overload
July 13th, 2006 | Uncategorized
I’ve been trying to post about the reading I did last night at a local independent bookstore, Bear Pond Books in Montpelier. But I’m feeling immobilized. Partly from all the email and snail mail and bills that have been piling up while I’ve been flying around the country. Partly by the news, which I’ve been too distracted to follow closely. Now the reports from Gaza and Mumbai are making posts about my book tour seem a little ridiculous. I know, you’re not checking in here for insights on the international situation. But I had to get that off my chest.
The Bear Pond reading was very pleasant. I love this bookstore. I even like their bunting.
7 Responses to “overload”
I think anyone who cares about people is feeling rather overwhelmed about what is going on in the world right now…..and for the past couple of years. What makes it interesting for me is to know that I can turn off the TV and/or NPR and choose to read some of the old DTWOF and listen to Mo kvetch and whine about life and have it still be relevant! It must have been like being in a time warp coming back home with so much the same and different at the same time. I for one am glad you are back home, safe and fulled with lots of warm and heartfelt regards from so many admirers during your tour. Take a deep breath and know you did good!
Given that you usually insert the current political scene in your comic strip, (and for that matter put your autobiography in a political context) I’d be very surprised if you didn’t, at least occasionally, comment on the current political scene in your blog! I don’t know about the general constituency of your readership, but don’t you think most of your readers would be surprised if you DIDN’T admit some feelings of guilt/conflict for being distracted by your success for a week or two? My guess is your readers check in to see what you have to say about whatever is on your mind — damn the categorization!
By the way, I enjoyed your last strip and thought the lack of political commentary, as unintentional as it may have been, was pitch perfect. The familial conflicts in the strip were universal. What teenager hasn’t responded to his/her family situation by wanting his parents problems to go away (or the parents to literally go away) so he/she could feel “normal”. Having said that, I’m not advocating commentary free strips, I just wanted you to know how it struck me on a viseral level.
Last but not least, thanks for coming down to Bear Pond Books (which I also love…a trip downtown isn’t complete without a quick stop to scan the stacks)! I didn’t think I’d make it, but I’m so glad I did. I know for sure I won’t be up to Burlington for the Friday reading, but I’m hoping sometime I can get you to sign my DTWOF “Great Romances That Never Were”, which I actually bought in 1986…but couldn’t find earlier in the week, and now have right here.
I don’t know if you can tell who is reading your blog, but you’re getting hits from at least one reader in Palestine – me. The situation in Gaza is horrific; the situation in the West Bank is bad; and I’m speechless about what is happening in Lebanon and northern Israel. Every day we are torn between rage and tears….
But I also log in and read your blog when I cannot take it anymore and need a break from all the violence that surrounds us. So thank you – you’re helping to keep one reader this side of sanity.
Hey everyone, there is a post from a sister in Palestine/Gaza. She is commenting on the horror in the middle east. She posted in “Overload”. Can we please give her some support?
Keep checking in here Salaam, I would like to lend support, if you like. Keeep checking in!
I’ll second what Deb said about lending support, Salaam. The news reports are shocking enough; to be there as the violence unfolds must be unimaginably unsettling. It’s good to hear that this site is a respite for you, Salaam. You’re in my thoughts.
I am sure that, in the coming days, I will be thinking of the name of someone in Palestine — Salaam. Thanks for writing. Offering support, I feel like Mo in the latest strip, but, like Sydney, Salaam is saying just get me out of here.
Oh well.. At least now Kofi has spoken up..