5-5:10pm: Hello!! Tell us about your journal and journal writing lately. Any stories? Anything you could turn into a longer work? Say 4-5 pages, ABOUT YOU?
5:10-5:40pm: Samantha Irby’s essay flavor….. tell us about it.
5:40-6pm: What writing does for a reader, for the one writing. But more than that… LIFE. What we want from it, how we get it and if we do then what. All these books we read and that I pick from semester to semester…. LIFE. It’s life we’re reading and exploring. Not a book, not just one person’s take on one day and another. What is the writing of one supposed to do? Can this be taught, or is it just an idea to excavate?
(NOTE: If you’re looking for answers, you’re in the wrong place.)
6-6:20pm: Self-talk… tell us about it. An essay to self, talking self out of and, or, through something. Where you find new thoughts, new assurances for and from SELF… new truth.
6:20-6:30pm…. Leave us with some ideas, thoughts, some encouragement for the night’s page. Think about what you post, it is directed directly at your colleagues. A note from you to them.
ASSIGNMENT: Enjoy the reading, and enjoy your life. Write about both. No page target or limit… just KEEP READING. And, again, I’ll keep saying this… ENJOY.
#professormikey
#professormikey 
HELLOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! How is everyone???? I’m here early if you want to talk… 🙂
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Im good! Wet thought, Just got home from soccer practice and it was raining, would have loved playing in the rain if my coach didn’t make us run 5 MILES ugh sometimes i dislike soccer for that reason. How are you today? Did you get a run in?
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Whatup Nina… no run today. Tomorrow though, got route planned. Love running in the rain. How was your pops’ birthday?
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I love it too and it was good! He got his favorite cake and streak for dinner, he was set.
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Nice.
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Interesting Monday. And why do I say that? The day is always a day, and yours, the name is irrelevant. Friday is Monday is Tuesday is a NEW day. Note that.
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Samantha Irby is the perfect book after Ms. Lawson… thoughts?
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Hey Professor here a little early I’ve been really enjoying Irby’s book so far, but regarding your email today were we supposed to have submitted something today?
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Yeah… an email to me. Please see last class’ post.
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Ohhh ok I must’ve missed that sorry about that! Can I still get it into you a little late?
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You’re all good. Nothing due. Sorry for confusion.
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We were to supposed to submit a 2 page paper about our first impressions of Irby’s book
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No… sorry for confusion.
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Nevermind… just ideas tonight…
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This week has been WEIRD feeling – I hate pandemic time. It feels slow AND YET ALSO SO FUCKING FAST. My journal has been over-saturated lately. so many big feelings and nowhere else put them. I could probably write a longer paper about YouTubers I have been watching for 5 yrs and why I have watched so much of their content
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Hey Rory!!
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Hello, doing good. How are you?
Yes, It’s a very relatable book and I’m enjoying it so far.
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hello to everyone
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Hey Ashton!
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Hi everyone!! Hows it going.? It was a busy day, but I finished a lot of things! I have had a lot on my mind lately, I was starting to write about how I am selfish with my time, I don’t put in time for friends and family even thought they put in the effort to stay connected. I feel like I haven’t tried to keep up with those relationships so I am putting that on the page!
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Spending time on you is NOT selfish.
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Yea I love the my time, but sometimes I feel like I do it too often, many people in my life let me know, it has been on my mind lately.
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Hello everyone, how’s it going?
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Good! How are you?
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Hello everyone!
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Hey Oliver!
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Hi everyone. This weekend I got to go on a mini trip for my best friend’s birthday to a hoof ranch in Point Arena! It was really cool they has giraffes, zebras, ox, this little guy that looked like a regular deer and this big guy that looked like a giant deer! We got to stay in a little Victorian cabin that had a view of the giraffe section. The house was neat, it was like traveling through time. It seemed like it was totally untouched and still in the 1880s. The light fixtures and everything! I love dipping into something historical, so it was a great getaway for me. I highly recommend for anyone who loves safaris and creepy houses!
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That sounds amazing! Good to see you!
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Hey everybody! I have been o samped with work that i feel like ive bearly had a moment to myselft to just decompress and breathe. i have been using my journal religiously writing down every little thought that comes to mind when i have the chance. Its been a greta way to just refelect at the end of the day and definetly has helped to ease some of the craziness.
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Hey Chloe!
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Loved the beginning so far, even just Irby walking through her waking up and realizing a day has been wasted that really stood out to me because I used to feel the same way during quarantine and everything I just felt so drained by the nothingness and let it get to me to the point I was just wasting whole days.
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Good Afternoon,
I’ve had a pretty easy day so far. How has yours been?
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Great thanks! Have fun tonight!
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Hi everyone, I have just been studying for midterms the last couple days, pretty tiring but I find it helpful to have music to relax to while working hard. not having the pressure to cram studying is something I am still getting used to.
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I have been journal writing a lot, more like putting random thoughts on paper to get my mind off things. It really helps me not to overthink and stress.
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Hello! I could write a longer paper on my experience with performing arts and the one act I was the lead for in high school. I think I had a bit of a unique experience because I was only a substantial part one time, but it was the perfect role at the perfect time.
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Hi Lily!!
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Good day to you all…No writing beside what I thought was due today…I’ve been working a lot, and extra time is spent on other school things
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Hey Laura! Any art?
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Yes that too! I’m currently working on a California Sheephead. Interestingly, all California Sheephead are born female.
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Hi all, what I write in my journal is very inconsistent in one page I could be writing about a serious world issue I have to write about for school but on the next page, I could be writing my grocery list. I guess yea some of the things I write about could be developed into an essay.
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Heeeey guys!!
My journal lately has been full off exciting news! I’m using my journal for the ongoing projects I currently have, this week with the emphasis on the process of getting my wild mustang!! things are all going good and we’ve been making so much process. Also, the birth of a load of unexpected puppies. That always makes things better.
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Hello, something I have written in my journal a couple times that I could try to turn into 4-5 pages would be, be yourself. After reading Lawson’s and now Irby’s work I have a new understanding on what it is to be yourself.
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Good for you!! There’s so much value and education in what you have live and are currently living!!
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Hello people of Earth, I’ve been using my journal quite a bit recently to try to understand what it is that I want from this life and how I’m going to go about getting it. Every day I’d say I fill about two to four pages on average but I could easily turn one of my daily reflections into a full blown essay about personal growth.
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I am excited to keep reading into Irby because she actually reminds me a lot of some of my friends. Very funny and trying to show that their lives are just as glamourous if not more than other peoples. She reminds me of people who would buy off brand cereals and say that it was the brand ones when they eat it.
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Hello. How do you do. My journal writing lately has mainly been about what kind of new envisions I want for myself for rest of March, 23 days remain and then April… The aim is introspection of myself and getting my mind to stop wandering, especially at night. No hold barred on the value of my education… finishing the semester strong and keeping content. I am still pondering 4-5 pages of something specific about myself… I am prone to inhibit.
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Hey Dais. Don’t inhibit. You’re depriving yourself and would-be readers.
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I think reading Samantha’s book right after Lawson’s is perfect because they both share similar writing styles.
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Hello in my journal I had to transfer a lot of my things to a new one and what i was able to save because my nephew dropped his juice on my old one but it has been good that its helped so much to write things down like where has that been in my life. I think I might have something to be able to write a few pages but i don’t know yet about 5 pages.
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I wouldn’t say my journaling has been productive or fruitful. I have been barely writing things down, but its been a busy time with exams and such lately.
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Writing is a decision. So are excuses.
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I’m sure whatever you wrote was great. It’s not up to you to decide if it’s fruitful, right? Sometimes we just can’t get what feels like enough down on paper. The paper will always be there. Try not to be too hard on yourself. We’re all working under very strange circumstances 🙂
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Hello everyone! Not a ton of stories from the weekend, but looking forward to Wednesday given it’s my wife and I’s third wedding anniversary! Been attempting to prepare something special despite COVID, making sure to stay safe! Unfortunately in terms of the book I’ve actually been struggling quite a lot in terms of getting hooked. There are bits and pieces I enjoy about Irby and her writing, but thus far it has not been my cup of tea. However, still chipping away and looking for the opportunity to get hooked.
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Congrats on your anniversary!
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Happy anniversary!!
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I agree, coming for reading her last book I was also having trouble with staying hooked. I think my expectations were high because her last book started off really well. Congrats on your wedding anniversary!
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Hey Guys! What Ive been writing in my journal lately is mainly been based around where I work. One of my bosses has been riding me lately for no reason which was really pissing me off until I learned its because they want to promote me to a higher position. Some other things are some notes and project ideas for other class and personal opinion about what I think of Irby’s book so far.
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And what do you think of her book so far?
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I’m really enjoying the book so far. I definitely see a similar style between Lawson and Irby in the sense of Humor. However I feel that everything else is different. For example pacing, In Lawson’s book, it felt fast paced between each story and chapter, while in Irby’s book, the chapters are relaxed and flow with each other. If that makes sense.
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Samantha Irby has a more relaxed and coffeehouse tone to her paragraphs, in my opinion. What do you think?
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I think Lawson was a more softer tone, while I see Sam as more aggressive with her words if that makes sense.
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Kind of… can you elaborate?
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I read Lawson more as a mom, and Sam is like that friend who will fight and not care, Sam writes more about things others might.
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I also feel like there’s more involvement, more of a conversational complexion to Irby’s words than Lawson whom I thought was often just talking to herself or the page. Irby gives me more opportunity to react, reflect, collect, then translate.
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Here experiences are also a lot closer to the majority of people her age too. It makes it a bit more relatable
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Interesting… relatability. Always an inviting nexus of focus and consideration.
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I completely agree, this was my first impression.
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Right? I like it
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Thank you all for the anniversary well wishes! Looking forward to a fun day full of classes as a celebration 😉
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Cheers!
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I’ve been using my journal to see where I’m at in life and where I want to go. I began organizing and writing down all my needs and wants to try and stop wasting a lot of my money on anything unnecessary. I also recently bought a real journal because I’ve been trying to be off my phone as much as I can, and writing inside a journal just felt and seemed better, and it is! Over this week I have written 15 pages worth of stories, thoughts, and reflections about my day.
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Irby is definitively more relaxed. Her audio pace also proves it as I have accelerated to (1.1x) speed. With Lawson I had to slow down more. It was saturated with minor tone variation. Still adored FH.
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I feel like When I’m reading her essays, its just a conversation between just the two of us. Like a late night phone call to just talk about life and gossip. I think it is cool ow she has made me feel like she is someone that I hang out with.
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Yes, I do think Irby is more relaxed and her writing style helps us react more than Lawson’s writing style. I really like how relatable her book is can’t wait to read more tonight.
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I will admitt that i have yet to really sit down and read Irby’s book but i was flipping through pages to get a sense of hat the book was going to be like when i came across the chapter dedicated to “Sure, sex is fun….” quotes. i instantly knew i had to read all of them and could help but giggle after each one. It seemed like the next one was always funnier then the last. Can’t wait to see what else this book has to hold lol
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Irby is 100% relaxed and causal with her writing, it feels like a normal couch conversation that’s all for fun and very personal. She treats the reader like one of her girls and doesn’t sugar coat shit
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I also like that she writes about what her day is like in comparison to how a lot of bloggers and influencers write. She writes THE REAL, not the fluff
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Agree, she’s more laid back, writing a story of her life, not about the right now. Sure sometimes she’ll talk about the present but we see a lot of her pass experiences and relationships and takes us back with her into her memories explaining almost everything detail in it. Allowing us to, like you said mike, react to it.
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Samantha Irby’s writing is really descriptive, warm, and feels more formal than Lawson’s. Even though the subject matter isn’t more formal, it just feels less conversational and more illustrative.
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Examples??
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“I no longer have a pelvic floor, Jennifer Aniston. I cannot just be gulping down smartwater with reckless abandon!”
“asked if it was “moms’ night out,” while offering to explain to us what whiskey is. And now I’m a corpse—please bury me in my L.L.Bean comfort fleece.”
“What the fuck is happening to my life? What vibe am I giving off ?”
“that I have dislocated my neck desperately lapping at lukewarm faucet water as it slips through my cupped fingers to wash it down. It crosses my mind that I should just stagger back to my room and get in bed and try again tomorrow but—guilt!”
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I think reading Samantha Irby’s writing is like talking to your best friend, while reading Lawson’s writing felt like I was reading her thoughts.
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Thats a great way to put it lily
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This is exactly it nailed the description, 100% agree!
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I thought Irby was pretty brash and abrupt in comparison to Lawson who seemed a bit more mellow like low tide vs high tide at the beach. And how Irby shows contrast sometimes from how she acts outwardly vs her thoughts while doing so. I really find that so entertaining and interesting.
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yes!
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Irby’s sentences allow enough space for the reader to indulge in her life story. I feel like I am not attempting to constantly discover what she means by this or that with deep pauses, such as with Lawson. The conversation is transparent like you’re sitting around the dinner table with good trustworthy company – you’re fav peeps.
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I don’t really know what I’m gonna write about but something along the lines of how open she is about things that we all do but are too afraid to bring up
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I see definite similarities between Irby and Lawson in the sense that they just let the words flow. They both have that stream of consciousness-esque style going on. I enjoyed late 1900s Time Capsule. Some of my favorite albums are the ones I played on repeat through middle and high school. Something about feeling like I can relate to the artists even though at the time, I had no idea what they were talking about. Irby even touched on that so that was cool.
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I think I could say I read a fair amount of Irby’s book. And I don’t think that the flavor of her writing is my style. I found myself getting frustrated often. But I’m trying to take a step back and hold judgement and appreciate it from a different point of view. It’s challenging for me, I just don’t think the phrasing and style of writing she uses is pleasing to read for me, and the content leaves me frustrated with her character, but I’m trying.
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Hey guys… I’m holding Henry, my five-month-old. I’m watching and just observing right now. Sorry about the inconvenience, I’m really enjoying what you guys are saying. Just know, I’m here.
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Hi Henry.
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❤
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Hey Henry!
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I also noticed Irby made a lot more pop culture references which made me feel more connected to her as a person, because I know what she likes.
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I liked that too! It made sort of a common ground? It was like “oh nice, I think Jagged Little Pill is one of the best albums ever too. I guess I can keep reading.”
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I think after reading both Lawson and Samantha’s work they are both similar in a sense of they both are themselves and do not change even if its for a book they are writing.
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