red

5 Responses to “Correspondence”

1. 1 mieprowan March 21, 2013 at 9:16 pm

   I want them to just admit I’m right, but that just about never happens. Like when one says, writes, whatever, circa 2003, that this business of “We Gotta Go Get Saddam!” is likely one hell of a bad idea.

   That went over poorly then, and it continues to go over poorly now. Where are my accolades?

   I stood up. I wrote a letter that was published in the Albuquerque Journal saying I felt like I’d get beaten up if I walked around Carlsbad with a peace sign embroidered on my back.

   I had “friends” treating me like a Naive, Irrational, Woman, one who cares more for the vulnerable women and children in Foreign Nations, all chock full of Others Who Are Wrong, than all those people around here who were currently driving around with miniature flags tied to the antennae of their SUV’s, grunting at every opportunity about gettin’ em.

   I have rarely been so alarmed in my life. Seeds of change, really. That’s when I started to stop trusting Carlsbad.

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   • 2 bluenred March 24, 2013 at 2:00 am

     Jerry Fielding was a film composer. Among the things he said, that might be of interest to you, were these:

     —”I’m not on speaking terms with half of the people here. Because I tell them what they don’t want to hear. While they stand around like a bunch of glad-handing, back-slapping jackasses, congratulating each other on what they don’t understand to begin with.”

     —”Actually, from my point of view, I kind of gave up trying to be liked, period. It’s kind of hopeless in a business like this.”

     —”I’ve largely taken to writing memos about what I intend to do—half of which I’m sure are never read—but at least everything is up front when the screaming starts.”

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     • 3 mieprowan March 24, 2013 at 12:37 pm

       I have come to the conclusion that trying to be liked is a complete and utter waste of time. Might as well just be yourself. Either people will like you or they won’t, but at least you don’t have to deal with keeping up some act or being endlessly adaptable to other people’s demands.

       There is likely some value in trying not to piss people off, but that’s situational. Some behaviors deserve calling out, when they are transgressive. Others are simply incomprehensible, in which case one must remember that the world has no obligation to make sense.

       This is a competitive culture. One has to actively resist this. I am better at some things than other people. Other people are better at some things than I am. Some people do not understand this concept.

       The film industry attracts people with big egos. Prima donnas are a pain in the ass, but I guess that’s where the talent is, or maybe just the drive.

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2. 4 Alexa March 26, 2013 at 12:08 am

   well, what about social media favored by teens and early 20-somethings? there is some things i’m ‘sposed to be writing on (and i’m stuck, even after an interview i’ll never forget) . . . ‘cuz I can’t cut it at 140 and a hashtag and the only fauxtivistas who don’t know are all Twitter and Instagram.

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   • 5 bluenred March 26, 2013 at 10:07 pm

     Twitter is for twits. Write for people who can read.

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