One of the most astute quotes I ever read was in a book by David Chasman called "Everything I Ever Needed to Know About Succeeding in Hollywood I Learned From My Pitbull," a showbiz parody of the classic Robert Fulghum inspirational tome.
The quote in question went something like:
All invitations in Hollywood should be labelled
'Current Occupant, Title, Address.'
For those of you not privvy to Hollywood's most particular culture, Chasman's tongue-in-cheek, yet tell-tale, point was that in showbiz, nobody really cares about you, only about the position you hold. Once you're out, you're out.
But when you're in...
All this to say, and in the nicest way, that it's been a week since the news of my upcoming, intensified role at Just For Laughs was announced, and jeez, have those invitations been rolling my way!
In the past seven days, I heard from folks I haven't heard from in ages. It was wonderful to re-connect.
I also heard from people I speak to quite regularly, and frankly, although I'm still the same guy I was two weeks ago, the difference in tone (that of respect and reverence) I got most of my closest friends, relatives and acquaintances was palpable...and not insignificantly so.*
But I also heard from a guy who called me at home (on an unlisted number yet!) to pitch me his services as an immigration lawyer. I was asked for tickets at a memorial service for my father in synagogue. I was handed business cards at a wedding.
Yup, I'm back alright.
But this time--older, wiser, more experienced--I promised myself it'll be different.
And I kept that promise for exactly five days...until I allowed supper with my wife to be interrupted by three different phone calls; VERY old For Laughs-era behavior. That's something that rarely-if ever--happened even during the wildest times at Airborne.
So kudos to my wife, who taught me this week's true lesson by suggesting we buy a basket...and put both our closed cellphones in it for the duration of dinner together.
I may be back "in,' but for one hour or so when I'm home at night, I'm gonna be "out."
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*Ironically, the only group with ABSOLUTELY no change in their tune were the guys I play hockey with. I figure this is because they've all seen me naked. Once you've seen a guy's lathered crotch and butt, I suppose that nothing he can do, or no position he can hold, that will influence the way he is perceived. That said, Lesson 1A this week is that if you really want people to see you for who you are, get naked in front of 'em.