Searching For Ira Glass
I have a crush on Ira Glass. If I had a locker, I would tape a picture of him in it. I faithfully listen to This American Life and yesterday it featured the most lovely story about a man (Marc) who wears a hand sewn Superman costume in public every chance that he gets. The story, as told by Luke Burbank, delicately conveys a message of tolerance and vulnerability – it made my heart just break a little after listening to it.
I admit, when I heard a teaser of the story I instantly thought that Marc was a nut. And maybe he is a bit off kilter. But a few short minutes into the story you start to realize that behind the “man of steel” persona is a man that recently lost his wife and somehow wearing a Superman outfit insulates him from that reality. So what if being Superman is what it takes to distract him from the loss and pain? He may be ridiculed by people on the street or in public places but it doesn’t matter because it’s worth it to not being reminded of that emptiness anymore.
And I think just about anyone can relate to that.
A whole day later I am still wondering if Marc is still dressing up as Superman. That’s what a good story does. It invokes some sort of emotion and stays with you. I think to myself, this is what I want to do – tell stories. But mostly I want to make people laugh.
Maybe I don’t have a crush on Ira Glass after all, maybe it’s that I want to be Ira Glass. Or maybe it’s a little of both. Either way, it’s becoming painfully obvious that I am searching for something.
Tags: blogging, ira glass, luke burbank, superman, tbtl, this american life, too beautiful to live
This entry was posted on Sunday, October 19th, 2008 at 11:10 am and is filed under Daily. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
7 Responses to “Searching For Ira Glass”
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I need to go listen to that story now. Hmmm… or maybe I don’t. I may have gotten all I need out of it from what you said. I feel bad enough as it is…!
Charlie Hills´s last blog post..Finally…Pizza!
@charliehills – you should listen to it. it’s only 13 minutes long but at around 40 minutes into the show. download on itunes. it’s worth it to hear marc talk about it.
I’m a freelance writer with my own humor blog and I’m very selective when it comes to commenting. I love your writing style and I look forward to reading more of your blog.
Lisa Christiano Rose´s last blog post..My Husband, Quality Control
greetings kindred spirit.
in all of it.
the crush (he is the jewish man my parents longed for me to marry) and the wanting to be.
MizFit´s last blog post..Monday Facetime. Chock Full of Oat’y, Rhyme’y Goodness.
oooh I heart ira glass and random stories!
Token Fat Girl´s last blog post..its mail time!
@Lisa Christiano Rose – Thanks, I consider it an honor anytime someone comments. Thanks!
@Mizfit – I’m still holding out to meet a nice Jewish man. Lol.
@Token Fat Girl – So happy that you are back at it.