It's rather odd that a person who distributes his thoughts every day to thousands of people should be taking a stand in favor of "get over yourself" and taking "a journey to self-minimalization." Am I modest if I tell lots of folks every day how modest I am?
Nonsense. He calls ‘em as he sees ‘em, and anyone yammering about their own ‘journey to self-acceptance’ should be put out to pasture. It’s both smarmy and self-absorbed.
And we’re all capable of talking like adults, enjoying art for art’s sake only, not its sexuality or statehood..
Peter has a point. I've felt similarly. On the other hand, Garrison's distribution of his thoughts, although not every day, does provide another venue for the rest of us to vent ours - which I've done often enjoying seeing what if any response I might get. We're all essentially in the same boat - looking for a chance to exchange ideas with someone other than ourselves.
I am constantly amazed and put off by people who say they are buying a new car or going on an expensive vacation they can not afford because "they deserve it." WTF- why do you deserve to spend money you don't have and can't afford and your family might go without something they might need for comfort or life itsefl because you reasoned "I deserve it." Kiss my undeserving butt-on.
Thanks for this piece. So many are narcissistic. I for one don’t care nor do I want to know who you have sex with. Your more than that as a human being. Get over yourself. Life is what you make it. Now get back out there and pick more tomatoes
Enjoyed today's thoughts on what we say and how we say it. I was watching a PBS news show the other night and was so put off by the language. Really??? I recall thinking that I could have said in 30 seconds what they were saying in 10 minutes.
They just sounded so full-of-themselves. Get over yourself and go do some house chores!
I live in a city where the slighted and grieved dominate. Groups and individuals with grievances are in evidence on most corners of the city. Seattle wasn't always that way. This is a city that was built on steep hills and a windy water front. Its center burned to the ground only to be built upon again, offering tourists a glimpse of what was as they saunter through the underground. It's also a city where big dreamers lived and still live, Theodore Roethke and Jacob Lawrence among them. Yet the grieved and slighted persist. Your column hits the mark. Thank you.
I thought you were in the business of selling books, subscriptions and tickets to shows. That column isn’t going to do sales any good. I was sort of with you until the end. Denigrating the woman’s Pulitzer Prize was a low, and uncalled for, blow.
Like you, I am a recovering Fundamentalist from the Holiness tradition. I inherited a deep sense of original sin. I was a terrible reprobate.
If I was given an award for writing a book about recovering fundamentalists, I think I would also encourage other fundamentalists to continue their "journey of self-acceptance." I guess I don't see the harm in a gay man, writing about a gay person and encouraging other gay men to overcome the negativity they have lived with. It is indeed a journey.
I remember when gay men made a journey from the Midwest to the East or West Coast to gain acceptance and now I find gayness so generally accepted that you can live wherever you wish. When you win a contest, you should accept victory and settle down and enjoy your life.
Well Garrison, today's entry is spellbinding, I think's. Could not connect all the dots yet the feeling was truth. I love these writings, a whole lot.
It's rather odd that a person who distributes his thoughts every day to thousands of people should be taking a stand in favor of "get over yourself" and taking "a journey to self-minimalization." Am I modest if I tell lots of folks every day how modest I am?
Nonsense. He calls ‘em as he sees ‘em, and anyone yammering about their own ‘journey to self-acceptance’ should be put out to pasture. It’s both smarmy and self-absorbed.
And we’re all capable of talking like adults, enjoying art for art’s sake only, not its sexuality or statehood..
Peter has a point. I've felt similarly. On the other hand, Garrison's distribution of his thoughts, although not every day, does provide another venue for the rest of us to vent ours - which I've done often enjoying seeing what if any response I might get. We're all essentially in the same boat - looking for a chance to exchange ideas with someone other than ourselves.
I love this post. Thank you Garrison.
Bravo!!
hey, hey, Keillor. some of us New Yorkers totally agree.
I am constantly amazed and put off by people who say they are buying a new car or going on an expensive vacation they can not afford because "they deserve it." WTF- why do you deserve to spend money you don't have and can't afford and your family might go without something they might need for comfort or life itsefl because you reasoned "I deserve it." Kiss my undeserving butt-on.
You're brave, Garrison. Keep speaking the truth.
As an octogenarian, I am waiting to represent all other of my clan when I win the NBA for my poetry.
Garrison, that was witty, wise and well written. You took the words out of my mouth and said them much better. Thank you.
Thanks for this piece. So many are narcissistic. I for one don’t care nor do I want to know who you have sex with. Your more than that as a human being. Get over yourself. Life is what you make it. Now get back out there and pick more tomatoes
Enjoyed today's thoughts on what we say and how we say it. I was watching a PBS news show the other night and was so put off by the language. Really??? I recall thinking that I could have said in 30 seconds what they were saying in 10 minutes.
They just sounded so full-of-themselves. Get over yourself and go do some house chores!
Fantastic essay, starting with the comment on the missing humor prize in the NBA.
A similar lack of recognition exists and has existed in the Nobel lit award process. But I forget—Did PG Wodehouse get one? Kurt Vonnegut?
Oh, well, at least we have the Ignobels. Keep it up, GK, O Great Iconoclast.
Wodehouse, certainly not. Swedes do not honor whimsy. Vonnegut neither.
I live in a city where the slighted and grieved dominate. Groups and individuals with grievances are in evidence on most corners of the city. Seattle wasn't always that way. This is a city that was built on steep hills and a windy water front. Its center burned to the ground only to be built upon again, offering tourists a glimpse of what was as they saunter through the underground. It's also a city where big dreamers lived and still live, Theodore Roethke and Jacob Lawrence among them. Yet the grieved and slighted persist. Your column hits the mark. Thank you.
I thought you were in the business of selling books, subscriptions and tickets to shows. That column isn’t going to do sales any good. I was sort of with you until the end. Denigrating the woman’s Pulitzer Prize was a low, and uncalled for, blow.
So you say. I should send you a copy so you can read it.
How lucky we are that the fabled Minnesotan hesitation to criticize does not extend to over-compensating narcissists.
Like you, I am a recovering Fundamentalist from the Holiness tradition. I inherited a deep sense of original sin. I was a terrible reprobate.
If I was given an award for writing a book about recovering fundamentalists, I think I would also encourage other fundamentalists to continue their "journey of self-acceptance." I guess I don't see the harm in a gay man, writing about a gay person and encouraging other gay men to overcome the negativity they have lived with. It is indeed a journey.
I remember when gay men made a journey from the Midwest to the East or West Coast to gain acceptance and now I find gayness so generally accepted that you can live wherever you wish. When you win a contest, you should accept victory and settle down and enjoy your life.
Oh, brilliant! And so appreciated!