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Trivial Pursuits

November 4th, 2009 - Uncategorized - 31 Comments »

I’m almost finished with The Know-It-All by A.J. Jacobs, one of my favorite books to date. It documents his quest to read through the entire Encyclopedia Britannica (a mere 44 million words). Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? I’m glued to this book, though – not because of the pursuit itself, but what it does to him and those around him. The encyclopedia-quest becomes a backdrop for him to tell (hilarious!) stories of his childhood, his marriage, and other random events.

I think I’m really drawn to immersion journalism, which is when someone immerses himself into a specific situation and documents his experiences, externally and internally (think 30 Days, Dirty Jobs, Super Size Me, etc).

All that to say, I’m going to give it a try. These other guys have kind of cornered the market on immersing yourself into crazy and remarkable situations. So, in keeping with the theme of my blog, I’m going to set out on more trivial pursuits, like sporting a mustache, canceling my cable, or haggling over every purchase I make, all for a month at a time.

My first Trivial Pursuit – RUNNING. There aren’t many activities in life that I dislike worse than running, so I thought it was an obvious first choice. Typically, the more I dislike something, the better the commentary about it.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on some more trivial quests. Let me know in the comments.
___

  • philly

    dental hygiene – a tough one for you, I know; getting up early – maybe even tougher; competing with your son at anything; obeying all traffic laws; doing the grocery shopping/laundry/dishes for your family (you know, anything your wife is supposed to do*)

    *amy, I'm totally j/k-ing**

    **tyler, I'm really not though

  • http://trippcrosby.com Tripp Crosby

    please do 30 days of wearing sweats

    • http://mymorgue.org hayne

      w/ socks and tevas.

  • Cole

    This probably isn't trivial enough, but what about a month of being completely Kosher?

  • http://ilovemrpibb.blogspot.com Greta

    It may be legistically challenging, but what about changing all the dirty diapers in your house for a month?

  • http://breakingthrough.tumblr.com/ Jeremy

    30 days of obeying traffic laws?? I don't believe that's humanly possible. (so that'd be a good one) I also love Tripp's suggestion

    How about 30 days of watching soap operas

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/joannamuses joanna

    Sing everything instead of saying it for a month

  • http://www.ponderingparenting.blogspot.com Lacey

    This idea sounds like The One. So I want to put in my application early to be your book's editor.

    That is not a joke.

    Now, for the suggestions.

    Wearing a kilt.
    Writing in all capital letters.
    Insisting that everyone address you as Mister Tyler.
    Attending a Mommy&Me Stroller exercise class.
    Attachment parenting.
    Shopping exclusively at the dollar store.
    Wearing an American flag bandana on your head.

    You should be sure to document these months with video as well.

    And maybe make a standing appointment with a marital counselor.

  • http://www.adaupdates.blogspot.com Scott

    30 days of only dining on hot pockets? Breakfast hot pockets are allowed.

  • nate

    I'm not just saying this to make a joke about how bad you are at it, this is a serious suggestion because we all screen our calls:

    answer the phone every time someone calls for an entire month. you are not allowed to screen a single call. i dare you.

    • Kyle

      im all for this one. this is actually something i know you cant do. need anymore persuasion?

      • Mom

        I third this one (it has already been seconded).

        • nate

          I would like to thank Nancy for all her love and support over the years.

          • http://www.gregdarley.com Greg Darley

            That is funny. thank you nathan for making me laugh

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/evdaddy evdaddy

    1st, i love Nate's idea.
    2nd, obeying all traffic ideas would make for some great experiences.
    3rd, i am a little afraid of running with you now, because i know i am only blogging material for you

  • http://ccstra54.blogspot.com Chuck

    30 days without email/internet/texting. We'd miss you, but your perspective on the way your life is impacted by technology (good and bad) would be illuminating.

    If not that, what about bomb disposal?

  • Bryan

    What about being a street performer in downtown Lilburn? You could be the Tin Man and make a robotic movement every time someone gives you a tip.

  • leigh

    I just rode by the waving mechanic outside of the Jiffy Lube-or a car wash place, I can't remember. I genuinely feel bad for that guy (verses the foam-hand-waving teen-outside of Little Caesars). So I say: Take that guy's place. I think you'd be good at it and instead of being forced to do this to get a paycheck you can consider it community service. You could use your extra large face poster.

  • Keli

    Whatever you decide, you need to check out the site below of one guy's walking/beard growing immersion experience.

    http://om.ly/aMrT

  • Jeff

    running is a good one.

  • http://treyboden.com treyboden

    What about wearing a mask for 30 days…

    Sweats… too funny…
    30 days of soaps would be funny/brutal as well… I can see a bi-weekly summary that could be outstanding

  • http://www.project563.com/ Rachel

    I too have been inspired by immersion journalism… although mine came from the movie Julie & Julia, but I'm going to have to read The Know-it-All now that I know about it! I definitely like Nate's idea about screening calls… I think that'd be really hard to do. Or maybe give up sweets for a month? I've been doing a little immersion experiment of my own and blogging about it… I've made a list of fears that I have and things that I've never done before and I'm going to do them all over the next year. Kinda crazy, but its a fun outlet and it's surprisingly therapeutic. So, I know your goal is more trivial things, but things you've never done or afraid to do could offer some good material too!

  • Bryan

    what about going homeless?…i'd be willing to read about that

  • Kyle

    what about being a vegetarian. and then a vegan the next month. and then cannibal the next.

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  • Tim

    Since we're going trivial, why not start pointless debates in the comment section of youtube videos.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/evdaddy evdaddy

    these are from my 5th period class:
    wear snuggies
    wear an eye-patch
    walk backwards only
    don't talk to Amy for a month
    talk to your kids only in Spanish
    drink only Coke
    wear shoes on wrong feet
    tie shoes together
    wear one shoe and one sandal
    wear only heelies
    wear ear muffs and mittens
    don't use your thumb
    eat every meal with chopsticks
    don't drive
    speak in pig latin
    speak monotone
    yell every time you talk
    pay for everything in pennies
    tell the truth ALWAYS ("Do I look fat in this?")
    arrive 10 minutes early/late to every event
    carry a homeless person's bag around
    wear a fanny pack or a man purse
    wear a trench coat
    OCD behavior
    Only speak in questions
    Tell every person you meet how much you weigh
    Tell every person you talk to the time before you talk to them
    skate everywhere (roller blades)
    take a picture with every person you talk to
    laugh every time someone answers your question
    say, "I know, right?" after every statement someone makes
    say "It is finished" after you complete anything
    be in a wheelchair
    wear a neckbrace
    tell everyone you meet, "I had a great honeymoon"
    tell everyone you meet a war story
    pretend to ride a horse everywhere
    clap and yell "yeah" after ever conversation

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/evdaddy evdaddy

      some more from 7th period:
      continually look at people's eye during conversations
      place your hand on every person's shoulder as you talk
      skip everywhere you go
      be a "close talker"
      tickle everyone you meet
      rub every person you meet on the head

  • http://jacobs3rs.blogspot.com Jacob

    You should try to high-five everyone you pass by at the grocery store for a month… Trivial and awesome.

    • http://www.gregdarley.com Greg Darley

      I like this one too

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