34 Comments

I liked her "Thwack! Bang! Soup!" essay. That street looked like it would be hell for people that have no idea how to parallel park <*rasies hand*>. And if you become a paid subscriber, you get her posts on real paper? Now, that's a clever idea. As someone who used to--and will soon go back to-writing fiction, all my stories started out handwritten. I also love the idea of pen pals, but my handwriting looks like a doctor, so even though I'd love to steal this idea, I don't think it would work for me. I'm curious if it's only the essays that end up on paper or all her posts?

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It’s just the essays, and they are printed! I also have terrible handwriting so I don’t do them longhand 🙃 Thanks for reading!

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(Typed then printed, that is…)

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Great question. I have awful handwriting too.

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Thanks CK and Natalie for this great interview. The pictures are awesome, but I'm so sorry you had to be in ER during the pandemic. I love the term 'observational humour', I guess that's likely what all humour is but very cool that you can call yourself that.

"I am an observational humourist"...it sounds pretty good!

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Thx for you kind words and support. Xoxo.

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As you said, observational humor is the default for many of us! So I think this just means I’m a lazy humorist 😝

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The important thing is you're a humorist, the world needs more of those, AND in the face of chronic pain, amazing!

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Omg! I’m so happy to have learned about Natalie! I have an “oops my brain” invisible disorder too and I predict many good laughs in solidarity as I read her essays. Subscribed!

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I was hoping you two would get together. 🥰🙏

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Hi Kimberly! I am wowed that you subscribed to my humble little stack 😅 I love your story telling.

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Awww, just another scribbly brain over here. So happy to connect!

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Scribbly brain. Wonderful term!

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Thanks, CK. Natalie is fantastic, as are you, so this was especially nice to read.

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Appreciate your support. 🙏

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Thank you Chris! (When I first typed out this comment I called you David, not sure why...but I thought you might get a kick out of that.)

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Thanks for the intro, CK! I share your love of funny women. ;)

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Thx for your support. 🙏

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Good to meet you all! 👋

Dorothy Parker was full of witty quotes, so I'm not sure which is my favorite. My favorite of her short stories, though, is Arrangement in Black and White. It is full of subtle, sharp humor. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1927/10/08/arrangement-in-black-and-white

As for Cory, he's lent many observations to my essays. Two recent examples:

1. In "Well, Well, Well," he suggested I add the anecdote about the Jamie and the Apple Watch

2. In "Thwack! Bang! Soup?" he remembered the story about our neighbor James who served wine to a robber!

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Dang. I have to be a New Yorker subscriber.

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Or just grab an anthology from the library, that's where I read it originally!

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Go hubby. 🤗

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I loved reading this because I love Natalie's Substack!!! I found her by accident a while back and she never disappoints.

Natalie, did you know that if I ever get a second dog I was gonna name it Donut? I feel like it goes well with my first dog's name: Dezi and Donut 😁

Thanks for doing this, you two. I thoroughly enjoyed!

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Thx for your support. 🥰🙏

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Aww thank you Kristi! I'm still shocked you found me as I am the WORST at self-promotion.

Donut is, in my opinion, the perfect name for a dog. That's actually the name he came with at the shelter and we loved it so much we never changed it. Dezi and Donut would make a good pair :)

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I can't even remember how I found you. Must have been through a funny comment you left somewhere. I gravitate to funny.

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Don't interview me CK! People will laugh at me, not with me : )

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I won’t. You’re a dude. Hehe.

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Just read her short memoir—hilarious!! And so relatable. I’ve suffered with chronic migraine for over 40 years, and I’ve tried everything. Humor and prayer are the best medicine.

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Yikes, 40 years! You’re tougher than I am!

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You know, I’m definitely stronger and braver than I ever thought I’d be. I’ve plowed right through some tragic crap in my life. I’m confident that’s true of you too. How do I know? Because you’re a woman. Hang in there. If nothing else, the suckage gives you great material for comedy writing.

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Survival is the best goal!

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Wonderful interview! With my hubby on his own chronic pain journey, he and I both rely on humor as part of his daily meds.

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Thanks for reading Wendy! Humor is the best medicine.

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