Wanna make something of it?
You know, the funny thing is that when I started this blog, I named it because I knew I had a “problem” with comedy. I had a tendency to blurt things out at inappropriate times. Jokes (word associations mainly) would come to my head, and I would share them with the people around me. Too often, this would end in disappointment -- people just weren’t getting my jokes.
Sometimes they would.
I lived for those moments - and tried to forget the others.
I also knew that I had a tendency to call things as I saw them - political correctness be damned! It would irritate me how often logic falls away in the face of a little emotional arm twisting.
Borderline Comedy Disorder – that seemed to sum it up. A sort of a quirky personality disorder of my own devise (not listed in the DSM!).
Funny.
Even funnier – a lot of these quirks are found under another disorder, with a funny name.
Asperger Syndrome. [pronounced ass-burger]
This one IS found in the DSM-IV
What's really funny is that – apparently, a diagnosis of Aspergers automatically makes you “unfunny” in the eyes of comedy writers. Example A: Sheldon, of The Big Bang Theory . . . most certainly an Aspie if ever there was one . . . will not be labeled as such by the writers or creators . . no, no, NO!!! They might be accused of mocking a disability!
Funny.
I normally agree with those who say that no subject is off-limits to comedy, even while I wince at jokes that I feel aimed at me (namely fat jokes, but there are others). Yes, I've been personally annoyed/hurt/bothered, but I dismiss those feelings for they are only feelings. Yeah, call me Spock.
Humor is cruel.
Yes, humor in it's most basic form is cruel. Think “America's Funniest Home Videos” and you'll see the source of all humor: people laughing at other people getting hurt/surprised/splattered/dunked/yougetmydrift. This extends to animals as well.
The Germans call it Schadenfreude. Some could say we laugh because we each see in the “stooge” ourselves and take some humor in the situations that they get into – but if one looks at what and how very young children get their kicks (so to speak) you must understand that they have little pretense to introspection. They just like seeing “oopsies!”
Ahhhhh, but we have come further then The Three Stooges, haven't we? Has not humor evolved beyond slapstick and farce to humor of wit, satire and manners?? Farley Brothers films and pretty much anything on basic cable aside. . . Humor is complicated.
Sooooo, does this mean that I can't make fun of myself? No. I remember well working with a girl who often made jokes at her own expense, and when a guy in the group took a good (and funny) shot at her, she sniped back, “the key word in 'self deprecating humor' is the word SELF!”
Sugar Motta: “I have self-diagnosed Asperger’s so I can pretty much say whatever I want…I’m pretty much like a diplomat’s daughter.”
Ironically, the same people who are making the stink are the people who asked for an Asperger character on a show that is full of stereotypical characters (gay, black, blonde, gym teacher, etc) and now they are complaining because the Asperger characters was stereotyped.
Funny.
Well, thankfully I have this blog and I will continue to make fun of not only myself but whatever I see fit. I don't see myself as a diplomat’s daughter, I just call things as I see them. I had a Borderline Comedy Disorder long before I had any other diagnostic label.
My recent personal revelation (perhaps self-diagnosed, but professionally confirmed) is leading me to take a 2nd look at many things. For this reason (and the fact that I am obsessed with starting new blogs) I have started a couple of new blogs focusing on Aspergers. Please visit Aspergal (gad! something else to read!! ughh!).
~Kiss-My-Assperger!
~Kiss-My-Assperger!
