by Diane Tate

Laughing when you’re not supposed to

Financial meltdowns. Political campaigns. Global warming. Laughter feels like a guilty indulgence. Or is my remorse stemming from the fact that some of the things that have made me laugh the hardest recently may prove offensive?

But share I must. So, if you are easily offended, please stop here and just scroll down to the end of this post to watch the video. For the thicker-skinned, I’m publicly disclosing 3 items which unfailingly tickle me to the core…regardless of how many times I view…and view…and view them….:

  1. This repulsive portrayal of the male fantasy world (watch the Ferrino Mizzoni clip). Why, then, as a female, do I relish watching it? A Rebounder’s Delight (credit to my friend Amit – he’s really quite talented don’t you think??).
  2. This deliciously funny satire of Linden Labs’ bizarre yet incomprehensibly popular Second Life virtual world. Don’t get me started on how weird it is. I feel free saying this because all Second Lifers are IN Second Life and quite unlikely to be reading this “real” life blog. Of course, that means you readers out here in the real world have likely never ventured in to Second Life and will likely miss the humor… I personally only have because I interviewed there (I swear!).
  3. This I PRAY soon-to-be dated depiction of Sarah Palin’s Facebook page. Every detail is exquisite.
  4. ADDENDUM FROM 8/3/09 (couldn’t post as a video clip due to NBC litigiousness): http://www.tmz.com/2009/05/10/justin-timberlake-mother-lover/

I thank God that the human species has been specially endowed not only with reason, but with humor. I also believe that, when we get to those infamous “ledge” moments, comedy can kick in beyond our control, overtaking us as an evolutionary survival mechanism.

Such subsummation by laughter is most perfectly depicted in one of my favorite scenes, appropriately (given this electoral season we find ourselves in) from “The Candidate”…if you have ADD, fast-forward to :45:


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by Diane Tate

Validation of my brilliance

In that lame, self-promoting spirit of “I Said It First” (recall I’ve never held back from shameless pandering): Liz Ann Sonders, SVP & Chief Investment Strategist at my beloved employer (and nearly as brilliant and beautiful as me), writes today:

Gov’t to pull a Buffett?
I also think the Fed may have to consider direct investments via preferred shares in banks; kind of like a mega-Warren Buffett, and/or allow financial institutions outside the normal banking system, like commercial lenders, to borrow directly from the Fed via the discount window, with appropriate collateral and with an oversight that those borrowings do indeed get lent out.

Of course, I noted this nearly 1 week ago which feels like eons in light of the unprecedented pace of change bemoaning the financial services industry. But who am I to shamelessly self-promote? I always give credit where it’s due.

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by Diane Tate

The Weekend of Causing Scenes, Part 2


The ultimate Saul of Tarsus moment*: confessing to a room full of Obama supporters that you once supported John McCain. A sheep among wolves? Au contraire: these are progressives. Therefore, the response is rather this: a feigned intellectual curiosity seeking to cover up utter shock, disbelief and audacity.

My co-campaigner Chris managed to emote this quite well: note the seemingly focused, attentive gaze which all but masks the glimmer of terror further into the eyes.

*And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

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