Journal Entry 1 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Thursday, June 26, 2008

Before I bought this, I saw Sedaris on The Daily Show - he talked about how he came to write the book. He was quitting smoking and read that the best way to do that is to move. change your location. so he moved to Japan for several months. this is perhaps more extreme than most of us would do to break a habit/addiction, though it does seem to have worked.

Just as in Me Talk Pretty Someday where he describes learning French, some of the best and funniest parts of this book are his descriptions of learning Japanese. He is candid about his skill (or lack thereof) in learning Japanese, which is endearing and enjoyable for us on the not-learning-Japanese-right-now end of the scale.

I also loved, laughed out loud loved, his chapter including his description of the Stadium Pal, a wonderful manly accessory...

"It was my search for something discreet, masculine and practical that led me to the Stadium Pal, an external catheter currently being marketed to sports fans, truck drivers, and anyone else who's tired of searching for a bathroom. At first inspection, the device met all my criteria.

Was it masculine? Yes, and proudly so. Knowing that no sensible female would ever voluntarily choose to pee in her pants, the manufacturers went ahead and designed the product exclusively for men. Unlike a regular catheter, which is inserted directly into the penis, the Stadium Pal connects by way of a self-adhesive condom, which is then attached to a flexible rubber tube. Urine flows through the tube and collects in the 'freedom leg bag,' conveniently attached to the user's calf. The bag can be emptied and reused up to twelve times, making it both disgusting and cost effective. And what could be manlier?"

If you too would like to enjoy more Sedaris, PM me and let me know your shipping preferences. I am going to make this an international ring... 

Journal Entry 2 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Thursday, July 10, 2008

Starting this book on its international journey...first stop, South Africa...

klaradyn S Africa
okyrhoe Greece
bhj09 Korea
JennyC1230 and Lumbermoose GA USA
300dogs USA
sarahjanemc OR USA
ramson LA USA
lynlee4 FL USA
msjoanna NY USA
aberpeter WA USA
KateKintail VA USA
Kiri CA USA

When you receive the book, please journal that you've received it. When you are ready to send it on to the next person, please PM them to get their address. Journal that you've read it, what you thought of it, and that you are sending it on.

Thank you, all for participating! Enjoy... 

Journal Entry 3 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Tuesday, July 15, 2008

...a few more folks have wanted to join the ring, so here is the updated list...

klaradyn S Africa
okyrhoe Greece
bhj09 Korea
JennyC1230 and Lumbermoose GA USA
300dogs USA
sarahjanemc OR USA
ramson LA USA
lynlee4 FL USA
msjoanna NY USA
aberpeter WA USA
KateKintail VA USA
Kiri CA USA
Eucalia WA USA
sunfi OH USA
 

Journal Entry 4 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Sunday, July 20, 2008

And yet another updated list...

klaradyn S Africa
okyrhoe Greece
bhj09 Korea
JennyC1230 and Lumbermoose GA USA
300dogs USA
sarahjanemc OR USA
ramson LA USA
lynlee4 FL USA
msjoanna NY USA
aberpeter WA USA
KateKintail VA USA
Kiri CA USA
Eucalia WA USA
sunfi OH USA
literarylover FL USA 

Journal Entry 5 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Thursday, July 24, 2008

And yet another...
klaradyn S Africa
okyrhoe Greece
bhj09 Korea
JennyC1230 and Lumbermoose GA USA
300dogs USA
sarahjanemc OR USA
ramson LA USA
lynlee4 FL USA
msjoanna NY USA
aberpeter WA USA
KateKintail VA USA
Kiri CA USA
Eucalia WA USA
sunfi OH USA
literarylover FL USA
imuzak12 FL USA 

Journal Entry 6 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Friday, July 25, 2008

the more the merrier...

klaradyn S Africa
okyrhoe Greece
bhj09 Korea
JennyC1230 and Lumbermoose GA USA
300dogs USA
sarahjanemc OR USA
ramson LA USA
lynlee4 FL USA
msjoanna NY USA
aberpeter WA USA
KateKintail VA USA
Kiri CA USA
Eucalia WA USA
sunfi OH USA
literarylover FL USA
imuzak12 FL USA
BethanieKay TX USA 

Journal Entry 7 by klaradyn from Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa on Monday, July 28, 2008

Arrived today. Thanks so much for sharing, smilingheron. 

Journal Entry 8 by klaradyn from Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa on Monday, August 04, 2008

This is the second book by David Sedaris that I've read and I really love his writing. I do find it a little strange how very personal some of his pieces are.
My very favourite stories from this book were: "Buddy, Can You Spare A Tie?" (about clothes), "That's Amore" (about a neighbour in New York, really touching), "Solution to Saturday's Puzzle" (about a rude woman on an airplane) and "Adult Figures Charging Toward a Concrete Toadstool" (about his parents' art collection).
Thanks for starting this bookring, smilingheron! 

Journal Entry 9 by klaradyn at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa on Monday, August 04, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (8/4/2008 UTC) at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On the way to okyrhoe, using surface mail. It should take a couple of months to arrive. Sorry about that but the book turned out to be really heavy.

My book #46 for guinaveve's Keep Them Moving challenge. 

Journal Entry 10 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Updated list...

klaradyn S Africa
okyrhoe Greece
bhj09 Korea
JennyC1230 and Lumbermoose GA USA
300dogs USA
sarahjanemc OR USA
ramson LA USA
lynlee4 FL USA
msjoanna NY USA
aberpeter WA USA
KateKintail VA USA
Eucalia WA USA
sunfi OH USA
literarylover FL USA
imuzak12 FL USA
BethanieKay TX USA 

Journal Entry 11 by okyrhoe from Athens, Attica Greece on Thursday, October 02, 2008

Arrived here today. Thanks smilingheron for including me in the ring, and klaradyn for posting it to me!

I would listen to D.S.'s NPR radio show religiously when I was studying in Boston.
D.S. was in town some months back and his presentation was, needless to say, a hoot!

Sedaris reads. 

Journal Entry 12 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Thursday, October 02, 2008

And yet another updated list...

klaradyn S Africa
okyrhoe Greece
bhj09 Korea
JennyC1230 and Lumbermoose GA USA
300dogs USA
sarahjanemc OR USA
ramson LA USA
lynlee4 FL USA
msjoanna NY USA
aberpeter WA USA
KateKintail VA USA
Eucalia WA USA
sunfi OH USA
literarylover FL USA
imuzak12 FL USA
BethanieKay TX USA
melydia VA USA

 

Journal Entry 13 by okyrhoe from Athens, Attica Greece on Monday, November 10, 2008

Sedaris is a touch more intimate and revealing here than in his previous collections. And also somewhat more prone to discuss the darker side of humanity. But that's just what makes his writing so endearing.

It was strange reading When You Are Engulfed in Flames in the Metro - the persons sitting across from me would glance from the book's gruesome cover picture and then up at me in wonder, when I couldn't contain my giggles!

Waiting for the next reader's address to post the book.

-------
ETA: Nov. 12 : No reply from bhj09 so I'm contactiing JennyC1230 now. 

Journal Entry 14 by okyrhoe from Athens, Attica Greece on Thursday, November 13, 2008

On its way to JennyC1230!

BTW, although the cost of posting a hardcover book is high and most BCers in bookrings don't want to receive & forward them, I do appreciate holding a nice solid book in my hands from time to time! IMO, it's worth that extra postage. Thanks again smilingheron! 

Journal Entry 15 by JennyC1230 from Woodstock, Georgia USA on Thursday, November 20, 2008

This book arrived today! It looks interesting! After I read it I will make a journal entry and then hand it off to Lumbermoose.

Thanks for sharing smilingheron and to okyrhoe for mailing it! 

Journal Entry 16 by JennyC1230 from Woodstock, Georgia USA on Tuesday, November 25, 2008

This was such a funny book! David Sedaris has a way of looking at things that just makes you laugh. I really enjoy his dry humor and his wacky friends and family. Great book!

One of my favorite parts was when he was in a class learning Japanese. Languages are fascinating the way they phrase sentences doesn't make sense here, but that's how they do it! I also liked the part about the woman on the plane who was being rude to him.

Passing on to Lumbermoose to read... 

Journal Entry 17 by Lumbermoose from Woodstock, Georgia USA on Monday, December 01, 2008

Thank you for including me in this ring. Starting this one today...

12/13/08 -- Once again, I find that I have a great appreciation for his sense of humor. I found myself chuckling quite a bit at his perspectives on his life.

Thank you for including me!! 

Journal Entry 18 by Lumbermoose at BOOKRING, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Sunday, December 14, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (12/15/2008 UTC) at BOOKRING, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

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Heading out today to 300dogs...
Media Mail USPS Conf. # 9102 8052 1368 3106 3068 06 

Journal Entry 19 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Monday, December 22, 2008

Arrived safely today in New Jersey, along with another ring. Yikes. When it rains, it pours. All the rays seem to arrive at once. I am looking forward to another great read from David Sedaris. 

Journal Entry 20 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Friday, January 02, 2009

Oh my gosh, I just love David Sedaris! His books are so funny. I was laughing out loud, almost doubled over while reading the part about the Stadium Pal. Keep in mind, I was at the doctor's office, freezing cold and wearing a paper shirt while waiting for a mamogram!!

The next reader asked to be removed from the ring, so I will mail this off to ramson tomorrow.

Thanks 2of3R's for this great ring!! 

Journal Entry 21 by 300dogs at sent by mail, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 03, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (1/3/2009 UTC) at sent by mail, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

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This book is being sent today to ramson who is next in line.

Happy New Year!!! 

Journal Entry 22 by ramson from New Orleans, Louisiana USA on Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Yay! This has arrived just in time for me to take along on my vacation - that's if I don't finish it before then. I will start it when I finish my current read which should be tonight. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 23 by ramson from New Orleans, Louisiana USA on Friday, January 16, 2009

I read this in two days and thoroughly enjoyed it. Sedaris is hysterical. Thanks so much for sharing this book with us. I mailed it out to the next participant this morning. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 24 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Monday, January 19, 2009

and still another updated list...

klaradyn S Africa
okyrhoe Greece
bhj09 Korea
JennyC1230 and Lumbermoose GA USA
300dogs USA
sarahjanemc OR USA
ramson LA USA
lynlee4 FL USA
msjoanna NY USA
aberpeter WA USA
KateKintail VA USA
Eucalia WA USA
literarylover FL USA
imuzak12 FL USA
BethanieKay TX USA
melydia VA USA
 

Journal Entry 25 by lynlee4 from North Port, Florida USA on Wednesday, January 21, 2009

received today - can't wait to read it! 

Journal Entry 26 by lynlee4 from North Port, Florida USA on Thursday, February 05, 2009

I think this is his best yet! Many times I laughed out loud. The cough drop story had me in tears!

Thank you to smilingheron for sharing :)

I hope to get this in the mail this weekend...have pm'd msjoanna for her addy.

msjoanna already has the book, I've pm'd aberpeter on 2/6

sent to aberpeter on 2/21 ~ so sorry for the delay! My daughter had a baby (yea!) and I kinda lost my head. 

Journal Entry 27 by Aberpeter from Kirkland, Washington USA on Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Arrived today in the mail. I am looking forward to reading this book. 

Journal Entry 28 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Wednesday, March 18, 2009

I'm trying to let people whose bookrings I've joined, and who are participating in rings I'm hosting (this one!) that I've changed my screen name! I used to be smilingheron, and now am 2of3Rs. Hoping to avoid confusion...


klaradyn S Africa
okyrhoe Greece
bhj09 Korea
JennyC1230 and Lumbermoose GA USA
300dogs USA
sarahjanemc OR USA
ramson LA USA
lynlee4 FL USA
msjoanna NY USA
aberpeter WA USA <--- the book is here!
KateKintail VA USA
Eucalia WA USA
literarylover FL USA
imuzak12 FL USA
BethanieKay TX USA
melydia VA USA

...and back to me...OR USA 

Journal Entry 29 by Aberpeter from Kirkland, Washington USA on Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I was somewhat disappointed in this book. Don't get me wrong, the book was quite humorous at times. However, I measure all David Sedaris books to Me Talk Pretty One Day, which has to be his funniest collection of essays. The two images that are forever imprinted in my mind are Hugh lancing the boil and David catching flies for Alice.

I will move this book on as soon as I have an address. 

Journal Entry 30 by Aberpeter from Kirkland, Washington USA on Tuesday, April 07, 2009

on its way to KateKintail 

Journal Entry 31 by KateKintail from Burke, Virginia USA on Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I picked this up at the post office today. I can't wait to start it. I've read all of his other books (some I laughed harder during than others) but I've heard good things about this one in particular.

I laughed out loud so hard I cried when reading about David learning French in Me Talk Pretty Some Day. Problem was, I was sitting in my dentist's waiting room at the time. And tomorrow, coincidentally, I head to the dentist for a 2 hour appointment... so we'll see what happens :-)

Thanks for including me in this ring and thank you, Aberpeter, for mailing it to me. 

Journal Entry 32 by KateKintail from Burke, Virginia USA on Sunday, July 05, 2009

One of my favorite Sedaris books, definitely. It had a good mix of personal revelations, fascinating observations, and stories about his family. There was laugh out loud humor throughout.

Like in Me Talk Pretty One Day (my favorite) his exploits with different cultures and languages especially are my favorite parts. I cracked up publicly quite a few times while reading this in various locations (waiting room for my mother's allergist when I took her for her weekly shots, lobby of a hotel in Philadelphia, on a bench overlooking the Potomac River on my lunch break, etc.). I got a kick out of the part about his living in France and having, er, a friendship. And the parts about him learning Japanese definitely brought tears to my eyes from laughing so hard. I loved those. I don't think I'd do very well in Japan; I prefer bluntness, but I like my bluntness to be blunt, not soft and clever. Asking if someone has a watch instead of asking the time? I'd be shunned! LOL

I really liked the clothing stories as well. And "Solution to Saturday's Puzzle" was hilarious and so cleverly written; just what I'd expect from Sedaris. I also really liked his observations about his parent's/family's art, er, preferences as my family has acquired some kooky items as well that we're all attached to.

I thought the whole last chapter was fantastic, really. That could have been a book in and of itself. I liked the day-by-day structure of it as he explained what it was like to move to Japan and quit smoking all at once. I've never smoked and never want to, so I couldn't relate to some of his explanations personally, but he still did a good job of explaining why it became a part of his life and how personal a thing it was, which made it difficult to stop.

The book traveled with me to Boston and back, Philadelphia and back, and Washington DC and back. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read it and see what so many others have thought about it! I apologize for having it so long. 

Journal Entry 33 by KateKintail at Burke, Virginia USA on Sunday, July 05, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (7/2/2009 UTC) at Burke, Virginia USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I mailed this out to Eucalia on July 2. I enclosed an artsy bookmark from my collection that was rather reminiscent of a few stories in the book.

USPS Delivery Confirmation #0308 3390 0000 1236 7672 

Journal Entry 34 by Eucalia from Snoqualmie, Washington USA on Tuesday, July 07, 2009

I found this in my mailbox today and will get started on it as soon as I finish the book I'm in the middle of. Thanks for sending this to me KateKintail and thanks 2of3R's for sharing! 

Journal Entry 35 by Eucalia at Mailed, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (7/30/2009 UTC) at Mailed, Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Very amusing, I especially enjoyed the last chapter! Thanks for sharing with me!

I've had no response to multiple PMs from the next person in line, so I'm skipping her and moving on to imuzak12. It's on its way! 

Journal Entry 36 by imuzak12 from Corpus Christi, Texas USA on Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Received this book by mail. I am looking forward to reading!

9.8.09-
I am sorry of my slow reading. It is due to my school works, and I've read 1/3 now. I hope I can make more time to read and finish reading this one soon. 

Journal Entry 37 by imuzak12 from Corpus Christi, Texas USA on Sunday, September 20, 2009

I am sorry for taking time. My classes will be over in three weeks, and then, I will focus on to finish reading this one. I promise!

10.09.09---
I just finish reading this. This was my first David Sedaris, and it was really funny, especially the first half. I googled "guinea worm", my co-worker found video on YouTube, and we had a lots of scream and fun. Then I googled "Stadium Pal". Surprisingly or not, there is "Stadium Gal". I also found the video clip that David himself reading about "Stadium Pal" on Letterman Show on YouTube. Of course I send those links to my co-worker and shared laughs.

When I read that he went to Japan to quit smoking, I thought it had to be a mistake. Then he explained that he wanted to have different surrounding and milder atmosphere to smokers than U.S., and it made sense to me. His observation of Japan and people were mostly understandable and funny. He wrote that there was a woman that ate croissant by chopsticks, but I don't believe it! It has to be a joke:) When he visited to Hiroshima, my hometown, I was looking forward to read his funny observations of the city. It was interesting that he felt that Hiroshima was different from other cities: "greener, more opener". It's smaller and has less population than Tokyo and Osaka, so it is naturally "opener", I guess. Another contribution may be that Hiroshima was completely able to re-developed the city after a-bomb flatted and ruined the city while the cities like Tokyo and Osaka were able to keep many old small roads and sections from hundreds years ago. 

Journal Entry 38 by imuzak12 at Dallas, Texas USA on Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (10/13/2009 UTC) at Dallas, Texas USA

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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mail to the next reader. 

Journal Entry 39 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Monday, October 19, 2009

Received in the mail today - what a surprise! I'd kinda forgotten that this one was coming soon :) Good timing, though, as I just finished a book, so can jump into this one right now! 

Journal Entry 40 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Thursday, October 22, 2009

I guess I must be in the minority, because I only find some of Sedaris' writing funny. I always hear everyone say how hysterical he is, so I sometimes wonder if it's just me, if maybe I just wasn't in the mood when I read one of his books. Well, this is now the 3rd book of his I've read, and I still don't think he's all that funny. Hmm.

Well, it was worth a shot! :) Thanks for letting me join. I'll be mailing this to the next in line tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 41 by BethanieKay at Postal Release, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, October 22, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (10/23/2009 UTC) at Postal Release, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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On the way to melydia in Virginia.... 

Journal Entry 42 by melydia from Centreville, Virginia USA on Friday, October 30, 2009

Yay it arrived! :D 

Journal Entry 43 by melydia from Centreville, Virginia USA on Monday, November 02, 2009

One thing I really appreciate about Sedaris is not only does he share the often unflattering foibles of everyone around him, he never spares himself. Indeed, he often paints himself as the one with the worst intentions and habits. I laughed particularly hard at "In the Waiting Room" and "What I Learned". The final and longest essay, "The Smoking Section," goes through his first few months after quitting smoking. It's made more interesting by the stay in Japan during this time. These essays are sometimes poignant, often funny, and always unexpected. All in all, this is one of Sedaris's better collections. It doesn't beat out Me Talk Pretty One Day as my favorite, but it's probably in second place.

Thanks for sharing this. It's on its way back to 2of3Rs in Oregon now. 

Journal Entry 44 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Thursday, November 19, 2009

The book arrived home, safe and sound. Thank you, everyone, for reading this and passing it along. I'm not sure what my ultimate plans are for this book, I think I want to keep it for a while and reread some of it. And then? we shall see...