We saw David Sedaris last night. He’s the reason I’m a writer, so I was pretty excited to see him for the first time.
I was not disappointed.
We sat in the balcony of a sold-out Royce Hall at UCLA, and listened to him read for about 90 minutes. A few things struck me during the performance:
He does the same thing with his feet that I do when I perform from my books. I know it’s best to keep both of them planted firmly on the ground and stay relatively still, but I always find myself lifting one foot up, and pointing it toe-down to the floor behind me. It’s kind of a ballet-looking move, and I always feel a little silly when I catch myself doing it. After seeing him do it, though . . . ah, who am I kidding? I’ll still feel silly.
At one point, I looked at the audience, and saw people leaning forward in their chairs, doubled over with laughter. He’ll never see that, because they’re hidden by the footlights and he’s focused on his material. He doesn’t need to see the audience to know that they’re enjoying themselves, but I wonder if he knows just how much they are.
He signs books before and after his performance. I always sign after mine, but I’m always such a ball of nerves before, I can’t imagine sitting in the lobby of the theater, meeting the audience — and expending the energy that is necessary for a good signing — before I go on stage.
Anne has his new book, When You Are Engulfed in Flames. I won’t get to read it until she’s finished, but she loves it. She read it on the plane next to me the whole way to Hawaii. She shook our seats because she was laughing so much. He read a story from it called Crybaby, and I understood why.
My favorite piece of the night, though, was one said just wouldn’t work unless he read it. I don’t even know how to describe it, but if you get a chance to hear him tell the story about Nicaragua, drop everything and get to the theater.
He seems like a kind, intelligent, sensitive guy who appreciates his success. I wanted to meet him and tell him that he’s the reason I’m a writer, but the line was three hours long just moments after the show ended. I know he doesn’t use computers or read reviews, but I wonder . . . if someone reading this sees him, and has the opportunity, would you tell him I said thank you?
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You’ve probably already read or heard this… funny stuff!
After waiting in that line for two and a half hours last night, I passed your comments along. He said he would look for you. I don’t know if he meant book or blog, but given the lack of computer use…
Also, Sedaris seemed entranced by my motorcycle helmet. He said that he likes to draw Abe Lincoln when he’s signing people’s books. My Abe is wearing a helmet.
Hey Wil,
This is off topic, and I know you’re pretty busy and don’t have too much time to respond to individual requests, I lucked out at KvP.
Anyway, recently my state of Michigan passed the Michigan Film Initiative which provides up to a 42% rebate for anybody willing to film here in Michigan. So, my first question is, have you heard about it, being as close as you are to the industry and secondly if you have, does it sound like anybody is interested? Well here’s the site if you haven’t heard http://www.michigan.gov/filmoffice
Thanks bud.
Robert
Hi, Wil,
First, congrats on the McFarlane/Google gig. Hope you’ll post a link when known.
I thought I heard your dulcet tones in a TV ad yesterday. Have you done anything for a sausage manufacturer?
Hope Trek Expo went well for you. I’m avoiding travel due to the economy and my current college courses. (Taking American Sign Language, requires much practice!)
Ah, you lucky, lucky bastard!
I love David Sedaris. I’m entered in a contest to win his latest book, but if I don’t win it, I’ll certainly be buying it. I have the entire collection and love every story.
Wil: Your fellow “I love the Millenium” commentator and Typepad user Michael Ian Black has been talking a lot about Mr. Sedaris, too.
I actually think you and Michael feel the same way about David Sedaris, but MIB expresses his affection… differently:
Only a Few Days Left…
David Sedaris is indeed wonderful live! I saw him around 7+ years ago now (he had a terrible cold and still did a great reading). When he signed my copy of *Me Talk Pretty Someday* as a gift for my husband, I stupidly/nervously/star-struckedly said something along the lines of “sorry you’re sick, my husband is a doctor,” and then added once my brain caught up with my mouth “of philosophy.” He was very kind about the whole thing! It is always cool when an idol understands blather.
He was just here doing a book signing and I missed it. He always takes time with each person when he signs, which is awesome and like someone else we all know.
He also usually plugs another author on his tours and even sells their books. The last time, it was Max Brooks and his zombie stuff.
What’s he plugging this time?
He’s coming here (Minneapolis) in October, I can’t wait.
Sedaris is one of the larger inspirations behind my lifelong goal of being a public radio personality, nationally or locally.
Wait a minute, I was in the balcony last night! Damn, if only I had had the foresight to check your Twitter beforehand. Having traveled to France with other Americans numerous times, the Nicaragua story was eerily familiar.
By the way, this is a bit tangential, but my name’s Claire Hummel- not sure if you remember me, but I drew you as a sort of stick figure at one of the Creation sci-fi cons a few years back and we meant to keep in contact but then… Never did. I’ll be working up at Microsoft games soonish now that I’ve graduated from art school, so I’d love to track you down at PAX.
-C
Whenever I speak from a podium (a couple times a year) I do that foot thing also. I tap the point when thinking.
I have been a besotted Sedaris fan ever since I heard that first fateful broadcast of “The Santaland Diaries” on Morning Edition back in 1992. I was late for work that day, b/c I stayed in bed too long first listening to it, then recovering from my hysterical laughter enough to get up.
I saw him do a reading a couple years ago here in New Haven, at a sold-out Woolsey Hall at Yale (over 3,000 seats chock-full). Even in such a large space, he brought everything across brilliantly. I’m glad you got a chance to see him!!
David Sedaris is probably my favorite writer (sorry Wil!) – and I’m sort of a hard book critic! I have all of his books on audio – and paper versions. He always reads for his audiobooks so it’s as close to getting to the theatre as I’ve managed thus far. One day though… one day…
this is brilliant:
I saw David a couple of years ago when his last book came out at the Shakespeare and Co Booksellers in NYC. He read a few chapters in the downstairs of the store which, when cleared, is a nice space. It wasn’t a stage or anything so he could definitely view reactions. He was hilarious!
David is my favorite writer too, so it’s nice to see other fans here. I just finished “Engulfed” and loved it. I saw him in New Haven — probably the same reading that Meredith referenced — but didn’t wait to speak to him.
Another recommendation: David Rakoff.
I had to re-write this a dozen times to not sound like such a kiss-ass. I gave up.
The top shelf of my bookcase holds my most favorite books by my most favorite authors. Alphabetically, that shelf reads: Dave Eggers; Stephen King; David Sedaris; Wil Wheaton; Kurt Vonnegut.
I can only imagine how much fun you had last night.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3517282/1/In_The_Rough
I am 1/2 way through this book right now. I’ve never seen the author live (but I do own an autographed copy of one of his books).
I’ll have to check out his book tour dates to see if I can catch him here in MA.
🙂
i saw sedaris perform last year. his stories about the rooster and learning to speak french are some of my favorites. i took a copy of “me talk pretty one day” for him to sign. my dog, betty, had chewed up an entire corner of the book, but it was my favorite and i’d highlighted my copy, so it was important for me to have him sign that copy. i waited in line for about 90 minutes and finally worked my way to the table where he sat. i handed him my book – “my dog ate your book.” – and asked him to sign on the page where he talks about the fuck-it bucket. he smiled and looked down to start writing as we talked. he asked if i’d liked his performance, i asked if his brother was as funny in person as he is in david’s stories – “i’ve always made him a touch funnier, but he’s married now, so it takes a lot more effort these days.” he handed my book back, i thanked him and pranced off with my friend, so thrilled to have spoken to sedaris. when we got to the car, we realized we hadn’t seen what he’d written. “i think you should have betty put to sleep.” i love him even more.
I got to see his “Santaland Diaries” performed several times as I helped out with a local theater. He’s indeed very talented!
I saw David Sedaris at a book signing at the University of Minnesota, and he mentioned a book by Tobias Wolff that was his (latest?) favorite – anyone know of this book? The line at the “U” was about three hours long, not much different than other posters’s waits… thanks
Wil, I worked with David Sedaris as sound technician on Saturday, and I was utterly astonished. He was charming, funny, and the single most professional speaker I’ve ever worked with (of course, I’ve never worked with you :-). He also signed books from 6 ’til 7, read from 7 ’til 8, and signed from 8 until after 11.
And yes, he did the Nicaragua story. My sides hurt just thinking about it…