Magic: David Sedaris Makes a List

Posted on by da-AL

If you don’t already know who David Sedaris is, you should. He’s a great writer, that’s why — moreover, he’s a fabulous performer of his writings.

Author David Sedaris

His most recent book is least like his prior books. For those new to his writing, it’s easier to start with any of his older books. His recent, “Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977-2002),” is his most personal and darkest.

Regardless of whether you hate him or never read a single sentence of his, he’s a mega-publishing success.

With that held in your mind, dwell upon the fact that many years ago, when he was very young and very depressed, he wrote up …

A  L i s t

Years later, he’d gotten every single thing on it and more!

Author David SedarisI listened to him reading his book and didn’t read it in print, so I’m paraphrasing …

David Sedaris’ 10 Reasons to Live

  1. Christmas
  2. Family beach trip
  3. Writing a published book
  4. Seeing my name in a magazine
  5. Watching ‘C’ grow bald
  6. (This one I couldn’t figure out what he was saying)
  7. Seeing Amy (his actress sister) on tv
  8. Other people’s books
  9. Outliving my enemies
  10. Being interviewed by Terry Gross (host and co-executive producer of the hugely popular National Public Radio show, “Fresh Air”)

Me? My lists tend to be daily ‘to do’ ones. Often I have to shake myself and look at the bigger of what I’m trying to achieve. Once I do, though, my life seems to track better. With a good optimistic overview of where I hope to go, work doesn’t seem as much like work and patience comes more easily.

What’s worked for you? Do you keep lists?

Published by da-AL

Happiness Between Tails blog/podcast speaks to and from the heart. It connects lovers — of pets, authors, reading — and of my still-unreleased novels. “Flamenco + the Sitting Cat” and “Tango + the Sitting Cat,” are my love letters to all who fear they're too odd, too damaged, too old, too whatever to find love and happiness with or without a partner. HappinessBetweenTails.com • ContactdaAL@gmail.com • BuyMeACoffee.com/SupportHBT

49 thoughts on “Magic: David Sedaris Makes a List”

      1. I found the book very honest at first, like it really was his diary excerpts. But then you could sort of tell he had gotten famous and was just keeping notes for future stories and not really journaling from the heart. I guess I’m alone on the sentiment though. Seems the book is doing very well!

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  3. I use lists. There are lots of post it in my office! But I don’t really have a list of reasons to live. I enjoy what I have; I seek what I want and I have my eyes open for new opportunities to make my life better as well of those around me. -Dominique

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    1. You have such a great attitude and I am grateful for your inspiration! As for what Sedaris meant, my guess is that he meant he hoped to be with his honey permanently, to grow old together. That boyfriend must have been before Hugh.

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            1. He is famous among people who like to read — here we are too fascinated by actors only, so it depends on how you look at it. One of his sister is Amy Sedaris, who is an actress — a successful one though not a super famous one. Would love if you let me know if you do any research on him & tell me what you think 🙂

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              2. Hey da-AL I did my research on David he is quite funny, I listened to his experience with the French medical system … “bend over and say Ah” … hum … very … funny !! … Please tell me if you know of other gay celebrities thank you !

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                1. Okay. I wrote an earlier post on a favorite author Truman Capote, of Breakfast at Tiffanys.

                  Don’t know if his famous cousin, Harper Lee who wrote the amazing classic To Kill a Mockingbird, was lesbian.

                  Like

                    1. Did you already write about Rock Hudson?

                      And the father on the 1970s tv show The Brady Bunch?

                      Another author— loooove book and only somewhat enjoyed movie (starring Jennifer Aniston of Friends fame and Paul Rudd)— The Object of My Affection.

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