October 28, 2012

  • I have a phrase I often say: "Believe half of what I say."

    The phrase, in and of itself, is partly satirical given that the percentage varies by, and depends on, the situation at hand and that it actually refers to two different phenomenon, thereby being just as convoluted and multi-meaning as the phrases it attempts to explain.

    Often it's uttered right after I have just said something which could be construed as possibly insulting. Here, it means to remind that part of my sense of humor is couched in shock. As I'm sure I've explained before, I may use saying something outlandish to underscore how outlandish and devoid of being taken seriously it is. Or, other times  just to be absurd. Further, it serves to remind that, whatever I may say about those in my company, I would never actually mean anything disparaging. To do otherwise would be thoroughly out of character for me.

    On the other hand, I've often gotten the response to things I say, "Wait, what do you mean by that? This or This?" Both, though not always equally. I couldn't rightly explain to you why people's concerned responses to joking about suicide only serve to tickle me more but it certainly involves that bizarre notion of black humor while simultaneous concern. It moves me in both ways. Likewise, if I sound sarcastic about something, I'm probably highlighting the ironic nature of the matter while trying to seriously make the point of the statement.

    The world is rarely firmly black and white; and I've always had a disdain for having to choose.