A Fine Humor Being

Gary Krane takes his fun very seriously.

“I think we’ve been indoctrinated in this culture that when we grow up it’s time to be serious and stop playing, except on Friday or Saturday night,” he says. “But, otherwise, you’re supposed to keep your nose to the grindstone.”

He’s spreading his gospel via his new book, “Simple Fun for Busy People: 333 Free Ways to Enjoy Your Loved Ones More in the Time You Have” (Conari Press), a 272-page reminder that most human beings just don’t have enough play in their lives. The book contains games for couples, families and singles designed to be done at work, at home, waking up in the morning, while watching TV, waiting in line and shopping.

Waiting in line and shopping . . . just what people are doing at Borders Books & Music in Glendale on a recent weekday afternoon, where Krane is scheduled for a book signing. In the periodical section, magazine covers tout stories on how to have fun and not get stressed during a season when we’re supposed to be having fun and relaxing.

Krane is well aware that lines and traffic jams have become inextricable parts of the holidays.

“We seem to forget a lot of what Christmas is supposed to be about, which is family values and bringing the family closer together,” he says. “None of these things we’re trying to buy or sell has anything to do with getting people closer together. You think about what’s the easiest, most fun way to get close to another human being, and it’s through play.”

Over the years Krane has noticed people muddling through the holidays “ashen-faced, nobody smiling. Very few people look alive. It’s interesting, when you do see people happy and alive, it’s usually couples in love. And when you think about what happens when you’re in love, you get permission to let your inner child out to play.”

Years ago Krane noticed that his own workaholic ways were preventing him from having more fun in his own life, which is what prompted the book.

“The biggest regret we have in our lives is that we never got close enough to the people around us, and we never had enough fun,” he says. “My life philosophy is very simple, and it’s how I sign my letters: ‘Yours truly for play and service.’ ”

The “service” part refers to Krane’s longtime commitment to various causes and political issues (he recently stumped for a congressional Green Party candidate and Sen. Barbara Boxer, has worked with consumer advocate Ralph Nader and is a Big Brother). He decided to donate his post-tax net proceeds from the book to organizations that help prevent child abuse, increase democracy and protect the environment. “Simple Fun” includes a Resource Guide for Helping Others, a list of organizations that includes everything from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers to the National Committee on Youth Suicide Prevention.

“My search,” he explains, “was for an idea that everyone would love, that would help a marriage, help a family. And I wanted to create a revenue machine that would help those most in need, because if you’re not totally self-centered and half asleep, how can you possibly be very happy if you know there are people in Burma and Indonesia and Guatemala being tortured, and 25% of our kids are going to bed hungry? You realize you’ve at least got to try to do something about it to be able to be happy enough within yourself to have fun.”

He even took that into account when searching for a wife (he’s married to a special education teacher): “I wanted to find a woman who was an activist like me, but also playful. Well, by most definitions, most activists are serious all the time. It’s true. People who are really playful tend to be Republicans.”

*

Since this is a weekday afternoon and his last name isn’t King or Schlessinger, the masses aren’t exactly lined up for Krane. But that doesn’t seem to bother him at all, as he bounds through the bookstore wearing a teal suit and Hawaiian shirt and carrying an oversized briefcase on which he’s written “Dr. FunOnTheRun” in colored tape. He’s searching for willing participants and manages to round up one young woman and two older women, who sit and patiently listen to his spiel.

“There is an antidote to the demon that affects families, and that’s called ‘taking each other for granted,’ ” he tells his audience. One antidote is “Family Treasure Chest,” in which family members write notes describing nice hugs, beautiful sunsets, sincere compliments or others’ good deeds. At the end of the week, family members take turns pulling the notes out of the jar and reading them aloud.

Krane is convincing enough to sell a few books, signs them all and adds that he’s always on the lookout for new games. The young woman describes how she wakes up her 3-year-old daughter by taking a stuffed animal and making it talk in an appropriately silly voice.

Krane’s resume includes a graduate degree from Harvard, a PhD from UC Berkeley in educational psychology, and jobs teaching psychology, producing TV shows and making documentary films.

He claims 10 years of research for the book, involving collecting stories and games from people around the country (he credits each one). There is the “Compliment Competition,” in which players set a time limit and see who can compliment the most number of people in that time (this can be done while shopping). “Elevator Roulette” requires at least two people to be in an elevator. When the doors close, all the buttons are hit, and then everyone starts singing an agreed-upon song. When the doors open, players can continue to sing, or pretend they don’t know the other nutty people still singing. For long waits in line there is “Touchy Toes,” in which players face each other standing about 1 to 2 feet apart and try to touch the tip of the other person’s shoe--gently.

“We’re the only species that can play till we die, except maybe for dolphins, and they don’t have anything like the repertoire that we have. And we’re the only species that can serve those less fortunate and fight injustice. So that’s what I think we’re here for.”