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Monday, January 4, 2010

Arts Meet Kyle Regan

Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 5:17 PM

This arrived in our office over the Xmess holiday...

Every time I thumb through a copy of The Stranger, I look over "Stranger Suggests." After glossing over which author-readings, movies, art shows, or whatever is deemed worth seeing, I move on to the rest of the paper. I have NEVER done anything you have suggested. Not once have I looked at a listed Sherman Alexie read-along and whipped out the cell to order tickets. (Do you order tickets for a reading? Or do you just show up with a Kindle and make Mr. Alexie cry?)

I feel like I might be missing out on a lot of Seattle's offerings. None of my friends give a shit. They don't like concerts, activism, or anything that doesn't involve over-priced clubs, orange-skinned muscle men and women that I have less in common with than a potato. I think I need new friends, a new scene, a new something. Has anyone ever tried doing everything The Stranger suggested for a week? A month? A year? Is there a group of people that do nothing but what The Stranger suggests? Does anyone do what you suggest and write about what happened or how it changed them? There really aren't any follow ups for what happened.

The idea of a month where every day I do something that takes me out of my comfort zone is excitingly terrifying. Maybe terrifyingly exciting, I'm not sure.

Kyle Regan

Kyle is going to see Sherlock Holmes tonight, eating oysters at Anchovies & Olives tomorrow, and heading to Meiro Koizumi's solo show at Hedreen Gallery Wednesday. Look for his reports—will Sherlock Holmes change him? will oysters agree with him? will walking into a gallery kill him?—daily on Slog.

Comments (24) RSS

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My main complaint with Stranger Suggests is that frequently the show or whatever is already sold out. Frustrating.

Posted by keshmeshi on January 4, 2010 at 5:19 PM

@1, I agree, but then again do you REALLY want to do what the Stranger wants you to do? Didn't they endorse Ralph Nader in 2000?

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger on January 4, 2010 at 5:23 PM

I think this might prove to be a good read. or, at least amusing.

Posted by pony on January 4, 2010 at 5:23 PM

I tried to do everything the Stranger suggests but I turned into a Drinkie Crow and had to stop.

Posted by Vince on January 4, 2010 at 5:27 PM

Agree with #1 and #2. If you're using Stranger Suggests as a guide to 'what should I do tonight', you mostly end up SOL on things being sold out. Maybe there should be also be a 'here's what you should be buying tickets for this week' section.

Posted by Mr John on January 4, 2010 at 5:35 PM

I was *just* thinking about doing this exact thing! Thank goodness I can remain alone in the comfort of my apartment and just do it vicariously. ;)

Posted by meggers on January 4, 2010 at 5:45 PM

I hope little Kyle Regan has a thick skin.

Posted by meowmeowkitty on January 4, 2010 at 5:48 PM

Good luck, Kyle! We're pulling for you.

Posted by TVDinner

on January 4, 2010 at 5:51 PM

Isn't this just like those "year of the " blogs that Paul Constant hates so much? Or maybe he just hates the inevitable resulting book...

Posted by Julie in Eugene on January 4, 2010 at 5:52 PM

@9: Good question! I don't mind the blogs, but I hate the books. And I hate the blogs that are obviously trying to pitch for books by inventing drama and imposing a false narrative arc over the entire year. ("I learned something important about marriage and family in the year that I wore a scuba outfit..." and et cetera.)

And, anyway, this seems more like Our Worst Enemy or Public Intern than any of those.

Posted by Paul Constant

on January 4, 2010 at 5:57 PM

I have a bad feeling about this.

Posted by meowmeowkitty on January 4, 2010 at 5:58 PM

To find this terrifying in any respect is a good sign Kyle would do well simply to get out of the house as much as possible, and if this is what it takes, that's great.

Posted by gloomy gus on January 4, 2010 at 5:58 PM

Love it.

Posted by seandr on January 4, 2010 at 5:59 PM

I hope the Stranger suggests running naked through Mars Hill Church.

Posted by DOUG.

on January 4, 2010 at 6:05 PM

I have nothing to add to Kyle's event month.

but Dan, you looked delightful on Keith O tonight. New shirt?

Posted by Womyn2me $http://http:\\www.shelleyandlaura.com$ on January 4, 2010 at 6:11 PM

I'm excited to follow Kyle's journey!

Posted by kersy on January 4, 2010 at 6:16 PM

This is brilliant, but I have to admit that I seriously hope that the editors ramp up the Stranger Suggests in response to what he writes about. He asked for a challenge: give him one.

Posted by Chicago Fan on January 4, 2010 at 6:16 PM

Yay Kyle! Do what I am always too terrified to do!

Posted by Soupytwist

on January 4, 2010 at 6:55 PM

Ditto @17.

Posted by Lo on January 4, 2010 at 6:59 PM

Is there a group of people that do nothing but what The Stranger suggests?

What a horrifying thought!

I've done a few things on the "suggests" list but can't remember what they were. Don't know if this was on the list specifically but I've gone to the Genius Awards party at the Moore for the past two years. Didn't care for any the bands that much but the people-watching is great and I loved the "spray-paint" art thing this year. I also went to the Gong Show at Chop Suey two years ago and really enjoyed it, especially the comments from the judges.

One thing I couldn't recommend enough is the annual Valentine's Day Bash. I finally went last year -- figured it was appropriate since my girlfriend had broken my heart just a few weeks before -- and it was brilliant (and cathartic.) The "panty smoothie" that Dan made from yogurt + the panties of a jilted lesbian's ex was hilarious.

Posted by Roma on January 4, 2010 at 7:19 PM

You should hang out with us more, Kyle! Then you can play Zombie board games with us!

Actually, I am just very proud...congrats on your adventure! And, Good Luck!

Posted by if only younger and single on January 4, 2010 at 10:29 PM

Also, with a small bit of convincing - Bryce and I might join ya! (We can drive!)

Posted by if only younger and single on January 4, 2010 at 10:32 PM

You do realize that this is the month that the Strangercrombie issue appears, right? I.e., someone 'bought' the whole stranger suggests for the last week of the month, and can put whatever the hell they want in there? This could be very interesting.

Posted by Levislade

on January 5, 2010 at 10:41 AM

Kyle, I like your writing style. Most of us spend our lives bricking up our comfort zone Its
nice to see that in some of us the mortar is not dry.
js gorfman

Posted by js gorfman on January 23, 2010 at 2:05 PM