Life in Humor

Most of us know of someone who can go on and on when telling a story. Many of us probably would admit that we do it ourselves sometimes. When listening to one such tale, it can get hard to stay engaged, let alone look interested, and heaven forbid if we've heard the story numerous times before. Ah, me, yes. And, as for me when I find myself telling a tale, I can begin thinking I'll be succinct and interesting only to realize that, alas, I have become mired in details and lost in asides. How mortifying. 

One night at our favorite tavern, I did just that, and with the owner, who probably has to listen to more of these tales than any human should have to. Luckily for him, we know each other well enough at this point, that he had no qualms admonishing me with, "Less labor, more baby."

He stopped me in mid-sentence. How perfect is that?!? Looking at baby photos is wonderful; hearing about the labor isn't. I'm trying to remember that when I start to speak: beginning (labor) middle and end (baby) and even best in five or six sentences at most. To pull from an old tv show, Dragnet, "Just the facts, m'am, just the facts," would be beneficial too. 

Sound Advice