Day 2


Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls: Essays, Etc. by David Sedaris

100 Words: So I've actually met David Sedaris. He was on a speaking tour and came to El Paso. Incredibly funny in person with that dry, Sedaris whit. After the show he was signing books, so my wife and I got in line. As we waited, we noticed there were people in line who had baked brownies for the author. When he got to David, the author immediately began sharing the brownies with all the people in line. I think the gift-giver was a little let down, but they were tasty. Meeting the man was a pleasure I will never forget.

Summary: So I began "Memory Laps" day 1, and finished it day 2. What was once about swimming became a story about fathers and their expectations. David attempts to be a competitive swimmer but all his dad can do is praise another guy who is in the class. It's depressing as so many stories of his childhood are. The second short piece today is "A Friend in the Ghetto" about David meeting a young black woman and his mother negatively reacting to the girl. The issue is generational and is emphasized by the use of "colored" vs "Negro" (which is now no longer accepted). The third story is "Loggerheads" which I've only just begun and therefore have no opinion.

Quote: "Who wants to be the best at something you do in a bathing suit?"

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