5-5:10pm: Tell us a story from today…. Be sure to react to each other.
5:10-5:30pm: Parts where Lawson connects to and speaks to you.
5:30-5:50pm: How could this book help with an idea for the final essay this semester?
5:50-6pm: Close… now what? What do you want from Lawson? What do you hope to see?
ASSIGNMENT: Finish the book by end of next week. I’ll be doing check-ins in the meantime. PLEASE do not take this lightly or dismissively. I will expect a demonstration that you’ve read and are generating ides from the book. USE YOUR JOURNAL…. Note crazy, reaching thoughts, note everything. Be more of a Human and less a student.
#professormikey 
Also as someone who has dealt with depression, insomnia, and anxiety, the entire chapter about struggling to sleep and going through the process of dealing with “white coats” resonated with me. While I have never been found in a closet, I have absolutely found myself in other places than my bed when 4 a.m. rolls around.
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Do you sleep walk? I do. I do tiny organizing jobs in the dead of the night. And always bang my shin on my bed when I do.
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Ouch. At least it can help you keep track of when you sleep walk! I do not. I just have the worst time falling and staying asleep. Anxiety and fear of not waking up will do that. Sleep walking sounds rather terrifying, potentially waking up somewhere other than where I rested my head sounds like quite the odd experience to say the least
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Very old indeed. But kinda funny too. Sorry you are dealing with sleep problems!
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A quote from the book that really sat with me while reading was from the beginning of the chapter “Pretend You’re Good at it”. The quote “Mentally ill. Its a phrase that once scared me, but now I wear it like an old jacket, comfortable but ugly. It keeps me warm when people look at me”. (Page 45). This quote really showed me that Lawson is not afraid to show who she is to people or care what they think. This is something I get from reading the entire book, she is not afraid to be herself.
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Lawson speaks to me through the identity of humor, but also appreciation… not fighting what is. Thoughts?
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Appreciation because sometimes she finds herself getting an experience she normally wouldn’t have had if she was normal…In New York, the bleeding foot chapter
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I agree. I feel she copes with humor to make jokes about her situation and make light of it because thats just who she is and she enjoys it not to compensate for any shame around her conditions. I can relate to this in my own life because I have done this exact thing. I have made jokes of situations so they do not seem as bad or if i’m feeling anxious or sad ill make jokes about it to try lighten up the mood.
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I’ve been thinking a lot about how Lawson talks about her mental illness. I’m a person with complex mental illnesses and finally being /seen/ by someone’s writing is so cool.
– “‘Be as visibly fucked up as you want to be because being unique is already taken.’ By everyone, ironically enough.”
– “The phrase ‘Rest in peace’ seems incredibly self-serving. It basically means, ‘Stay in your grave. Don’t haunt me.’ The opposite would be ‘Fitfully toss’ or ‘Go jogging.'”
These are both lines I have thought about nonstop since I read them.
Also the story about the milk bones pharmacist? My bio father used to give them to me in a bowl when I said I was hungry but he didn’t want to get me a snack. (funny neglect things :p) But honestly, if she hasn’t already tried to eat one, they’re not that good anyway. 10/10 wouldn’t recommend.
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I concur with the second quote. Oooof… It soiled my interpretation of R.I.P.
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I like the taking selfies with her husband when they’re in an argument… being able to pull yourself from a mood and make material out of it. Awesome.
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This is something that made me think a lot. I like her take on serious things in a humorous was. Like, Yes this situation is super unfortunate but will become SO MUCH lighter when you don’t act like it is.
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Also why on god’s green earth did I have to share a name with this damn racoon
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Because you are lucky, Rory
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Appreciate these positive exchanges. RESPECT. 🙂
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but like.. man the corners of the mouth… eugh..
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You are basically her side kick, have fun!
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I always wanted to get taxidermized in a funny pose after I died.
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Only the coolest of the cool people get to share a name with a furriously happy racoon
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loved the picture of the raccoon.
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I’d take it as a complement, that raccoon is basically her muse.
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“You would not eat a human foot. you would’t even finish the damn risotto.” I’m not sure if that was a dare, but it didn’t matter because he’s right. I’m way too lactose intolerant. Everyone else at the dinner party woud be tucking into their cheesy-buttery foot, and I’d have to eat my foot parboiled and plain. That’s my struggle. And it’s very real.”
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The “Pretend you’re good at it” chapter really resonated with me a lot, because I think a lot of the time I convince myself I can’t be good at things. I can absolutely pretend though, so the mantra is really helpful in my opinion. I liked the part where she said she eventually wants to be able to take off the “pretend” part (page 48). I think that’s a really good goal, if you pretend before you even know it you really could become good. I also liked that she was really raw with the aftermath of an overwhelming day, and that she how even though she struggled it didn’t take away her passion for life. She didn’t chose have a panic attack but she did make the choice to find beauty in an otherwise ugly moment (page 48-50).
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“As I turned and looked back toward the hotel I noticed that my footprints leading out into the city were mismatched. One side was glistening, small and white. The other was misshapen from my limp and each heel was pooled with spots of bright red blood.” This quote struck me in an interesting way. I often feel like my two opposing sides are at war, in a way where my light is fighting my dark.
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There was definitely something eerily interesting about that description.
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This was one of my favorite stories
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A LOT of what she was saying in the last chapter, I’m not psychotic. I just need to get in front of you in line, one thing being her hilarious analogies and habit of making jokes as she’s describing something also through writing like, “Really? Cake isn’t medicinal? Who’s crazy now, a**hole.”. But also the more serious and honest part where she described that she has to remind herself what she is fighting, and putting in the effort for. :II remind myself that I’m not fighting against me… I’m fighting against a chemical imbalance… a terrible thing.”
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I love this! It’s so easy to get caught up. We can easily forget what we’re fighting or what we’re fighting for.
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A quote that I really liked was “I’d eat a human foot if it was smothered in enough cheese and butter” (PG.52) I really like her Sarcasm
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I like how you said that.. appreciation. It does often seem like Lawson doesn’t get upset about things she can’t control, instead she always finds the bright side and the humor in things.
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She’s committed to surviving
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I’ll be honest, Lawson has me in Lawson mode recently whenever I get stressed or put into low ebb by something. How? Through HUMOR, and a convenient dismissal…. HUMOR, my word for the semester….
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I’ve been using her delightful writing to inspire me to write incredibly funny off the wall texts to me friends. Like paragraphs on end. It makes them laugh and makes me happier too.
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Good for Laura!!!! Really appreciate your contributions here. Cheers.
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You are welcome! I love SHOWING UP
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🙂
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Another way this book helps with my topic for the semester, is value of SELF. There’s no need to go f/cking prospecting for new ideas, or material. You have everything you need right HERE.
Fight me. lol
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” Sometimes crazy is just right”
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YES!!!!!!
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The book is giving ideas to write about funny memories that has happened during my life, as Jenny Lawson constantly talks about funny moments during her life.
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This book is bringing a lot of strong emotion out of me. I think if I can channel that, and the stuff it makes me want to write about, I will have plenty of content for a final essay,
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Things that bring emotion out are the right things to have around us for sure
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I have two quotes that actually made me laugh out loud. “Obviously I wasn’t thinking straight because I forgot that I didn’t have arms to help catch me and so I landed face down with a dull thud and thats when I realized how helpful it is to have working arms” pg 31. And “‘You just hit yourself’. ‘It’s possibly my arms might be rebelling”‘ pg 33. She so quick with her responses it makes her reading so much smoother to read and like. Even with all the hard stuff she goes thought, she still tries to keep a positive/bubbly attitude and it really is something I admire about her though out reading her book.
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Yes, and that quickness is indicative of urgency!!!
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The responses are amazing for sure, it’s almost like a stand up comedian at times with how quickly she responds while still allowing her writing to have a natural flow to it, and not sound forced.
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This book is an example of granting yourself permission to write exactly how you want to write.
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F YES!!!!
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Or just granting yourself permission to be you
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Im going to quote you on this in my notes because I love this!!
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ahhh thanks
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Nina’s great! Get to know her, Laura!!
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I’m taking my Lawson attitude to work with me tomorrow… You?
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Yes. I hope those rocks and fish are ready for me lol
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Can’t!! I thought we were going to open, but no i was sooooo optimistic but they crushed my dreams!
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Thats a bummer….maybe just out into the world then
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Very true! Whenever my hermit self decides to go out! ha
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Just a side comment, I realized the feeling of trying to be furiously happy yesterday at work
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How so?
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I work in a restaurant and we were understaffed yesterday, so It was me and my other co-worker inside and we were taking phone call orders, cash register, bagging up food, makes chips and sauces and the one day we miss a person is a day where everyone decides to come with an attitude! Sorry, you placed a phone call order 30 minutes ago and are waiting for another 30, go rant to the chefs. AND THEN our cash register decides it doesn’t want to work and so he wouldn’t take out any money. And it was barely 4 pm! I was so mad throughout the entire day and I had to force myself to be furiously happy with the customers and my co-workers. Yesterday was also the day I wrote the most in my journal.
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Nice!!
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Yess? tell us!
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I Have A Sleep Disorder and It’s Probably Going to Kill Me or Someone Else. I was particularly excited to read this chapter because I believe I am bedtime procrastinator/insomniac due to the ongoing lifestyle changes that arose from the pandemic. I think to myself sometimes, “Will things only change once we are dead? Don’t you miss the morning light? Oh how I hate the morning,..” (or should I say ‘mourning’…) ((sorry)) I am very Type O Negative at the moment… but as a reader it is a boon to understand Lawson on a much deeper and critical level, which I surprisingly am able to enjoy during a hard time. I wholeheartedly appreciated reading Lawson’s 1-7 stages of sleep, in that order. Stage 7 killed me with relatability… The saddest part about that stage for me is sleeping through the time you’re supposed be awake and only getting to experience the sun descend toward the west. I will feel extremely agitated that I missed seeing the sun rising from the east. You do, indeed, feel guilt, but, at least I have both of my arms though. And, I now I can remind myself that to grateful about that because of Lawson. I have a special friend who had nerve surgery on both of his arms because of over doing weight fitness. He claims it was the most horrifically painful experience of his life. He’s said in a jest, “I have no funny bones anymore.” lololol.
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I always love reading your comments! Theyre amazing!
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I’m excited to finish this book! My final essay may have a whole lot of hot takes. If I’ve learned anything from Lawson so far it’s that you SHOULD be writing whole heartedly about something you believe in.
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The main idea the book gives me is being outside your comfort zone, and how new things can give bring you new and different types of joy/happiness
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I’m taking her attitude with me everywhere if I can.
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Lawson’s book makes me think of experiences where I might have been anxious and then I usually overthink those situations so it would be funny to write an experience where I felt anxious and then what goes through my head when I’m in the car or at home after I’ve embarrassed my self.
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I think this book will help me write without second guessing myself. Her shameless flow inspires me to write what I’m thinking and feeling without fear of judgement or sounding CrAzYy. Her dedication to self acceptance while finding humor in. literally everything are topics I live by so I’m sure theres a final essay in there somewhere too.
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This book is giving me ideas to feel free to express my personality and to add humor to my writing.
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I’ve ben unknowingly taking Lawson’s stance on life for some time. I got to a point five years ago where I was tired of being who others wanted me to be. So now I curse like a sailor (which my mom can’t stand, sorry mom), and do things that make me feel as though each and every moment is worth maximizing. Finally finding a career path this year has been absurdly helpful, I’m here to teach the next generation some fucking history, and I’m gonna do it my way, much like this class. I have my own style I’m going to bring in order to bring a unique perspective and energy.
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Any singular ideas you’re taking forward into the semester? Humor? Life? People?
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All of the above?! But definitely humor if I had to pick one approaching a situation with a lighter heart seems to always yield a better time in the long run and Lawson’s story is just proof of that!
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I agree with you
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Totally agree, definitely made me happier looking at life that way.
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Definetly humor. I’ve completed my thesis on taking myself seriously. On to funner things please
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Lawson have given me bunch of small ideas I could potentially turn into my final essay. I want to learn more and gain more from her by finishing the book to add to my ideas.
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Lawson’s book has inspired me to write more daringly. To put more personality into my writing instead of just some basic nonsense. If anything youll probably see similar style in my final.
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There you go!
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I want to have Lawson visit us, here, or on a zoom call. Hmmmmmm……..
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Now that would be Epic
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I can make that sh/t happen…. ask students from last semester…
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Whatttttt? I would love that! I would even find some dead mice for her.
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Eww… lol
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haha. Maybe a safe painting of Rory or a foot.
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lol
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I will definetly contribute to any bribes that need to be placed haha
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TRUE!!!! Tom was awesome!!!!!!!
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Dude…. he and I talk all the time. He’s great!!
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ahh man! jealous! he was a really great person to listen to!
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His letters are great! I sent him some wine… which reminds me, we need to talk, no?
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… and Rory the Raccoon!
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lol
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If this were to happen it might make my year
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DO IT!!!!!
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I will little sis, you watch!!!!
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YESSS!!! PLEASE
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This book gives me the idea to write that there is always good in everything. Lawson’s mental health has not stopped her from bringing joy to herself and others.
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and saved some lives through her authenticity!
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Inward conversation, another idea…..
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I have so many all day. I wish I could record my thoughts because there are some real diamonds there.
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Play with all your ideas….
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SELF. The only person we will always have to deal with is ourselves. So, we should be able to laugh at ourself, be proud of ourself, think critically about ourself, and take what we’ve got and make the most out of it.
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Word
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love this.
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Me too!!!
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That’s an amazing take for sure!
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YES!!
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I think this book could help me for my final essay because it reminds me that ideas can be everywhere. I feel like I have everything to ramble on about and all of the opinions, but no writing ideas. Lawson kinda shows me that it is okay to be that way, and that I don’t have to consider myself someone who is bad at writing, and my experiences and thoughts have meaning even if they don’t always form a perfect streamlined argument instantly.
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This Book can help me write my final essay this semester by guiding me in ways that would make my paper more engaging, like for example I’m not used to including much humor into my writing I tend to just stay into a topic and in the other hand Lawson tends to make a chapter in basically anything that crosses her mind. Overall to express my thoughts more into my writing by having fun with it.
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I agree…and I like all her footnotes too. They make her book a loose net for her mind to wander, but stay connected.
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Also if Lawson visits I may cry
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I second this 1000000%
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🙂
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Awww…. it’ll be fun!!!
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Lawson has really shown us that we can take any situation that may seem grim and flip the narative. I don’t know bout anyone else but i really want to take this to heart and use it more often. To look at a situation that others might think is horrible and show the upside of it is great advice for life. our worlds depressing as f/ck and we need some brightness
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The book will help me with my BOLDNESS in writing. Being unfettered by my inner critic or what I think you want to hear in my writing.
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Lawson presents so many ideas that could be potentially worked into the final with how your mindset effects your situation. One could possible give up and struggle with mental illness throughout life or you could wear it on your sleeve and focus on being happy rather than hiding it. She shows perseverance in life and refuses to give up. This could be a really good topic to focus on in a final essay because it is such a good message to spread
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Jenny is reminding me that there should be no pressure in writing an essay because I am not writing one in hopes to gain approval from someone else but rather the approval of me. So write what feels right to me and worry less about how I should write.
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I think that Rory the racoon, “not to be mistaken with Rambo the racoon” (Jenny Lawson, 2015), is probably one of the most interesting characters in this book. On top of this the fact that even though he was broken from a roller costar accident in Vegas, Lawson still wanted him; because she felt a connection to him in the fact that they were both broken, and in some ways what Lawson says is true ” the most interesting of us have been broken” ( Lawson, pg 41).
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I want Lawson to keep writing so I can keep following her. She is one of my author heroes
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Let’s close it up, brothers and sisters… what’s on the page?
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Who did you have visit class last semester?
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Tom Foreman, CNN reporter. AMAZING guy, and a great new friend.
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I hope to have a good time finishing this book, and while I’m doing so I’m hoping to extend some of her ideas into my own life to make things just a little bit more bearable. I’m hoping my writing voice will one day be as sincere and clear as Lawson’s
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That’s awesome! In my digital media class we had an NBC reporter from Brooklyn come on and talk about broadcasting
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Nice!!!
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oops wrong comment hahaha
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