THE PAST - PART 2

So my good friend (the one with some degree of success in the entertainment industry) had some interesting things to say about his trip "home" to his high school class reunion...

Firstly, he did state that it was absolutely fantastic to see his childhood friends, for the most part, happy and healthy.
Most of which working in the medical field, or in education as it were.
He did say that a lot of them never left the immediate area after high school or college, maybe due to family, or possibly the great, nationally recognized school system for their children's educational needs.

Then came the onslaught...
He seemed to strap on his +3 helmet of bitterness, and let loose on his white picket-fenced classmates.
"How can somebody just settle for the easy road, where everything is laid out for you? Where all your answers are stuffed in your Wal-Mart indulging asses, while being programmed by Fox News every night?...
Go to college, knock-up, or be knocked-up by your sweetheart(makes puke face), squeeze out some puppies, have them destroy your life, spend all your money, and THEN YOU DIE!!!"
Though I saw his point, I thought he was maybe a little frustrated by his "less ambitious than thou" mentality that so many of his (fallen) comrades seemed to exhibit.

I told him he was EXTREMELY lucky to be so goddamm talented,and to have recognized his potential so early in life, and that VERY few people hear that call, or invest themselves into their "spirit mission".

"People don't think enough, with all their bullshit religion,popularity-chasing and materialism... they're crippled by fear and the possibility of FAILURE, if people just went for it, there would be a lot less regret in the world..."
I again saw his point, probably because of our similar occupations and how it dominates every aspect of our lives.
"If people just saw their path,made the right choices, they'd be so much happier!"

"Are you happy?" I asked. After two failed engagements, holding numerous shitty jobs, moving from one to another part of town, watching people getting burned all around him by his business associates, having his name dragged through the mud by some, maxed-out credit cards, drug and alcohol dependency issues, sex-addiction, insomnia, he said: "Yes, and they all treated me like I was famous, or other-worldly, very strange..." He went on; "Their kids wanted my autograph, and pictures taken with me, while I asked their parents if they thought that was appropriate."

Then I saw something in his face change. Had all of those high school classmates of his had finally accepted him, because of their children's approval? "NO!" was his reply. I told him that he symbolized something very important to all of them, even his detractors. He represented the ambition of the 4.0 gpa honor roll student. The tenacity and determination of the state champion wrestler. The social grace and magnetism of the upper echelons of high school society. The artistry, and creativity of the"creepiest", under-achieving genius in the corner, tinkering away... He became something far greater than he could imagine during those never-ending winters and two-a-day football practices in the summer: Himself: Artist, genius, champion, brainiac, warrior. "I guess that's why they were so happy to see me..." he said. His classmates were the ones who inspired him to dig deeper, work harder, get OUT quicker! A good example of not living in the past, but instead, recognizing the impact it has had on the present.

So,the next time you see some old,washed-up, never-has-been doing what they do, maybe they are at the peak of their career :) Contrary to what mainstream American culture tells us regarding everyone being exceptional, or talented, or pretty, or a good dancer, and that the camera awaits us all, Remember... Someone has to operate the camera, click that clicky-thing and yell;

"QUIET ON THE SET!!!"
"STUNTCOCK!?!"

Then the comes the money-shot ;]

Lucky bastard...