The RHLC!

[Ilikemuppets]

I get what you're saying. I said before that being negative can often be comforting. I should have added that that doesn't mean it's right. It's true that you won't get hurt as much if you anticipate the worst. But it also means you won't get to experience the good in life, because you were too afraid it would be bad. Sometimes you have to take the chance.

You're right, it's not always a good thing to have negative feeling like that. You really do havt to take chances in like because you never know what you might be missing out on. Somtimes you just have to come out of your shell. But we do all work at getting better at that with everyday. I know that the m long I'm alive, the more I learn to take chances that I never would have taken before at some other time in my life. You have to ask yourself if it was really worth it? and what the worst that could happen it I don't?

 

[CensoredAlso]

And like William said, it's good to be a little careful. Sometimes it's great to be as optimistic as I like to be, but other times it is better to be a little cautious. I believe that it's all about trying to do as many things as you can that make you happy, and in a way that you know will help you stay that way!

Yeah it's weird that there's often two schools of thought on this. Some people are always optimistic, while others are always negative. You really just need a balance. You can't be so optimistic to the point of being naive (not that you are, Skye ). But you can't be too depressing either.

Yeah, life's not complicated! lol

 

[Skye]

You can't be so optimistic to the point of being naive (not that you are, Skye ). But you can't be too depressing either.

Haha, gee thaaaaaanks, heralde! No it's true, I can be a little naive sometimes, and I don't mind admitting that about myself. I do know when to be better about that, though, too. And you're right, you also can't be too depressing either. It sure is a fine line!

 

[CensoredAlso]

you also can't be too depressing either.

Very true, I learned a long time ago not to complain or vent too much at people. It turns them off and makes you feel even worse!

Interesting how this has become something of a psychology thread! lol

(and no you're not naive, Skye, who would say that? Hehe)

 

[Skye]

Interesting how this has become something of a psychology thread! lol

Haha, yeah really! Well, my kinda subject, I guess, as a psychology major myself!

And you're right. I always try to be there for my friends when they need to vent about anything at all. But venting too much does bring you down even more as well as those around you. It creates this negative air that surrounds you, and that's not healthy or pleasant at all! But it is totally healthy and natural to vent sometimes, and get some things off your chest. I guess you gotta try to find just the right balance for that, too! There sure is a lot of finding the balance between too much and too little of certain things in life.

(and no you're not naive, Skye, who would say that? Hehe)

Aw, thanks, hehe!

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

It's good to vent, but I don't seem to do it often enough. I guess that's why I'm a little jittery and fretful sometimes.
Chatting on this site helps me work off the daily angst, and so does exercise...and of course, watching the Muppets helps too.

Reminds me of something Richard said, when he was asked where he got his energy and humor from. His response was "two things: heredity, which I got free, and orange juice, which I buy by the gallon...no, three things. Being with the Muppets helps too."

 

[Skye]

Reminds me of something Richard said, when he was asked where he got his energy and humor from. His response was "two things: heredity, which I got free, and orange juice, which I buy by the gallon...no, three things. Being with the Muppets helps too."

Very cute quote! I love that. And I certainly imagine that being with the Muppets would help him out with that immensely!

 

[CensoredAlso]

That is a great quote, one of the coolest. And that's great that you're a psychology major, Skye, there's so much to study. I'm curious, do you ever read something and start getting paranoid, like thinking, "Oh man, they're talking about me!" I've been told it happens to everyone who studies Psych.

 

[Skye]

Haha, no actually, that's never happened to me. I do notice other things... like things that are generally hereditary, and I think if I or my friends have it in their families. Things like that.

But I don't see stuff and think... "Uh-oh!!! I'm totally..." or anything like that I almost expected to at first, though!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Hehe, that's cool anyway. It's interesting to learn about why your family looks or acts a certain way.

Ok, I recently got to see Puppetman again, the unsold Henson pilot Richard participated in. So I thought I'd share a bit of what it was actually about. (Note, this would contain SPOILERS!).

Gary is a professional puppeteer who, along with his long-time friend Del Zivic (that's Richard), has gotten a job with a local kid's show called Dragon Time ("Time doesn't drag when it's Dragon Time!"...get it? drag? dragon?) As the show opens we see them filming an episode for their new show, the director and crew in the control booth above. (Note, this is an interesting scene because we (the fans) have rarely seen shots of Richard actually puppeteering.)

Rita, the human star of Dragon Time surprises her dragon friends with a song to close the episode. It's a surprise to the real life cast and crew as well, apparently Prima Donna Rita is known for adding things at the last minute! One of the female dragons named Gertha shows her "appreciation" for Rita's ad-libbing by blowing smoke in her face. "She did it again!” Rita cries, "She ruined my song!" The caustic Gertha replies, "That didn't ruin her song, her mouth did!"

The director calls cut, the camera pans out and the performers start to scatter. We see Gertha is, of course, just a puppet and doesn't really have a long-standing grunge against Rita. It's her puppeteer, Del, who's causing all the trouble. But Gary knows how to handle his friend, "Del, go to your room!" Del walks guilty (heh, not really) to the green room.

Bud the director, a sort of blustering but likeable dumb guy, approaches Gary, announcing his plans to fire Del. He's upsetting Rita too much (and it's sort of implied that she's sleeping with the director, wink wink). But Gary tells Bud if he Del is fired, he'll be walking too. Of course, the director instantly changes his tune, he can't lose both of his puppeteers, the show's struggling enough as it is. He admires Gary's integrity. At which point, Bud's son (Little Bud, an ‘80s hip dude) points out, "Dad, you hate integrity." Bud responds, "Oh well, that's in a regular guy, not in a puppet person!"

Gary meanwhile heads to the green room and finds Del listening to music on his headphones. He's put Gertha aside for now, in favor of Earl, a jollier looking dragon puppet. Here Muppet Wiki made a fascinating point; Del often expresses himself through his puppets, especially when trying to avoid a conversation. Gertha represents Del's disagreeable, nasty side. And as we shall see, Earl represents the goofy, playful aspects of his personality. Gary generally doesn't tolerate this and has to fight for his cheeky friend's attention...

Gary: "Del..."

Earl (who is really Del): "Uh, he's not here right now!"

Gary: "Del, I want to talk to you about Rita."

Earl: "Oh, he doesn't want to talk about her! Huh huh!

(Del is eventually persuaded to remove the headphones)

Gary: "Del, I want to talk to you about Rita!

Del: "Oh, I don't want to talk about her."

Earl: "See? Huh huh!"

Gary: "I'm serious. You have to try to get along with her."

Del: "But, Gary, I do try..."

Earl: (pleadingly) "He tries! He tries! Oh he tries!"

Del laughs, rather proud of his performance. : D But Gary has his own problems. He's just had a call from his ex-wife. She has an audition to go to, and is sending their son Zack to stay with him. Gary is extremely nervous; he's never taken care of Zack alone before.

The next day, Del is back in the green room, having another good time with Earl. Enter little Zack with his suitcase. He's very happy to see Earl, clearly they've "met" many times.

Zack: "Earl!"

Earl: "Where?! Where?!"

Zack: "You!"

Earl: "Oh, yeah right!"

(Del puts Earl away and seemingly ignores Zack)

Zack: "And you Uncle Del!"

(Of course, he wasn't really ignoring Zack)

Del: "Oh that's right! Come here, pal, how you doing?"

(He picks Zack up, gives him a kiss and puts him on the table. Very sweet!)

Once Gary and everyone else is in the room, the head of Dragon Time has bad news. The show isn't doing well in the ratings; they're all going to have to step it up. Gary is especially desperate to keep the show on the air. Later that night, he takes Zack home. They have some nice moments together, but then Gary confesses that he can't spend the day with Zack tomorrow. He has to work on the show. Zack is not pleased. To make things more complicated, Gary gets another call from his ex-wife; she's passed the audition and is going on the road. Gary is going to have to take care of Zack for a few months. Now he's even more insecure! He loves his son, wants to spend time with him, but just doesn't know how (and hence we have a sitcom!)

The next day, Little Bud was chosen to take Zack out for the day. Meanwhile, the cast of Dragon Time is busy rehearsing. Gary is struggling in a full-body dragon suit. Rita meanwhile, comes out in a rather sexy outfit, slightly inappropriate for a kid's show. And Gertha doesn't hesitate to point it out. "This is a kid's show. Not a bachelor party...Tramp!" This sends Rita over the edge! She's quitting the show! Gary's had enough too, as he runs to the ledge where Gertha is. "Del! Are you happy now?! Is this what you wanted to happen?!" But Gertha's oddly silent. Gary finds Del's been sneaking off to the green room. Though his sneak quickly turns into a run!

To make matters worse, Zack comes back with a bad stomach ache, Gary worries that it might be serious. He has to get Zack to a hospital. Bud warns Gary they're about to go live in a few minutes, plus he takes him forever to get out of the Dragon suit. Gary doesn't care, Zack's his son, and he should have gone with Zack in the first place. The show will have to go on without him (and somehow WITH Rita!)

Gary finally gets Zack to the hospital, dragon suit and all. He runs to a TV to see how the show's going. To his surprise, we see Rita and Gertha on screen together happily singing "You Are My Sunshine!" (Down below the set, Del painfully yet valiantly manages to get through the number!)

As it turns out, Zack is OK, the show manages to stay on the air, and Rita and Del manage to get along, at least for now!

Rita: "Del, you were terrific!

Del: (shocked): "Thanks, Rita...so were you."

Gertha: (who, of course, is really Del): "So were you?!"

Del: "Well, what did you expect me to say?

Gertha: "Why you two-faced traitor!"

Del: "Oh come on, Gertha!"

Gertha: "Don't 'Gertha' me!"

Anyway, Gary isn't sure Zack is going to want to stay with him after all that's happened. He has to convince Zack that he genuinely wants him around. Seemingly taking a cue from Del, Gary hides under the Dragon Time set and starts performing his baby Dragon character Candle. Zack hears him and runs over, starts having a conversation with Candle. Candle really wishes Zack could stay in town longer. Zack would like that too, but he's not sure his Dad wants him around. Candle assures Zack that he does, he's already asked him. Gary then appears from under the set, "So what do you say, Zack?" Zack happily agrees and father and son are ready to start over. And yet another episode of Dragon Time is done.

....Wow I can't believe the whole thing fit!