Pittsburgh Weekend Activities – October 17
If Mike Birbiglia is the LeBron James of NPR, then David Sedaris is Kobe*. Between his frequent contributions to This American Life, and his popular collections of short stories and essays, Mr. Sedaris has cemented his stature as the favorite humorist of liberal white people of all ages. He will be at Heinz Hall Sunday to deliver an evening of entertaining narratives and below are but a sampling of his clever phrasing and deadpan humor.
“I haven’t got the slightest idea how to change people, but still I keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out.”
“Lovers of audio books learn to live with compromise.”
“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. “
“I’ve been keeping a diary for thirty-three years and write in it every morning. Most of it’s just whining, but every so often there’ll be something I can use later: a joke, a description, a quote. It’s an invaluable aid when it comes to winning arguments. ‘That’s not what you said on February 3, 1996,’ I’ll say to someone.”
Continuing on the subject of stuff white people like, Fiona Apple is in town this weekend as well. Though my tastes typically diverge from other Caucasians**, I love Fiona Apple. Her latest pompously-named album is an excellent addition to her catalogue of highly emotive and irascibly arresting music and is a must-add to your iTunes library. She will be artistically complaining about her ex-boyfriends this Sunday night at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
* To continue this thought: Dan Savage is Blake Griffin, Alex Blumberg is Carmelo Anthony, Adam Davidson is A’marie Stoudemire, Chana Joffe-Walt is Tyson Chandler, Nancy Updike is Deron Williams, John Hodgman is Glenn Davis and Sarah Vowell is Kyrie Irving.
** My top interests are stereotypically urban - gangsta rap, sneakers, NBA basketball and not swimming.
