A Sedaris fix and some insight

I needed a David Sedaris fix and I got one in the latest issue of "The New Yorker." I am actually backlogged on the magazine, which I read pretty much cover to cover. For anyone who hasn't read it, it is a throwback to the magazines of old, with articles of long word count and not many pictures. I try to read them in order so whatever current events are covered don't get too outdating. But when the issue came last week I saw Sedaris on the table of contents and I rotated it to the top of the pile.

I can't remember what made me pick up my first David Sedaris book, but I bought "Me Talk Pretty One Day" at Barnes and Noble. The personal essays were so laugh-out-loud funny I was hooked on him. I liked him enough that when he stopped by the Flint Center for a reading I had to see him. While in line for a book signing, I overheard his conversation with a young couple in front of me that led me to believe his humor isn't just manufactured for his writing, but he genuinely is a funny and witty guy.

I was pleasantly suprised when I started reading "The New Yorker" (which I started only after I was accepted to grad school and a professor told me to make it part of my summer reading list) and found that I could get a fix in between Sedaris' book publications.

The most recent piece by Sedaris is not only funny, but also offered some insight. He writes about a trip to Australia and how a friend took them around to the outback. The friend explained to them a metaphor about life as a stove that has four burners - one represents friends, one family, one health and one work. The friend told Sedaris that to be successful, a person has to turn off one burner. To be truly successful, they have to turn off two.

It seems like an apt description of my life lately since for the last year I feel like work has taken over. I stopped hanging out with friends. I stopped going to the gym for six months. Probably the only reason the family burner didn't go out is because I live with them. I told a colleague about the theory and he said he could relate - his friends and health burner were out just like mine.

Luckily, I don't mind being just mildy successful and the last month I have started getting back to the gym and have been making more of an effort to see old friends, and maybe make some new ones.

Thanks to Sedaris at least I know I am not the only one who struggles to find a balance.