Of the Things of Which We May Laugh V

Continued from

http://sophlylaughing.blogspot.fr/2012/10/of-things-of-which-we-may-laugh-iv.html

         Though this be true, I must nevertheless here consider that I am Sophy, and that, consequently I am in the habit of ingesting excessive amounts of caffeine, sleeping, and representing to myself in dreams those same things, or even sometimes others less probable, which a humorous person keeps in mind in the event one occurs – this way, you’re poised to laugh. How many times have I dreamt that I was laughing and dancing with all my friends, who were all dressed rather extravagantly, when I was instead lying in bed floating on luxurious Egyptian sheets?  At present moment, however, I certainly look funny sitting here with this laptop draped across my lap, boots up on the bed, tea by my side, with eyes wide awake; I type with purpose (or lack thereof); I extend my fingers consciously and with express purpose; and I perceive it; the occurrences in sleep are not so distinct as all of this. Still I cannot forget that, at other times I have been deceived in sleep by similar ridiculous illusions; and, attentively considering those cases, I perceive so clearly that there exist no certain marks by which the state of laughing can ever be distinguished sleep, that I feel greatly entertained and astonished; and in amazement I almost persuade myself that I am now dreaming that I am laughing. 

Of the Things of which we May Laugh, IV

Continued from

http://sophlylaughing.blogspot.fr/2012/10/of-things-of-which-we-may-laugh-iii.html

But it may be said, perhaps, that, although the senses occasionally mislead us toward thinking negative thoughts and reacting accordingly, and such responses are so far removed from us as to be beyond the reach of close observation, there are yet many other of their pathetic and miserable informations, of the truth of which it is hilariously impossible to doubt; as for example, that I am laughing and that my name is Laughing so that I might be described as laughing in a way that a humorous shift occurs whenever the subject arises. How could I deny that I possess the name Laughing, and often times laugh, and withal escape being classed with persons in a state of over-seriousness, whose brains are so distorted and clouded by seriously dark vapors as to cause them pertinaciously to assert that they are to be “taken serious” when they are quite funny. I should certainly be not less insane than they, were I to regulate my way according to examples far more interesting. 

Of the Things of which we May Laugh, III

Continued from: 

http://sophlylaughing.blogspot.fr/2012/10/of-things-of-which-we-may-laugh-ii.html

 All that I have, up to this moment, accepted as possessed of the highest truth and certainty, I received either from or through the senses. I observed, however, that these sometimes mislead us toward negative feelings; and it is the part of prudence not to place absolute confidence in seriousness in that by which we have even once been deceived (90% of what kills us never happens). 

Of the Things of which we May Laugh

     

     Several years have now elapsed since I first became aware that I had accepted, even from my youth, many serious opinions for true, and that consequently what I afterward based on such principles was not funny in the least; and from that time I was convinced of the necessity of undertaking once in my life to rid myself of all the serious explanations for natural phenomenon I had adopted, and of commencing anew the world of building from a much funnier foundation, if I desired to establish a coherently enjoyable, abidingly humorous superstructure. But as this enterprise appeared to me to be one of the most farcical magnitude. I waited until I had changed my name to Laughing as to leave me no hope that at any stage of life more advanced I should be better able to laugh about my design. After contemplating this and other things over a delicious plate of crêpes saturated in maple syrup and melted butter, I deliberately set out to free my mind from all serious cares and am happily living in Paris, disturbed by no passions, and since I am in the lucky possession of leisurely life in a peaceful environment, I will at length apply myself humorously and freely to the general overthrow of all my former serious-minded opinions.