Thursday, January 9, 1997
BOOK:
Author advises Generation Xers on how to keep the faith in
lifeBy Amanda Miller
Daily Bruin Contributor
Most people have made at least a few resolutions for the new
year, and some may look to those handy little "positive thinking"
manuals that grace so many coffee tables these days. But for those
who would rather laugh than be told how to live, author and UCLA
alumna Tracy Phillips offers an alternative.
Phillips’ "A Little Book of Big Affirmations for
Twenty-Somethings" is a spin on the current preoccupation with
affirmations to build self-esteem. Phillips humorously "counsels"
her fellow twenty-somethings to maintain faith in themselves when
facing the frustration of life’s many obstacles.
Hopefully, most UCLA students won’t instantly connect with the
rather desperate and pitiful situations posed in the humor book.
Phillips’ presentation of pathetically dismal plights embellishes
the frustrations of our generation. Whether finding work at
McDonald’s, incessantly borrowing from Mom and Dad or desperately
searching for a fulfilling romance, any form of accomplishment or
success is always just out of reach.
For the purpose of her spoof, this is an ideal viewpoint. At
times, it is sufficiently funny to evoke a laugh. But the Trojans
would undoubtedly have a blast using this book’s proclamations as
evidence that Bruins don’t meet with financial success after
graduation.
These pages can draw a chuckle on occasion, but perhaps the
large numbers of scholars among the Bruin student body would fail
to find many parallels between the "Twenty-something" situations in
the book and their own lives.
Of course, many of us do vividly recall (and are trying to
forget) times when life seemed rather hopeless. Perhaps a few of us
have inside jokes or clandestine obsessions with the psychological
fad of affirmations to build self-esteem. A few knick knack junkies
may even want one more useless gift book for their bookcase. (Maybe
this one shouldn’t go on the coffee table though.)
Still, depending on your perception of it, humor does jump from
several pages of "A Little Book of Big Affirmations for
Twenty-Somethings." For example, here’s one extraordinarily helpful
suggestion: If you ever find yourself handing a guest the roll of
paper towels as you show them to the toilet paperless bathroom,
just explain that in your apartment a roll of paper towels also
functions as napkins and coffee filters. If they look at you as
though you are not only poor, but crazy as well, defend your
integrity and pride with this affirmation: "I am concerned about
the environment and make smart shopping choices."
Or if the 16-year-old you work with is promoted ahead of you, or
if you wind up selling fruit at stoplights to make ends meet, don’t
forget: "You are not defined by your job or lack thereof."
Phillips also suggests several Generation X meanings for many
old and familiar words. A few of the best: "College: the only time
in your life that you get paid to party." (Heard that one before?)
"Major: the majority of the classes you skip." (Makes sense.)
"Insurance: a condom and spermicide." (Hmmm.) "Microwave: a device
that prepares gourmet food." "Graduate school: a way to postpone
reality." "Parent’s house: grocery store and laundromat." (Sound
familiar?)
Perhaps even we brilliant and successful UCLA students can
relate to this silly but amusing document of Generation X
living.
BOOK: "A Little Book of Big Affirmations for Twenty-Somethings,"
by Tracy Phillips, retails for $7.95 and is available at the Book
Zone or can be ordered by most large book stores.
Spectacle Lane Press
"A Little Book of Big Affirmations" is a humor look at life for
twenty-somethings
written by UCLA alumna Tracy Phillips.