G’day Hubsters, it’s your roving Hubmaster Katt here.
Occasional lurker partialtojam and I were lucky enough to attend ‘An Evening with David Sedaris’ at the Sydney Opera House this evening, and I return baring Colbert related news.
Since the humble beginnings of the Hub, David Sedaris has appeared on ‘The Daily Show’ a number of times to promote his latest literary offerings, but never on ‘The Colbert Report’. Why, of why, we asked. Well, ask no more. For I have an answer.
Thankfully, the Opera House sent out emails a few days ago alerting ticket holders to a pre and post event book signing. We arrived early and chatted near the gift shop until the concert hall foyer was opened, and then made a quick dash to the sales table so that partialtojam could purchase ‘When You Are Engulfed in Flames’. I came armed with ‘Exploring Diabetes with Owls’, but also bought a copy because it had the cool cover, and was surprisingly cheaper than in book stores *miracle*.
Our decision to arrive early was a smart move, as the line was not too long and we made the pre-show signing cut. Everyone else was told to return later, to a line that was much, much longer. After roasting in the hot summer sun – the exterior walls of the Opera House are glass – and watching the ferries enter Circular Quay, the line finally started moving. This is when my lady balls shrunk to the size of tiny raisinettes.
I had promised karenatasha that I would ask David if I got a chance, why he had never appeared as a guest on ‘The Colbert Report’. Knowing that David speaks to each person as he is signing their book copy, I wore my favourite Stephen Colbert t-shirt, one that I did not realise Dangerfield were selling some years ago, until I had a fan-girl freak out in the middle of the store. Naturally I bought it, and wore it today in the hopes that he would mention it, thus breaking the ice. And also in the hopes of distracting him from the fact that last night I sliced a fingernail sized portion of skin off from under my lip, which was clearly visible, still slightly bleeding and probably sun burnt. I shudder to think of what body part I will accidentally remove if I ever get the chance to meet Stephen. My arm will probably drop off in the studio, knowing my luck.
Our moment came, and partialtojam elbowed me forward. ‘This is your one chance, you will never see him again’, she said. So, I politely said ‘Hello’ and laid my book out in front of him. If you have never had the pleasure of meeting David Sedaris or attending one of his book signings, you are missing out on a real treat. He individually spoke with each person in the line, and could not have been more pleasant, engaging or down to earth. He completely put me at ease, and I forgot all about my shyness, though that may have been because he asked me a number of questions about myself, so that he could personalise the message in the front of the book. Something he did with every single person in the line. I had never doubted his brilliance as a writer, but I was astounded at how quickly he came up with something to writer for each person.
He asked if I went to college, and I replied that I was nearing the end of my degree in History / Archaeology, so he wrote, ‘We’re all so proud of you’, and drew a picture of a knife dripping blood. He apologised for not having a red pen in his pencil case, he said he usually carries one. He then wrote ‘To partialtojam’ and drew a nice picture of a gun. I can assure you that we are not psychopaths, but I do have an interest in the technological advances of ancient weaponry, so I will run with the assumption that he is a mind reader.
After a conversation that lasted all of about 2 minutes, but felt like much more, I plucked up the courage, and said ‘May I ask you a question’, to which he smiled and replied, ‘Of course!’. I asked him why he had never been on ‘The Colbert Report’, and always appeared on ‘The Daily Show’. *It was at this point that he looked down at my shirt* His answer was much more eloquent than this, but this was the best I could remember and get typed onto my phone before the show started.
He said that he knows Stephen from Chicago, he did not elaborate, but he knew that I knew what he was referring to. He continued on to say that he knows Stephen and is perfectly happy talking to him, but feels that because of the character he is talking to a mask, and that he would rather talk to a real person, or Stephen as Stephen. The idea of talking to a mask makes him, I know he didn’t say uncomfortable, but it was something along those lines. That he isn’t sure how his humour would work or be clearly communicated when in conversation with the character. Which when I mulled it over makes perfect sense, I would much rather prefer to see him interviewed in a ‘Daily Show’ or ‘Letterman’ style setting than battling against ‘Stephen’. Though it would still be fascinating to watch. ‘David Sedaris in Conversation with Stephen Colbert’ for the Montclair Film Festival also has a nice ring to it. Don’t you think?
He went on to say that he had been asked to appear in a segment about Stephen’s Grammy Award nomination, but had to decline as he will still be on tour in Australia, and will then be moving onto the Middle East.
What struck me about this part of the conversation was that he instinctively knew, that I knew what he was speaking about. He did not elaborate on knowing Stephen from Chicago, or add in anything about the dynamics of the show or how the character worked. I was very much impressed by that, or perhaps I should be very worried that there is a giant plasma screen mounted onto my forehead projecting that I have an interest in historic weaponry and Stephen Colbert.
And with that we said thank you, and parted ways. I, of course completely forgot to congratulate him on his Grammy Award nomination, so David if you’re reading ‘Congratulations, and good luck!’
A few extra tidbits from the show that I found interesting:
At some point he misplaced his good pair of reading glasses somewhere in the Opera House. The pair he wore on stage were not the right prescription.
He tipped us off that most theatres have a laundry back stage, and that before coming on stage he had just popped a load of washing on.
And in a nice tie in to last night’s episode, featuring – at a book signing in Perth he asked everyone how much they made, I can’t remember the reason, but in Australia the average wage is $25 an hour, and $19 for waiters and fast food workers.
I hope you have enjoyed my first attempt at an event report. I can assure you, it sounded better in my head. If you have any questions about the event, feel free to ask, and I will do my best to remember.
Special Event ReporT: An Evening with David Sedaris
G’day Hubsters, it’s your roving Hubmaster Katt here.
Occasional lurker partialtojam and I were lucky enough to attend ‘An Evening with David Sedaris’ at the Sydney Opera House this evening, and I return baring Colbert related news.
Since the humble beginnings of the Hub, David Sedaris has appeared on ‘The Daily Show’ a number of times to promote his latest literary offerings, but never on ‘The Colbert Report’. Why, of why, we asked. Well, ask no more. For I have an answer.
Thankfully, the Opera House sent out emails a few days ago alerting ticket holders to a pre and post event book signing. We arrived early and chatted near the gift shop until the concert hall foyer was opened, and then made a quick dash to the sales table so that partialtojam could purchase ‘When You Are Engulfed in Flames’. I came armed with ‘Exploring Diabetes with Owls’, but also bought a copy because it had the cool cover, and was surprisingly cheaper than in book stores *miracle*.
Our decision to arrive early was a smart move, as the line was not too long and we made the pre-show signing cut. Everyone else was told to return later, to a line that was much, much longer. After roasting in the hot summer sun – the exterior walls of the Opera House are glass – and watching the ferries enter Circular Quay, the line finally started moving. This is when my lady balls shrunk to the size of tiny raisinettes.
I had promised karenatasha that I would ask David if I got a chance, why he had never appeared as a guest on ‘The Colbert Report’. Knowing that David speaks to each person as he is signing their book copy, I wore my favourite Stephen Colbert t-shirt, one that I did not realise Dangerfield were selling some years ago, until I had a fan-girl freak out in the middle of the store. Naturally I bought it, and wore it today in the hopes that he would mention it, thus breaking the ice. And also in the hopes of distracting him from the fact that last night I sliced a fingernail sized portion of skin off from under my lip, which was clearly visible, still slightly bleeding and probably sun burnt. I shudder to think of what body part I will accidentally remove if I ever get the chance to meet Stephen. My arm will probably drop off in the studio, knowing my luck.
Our moment came, and partialtojam elbowed me forward. ‘This is your one chance, you will never see him again’, she said. So, I politely said ‘Hello’ and laid my book out in front of him. If you have never had the pleasure of meeting David Sedaris or attending one of his book signings, you are missing out on a real treat. He individually spoke with each person in the line, and could not have been more pleasant, engaging or down to earth. He completely put me at ease, and I forgot all about my shyness, though that may have been because he asked me a number of questions about myself, so that he could personalise the message in the front of the book. Something he did with every single person in the line. I had never doubted his brilliance as a writer, but I was astounded at how quickly he came up with something to writer for each person.
He asked if I went to college, and I replied that I was nearing the end of my degree in History / Archaeology, so he wrote, ‘We’re all so proud of you’, and drew a picture of a knife dripping blood. He apologised for not having a red pen in his pencil case, he said he usually carries one. He then wrote ‘To partialtojam’ and drew a nice picture of a gun. I can assure you that we are not psychopaths, but I do have an interest in the technological advances of ancient weaponry, so I will run with the assumption that he is a mind reader.
After a conversation that lasted all of about 2 minutes, but felt like much more, I plucked up the courage, and said ‘May I ask you a question’, to which he smiled and replied, ‘Of course!’. I asked him why he had never been on ‘The Colbert Report’, and always appeared on ‘The Daily Show’. *It was at this point that he looked down at my shirt* His answer was much more eloquent than this, but this was the best I could remember and get typed onto my phone before the show started.
He said that he knows Stephen from Chicago, he did not elaborate, but he knew that I knew what he was referring to. He continued on to say that he knows Stephen and is perfectly happy talking to him, but feels that because of the character he is talking to a mask, and that he would rather talk to a real person, or Stephen as Stephen. The idea of talking to a mask makes him, I know he didn’t say uncomfortable, but it was something along those lines. That he isn’t sure how his humour would work or be clearly communicated when in conversation with the character. Which when I mulled it over makes perfect sense, I would much rather prefer to see him interviewed in a ‘Daily Show’ or ‘Letterman’ style setting than battling against ‘Stephen’. Though it would still be fascinating to watch. ‘David Sedaris in Conversation with Stephen Colbert’ for the Montclair Film Festival also has a nice ring to it. Don’t you think?
He went on to say that he had been asked to appear in a segment about Stephen’s Grammy Award nomination, but had to decline as he will still be on tour in Australia, and will then be moving onto the Middle East.
What struck me about this part of the conversation was that he instinctively knew, that I knew what he was speaking about. He did not elaborate on knowing Stephen from Chicago, or add in anything about the dynamics of the show or how the character worked. I was very much impressed by that, or perhaps I should be very worried that there is a giant plasma screen mounted onto my forehead projecting that I have an interest in historic weaponry and Stephen Colbert.
And with that we said thank you, and parted ways. I, of course completely forgot to congratulate him on his Grammy Award nomination, so David if you’re reading ‘Congratulations, and good luck!’
A few extra tidbits from the show that I found interesting:
At some point he misplaced his good pair of reading glasses somewhere in the Opera House. The pair he wore on stage were not the right prescription.
He tipped us off that most theatres have a laundry back stage, and that before coming on stage he had just popped a load of washing on.
And in a nice tie in to last night’s episode, featuring – at a book signing in Perth he asked everyone how much they made, I can’t remember the reason, but in Australia the average wage is $25 an hour, and $19 for waiters and fast food workers.
I hope you have enjoyed my first attempt at an event report. I can assure you, it sounded better in my head. If you have any questions about the event, feel free to ask, and I will do my best to remember.