I’m reaching down deep for a post today. Mainly because I’ve been calling it in these last few days. So I’m going to give you something good. Even though I feel a little empty. But here goes. It’s a story I wanted to tell last week but didn’t.
It’s not a long story.
I was taught by some very famous writers. Really famous people. And one of them was a very good looking guy (okay, that picture wasn’t very cute) but believe me when I say this guy is really hot in person. And maybe it’s because he won the Pulitzer. Or maybe it’s his pretty green eyes. Whatever. The point is he was a hottie. And Gap asked him to do an ad. And they were going to pay him a lot of money. Like an amount of money that would mean most writers would never have to work again. And he said no. He said, “I’m a writer, not a model.”
That’s the story.
Here’s my epilogue.
What the fuck is wrong with being a writer and being a model? What is wrong with being a writer and being sexy? What’s wrong with taking some good looking pictures of yourself for the world to see? And getting paid for it. And this is Gap, not Hustler.
I’m so exhausted by writers taking themselves seriously and being ar-teests. If I hear one more writer grouse about not getting paid anything, I’m going run over myself with my own SUV. Take the money. Do the ad. Show the world that writers are sexy. People don’t bat an eye when sports stars collect a zillion dollars for pimping some shoes, or when actors or or singers do the same. Why not writers? Why are we all expected and wanting to look like a bunch of gumps (remember when gump was a word?). Well, I’m finished with it. Okay, I was finished with it about eight months ago, but work with me, people.
When I’m feeling a little lost in the world, at a crossroads, if you will, and I need an answer, there is a song I listen to. It reminds me of what’s important in this world. It reminds me of what my guiding inspiration is in this life as a writer, a blogger, a human. I listen to it and think, oh yes, this is my path in life.
Jesus, You Tube is showing me no love. Is it working for you all? If not, here’s a link to the song.


7 comments
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May 10, 2008 at 8:57 am
apollocreed
Chabon took himself too seriously, which is something a lot of people do. He’s a dumbass for passing up easy money.
Also, when I grow up, I want to be JT.
May 10, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Cathy
I guess I’m a little too old or something…I don’t get it, the song I mean. Well, maybe I don’t get the part about you’re going to run over yourself with your own SUV if you hear one more writer grouse about not getting paid anything either. I thought grousing about not getting paid anything was what we’re supposed to do. Oh dear. *sigh*
I know you’ll explain it for me and go slowly.
May 10, 2008 at 5:09 pm
chantel
Yes you’re a writer and you’re hot. Just rub it in some more will yah? I don’t think there is anything wrong with getting paid when you can get a paycheck as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone; go for it.
May 10, 2008 at 6:40 pm
melissalion
Apollo: You’re JT in my heart.
Cathy: The song is about bringing sexy back. Not slutty or skeezy, but sexy. Holding a door open, wearing a nice suit. Sexy. As to grousing, I think grousing and then taking action is most excellent. I think grousing and expecting I don’t know the ears on the wall to take care of shit, well I hate that. Get out and earn the mean green!
Chantel: You’re hot and a writer too! We can start a gang, no I mean a club.
May 12, 2008 at 10:23 am
Kristen
I would absolutely do the Gap ad!
What a bone head.
And yes. That is one hell of an inspirational song.
May 12, 2008 at 10:28 am
JustinS
I did both when I was a kid, wrote Pulitzer prize-winning pieces and modeled for The Gap.
Ok, so I wrote “Attack of the Killer Potato Chips” and wore a jacket in one picture in a podunk town department store’s Sunday newspaper ad, but that’s totally like the same thing, right?
May 13, 2008 at 8:31 am
ride5000
taking yourself too seriously seems to be a global epidemic.
people need to chill the fuck out and relax because in the blink of an eye you’ll be dead and buried. then what the hell do you have? nothing.
so i’m a bit of a nihilist. it doesn’t mean i don’t have fun while it lasts.
ken
ps. writers are sexy.