Bullet Ridden Walls at the 92nd St Y
Sep 21st, 2007 by Anton
The reading by Edwidge Danticat was the first book reading I have ever been to. Naturally, I had no idea what would await me. I’ll make this blunt and, unlike certain other people we are familiar with, I will actually attempt to make it not-boring. I’d like to state that I wasn’t entirely bored out of my mind. I did not fall asleep, although I would have very much liked to. I believe that as college freshman I cannot sit in halls and listen to readers for entertainment. It’s as simple as that. I am not made for these trips and as interesting as the story may be I would much rather go see Rent. That’s the gist of it. I am, perhaps too young to appreciate the amazing aspects of an author reading to me.
Now, onto the boring part! I felt rather strange when I entered the hall filled with eager listeners. I would assume the average age, our class aside, was about 40+. I felt I was insulting the whole idea of an author reading to us by coming to the event dressed in denim. After a short while of listening to the introduction I felt speechless. I was stunned by how uninterested I was in everything he was saying. I was bored, but not to the point of falling asleep. I felt that it was this man who was boring and so awaited the entrance of Danticat; perhaps she would be wonderful! As she walked onto the stage reality hit me again. I had a vision in my mind that she would walk up onto the stage and I would recognize her and I would be very much “OMG IT’S HER!” NOT THE CASE! She was just another woman. I wasn’t amazed by her appearance. At this point, I felt insulted. Perhaps, I had expected to have a reaction such as that of Chris Crocker to Britney Spears being on stage. I don’t know why this was so. I just… expected more in terms of my reaction. Perhaps it was this that made me feel I am not designed to listen to readers, hence the beginning paragraph. The best part of the entire trip was when Anthony made so much noise climbing over his seat that the woman a few rows in front of us looked as though someone had just spit at her.
I am not happy with my behavior at all! I put my knees up onto the seat in front of me and checked the time frequently and acted very bored. I feel that I have insulted Danticat. I should send her a letter apologizing for my actions. Also, I am sorry professor Smith. I don’t know why I felt so uninterested. Perhaps I didn’t WANT to listen to them and simply focused on returning home. I also did not bring my book because I chose not to. I feel a little ashamed now… I will now end my post because I am very tired. Maybe I didn’t enjoy the reading because I’m a git. Zakes Mda was also not very interesting but he made a few jokes that entertained me for a fraction of a second.
MOOD: Stupid.
“I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps and, uh, I believe that our, uh, education like such as in, uh…”
P.S. I would much rather read the book than have someone read it to me. That’s entertaining!
Anton,
Thank you for your post. I enjoyed reading it and found it very interesting–you are honest about your disengagement at the event, but willing to be reflective about said disengagement, which I appreciate. I have many thoughts about what you say, but I think I’ll wait for others to post before I comment.
As you may imagine, I have my reasons for wanting to take the class to the reading, beyond making you suffer and be miserable on a Thursday evening (not my intention at all). Anyone can feel free to speculate on my reasons; extra credit if you get one right.
First of all I like to say I sincerely love reading your posts. They are just hilarious. I did not go because of religious reason (I was Fasting) but it seems like you were bored to death. Thank God I did not go. And I love your comment about not boring us like other people (Hmm.. But this is so broad… Yes, just like he said blah blah blah…SHUDDUP!!!). And I don’t think you are git for finding this boring. It seems like anyone would find it boring. I would definitely have fallen asleep. At least you didn’t.
Anton I definitely have to say it is a joy to read your posts. It is quite clear that you have no problem expressing your thoughts. Although I regret not attending, you make it seem a if it wasn’t a event worth attending.I’m sure if I was there I would of been in the same boat.(ANYONE ELSE HEARS SNORING).
Like everyone else, I enjoyed reading your post. I basically felt the same exact way as you did. I felt a bit underdressed too when all the people there were dressed so properly. I also notice that lady who kept turning around with an evil look on her face constantly! You can also tell that mostly everyone was dying to leave because one left after the other and it came down to only like 4 people.