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.
___
Subscribe to this feed
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
please do 30 days of wearing sweats
w/ socks and tevas.
This probably isn't trivial enough, but what about a month of being completely Kosher?
It may be legistically challenging, but what about changing all the dirty diapers in your house for a month?
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
Sing everything instead of saying it for a month
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.
30 days of only dining on hot pockets? Breakfast hot pockets are allowed.
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.
im all for this one. this is actually something i know you cant do. need anymore persuasion?
I third this one (it has already been seconded).
I would like to thank Nancy for all her love and support over the years.
That is funny. thank you nathan for making me laugh
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
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?
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.
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.
Whatever you decide, you need to check out the site below of one guy's walking/beard growing immersion experience.
http://om.ly/aMrT
running is a good one.
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
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!
what about going homeless?…i'd be willing to read about that
what about being a vegetarian. and then a vegan the next month. and then cannibal the next.
[...] Favorite Comments – These ideas for potential Trivial Pursuits (keep them [...]
Since we're going trivial, why not start pointless debates in the comment section of youtube videos.
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
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
You should try to high-five everyone you pass by at the grocery store for a month… Trivial and awesome.
I like this one too
[...] not this book thing is actually going to happen, based on a few whims I’ve had in the past (Trivial Pursuits, Acting Updates, Newsletter). Rest assured though. The book is happening. I’ve got a team of [...]