Tonight, I told Ira Glass that I have a dog. It may have been the shortest interview that he ever conducted, but I feel that my entire life has been validated. This happened; I may now die without regret.
~
Ira: Okay, you: you get the last question.
Me: I just want to know how Piney is doing.
Ira: Piney??? (There was no recollection on his face… I thought I got the name wrong.)
Me: Your dog?
Ira: I know who Piney is. I assume you are asking because you have a dog?
Me: Yes.
Ira: What kind?
Me: Yorkshire terrier.
Ira: Has he ever bitten anyone?
Me: Yes (are we seriously still talking?! Or is this like that time I dreamt I was friends with Tom Hanks’ mom?)
Ira: But he’s small so it isn’t a big deal…?
Me: Yes, that’s true.
Ira: Well… (turns to the audience) Just to explain, I have a pitbull… (Proceeds to re-cap entire episode from the dog’s emotional issues down to the search for kangaroo meat in NYC, then turns back to me.) But anyway, yes: Piney is fine.
I am a writer, ceramic artist, knitter, and stepmom. As a playwright, I had six short plays produced in showcases and festivals in Manhattan, Salt Lake City, and Austin. My full-length play, Locking Doors, was presented by Wordsmith Theatre Company in The New Lab Theatre (University of Utah) in 2005. I co-wrote a teleplay titled “Thank God I’m Atheist” which won the 2015 “No God But Funny” contest founded by the Center for Inquiry. My short nonfiction essay, “It’s Coming Down,” was published by the online literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs. My essay "The Red Rock Chronicles" was published in Contemporary West magazine. I currently work in pharmaceuticals professionally and write recreationally, but dream of making the transition to write professionally and do pharmaceuticals recreationally. I am a Utah native and live in Salt Lake City with my family and our Goldendoodle. I am working on a collection of humorous non-fiction essays and a second full-length play.
Follow me at:
rachelclewis.com
@rachel_lewis_ut (Twitter)
@rachel_lewis_ut (Instagram)
You go girl!