The "Laverne & Shirley" Paradox

Not too long ago, I was watching an episode of “Scrubs” while getting ready for work. “Scrubs” was not a TV show I watched regularly when it was first on, but I find the reruns pretty funny. In this episode, one doctor greets another doctor, calling him Beardface. The man turns around, revealing that he was a big, bushy beard. Rather crossly, he replies, “It’s Beard-fah-SAY!” And for some reason, I found this joke hilarious. For several days, every time I logged in to Facebook, I’d think, “It’s Fah-SAY-book!” and crack myself up. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what I like to call the “Laverne & Shirley” Paradox. What is that, you ask? It’s the state where you find a TV sitcom rerun hilarious, where before you either ignored the show, or found it unfunny. What causes it? I think it has to do with expectations. When I sit down at night to watch TV, I want to be entertained. I’m tired, I’ve worked all day, and I’ve got 8 million things I should be doing, so if I’m going to sit down and spend my time with TV, then I certainly want it to be worth my while. But during the day, or on the weekend, it’s a different story. I just want something silly to amuse me. So I’m more willing to spend 20 minutes on Scrubs or The Brady Bunch or almost anything that isn’t an infomercial. And with lightened expectations, I can find the humor among the silliness. Why Laverne & Shirley? Because my sister, so many years ago, mentioned in passing how funny she found the show while she was doing housework.

For Sparky, Who Is Bored with This Blog

It’s been six months since I turned my life upside down—since I quit my job, sold my house, and moved to a new city. And started all over again.

So how am I doing? Good. Things are much better. I told someone that it feels, in a way, like I’ve been released from prison, and I’m learning how to live a normal life. And let me tell you, it’s pretty nice not having to feel stressed out all the time; not feel scared, paranoid, exhausted, or angry. ALL. THE. TIME.

The transition was stressful, for sure. I knew right away that I would be happy in my new job, and I was thrilled to find new coworkers I liked and respected. But not knowing if my house would sell, moving into a dumpy apartment with no furniture, and most especially, having to leave Alice behind (even temporarily), all of that was difficult.

But I’m through that part now, settled in a brand new home. Finding a house to buy was an ordeal worthy of its own blog entry. I’m slowly, slowly unpacking, finding ways to fit my belongings into this new space. And when I’m content with that, I hope to find the time to explore this new place I’m in.