“I am always on the edge of what I am doing. I do everything badly, sloppily, to get it over with so that I can get on to the next thing that I will do badly and sloppily so that I can then do nothing – which I do anxiously, distractedly, wondering all the time if there isn’t something else I should be getting on with. … When I’m working, I’m wishing I was doing nothing and when I’m doing nothing I’m wondering if I should be working. I hurry through what I’ve got to do and then, when I’ve got nothing to do, I keep glancing at the clock, wishing it was time to go out. Then, when I’m out, I’m wondering how long it will be before I’m back home.”
— Geoff Dyer, Out of Sheer Rage: Wrestling with D. H. Lawrence
Inspired by: I picked up the book after reading “Vivian Gornick: ‘I Couldn’t Finish Michelle Obama’s Becoming‘: (The Guardian, March 26, 2021): “The last book that made me laugh Out of Sheer Rage by Geoff Dyer is a brilliant book. For me, the best thing he ever wrote. A little bit of genius, it made me laugh, and laugh, and laugh.”
sounds like a great read. the opposite of being in the moment.
50 pages in. So far, so very good.
You got give him kudos for his raw honesty ha! 👏👏
Yes!
Taking paradox to the extreme…I keep trying to write a blog about that, and here I am…not writing it and fretting about it simultaneously. Life…
Laughing. That is what this book is about…
there is comfort in knowing I am not alone in this flurry of thoughts.
Oh No. There’s a long line behind you and in front of you. 🙂
Sounds like somerhing to add to my reading list ..
So far (50 pages in) I like it!
Excellent! You’ve not steered me wrong yet…
Let me finish first before you jump on the wagon!
No worries. I’ve only got a bazillion on my list.
Yeah, this is me. If it takes more than 10 minutes to do, count me out. I’d really like to go to China, I think, but only if I can be back by supper tonight.
Laughing. So good.
My Spirit Animal is a Half-Ass.
LAUGHING!
good thing to know I’m not alone with such thoughts…
Far from it!
I’ve not hear of Geoff Dyer or Vivian Gornick -thanks for the introduction…Since I’d not heard of Geoff Dyer I decided to google, giving myself 2 minutes – of course to stay on the periphery…I discovered that he is 62, older than me and you (so my thoughts of him needing a short break into semi- retirement, unfounded)…he is the writer in residence at USC…he is very accomplished writer, he is British…didn’t even spend enough time to see if he is married or has children, etc. I noticed this book and I thought you’d enjoy it! http://geoffdyer.com/books/see-saw-looking-at-photographs-2010-2020/
After re-reading your offering and noting that Steve Martin loves it -I think hmm, you and Steve Martin are both intelligent, good thinkers and humorous…and both recommend the book…and Vivian Gornick does as well. I think that Geoff Dryer most likely is similar to you and Steve Martin, in that you all have rich thought life, write well and your minds are busy, quick & humble…
Smiling. To be mentioned in same breath as Steve Martin, is truly an honor! Thank you.
🙂
Love that ‘intro’….. guess I’d read it in one quick go. Looks like a great choice!
So far so good!