In a conversation in the comments section yesterday Insomniac Mummy inspired me to start up a sort of “Things I Have Got Out of Blogging” series of posts. So here we go.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to make a number of really good friends through this blog. And many of these friendships have transcended their “virtual” boundaries and grown to be as solid and as real as any I’ve developed through traditional means.
All my blogging friends are incredibly important to me, and my life is enriched by them immeasurably. But my friendship with a chap called Greg has a particular importance to me.
You probably don’t know Greg. If you do it’s probably only because you’ve read one of my sycophantic posts about him. These days he rarely engages with the blogging world, either in comments or over on his own blog. But nearly four years ago when I first dipped my toes into blogging, he was my mentor. His was the first blog I ever read, and his were the first comments I ever received. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be doing this, and so I am truly grateful.
He also bought me my first ukulele, and therefore has incured the wrath of my entire family.
He also happens to be the funniest writer on the whole internet. His is the only blog that I’ve gone back through the entire archives and read every single post ever written. Twice. And I ended up in tears of laughter both times. And there’s a fair few posts to get through too – this guy was one of the pioneers and his first entries date back to 1999.
Unfortunately Greg’s just about given up on blogging over the past couple of years, and the internet is a far poorer place for his absence. I keep trying to persuade him to start up a joint blogging venture with me. I’d happily mothball All That Comes With It for the chance to collaborate in a trans-atlantic “Tales of Two Families” type site. But he just smiles at me, mutters various polite platitudes, and then changes the subject. Damn his eyes.
We’ve flown over to the states to visit Greg (and his fantastic wife Deb and their two kids) twice. Once in 2007 and once earlier this year. Those two visits have been amongst the best holidays I’ve had in my life – and considering that they live in deepest darkest Wisconsin that’s really saying something for their prowess as hosts. They also came over here to visit us too. Despite the distance between us, he and his family are among the Hughes’ most valued friends.
In short, I like the guy and I like his family.
I’ll stop now as I’m probably pissing him off. However in order to illustrate the man’s comedy genius I thought I’d repost a video he did for me.
Just as a quick explanation: A couple of years ago a younger, fatter, me attempted to start my own meme based around pretending to be an orangutan. Here are the rules, followed by my own video:
The Every Which Way but Loose Meme.
The rules:
1. You are auditioning to be in the latest orangutan related comedy blockbuster: Dunston Checks In II: Return of the feces flinger.
2. The Screen Actors Guild restrict non-human primates to only three facial expressions in order that they are not used as cheap substitutes for actors such as Jean-Claude Van Damme and Rosanne Barr. These are: The Raspberry, the Head Shake, and the Face Slap.
3. Create an audition video exhibiting your talent in these three areas.
4. Try and persuade some other idiots to do it too
—————————
Now here’s Greg’s response. To quote The Holmes in the comments section of the original post: “His timing is…it’s awesome.”
I’m sorry Greg. I know you’d have rather I hadn’t posted this. But what can I say, I like to sing your praises.
Related posts:
I had no idea where that was going, but it was funny, very funny. I’m still giggling…..
.-= notSupermum´s last blog ..It’s Not Goodbye….more like Au Revoir =-.
@notSupermum, it still makes me chuckle two years after first seeing it
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
Hilarious!Love the face slap best. I am predicting a round of posts about wny people love blogging, I’ve seen some today already! It’s like one giant meme!
.-= Rosie Scribble´s last blog ..Blogging is not a competitive sport =-.
@Rosie Scribble, either that or the blogosphere is about to implode in a huge argument.
It seems to have passed now, but I’m keeping my head down just in case.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
Hehehee! Very funny!
I’ve had a similar experience to you with a forum that I moderate. I’ve made some good friends, been on holiday with some of them and met up with some at a 3rd birthday party just this Sunday. We’re scattered all over the UK.
I’ve found that some forums and blogging open you up to a whole new world of people you wouldn’t have otherwise met and I like that.
However, there is no way on God’s green earth that I would post a video of me pretending to be an orangutan on t’interweb. I do have standards don’t you know? ;)
.-= Insomniac Mummy´s last blog ..The X Factor and the unstoppable force that is John & Edward =-.
@Insomniac Mummy, oh go on. You know you want to.
How about a chimp then, that would suit your bone structure better.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
Right turn Clyde. Both excellent vids, and does Greg actually own a neck brace for comedy purpose?
.-= SingleParentDad´s last blog ..Doing things by halves =-.
@SingleParentDad, doesn’t everyone?
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
Wow. It’s like I’m watching DeNiro.
Fred DeNiro, my lawn guy.
.-= Always Home and Uncool´s last blog ..Lost in Translation =-.
@Always Home and Uncool, your lawn guy should blog more.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
the beer’s got the better of me tonight (no I’m not an alcholic (as if anyone’s gonna believe me now), but work only starts at 1pm tomorrow..so I can)…but somehow I think I’m probably still laugh out too loud when I’m sober haha
@Arjan, wino.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
That video. I didn’t realize 54 seconds could be such a long time. Dan, if you really want to bring the funny, maybe you should mention what you began to talk about as we drove by that cemetery near Galpharm Stadium.
I couldn’t breathe for two minutes.
On second thought. . .
@Greg, I was half tempted to respond to this comment explaining what you are talking about. Then I thought, urm, better not.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
Greg, you made me laugh for a good 30 seconds. That’s a rare gift.
@Idaho Dad, he’s a talented man.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
Speaking of memes I may have tagged you in one over at mine…..
http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/almost-wordless-wednesday-picture.html
Muahahahahaaa!
:D
.-= Insomniac Mummy´s last blog ..Almost Wordless Wednesday – Picture Perfect Meme =-.
We love you and your family, Dan! Even though we realize that makes you horribly uncomfortable and you’ll have to walk around for the next quarter hour saying “Sorry, sorry” at nothing.
@Deb, Sorry.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
Dan – there is a word for what you are experiencing. It is called a ‘crush’
.-= Sam´s last blog ..Financial Security at Last! =-.
@Sam, it’s true. He’s like the cool, clever and funny brother I never had.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.
Still chuckling. OMG Dan. I love your raspberry and your face shake is genius, but Greg is amazing. So so funny. And I also love your positive slant on current rumblings in the blogosphere. Brilliant.
.-= Jo Beaufoix´s last blog ..Well bred? =-.
@Jo Beaufoix, as I say, the funniest man on the internet.
Looking forward to seeing your own video Jo
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1 =-.