23, 2010

For those of you younger than 45, I think that I should explain the title to the blog, "But This is the Hand that I shoot with." It's me remembering a line wrong from "Blazing Saddles." "Blazing Saddles" is widely considered one of the funniest movies ever made. Clevon Little plays Bart, Gene Wildler is The Waco Kid.


Bart: (disbelieving) The Waco Kid. He had the fastest hand in the West.
The Waco Kid: In the world.
Bart: Well, if you're the Kid, then show me something.
The Waco Kid: Well, maybe a couple of years ago, I could have shown you something, but today, look at that. (He holds up his right hand - and it is steady without shaking)
Bart: Steady as a rock.
The Waco Kid: Yeah, but I shoot with this hand. (His left hand shakes wildly)

I've often used this gag when I discuss my Parkinsons.

It makes me laugh. My choice is either be depressed or make jokes. I choose to make jokes.

It may be a defense mechanism, but it keeps me from being morose and in turn making others morose.

Everybody has difficulties that they deal with. Some deal with them better than others. I see no problem talking about your problems, if that is what you choose to do, without complaining about them.

I love humor. I can watch The Marx Brothers, Sid Caesar, Chaplin over and over again. At my lowest moments they can snap me out of it. Laughter is a great cure.