it's a johnny bravo world

you remember that episode, don't you? greg brady thinks he is getting his big break and will be a hip rock star. they give him this groovy pantsuit - elvis inspired - lots of sparklies and he thinks he is the coolest cat ever! all that talent wrapped up in polyester and sequins...what a dream come true. but after his recording session he is so confused -- "hey that doesn't sound like me at all!"

well of course kid. we don't really care how good you can sing, cuz we can make it sound however we like. point is, you fit the suit.

my new friend and i were talking on the phone the other afternoon, she 5 weeks further into her recovery than mine, so each of us trying not to laugh but making each other laugh anyway, and bonnie pointed out that people seem to get famous for no apparent reason these days -- case in point, paris hilton or the kardashians. the suit fits and it looks great on camera so AFTER that, they figure out how to move around in that suit and how to talk and what to say and how will it play on camera. in some cases it does not matter who you are or what you have to say in the first place - if the suit fits everything can be changed around to satisfy the designer.

lately i have been obsessed with the beales of grey gardens. i missed the hbo movie but got my hands on the orginial documentary, thinking it would be interesting to see how those two crazy broads justified what seemed like outrageous behavior to the rest of the world.

oh my, was i surprised.

we all are characters of one sort or another, but some of us are much better at it than others.

nothing was really crazy at grey gardens, in fact it was refreshing and touching to see two women who were so unashamedly authentic. big edith sits sunning herself naked but for a towel in one scene and later sings old songs in a strong voice from her bed. little edith wears turbans with brooches and marches to a dance number in the hall. she chose her outfits with such care and orginality that she inspired a layout in Vogue magazine. several cats and piles of piles might not be something most of us would call "homey" but these two women were as real and true to themselves and to the world than anyone who creates a persona only after finding out what it should be used for.

it is a good and valuable lesson.

edith says it much better than i....see what you think, and thanks ladies!


http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWEeJbuF3bM