David Sedaris and the Kindness of Strangers

This weekend Boyfriend and I were standing outside his place when all of a sudden a car across the street broke down in the middle of the road. We had both been drinking a bit and were on foot so we watched expectantly hoping that another motorist would stop and assist the vehicle. After a few minutes it was clear that the situation was dangerous - car in the middle of an intersection - and no one had yet stopped to help. We ran over.

The woman had a car full of what it looked to be her extended family. It was an older car and was not turning over. From my limited knowledge of cars - stemming from several years of owning the World's Oldest Car - and Boyfriend's assessment we both came to the same conclusion; she was out of gas. We whispered this to each other because the woman swore up and down that she had just put gas it in and that she gasses up frequently since the meter was broken. She later clarified to say that she had put $20 of gas in yesterday. When she told us where she was driving home to, however, the mental arithemetic started going off in my head to confirm that in fact, the car had no gas.

Boyfriend and I pushed her car out of the intersection - family still inside - and pondered what to do next. Neither of us could drive to the gas station of course and the woman didn't seem to be pulling out her AAA card. Luckily another car finally stops and upon assessing the situation immediately goes to buy a gas tank and a gallon of gas. The woman didn't seem to have any money to repay this kindness and, given the situation, it was never even discussed. Sure enough a few minutes later the woman and her family were on their way.

I guess it is an unremarkable story of charity - one that happens every day to many stranded motorists. I am glad we stopped to help the woman, however, since a) it's the right thing to do; and b) the world decided to repay me in the form of a FREE DAVID SEDARIS TICKET.

Now I know, there is a big difference between needing gas to get home and wanting a ticket to see your favorite humorist. But what it boils down to is - when you help out another person, it makes that person happy and also it makes you feel pretty damn good about yourself. So do it!

Here's what happened:

1. My email to David Sedaris and his agent requesting a press ticket has not been answered.

2. I attempted to post a message to Freecycle but was told this violated the Terms of Service. Apparently extra tickets are not contributing to the landfill problem. Sigh.

3. I posted an ad on Craig's list stating that I really wanted to go but had no money. Wouldn't you know it I got a message from a woman who wanted to go but had no ride and no one to accompany her to the show. Boyfriend and I picked her up and off we went!

The show was great. So hilarious to hear him read in front of a crowd of people so the laughs seem that much bigger. I was pleasantly suprised to hear him read new material that has yet to be published. Afterwards he signed my book and I got to talk to him, albeit briefly. It was a pretty awesome night.

As for the woman with the free ticket. I bought her a glass of wine at the show ($4) lest she think I was a total cheapskate and she was grateful. It felt a little bit like a first date ("So where are you from?" etc.) but all in all I had an excellent time. It shows if you want something badly enough you'll find a way to get it. Sometimes for free!

David Sedaris Watch and Friday Humor

So no word from David Sedaris or his agent yet. Sad. Perhaps I should have contacted them with a little more time remaining before the show. I still believe in the power of bartering, however, as a way of getting things you want without cash. I will be looking for a few more ways to do this in the future.

But, alas, all is not yet lost. I have also posted an ad on craig's list stating my desire for one free ticket to any ticketholder whose plans may have changed. It's wortha shot! I hesitate to put my desire out to my local freecycle because I always find it strange when people ask for non-neccessities on freecycle (like today when someone requested a "newer laptop") and also don't want to give out the impression I am looking for a date (yikes!).

A couple of months ago my girlfriends and I were about to buy tickets to a comedy show when a man unexpectedly gave us his extras in front of the box office. It turns out his company had bought too many. We were excited and proceeded to spend the $20 we saved on 4 cups of $5 beers. The comedy was bad and I fell asleep (okay passed out). Perhaps I can try standing outside the theatre again though it would be a little strange by myself. I believe my concert-going friends call his phenomenon being "miracled."

And in case you are curious what's so damn funny about David Sedaris that I want to see him in public read from his work that I could easily read myself, check out these (free!) clips from NPR.

And for you people too lazy/concerned for your job to stream media, here's a quote:

After a few months in my parents' basement, I took an apartment near the state university, where I discovered both crystal methamphetamine and conceptual art.
Either one of these things are dangerous, but in combination they have the potential to destroy entire civilizations.

:-) It's not for everyone, I admit, but he cracks me up. Happy Friday!

Why Don't You Want My Coffee Machine?

Money sucks. It also sucks that with all my expensive education I have to scrape by so that the purchase of a used coffee table doesn't break me. It's pretty depressing.



Went home at lunch to meet a Craig's List respondent who I had shared three emails with about selling a coffee/espresso machine donated to me by an ex-boyfriend. It works and retails for over a hundred bucks and I frankly just have no use for it and it takes up valuable closet space.




She gets there, comes in my apartment and says "oh this isn't what I thought it was" and walks out immediately without explanation or even an offer for a lower price. I was only asking for 20 dollars! I had even included a bag of liners and the User's Manual.


On top of that, it started raining on my way back to work even though it has been sunny all day.


Craig's List can really suck sometime. I've been trying to get rid of a futon mattress as well and I had one guy show up and try to fit his homemade cover over the mattress for 20 minutes before deciding it didn't fit and one no-show.

I can't get a break. Sigh....