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The quick wit of Paula Poundstone
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Paula Poundstone.
Annapolis (Map, News) - Paula Poundstone has to break away momentarily from a conversation to drag her dog away from the picture window in her Santa Monica home.
The dog has spotted a squirrel, and she’s concerned he’ll break through the glass in his frenzy to get to it.
“That would be awful,” says Poundstone with her classic deadpan delivery. “I’d hate to have to replace that glass.”
It’s not long into a conversation with the comedienne extraordinaire that you realize the humor she projects on the stage is a natural part of her personality. She wrote her recently released book, “There’s Nothing In This Book That I Meant To Say,” in the same laid-back, casual style.
“I’m one of those people that when I’m talking to someone, I have to keep interrupting them to tell them something about myself,” she said. “So I realized if I was talking about Abraham Lincoln, I’d keep interrupting to talk about me.”
That idea helped Poundstone develop and write the book — albeit nine years after she began it. Although she includes information about historic figures including Lincoln, the book is uproariously funny because Poundstone does what she does best — focus on herself, her family and her pets.
“I had told the kids that when the book came out, we’d go to dinner and then to the bookstore to see it,” she said. “When we got to the bookstore, I told them, OK, just look fast and then let’s leave. I don’t want people to think how pathetic it is that I came to see it.”
Asked if she still wouldn’t be recognized, even if she wasn't looking at the book, Poundstone insists she doesn’t live the type of high-visibility Hollywood life that generates constant attention. Her biggest piece of fame in Santa Monica, she said, is performing for a fundraiser at her son’s school.
And that, she said, is fine with her. Live performances, not book writing or TV appearances, are what she truly loves.
“You know one day when I was scrubbing cat vomit off the rug, I realized that the two things I love to do are take care of my kids and perform,” she said. “If I never get to do anything else, I’ll be happy.”
IF YOU GO
Paula Poundstone
» Venue: Rams Head on Stage, 33 West. Ave., Annapolis
» Times: 7 and 10 p.m. (two shows) Friday
» Tickets: $33.50, www.ramsheadonstage.com; 410-268-4545
Book signing
» Venue: Olsson's Books & Records, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
» Time: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday
» More info: 703-525-4227
