A friend once accused me of using humor as a defense mechanism, as a way to deflect discomfort with certain subjects.  I suppose I have been guilty of this in some situations, but I really like to laugh.  I also like to examine what’s behind my laughter.  There’s a lot of insight that can come to light if you want to understand what inspires a good yuck.  I lean towards verbal humor as opposed to sight gags and have a special appreciation for observational humor and even political humor. It’s timely.  Often absurd.  It points out the best — and worst — in human behavior.  A satirist’s craft requires extra bravery.  He or she has to be willing to own his words. Responses might not be adoring.

Do you remember the last time you laughed?  What was so funny to you?  Were you open to look at how something in your character might reflect the jokester or the subject of the joke?