ROB 

If you know Rob, you already know he’s the funniest guy you know. If you don’t know him, trust me: He’s the funniest guy you don’t know.

One in my crazy collection of internet pals, I knew Rob first through his clever, creative and impossibly entertaining writing. There are plenty of smart people, plenty of witty people, but few who can so effortlessly and immediately throw out a line on any topic and have everyone shaking with laughter. What’s more impressive is that he isn’t mean about it. Observational humor so often relies on cynical or biting commentary to pack its punchline, but Rob never needs to go there to get a laugh. You laugh, and then you smile.

Cat Town. Red Shift. Abbie the Cat Has a Posse. Pick Up The Phone Booth and Die. The Foundation Trailer. Charles Kendall. There are too many to list. He never really stops.

Fueling all this talent is a yearning for simpler times and an enthusiasm for the marrow of life. He mourns for and pays tribute to long-gone amusement parks and theaters and watering holes. He balances sophisticated commentary with childhood wonder. He rides roller coasters whenever he gets the chance. He loses himself in games while always making an overblown gaming universe his own. (Have you ever modeled a character after Bea Arthur?) He writes and stars in live radio dramas. He’s the perfect guy to grab a beer with.

An undercurrent of his work is noting absurdities our modern age without being too cranky about it. It’s a crazy world, but here we are. We can remember what came before and still enjoy what’s around us now and just keep on going. Life isn’t always kind to the creative and big-hearted, but as long as he keeps writing and performing, Rob will be just fine.

Millions of people happy…*twangtwang*

Happy Birthday Wonderful You.