Thursday, June 16, 2011

Well I wonder

Being the philosophical loon that I am, I tend to concern myself with questions that can't possibly be answered. Sticking to this fact, I was wondering last night, what would I give up for fame and fortune?

I'm not sure what prompted me to enter this train of thought, as I was loading the washing machine at the time but, nevertheless, it sprang up. I was thinking of the movies. Or rather, the thought caused me to think of the movies. You know how in movies, the 'hero' gets the chance to see what life would be like if they'd never met their wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/significant other? And they always, always, always come to the realisation that love is better than whatever else they've been offered (fame and fortune say). I was wondering how true that would be.

Specifically, how true I would see that. I've been an unsuccessful musician for a large part of my life. I've also been an unpublished author for a good deal of it. I've been married - extremely happily - for a lot less. If I was offered fame and fortune, but would have to give up Lady Hem and always know that I gave her up, would I do it?

I can say, hand on heart, that I wouldn't. But, I can only say that, because it isn't going to happen. I know it, you know it; that's why we have movies. To imagine. But that's all it is, imagining. So I can say, hand on heart again, that no way would I give up my life with Lady Hem for riches, fame and, let's face it, pussy.

But if it was offered. If somehow, the wish was pushed into reality and I really, really, had to choose.....I'm not 100% certain that I wouldn't take the offer.

If you were offered the same, would you - could you - say no? Give up one thing you have for the unknowable?

4 comments:

Gorilla Bananas said...

Are people with fame and fortune all that happy? It seems they've exchanged one set of worries for another.

The Unbearable Banishment said...

I would love untold riches. Do you know what wealth is? It's not goods and services or unlimited pussy. It's freedom. Fame, however, is another animal. I wouldn't want to have anything to do with it. It's fool's gold.

Unknown said...

Fame and fortune doesn't sound all that nice to me. I'd be perfectly happy flying under the radar and having enough money to be comfortable, take trips when I want to, go to dinners when I feel like it, and drive a car that doesn't need to always be repaired. I might be a little bitter since I'm sitting at the mechanic right now getting it worked on.

But I would never want to be famous. I want money to do things and not worry about money, but beyond that, you can keep the fame and fortune.

Love reading your thoughts, Tenny.

tennysoneehemingway said...

GB: but I'm not 100% sure that I wouldn't like to find out.

UB: I wonder if it's entirely possible to have one without the other?

V: see above.