Sunday, October 29, 2017

People Talkin'

Friday night, we went to see David Sedaris.

The evening certainly didn't start out well.

We had dinner reservations at a would-be snooty-ish restaurant at 18:00.  710, caught in traffic got home at 17:45.  ....and yes, we do live more than 15 minutes away from where we were to meet friends.

Of course before leaving the house, Blobby got distracted by one Sophie cat who wanted her treats before we departed - as she is apt to do. I complied as I am apt to do.

In said distraction, I left the tickets and the pre-paid parking voucher on the kitchen counter.  Curses!

I realized this about 10 blocks from the parking garage. I couldn't get through to the box office, so 710 drove around the block while they nicely reprinted my tickets.  We were only 10 minutes late for dinner.

The restaurant wasn't nearly as snooty as anticipated, at least in decor. Granted, save chicken livers, there was not much on the appetizer or salad menu I'd want. I'm not a frou frou kind of guy when it comes to food. Or some would say my food tastes are "unsophisticated". So be it.

We had a decent meal with great friends. Then we headed over to the show.

My lord, I've never seen so many people I know in one place from different walks of life:  yoga work, neighbors, friends. All to see Sedaris. None seemingly to see the show next door: the Diary of Ann Frank. (psssst!  That one doesn't end well.)

Sedaris is just like how I thought he would be - in person. Clearly, good writing is an art, though I will admit that a few of his later books didn't even get me to crack a smile. His diaries are wonderful though. Reading is possibly a higher and harder art form. He did a great job with the reads - the inflections, pauses, et al.

He read four essays - lengthy ones. One on insulting phrases people use from other parts of the world - which was quite hilarious. One that was way too much about people who shit their pants, though the crowd of 2000 seemingly loved it all.  Then he read a number of diary passages, some from his current collections, some from the one in process - all funny.  He'd chat between the essays.

Then he took some Q&A.  Eh - that was alright I suppose.



Song by: Lucinda Williams

8 comments:

Raybeard said...

I'd not heard of this chap until a few years ago. He occasionally does a series of readings from his diaries in front of an audience for BBC radio - I'm sure he must do the same in America. Must say that the British audience is very responsive to his quirky anecdotes and deliveries, as am I.

Pleased that his live appearance capped off well what had threatened to be a disastrous evening - and your giving in to Sophie's ill-timed demands are perfectly understandable. I'd have done the same (as you might have guessed).

anne marie in philly said...

"I'm not a frou frou kind of guy when it comes to food. Or some would say my food tastes are 'unsophisticated'. So be it." - neither am I. I want food I can pronounce, not some made-up fancy-ass name for chicken garnished with lawn clippings.

Travel said...

The more mature I get, the less I fuss about being on time, it is nice to relax and not worry sometimes. Sounds like a nice evening out.

Fearsome Beard said...

I’ve never been to keen on Sedaris. I just never developed a taste for his style. Maybe I should try reading him again as it’s been years since I picked up one of his books.

Deedles said...

I am going to cyber hug Anne Marie now because she makes me laugh. (((Anne Marie))).

Old Lurker said...

The cat doesn't want you going off without her. She is entertainment enough.

Mark in DE said...

Sounds like a great evening, except for forgetting the tickets. He's a talented writer. I love him and Amy both. Have you watched Amy's new TV series? I haven't yet but surely will.

Ur-spo said...

I remember going to hear Mr. Sedaris ; he was fine entetraining.