Monday, May 24, 2004
I find it quite amazing
Whatever the Andy Kaufman Returns site was meant to be, it certainly turned out a grand sociological experiment. Witness the naysayers, proud of themselves for believing only what their physical senses tell them, wanting to rain on the parade just to feel better about who and what they are.
And the insiders - those whose comments indicate knowledge of Andy Kaufman, or of the hoax, or who say they're waiting for money for their works in the "performance." I love them, best of all. They're fearless and willing to jump right in with both feet.
Then there are others, like myself - not sure what to believe, willing to watch it all and marvel at how easy it is to *be* anyone on the Internet. Too tall? Too short? Old? Young? Just change all that with a few keystrokes. Bingo. You *are.*
More I think about it, the more I realize Andy Kaufman would have loved the Internet. Simply for the sheer capacity it has to fuck with people's minds, en masse, reaching a bigger audience than television.
Shame he's not around to see it.
I started this blog only to comment on andykaufmanreturns. Now that the brouhaha seems to have passed, it seems purposeless. Maybe I'll do a Q&A session - like ask Aunt Gabby. So, go ahead. Aunt Gabby knows all the answers and doesn't charge 3.99 a minute for her "Incendiary Advice."
And the insiders - those whose comments indicate knowledge of Andy Kaufman, or of the hoax, or who say they're waiting for money for their works in the "performance." I love them, best of all. They're fearless and willing to jump right in with both feet.
Then there are others, like myself - not sure what to believe, willing to watch it all and marvel at how easy it is to *be* anyone on the Internet. Too tall? Too short? Old? Young? Just change all that with a few keystrokes. Bingo. You *are.*
More I think about it, the more I realize Andy Kaufman would have loved the Internet. Simply for the sheer capacity it has to fuck with people's minds, en masse, reaching a bigger audience than television.
Shame he's not around to see it.
I started this blog only to comment on andykaufmanreturns. Now that the brouhaha seems to have passed, it seems purposeless. Maybe I'll do a Q&A session - like ask Aunt Gabby. So, go ahead. Aunt Gabby knows all the answers and doesn't charge 3.99 a minute for her "Incendiary Advice."
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Some incendiary advice...well, what should I do to get the spark back in my life. I feel like a book of matches soaked in rainwater, and I'm striking and striking not getting any fire. What should I do?
Jscrilla:
Ah, the elusive spark. Where does it come from? More importantly where does it go, and why? Your answers to those questions explain how to fix it. More generally, though, life's energy gets sapped by routine, by being the biggest fish in your own little pond of life. Sure, you can take pride in being good at what you do; not very high on the excitement meter, though.
Spark comes from passion, and passion comes from really investing yourself in the moment. Nobody lives in the moment anymore. Instead, we're all thinking about the future (which cannot be controlled) or the past (which cannot be changed). The only true joy comes from really being present and open. Try to put aside those things and focus on the right now - talk to someone you might see every day and maybe have always wanted to talk to but were afraid. Ask someone out, even if you're fairly sure it won't go anywhere. Blow off work one day (I confess to reading your profile and learning you're a business owner -- me, too, so I know blowing off work has different consequences, but. . .) and go somewhere in your state you've never been. Run in the rain, dance naked. . .Just focus on doing something new and different every day, whether small or large.
Think of how it felt to be a kid. Every day was a new adventure because you were open to whatever came your way and responsive to it without a set construct of how you should be acting and spending your time. It was nothing but exciting potential. It still is.
(If nothing else, this Doctor Phil stuff might get you ticked off. . .that's a passionate response. ;) )
Ah, the elusive spark. Where does it come from? More importantly where does it go, and why? Your answers to those questions explain how to fix it. More generally, though, life's energy gets sapped by routine, by being the biggest fish in your own little pond of life. Sure, you can take pride in being good at what you do; not very high on the excitement meter, though.
Spark comes from passion, and passion comes from really investing yourself in the moment. Nobody lives in the moment anymore. Instead, we're all thinking about the future (which cannot be controlled) or the past (which cannot be changed). The only true joy comes from really being present and open. Try to put aside those things and focus on the right now - talk to someone you might see every day and maybe have always wanted to talk to but were afraid. Ask someone out, even if you're fairly sure it won't go anywhere. Blow off work one day (I confess to reading your profile and learning you're a business owner -- me, too, so I know blowing off work has different consequences, but. . .) and go somewhere in your state you've never been. Run in the rain, dance naked. . .Just focus on doing something new and different every day, whether small or large.
Think of how it felt to be a kid. Every day was a new adventure because you were open to whatever came your way and responsive to it without a set construct of how you should be acting and spending your time. It was nothing but exciting potential. It still is.
(If nothing else, this Doctor Phil stuff might get you ticked off. . .that's a passionate response. ;) )
That's an awesome response. I've been trapped in my own past for quite some time, as well as my routine. I'm leaving for vacation in a few days and I'm hoping that that will alleviate some of this, I don't want to say boredom, but sadness, maybe?
Anyways, I thought what you said was very helpful. You could make a real go at this advice thing. Can I ask you a few personal questions? How old are you? What is your business that you run? I have an internet site where I develop websites for local businesses where I'm at. I recently graduated from the University of Illinois, which could be part of this fear and sadness. But I think its getting better. I think I'll stop by the art museum on my way home. I've heard they have an exhibit up that I would like to see. Thanks for the advice and I'll link you up off my site. :-)
Anyways, I thought what you said was very helpful. You could make a real go at this advice thing. Can I ask you a few personal questions? How old are you? What is your business that you run? I have an internet site where I develop websites for local businesses where I'm at. I recently graduated from the University of Illinois, which could be part of this fear and sadness. But I think its getting better. I think I'll stop by the art museum on my way home. I've heard they have an exhibit up that I would like to see. Thanks for the advice and I'll link you up off my site. :-)
Vacation most certainly should help you, as long as you try to do something out of character while you're away. Where are you headed? If it's somewhere you don't plan on moving to, just let go. You'll surprise yourself!
It's hard, transitioning from college to adulthood. Hell, it's hard going from adulthood to older adulthood. Don't let anyone lie about it with the blah, blah, blah gets-easier fishcakes. It doesn't. But it does get more interesting in your 30's. Which is where I'm at.
Thanks for the compliment. My former job was as a motivator, of sorts, in the '90's. Now I'm into information gathering and work as a field researcher/investigator. Miss my old job. Hence, Aunt Gabby. :)
How was the art museum? And how do I link to your blog?
It's hard, transitioning from college to adulthood. Hell, it's hard going from adulthood to older adulthood. Don't let anyone lie about it with the blah, blah, blah gets-easier fishcakes. It doesn't. But it does get more interesting in your 30's. Which is where I'm at.
Thanks for the compliment. My former job was as a motivator, of sorts, in the '90's. Now I'm into information gathering and work as a field researcher/investigator. Miss my old job. Hence, Aunt Gabby. :)
How was the art museum? And how do I link to your blog?
I'll be heading to Alabama to visit a friend who moved there recently and then to South Carolina to visit another friend, for a larger portion of the trip. I'll be around people I love and who care a lot about me.
I didn't make it to the museum today, mainly because the exhibit opens on Thursday not Tuesday, my mistake. I looked it up online before I left though.
Adding links to your website is simple if you understand HTML. However, if you don't then it can be a pain in the butt. If you go to blogger and click on template, where you normally add posts, then you'll get all the nice HTML that creates your page. On most templates, like you're using, blogger is kind enough to indicate where the links are located, so you just have to find where some of your links are and copy the code. I'll try adding the code for linking to my site, but it will probably convert it.
Jscrilla and there you are. Let me know if you get this to work or if you need further help. I'd be more than willing to give you a hand with it. Once you get up and going with the advice stuff, you might even consider letting me design you a webpage. ;) That's what I do. Talk to you later!
I didn't make it to the museum today, mainly because the exhibit opens on Thursday not Tuesday, my mistake. I looked it up online before I left though.
Adding links to your website is simple if you understand HTML. However, if you don't then it can be a pain in the butt. If you go to blogger and click on template, where you normally add posts, then you'll get all the nice HTML that creates your page. On most templates, like you're using, blogger is kind enough to indicate where the links are located, so you just have to find where some of your links are and copy the code. I'll try adding the code for linking to my site, but it will probably convert it.
Jscrilla and there you are. Let me know if you get this to work or if you need further help. I'd be more than willing to give you a hand with it. Once you get up and going with the advice stuff, you might even consider letting me design you a webpage. ;) That's what I do. Talk to you later!
South Carolina is simply the most beautiful state I've ever seen. We had a college journalism seminar there and I couldn't get over the beautiful red clay and roaches big enough to require a license. Sounds like your trip will help rejuvenate your spirits.
As far as websites go, I truly don't need one. But my dad, a blues musician around here, actually does. Perhaps I can get his information to you, somehow?
In the meatime, have a terrific time away. I have no HTML skills (managed to cut and paste the tracker on here, but that's it).
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As far as websites go, I truly don't need one. But my dad, a blues musician around here, actually does. Perhaps I can get his information to you, somehow?
In the meatime, have a terrific time away. I have no HTML skills (managed to cut and paste the tracker on here, but that's it).
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