What exactly is a Wonder Llama?

I think it is time for you to meet the cast of characters in this endeavor, which would include me and my bikes. I wanted to to start things off with me; not because I am arrogant and self aggrandizing, but because I know that a few of you are wondering where the title/nickname/moniker of Manuel the Wonder Llama originated. Well here you go, wonder no more…

It was at a ripe young age that I first saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071853/). It was on A&E, and yes, I did watch that channel in 8^th grade. If you have not seen it, then take the time, otherwise, this post may sound like gibberish. (Let’s be honest, it may still sound like that, but we’ll see.)

At the beginning of the film, the dramatic opening credits are cut short due (twice) and finally they hire another crew to finish them. Due to budget cuts, they hire a super cheap group peopled almost exclusively by llamas. One of the crew was named Ralph the Wonder Llama. By the end of it I came to love Monty Python, and I was starting to learn the subtleties of their humor.

So, it was the very next day in school that I was in Georgia History when things came together. My teacher was Mr. Sweat. Seriously! His name was Mr. Sweat! If you think that is bad, his first name was Delmos. I swear, it is like his parents didn’t think he had to grow up in school. But I digress…

So we were discussing women’s suffrage in history, and one of the girls in class was up on her soapbox about women’s lib. I saw the opportunity and I couldn’t resist. I raised my hand and threw in my two cents worth:

Me: Mr. Sweat, I agree. A woman’s place is not in the kitchen…

Classmate: Finally a guy who gets it!

Me: …we need her in the rest of the house: to do the laundry, make the bed, clean the living room…

Needless to say, this did not go over too well with everyone. Some laughed, but my colleague got quite irritated, and challenged me:

Classmate: I swear, you really are just like every other guy I can’t believe you. Just who do you think you are?

Me: (Thinking of the intro to Holy Grail) “I am Manuel Llama”

Her: Huh?

Me: And not only am I a llama, I am a Wonder Llama! And nobody messes with a Wonder Llama!!

And so there you go. The official creation of Manuel the Wonder Llama. It is silly, stupid, and crazy. However, that is where the term came from. Sorry if it is a bit underwhelming. But this is where my love of Llamas started. Perhaps that is why I like Carl from "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron." Oh, and this is an artist's rendition of a Wonder Llama looks like. (Thanks Preston!)