What Do My Brother, a German Dictator, a Muslim Prophet, a Silent Comedian and Marijuana Have in Common?---April 20th!

I've discovered that April 20th is a pretty amazing day. First off, it was always a special day in my house because it's my brother Adam's birthday.


That's him on the left. Forgive the stupid expression on my face, but I like this picture because it's kinda funny. He turns 17 today and is pretty cool as far as brothers go. He already casually reminded me about a week ago about his impending birthday (he really wants those gifts). But guess who else my brother Adam shares his birthday with....


Yup, that's the leader of the Third Reich himself, Adolf Hitler. Unlike my brother, he's not cool at all. That whole Holocaust thing kind of ruined it for him in the cool scale.

So while I was looking up other famous birthdays, I ran across a couple that I thought were pretty interesting. Look who else's birthday is April 20th....


The Prophet Muhammed, but I bet you knew that already. Although the date of his birth is disputed, I decided to list it here because Wikipedia has it listed and I believe everything they say. I must say he was much cooler that Adolf Hitler (although that isn't hard). He started a religion for Allah's sake, that has to be up there on the cool scale.

And here's a final birthday...


Silent comedian Harold Lloyd! Although not as cool as Keaton or Chaplin, Lloyd was pretty cool in his own right and did some pretty crazy/funny things in his films (I mean, just look at that picture from his film Safety Last! He's really dangling from that clock about 20 stories above the ground---although there was a safety net about two stories below him)

Oh yeah, it's also National Smoke Marijuana Day too, but I bet you knew that. I don't personally smoke marijuana, but for some people it's their favorite day of the year (and I bet they aren't reading this right now).

Well, that's April 20th in a nutshell. Everyone have a great day!

A Warped Sense of Humor If I've Ever Seen One

Okay, so I've been told (or at least I like to believe) that I have an unique sense of humor. Think of the most offensive thing you could possibly say and I'll probably laugh. For example, I've said to my Jewish friend Sammi repeatedly that her people killed my Savior (even though I'm an Athiestic Catholic---more about that later). So, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to explore my sense of humor and the various places it comes from:

1. The Golden Girls: As I've said before, I have watched "The Golden Girls" on Lifetime since the 6th grade. I've probably seen every episode 15 times and can almost quote word for word some of my favorite episodes. How does this affect my sense of humor?: I think it's in the way the girls make fun of each other and can take a joke while still loving each other. From Sophia's cantankerous, old-age quips and Dorothy's yelling and general mean disposition to Blanche's bitchy, aging Southern belle rants and Rose's random confusion. I especially love it whenever they gang up on Rose whenever she tells a St. Olaf story...priceless.

2. South Park: I first started watching this show after my friend Ashley told me about it back in 11th grade. I fell in love with the show and have seen almost every episode. How does this affect my sense of humor?: What other show can you think of that can make fun of "The Passion of the Christ", Catholic priests, Tom Cruise and police framing black people? I'd love to say that this where the offensiveness of my sense of humor got started.

3. Duck Soup: Everytime I see this 1933 Marx Brothers classic, I fall more and more in love with it. How does this affect my sense of humor?: The randomness of the one-liners and, come to think of it, almost every other joke, really inspires me. If only I could write a screenplay in which every single line is a one-liner just like in this one.

4. Keaton and Chaplin: The greatest of the silent clowns (I don't get Lloyd) and every film of theirs is a masterpiece (well, maybe there are a few duds...). How does this affect my sense of humor?: I laugh everytime I see someone fall down.

5. World War II: Now, this is rather offensive, but hear me out. What Hitler did was terrible, but can you think of another dictator who is this much fun? I mean, Jesus, he inspired "Springtime For Hitler"! Add to that concentration camps, the Holocaust, Japanese kamikaze's and the Hiroshima bomb and you've got plenty of offensive hilarity to last for a long time. How does this affect my sense of humor?: Ashley and I have been thinking about writing "Holocaust! The Musical" ever since Photography class last year (quietly, of course, because we didn't want Mr. Dewey to hear).

Well, here's the basic components to my screwed up sense of humor. Tell me what you think with a lovely comment.