Comments on: Stop! Sucking! Day 19: Stop and buy a damned hat

By: Adam Kayce

Adam Kayce — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:50:49 +0000

I was there, and I saw the hat. It rocks, C. Thought it was the cutest thing I saw in Chicago.

(don’t know if ‘cute’ was what you were aiming for… but it was.)

By: Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:24:23 +0000

Now I’m not complaining, donning my own annoying…uh…wonderful-grassroots-effort-of-a-purple-bracelet that I am, but the masochistic element that is so frequently assumed with this bracelet is really funny. You don’t have to snap it when you complain–you’re simply to switch it to the other wrist. Or, as you say, switch it right over to Sally. I’m glad you bought the hat. Not the Chicago weather I’d ordered for my fine friend but so good to see you in any weather.

By: the communicatrix

the communicatrix — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:17:19 +0000

Wise advice from Lady Dy, for, as you well know, until you conquer the hill you’re on you will not be allowed to venture forth and conquer other, more attractive hills.

I think it’s a general thinking question, a perspective question, not a question-question. And of course, those are hard to answer.

But I would offer this: most of us write about the stuff we need to know about. And you are an endless source of questions where that’s concerned. So maybe think about what you’d like to know–start with the really close-in stuff, like “how did you get the hell out of the job you don’t like into one you did?” (worked for Po Bronson) or “how did you get happy?”

I will also offer this: Peter Shankman has set up a great query site for journalist and potential resources. And maybe if you go there and ask some general questions along those lines, or even “What heartfelt story do you have to share?”, people will generate your topics for you.

http://www.helpareporter.com/

By: Earl Kabong

Earl Kabong — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:13:27 +0000

One of the things at which I traditionally suck is coming up with story ideas, which is why I’ve generally depended on assignment editors to spoon feed me. And, even then, my first thought when they call and offer me money to write about something is, “Really? is that worth doing? Okay. If I HAVE to . . .” I’m like a five-year-old being dragged to the shoe store.

I’ve got a chance to break out of that mold today. I just got a note from an editor at Reader’s Digest — remember them? — solciting story ideas, good old heart-tugging, triumph-of-the-spirit, human interest Reader’s Digest type stories. And it occurred to me that I have no idea how to find those stories or even where to look.

My friend Dyana thinks I should ask you folks in general and Ms. Trix in particular for suggestions. Not necessarily for specific story ideas (although I wouldn’t turn up my nose at that) but suggestions as to where I should hunt for them. I’m sure they’re everywhere. ira Glass puts them on the radio every damned week. But, since they’re not in my lap, I don’t know where to start. Help me stop the sucking. I beseech you.

(feel free to contact me at earlkabong@yahoo.com if you don’t want to occupy the space here).

By: the communicatrix

the communicatrix — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:47:14 +0000

Maybe I’ll send the bracelet–having stuff around my wrists drives me crazy. Must be muscle memory from my days in the pokey.

I will probably keep the cap, much as I make sport of it. The BF’s is perilous cold in the winter, and the hat thing really does work to keep one’s temperature regulated.

But SNOW!?!?! I’m counting my sunny, crisp, spring blessings today!

By: Sally J. (Practical Archivist)

Sally J. (Practical Archivist) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:03:26 +0000

Love the bracelet! A short sharp somatic reminder to S-T-O-P. (You can tell I took my alliteration pills this morning.) When you get back to sunny LA feel free to send me the hat and I’ll donate it to a Wisconsin shelter. It won’t clutter up your “just in case” box of winter stuff and it’ll keep someone up here toasty warm. Yesterday? It snowed. Will this %#$& winter never end?