There's a web-comic, I forget the name of it, but it's syndicated on LJ - a writer in Hollywood, it's just panels of him on his phone talking to his agent, generally. It's satirical and funny, and frequently absurdist. I have a special place in my singing fish for the absurd.
Anyway today's entry was a strange yarn about a (lethal) art project, but in it he is exhorted to say something wise. And he says, "If you want to know how far you'll go in life, look at the five people you spend the most time with."
That got me thinking. Who are the five people that I spend the most time with? This is sort of a depressing thought. Not only am I not surrounded by luminaries, catapulting me to fame and fortune, I'm not sure there are even five people that I spend enough time with regularly to count as the five people I spend them most time with.
I can only come up with one reasonable conclusion, then - that in terms of how far I'm going to go in life, I'm most likely to end up spending my days sleeping in sunbeams, licking myself, and making strange noises out the window. Also sleeping.
Not too bad, really.
Anyway today's entry was a strange yarn about a (lethal) art project, but in it he is exhorted to say something wise. And he says, "If you want to know how far you'll go in life, look at the five people you spend the most time with."
That got me thinking. Who are the five people that I spend the most time with? This is sort of a depressing thought. Not only am I not surrounded by luminaries, catapulting me to fame and fortune, I'm not sure there are even five people that I spend enough time with regularly to count as the five people I spend them most time with.
I can only come up with one reasonable conclusion, then - that in terms of how far I'm going to go in life, I'm most likely to end up spending my days sleeping in sunbeams, licking myself, and making strange noises out the window. Also sleeping.
Not too bad, really.
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Not too bad indeed.
This isn't about whether or not they're kind, generous, witty people. This is about in the truest LA fashion - what can you do for me? Sure, sure, loyalty, emotional support, zany hijinks...whatever. Can't take that to the bank!
(yes, i'm being facetious)
It would be totally helpful for you to join a country club as well as a social club such as The California Club. You must take up certain recreational pursuits such as golf, tennis, bridge and dominoes.
You must support charities, but not in any getting-your-hands-dirty fashion. Think silent auctions and charity galas. Also, the nature of the charity is very important: benefits for hospitals, private schools, the Republican Party and children's receiving homes like Hollyoak are very good. Your SO should be involved in the Junior League, btw.
You'll need to shop- preferably at Caroll and Co., but Brooks Bros. will do in a pinch.
Your new friends will likely not be so much with the surfing and the Steam Punk larping- but they will have yachts! And condos in Mammoth! And there is always the Beach and Tennis Club down in La Jolla.
The wise quote you are referring to was pontificated directly to me from Will Smith on the set of HANCOCK. There's a profundity to the notion that we become the people we surround ourselves with -- which is why the ambitious and big-dreamers often find themselves amongst those that challenge, inspire, and force you to be at your best. Smith's words reminded me of a former creative writing teacher who demanded all his students write in libraries or bookstore cafes because it helps to be surrounded by your heroes, by great writers and thinkers.
Cheers!
-Mike Le
Though your wise-words quote was just a throw-away in your story, it rattled around inside my head long enough to give it serious thought. It's a good point, a very good point - not only will we be challenged to greater and better things if we're in the presence of people who themselves are excellent - we'll also learn from them some ways to do it in the first place. Nurturing doesn't stop with your family, it also comes from your community. I guess the converse is true, too - spend all your time with lazy hedonists, and one finds the will to get off the couch and really do something that much more difficult.
It's funny, today was a day of hearing/reading things that give a little perspective to the daily grind - there was your quote, there was the story of the Zen Master and the boy in "Charlie Wilson's War" and an article that Digg posted about changing mental models to make life-altering changes. All challenging, intriguing stuff - but it all started with your story.
That it came from the Fresh Prince? Well, that makes it that much more happily absurd. I enjoy your strip a lot. As an aspiring writer, it's refreshing to see someone who is in the industry, but not OF the industry.
Davy
p.s. anyone else reading this comment should immediately go read "Don't Forget To Validate Your Parking"