I called my friend Roger, a psychiatrist, to ask him what might be causing these spasms. Like a good mental health professional, he had a good label. He called the condition "anticipatory anxiety," explaining that when people are fearful of something, even of good news, they discharge their fears in what he kindly called "extra movements."
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Piece Description
I called my friend Roger, a psychiatrist, to ask him what might be causing these spasms. Like a good mental health professional, he had a good label. He called the condition "anticipatory anxiety," explaining that when people are fearful of something, even of good news, they discharge their fears in what he kindly called "extra movements."
Broadcast History
Morehead State Public Radio (WMKY) August 8, 2005.
Transcript
Attack of the Clumsies
by Michael Jackman
My two-year wedding anniversary is coming up. I also just got a one-year appointment as a visiting professor. Suddenly, I've become more successful than usual. Oddly, suddenly I've also become more clumsy than usual.
The other evening while I was slicing a block of cheese I also sliced off the corner of my index finger. My wife, who normally can't stand the sight of blood, fed me paper towels and in general helped me get unbloody, disinfected and bandaged. Maybe she's getting used to a bleeding husband.
Yes, for the past few weeks my hands have had a tough time. If you want to know whether or not I've been cooking, just make like a fortune teller and examine the lines.
Now and then I go through these periods when chances are excellent that I'll cut myself or in general become more splashed and stained than a baby in a high chair. Lik...
Read the full transcript
Additional Files
- Attack of the Clumsies script (20050805.clumsies.d4.doc)
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Bill Anderson
Posted on January 05, 2007 at 09:24 AM | Permalink
Review of Becoming more successful can be dangerous to your health
Michael has humorous essay that stays on point from start to quick finish.
I think it is written well but read it to me one more time with meaning! Give me a bit more theater in that voice and use pregnant pauses and other devises to sell the lines that are clever and/or cute & funny.
My wife hit a fence post...she must really be happy. Get some good news...slice a finger tip. Those lines teased the tickle bone. Deliver them with a bit more theater and you'll have me guffawing.
Regardless, nice work.