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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
ideefixed
Published Letters: 212
Cary gasses on about things he knows little about. Ivy league PhD programs aren't crowded with the summering, yachting classes. Perhaps the letter writer might try working in the real world for a while, before he plunges into either program. His chances for meaningful work with a PhD are slim anyway, so why not try writing something with that shiny MFA, down South with the long-suffering beau?
Why has the letter writer committed her life to writing--and what kind of writing? Technical manuals, ad copy, advice columns, erotica, scripts for sitcoms? There's lots of different avenues and genres, and sustaining a career in some wouldn't be particularly difficult. But the letter writer hides her real agenda--she wants to be recognized as a "writer". The recognition, not the action, is what matters to her.
So, get a t-shirt or a tractor hat made that proclaims you're a writer. After all, Salon published you.
The wife has an explosive temper, the kid has an explosive temper, and the LW is dancing around like a rock star, when he's not floating in a state of zen-like calm. I foresee a violent sacrifice in the kitchen, and it's not the aging cat.
He does what he does, and everyone else should just deal with it. (Which is what Cary does, as well.)
On the other hand, Cary's wacky advice must get eyeballs, as the number of letters proves. Since most of Salon's writers are rather dull, at least Cary's stirring things up.
"I just talked to a pair of biceps."
Does Cary normally dehumanized people or only people of whom he looks down upon?
If he'd spoken to a female officer, would he have referred to a "pair of breasts"?
And what's the LW pretending not to know--her honey's had manic episodes before, but she was willing to overlook those when he seemed to be on the big-paycheck track? But now that he's gone all Sgt. York, she's concerned? Right.
Why didn't they just rent a cheap apt., eat on the economy and enjoy wandering around, being together and looking at stuff? Bauer's spinelessness and constant anxiety seem a lethal combo. Any Italian would have argued with the ticket-taker, told the waiter to piss off, and enjoyed herself immensely. Bauer seemed determined to have a lousy time from the moment she got on the plane. But then, her entire body of work for Salon is pretty heavy on the victim beat.
Obama just gave Peggy Agar, a reporter in not quite top-trier market, a huge career boost way out of proportion to her not-very-imaginative question. Before being called "sweetie", who'd ever heard of her? She'd been doing stories on middle schools.
You're a Yuppie, get out the Ipod. Or earplugs. Or go to the gym or walk the dog or run while the kid shoots hoops.
And Cary--it's not suburban architecture that keeps the LW from knowing his neighbors--it's the stick up his ass.
Where's her native country--Wackyland? She sounds lonely and bored and devoid of common sense, but her drama-machine is working overtime.
Day camp, summer school, AYSO, swimming lessons, hiring an au pair, babysitter, nanny: none of these ideas occurred to her?
Why is grocery shopping such an ordeal? Maybe she needs a blog, since the novel writing isn't working out--blogs give you an audience and a creative outlet.
She doesn't want advice, she wants to be reassured that she is lovable--just the way she is, even if the way she is is off-putting and deluded. (All mothers think they're crabby and selfish--but the LW wants so badly to be spesh-ul. What do you bet she gave the kid a K8tive name?)
(And maybe she needs to read up on astrology-the sun sign stuff clearly has her confused.)
Perhaps the LW's narrow niche has become too confining--maybe branching out would be profitable. Also, reading the news in the field isn't exactly original reporting--try reading blogs, getting to know the innovators in this field (and not just through the PR reps.) and going to any conferences, seminars, panels, etc.
Most editors aren't expecting anyone to pitch cutting edge stories every time--just interesting ideas that appeal to their readers. Getting to know the editors at the bigger publications is a good investment--the LW should plan a trip to the city where these editors are located, and do some face-to-face meetings. Editors tend to assign work to those writers with whom they feel comfortable.
Inspiration isn't the key--doing the research, keeping in touch, paying attention--this is the heavy lifting of freelance writing. Long walks and hot baths aren't going to do it.
Is this letter real? Or is Salon being played by some researcher working on jury selection for the Carol Ann Gotbaum case?
From the NYT:
"Ms. Gotbaum, the stepdaughter-in-law of Betsy Gotbaum, the New York City public advocate, accidentally strangled herself while in police custody at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, according to law enforcement authorities. She was on her way to an alcohol rehabilitation facility and the police took her into custody when she became belligerent after being denied access to a connecting flight to Tucson."
The autopsy showed:
"Examiners found ethyl alcohol, the intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic drinks, and two antidepressants, citalopram and duloxetine, in Ms. Gotbaum’s body. The autopsy also showed the presence of drugs found in over-the-counter products: ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory; dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant; and two antihistamines, diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine."
The family filed suit in early May.
Much of the initial coverage about Fort Hood turned out to be wrong. Is there anything wrong with that?
The accountability imposed by another country for the CIA's kidnapping and torture reveals much about our own.
Fox News' morning show plays to type, talking about whether Muslims in the Army should face "special debriefings"
219 Democrats and one Republican join in favor of the legislation, which passed by a narrow margin
The survivor and author is upset about comparisons some on the right are making to genocide
Salon headlines in your mailbox
