Consistency
It’s been a while since my last blog post. Work and family commitments have been taking the bulk of my time, and as the holidays quickly approach it’s only getting crazier. I’m sure you know the feeling…
There’s been a lot of major changes on this end regarding work, family and health. I’ll fill you in on more details soon, but in the meantime I’ll tell you that I’ve quit smoking!
Although I’ve quit many times in the past, this time I’m committed to making it stick.
Whether in regards health, career, learning spanish, or fighting the cravings to take a quick puff…consistency is the key. I’ve managed to be consistent with this for three months and counting. And now I’m going to attempt to be a bit more consistent with my blogs posts as well.
I’m hanging with the very funny comedian Scott Wyler and singer/impressionist Travis Turpin. We’ll be performing together on Princess Cruise Line this week in the Panama Canal, but today we’re in LA for the day getting our fix of apple strudel (in lieu of smoking;) at beautiful San Pedro’s own Mishi’s Strudel.
- Mishi’s Strudel – The only “must hit” spot in San Pedro
FYI – Although I may look like one in this photo, I am not actually a hobbit.
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!
The Health Benefits of Laughter
Go ahead. Laugh. Your health may depend upon it. People need to laugh more, especially when one considers the state of the world today. Flip through the channels on the television, listen to the radio while driving your car, surf the internet and you will be sure to hear stories of fighting in the Middle East, a kidnapped child, or the horrible economic state of the world. Hearing the news can raise stress levels and create havoc in a person’s immune system. Daily living also takes its toll on the body and its immune system.
Working, maintaining healthy relationships, carpooling, running errands, taking care of your family, and cleaning your house can wear a person ragged. The antidote ? A good, healthy laugh. The importance of laughter is becoming more and more recognized as doctors and scientists perform more studies linking laughter to increased health and vitality. It is more important than ever in today’s stress filled society to have a good laugh. The health benefits of laughter are numerous.
A person who laughs will have a stronger immune system. Laughing strengthens your bodies’ defenses against invading germs and bacteria. A person who laughs frequently will experience less colds and other viruses than his or her non-laughing counterpart. And if a person who laughs often does become ill, the duration of the sickness is shorter. So go ahead and laugh more; it will keep sicknesses at bay.
Dr. Miller with the University of Maryland recommends “that you try to laugh on a regular basis.” Dr. Miller and others from the University of Maryland performed an experiment that clearly links laughter and the healthy widening of blood vessels. In this study, some participants watched a movie that made them laugh and others watched a stressful movie. The participants who laughed experienced increased blood flow through their veins. Conversely, the people who watched the non-laughing movie had a decreased flow of blood through their constricted veins. According to the study, laughing often could result in fewer heart attacks and strokes.
Laughing will make you feel good. When we laugh, powerful chemicals called endorphins are produced and released into our bodies. Endorphins are natural morphine-like compounds that block pain, both physical and mental. If you’re looking for a safe, healthy high, laughter may be your answer.
If you are experiencing lethargy or depression, laughing just may be what the doctor orders. Coffee and energy drinks may create an artificial boost in energy levels and feelings of elation, however, this effect is temporary and detrimental to your body and spirit. A much healthier option is laughing, something we often forget to do especially when plagued by ill feelings and lack of energy. Laughing will increase positive thoughts and boost energy levels naturally.
So go ahead and laugh more. Make laughter an important part of your daily life. Watch funny movies, tell jokes, socialize with funny people, or watch a comedic professional. You don’t have to laugh well; you just have to laugh.
The Rochester Institute of Technology Juggling Festival
As for what goes on at one of these events. Well, juggling. Lots and lots of juggling.
Whether you’ve never juggled before or you’re a world champion, there are classes to help you progress. There are shows, competitions, and of course vendors selling the latest juggling related gear.
If you’re wondering who attends these festivals…well, jugglers. Some are professional performers, some are serious hobbiest, some are meer dabblers. We also attract yo-yo artists, hula hoopers, magicians, unicyclist, acrobats, and other sorts of variety acts. All age groups are represented, from all over the country. We even attracted performers from as far away as Sweden, and they were good.
On Saturday some non-juggling friends of mine who live nearby decided to come over for a visit and check out the festival. Because I’ve been going to these events for 20 years I sometimes forget what it was like to walk into a room of 500 jugglers for the first time. This time I got to witness my newbee friend’s reaction to the whole scene.
A gym floor covered with people, hundreds of objects flying thru the air at any time, little pockets of people scattered about practicing things like throwing boomerangs (yes, indoors), picking things up with their feet, and jumping on pogo sticks.
After about an hour Tom leaned over to me and said, “Man, jugglers are weird.” Apparently right then remembering that I was a juggler as well, he corrected himself by saying, “Well, some jugglers are weird.”
I let him know he was right the first time.
Buddy the Chihuahua Sings Again
We got to babysit Buddy for a few days this week again and he mentioned that he wanted to make another video.
It’s Buddy and my Melodeon Mediocrity, take two!
Still wondering if he likes it or hates it?
Randy’s State of the Union
I’ve spent the majority of the last three months flying, sailing, and touring throughout North, Central, and South America and one thing I’ve seen everywhere is tourist. For as bad as the economy is said to be, people are cruising, flying, and traveling all over the place. Sure, we seen better days. I certainly wish I could travel back to 2006 when my home was worth twice what it is now….but I can’t. At least not yet…with today’s technology.
The point I’m trying to make is that it could be worse. It could be a lot worse. What if the United States were no longer a super power, what if China owed us, what if Charlie Sheen was actually getting more famous for his crazy antics…
OK, maybe it could be better too.
Besides the usual travel and gigs, this week I also had the time to race in USA Triathlon’s season opener The 28th Annual Great Clermont Triathlon. And by race…I mean I showed up, set up my transition area, put on my wet suit, and started the swim….
As to the finish….more on this in the next post.
This week I’ll be flying up to New York to perform at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Apparently math nerds like juggling nerds. Cool!
Everyone’s A Critic
Check out Buddy the Chihuahua and my musical stylings on the melodeon.
Inaugural Passage on Oceania Marina
It’s never easy waking up at 4 a.m. to catch a plane, but on Feb. 8th my excitement made it a little bit easier that usual. After sleeping thru a short 30 minute flight from Orlando I landed at the Miami International Airport and made my way to the cruise terminal. The hustle, bustle, and excitement of embarkation day was in full effect.
From the pier, Marina looks almost identical the the other Oceania ships. Same classic design, only bigger. Today we would sail away with 1200 passengers. A small ship compared to most lines, but twice as large as the other ships in the fleet.
The check in process was surprisingly smooth for a totally new operation. I checked my bags, turned in some paperwork, and made my way to the gangway. Thru the grand atrium, past the destination desk, and right into the theater. After working on Oceania’s smaller, 684 passenger, ships for the last three years I was eager to see how this new venue was going to compare. I entered and smiled.
Unlike the smaller ships which have a lounge and cabaret style seating, this new room is set up as a theater. It holds about twice as many people, has great sight lines, and, most important to me and any other comedian working the room, there’s no dance floor between the audience and stage….an area known as comedy death.
The assistant cruise director Nolan gave me a mini tour of the ship and then showed me to my cabin. Located on deck seven with a small veranda, full tub, stand alone shower, 40″ flat screen, and more open space than I’m used…I began to smile more.
After unpacking and sending my clothes out for pressing I headed up to the top decks. Now let me just say that I love this whole ship, but my favorite areas are the pool and sports decks which are a huge improvement over the other ships. The pool is approximately 10 meters long which means you can now actually swim in it, rather than just get wet. And in addition to the cruise ship standards of ping pong, shuffle board, and put put…..there’s now a paddle tennis court (super fun!), great mini golf course, driving cage, and jogging track (away from all the deck chairs and sun loungers). And at night, the lights around the pool and top decks make the area look like the Palms in Vegas. Beautiful!
I also love the new library area with plenty of little alcoves where you can quietly disappear with a book, the gym which is hi tech and spacious, and all the little bars and seating areas that populate the ship and offer a wide variety of spaces in which to relax, have a drink, and chat with friends.
I joined the ship for a week and never got off in a port. For me, the ship was definitely the destination.
My first show was on the third night of the cruise. Standing behind the main curtain, I listened as the people filled the theater. The curtains opened to a wall of faces. I can only hope that after the newness of the inaugural cruises wear off that the guests are just as likely to fill the room. The show was great (naturally:) and the audience was awesome!
In addition to myself, the Unexpected Boys, who do a type of Jersey Boys show, were on for the week with me. And there is now a full cast of singers, dancers, and musicians (16 total) that will remain with the ship and do a collection of broadway style production shows. I got to see one while I was on and it was smoking’ hot.
I did a second show two days later to another full house. I may get spoiled…
Today I’m flying home from Costa Rica and will look forward to another week on the Marina in March.
Why Comedy Works
Comedy works because it can heal us emotionally. Think about how you feel after experiencing an episode of gut wrenching laughter. Perhaps you’ve watched a funny movie or maybe you’ve attended a professional comedy show. Do you feel cleansed, renewed, and energized? If so, chances are that you’ve had a cathartic experience. According to Wikipedia, catharsis refers to a sudden emotional climax that evokes feelings of great laughter or any other extreme change in emotion, resulting in restoration, renewal and revitalization in members of the audience. These intense feelings of euphoria and good humor can last for up to 45 minutes afterward. The long term emotional benefits of laughter include a decrease in stress levels and a more relaxed attitude. Maybe if you laugh more frequently, you’ll find yourself cursing your boss under your breath less often and perhaps you’ll even altogether stop flipping the bird to all the other drivers on the freeway.
According to a study done at Texas A& M, comedy works because it makes us more hopeful. Scientists showed half of the test subjects a funny video; the other half of the participants viewed nothing. Participants who watched the laughter invoking video scored higher on a survey of hopefulness than their non-laughing counterparts. Laugh more and you’ll experience more hopefulness and with the often depressing affairs of the world today who couldn’t use a little more hope in their daily lives?
Comedy works because it holds the power to heal our bodies. Laughter may provide emotional strength and endurance to people struggling with hardships. A friend of mine, whom I’ll call Chrissy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of becoming depressed, Chrissy was determined to use humor to deal with her illness. She donned a purple wig and laughed at every opportunity. Chrissy chuckled with friends, watched funny movies, and went to professional comedy presentations. Today, after a long and hard battle, she is cancer free. According to a study at the University of Maryland, people with heart disease are 40% less likely to laugh compared to people the same age with no heart disease. Laughing can prevent high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, heart disease and ulcers. Laughter truly can be the best medicine.
Comedy works because it reduces stress and keeps sickness at bay. Laughing has been proven to strengthen the immune system making it easier for our bodies to fight nasty infections and viruses. Humor can also trigger the release of endorphins, a feel-good chemical our bodies produce. These endorphins make us feel happy and stress-free.
Comedy really does work. Get out there and laugh loud and often! Your spirit, your heart and your health just may depend upon a daily dose of laughter.
Bring some comedy to your next event….www.RandyJuggler.com
Article originally posted here: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Cabral
“Humor in the Workplace”
A strong young man at the construction site was bragging that he could outdo anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of John, one of the older workmen. After several minutes, John had enough.
“Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is?” he said. “I will bet a week’s wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that outbuilding that you won’t be able to wheel back.”
“You’re on, old man,” the braggart replied. “It’s a bet! Let’s see what you got.”
Morris reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then, nodding to the young man, he said, “All right. Get in.”
Sure, everyone enjoys a good laugh but is the workplace an appropriate place for humor? Why should corporations bring humor into the workplace? Working should be taken seriously. After all, deadlines must be met, sales have to be pitched, and reports written. With so much to accomplish during the work week (especially when one considers that layoffs have left many companies short-staffed) won’t bringing humor into the workplace prove detrimental to productivity?
Contrarily, introducing humor into the workplace boasts many social benefits such as strengthening employee relationships, fostering better teamwork, boosting employee morale, and increasing creativity. Humor in the workplace can actually increase a company’s productivity and make employees more satisfied and a satisfied employee will work harder and longer than one who is unhappy.
Studies prove time and again that employees who feel “emotionally bonded” work better together as a team. The use of humor in the workplace will increase employee bonding. People who laugh together will work together more effectively. An important goal of many companies is to create the feeling among employees that the company is a team and each employee an integral part, working together towards a common goal. Studies prove that laughing together fosters strong bonds between people. With corporations becoming increasingly diverse (think international and national employees with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds) laughter just may be the most effective tool in overcoming differences and forging the bonds that will benefit the company.
Humor will increase employees’ creativity. In today’s changing world, an employee who can “think outside the box” is a great asset to any corporation. Humor has been proven to foster creativity. Employees who use humor or are exposed to humor develop better problem solving skills, work more effectively, and are more productive.
Laughing in the workplace could decrease employee absences. Certainly everyone has heard the adage that laughter is the best medicine. Scientists and doctors are increasingly proving this to be true. Humor in the workplace will strengthen employees’ immune systems. People who laugh are less likely to develop a cold and when “laughing” people DO become ill, the duration of the illness is much shorter than in a humorless person. Laughing can also increase employees’ energy levels, leading to a more-fast paced working environment that is ultimately more productive.
So corporations, let you employees laugh. Better yet, make them laugh. Tell jokes, post funny items, hire a professional entertainer for corporate events. Keep your employees laughing, and your company will benefit.
Bring humor into your workplace www.RandyJuggler.com
Article originally posted by Randy Cabral on Ezine.com
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