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If you could be friends & hang-out with any actor/celebrity…who would it be?
I decided to try something new (it’s all about staying out of that comfort zone, right?). I spotted on another blog – Miss Demure Restraint (superb if you get chance to take a look) – that Mindslam (yet another blog….yep, I’ve been doing a spot of surfing – all in the interest of developing my writing skills, you understand) issues writing prompts on his “Write Wednesday” post each week. Talking of developing my writing skills, I’m sure I could re-work that last sentence to better effect. Anyway, this week Mindslam posed the question: “If you could be friends & hang-out with any actor/celebrity…who would it be?” For someone who tends to believe that celebrity status is quite over-rated (particularly in an age where, with the advent of “Big Brother” and its siblings, anyone can be one) this was a tough question to go with. But I had made a promise with myself that, no matter the prompt, I’d tackle it – that darn comfort zone and its expanding boundaries!
Firstly, I considered the kind of person I like to hang-out with. Actually, firstly I considered looks and sex appeal but then decided that Brad Pitt might wear a bit thin after a while. So I thought about funny, charming, entertaining, deep and meaningful, interesting, though-provoking….I’ll be honest, I couldn’t really think of anyone. There are a fair few actors (male and female) who I love to watch on-screen but I’m not certain I would want to join them for dinner. There are singers who, on stage, entertain and thrill but are they who I want to enjoy cheese and wine with? There are comedians who have me laughing from my boots but there’s a need for a bit of serious in everyone’s life. There are politicians…..actually, let’s not go there. There are innovators and scientists and people who are simply brilliant in their field – could be a little intellectually intimidating. There are writers – but I’m not sure socialising is their strong point. There are a whole myriad of people I admire but would I want to hang-out with them? That’s a tough question. My fear is, that with celebrity status, comes pretension, a huge ego and a shift in values. Plus a huge wallet….that could make for an interesting night out (sorry, what shift in values?).
However, I will answer the question with the best fit. The award for ”Best celebrity to hang out with” goes to…..<drum roll> Mr Hugh Laurie. I am certain he would amuse me. He could pull out his guitar if entertainment lacked that oomph. He’s a great actor, a very good comedian, an excellent musician (by all accounts…I have to confess to not listening to his music but I know he is talented), he can write and I’m pretty sure he likes cheese and wine. So, Mr Laurie (can I call you Hugh?) please let me know when you are free!
I’ve shown you mine…now show me yours! Who would be your number 1 celebrity to hang-out with?
The flaw is in the eye of the beholder
Following on from my last post, it turns out I have many flaws (I knew I did, I just couldn’t quite put my finger on them – a flaw in itself perhaps?). Anyway, the reason they weren’t immediately obvious to me is because I saw them as qualities….yes, qualities no less. I realized this when my husband, most wonderful man that he is, pointed out a flaw (well, I did ask!). He is well aware that I would rather put my headphones on (even if they’re not attached to my iPod) than talk for more than two minutes to a fellow airline passenger. I am always civil, obviously, but just not that chatty. Of course, I would say that is because I love to read or get lost in my own thoughts. Is it not a quality to be content in one’s own head? Actually no, it is anti-social and if you listen you might actually learn something. People are interesting (some more than others – that is my fear – I might get the ‘others‘ rather than the ‘some‘).
This little enlightenment led me to further explore my qualities. As I suspected, they pretty much all turn out to be flaws (depending on your perspective):
- I take my time to warm to people before I make confident contributions to discussions versus I am quiet and reserved;
- I am hygienic, insist on regular hand washing and am un-nerved when people lick their fingers versus I am on the verge of OCD and should really lighten up;
- I take time to ensure I have everything I need before I leave the house versus I procrastinate too much and so end up being late…often;
- I am energetic and like to get out, run, take part in social events, see friends etc versus I have no idea how to relax and be still;
Some of you will (I hope) see one or more of the above as qualities but others will instantly see the flaw (another occasion where I will side with the ‘some’).
It seems then, that our personality traits are subject to the same ‘eye of the beholder’ judgement as our physical beauty. I wonder how many people can see the polarity in their qualities/flaws.
Really, I should be writing my assignment but I keep digging deeper into the dark side of my personality. A useful exercise I think – if I don’t fully, and I mean really fully, know my own personality then how can I assign rounded personalities to my characters?
I am a writer.
I like that statement – “I am a writer”. But I’m not sure if I’ve yet acquired the right to use it! Maybe “I aspire to be a writer” would be more appropriate. The question lies in when the latter crosses the line to become the former. I have taken the first tentative steps. I completed an online article writing course with Gotham Writer’s Workshop and submitted (not yet published), my first article to the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Now, here I am. I have the best intentions to blog regularly on different themes. So, if I write daily, (as I plan to – not necessarily blog, but write something more than a shopping list somewhere!), do I qualify as a writer? Or do I have to earn money from writing in order to use that title? Either way, I am writing! It most certainly feels like I am taking the first steps of a new career. A career I have always wanted to follow but never had the courage. Writing always grabbed me in my school days but I just didn’t quite have the courage to take the leap and make it my primary source of income. Here goes!
Anna runs…
Click to check out my new running blog.
