By The Way...

Thursday, August 17, 2006
6:37:00 PM EDT
Hearing Adore -- Smashing Pumpkins

Photo by Wil Wheaton -- provided under Creative Commons license

Who are these two zany, wacky guys, who are clearly on a nutty road trip adventure in which hilarious hijinx will undoubtedly ensue? Well, the one on the right is none other than Wil Wheaton, writer, actor, poker player and all-around Internet sex symbol. But as red-hawt sexy and interesting as he is, this entry is not about him. No, this entry is about the guy on the left: Mykal Burns, mutual friend to Wil and myself. That's right, I know a guy who knows famous people. You may touch me. But beyond that, Mykal is one of the funniest guys I know. Which brings us, finally, to this week's Weekend Assignment, suggested by Jevanslink:

Weekend Assignment #125: Who is the funniest person you know in your real life [as opposed to an actor or stand up comic] and why? As the assignment says, you can't pick people who are professionally funny (unless you personally know someone who is, in fact, an actor or a comedian). We're looking for the friends or relatives or other people you know who crack you up every single time you see them.

Extra Credit: Well, duh: Pictures of Mr. or Ms. Funnypants would be nice.

I've known Mykal since the two of us were in middle school, and he's generally been pretty damn funny the whole time I know him. He's not the sort of guy who needs to make you laugh the moment you see him; his humor is more laid back and sly. He's not a Jim Carrey; indeed, he's not like a comedian at all. If he's like anyone he's like James Garner in The Rockford Files -- the guy with just the right quip at just the right time. It's the sort of humor that sidles up to you, and doesn't wear out its welcome. Which, you know, is useful when you know a guy for 25 years.

Which is not to say that he's all laid back. When Mykal turned 26, he had a "Double Bar Mitzvah" party in which he celebrated his manhood -- again! -- by reading not from the Torah, but from the script of Pulp Fiction; specifically the scene where Christopher Walken discusses hiding the wristwatch for three years in a Vietnam POW camp. It was, indeed, one of the funniest things I ever had the pleasure of experiencing. This is a funny guy.

(And also a good guy, and for proof of that, here's Wil, who says of Mykal: "If I invite him to a barbecue or offer to take him to a Dodger game, he may tell me that he can't make it for one reason or another. But if I call him and ask him to help me move some junk in my garage, or pick up my kids from school because I'm stuck at a meeting or anything else like that, he'll immediately drop everything to help out, and will never expect or accept anything in return for his help. His loyalty and generosity is truly staggering, and I'm lucky to have him as a friend." Indeed you are, Wil Wheaton. As I am I. As would you all be, were you his friend.)

You're up: Tell us about someone you find completely hysterical. Write it up in your blog or journal, and then come back here to leave a link!


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This entry has 13 comments: (Add your own)

• #13 Comment from lurkynat 
  8/26/06 1:27 AM | Permalink

  my brothers are both pretty funny!lol!
  they crack me up!:)
  natalie
  http://journals.aol.com/Lurkynat/Interface/
  
• #12 Comment from lurkynat 
  8/26/06 1:24 AM | Permalink

  carrying a funny, long winded sign:
  "Monponsett desreves to be on everybody's long list for observing how hysterically funny John Scalzi is on a regualr basis!"
  (sweat is driping off my brow...)" whew!"
  natalie
• #11 Comment from xogangsta456ox 
  8/21/06 10:11 AM | Permalink

  hi
• #10 Comment from teeisme57 
  8/19/06 5:36 AM | Permalink

  http://journals.aol.com/teeisme57/OhMyWord/entries/2006/08/19/watch-out-for-your-psp-savvy-friends.../1856
• #9 Comment from jevanslink 
  8/18/06 5:51 PM | Permalink

  http://journals.aol.com/jevanslink/AskMrsLinklater/entries/2006/08/17/the-funniest-person-i-know/2464
  
  I think we should have had another rule -- the funniest person can't be an AOL blogger.  It has to be someone REAL.  Haaaaaaaaaaa.   Mrs. L

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