Saturday, October 22, 2005

An Artsy Essay Entry

I will post an entry tomorrow with part two of my vacation. Today I want to take a brief moment to thank those that voted for me in the VIVI Awards nominations. To be nominated for Best New Journal is an honor in itself that I cherish. Thank you, my readers for the vote of confidence. I am awed at the company I am in and, to echo a thought being shared in journals all around J-Land today, just to be nominated is a great honor that I will always have to remember.

I didn’t know if I would be able to entry Judith Heartsong’s Artsy Essay Contest this month. Tonight is the deadline for entering. I believe so strongly in the effort that Judi puts into this contest every month and the spirit with which she holds it. Here is a link to her entry site: http://journals.aol.com/judithheartsong/newbeginning/entries/1595

Like the VIVI Awards, all the entrants in this contest each month are winners for the effort they put out and all of J-Land benefits from the exposure to these great journals and the journalists who write them.

This month the subject for the essay is:

The one thing I would most like you to know about me........

 

Tell us something: a secret, a wish, a thought  or hope, your greatest desire or temptation, or something unique about you in poetry or prose. Tell us what you feel strongly about, something funny or serious..... what you most want us to know about you. Don't just tell us this special something and leave it at that.... we want to know so much more! Help us to feel and know what it is you think and why. There is LOTS of room for creativity here and descriptive language, and engaging writing will earn you points. Thiswriting exercise is about self-expression and communicating clearly so that we can share your feelings for a bit.


And remember as always: Descriptive,
Descriptive,Descriptive:):):)

Here is my entry!

My secret wish would be to have been an actor. I started acting very, very young. Not professional, of course, but as a young child of about five or six, I participated in neighborhood shows that my older sister and her friends would put on for our parents on warm summer evenings in Montgomery, Alabama back in the very late fifties.

Remember the old movies where Mickey Roonie and his neighborhood pals would have some deep need to raise some money. They would get together and vote to put on a show and charge for entrance. It was just a coincidence that everyone in his neighborhood sang and danced like a professional, LOL! Something would always happen and Mickey and his pals would insist that the show must go on and they always were a smash hit!

Take away all the professionalism and the entry fees and that was kind of what my neighborhood was like when I was five or six years old. My sister Jan gets most of the credit for staging these summer evenings with her friends. They needed extras to fill in and I would be allowed to join the cast.

Later, as a high school student, I acted in Church plays and had the lead role in my senior class play the year I graduated. At no time during all of this did I think about acting as a vocation. I was more interested in the mechanics of it all and how to produce and direct stage acts and television shows.

I later changed my major in College from Marine Biology to Communications and went into the television production end of things in a big way. My lack of aptitude in higher math helped me with that decision. I was off to a fabulous career behind the scenes and I never looked back. Well, almost never.

I can still remember the thrill as I stepped out on a stage and the spotlight suddenly hit me. The fear of blowing the most important lines of the show and the feelings of love for the audience as they were pulled into the story by my acting and dialogue. How my heart would soar when they laughed at the right time. The rush of adrenaline as they gasped during a dramatic climax to a plot. How the power of my performance would render an entire auditorium so silent that you could hear a pin drop between my words.

I have allowed myself to think from time to time through the years about how it would have turned out if I had chosen to go in front of the camera instead of behind it. I have shared this little wish with no one. It’s just been hanging around in my inner sanctum only to surface privately at very odd times throughout my adult life.

In my private thoughts I can see myself as the Wilford Brimley type making a decent living acting as an aging cowboy or selling senior citizen type stuff on television advertisements for nice size fees that would take me effortlessly through the retirement years. As it is, I’ll probably have to keep working a full time job until the day I drop. Good thing I chose a profession I can enjoy as an older gentleman. I can see me as a Dock Master or marina manager for years to come.

Still yet, every fall, as we progress towards winter, I think about how the winter of my life will end up and I still feel that little tug at my gut. I think about "the what if…" and the "If only I had…"

That’s my secret wish, I wish I had been an actor.

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sam I love this entry...I love your ingenuity...You never know about the future...have you tried out in your local theatre? So many have been discovered in a small play...Tom Selleck discovered his wife in Cats...A studio may discover you in a local play. May all your dreams come true...Love, Courtenay
http://journals.aol.com/courtenaymphelan/FATALERROR/      

Anonymous said...

I can't think of any 'new' journal that deserves it more.  Congratulations!  ~Sie

Anonymous said...

Ah the secret is out :)  How come I'm not surprised by this?  For some reason it makes perfect sense even with me only knowing you through here.  I'm glad you shared it and hey there is still time........... never say never!
Good Luck this is great!
d

Anonymous said...

A great entry Sam!

Sandra x

Anonymous said...

Awww!  I like this!  At least you didn't wish you were the Clark Gable type!  You definitely kept things in persepective.  Wish I could say the same for myself.  My secret wish was to be a ballet dancer.  Never took a lesson in my life and am not athletic in the least.  Anyway, back to acting:  I think a lot of sensitive souls are drawn to it.  It's a way to shine.  But think of it this way...now you can shine in your journal, or maybe you'll write a book about boating, or maybe the great American novel!  Writing a novel is something like acting.  You could still fufill your dream.

Anonymous said...

Sam, thanks for taking the time and for sharing your secret wish. I would love to see you get into community theater. What an asset you could be. judi

Anonymous said...

KUDOS, Sam. TERRIFIC entry. Good luck with the awards.
Hugs,
Barb- http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HEYLETSTALK

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Sam. Good luck on the awards. My alerts haven't been coming and going lately. I will go take a look at part one of your vacation. Helen

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Sam!  Well, me and a tatoo...you and acting.  I never would have thought to place you on the other side of the camera, so this is a bit of a surprise.   However, I can see you as the Wilford Brimley type...maybe a cowboy mariner?  Now all you need is a sea horse...  :)

Dona

Anonymous said...

Sam,
I can sooo see you as an actor....but you are also great at your present job and I am sure there are soo many people glad you didn't chose acting, because of all the hard work and great results you get at the marina.  You would be great at anything you chose, and greatly appreciated.
Don't laugh, but I am going to TRY and write my entry for Judith's contest tonight before midnight... LOL.. Procrastination is my middle name.  

Anonymous said...

very well written...

Anonymous said...

You could still do it! - Karen

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

And ya know, you can always still go for that acting job as a part-time hobby.

Ari

Anonymous said...

I was a shy kid but I lived my dream of being an actress vicariously through my kids. They invariably got the leads in every single show and play that came down the pike. I'd sit in the audience and bawl my eyes out as Dave played the soldier that fell in love with Fyedka's daughter in "Fiddler on the Roof". I also sobbed hysterically when he played Adam in the story of Genesis when he was a freshman at Colgate University. I really sobbed like a freak when he emerged from a Nutcracker toy to a handsome Prince in my company's rendition of "The Nutcracker". I embarrassed the hell out of that poor guy! The younger one, Scott, was the comedian of the family. He was the Elvis character in "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat", Fritz in "The Nutcracker" and Mayor Shinn in "Music Man". The list goes on and on and I deeply regret the fact that when the talent scouts in Philly found my talented sons (they could sing and dance, too!)I was unable to agree to take them up to New York a couple times a week for auditions. They were devastated but what could I do? I was the owner and director of a ballet school and it couldn't run without me there. I don't know. Perhaps I made a huge mistake.
Sorry, I have totally rambled off!
You can always do little theatre in Georgia, Sam. And keep your day job, too!
Great entry! I'm so glad that you're back!
Maryanne
http://journals.aol.com/globetrotter2u/Myfeelingsarereal/entries/1190

Anonymous said...

Your family is not surprised by this revelation.  You have always been the ham.  Love you, not only in spite of it, but even for it.   Lynn

Anonymous said...

Congratutations on you nomination ,Sam very well deserved ,brilliant entry today ...Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Sam you could still do it in your spare time - you could be the Director and Main character in this film about A Dock Master and /or Marina manager - You have the settings and Camcorder sure you could get a good cast....I'd even come over for a small fee to be the leading lady...Yes youv'e guessed it I always dreamed of being an actress...lol....I enjoyed your essay very good.....Ally

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Vivi Awards nomination!
journals.aol.com/republicanjen/RepublicanJen

Anonymous said...

SO YOU WANTED TO BE A THESPIAN, EH?

Anonymous said...

Sam
I want to be you when I grow up...really enjoyed your entry!
Sam2

Anonymous said...

    Well ....  I, for one, am glad you chose to go the route you did.  Just think, if you were some big-shot actor, you would be too busy pursuing fame and fortune to spend time with us 'little people' here in J-land.  And that would be a huge loss for us.  Sam .... as Mr. Rogers used to say so eloquently: " I like you just the way you are."  Tina      http://journals.aol.com/onemoretina/Ridealongwithme
    p.s.  ... and I love your entry !!    thanks for sharing !!

Anonymous said...

Check out the local little theater. Live your dream some this winter. After all it is the slow season.

Anonymous said...

Sam!

I never would have guessed this about you :)

For some reason, I don't envision you enjoying the spotlight!  How wrong was my gut?!  

When I was little, I was the one organizing the neighborhood Christmas play and carolling, of course I always had the lead role ;)

I'm not sure at what point I started shying away from the limelight, but today~I'm the person who prefers to be behind the scenes, making sure the show goes on :)

What a great entry for Judith!  I am so happy you got it in on time :)

As for the VIVI nomination~You, dear friend, are very welcome....  you deserve it, Sam.  Your journal is where I come for vacation ;)

Cat

Anonymous said...

(((((Congratulations Sam)))))
Sam I never knew that you wanted to be an actor! cool!I do see herer taht you definately have ageat flair for the dramatic adn youare very creative and warm in your journal! huggggggggggggs,natalie

Anonymous said...

Ah Sam, that was wonderful! I think you would have been, and are, great at anything you put your mind to.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful entry.....

Anonymous said...

Clapping!  Congrats on your Vivi nomination!

Anonymous said...

I just found your journal, via Kelly http://journals.aol.com/pixiedustnme/Inmyopinion/
I'm glad I came. I'll be back!

Christy

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your nomination...hope you win...I like your journal...Sandi http://journals.aol.com/sdoscher458/LifeIsFullOfSurprises

Anonymous said...

I didn't know about the VIVI awards, but if I had I certainly would have voted for you!!

Anonymous said...

Sam,

First, congratulations on your VIVI nomination, and good luck.  It's well deserved, and this eloquent entry for Judi's contest is evidence of that.

Judi
http://journals.aol.com/emmapeeldallas/talkingtomyself/

p.s. - I think you'd be a great actor, but Wilford Brimley?  Uh-uh, from your pics, you're waaaaaaaayyy too attractive to be a Wilford Brimley type - I see you more as a Gerald Raney type (the older brother on the old Simon and Simon series).

Anonymous said...

Sam,
Thanks for the gorgeous pic of our flag . ..  of course, I sent it on!

I think I already congratulated you on the VIVI's, but I again will say that you truly deserve the nomination and to win.  

YOU COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT ACTOR . . .  because you really put a lot of heart into everything that you do.  ;-)  Cyndy

Anonymous said...

Sam...  Apologies for me taking so long to get here to congratulation you on your Vivi Award nomination.  I'm delighted to sit at the same table with you, truly delighted to be in your company.  You've got yourself a wonderful journal here.  I enjoy each of my visits.
Best,
Judith
http://journals.aol.com/jtuwliens/MirrorMirrorontheWall

Anonymous said...

Congrats of your nomination Sam!  Your journal really is a great place to visit.

Anonymous said...

I think when we shoot AOL Journals -- THE MOVIE -- there's a part just made for YOU.  mrs. L

Anonymous said...

Well that's something we have in common. I also would have liked to act.

Tilly x
http:http://journals.aol.co.uk/tillysweetchops/Adventuresofadesperatelyfathouse/

Anonymous said...

Great entry!!! Congrats to you on your nomination!!! Out of all the nominees, including me, I think yours is the best!! Penny

Anonymous said...

Ah I remeber Mikey Roonie and my sister and I used to do the same thing in our neighborhood, only we were 10 and 12.  We were dancers and we gave lessons to the other girls and then we put on a show on our front porch.  Never wanted to be an actor though but did want to be a singer and a dancer.  Thanks for sharing and stirring up these memories.

Marlene-PurelyPoetry

http://journals.aol.com/mkolasa101/PurelyPoetry

Anonymous said...

Trick or Treat!!!

I am playing the game suggested by Teresa and then the details were sent to me by Gem . . .  This is Trick or Treat Thru J-Land!  Lots of fun and you see journals you've NEVER seen before and invite them back to your neck of the woods.

I LOVE your journal, Sam!  I actually think this is my second comment under this entry.  Hope you have time to read this soon . . .  and you can come over and join us for a cup of hot cyber cider.  LOL!

Happy Halloween!

http://journals.aol.com/cyndygee/TheRealWorldofcyndygee

Anonymous said...

You know it's never too late. There are many community theatre groups. My ex did that for many years and loved it. This was a good entry and you know that I nominated and voted for you for best new journal. You are deserving of it. :) Nelle

Anonymous said...

Trick or Treat! Happy Halloween!!! ~ Lori

Anonymous said...

This is one of the toughest parts of our lives: the "what-if's". I know there must be a small sense of regret over your choices, but I, for one, can say that it seems you and your life both turned out pretty damned good.

Maybe you can get a shot at some reality show. I'd much rather follow the life of a dockmaster than some has-been celebrity in pursuit of another 15 minutes.

Great entry, Sam!

Jimmy

Anonymous said...

I think you captivate audiences right now...even though you are not acting on a stage. You grab their attention with your written words. Perhaps more powerfully simply because it is written and absorbed. But to fulfill your wish, it sure couldn't hurt to see if there are any community theater groups you could join!

Anonymous said...

The warm summer evenings  in the 50s were awesome!!!  We shared a unique time.  9/11 probably changed the neighborhood reality forever if social change didn't take care of it first.  Once the "media became the message" our evenings became obsolete.  The memory is like something our grandmothers used to tell us about.  aaahhhh......