I love David Sedaris' writing, but on those rare occasions when I've heard the author read from his works on National Public Radio, I can only listen to him for a few minutes before feeling compelled to change the station. It's not that his high, reedy voice is unpleasant, exactly. But the caustic self-deprecation and derision that can make his stories so wickedly funny strike me as whiny and ungainly when Sedaris himself vocalizes them, and when he indulges in sentiment, his attempts at honest emotion ring hollow. (His "heartfelt" moments don't sound noticeably different from his sardonic diatribes.) This isn't a huge failing - Sedaris, after all, is a writer, not a performer - yet I still find that a little of him, vocally, goes a long way.
"Happy
Holidays, Jeff!"
Strange
as it may seem, there are some people who would love to ring in the
new year with a festive party who can't quite manage to stay awake
until midnight. But enough about me. If you'd like to celebrate the
arrival of 2009 with your kids, yet are concerned about them (or
perhaps you)
nodding off before the ball drops, Bettendorf will be offering a
sensible December 31 alternative - the shouting of "Happy New
Year!" at 12 p.m.
- at two of the city's family venues.
YES MAN
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