An Olde Family Classic

I wrote this while in NYC a few years back, and thought I'd dust it off, because who doesn't like a good banana peel story?

Today while on the subway, I ACTUALLY saw someone slip on a banana peel! I almost cried I was so happy. That's one more thing to scratch off my list of things I want to see in my life. I love when events that are usually only possible in cartoons happen right in front of your eyes.

Once, at the kitchen table, I put a big glob of mashed potatoes on my spoon, pulled it back like a catapult and aimed it at my sisters face. I let go, and to my surprise, hit her right in the eye. Its one of the best memories I have as a child, especially because she has NO sense of humor and ran into her room. She really doesn't think anything is funny. Not even Sinbad or that cute little Amanda Bines, or even George Bush.

In the 2000 presidential elections, my sister had a TIME magazine that she wanted to keep with Bush and Gore on the cover. I did what every good citizen did at that time and promptly drew a mustache on Dubs. FUNNY. Not to my sister. She told on me. Yup, I was 18 and she was 23, she told on me. Luckily, Mary and Dick are democrats, but they didn't take too kindly when I drew a stache on Jesus. I know he already has one, but I gave him a really dope one that he could twirl if he wanted.

KSiloveyou:
Nanner peels.

NetFix part 2

You may remember from a previous post, that I sometimes order ridiculous movies for my parents as payback for hijacking my Netflix account.

Well, finally, the screening of Beverly Hills Chihuahua commenced. Firstly, its kinda hilarious that my parents will watch whatever comes in the mail, like they can't waste it.

Anyway, I was present during the movie, just so I could document their reactions and reap the benefits of my lame joke. Mary and Dick mostly sat in complete horror and boredom, but I managed to document a few gems.

As the movie began, Mary said, "Is this a true story, Karen?"

I had previously read the synopsis to Mary, and let me remind you what the plot of this movie is if you weren't one of the six people that saw it:
Privileged Chihuahua Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore) rides in style in her owner's designer handbag -- until the pampered pooch gets lost during a Mexican vacation and must find her way home with help from some newfound canine friends. Salma Hayek, George Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Cheech Marin and Andy Garcia also lend their voices to the cast of this whimsical live-action comedy directed by Raja Gosnell.

"Yeah its based on a true story, Mom."

About halfway through the movie, Dick was sighing and was clearly displeased, "Who ordered this movie, Karen? Now tell the truth."

"Mom did."

"No I didn't!" Mary spouts.

"Why? You don't like it, Dad?"

He mumbles bitterly, "It's kind of ridiculous."

"I think its cute!" Mary counters.

"Mom, why do you order these kind of movies?"

"Just to piss off your dad."

Perfect, now Mary's in on the joke. Dick better be prepared for "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "Mars Attacks."

Dr. Irony

I saw this dude, obviously a doctor, wearing a tshirt that said "Actually, medicine is the best medicine."

As he walked toward me, I said, "You got a problem with laughter, man?"

He didn't think that was very funny. So, yeah, I guess he does. Or

Bored Games

My friend is reluctantly on Match.com. I think she's on there just to be reminded as to why she doesn't date these dudes, but also for the incredibly absurd emails she gets.

She received one today and asked me to write the response.

Here’s the dudes email:

so yeah, fun and stuff. i'm also into that sort of thing. perhaps we should get together at some point and invent a new board game with human-sized pieces?

- John

Here's what I wrote, and she sent it:

Dear “John”

When you say board games, what exactly do you mean? Like connect 4? Because I know a few people who look sorta like checkers, so this could really work out great. Its rare to find someone who likes fun and laughter, so we should probably get together asap. We’re like a dying breed. Its like we’re the last 2 dinos on earth and if we don’t hook up, fun and laughterosaurous will be extinct forever.

But seriously, I’m down to get together and chat about origami, sewing and popsicle houses.

- Jane

Its a match.com made in popsicle heaven. I think I may have found a new job.


KSiloveyou: Below is the first version that she vetoed:
Dear “John”

When you say board games, what exactly do you mean? Like connect 4? Because I know a few people who look sorta like checkers, so this could really work out great. Maybe we have our next bay to breakers costumes? I don’t know, I’m just riffing here, going straight off the top of my head. I tend to do that a lot. It’s a part of my daily ritual, it helps me deal with any changes or unexpected events that life throws at me, you know, like pregnancy or Michael Jackson’s death.

I really liked your email, but I’m not sure if I completely get it or if you’re just some sewer rat trying to get a piece of cheese. Either way, sure, you can buy me a few drinks.

You have a beard in some pictures and are clean shaven in others. What am I supposed to believe “John?” Which one’s the real you? Or do you have a twin and you guys like to play games with girl's hearts? Sicko.

Talk to you soon!
-Jane

Scary Mary

Yesterday, while on the train home, the dude next to me had a case of the sleep jumpies. Ya know, when you fall asleep then awkwardly jolt awake. Well, this fucker did it 9 times!! I counted.

I had already had too much coffee and Jumpy Jenkins next to me wasn't helping. The first time he sleep jumped, he violently leaped like 3 feet in the air and scared the shit out of me. My immediate reaction was to punch him in the face, almost like a gargoyle just appeared over my left shoulder. For example:

With my nerves shot from Jack I nap like a dog Jolter, I got home, pulled my car into the garage and headed toward the house. As soon as I got to the door, Mary POPS out at me, from the bushes, yelling, "AHHHHHH!" Which forces me to jump and subsequently yell "AHHHH!"

"Jesus, mom! That scared me. For the 10th time today."

"Welcome home!"

NetFoiled

Dick and Mary hijacked my Netflix account.

Once they figured out that I was paying for it, and any movie could be rented, suddenly my recommendations went from A Mighty Wind, Donnie Darko and Kill Bill to several subtitled Japanese movies, because they rented a Japanese film once and thought every preview looked amazing, so they put them on the que, one about learning Christian values through hard work, and movies like "Songcatcher" - "During a visit to her sister in Appalachia, gifted musicologist Dr. Lily Penleric stumbles upon a musical treasure trove -- dozens of Scots-Irish ballads that have been preserved for generations by the local populace and are unknown to the outside world. Intent on collecting the beautiful songs, Dr. Penleric comes to admire the locals, who live a tough, hardscrabble existence without complaint"

Did you fall asleep? If the people from Little House on the Prarie knew what movies were and then could rent them, that's what they would have rented.

Mary gets pissed if she returns a movie and the one that comes in place of it is a DVD for me. She has also yelled at me if there are not 2 movies available for the weekend.

My parents sometimes rely on me to pick out movies for them. So I'll add movies like Gran Torino and Last Chance Harvey. When I get bored and want to get a rise out of them, and remind them just who's paying for this, I rent something ridiculous that I know they'll be confused and/or angry about.

I just got an email that Beverly Hills Chihuahua is on it's way. Mary will love it for a minute because it's called Beverly Hills Chihuahua but quickly will become bored and indifferent and probably get on her cell phone, leaving Dick to seethe about what a waste of time this is and wishing he was watching a Food Network challenge instead.

The thought of Dick alone in the family room, watching those gay little dogs dance about the Mayan Ruins is wonderful.


When they question me why I added this movie, I will "remind" them that they asked me to put it on the que. And Dick will get even more pissed at Mary.

It arrives today. I'll let you know what the reviews are.

Ksiloveyou: I have no idea what hardscrabble means, but I'm going to use it. You'll see.

Quit Dickin' Around

Dick is a very old school guy. He grew up pretty much taking care of himself and hasn't been given any handouts. Because of that, he has a lot if wisdom, if you can get it outta him by getting past his gruff "Walter Kowalski" exterior. He's usually pretty quiet and just surveys the scene. It's obvious that has opinions and thoughts but he files them away, ready to open them when the time is right. He is definitely not a victim and simply does not deal with bullshit of any kind.

He recently quit smoking after 45! Years. He's been grumpy as hell but he doesn't have a cough anymore, or gurgling in his throat, so that's cool. He can be grumpy if he wants.

The subject was brought up while on a family trip last week, that I was convieniently not present for. Dick, Mary, my sister and her husband were at In n Out. Everyone was praising him for quitting smoking:

"It really is amazing that you just quit cold turkey after 45 years."

"Yeah, you should be proud. They say it's one of the hardest things to kick"

Dick had had enough of this touchy feely shit. "It's not that hard to do! You can do anything you put your mind to!"

His speech got faster and more abrupt as irritation filled his voice

"It's all bullshit. Anyone can do it! You just have to!"

Everyone fell silent as his intensity grew.

"I just told myself to do it! And I did it! You can do anything you put your mind to!"

Everyone was uncomfortable and afraid that he was going to let loose on them: "Do you want that French fry? Just put your mind to it! Fucking chew it and swallow it! That's all there is to it! You just fucking do it! You just eat the shit out of it!"

Dick doesn't want your accolades or sympathy. He just wants you to shut the fuck up. And probably a cigarette.

Still Under the Moon

Oh man. Mary is SO CONFUSED about FacePage.

Last week she told me FacePage makes no sense because, (hold on to your socks, this is going to blow your mind) it's the opposite of email!

"What?!!"

"Well, with email, I type on my page and send it to my friend. With FacePage, I have to go to my friends page and type them a message. When I want to tell my friends about myself I write on my own page?! It makes so sense."

The News Feed is also complete goblyteegook. "I didn't sign up for that news feed, I don't know what it is. Why are people posting on my news feed? I thought I'm supposed to type about myself."

This morning I had the below on my FacePage:


Maybe she'll fare better with Twitter. Or get really bored with it and quit after 3 weeks, like everyone else.

Nuts

THAT is Mary's crazy new "pet." She named the crazy bastard that's hanging on the screen and DEMANDING peanuts, Happy and his apprentice in background, Sunshine.

She feeds them when they come around and she has now attracted this blue jay who is her arch nemesis. When she sees him, she PELTS him with peanuts. Shouting, "Oh, you rat bag! Get away blue jay!" as she CHUCKS more peanuts at him. Of course, this is why the 'rat bag' returns. Everytime he shows up, it rains peanuts.

Happy and Sunshine are completely unruly and I'm afraid they are going to eat my eyeballs out of my skull one day. I hear them in the morning violently leaping onto the screen door to get Mary's attention and food.

I'm pretty positive they would walk in and make themselves a sandwich if she left the door open. [editors note: Imagining squirrels getting a plate and opening bread, then using a knife to spread peanut butter on the bread is making me preeeeeeetty happy right now. HAPPY.]

Mary also has hummingbird feeders and when she sees a hummingbird, she shouts "There's a hummer!" I think my dad gets a lil excited everytime.

The house has turned into an animal kingdom, she's like Snow effing White but with a horrible voice and more jazz hands.