One of my favorite movies of all time is What About Bob? Now, some of you may think that's...lame. Not very intellectual. But it's hysterical, and you can use a line from What About Bob? for just about anything. So it comes in handy when you don't want to look for your own material.
Take "baby steps." Dr. Leo Marvin, Bob's new psychiatrist, tells Bob to just take "baby steps" in his life, and there's a great scene where Bob is waiting for an appointment he's made to call Dr. Marvin, and Bob keeps pacing and saying, "Baby steps to four o'clock, baby steps to four o'clock." Okay, I'm sure something is lost in translation here. (By the way, did you catch that little reference? It was totally unintentional.) I know people who actually hate this movie, but I guess I just bond with Bob and all of his phobias, most of which I understand all too well.
Anyway, baby steps is the point here, not Bob. It was my birthday over the weekend, which led to a few (brief) moments of reflection. I think I usually do a lot more reflecting on my birthday than at New Year's. So...I was contemplating what would make this year any different than the last. How on earth will I ever start writing this novel, something I'm actually terrified to do? And the answer came to me on my birthday, in the form of a story. I now know that all I need to do at this time is give this thing a little water and a little sunlight each day. Right now, it's just a seed. But it's my seed and my job to care for it. I don't have to do much -- just give it a little water and a little sun. Every day.
Perhaps none of this is making any sense to you, but for me it does -- and this idea is a relief. A little each day I can do. Baby steps. The big picture is terrifying to me. How will I finish it? I don't even have the plot fully mapped out. Can I do it? It's completely intimidating. So I mention this here because I want to have a place to be accountable. Am I taking care of this little seed or not? It's kind of ironic that this metaphor speaks to me, because I kill almost every plant I cross paths with.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
American Idol
Last night, as we embarked on another season of American Idol, I wondered whether this is what my children will remember about their childhood. When they're all grown and married and have their own kids will one of them say, "Remember that show we used to watch together? What was it called? American Idol?" It's one of the highlights of our winters. I'm serious here. Is that actually sad?
Oh well. If it's sad, then so be it. It's great bonding over the goofballs and the talent. There's something so fun about watching people succeed, a bit of good fortune come their way when they put themselves out there. Dreams come true and all of that. Well, as long as they're not arrogant. I'm no fan of arrogance, and if you must know...I like to see those people go down. I think we all do. Well, everyone in our family that is.
What fascinates me about this show is the level of delusion. Obviously there are people who audition and purposely act weird or sing badly just so they can get on TV. However...there are people who are truly awful who think they have a real shot. And that intrigues me. Where are their families and friends? Does no one tell them the truth?
Honestly I think this is a parent's greatest responsibility. To help their children understand and pursue their gifts and talents. It can be a tricky business. Made a little more difficult, perhaps, when you have an uber-talented child and then some mere mortals. Perhaps even worse when all are the same gender. I speak from experience here. Last night my oldest returned from his basketball game and said he'd received the game ball. Son2, who seems to be utterly lacking in any sports talent, congratulated him, which impressed me. If he was my brother, I might hate him. MVP of his soccer team this fall, all-star in baseball every year, great student, and a good actor. His acting ability annoys me, I confess. That's what Son2 excels at. Why does Son1 have to have any acting ability whatsoever? Doesn't the kid have enough talent? Anyway, I pray that the three of them make it through their lives with a minimum of jealousy and a lot of support and congratulations for one another.
Back to American Idol. I just wonder how anyone gets to be 18, 21, 25 or whatever and still doesn't understand their innate abilities. Wait, that's not true. I do understand that. When I was 18, I didn't know what I excelled at (probably because my parents' generation didn't obsess over their kids the way we do). But I certainly knew what I WASN'T good at. For instance, I knew I couldn't sing. I would never have tried out for American Idol. Would you?
Oh well. If it's sad, then so be it. It's great bonding over the goofballs and the talent. There's something so fun about watching people succeed, a bit of good fortune come their way when they put themselves out there. Dreams come true and all of that. Well, as long as they're not arrogant. I'm no fan of arrogance, and if you must know...I like to see those people go down. I think we all do. Well, everyone in our family that is.
What fascinates me about this show is the level of delusion. Obviously there are people who audition and purposely act weird or sing badly just so they can get on TV. However...there are people who are truly awful who think they have a real shot. And that intrigues me. Where are their families and friends? Does no one tell them the truth?
Honestly I think this is a parent's greatest responsibility. To help their children understand and pursue their gifts and talents. It can be a tricky business. Made a little more difficult, perhaps, when you have an uber-talented child and then some mere mortals. Perhaps even worse when all are the same gender. I speak from experience here. Last night my oldest returned from his basketball game and said he'd received the game ball. Son2, who seems to be utterly lacking in any sports talent, congratulated him, which impressed me. If he was my brother, I might hate him. MVP of his soccer team this fall, all-star in baseball every year, great student, and a good actor. His acting ability annoys me, I confess. That's what Son2 excels at. Why does Son1 have to have any acting ability whatsoever? Doesn't the kid have enough talent? Anyway, I pray that the three of them make it through their lives with a minimum of jealousy and a lot of support and congratulations for one another.
Back to American Idol. I just wonder how anyone gets to be 18, 21, 25 or whatever and still doesn't understand their innate abilities. Wait, that's not true. I do understand that. When I was 18, I didn't know what I excelled at (probably because my parents' generation didn't obsess over their kids the way we do). But I certainly knew what I WASN'T good at. For instance, I knew I couldn't sing. I would never have tried out for American Idol. Would you?
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