Wednesday, October 14, 2009

David Sedaris

Saturday was a big day in Oxford, Mississippi.

The Ole Miss Rebels began this year's football season ranked in the Top Ten. After Saturday's game against Alabama, it was clear that whoever ranked us was, well, wrong. I hate it for the team--it's hard to start high--there's nowhere to go but down. I think the ranking was a curse, and I hope that they can pull through the rest of the season and show their talent. Regardless of the outcome, it was HUGE game. I've never seen so many people invade, I mean, visit our sleepy little town.

Immediately following the SEC bloodfest, I ran over to the Ford Center on campus (yes, the same campus where the football game had just ended) to see the one and only David Sedaris.


How badly did I want to stuff him in my pocket and take him home with me? He was hilarious, and he somehow manages to be caustic and cute at the same time. How does he get away with it?

He read several essays to us--my favorite was about his dad, slipping out of his pants at the end of the day like a woman slipping out of her high heels, and walking around the house in his underpants. Every day. Those were his "house clothes." It made it hard for David and his siblings to take him very seriously--you know, because of the underpants.

But my favorite quote came from his visit to Little Rock, Arkansas, which is where he went after leaving Oxford. My friend heard him speak there, and he said that the most common billboards that he saw on the road from Oxford to Little Rock had to do with Jesus and catfish.

Love him.
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UPDATE: I JUST HEARD THAT LAINI TAYLOR'S BOOK LIPS TOUCH WAS NOMINATED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD!!!!!!

9 comments:

lisa and laura said...

David Sedaris is hilarious. I wish I was half as funny as he is.

And congrats to Laini! I can't wait to read that book!

Katie Anderson said...

I am sick I missed this! But thanks for the recap.

Christy Raedeke said...

What a great day! Tailgaters, football, and David Seadaris, all withing walking distance from one another? I still remember last year's post about the tailgaters in Oxford - the idea of Rueben Dip is forever seared into my brain!

Little Ms J said...

What a perfect day! I drove to Tucson to see him two years ago. He is my hero. Did he read the essay about his French rabbits? HILARIOUS.

Hardygirl said...

I MUST read the essay about the French rabbits!

Yes, it was quite the day . . .

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Kelly H-Y said...

His books cracked me up!

Irene Latham said...

Instead of catfish and Jesus, in Alabama it's probably FOOTBALL and Jesus. And BBQ. Yep, we love our BBQ. Happy you got a Sedaris fix!

Anne Spollen said...

I've read his essays to my kids on long car trips (yes, they were trapped, so why not take advantage of it?)

They actually didn't tell me to stop - sounds like a great day!

Stephanie Perkins said...

David is my favorite humor writer. Ever. Period. I saw him a few years ago, and I'm aching to go again!

And . . .

CONGRATULATIONS, LAINI AND JIM!!!!!!!

As you know, it's SO deserved!

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