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Red Green's Duct Tape Is Not Enough: A Humorous Guide to Midlife
So, you’re getting a little older. You’ve lost the slimness of youth and the smoothness of youth and the hair of youth and the youngness of youth, and you’re starting to wonder what happened to that handsome, happenin’ guy who used to make the ladies swoon–or at least not run away screaming. Well, never fear! Red Green and the Possum Lodge are here to invite you to lower the bar and pull up a stool. They’ll make you feel proud of yourself for your many achievements–like the fact that you’ve never killed anyone on purpose, you’ve never had an extramarital affair with a supermodel, and you never forget to comb the four or five remaining hairs on your head. Hey, it’s not how good you look–it’s how hard you try!
Sure, Red Green is the international movie-star mastermind behind the blockbuster megahit Duct Tape Forever!–but that doesn’t mean he can’t take time out from Hollywood to remind you that you have to grow old, but you never have to mature! In Duct Tape is Not Enough: A Humorous Guide to Midlife, Red Green provides all the wit and wisdom you need to make it through the golden years. You’ll find out what’s wrong with successful people, why never to laugh at a tax auditor, and how to survive your midlife crisis. For starters, step away from those rollerblades–NOW.
Sure, Red Green is the international movie-star mastermind behind the blockbuster megahit Duct Tape Forever!–but that doesn’t mean he can’t take time out from Hollywood to remind you that you have to grow old, but you never have to mature! In Duct Tape is Not Enough: A Humorous Guide to Midlife, Red Green provides all the wit and wisdom you need to make it through the golden years. You’ll find out what’s wrong with successful people, why never to laugh at a tax auditor, and how to survive your midlife crisis. For starters, step away from those rollerblades–NOW.
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2002
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 25, 2022
A collection of 1-page articles and cartoons from Steve Smith, more widely known as TV personality, Red Green. The snippets are written from the perspective of a middle-age man reflecting on life and it's lessons. There were many things I could relate to such as the Quote of the Day on page 130, "Don't let that cramp bother you. It means you must still have a muscle."
He offers observations on aging (taken from The Living Will, page 80) "What is the point of dying at the age of a hundred and ten and leaving everything to your ninety year-old son? It's a little late." The difference between men and women, relationships with his friends, and gift giving are other topics to which he applies his brand of entertainment. Fans of the show will no doubt enjoy the writing although it lacks the far-out visuals.
I found most of the stories mildly humorous, emphasis on mildly.
He offers observations on aging (taken from The Living Will, page 80) "What is the point of dying at the age of a hundred and ten and leaving everything to your ninety year-old son? It's a little late." The difference between men and women, relationships with his friends, and gift giving are other topics to which he applies his brand of entertainment. Fans of the show will no doubt enjoy the writing although it lacks the far-out visuals.
I found most of the stories mildly humorous, emphasis on mildly.
July 8, 2017
I love Red Green (actor Steve Smith) so much, and everything he does and he can keep doing them and I will still support him! So you keep doing concerts, shows, books, everything and I will be there! The show was so awesome, not just Red Green, but all the supporting talented Canadian guests and cast. People like Graham Green and Gordon Pinsent. The book is classic Canadian Red, through and through, and should be in every Canadian's library...! Represent!!!
Raise your hand if you have watched Red Green!!!
Raise your hand if you have watched Red Green!!!
February 29, 2012
Red Green is known mostly for his manly pastimes like hanging out at a hunting lodge where the only thing ever hunted is a tap for the beer keg, and building an armored assault vehicle out of a rusted-out Chevy Nova, duct tape, and some spare washing machine parts.
This book, however, deals almost exclusively with the business of aging gracefully (or at least with as little embarrassment as possible), and ways to keep a long term marriage alive. There were quite a few chuckles to be had.
I found Green's mild mannered, self-deprecating humor to be very winning. It's nice to bump into a guy who knows he's not God's-gift-to-women and is okay with that. And any man who advises against the acquisition of a trophy wife is just swell in my book.
This book, however, deals almost exclusively with the business of aging gracefully (or at least with as little embarrassment as possible), and ways to keep a long term marriage alive. There were quite a few chuckles to be had.
I found Green's mild mannered, self-deprecating humor to be very winning. It's nice to bump into a guy who knows he's not God's-gift-to-women and is okay with that. And any man who advises against the acquisition of a trophy wife is just swell in my book.
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November 5, 2022I can relate to a lot of the things that he wrote.
August 27, 2014
If you follow the Canadian literary scene you will be well aware that CBC's Canada Reads just finished. This years winner: Something Fierce by Carmen Aguirre. The debate was about which books was more Canadian. Which got me thinking about Canadian literature and how I could add some more to my diet of books.
I was reading Duct Tape Is Not Enough at the time, coincidentally, which happens to be written by a Canadian. Although the book was not necessarily about Canada or Canadian culture it was funny...which I believe is a Canadian trait?
I found the format of this book great to read during a true Canadian winter. The short one page stories are wonderful to read while busy doing typical Canadian things:
-While waiting for snow tires to be put on your car at Canadian Tire. You know you are going to be interrupted many times because they'll find more things that need fixing and replacing
-While waiting in the Tim Horton's drive thru line on a Sunday morning just as the church next door lets it's worshippers out.
-While ice fishing
-While riding as a passenger on a snowmobile (in some case even the driver, like while crossing a frozen lake)
-While curling
-While playing goalie in your Sr Men's Rec league on Weds nights
This is an easy, Canadian, book that can fit into your life - especially if you are feeling you need to add a bit more Canadian content. I found it easy to relate to, which is of some concern to me, and very funny. This one did not contain the patented handyman humour/disaster stories. No, this book was more of a guide to life, midlife. There was a lot of 'old guy' jokes and just humourous commentary on getting on in life. There was a disturbing theme veiled under all fo these jokes though. A constant repetition about being a failure in life, amounting to nothing, not being able to follow simple social etiquette even at a ripe old age...but, it's ok b/c most men turn out this way. Haha, so true, which makes it all the more funny.
Another great installment by Steve Smith.
http://bookwormsfeastofbooks.blogspot...
I was reading Duct Tape Is Not Enough at the time, coincidentally, which happens to be written by a Canadian. Although the book was not necessarily about Canada or Canadian culture it was funny...which I believe is a Canadian trait?
I found the format of this book great to read during a true Canadian winter. The short one page stories are wonderful to read while busy doing typical Canadian things:
-While waiting for snow tires to be put on your car at Canadian Tire. You know you are going to be interrupted many times because they'll find more things that need fixing and replacing
-While waiting in the Tim Horton's drive thru line on a Sunday morning just as the church next door lets it's worshippers out.
-While ice fishing
-While riding as a passenger on a snowmobile (in some case even the driver, like while crossing a frozen lake)
-While curling
-While playing goalie in your Sr Men's Rec league on Weds nights
This is an easy, Canadian, book that can fit into your life - especially if you are feeling you need to add a bit more Canadian content. I found it easy to relate to, which is of some concern to me, and very funny. This one did not contain the patented handyman humour/disaster stories. No, this book was more of a guide to life, midlife. There was a lot of 'old guy' jokes and just humourous commentary on getting on in life. There was a disturbing theme veiled under all fo these jokes though. A constant repetition about being a failure in life, amounting to nothing, not being able to follow simple social etiquette even at a ripe old age...but, it's ok b/c most men turn out this way. Haha, so true, which makes it all the more funny.
Another great installment by Steve Smith.
http://bookwormsfeastofbooks.blogspot...
August 1, 2021
As the years rolls by the midlife blues sink in, bringing with them a sense of weight - and not just to your words - but so long as you carry the side words of Red Green and the Possum Lodge along with you, there's no amount of excuses that can't keep the good times rolling! Smith offers a fun collection of tidbits for series fans and those aging behind the times, a quick and simple but chuckle-worthy go. Finding the achievements in the littlest things can turn any day around in a world so out of wack!
March 9, 2021
Fun book which I am glad to have read. However it was not as funny as I was hoping. If you are a fan of his show and haven’t read this yet . . . read it you will enjoy it. There certainly are some laugh out loud tiny bits to this book but they were just less frequent than I expected.
June 27, 2021
Really entertaining and quick read.
August 24, 2021
As a middle-aged man I could honestly say that most of these articles pertain directly to me. I checked this book out of the library but I am considering purchasing it for my own library.
June 8, 2013
My Grampa was a big Red Green fan, so I grew up watching his TV show every time I went to my grandparent's house when I was little. I didn't really understand all of the humour, but everybody else was laughing, so naturally, as a little kid, I thought it must be pretty darn hilarious! In all seriousness, though, Red Green was quite funny. My most distinct memory of the show was Harold's keyboard and dial thingy that he wore all the time. Going back to this book though: it sat (and still sits) on my Grampa's shelf... right next to a thick volume of Robbie Burns poetry, a giant Billy Graham autobiography, several dictionaries, and a book on the clans of Scotland. Since this was the easiest book for me to read on the aforementioned shelf, I eventually made my way through the whole thing. It was pretty funny! A lot of it is humour for a senior audience, but if you pick it up, you'll definitely find something you appreciate, even as a younger person.
January 1, 2016
Wow. I read this hoping to get a little bit of insight into the mind of one of our library patrons who kept this book for over a year.
Offensively unfunny, this book is like the untalented cousin of Dave Barry or Erma Bombeck and not worth your time or the paper upon which it was printed.
Offensively unfunny, this book is like the untalented cousin of Dave Barry or Erma Bombeck and not worth your time or the paper upon which it was printed.
January 16, 2016
I still have Red Green withdrawals and his fantastic show has been off the air for many years now! So I have to content myself with his hilariously funny books. Thankfully they are as wonderful and heart warming as his show was.
May 19, 2009
Hillarious!!
June 21, 2018
What can I say? This book is as fun as duct tape. I loved it and found it useful in so many ways. Written in true Red Green style you can hear his voice in the text.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews