Random Post
So, my sleep schedule is all screwed up, because I took a nap a few hours before bedtime. That's no surprise there. However, because I woke up, awake, at 12:30, I decided to finish one library book (I was almost done), and start on an Alan Arkin memoir that I'd just picked up.
Now, the memoir is mostly what you'd expect. Shorter than I'd like, skipping over some of the early days (like the music portion of his career), but par for the course in this day and age. Academics won't shut up, but entertainers sometimes can. Anyway, there was a page I just read which just made me happy. First, let me explain why.
A couple of years ago, I got on a major Arkin kick. I saw his early stuff, and was particularly moved by "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," though the others were pretty good too. You know, especially this made for tv movie which is all but unavailable expect to internet ninjas like me. Um... moving on. After watching the movies and listening to some of the music, I sent a piece of fan mail. Now for actors who are especially visable (in their prime) and mobbed by letters, I wouldn't bother. If I sent a letter to David Tennant, for example, his secretary would just look to see if I sent an SASE and move on. I really don't care about autos - I'm all about posed pictures. Just look at my Facebook - it's my thing.
Anywho... I still figured that Arkin received some fan mail, but he didn't have a big presence in the fan world, so my need to say "Thanks for being awesome," overrode my usual fandom feelings of "It's a waste of time." I didn't ask for a photo or signature. I just explained that I liked a couple of movies and was happily shocked that he'd also done some music and writing. I got into a bit more detail, but I tried to keep it short. I'd found an address online and just sent the letter off, hoping that it'd make it to him, but not really expecting a reply. Perhaps a month later, I received a handwritten note from him thanking me for my letter. This was a while back (old apartment and all), but I still have that in my nic-nac box.
Well, in reading this memoir, which admittedly, has it's crotchety moments, he goes on a tangent about fandom & how it's not real, that people just want a piece of you BECAUSE you're famous, not because of what you've done. He tells about his first taste, hanging out in a bar after a Broadway play. The tv was on, and it wasn't until after the positive review that about 8 people came over with their Playbills, to have them signed. I guess you could say it was a lemon-y experience.
He goes on to say that he's only had some 15-20 fan letters (ever) that were simply about his work, and not asking for anything. So, um... that sadly makes me feel kinda good about mine. Maybe I'll go ahead & try updating that fanpage of mine over spring break. :-P Um, or not. If it wasn't so late, I'd probably throw in a movie of his, but I'd better try going back to bed. Stupid employment screwing up things! :-)
Now, the memoir is mostly what you'd expect. Shorter than I'd like, skipping over some of the early days (like the music portion of his career), but par for the course in this day and age. Academics won't shut up, but entertainers sometimes can. Anyway, there was a page I just read which just made me happy. First, let me explain why.
A couple of years ago, I got on a major Arkin kick. I saw his early stuff, and was particularly moved by "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," though the others were pretty good too. You know, especially this made for tv movie which is all but unavailable expect to internet ninjas like me. Um... moving on. After watching the movies and listening to some of the music, I sent a piece of fan mail. Now for actors who are especially visable (in their prime) and mobbed by letters, I wouldn't bother. If I sent a letter to David Tennant, for example, his secretary would just look to see if I sent an SASE and move on. I really don't care about autos - I'm all about posed pictures. Just look at my Facebook - it's my thing.
Anywho... I still figured that Arkin received some fan mail, but he didn't have a big presence in the fan world, so my need to say "Thanks for being awesome," overrode my usual fandom feelings of "It's a waste of time." I didn't ask for a photo or signature. I just explained that I liked a couple of movies and was happily shocked that he'd also done some music and writing. I got into a bit more detail, but I tried to keep it short. I'd found an address online and just sent the letter off, hoping that it'd make it to him, but not really expecting a reply. Perhaps a month later, I received a handwritten note from him thanking me for my letter. This was a while back (old apartment and all), but I still have that in my nic-nac box.
Well, in reading this memoir, which admittedly, has it's crotchety moments, he goes on a tangent about fandom & how it's not real, that people just want a piece of you BECAUSE you're famous, not because of what you've done. He tells about his first taste, hanging out in a bar after a Broadway play. The tv was on, and it wasn't until after the positive review that about 8 people came over with their Playbills, to have them signed. I guess you could say it was a lemon-y experience.
He goes on to say that he's only had some 15-20 fan letters (ever) that were simply about his work, and not asking for anything. So, um... that sadly makes me feel kinda good about mine. Maybe I'll go ahead & try updating that fanpage of mine over spring break. :-P Um, or not. If it wasn't so late, I'd probably throw in a movie of his, but I'd better try going back to bed. Stupid employment screwing up things! :-)