Category Archives: Monday Monkey

by Anthony Baker | April 9, 2013 · 8:23 pm

Random Update

Monkey Poses

Remember how I just wrote about writing for the sake of writing? Well, here we go again, but on a smaller scale.

The other day I wrote a post about my wife’s grandmother’s 90th birthday. I even included some pictures. What I didn’t include was my favorite picture of the day – Mr. Monkey and the guitars.

In a break between playing music and eating cake, I took this picture of Katie’s guitar and my bass, along with Mr. Monkey striking a pose.

Two Weeks (or so) Left

In two weeks I will be presenting my final paper to my last seminary class. Believe me, I am stressed – it’s nowhere near done! Even worse, I have to present my paper in front of a PhD with a thing for punctuation (“Have you never heard of an Oxford comma?”).

OH! Guess what? My class ring just shipped today! Now, if I don’t pass, I’ll have a ring with the wrong date! Good grief!

Justin Bieber’s Monkey Detained in Germany (tmz.com)

4 Comments

Filed under Humor, Monday Monkey, music

Tagged as birthdays, Humor, Monkey, Music, Random

by Anthony Baker | March 18, 2013 · 10:37 am

Monday Monkey (Fur of Fury) Episode 35

It’s Monday.

I’m alive, but there’s so much to talk about right now that it might kill me.

So, heeeeeere’s Mr. Monkey!

If you need a hero to fight your evil, blue Care Bears, then Mr. Monkey is your, uh, man. OK, so he’s a monkey, but who cares?

(The following video was hastily done with my iPhone 4S and the iMovie app.)

1 Comment

Filed under Humor, Monday Monkey

Tagged as Comedy, Film, iPhone movie, legalist, Monkey, trailer

by Anthony Baker | February 25, 2013 · 1:30 am

Monday Monkey (At the Ball) Episode 34

I Don’t Dance!

Well, at least that used to be the case. Now, after a trip to Kentucky, I can officially say that I have danced at a ball.

For the last two years my daughter, Katie, has been aggravating the snot out of me…”Daddy, are you going to take me to the Purity Ball this year?…Daddy, do you have the tickets?…Daddy, don’t forget the ball!…Daddy, I need a dress.”

So, after a bunch of promises, we finally went to the Father/Daughter Purity Ball in Hopkinsville, KY. It was an event sponsored by Alpha Alternative, and the purpose was to promote the beauty of saving one’s self until marriage.

BUT, Mr. Monkey had to go, too.

Embarrassing Your Teenager

Let me tell you something, men. If you have a teenage daughter, it is imperative that you embarrass her in front of her friends at least once. It’s a law. Just be careful how you do it; you don’t want her to hate you.

You see, the trick to embarrassing your teenager without making her hate you is doing it in such a way that she knows you love her. You need to do display your pride in a crazy way that would, under any other circumstance, be considered insane.

As much as my daughter was embarrassed by a dad with a puppet on his arm, she was thrilled that I would put aside my own dignity and be a fool for her.

Loving Your Teenager

Men, let me add one more thing: if you don’t show your daughters how much you love them, there are plenty of scum buckets out there waiting to take your place. If you love your daughters, show it. Treat them like the princesses they are.

Monday Monkey (At the Ball)

3 Comments

Filed under Abortion, animals, Humor, Monday Monkey, Relationships and Family

Tagged as Adolescence, Dancing, Embarrassment, Family, Kentucky, Legalism, Monkey, Parent, Purity

by Anthony Baker | February 18, 2013 · 12:30 am

Monday Monkey (Monkey Shakes an Egg) Episode 33

Nashville

Katie and I, along with our youth pastor, Daniel (in the orange UT shirt), went to Nashville this past Friday and Saturday. We were there to begin the hard work of pounding out a quality recording project. And yes, it is hard work.

The only problem is that Mr. Monkey just had to get in on the act. He wouldn’t let it go. So, out of sheer frustration, I finally gave in.

See Mr. Monkey get introduced to his very own musical instrument.

Special Thanks To:

Joel Ziegenmier, for letting a monkey take over his studio
Steve Castlen, for knocking some sense into Mr. Monkey’s head
Roy Cavender, for keeping Mr. Monkey entertained with all his crazy antics
Daniel Ziegenmier, for not acting like a monkey or doing that “call me” thing with his hand
The makers of shaker eggs (Katie loves them)
The makers of polyester fur

Reunion

On a separate note, it was good to get back in the groove with my old friend, Steve Castlen. The best I can figure, the last time he played drums while I played bass was probably in ’94.

Check out his website, SteveCastlenApologetics.com.

1 Comment

Filed under animals, Humor, Monday Monkey, music, places

Tagged as Friday, Humor, Monday, Monkey, Music, Nashville Tennessee, Recording Industry

by Anthony Baker | January 14, 2013 · 1:49 am

Monday Monkey (Monkey Ain’t a Preacher) Episode 32

He’s Back!

It has been a long while, but due to popular demand by at least two popular people, Mr. Monkey is back with a new episode.

What is about? Well, just watch it.

Quality

By the way, forgive the production quality of this episode. I was sleepy. But hey, I played a mean ukulele!

Monday Monkey Suggestions (therecoveringlegalist.com)

7 Comments

Filed under animals, Humor, Monday Monkey, Preaching, Uncategorized

Tagged as funny, Humor, Monkey, preaching, puppets

by Anthony Baker | January 7, 2013 · 11:16 pm

Monday Monkey Suggestions

Where’s Monkey?

It has been a while since Mr. Monkey has been in front of the camera. Part of the reason has been a lack of creative ideas. When one is totally stressed with matters that are actually serious, coming up with monkey videos tend to be pushed to the side.

However, some have been asking, “Where’s Monday Monkey?” Believe it or not, there are Monday Monkey fans out there. So, I would like to bring Mr. Monkey back to the little screen very soon, but in order to do that I need ideas.

Got Suggestions?

What would you like to see Mr. Monkey do (that would not harm him)? Where would you like to see Mr. Monkey visit (no vulgar suggestions, please)? Any topics you would like Mr. Monkey to address?

The Beatles sang that all the world needed was love. I disagree. I believe it needs laughter, as well. It also need cute, fuzzy puppet monkeys.

Give Away Announcement!

I just thought of something (which usually means something unwise is about to happen). How would you like an autographed photo of Mr. Monkey and myself (or just Mr. Monkey, or both?) to frame and hang on your living room wall, in your baby’s nursery, or in your office at work?

Let’s see… How ’bout the first 10 people to give me an original idea that won’t cost me a lot of money to produce (like with props and stuff) and won’t harm my 30-year-old puppet, will receive an autographed 8×10 (allow 4-6 weeks for delivery, which will give me enough time to take the picture and get the money to mail copies)?

Disclaimer: In order to receive a picture 1) you must be a subscriber; 2) you must give me an address to mail the picture; and 3) my wife has to approve of all this nonsense.

Even if you don’t want a picture (tell me, but try not to hurt my feelings), please leave some suggestions for future videos.

7 Comments

Filed under animals, Monday Monkey, Uncategorized

Tagged as Animals, Humor, legalist, Monkey, Recovering Legalist

by Anthony Baker | November 5, 2012 · 12:54 pm

Voting Monkey?

Picture Story

Well, I did not have time to do a Monday Monkey video like I wanted to. For some reason the local election commission would not let a man with a camera and a puppet go to the voting station before election day. Why not?

So, instead of having to work with grumpy election officials (good grief!), I decided to draw what I was wanting to do. Below is the story in picture.

Monkey thinks to himself, “I think I would like to vote. Oh, look! This must be the place to go. The sign says, ‘Vote Here.'”

“Now that they are asking for identification, I am glad Mr. Anthony made this for me – my own drivers license! This is all I will need.”

Mr. Monkey goes inside the building and walks up to the table where a nice, balding man asks, “May I help you?”

“I would like to vote in this election,” Mr. Monkey replies. “Here is my identification.”

“Uhhh, I am so sorry, but, uh, I don’t believe that will be possible,” the man says in a monotone voice.

“Excuse me? Why not?” asks a perturbed little puppet.

“Because monkeys can’t vote, even with an identification.”

Puzzled, Mr. Monkey asks, “Not even as a Democrat?!”

“If I was a famous mouse from Florida I bet you’d let me!”

Go Vote!

What’s the point of this nonsense? It’s simple, really. Monkeys can’t vote, but people (with proper identification) can. So if you are not a monkey – go vote!

Monday Monkey “Monkeys Hate Alarm Clocks” (Episode 29) (therecoveringlegalist.com)

Monday Without a Monkey

Where’s the Monkey?

Believe it or not, I am not a total goof. I do have a life outside of the warmth of that stitched glove with arms, legs, ears, eyes, and a big mouth – the furry glove called “Mr. Monkey.”

Yet, some people ask, “If it’s Monday, where’s the monkey?” The answer is that every once in a while I have to step away from my partnership with the “unregenerate ape” in order to pursue other activities.

Whatcha Doin’?

Have you ever been trying to enjoy a day off from work, or maybe a simple dentist appointment, when you got a phone call asking, “Hey, whatcha doin’?”

Because I’m a popular guy, you see, I get that question all the time. I get calls from work, church, church members, family, friends, would-be friends, friends-of-friends, my kid’s friends, and people who say they know me. They all want to know what I am doing.

What’s more, as a pastor I am always on call, so my cell phone had to be surgically implanted (I won’t say where). Calls come in all the time from people wanting to know what I’m doing, and they always come at a time when I have to lie, like…

When I am in the section of a store that sells stuff my daughters are too embarrassed to purchase on their own.
When I am in the bathroom.
When I am watching a movie when I should be doing something productive, like washing dishes, or killing an elk.
or, When marriage proves to be more than a friendly relationship.

But if you were to call this week or the next, you’d get the following answers…

Finishing three six-page papers and one 15 page research paper due by the 11th.
Finishing another research paper that requires a presentation with Power Point.
Taking my little girl to do something destructive, like shooting tin cans, or knife throwing.
Taking my 16-year-old daughter to the recording studio to work on her first project.
Studying for at least 6 sermons.
Driving a school bus.
Writing posts for ProverbialThought.com.
Recording a radio broadcast.
Meeting with church staff to map out some future plans.
Attending my daughter’s last two volley ball games.
Spending more time in prayer.
and, trimming my eyebrows.

Whatcha’ NOT Doin’?

What I will not be doing is making any promises to do anything else. Now, according to an email I got the other day, this blog is supposed to be featured on the WordPress “Just Pressed” page. If that actually happens, I’ll be doing a dance in front of my computer, but you will NOT see it.

Most of all, I will not be goofing around with Mr. Monkey for a little while. Not only Mondays, but every other day of the week will be crazy. So, if you call, expect a busy signal.

9 Comments

Filed under Humor, Monday Monkey

Tagged as Humor, Monday, Monkey, Religion and Spirituality, vacation

by Anthony Baker | September 24, 2012 · 12:30 am

Anthony’s Appetite Gone Berzerk

All at Once

I have so much to do this week, it isn’t even funny. I am SOOO far behind in my seminary work, it will be a seminary miracle if I get it all done in time (and get a decent grade). Therefore, this will be the last post I publish this week.

So, instead of making a “Monday Monkey,” I am switching things up a bit and doing an expanded “Anthony’s Appetite.” Yep, in this post I am going to tell you about a bunch of stuff I have consumed. Then I can delete the pictures off my phone.

But Wait!

I don’t have to do it all in one, long post, do I? I could spread the culinary joy out over several posts and schedule them to post without me being here! Cool!

Ah, the wonders of modern technology.

Start With Coffee

Let’s start with a great place to have coffee and the coffee that they serve.

The Stone Cup Roasting Company is a great coffee bar in the North Shore Art district of Chattanooga (i.e., tree hugger land).

Believe it or not, folks, there are better places to have coffee than Starbucks. As a matter of fact, I would rather have a cup of instant coffee than a cup of Starbucks’ regular blend.

The Stone Cup is one of several good coffee places in Chattanooga. And like all the really good places, they roast their own beans, so Stone Cup’s coffee tastes different from other places (especially Starbucks).

French Press

I don’t know if you have ever had coffee made in a French press, but you need to. Here you can see that when I ordered a French press, they actually gave me my own press to watch as the timer crept toward 4 minutes.

Unlike filtered coffee, pressed coffee retains all the oils that otherwise get trapped in the filter. The result is a rich, flavorful beverage that is smooth and intense, but not any “stronger” than regular coffee. It just tastes better.

Espresso

Now, I have had several espressos at Starbucks and other places. This espresso was just plain wonderful. It was not bitter, but creamy and intoxicating.

And what’s more, the little cups that they serve their espresso in sure beats the little paper cups.

Let’s Visit

If you are ever in Chattanooga and have a few minutes to just sit and sip, call me up. We could go get a cup of joe at the Stone Cup. We could sit inside and look at original art, or go outside on the balcony and talk theology, legalism, or grace.

You can buy, of course.

4 Comments

Filed under Food, Monday Monkey, places

Tagged as Beverage, Coffee, Espresso, French press, Starbucks, Tea and Coffee

by Anthony Baker | September 17, 2012 · 9:31 am

Monday Monkey “Happy Birthday” (Episode 30)

Woo Hoo! Happy Birthday!

Yep, it’s my birthday. I am 45 years old. 45 years ago one woman was given the honor to be my mother.

Will there be cake? I don’t know. Will there be presents? I don’t know. Will there be donations sent in from around the world to the Keep Anthony from Being Poor fund? I don’t know.

What Matters

Aside from a loving family and a roof over my head, what more could I ask for? Riches? No. A new car? Uh, no. I think I have been pretty blessed. And what’s more, I have something that no one else in the world has…

I have a monkey that can sing “happy birthday” to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUF5CxPOVEXebEURkvrQeiXg&v=_3d3QHwMx_4&feature=player_detailpage