What the Heck are They Talking About: Neurological CFS: His entire career took place after my bedtime

As anyone will tell you, including myself and perhaps especially my kid sister, the world isn’t all about me. And that’s a good thing: otherwise the world would die of boredom instead of laughter.

I guess you could say a little bit of laughter departed this world last night but don’t worry; he’ll be right back…in my memories as well as yours.

And since I'm technically "unemployed" and have had all day to cruise the web looking for Johnny between naps let me give you the quickie tour.

Earthquake mode happens every morning on my computer when the venerable grey lady of journalism hits my email with a thud. Make that what sometimes seems to be the weight of the world. This morning was no different.

So let’s start there. The New York Times obituary on Johnny Carson is the usual graceful mix of fact and commentary, as well as a wonderful collection of audio and video clips, and still photos.

Read their obit and you will know what I'm saying when I note I was also close to flooding as I read about the second to the last 1992 episode where Johnny and the audience were in tears by the time Bette Midler finished singing "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)." Sniff, sniff. Now how does that tune go again?

If all this leaves you with a sudden yen for those late night memories you can rent them but you best be right quick if you want to see them this year. And since being distracted is definitely what I do best, the Divine Miss M always reminds me of my favorite of all her movies, The Rose (1979).

Anyway, like many others have declared before me, I have a soft spot for kids and animals and some of my most vivid "kid" memories of the Johnny Carson show involve Joan Embry and the animals from the San Diego Zoo .

So first I'm bawling and then my bladder also loosens (darn Midorine)just reading this 2001 quote from a tribute to Johnny.

Monkey Goes Potty on Johnny Carson's Head - Do You Remember?

"Going back to The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for a moment, one of the funniest things I ever saw ANYWHERE was when Joan Embry from the San Diego zoo was visiting and brought a marmoset to the show. The tiny monkey climbed on top of Carson's head and relieved himself! You could actually see it dripping down Johnny's forehead! I laughed so hard, I almost had the same problem as the poor marmoset!" –twittylady.

Ever the debonair host, Johnny apparently told Joan, "I'm glad you didn't bring a baby elephant."

Regular readers know that most of my own monolouges often include my version of six degrees of … . The first two names that come to mind in connection with Mr. Carson are Jack Paar and David Letterman. In fact this inquiring mind wants to know if a new joke writer made the Letterman top ten.

Jay Leno also comes to mind, but I’m sorry, but whenever someone says, Jay Leno, I never think Johnny, I always think coolest art collection in a garage. Speaking of cars and art, forget the code, did you know Da Vinci invented a car?

Another sensible person who knows the world isn't all about him, Forbes quotes Mr. Leno as saying, "Having these cars is great fun," Leno says. "And there's a sense of history to all this stuff. We don't really own these cars, we just keep them for the next owners."

As the proud owner of a Caribbean blue hoppity named Abigail, I can relate to that minus the bling ($$$$$$$$$$$$).

For both those of you unfamiliar with my car -- and all the guys who are inevitably clustered around the open engine compartment - hint it's actually in the back – every time I come back out to her after paying for my gas -- "Abby" is a 1974 Volkswagen beetle originally purchased for one of my kids.

Exasperated Shop Owner: “Ms. Duprey, you need to get a real car”
Me: ever the smartass and four out of five staff members agree: “You’re just jealous because everyone honks and smiles when I drive past” - sounding like my mom’s vintage sewing machine on steroids I might add.
Sorry, I searched, but Amazon doesn’t have a sound clip for sewing machines on steroids.

And while I’m tipping my sun visor and paying tribute to important people, let’s not forget Williams Auto and Radiator Repair where the owner and staff – Marvin, Henry, Mr. P, Rooster, Derek, Horace, Joe, Nakia, and especially Gary, have done more CPR on my baby than a crash dummy and have generally kept her in one piece for years. Did I mention Henry finally painted the oil putter in part red and the little stick thing red also because I can never remember how that works. He's my hero.

And while I'm at it, hats off to Williams office manager and all-around babysitter, Phyllis who keeps all of the guys organized and in one piece! My bling (<$) has been paying their salaries for years. Not really, but you already knew that.

Oh okay guys, quick take a bow and exit stage left, because Doc Severinsen's got the band going again.

Leno, Parr, and Letterman aren’t the only comedians in town when it comes to Johnny.“How Johnny influenced my life,” by comedian…

Hey, hey! Who says I can only have so many hotlinks in a post, you are seriously messing with mah rhythum here! Oh okay,I guess it is your server.

Well anyway if you are willing to do the cut and paste thing, some comedian commentary can can be found at the following links.

http://news.bostonherald.com/national/view.bg?articleid=64919&format= http://www.canada.com/entertainment/story.html?id=d363b443-488b-4f88-812a-fe844de99b39

Oh, oh, look out, grab a carrot! Incoming ping-pong balls! Oooppps. Distracted again - Dunn, dunn dun dunnn...THE TRUE STORY OF MY LIFE ON ENCEPHALOPATHY coming to a blog near you. But, seriously folks if you like comedy in general, tributes to Johnny and Jack Parr on this site are included along with the Kaptain, who in my humble estimation, is also one of the greats. Maybe because he was before my bedtime.

Like all my links, the site where I found all of the above is truly phat. Just surf on over to:

http://www.jerrypippin.com/Memories_On_Demand.htm

On a little more formal note, Mr. Carson's biography can be found here: Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Johnny Carson
http://www.medaloffreedom.com/JohnnyCarson.htm

Okay, I get it, the cut and paste thing is getting a little stale. It's cool. I can be down with that.

And as Johnny would say, "I'll be right back..." with another post.

What the Heck are They Talking About: Neurological CFS

His entire career took place after my bedtime

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