I’m sitting here trying to figure out what to write. Now normally, I rationalize, this post has to be clever or witty, or simply enough of something to consume one’s mind with ridiculous Marc Anthony-isms and a yearning to unplug all electronic devices. No, of course, there’s a topic at hand that lacks a certain focus or obligatory rambling: What inspires you?
Shameless Killer?
To me, it was intentionally an absurd response. One of my favorite 90′s show of all time (ranking among classics like “Legends of the Hidden Temple”, “Hey Arnold!” and Full House with my favorite Bob Saget), “Doug” was the television program home to some of Nickelodeon’s most unambiguously-stereotyped and shamelessly-ethical characters, including Patti Mayonnaise. More importantly, my suggestion would detract the conversation in the hopes that I could be able to sleep just a little easier tonight. There’s no way Patti Mayonnaise was a serial killer. And then it smacked my friend in the face like an actor in a V8 commercial.
Within seconds, my friend lit up with enthusiasm and drive! She cleverly devised a way in which Patti Mayonnaise could have been the homicidal cause of her mother’s passing and her father’s paralysis, a conclusion clearly contrived from some of Patti’s well-scripted characteristics. Wasn’t she athletic, an attribute that would certainly allow for physical stunts involved in murder? Wasn’t she home-schooled, perhaps in a way to keep her identity intact? And her sensual interactions with Doug, were these ploys to get herself a fresh victim from a new neighborhood? BOOM ROASTED!
Now, now, now! Settle down, casual reader that you are! Children, sleep soundly knowing that it’s probably true that Patti Mayonnaise was not the source of malicious assault, battery, and homicide. What is important in this little tale I unravel is one of the most important lessons that we could learn. My friend was
Next Target?
absolutely inspired by something as nominal as a fictional television character, and more importantly, found some direction from that. She was enthralled by the information she had about our favorite show characters, and quickly threaded together a plausible plot and background to an abhorrent and disgustingly-innocent show. Almost too disgusting, you might add.
You see, my friend was inspired in a way that I haven’t seen in a very long time. Regardless of the nominality of it all, it brought progress and clarity to her in a moment of idleness, and that, my friends, is something worth writing home about.
This brings me back to my first question: What inspires you? Every day, I see friends, coworkers, schoolmates, even adults swimming amidst a routine, augmenting a ‘Stepford Wife’-esque mentality that stays for weeks at a time. This is a discussion of its own. But for now, let’s keep it short and sweet.
People! Will you find passion and enthusiasm to inspire you?! Will you find a sense of direction from that instance of clarity?! Will you jump up and down in wholly-upbeat rhythms, having found inspiration?! Will you find out what other cartoon characters have maliciously killed those fictional enough to last one episode on tv?!
I hope you do. At the very least, do it for Doug.
Outstanding post! Most of the time inner drive is found where one least expects it! Spot on call to action, sir!