Thursday, April 19, 2007

A big little* dose of the funny

The other night Jeff and I had a chance to go out (!) with other grown-ups (!) for dinner (!) and to see David Sedaris perform. It was disconcerting to listen to his particular brand of humor in a place like Mayberry. This is a man who described some of the things his boyfriend does (sewing curtains, picking wildflowers) as "beyond faggy" and who called a charity he supported "something for f*cked-up children." He said he recently quit smoking and felt really bad about it, so he recruited another smoker to take his place -- a 19-year-old girl, whom he persuaded with promises of appetite suppression and attractiveness to men.

At the same time, I found it reassuring that he could draw a large crowd here (admittedly, the venue was in a slightly larger town adjacent to Mayberry; but still). I wish I could tell you the funniest parts but I did not stop laughing from the minute he opened his mouth until he stepped from behind the podium, bowed slightly, and left the stage.

But I have to tell you this one cool thing that he does. On every tour (he travels for three months a year doing speaking engagements like the one I attended) he promotes a book that he loves. Not one that he wrote -- one by someone else that he thinks is great. (If you go to his home page, you'll find a link to his "recommended reading list" in the left sidebar.) He must have spent 20 minutes talking hilariously about his latest find, The Zombie Survival Guide.

So if he comes your way: Go.

*He can't be more than 5'2".

PS: Another big funny: Sludgie the Whale (his name, not his plight).

15 comments:

kirida said...

GAH! I am overcome with jealousy!

Anonymous said...

I love that man. He slays me.

Lisa said...

OH. I'd LOVE to see him in person. How cool.

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

I am jealous! And he is not coming to Nashville. Dammit.

I have Amy Sedaris's book on my "to read" list. And I need to read his recent stuff. I am such a lame reader. But I'd love to see him perform.

Christina said...

Aaron knows of him, but I've never heard of him. Sounds like he's fun, though.

And Aaron has that book. It's one of his favorites. But then again, he loves anything zombie.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the heads up. Sounds totally up my alley.

Magpie said...

Damn, that sounds like it was a blast. We love him, and read the Christmas elf story aloud every year.

Julie Pippert said...

He cracks me up...but not in writing.

Anonymous said...

I went last year to see him and was just amazed by him. His talent is undeniable.

cce said...

The Sedaris family is mad funny and wildly alternative. I just LOVE them.
Also, get all kinds of protective and and put out by the New Republic piece attacking him for publishing his work as non-fiction. True or exaggerated for comic effect, that guy's work is hilarious.

Bon said...

i doubt he's coming this far...we're beyond Mayberry, apparently. but he sounds refreshingly irreverant.

glad you got a night out. i think we need one of those up here.

Lady M said...

Sounds like a great show! I could use a laugh.

Mayberry said...

cce, he actually did a riff on that at the beginning of the show which was, of course, hysterical.

Kelly said...

Ahhh, David Sedaris. The man made me laugh uproariously in the midst of the blackest depression. That says something, if one's writing can cut through and reach the most somber, morose person. He is genius. And now I have all his books. Going to see him live is a must. Glad you had a good time and some life-extending laughs.

(I tagged you for a meme. Stop by and see if it's something you'd be interested in writing about.)

Anonymous said...

I had the pleasure last year after reading everything he's written at least twice. I love that man.