To start the new year!

The staff at a local United Way office realized that it had never received a donation from the town’s most successful lawyer.

The person in charge of contributions called him to persuade him to contribute. “Our research shows that out of a yearly income of at least $500,000, you give not a penny to charity. Wouldn’t you like to give back to the community in some way?”

The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and replied, “First, did your research also show that my mother is dying after a long illness, and has medical bills that are several times her annual income?”

Embarrassed, the United Way representative mumbled, “Um… No.”

“Or,” the lawyer continued, “that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?”

The stricken United Way representative began to stammer out an apology but was interrupted when the lawyer added, “Or that my sister’s husband died in a traffic accident?” the lawyer’s voice rising in indignation, “Leaving her pennyless with three children?”

The humiliated United Way representative, completely beaten, said simply, “I had no idea…”

On a roll, the lawyer cut him off once again, “So if I don’t give any money to them, why should I give any to you?”

++++++++++

A champion jockey is about to enter an important race on a new horse. The horse’s trainer meets him before the race and says, “All you have to remember with this horse is that every time you approach a jump, you have to shout, “ALLLLEEE OOOP!” really loudly in the horse’s ear. Providing you do that, you’ll be fine.” The jockey thinks the trainer is mad but promises to shout the command. The race begins and they approach the first hurdle. The jockey ignores the trainer’s ridiculous advice and the horse crashes straight through the center of the jump. They carry on and approach the second hurdle. The jockey, somewhat embarrassed, whispers “Alllleee ooop” in the horse’s ear. The same thing happens – the horse crashes straight through the center of the jump. At the third hurdle, the jockey thinks, “It’s no good, I’ll have to do it,” and yells, “ALLLEEE OOOP!” really loudly. Sure enough, the horse sails over the jump with no problems. This continues for the rest of the race, but due to the earlier problems, the horse only finishes third.

The trainer is fuming and asks the jockey what went wrong. The jockey replies, “Nothing is wrong with me – it’s this bloody horse. What is he, deaf or something?” The trainer replies, “Deaf? DEAF?? You asshole, he’s not deaf – he’s BLIND!”

++++++++++

This guy is walking through Chinatown and sees a building with a

sign “Hans Olaffsen’s Laundry.” “Hans Olaffsen?”, he thinks. “How in

the world does that fit in here?”

So, he walks into the shop and sees an old Chinese gentleman sitting

in the corner. The visitor asks, “How in the world did this place

get a name like Hans Olaffsen’s Laundry?”

The old man answers “Is name of owner.”

The visitor asks “Well, who is the owner?”

“I am he,” answers the old man.

“You? How did you ever get a name like Hans Olaffsen?”

The old man replies, “Many years ago when I come to this country, I

was standing in line at Documentation Center. Man in front of me

was big blonde Swede. Lady look at him and go, “What your name?” He

say, ” Hans Olaffsen.” She look at me say, “What your name?” I say,

“Sam Ting.”

+++++++++++

As a guitarist, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man.

And as I played ‘Amazing Grace,’ the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my guitar and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen nothin’ like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”

Apparently, I’m still lost…

+++++++++++

Paddy was driving in a dangerous manner, swerving across several lanes on the motorway. This was notice by Guard O’Malley, who after completing a vehicle stop, approached the car, and said, “What in heaven’s name are you doing?” Paddy replied, “This is my first time behind the wheel. I’m learning to drive.” “Saints preserve us! Without an instructor in the car?” Guard O’Malley exclaimed. “There’s nothing to worry about officer,” Paddy replied as presented the phone in his hand, “it’s an online course.”