Tour de France

THE UNDERSTUDY

   The Playbill said that the understudy was going to play the main character. I was concerned that he was going to louse it up. And sure enough he did. He seemed to be short of breath and couldn't prolong those long notes and he relied on his falsetto to hit the high notes. His movements were clumsy.

   This reminded me of my First Grade. I was extremely shy. So I was reluctant that my teacher, Mrs. De Los Santos, chose me to represent our class in a grade level elocution contest. I memorized my long lines and my teacher coached me for weeks. I never asked why she chose her quietest student to do this. I've always assumed she saw potential where no one else did. She gave me a chance.

    On the day of the performance I caved in. I froze ... cowered to as far back of the stage as I could and just whispered my lines. I'm sure she was disappointed but Mrs. De Los Santos never said a word about that incident. It was like it never happened. And I never thanked her for believing in me. Over the years I started to take risks and have since gotten out of my shell.

   During the intermission of the Phantom of the Opera I was hoping the understudy would get better. Well, something amazing did happen. The understudy came alive. Starting from the scene where his mask was removed, it was as if someone also removed his inhibitions. There was a reason why HE was chosen to be the understudy out of everyone else in the cast. He decided to take risks. He took deep breaths and prolonged and belted those high notes; he was able to emote true feelings. When the Phantom cried because no one understood him, I cried with him. No surprise that the crowd gave him a standing ovation --- for the drama in the story and the drama in real life.

   Take the risk folks. Maybe there's a standing ovation waiting just for you.

Wisdom from Kris of Pasadena, CA

Watching the Tour de France
Contributed by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Two Irishmen were sitting in a pub watching the Tour de France on TV.

	Seamus shook his head and asked, "Whoi t'e hell do they do that?" "Do what?" asked Mick.
"Go on them boikes for moiles and moiles, up and down t'e hills, round t'e bends. Day after day, week after week. No matter if it's oicy, rainin?, snowin?, hailin? .. .. ..why would they torture themselves like that?"
	"Tis all for the prestige and the money," replied Mick, "You know the winner gets about a half a million Euros?" "Yeah, I understand that" said Seamus, ... "but why do all the others do it?"

Virgin
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

A ten-year old, under the tutelage of her grandmother, was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible.

Then, one day, she floored her grandmother by asking, "Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? The virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?"

Something About Church
(Not a Joke but something to think about)
Contributed by Kris of Pasadena, CA

Click on the comic strip below to view an enlargement.

Videos of the week:

I'd Blow It All on You
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

A classic video I shared years ago but still very funny.

Water Slide Jump
Contributed by Norm of Arcadia, CA

Admire this engineer who calculates speed, weight and distance. And then risks his life that his calculations are accurate. I guess smart guys do crazy things.

Roberto Carlos' Historic Free Kick
Contributed by Tami of Pasadena, CA

For soccer fans I'm sure this isn't new. But for me this blows me away. It's an amazing "feat" rivaled by Pele's bicycle kick.

Dinosaur in the Office
Contributed by Wally of Moreno Valley, CA

I think I have an idea what I want to do for Halloween.

Starting them young isn't a bad thing. His parents can retire early.

You Raised Me up Dog
Contributed by Wally of Moreno Valley, CA

Another one of those master-dog singing clips.Cute pup.

Young Brother Helps Baby Sister Cross
Contributed by Charrie of Virginia

This creative kid has a solution to a problem I would never have thought of.

We end this TGIF edition with this young kid with a classy, jazzy, smooth, soothing rendition of a classic tune. When I grow up I want to play like him. Such sophistication coming from a boy. TGIF people! Happy Father's Day!