I allow myself to become a guinea pig for comedy (and science). Plus recs for Tommy Orange, Mary Beth Barone's new comedy special, and Michelle Alexander on MLK's guide to hope in despairing times.
I work as a standardized patient! It certainly isn't enough to pay the bills in my case, but it's a little extra money every month. I haven't had anything crazy happen just yet, but I'm also been doing a lot of virtual work, where there's less opportunity for awkward encounters. My favorite encounters are the ones where I have to be angry about something. The med students are nervous in the first place, and then here's a patient yelling at them, asking to see a real doctor. I'm happy to answer any questions about what I do.
I read the story about Tommy Orange going to the high school class in the Bronx earlier this week and it moved me to tears—And I hadn’t even read There, There! I am listening to it now and I too am moved by it. I think the reference to the teacher really got me. Orange, and his book, really touched everyone in that room.
I also got weepy reading it! It's so beautiful to read about a teacher who really cares and puts all of themselves in the work. And who respects the students and their struggles in that way
Yes, and he got them to get excited about a book! I volunteer for SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) in Oregon and this week we got to give every student in the elementary school 3 books (because of a donation from the Children’s Book Bank (that is also part of SMART). ) As I watched the students pick out their books I thought about how their lives are so different from my childhood, especially the competition for the attention required to read a book. It was thrilling to see the kids who were truly excited about the books they picked out.
I work as a standardized patient! It certainly isn't enough to pay the bills in my case, but it's a little extra money every month. I haven't had anything crazy happen just yet, but I'm also been doing a lot of virtual work, where there's less opportunity for awkward encounters. My favorite encounters are the ones where I have to be angry about something. The med students are nervous in the first place, and then here's a patient yelling at them, asking to see a real doctor. I'm happy to answer any questions about what I do.
!!! Kate! This is INCREDIBLE. Love that you get paid to basically roast them
Wow I definitely want to know more. I may very well take you up on some questions later on
Imagine going from 'To be or not to be' to 'To faint or not to faint.'
I read the story about Tommy Orange going to the high school class in the Bronx earlier this week and it moved me to tears—And I hadn’t even read There, There! I am listening to it now and I too am moved by it. I think the reference to the teacher really got me. Orange, and his book, really touched everyone in that room.
I also got weepy reading it! It's so beautiful to read about a teacher who really cares and puts all of themselves in the work. And who respects the students and their struggles in that way
Yes, and he got them to get excited about a book! I volunteer for SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) in Oregon and this week we got to give every student in the elementary school 3 books (because of a donation from the Children’s Book Bank (that is also part of SMART). ) As I watched the students pick out their books I thought about how their lives are so different from my childhood, especially the competition for the attention required to read a book. It was thrilling to see the kids who were truly excited about the books they picked out.
That makes me so happy!
This brings to mind the patient acting gig Kramer scored on Seinfeld - gonorrhea - he killed!
You're the second person who reminded me of that episode! So so funny! I had completely forgotten about it.
Chris, I listen to your podcast and had no idea you had a substack, so happy I stumbled upon it.
You should definitely write that sitcom!
What will your TED talk be about?
Haha thanks, Drew! I appreciate you reading and listening and writing this here!
The talk is about why 5th graders are so funny and what adults can do to laugh more
Completely up my street, will make sure to tune in.
I've been talking about humor in the workplace for 10+ years, adults need all the help they can get in order to laugh more!
Well, the whole Standardized Patients story is one of the funniest true stories I've ever read. Now I'm settling in to watch MB Barone's special.
Thanks of everything in this post!
Hahaha thank you DeeDee! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And I hope you like Mary Beth too. Have a great day!
dear chris,
i love this!
beautifully put: "It’s an incredible world, one that I will certainly write a sitcom about one day."
love you!
myq
PS that story about the med student and the standardized patient is bananas.
thank you for sharing it.
please include it in your sitcom, and in everything else you ever create.
Thank you, Myq! That scene is DEFINITELY going in. So glad you enjoyed it!