Jumping Someone Elses Train

What does this title prove besides the fact that I listen to too much XM/Satellite First Wave Radio?

That there are no real new ideas, just old tired rehashed ones slightly updated with a twist and a shiny new veneer.

Every idea you’ve ever had?

Guess what?

Someone else already had it, and they did a better job getting it across than you did.

Music, movies, books, blogs you name it, it’s all been done before.

Case in point.

Last night I had a vivid dream about one of my favorite actors; Christopher Walken.

Everybody loves Christopher Walken. EVERYBODY.

Except this being a dream , he was a lilliputian thespian cradled comfortably on my shoulder whispering advice on various subjects like why I should watch out for any new movies from Robert DeNiro noting that the veteran has lost his edge and seems to be sleepwalking through most of his rehashed roles these days.

 He also had advice on a job that I shouldn’t take because it would’ve required me to remain sedentary under florescent lighting all day stating, ” we all know that those things suck the life out of even the heartiest of office workers“.

I got myself into a few more situations only to look down and find out he wasn’t as reliable as I previously thought, having vanished in a puff of smoke when I was wanting some sage words of wisdom or direction.

I miss his bizarre lilting cadence and weird emphasis on the wrong syllable but most of all I miss having a pocket-sized legend dispensing David Lynch style gems in my ear while I walk aimlessly around the twisted caverns of my subconscious.

So what’s the problem here?

After I thought about posting about this dream I read this great bit about the tiny dancer over at Patty Punkers blog.

Not that a hack like myself was ever going to cause some sort of global interplanetary fracas with a revolutionary new idea or anything, but I got worried that it would look like the tiny dancer was really similar to the itty bitty actor. Especially since I heard that Christopher Walken is actually a REALLY good hoofer.

So once again, here I am pulling into the station a day late with old news that someone has already reported multiple times with honors.

Even the idea about the lack of original ideas; it’s not new.

“There are no new ideas, there are only new ways of making them felt”-
Audrey Lorde

See?

In reality I think I like Patty’s tiny dancer better because it fits into the palm of her hand, travels really well and has a similar sense of humor. Christopher Walken didn’t seem like he really wanted to hang out with me and kept flaking out whenever I needed him the most.

Happy New Year.

 

Hold onto your pocketbook.

Let’s all imagine together for a moment shall we, that 2009 was a stellar year filled with happiness and brimming with the kind of hope they write about in inspirational literature. You attained every goal. You reached for the lofty heights and dammit you managed to touch them. The sky was the limit and you soared into the upper stratosphere with ease and precision leaving all those pitiful ground dwellers behind choking on the smoke of your rocket boots.
Now, snap the fuck out of it and come back to reality.
Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve. Don’t drink too much and see me in the morning.

Hey, You Freaking Stole My Dream!

Following the slow progression of the destruction of all my dreams, I wondered how in the world it got to this point. I have the misfortune of being moderately talented in a number of areas. I take a good picture, but thousands of professionals have shamed me into never showing anyone my lame attempts. I can write a decent sentence, but real writers consistently take the piss out me by highlighting my inferior prose. I can draw with some degree of accuracy but whither when put up against the big boys. Some say it’s better to have half baked ideas than none at all. But what do you do when other people steal your dreams (or in this case your half baked potato)? And even worse, what do you do when they receive accolades and praise for a job NOT well done after taking your idea and making it their own?
I had this strange phenomenon occur in my own life and spent the better part of a month just shaking my head and saying “it couldn’t possibly be so”. How could everything I’d ever expressed an interest in or shown talent for suddenly be something that someone else was doing and in the same order I had shown an aptitude for these things- this dream swiper was following suit . Now, when ever I try to use the power of my mind to destroy someone it seems as though it serves only to make them more powerful, popular and successful. A sort of revenge backfire, if you will. What could I be doing wrong?

I’ve not taken leave of my senses. I understand that there are more than a few people walking the planet who are able to write, doodle and take a photograph well but I think if I pull away the outer layer I will find that my disillusionment is based solely in fear. Clearly I’m not the first person nor the last to show a flair for certain things but my contract with the guy who doles out  bone crushing defeat is iron clad.  I was raised by the world renowned “Can’t family”.   I remember the paralyzing fear of mediocrity while my parents talked me out of submitting a nearly finished portfolio to the art school of my choice. “Kelly”, they said with pleading eyes “there are people who are the best artists in the world and they still can’t get a job, pick something practical would you?” It was an easy call. I was lazy by nature and they were paying for it after all.  Path of least resistance, taken.

I sometimes wonder if I would have lasted surrounded by all that raw talent and true promise. The genuinely gifted sometimes serve as inspiration for those of us who ride their coattails, I’m sure I would have muddled my way through or perhaps even found a way to get better.  As for those we imagine as thieving our innermost desires (you know who you are) and the things we wanted for ourselves? I guess, there is more than enough room here for everyone to flex their muscles without crowding each others artistry.  All noteworthy contributions eventually get their due and sometimes big-hearted gets the upper hand on the bitter pill.