Tuesday, October 22, 2013

I am comparing Amy Roods, “Sexy Time” and Brian Finkelstein, “Perfect Moments”

When Brian was 22 he volunteered for a suicide hotline. He was living in New York attending school at Queens College and studying to be ac clinical psychologist, he volunteered to make up in what he lacked in academics. One night a young girl called in named Amy. Walter. Amy was a 22-year-old student at New York University. She got good grades, her parents didn’t get it but they loved her and she had friends – “her bar friends and her movie friends” all in all, her life seemed pretty good. However Amy was battling depression.. She couldn’t really describe what happens but she couldn’t take control of these feelings that came over her. If she had a great day she would try and duplicate everything she did that day – what time she woke up, what she ate for breakfast, what way she walked to school – as soon as she would start to gain control, it felt as if a hand would come out of no where and push her down from behind. As the conversation went on, Brian started to notice a slur in her voice. He asked Amy is she had taken any steps in trying to kill herself today and she admitted that she had taken twenty high strength pain killers. Brian told her that she was probably going to die and that if she gave him the permission, he could get her help. amyl started crying,  “I don’t wanna do this” Brian stayed on the phone trying to keep amy talking until poison control got there – and then it was silent.. – . 2 minutes went by; silence, 5 minutes, silence. 14 minutes- Brian hears the door crash open, footseteps and a voice, “its okay we got her,’ click
Brian went home that night and was supposed to go to class the next day but he didn’t go. Brian never ended up graduating or going back to hotline. He did everything you shouldn’t do drank, smoke, looked through papers,  listened to the radio, surfed the internet – obsessing over the unknown.
Three days later, in a small paragraph in the daily newspaper he became obsessed. 3 days later in the back of the daily newspapaper a small paragraph read, “23 year old NYU student Amy Walters died due to accidental drug overdose.”  



Sexy time is about a librarian named Amy and her experience with pole dancing. Amy “doest so sexy” she doesn’t get it, she doesn’t know what it looks likes she’s always used humor to handle when put in these types of “difficult” situations. Amy’s husband, dan, doesn’t see a problem in it - has always been a good sport about her awkward tendencies. One day amy received a group for a pole dancing class. Ironcailly, Amy’s friend had invited her to the same class a couple days’ prior but naturally, Amy blew it off. Amy was compelled to do research – not only because she’s a librarian but how could she not? This was clearly a sign that she needs to do something about her “disorder.” after hours of research and long consideration she finally agreed to go under one condition and that is NOT to go alone. Her agrees and reassures Amy that everybody gets sexy at these classes, no matter how awkward they are. The day arrived and what do you know, ger friend bailed and since Amy had already put down a 30 dollar deposit, she was getting her moneys worth – even if that meant facing it alone.  Greeted by cocktails (note: this is at a gym) and perfect physiques Amy automatically started to feel regret. Still determined to get her moneys worth Amy stuck it out but as she assumed it was a complete disaster.
Some people aren’t mean to be “sexy” when I say sexy I mean sexy in regards to pop culture, lucky for Amy, sexy has many different dimensions – especially when it comes to librarians.


Though both stories are completely different, they both held my interest from start to finish,
However, “Perfect Moments” was more interesting because it was filled with substance. When I say substance I mean value. It was significant – unfortunately, suicide is more common that not. In turn, More people were able to relate to his story.  

On the other hand, “Sexy Time” lacked substance. There was no value in her story.  I wasn’t’ left thinking – there was no take away. She told the story,  we listened, we laughed and it was done. YES It was funny and entertaining but it didn’t leave an impression.