"Conversation should be pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood."
Maybe that's a good thing though!
Published on July 18, 2004 By Sally jacobs In Just Hanging Out
We have all filled in these questionaires, you know they ask you random questions like, what's your favourite colour, what are you wearing right now (hehe!), what are your ambitions, etc etc. You get my point! As the self involved freak I am I quite enjoy these qustions it gives me a chance to talk about my favourite subject.....ME, hehe! There is one question I do really struggle with though, who is your role model? I've sat and thought about this question for a long time, I really have, but the honest answer, I don't have one. There is no one I admire to the extent that they encourage me to become just like them. There's lots of writers I admire for example, but none that I would call role models. What exactly is a role model, someone who inspires you to become something? Someone you admire? Someone you relate to? I don't really know, so where do you go when you don't know? Ha to my favourite website, the definition of role model....

role model

A person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate.

So it's someone you want to be like? I'm still struggling. I could pick my parents, They are good people, with good morals, but if i think about it do I really want to be like them? The answer is erm....no! Alot of people say their parents, I can understand it really, they were our guides in life, they provided the leadership we needed to follow. They also showed us the things not to do, the paths not to follow, learn from thier mistakes. Hmmm...maybe I just lack ambition, so to become like someone else would be to much like hard work, and plus I kind of want to make my own way in the world. Admitation is all well and good, but what happened to freedom of thought, I want to be a free thinker, but will I be that if I want to be like that person.

Don't worry I know I'm looking into this far to deeply, but the truth is, I would like a role model, maybe then I'd know where my life is going. I'd like someone to make me say WOW I want to be just like them. How can I do that when I don't even know myself yet? If I don't know how I make myself tick, how can I make the huge decision of who is going to guide me? Or have I already made that decision, and I chose myself? Because if that's the case I think I'm selling myself short, I really do. Maybe I haven't lived long enough for someone to have that affect on my life. Maybe I'm a head of myself, and someone is just waiting to touch my life in a way that I will never understand but it will change my life in ways I can't possibly imagine. Or maybe I won't be touched, maybe I will remain cynical and self obsessed, and be unable to let someone get idol status in my eyes. Or maybe it's happened for me, and I'm just to stupid to have noticed, ahhh I'm the maybe girl today!

There is another option, that I could consider. I could let my idol be someone that is a modern day idol, such as...ahh let me think of an inspiring soul...Britney Spears? Yes!!!! Why didn't I think of it before, I want to be JUST like her! I want to be that beautiful, and clever, and kind and sweet! I want to go to vegas and marry random men! I want to sing badly for millions of people and get paid loadsssss just because I take my clothes off! I want to be the face 13 year old girls want to be like, and don't get me started on the male adoration! Why didn't I think of it before! Or J-LO! i'm already half way there with the ass! I just need a few failed marriages, a few failed films, and a half decent singing career and I'm almost there! Ahh our modern day idols, and I was wondering why I didn't have one! Ha! Feel free to share yours, I may just get inspired!

Comments
on Jul 18, 2004
My role model would have to be a composite of "Weird Al" Yankovic and Homer Simpson. The former has, for about 25 years, made geek into chic, and the latter is an icon for us proud thirtysomething underachievers who love a good beer ("mmmmmn beer").
on Jul 18, 2004
Growing up my role model was one of my older brothers. My parents weren't around much (working or over-seas), and he pretty much raised me. He is, quite possibly, the smartest person I know (and I have known a lot of very smart people), and he is, quite possibly, the strongest person I know. These were traits that I admired, and so for much of my life I tried to live up to his image.

I eventually discovered that he had his faults, like any human. These days I still admire him, but I no longer try to emulate him. If I have any idol today it would be the man I hope I am.
on Jul 18, 2004
Aah! i wrote you a big comment about the idol thing and hit something and now my computer has magically made it vanish!!Let me know if it turns up!! I just meant to say, I don't think idols are a good idea..since they're only human and all. Nothing wrong with being inspired by someone into trying to become a better person yourself but emulating someone else completely just means you might lose your own identity. I think I'd rather just try to become a better version of me..yknow, more organised , less loopy, smarter..prettier,taller, yknow- the usual! So maybe it's best not to have an idol and just be yourself! Also- i read your "do you live up to expectations " article, was gonna leave you a comment but yknow stuff came up- sorry hon- anyway, Just wanted say, the only person's expectations you need to live up to are your own!! I'm sure your parents'll be proud of you, you always sound pretty level headed to me, well , way more than i am anyway!! I really admire that about you Sal, youre opinionated and passionate and have real integrity and that's amazing.

Thanks for the comment sweedie, i really appreciate all the support you've given me, not just now but since I started out here even. You know that!! And i always get the nerdy guys latching onto me too- what is that?? Anyway, you haven't written a diary sort of blog in a while- we need to catch up!! how's your family? Stil driving you a little crazy? What's going on with Kermit by the way? And work? oh, and how's your robotic friend?

Dave is good, thanks for asking. He's off that stupid atkins now thank God and he looks a lot better, i think he may actually be heavier than before the diet hehe! He's been really great recently, he's a good friend. He hasn't said anything about Kia at all. Being a guy, he doesn't do the whole talkin about feelings thing, so its hard to know whats going on with him, but i think he's doing okay. Um...my mom is good, she says she loves Florida, and has gained weight (she called me freaking out because she gained like 4 pounds, which probably brings her up to like 98, she's so skinny!). Mostly she's been very mothering which is weird, asking how i am and actually listening etc. Holden knows about Lisa and everything, he's one of the first people i called. He's sort of still working and going to night school etc so he can get into college (he wants to be a screenplay writer i think or a director or both) so I probably won't get to see him till i get home from France or maybe even later. it sucks!! Can't wait to go see my dad though. Will be a nice break I think from all the madness of work etc.

Sorry- I have rambled way too much!! Got to go, am supposed to be going out tonight since everyone's free on Sundays, yknow. Okay, catch up soon, stay cool.

Love Dyl xx
on Jul 18, 2004
Great article Sal... extremely relevant.

I met a young lady last weekend... as she was that devoid of role models in her life, the moment I start sprouting advice to her, she instantly wanted to jump my bones... I couldn't beleive it.

The influence of role models in our lives are greatly underestimated, and due to the superficial nature of society as a whole, you can't rely on role models from the media... The way we develop as people is 100% environmental, this is why we must try to be the best people we can be, and when someone younger or impressionable is crying out for a role model, we can only hope they learn from our examples.

BAM!!!
on Jul 18, 2004
the moment I start sprouting advice to her, she instantly wanted to jump my bones


Maybe Mug can be my idol.
on Jul 18, 2004
Maybe Mug can be my idol.


Or, you can be his sidekick. He starts offering advice, she tries to jump his bones, he rejects, you step in.

The pay is lousy, but as for the fringe benefits...
on Jul 18, 2004
Maybe Mug can be my idol.


haha... I dont really know what to say about that. You seem pretty well adjusted... why would you want to change that?

BAM!!!
on Jul 18, 2004
Or, you can be his sidekick. He starts offering advice, she tries to jump his bones, he rejects, you step in.


It's the fish Jon West Rejects, that makes John West the best!

(you Americans might not get that, but I am laughing, and thats all that matters.)

BAM!!!
on Jul 19, 2004
Hey babe,

You have a theme about selling yourself short of late. I wonder why???
Good article. I have many people I admire, but as Dyl said, everyone's human and for every good point there will be a bad. I don't mean this is a pessimistic way, rather that we all have different sides to us, and as an idol is going to (generally) be a public figure we don't get the well rounded view we normally would and shoud.

My only idol is Homer because I too want to be that reckless and land on my feet (and immortal, but I don't think there's anything you can do to become that. Fountain of youth, perhaps?)

Suz xxx
on Jul 19, 2004
an icon for us proud thirtysomething underachievers who love a good beer ("mmmmmn beer").


Hehe, a popular choice! I prefer Mmmmm Vodkaaaa!

I eventually discovered that he had his faults, like any human. These days I still admire him


I'm the same about my middle sister, I have so much respect for her, and she guides me like no one else.

when someone younger or impressionable is crying out for a role model, we can only hope they learn from our examples.


Lead by example, that's all you good, people end up making their own choices but pointing them in the right direction is always a help. Lets just hope they choose the right people to guide them!

You have a theme about selling yourself short of late. I wonder why???


Yep I wonder oh wise one!

My only idol is Homer because I too want to be that reckless and land on my feet


...doesn't sound like you hunny!