Where Is the Wizard of Oz When You Need Him?

-from Susan

From Shakespeare to the singer USHER with icons like Cinderella and Frank Abagnale, Jr. in between, the notion of being, even for a short time, someone else is an enduring, intriguing human longing. Even the notion that everyone has – or will want – their 15 minutes of glory or outsized achievement is a version of this: to be glamorous, more important, more influential, more listened to than we are in our ordinary lives. But as reality TV shows, movies and books make clear, it’s rarely if ever as wonderful as it seems. Trading places has a way of not panning out. Mark Twain’s Pauper who steps in for the restive Prince finds that ordering people around has it limitations. Cinderella does a lot of weeping next to the fireplace before her prince finds her again. And even Leonardo DiCaprio can’t keep the dream afloat forever in “Catch Me If You Can.”

Having said that, do I dream about being someone else? Not any more – I’m at that age where reality rears its ugly head with a snort at the idea that I could rewrite my life. But I remember:

...at 12, to be the girl out of all those millions that Elvis Presley chose to smile upon (as a virginal girlfriend, I might add, since sex was still a subconscious text);

...at 13, to be the girl out of all those dozens that the junior varsity basketball star chose to take to the prom;

...at 14, to be the girl out of the entire eighth grade class most admired (for her looks, not her behavior) by the boys.

Early adolescence is a nightmare!

As an adult with a broader outlook on life, why haven’t I volunteered to go to Africa to help establish micro-loan programs, or gone to graduate school, or won the Edgar? The women I admire have powered revolutions (Gloria Steinem), risked their lives for peace (Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan), made exciting art (Jennifer Bartlett, Twyla Tharp), and begun organizations that bring medical care to those most in need (Ophelia Dahl). Of course, there are wonderful writers on my list of people I wish I resembled more. And chefs, and athletes, and, and, and….I’d like to dream that I could click my ruby heels three times and be able to sing (and look) like Renee Fleming or dance (and look) like Beyonce, but I can’t keep those visions afloat.

Elvis is not going to ring my doorbell any time soon so I'd better oncentrate on simply being a better me.

 

 Note: I had all these great photos to pop in but another person I'm never going to be is a  technology wizard. Sorry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Mysti]

Susan, if Elvis rings the doorbell now, don't answer!

I am sometimes frustrated that I haven't done any of the grand things I wanted to in childhood--be an astronaut, unlock the key of dolphin communication, etc. But you know what? It turns out that there are women who do those things much better than I might have. Now I'm just hoping to get to Paris before I'm too old to enjoy it :)

[Susan C Shea]

Mysti, On the other hand, if I'm in Vegas and Elvis rings the doorbell....Fortunately, Paris is within your grasp. Just ask Cara Black! And you don't have to be someone else to have the experience.

[Terry Shames]

Susan, you've done a lot!

I once ran across a question of who I would be for a day. That was easy. My answer? The Mailman--Carl Malone, spectacular basketball player for the Utah Jazz. That would mean I could have the experience of being African American, a man, and a top-notch athlete all in one--none of which I could ever be in real life.

[Susan C Shea]

Terry, I like the way you think outside the box. I might choose Walt "Clyde" Frasier or Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, a couple of fast-moving, fast-talking guards who slipped under the basket while the big guys were facing off and waiting for the ball above them! That dates me, doesn't it? I'd better study the current crop of point guards.......

[Priscilla]

One of the fun parts of writing is getting to create people who do all sorts of things that the author might find intriging but for various reasons shouldn't/can't/won't! But none of my characters will ever get on an airplane either...

[Susan C Shea]

Priscilla, You're so right. This topic is a good one for vicarious detectives, heroines, and villains, which, to some extent, we are since we play all the parts. No, I'd be amazed if airplanes crept into your books! Maybe a new series though

[Michael A. Black]

Speaking of the King, I caught this cool little movie called "Lonely Street," which features a guy named "Mr. Aron" who's a dead ringer for Elvis. It has a bit of gross humor in it, but if you're an Elvis fan, don't miss it. And you're right, if you're in Vegas Elvis probably will be ringing a doorbell somewhere.

[Susan C Shea]

Thanks, Michael. I was an eternally devoted van at age 12, somewhat at 13 and completely over the King by 14. But I had told my sweetheart about my early crush and when some magazine sis a hologram cover of an early Elvis pooching his sultry lips in a kiss, Tim framed it for me and it's right here in front of my writing space reminding me of both of my great loves!