Friday
Apr062007
Why doesn't my Dad have time for me?
Friday, April 6, 2007 at 12:49AM
Remember when Laffy Taffy candies used to come in little square chunks? When they were wrapped up in their different flavor-related colors and they had jokes on the insides?
Well, I do.
Laffy Taffys used to, and quite possibly still may, be made in Bloomington, IL, the twin city of my hometown, Normal. We ate a LOT of these things growing up.
My story starts with my friend Mark and our YoungLife leader Amy. I was in high school. At this point, the Laffy Taffy writers must have gone on strike because they were printing jokes that kids had sent in. I don't remember the time or place, but I do remember the joke I read on the inside of this particular culinary delight.
"Why doesn't my dad have time for me?" one kid wrote.
"Because he's a real estate developer and has lots on his mind."
I had to read it over about six times. They actually printed that! This poor kid, completely ignored by his father, is so lonely that he has to reach out to a CANDY COMPANY!! Oh, the indignity. I burned with a holy wrath. A righteous anger. I read it to my friends and cursed the day the bittersweet words Laffy and Taffy found eachother. Finally, I vowed to write the company a letter.
Well.... I never did. I meant to, but, you know... A couple years later, again I have forgotten the time and place so let's say "Cleveland at noon", I ended up with a couple Laffy Taffys. My conscience fought hard, but the juicy goodness fought harder and I ate them. As I was reading the jokes, again sent in by kids, my blood turned cold. The same joke. Years later they were still printing this same brokenhearted tale.
And then I got it. It's kind of funny.
Well, I do.
Laffy Taffys used to, and quite possibly still may, be made in Bloomington, IL, the twin city of my hometown, Normal. We ate a LOT of these things growing up.
My story starts with my friend Mark and our YoungLife leader Amy. I was in high school. At this point, the Laffy Taffy writers must have gone on strike because they were printing jokes that kids had sent in. I don't remember the time or place, but I do remember the joke I read on the inside of this particular culinary delight.
"Why doesn't my dad have time for me?" one kid wrote.
"Because he's a real estate developer and has lots on his mind."
I had to read it over about six times. They actually printed that! This poor kid, completely ignored by his father, is so lonely that he has to reach out to a CANDY COMPANY!! Oh, the indignity. I burned with a holy wrath. A righteous anger. I read it to my friends and cursed the day the bittersweet words Laffy and Taffy found eachother. Finally, I vowed to write the company a letter.
Well.... I never did. I meant to, but, you know... A couple years later, again I have forgotten the time and place so let's say "Cleveland at noon", I ended up with a couple Laffy Taffys. My conscience fought hard, but the juicy goodness fought harder and I ate them. As I was reading the jokes, again sent in by kids, my blood turned cold. The same joke. Years later they were still printing this same brokenhearted tale.
And then I got it. It's kind of funny.
Reader Comments (15)
You are the man.
HAHAHA. That woke me up this morning :)
high school? what? that was last weekend.
Maybe Im somewhat in the dense corner, but I dont get it....
I took me a minute to get. It was worth the wait.
You are amazing. See you in Tomball!
Because he has real estate "lots" on his mind.
so i got it when i first read it. do i get Andy points for that? if i do, can i trade it in for a Batman action figure. i really need a new one because i chewed the arm off my last one.
I didn't get it. I just got sad, like you, Andy.
But then I read transient's explanation. That is funny. Thank you transient for quelling my anger.
But is that a true story? (Andy's, not the joke)
It took me 3 times to get it AO. 3 times. I am lame.
I have read all the posts and I still don't get it.
Oh this younger generation! A completely different kind of humor!
You mean they don't print jokes on the packaging anymore? Now MY blood's boiling!
GregB, real estate agents sell "lots" of land. Thus, having "lots" on his mind is a pun. A play on words, if you will...
I'm pretty sure I would have never gotten that if not for "transient." awesome! and i didn't know they made laffy taffy in bloomington/normal. i thought it was just the land of beer nuts. yay for snacks
your dumbness makes me feel less dumb...thank you.
Thanks Ryan!
Now I can go to sleep feeling like all is well with the world.