The reading assignment for this post was The Great Leap Forward, and Todays Special. Both of these essays were about Sedaris living in New York City. In the Great Leap Forward, Sedaris talks about his first job in New York City as a secretary for a crazy bitch, and his second job as a mover with commie co workers. Today’s Special was about the fine dining experience that Sedaris hates in New York City
The crazy bitch who runs a publishing company out of her 4th floor study is probably one of the most hated characters of mine through out this book. Everything about her annoys me. What did you guys think? Why do you think Sedaris keeps his job there for so long even when he hates it?
Probably the funniest section of this essay in my opinion was his time with the communist moving crew. What did you guys think about the murderer that worked with them? Would you be able to work with a crew like that? I also found the part where New Yorkers went crazy when an apartment was vacated and would ask emergency crews about recently deceased occupants, and the conditions of their apartment to be pretty funny. The other good part was when they would move out half an apartment and have to hear the stories of why the occupants were breaking up. "SHE FUCKED HER EX BOYFRIEND ON THIS SOFA ID BOUGHT FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY" yelling over the noise of the engine. What do you guys think about the imagery that Sedaris creates with this unusual sequence of dialogue?
Today’s Special in my opinion was a lame but descriptive essay about the fancy food that no one likes that is served in New York City. I think I would have to agree with Sedaris that I would rather just have a hot dog rather than messing around with delicate cuisine. The bit about what hot dogs are made of and Sedaris actually being more accustom to those ingredients than the stuff the fancy New York Restaurant uses on its food was pretty ironic.
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I have to say so far, this was my very favorite pair of essays from what we've read so far. "The Great Leap Forward" was a very fun read, I actually found myself upset that such an interesting portion of his life was touched on only this little. I don't get this guy, he's all over the place, landing himself in the oddest situations ever.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the second essay goes, I stand corrected. In my very first post on this blog, I made a point claiming that I probably wouldn't ever find a way to relate to this guy. "Today's Special" proved me wrong. I was laughing so hard at this one, because I know EXACTLY how that feels. Like for real, I just want a damn burger, what's this weird $36 plate of bullshit ingredients that I've never heard of? I'll pass on the "Gray Poupon". Ketchup will do. I must admit, I'm growing a lot of respect for this guy with each essay I'm reading.
i absolutely love the one about the moving crew. just the way he talks about his friends. "the commie, the skits, and the murderor". and im going to agree with you obi, as this book goes on im beginning to see somewhat of a simularity with the guy. i hate that if you go to a really nice restaurant its sometimes hard to find a meal that you can actually understand what it consists of. im a steak and potatoe kind of guy. when i go to places like biagi's i find it hard to find somthing i think i will like. the scale is different but i get what he is saying.
ReplyDeleteand on the subject of the crazy lady....my father is that kind of person but not quite to that extreme. he has no issues with money what so ever but he is very stingy about it. any time he can save a buck no mattter how rediculus it sounds he will do it. it drives me crazy. and when i read that essay i was just like wow i know how he feels!!!
These essay were definately good. The part in the chapter where David Sedaris talks about the moving crew was the best. I espically liked the quote the murderer made about why he burned his sister's boyfriend to death. "I don't know. The guy was an asshole. What more do you want?" What makes this section on Richie the murderer and others so funny is not only the experience itself, but the way David Sedaris words it. What does everyone else think.
ReplyDeleteI have to dissagree with everyone else about the food. I like the strange dishes that David Sedaris attacks. I think they are much more delicous then a hot dog or hamburger. I couldn't give a shit what so ever as to what it's made from. Worst case scenario is I end up eating a hamster or something which gives me explosive diahrea. Oh well. I bet hamster isn't half bad. And as for the diahrea, Fuck it. Shit happens. Literally.
http://estb.msn.com/i/3B/D4A26FE3D28B8DF2A3DB099E8E87D.jpg
ReplyDeleteBulls balls?
http://sweetteaandlemon.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/fried-chicken.jpg
Or fried chicken?
Yeah I also thought these essays were very good. I preferred "Today's Special" a little more. I could really relate to his predicament. I'm more of a fast food guy so I would much rather eat a junior bacon cheese burger for 1.20 than eat some weird entree for 50 bucks.
ReplyDeleteI did find "The Great Leap Forward" to be pretty good too. I thought that all the different people he was working with at the communist moving company were pretty funny, especially the murderer.