Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

                


This thread is to discuss es Please, by Amy Poehler. Be prepared for spoilers.


Synopsis:
In Amy Poehler’s highly anticipated first book, Yes Please, she offers up a big juicy stew of personal stories, funny bits on sex and love and friendship and parenthood and real life advice (some useful, some not so much), like when to be funny and when to be serious. Powered by Amy’s charming and hilarious, biting yet wise voice, Yes Please is a book is full of words to live by

Chapter Breakdown


Jan 12&13 - Intro - Talk to yourself like you're ninety . (page 1 - 103) RachelvlehcaR

Jan 14 - Part Two: Do Whatever You Like - Nobody Looks Stupid When They Are Having Fun(page 104 - 150)Ashley

Jan 15 - Catch up Day

Jan 16 - Every Mother Needs A Wife - How I Fell in Love with Improve (page 149 - 200)Emma

Jan 17 - Parents Just Do Understand - Calling People Sweetheart Makes Most People Enraged (page 201 - 243)Shinjini

Jan 18 - Let's Build A Park - End. (Page 245 - 329) Kelly

Discussion Question volunteers:

RachelvlehcaR (Balefire Dragon)
Ashley (Balefire Dragon)
Shinjini (Misty Mountain Trolls) - after the 16th
Emma (Jubilant Chickadees)
Kelly (Spirit Weavers)

IMPORTANT: If you volunteer to write DQs, but then are unable to write them that day and don't notify us, we will not accept you as a volunteer for the next month's BOMs


NOTE: We will accept one team member per book per team for writing a days DQs. If, by three days prior to the BOM starting, we don't have enough volunteers to write all DQs, then we will let more than one team member per team write questions. If we have more people than days sign up (prior to 3 days before start date) we will randomise the volunteers to determine those who can write DQs

YES! I'm in on this one. Balefire Dragon, I'd love to do DQs.

I'm in, for sure! Not volunteering for DQ's though. One day I will have the courage!

I'm in for this one since it was my nomination :p
I will do DQ for Balefire Dragons if there's not enough volunteers.

I'd like to sign up for DQs please. Can I pick a date after the 16th? I am on the Misty Mountain Trolls team.

I might be able to join this discussion. I requested the book at the library and I am number 111 on the list! Wow!

Since I voted for this one, I better take part in the discussion :) I am looking forward to this one.

I'm in :)

If you belong to scribd.com, they have the audio version available as a selection.

Lisa Kay wrote: "If you belong to scribd.com, they have the audio version available as a selection."

Thanks for the tip! I was concerned about getting this one from the library in time. This is helpful! :)

I would like to volunteer for the DQs please (Jubilant Chickadees)

Mods are having trouble getting a copy of this book as it isn't readily available outside of the US.

Does anyone have a copy they can try and do a chapter breakdown for? About 50 pages per day?

I have a copy. I will post a breakdown tonight when I get home:)

Excellent, thanks Ashley!

Here's a rough draft :)

Jan 12 - Intro - Figure out what you want. Say it Loud. Then Shut Up. (page 1 - 49)

Jan 13 - Birthing Plan Talk to yourself like you're ninety (page 50 - 103)

Janu 14 - Part Two: Do Whatever You Like - Nobody Looks Stupid When They Are Having Fun(page 104 - 150)

Jan 15 - Catch up Day

Jan 16 - Every Mother Needs A Wife - How I Fell in Love with Improve (page 149 - 200)

Jan 17 - Parents Just Do Understand - Calling People Sweetheart Makes Most People Enraged (page 201 - 243)

Jan 18 - Let's Build A Park - Strangers Should Be A Little Strange. (Page 245 - 297)

Jan 19 - My Boys - End (page 299 - 329)

Thanks! If we don't get any more volunteers for writing DQs, I may combine some into 2 days of reading instead of 1 as I don't think any of the mods can get this book

No problem:) I just tried to make it about 50 pages, but there's lots of pictures so it really isn't that much reading.

I can do questions a day.

I'm in

As we have 5 volunteers for DQs, I've made it so the first day and the last day are actually longer sections, with the first one done over 2 days. I've allocated DQ writers based on the order of sign-up, if it doesn't work for you just let me know!

Hey everyone, just wanted to tell you that I'll post the DQs a little later this afternoon or evening. :)

Thanks RachelvlehcaR

NP, I just work my 13 hour shift today and will have to type it all out on my phone. :( If not you would have to wait for me to do it when I get home around 10:30pm (PST).

January 12 - Day 1 DQs
Pages 1-49

1. Poehler stated she struggled with choosing a quote that would set the table her readers and establish an important tone for her book. Now that we have started the book and have read at least 49 pages we have an idea of her style of writing and what her book is about. Do you have a quote that would be a good choice for the book? If so please share it with us.

2. Poehler said, "I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they "want to do" and start asking them what they don't want to do. How do you feel about her opinion?

3. While reading her book do you feel like you are getting to know or understand her? Has this changed your view of her?

4. Have you found any humor or insight in her writing?

5. Are you enjoy the book?

January 12 - Day 1 DQs
Pages 1-49

1. Poehler stated she struggled with choosing a quote that would set the table her readers and establish an important tone for her book. Now that we have started the book and have read at least 49 pages we have an idea of her style of writing and what her book is about. Do you have a quote that would be a good choice for the book? If so please share it with us.
I don't have one in mind but now I feel like I have a mission to find one and come back and update this one.

2. Poehler said, "I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they "want to do" and start asking them what they don't want to do. How do you feel about her opinion?
As a parent of an 18 year-old who's trying to figure out what he wants to study in college, it made me laugh because my son is MUCH better about knowing what he doesn't than what he does want to do.

3. While reading her book do you feel like you are getting to know or understand her? Has this changed your view of her?
I can't say that I knew much about Amy to begin with so it hasn't changed my view of her, but do feel like I'm understanding her a bit better. Although, so far, I don't know that she's given too many very personal revelations.

4. Have you found any humor or insight in her writing?
Yes, I'm definitely able to relate to her humor and she's making me laugh quite often! I'm listening to this on audio and am curious about the book because the audio makes so many references to how they are recording this book on audio. I'm guessing the book doesn't have these same references..

5. Are you enjoy the book?
Yes, I'm enjoying this book so far. I really don't read many autobiographies and didn't know much about Amy Poehler so didn't have any expectations, just kind of going with it.

January 12 - Day 1 DQs
Pages 1-49

1. Poehler stated she struggled with choosing a quote that would set the table her readers and establish an important tone for her book. Now that we have started the book and have read at least 49 pages we have an idea of her style of writing and what her book is about. Do you have a quote that would be a good choice for the book? If so please share it with us.
I’m not sure who said this, but a good quote would be “My life is like a romantic comedy except there’s no romance and it’s just me laughing at my own jokes”.

2. Poehler said, "I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they "want to do" and start asking them what they don't want to do. How do you feel about her opinion?
I think that’s a great idea! Process of elimination. It really is easier to figure out what you absolutely don’t want to do.

3. While reading her book do you feel like you are getting to know or understand her? Has this changed your view of her?
I do feel like I’m getting to know Amy more than just by watching her on tv. It hasn’t changed my view of her. I’ve liked Amy since UCB!

4. Have you found any humor or insight in her writing?
Yes! She always makes me laugh! My first LOL moment: “One of the things I have learned about me while writing about me is that I am really onto myself. I have got Amy Poehler’s number, I’ll tell you. I also learned that writing topless tends to relax me. Go figure. Life is a mystery.”

5. Are you enjoy the book?
Yes. I don’t read many autobiographies, but I figured I would enjoy this because I love both Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and I loved Bossypants.

P.S. Did anyone catch the Golden Globes? I just love those two together. They feed off each other. They are coming out with a new movie also:)

Just FYI. The posted listing for the first question set is longer than the questions are for. The schedule got condensed a bit from lack of volunteers for questions. Just so everyone knows to look at the top posts for the second question sets reading.

1. Poehler stated she struggled with choosing a quote that would set the table her readers and establish an important tone for her book. Now that we have started the book and have read at least 49 pages we have an idea of her style of writing and what her book is about. Do you have a quote that would be a good choice for the book? If so please share it with us.
I am terrible with remember quotes so can't think of anything off the top of my head.

2. Poehler said, "I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they "want to do" and start asking them what they don't want to do. How do you feel about her opinion?
I agree. Youth seems to require you to make decisions about the rest of your life that you aren't in a position to make properly. If I could go back and tell my younger self what I wished I had decided to do, it would be completely different from what I thought at the time I wanted to do.

3. While reading her book do you feel like you are getting to know or understand her? Has this changed your view of her?
Definitely. I didn't know a lot about her before starting this book. I just knew she worked a lot with Tina Fey and that was about it.

4. Have you found any humor or insight in her writing?
I like her style of humour and am enjoying it, but I got the biggest insight from her chapter on getting older. I thought her statement that we should embrace getting older because there are dead people that would give anything to grow old was very true and did make me appreciate the fact that I am getting to grow old. So far, so good anyway ;)

5. Are you enjoy the book?
Yep, it is a very enjoyable read

1. Poehler stated she struggled with choosing a quote that would set the table her readers and establish an important tone for her book. Now that we have started the book and have read at least 49 pages we have an idea of her style of writing and what her book is about. Do you have a quote that would be a good choice for the book? If so please share it with us.

My suggestions would be something along the lines of "Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive" -Elbert Hubbard

2. Poehler said, "I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they "want to do" and start asking them what they don't want to do. How do you feel about her opinion?

I agree. Knowing what I know now I wish that I had started my college education at a community college taking general courses in a variety of subjects to ensure that I had at least some exposure to areas that I might not have thought about. I started out as a Music Education major and ended up changing to Social Work. While I still believe that social work was a good choice for me, looking back I would have loved to have more of an opportunity to explore other areas but felt pressured to pick an area. When my kids get to be college age I think I'll encourage them to take the time to do that.

3. While reading her book do you feel like you are getting to know or understand her? Has this changed your view of her?

I also did not really know who Amy Poehler was...I don't watch much TV and have never been a fan of SNL or Parks & Recreation. I do feel like I am getting to know her more. Her story about the skit she most regretted humanized her and I loved her for that. Personally I wish she had been more forthcoming in her section regarding her divorce but that's because my curiosity was peaked. As I'm reading the book I've also thought I should watch her some more on TV now that I know more about her.

4. Have you found any humor or insight in her writing?

While there have been a few moments that have made me laugh (the divorce book that had a section called Stop Buying the Kids Toys was awesome because it was spot on for me having been through a divorce) I haven't found it all that funny overall but that could also be my own sense of humor. I have however found many insights that I just love. The apology letters from the brain and the heart were priceless and actually made me cry.

5. Are you enjoy the book?

Yes...loving it!!

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "January 12 - Day 1 DQs
Pages 1-49
I'm listening to this on audio and am curious about the book because the audio makes so many references to how they are recording this book on audio. I'm guessing the book doesn't have these same references..

You're right the book doesn't have those references. Does Amy do the reading for the audio book?

Hilary wrote: "Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "January 12 - Day 1 DQs
Pages 1-49
I'm listening to this on audio and am curious about the book because the audio makes so many references to how they a..."

She does! Plus she has had guest speakers.. Like her parents, Carol Burnett, Seth Meyers...

OH, I will have to check out the audiobook.

Yes the audiobook sounds great!!

Yes, I've heard very good things about the audio;)

January 13 - Day 2 DQs
Pages 50-103

6. Poehler wrote, “It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for. It takes years to find your voice and seize your real estate.” Do you think women tend to say and be sorry more than men? Is it learned? Or a societal push?

7. Did you watch the video of the skit of The Dakota Fanning Talk Show? How did you feel about the whole issue that came of it?

8. In the divorce section, the titles just crack me up. Do you think these are real books?

9. In the talk to yourself like you’re ninety sections, one of my favorites is “You get better at knowing what you want and need. You can tell what kind of underwear people are wearing.” Share one of your favorite Podhler, growing older advice with us.

January 12 - Day 1 DQs
Pages 1-49

1. Poehler stated she struggled with choosing a quote that would set the table her readers and establish an important tone for her book. Now that we have started the book and have read at least 49 pages we have an idea of her style of writing and what her book is about. Do you have a quote that would be a good choice for the book? If so please share it with us.

'Live and let die' Definitely.

2. Poehler said, "I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they "want to do" and start asking them what they don't want to do. How do you feel about her opinion?

I feel that she's right. Not everyone is sure about what they want to do, even in their twenties. They're still learning, finding out about different things. Cancelling out what you don't want to do is easier than figuring out hat exactly it is that you want to do.

3. While reading her book do you feel like you are getting to know or understand her? Has this changed your view of her?

I think especially where celebs are concerned, we don't know them. We know their names, and what they do, but we don't know the person. I'm glad we're getting this experience to learn more about Amy

4. Have you found any humor or insight in her writing?

For sure. I laughed a few times and through most of what I read I had a smile on my face. I like how she's basically showing you how to be okay with who you already are. Find your currency and go with it.

5. Are you enjoy the book?

I definitely am. I'm not a really fan of memoirs/biography's but when I found out about this book, I immediately added it to my list. .

6. Poehler wrote, “It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for. It takes years to find your voice and seize your real estate.” Do you think women tend to say and be sorry more than men? Is it learned? Or a societal push?

Yes I absolutely do think that women tend to say and be sorry more than men. I think that is a combination of both learned behavior and a societal push. Most men that I have interacted with over the years tend to be able to let things "roll off their back" easier than women. They tend to feel less guilt about everything and tend to be more self absorbed. Obviously there are exceptions for both men and women but my experience has been that this is the norm which leads me to say that society is perpetuating this behavior and that many are reinforcing it in their own lives.

7. Did you watch the video of the skit of The Dakota Fanning Talk Show? How did you feel about the whole issue that came of it?

I did not watch the video of the skit. I tried to Google it to find it but only found links to watch the entire SNL episode (and requiring me to buy it to watch it). If anyone has a link to the video I would be interested in seeing it after having read about the scene in the book.

8. In the divorce section, the titles just crack me up. Do you think these are real books?

Having been through a divorce the titles that I thought were true to life were I want a Divorce! See You Tomorrow! (and all of the associated chapters to that book) and Divorce: Ten Ways To Not Catch It! There was definitely some truth to the others as well.

9. In the talk to yourself like you’re ninety sections, one of my favorites is “You get better at knowing what you want and need. You can tell what kind of underwear people are wearing.” Share one of your favorite Poehler, growing older advice with us.

My favorite was stop whining about getting old. It's a privilege. A lot of people who are dead wish they were still alive. This is so true. I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago at the age of 38 and thankfully am currently doing great but have met and lost some wonderful friends through this journey at way too young of an age. Life can be so challenging sometimes but I always try to find something on the rainy days to be thankful for :)

January 13 - Day 2 DQs
Pages 50-103

6. Poehler wrote, “It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for. It takes years to find your voice and seize your real estate.” Do you think women tend to say and be sorry more than men? Is it learned? Or a societal push?
Yes I do think women apologize more than men. Women seem to need closure when in comes to any sort of conflict. An apology gives them that closure.

7. Did you watch the video of the skit of The Dakota Fanning Talk Show? How did you feel about the whole issue that came of it?
I did not watch it.

8. In the divorce section, the titles just crack me up. Do you think these are real books?
No I just thought she made them up to be funny.

9. In the talk to yourself like you’re ninety sections, one of my favorites is “You get better at knowing what you want and need. You can tell what kind of underwear people are wearing.” Share one of your favorite Podhler, growing older advice with us.
My two favorites were “Can you walk? Stop complaining.” And “stopcomplainingstopcomplainingstopcomplaining.” It seems as though you can’t have a conversation with anyone anymore without constant complaining, and it no one wants to take ownership of anything. If you don’t like the way something is, then do something to change it!

Yes Please DQ pg 104-148: Part 2 Do Whatever you Like – Nobody looks stupid when they are having fun
Jan 14th

1.Amy discusses her introduction to the world of improv. “When people are nervous and put on the spot, they tend to show you who they really are”. Do you think this is true? Do you have any of your own personal experience with being put on the spot?

2.Amy talks about the creation of Upright Citizen’s Brigade. Did you ever watch UCB? Do you have a favorite sketch?

3.Amy discusses her childhood: her parents, her brother and make believe. Did you get along with your siblings? Did you ever make up elaborate stories like Amy? Did you have a friend’s family that was like your second family?

4.Reasons We Cry on an Airplane. I once started bawling on a plane because they were showing Marley & Me. Why the hell would you show something like that on an airplane? Obviously no one else was watching because people were just staring at me probably wondering what was wrong that that crying girl. Have you ever cried on an airplane?

5.Amy discusses her start on SNL. She definitely met a lot of famous people that first year. Do you have a favorite Amy Poehler sketch? My favorite is the Sarah Palin and Hilary Clinton sketch. Here’s a link http://youtu.be/FNgjf_yZY6M

January 13 - Day 2 DQs
Pages 50-103

6. Poehler wrote, “It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for. It takes years to find your voice and seize your real estate.” Do you think women tend to say and be sorry more than men? Is it learned? Or a societal push?
Yes, I really do think women probably apologize more than men. Not that this is a hard & fast rule, but generally speaking, it seems the women I know are more empathetic while men are generally more 'fixers'. So if a woman thinks they've done something to offend, they're more inclined to want to make it right or clear the air by apologizing. (Whether or not the person really believes they actually did something wrong or not.) If a man thinks they offended, I think most men will try to fix it by offering an olive branch of some sort OR they'll think they didn't do anything wrong and just figures the person will get over it. Most of the men I know (brothers included) rarely seem to offer up the actual verbal apology.

7. Did you watch the video of the skit of The Dakota Fanning Talk Show? How did you feel about the whole issue that came of it?
No, I haven't seen it, but the whole chapter made me cringe. I ended up feeling really bad for all parties involved and think it probably took a lot for Amy to back herself up and try to correct that wrong wayyyyyyyyy after the fact.

8. In the divorce section, the titles just crack me up. Do you think these are real books?
I don't think they are real books but I laughed pretty hard and, as someone who's gone through a divorce, I could totally relate to most of her titles! Hilarious!

9. In the talk to yourself like you’re ninety sections, one of my favorites is “You get better at knowing what you want and need. You can tell what kind of underwear people are wearing.” Share one of your favorite Podhler, growing older advice with us.
"Stop whining about getting old. It's a privilege. A lot of people who are dead wish they were still alive."
I'm not sure how many dead people actually wish they were alive, but I bet there are a lot of alive people glad they have the privilege of getting older instead of being dead!

January 12 - Day 1 DQs
Pages 1-49

1. Poehler stated she struggled with choosing a quote that would set the table her readers and establish an important tone for her book. Now that we have started the book and have read at least 49 pages we have an idea of her style of writing and what her book is about. Do you have a quote that would be a good choice for the book? If so please share it with us.
I think the line I laughed the most at was: "The eighties were a strange time for teenage fashion. We wore islk blouses and shoulder pads, neon earrings and jodhpur pants. Come to think of it, our pants were especially weird. We also wore stirrup pants, parachute pants, and velvet knickers. It was a real experimental pant time."

I remember looking back at myself from the mid 90s and thinking clothing looked ridiculous too :P It probably happens each generation now.

2. Poehler said, "I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they "want to do" and start asking them what they don't want to do. How do you feel about her opinion?
Maybe. I think too much focus is put on doing what you want to do when you don't really know what that is yet. I always told people to go find a real job posting that you would want to do then work backwards based on those requirements. I think there's a lot of people who want to do something like "artist" or "sociologist" and spend lots of money on education and then don't like the jobs or don't like the pay or can't find a job. Better to balance what you want to do and what others want you to do/are willing to pay you to do.

3. While reading her book do you feel like you are getting to know or understand her? Has this changed your view of her?
A bit. It's a bit scattered. I don't watch SNL for the most part though my husband does so I catch bits of it.

4. Have you found any humor or insight in her writing?
It's pretty easy to read. Really scattered though.

5. Are you enjoy the book?
Mostly. Though I typically don't read this style of book.

1.Amy discusses her introduction to the world of improv. “When people are nervous and put on the spot, they tend to show you who they really are”. Do you think this is true? Do you have any of your own personal experience with being put on the spot?
I think you are more likely to say whatever comes into your head if you are nervous and put on the spot - just so you can remove the attention from yourself . I don't know whether that would be a true relection of who you are though.

2.Amy talks about the creation of Upright Citizen’s Brigade. Did you ever watch UCB? Do you have a favorite sketch?
No I have never seen UCB

3.Amy discusses her childhood: her parents, her brother and make believe. Did you get along with your siblings? Did you ever make up elaborate stories like Amy? Did you have a friend’s family that was like your second family?
Me and my sister had a love/hate relationship until we grew up. Now we get on great and really appreciate each other. I had two best friends at school, one of whose family I was close to and the other's who I never got to know as I didn't spend any time there.

4.Reasons We Cry on an Airplane. I once started bawling on a plane because they were showing Marley & Me. Why the hell would you show something like that on an airplane? Obviously no one else was watching because people were just staring at me probably wondering what was wrong that that crying girl. Have you ever cried on an airplane?
No I can't say that I have, although its possible I may have got teary watching a film.

5.Amy discusses her start on SNL. She definitely met a lot of famous people that first year. Do you have a favorite Amy Poehler sketch? My favorite is the Sarah Palin and Hilary Clinton sketch. Here’s a link http://youtu.be/FNgjf_yZY6M
I haven't really watched any of her skits as SNL is only showed late at night here in Australia so i've never seen it. I have set it to record this week though so I can check it out.

January 12 - Day 1 DQs
Pages 1-49

1. Poehler stated she struggled with choosing a quote that would set the table her readers and establish an important tone for her book. Now that we have started the book and have read at least 49 pages we have an idea of her style of writing and what her book is about. Do you have a quote that would be a good choice for the book? If so please share it with us.

Not that great with remembering quotes but one that comes to mind is, "Saying “yes” doesn’t mean I don’t know how to say no, and saying “please” doesn’t mean I am waiting for permission."

Seems like a nice explanation to the title in an Amy Poehler way.

2. Poehler said, "I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they "want to do" and start asking them what they don't want to do. How do you feel about her opinion?

Absolutely 100% true! I was nodding my head while reading this one. People are usually clueless about what they want to do but readier to speak about what they won't do.

3. While reading her book do you feel like you are getting to know or understand her? Has this changed your view of her?

In some ways, yes. I'm going on to watch some of her old sketches for SNL and when she describes the moments preparing for a particular sketch, it helps to see it up close and imagine what she must have been thinking at the time.

4. Have you found any humor or insight in her writing?

I am liking her writing. She comes across as a naturally funny person. One thing I'm not liking very much is the scattered timeline. There's no order and she suddenly stops narrating a portion and mentions something else altogether and then goes back to her original point. It is a little difficult to catch on to.

5. Are you enjoy the book?

I am enjoying it so far. I don't usually read memoirs but I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and even more when they are together which is why I read (and really liked) Bossypants by Fey and added this one to my TBR when I came across it.

January 13 - Day 2 DQs
Pages 50-103

6. Poehler wrote, “It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for. It takes years to find your voice and seize your real estate.” Do you think women tend to say and be sorry more than men? Is it learned? Or a societal push?

Women do apologise more when compared to men. A reason for that can be women feel more empathy towards others and men don't usually realise if they hurt or offend another person.

7. Did you watch the video of the skit of The Dakota Fanning Talk Show? How did you feel about the whole issue that came of it?

I haven't seen the particular sketch. It was an honest mistake on Amy's part but the girl accepted the apology with so much grace. I really loved that things worked out for the better.

8. In the divorce section, the titles just crack me up. Do you think these are real books?

The titles are funny just to add a humour element. I really enjoyed them and the explanations.

9. In the talk to yourself like you’re ninety sections, one of my favorites is “You get better at knowing what you want and need. You can tell what kind of underwear people are wearing.” Share one of your favorite Poehler, growing older advice with us.

"Stop whining about getting old. It's a privilege. A lot of people who are dead wish they were still alive."

I absolutely loved this quote. Many people complain about getting old and take life for granted. Very few people live life to the fullest.

Yes Please DQ pg 104-148: Part 2 Do Whatever you Like – Nobody looks stupid when they are having fun
Jan 14th

1.Amy discusses her introduction to the world of improv. “When people are nervous and put on the spot, they tend to show you who they really are”. Do you think this is true? Do you have any of your own personal experience with being put on the spot?

I think this is accurate but in only certain situations. Usually it is a case of nerves but sometimes it can give an accurate impression of a person's nature.

2.Amy talks about the creation of Upright Citizen’s Brigade. Did you ever watch UCB? Do you have a favorite sketch?

I have not watched UCB but I will check it out.

3.Amy discusses her childhood: her parents, her brother and make believe. Did you get along with your siblings? Did you ever make up elaborate stories like Amy? Did you have a friend’s family that was like your second family?

I have an elder brother and we used to fight a lot, like most siblings, but we still had lots of fun together. I did not make elaborate stories but I had a really close friend whose family was my second family.

4.Reasons We Cry on an Airplane. I once started bawling on a plane because they were showing Marley & Me. Why the hell would you show something like that on an airplane? Obviously no one else was watching because people were just staring at me probably wondering what was wrong that that crying girl. Have you ever cried on an airplane?

I haven't cried on an airplane, no. I usually watch comedies while travelling.

5.Amy discusses her start on SNL. She definitely met a lot of famous people that first year. Do you have a favorite Amy Poehler sketch? My favorite is the Sarah Palin and Hilary Clinton sketch. Here’s a link http://youtu.be/FNgjf_yZY6M

I love that one! Also I used to really like watching Weekend Update with Seth and Amy. They had such easy chemistry. The part where Amy mentions that she gave Seth a badge for courage and he kept in his pocket while doing the Weekend Update after Amy left was so sweet.

DQs 16th January
Every Mother Needs a Wife – How I Fell in Love with Improve – New York

1. Amy talks about women-on-women crime between working mums and stay-at-home mums. Do you think she paints and accurate portrait of the judgement women face from each other and even from themselves?

2. I found Amy’s sex advice quite funny. What was your favourite piece of Amy’s sex advice?

3. Did anyone see the 2011 awards where Amy and her fellow nominees all went on the stage when their nominations were called? If so, did it make you laugh?

4. Amy’s story of attending a sleep clinic was very interesting. I would love to go to a sleep clinic and get tested to see how I sleep. Has anyone here been inspired to go to a sleep clinic or have had their own experience at one?

5. I have been really surprised at the number of current stars Amy met on her way to SNL. Has anyone else been surprised at how many of Hollywood’s actors/actresses started in improv or stand-up?

January 13 - Day 2 DQs
Pages 50-103

6. Poehler wrote, “It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for. It takes years to find your voice and seize your real estate.” Do you think women tend to say and be sorry more than men? Is it learned? Or a societal push?
I think it's probably partially the emotional aspect of it. There's also things like women are less likely to push for raises at work and that type of thing. I think women try to avoid conflict more than men which probably causes the sorry. I think it's somewhat innate just from being the main caregivers (evolutionary speaking at least).

7. Did you watch the video of the skit of The Dakota Fanning Talk Show? How did you feel about the whole issue that came of it?
I have not but I thought it was a good section. I've seen a few skits on SNL and other comedy shows that I thought were in bad taste or certainly skimming that line. There was one not too long ago about all the torture manual stuff that came out that I thought was funny but in terrible taste since it's something terrible that happened to people even if those people aren't all that wonderful of people.

8. In the divorce section, the titles just crack me up. Do you think these are real books?
I don't think so, especially based on the holiday one. There does seem to be a lot of books in various subjects all telling you what you should do. Parenting books are another category where there's tons of books that state "You'll screw up your kid forever if you don't follow these simple 3,124 rules".

9. In the talk to yourself like you’re ninety sections, one of my favorites is “You get better at knowing what you want and need. You can tell what kind of underwear people are wearing.” Share one of your favorite Podhler, growing older advice with us.
Heh. I liked her description of what 43 is. I feel a bit the same way at 30 which is amusing since I get the feeling people feel the same way at each stage of their life. We're always in the middle of something.

However I've caught myself going "those darn young folks" to college interns before (which are all of 20-22 so not that much younger) which makes me laugh when I catch myself at it.

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "Hilary wrote: "Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "January 12 - Day 1 DQs
Pages 1-49
I'm listening to this on audio and am curious about the book because the audio makes so many reference..."

It sounds a lot better to do this book as an audiobook. I keep getting confused when she has other people write things because it's not always clearly separated in the book and all of a sudden we're in a different point of view. A different voice would probably help that a lot.