I’m constantly amazed at how something can happen in my life and trigger a different mindset. Sometimes it’s just a run of good fortune, but other times it’s a simple as a song or a TV show. A few months ago, I spent my lunch break watching Funny People, an Adam Sandler movie that I’ve never seen before. I found myself laughing and smiling, and suddenly, the world didn’t seem as frustrating and scary as it did earlier in the day. I didn’t feel so defensive and afraid.
Laughter has some magical effect on people and it’s quite amazing how it can break through some of the toughest walls emotionally. I’ve witnessed my wife Brandy spend half an hour watching The Big Bang Theory and her entire day and mentality shift. It’s like this temporary break into a world where laughter is encouraged makes everything better.
I’ve been compelled to watch all of Adam Sandler’s movies after eliminating the pretentious snobbery I once held toward his later films. I accepted them for what they were and suddenly, I found myself enjoying most of them. Over the past year or so, I’ve been going back and watching the movies I missed, and it’s been a very enjoyable experience.
When I find myself in a better mood after watching an Adam Sandler movie, I can’t help but reflect on my introduction to him. I saw him on SNL I’m sure at my grandmother’s house, but it wasn’t until around the seventh grade when I spent a PE class walking around the track with some friends. They were quoting this new Adam Sandler comedy album and one of the kids let me borrow his to listen to. I sat in my room, laughing and crying and enjoying this wonderful series of skits that were arguably a bit more mature than I probably should be been listening to. Like generations before me whose eyes had been opened by Bill Cosby, George Carlin, or Richard Pryor, I discovered the magic of simple comedy and I fell in love.
I don’t give that album enough credit for shaping my sense of humor, but it certainly played a large part. The timing of the jokes, the mature content, and even the absurd voice acting all became the base of what I found funny. A few years later, I found myself in love with Kevin Smith’s New Jersey Trilogy and my sense of humor evolved a bit, but I still think What the Hell Happened to Me was just as big of an influence as Clerks was.
Now when I watch low brow comedies, I’m hit with a dose of nostalgia for a simpler time when entertainment wasn’t so invested in the internet, social media, and trends. I’m also appreciative because they are a reminder to not take myself so seriously. It’s simple a break from life to provide a few moments of laughter.
This past weekend, my wife and I drove to Charlotte to see Adam Sandler live.
Last year, The Sandman announced that he would be touring once again and one of his stops was in Raleigh, North Carolina where I live. I don’t typically have an intense urge to go to events, but this was an exception. Adam Sandler doesn’t tour often, he doesn’t need to, and when would I get a chance to see him within driving distance again? Possibly never.
But that was in November, and we had just lost some money on a bad house offer and were still under the delusion that we could afford a house here. So, I made the adult decision and decided not to go.
A month later, its Christmas Eve and my wife and I are chatting in bed while I’m playing Red Dead Redemption 2. I mention to her that I saw Sandler had added an additional eleven dates to his tour and extended it. Knowing my wife, I went ahead and made sure to tell her I didn’t want to go. There was no used in buying tickets when we were moving apartments and had some unexpected expenses.
I laid it on pretty thick just to discourage her, and that’s when she pulled out her phone and turned on a Cameo from former NFL quarter back Sean Salisbury. Mr. Salisbury was the man who coached Adam Sandler on his performance in The Longest Yard and also made appearances in The House Bunny and The Benchwarmers. In this video message, I was informed my wife had bought me tickets to Adam Sandler’s show in Charlotte that was coming up in February.
I was shocked. I’m the type of guy who almost always guesses a gift so it’s difficult to surprise me. This I didn’t see coming. It was a total shock and well, it’s probably the biggest surprise and best present I’ve ever received.
The show was everything I wanted it to be and more. The warmup act was great, and the special guest of the night was Kevin James, who I have tickets to see in a few months. Brandy loved Kevin James’ bit and is glad I bought tickets. Here’s some photos I snagged off Adam Sandler’s and Kevin James’ Instagram.
Adam Sandler came out and it was just a great time. I laughed till I cried.
It was a wonderful evening, and a wonderful day. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to go.
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