"Do One thing everyday that scares you."  Elenore Roosevelt

imagination; (definition); the faculty of imagining, of of forming mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses;

silly (defintion); absurd; ridiculous; irrational; weak-minded; lacking good sense;

I plead guilty to all the definitions just mentioned.   I've always wondered what it would be like to grow up...you know...to become mature?  Scary, isn't it.  In 2010, I 65 years young, and I still haven't grown up...too scary!  

If the reader displays his or her work, whether it be writing, art, craft or anything else...that person takes a chance that it will be well-received by the visitor or buyer/reader, etc. 

"Trust your own instincts.  Your mistakes might be well your own...instead of someone else's."  Billy Wilder

I've been in the humor business most of my life (55 years) and I guess it's been my calling in life, because I try to put a smile on somebody's face eveywhere I go...and I never get tired of it.  (when does the humor start?)

Before I got into the world of writing...I was a woodcarver in the art world for over 35 years.  Having carved over 200 original cartoon-like characters in wood...and it was here that I learned to take chances with my work and use my imagination...and to be just plain silly! 

This is where I learned to take chances (risks) with my work, and with more than 200 different pieces in my portfilio, I sold nearly everything I ever made.  I sold my work in shops and galleries; and at over 40 arts and crafts shows all over the state of New Mexico, where I live now.  And by the way...we do have running water; electricity; and in-door facilities here in New Mexico.  New Mexico is blessed with thousands of talented artists, craftspeople and writers, etc.  (when does the humor start?) 

I've always liked to make people laugh, and that's why I chose to carve cartoon-like characters in wood.  And, every time I sold one of these silly pieces at a show, I would ask the person why he or she bought the piece, and the answer was always the same, "Because I like it." 

So, this is a little advice to everyone out there...and it doesn't matter what you do...art; craft; writing, etc...take a few chances with your work and use your imagination.  Speaking of imagination...there's probably no one in modern history, that has used the imagination better, than the woman who wrote the 'Harry Potter" series.  Millions of books later and movies and theme parks, etc...she became a billionaire in such a short time. 

 "Trust your own instincts.  Your mistakes might well be your own...instead of someone ele's."  Billy Wilder

I carved some silly things during those 35 years.  I let my imagination run wild!  There were no limilations as far as I was concerned.  I was invited to teach a class in woodcarving at the University of New Mexico in which I declined.  I didn't think there would be enough interest in wood cariving to warrant my time, etc.  (when does the humor start?)

If I did teach wood carving class, the first project my students would carve, would be a donut.  It is probably to easiest piece a woodcarver could start out on.  Everyone in the class would carve the donut in light or dark wood; stain it and carve the frosting on it, and paint the frosting in the color of their choice.  Some of the donuts would have pink frosting; yellow frosting; white frosting, etc.  All of the donuts would be gathered us and put on a plate, to be photographed. 

The donut is one of the first things I ever carved, and I had more fun with it doing practical jokes with it.  I put the wooden donut in a Dunkin Donuts bag complete with the tissue, and I would give it to someone, and the first thing they would say, when they took it out of the bag, "How old is this donut?"  I would laugh and laugh...The donut I carved was chocolate with chocolate frosting and I photographed it on a plate with real donuts, and I couldn't tell the difference between the real donuts and the wooden donut!  (can you tell me when the humor starts?)

 "If people did not do silly things...nothing intelligent would ever get done."  Ludwig Wittgonstein

In the world of wood carving...taking chances and using my imagination...which led to unbelieveable silliness...

- I carved a skunk about 5" tall which was carrying a sign which read, "Help Stop Pullution!"

- I carved a VW with two front ends...and the caption read, "Coming or Going?" 

- I carved a little flu bug, sick in bed with the flu.  The little critter was only about 4" long. lying in bed with a little pillow and sheet.  It read, "Flu Bug Sick In Bed With the Flu!"

"Man is the most intelligent of the animals...and the most silly."  Diogenes

- An apple for the teacher.  I carved an apple of wood, and the piece had a worm, wearing a cowboy hat saying, "You're my favorite teacher, because you have a lot of class." 

- The piece that sold the most, was a little black bear sitting in a red and white baby high-chair.  It had no caption, but as soon as I placed it on the display...it was gone!  (when does the humor start?)

- A wooden octopus, which was on display at Octopus Car Wash for awhile.  I later made a seascape for it, which was incredible. 

"Creative people must entertain lots of silly ideas in order to receive the occasional strokes of genius."  Marshall Cook

- A lion sitting in a bathtub was my second best seller at the time.  A woman asked me one time at a show, "Why is that lion sitting in a bathtub?"  In which I responded, Hell, if I know, lady!" 

- A wooden fish jumping out of the water!  In the picture I took of the fish...this looked as real as I could get it.  I attached a two-foot dowel in the fish, and stuck it in the mud so that the fish looked like it was jumping over the dead log...

"I wonder is illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?  Jerry Seinfeld 

In the world of writing, I brought over my bad habits from the world of art (woodcarving) and I went to work writing silliness.  Actually, I haven't written that many silly pieces (what's wrong with you?), but I wanted to list two for the reader, so the reader can see that silliness still goes foward...or backward...whichever you choose.  I wrote this piece recently, and I think it is one of the silliest pieces I've ever written.  I'll let the reader decide for him or herself.  The piece is entitled, 'You Say Tomato; I Say Tomater' and can be read here;

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=57418

Amazingly, of the 180+ articles now in my portfolio, I have only one, that was written completely with my imagination, etc.  It's about 33 woman drivers in the Indy 500 race, and that's about all I'll tell to as to not give the ending away, etc. This piece has done well, and it got into the top ten at the Directory recently (EzineArticles.com) . Read it here...The title; 

Auto Racing; Ladies...Start Your Engines...
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=43279

"Progress always involves risks.  You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."  Mark Twain

In August 2006, when I started writing seriously, I 'took a chance' and posted my articles on an article directory (EzineArticle.com), in hopes that a few of my articles might be published by website owners.  To my surprise in August, 2010, over 100 of my articles have been publshed on more that 550 websites on the Internet!  Amazing!  More information is available at the links; 

EzineArticles.com;
http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Aragon

Articles published page; (website)
http://humordoctormd.homestead.com/articlespublished.html

Since we're talking about silly writing pieces, there's no more silly writing piece, than the Two-Headed Monster, which I wrote when I joined the Directory.  This piece is my #1 writing piece, having been published on 39 websites on the Internet, which is amazing to me. 

Halloween Party: The Two-Headed Monster
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=24986

When I noticed the weight piece was dragging along the bottom for months, I changed the title (took a chance) to the following, "Here's The Skinny On How I Lost 40 Pounds."  It came out of its coma, and zigged and zagged its way to the top of the pile, and remained #1 for over 3 1/2 years at three different sites!  Amazing! 

- My normal weight (without ego) = 170 pounds

- My normal weight (including ego) = 4,179 pounds

Constipation: Saying Hello To a Costly Enema
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=48149
Never in my wildest dreams, could I have imagined, that I would write an article on constipation, etc.  I didn't think, at the time, that the piece would have many readers.  In May, 2009, I spent 12 hours in the emergency room and lost 14 pounds.  But, the topic was so important, I had to see what the piece would do, so I went ahead with the project.  When I wrote the piece, it was probably at the bottom, at about the #141 spot. (hits/views).   And, 15 months later, this piece has risen from the dead and now occupies the #6 spot in hits/views, so the subject has had quite a bit of interest!  Words cannot describe the great feeling it gives me, so as to help others...so I'm glad I took a chance with it. 

Some chances I have taken over the years have worked out...others have not!  One thing I know for sure (in writing)...I will always take chances, and I will always be as silly as they come...that's just my nature! 

AUGUST 32, 2010; (does the reader see any humor in the date here?)

If the reader is looking for silly and stupid at the same time, and at the same place...you've come to the right place.  The piece is entitled, "Is There No Such a Thing As a Stupit Question?"  Learn more;
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=57918

Where's all the humor you keep talking about?   I don't see any humor around here, gosh-nabitt! 

I'm still waiting for the humor...Y-A-W-N...

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