My Interview: Read how I made love to embarrassment, and gave birth to enlightenment.
I was recently interviewed at The Awl, a popular news based blog in NYC. The segment was on my unorthodox career as a magician, opposed to the usual 9-5. The questions were straightforward, and I gave okay answers amidst the bewildering state of Wall Street. After a few glamor photos and a pizza, I went home with a smug grin. The afternoon seemed to be a warm success. not entirely.
One question in particular was on current events, something I’ve admittedly not been up to date with. However, wanting to avoid appearing ignorant at all costs, I answered the question as quickly as possible anyway.
What’s your opinion of the Ground Zero Mosque?
Based loosely on discussions with my girlfriend, Eaves Drop. And context clues from the question at hand, I made a terrible assumption that the Mosque was to be built in place of the twin towers. Not blocks away in place of the old Burlington Coat Factory. YIKES. This misunderstanding was the foundation of my rather embarrassing reply.
“I’m certainly against it, not because I don’t subscribe to any religion, but because I think the best response is to rebuild the towers in their entirety. We have to continue with business as usual. It’s the only way we can demonstrate our strength as a nation.”
When comments came in, the cool breeze in my smug sails came to a startling halt. Rendering the sails of my ship – The Pride – metaphorically flaccid. They came fluttering down to the starboard side of my dignity. I thought of running home and weeping like a little schoolgirl into my pinkish pillow, but years of mini failures and embarrassing moments brought me to some conclusions. I realized any silly emotional paralysis would restrain my stretching of comfort zones, and the welcoming of new opportunities. I found the option of gaining value and learning from the experience, far more pleasing. And would keep my cute Matty dimples in place for years to come. I found the solution was to educate myself immediately on the matter, forgive myself for what cannot be changed, and welcome the joys of enlightenment.
I am not about to give another opinion at this moment, at least not until I’ve had the time necessary to discuss and absorb my thoughts on the matter. For now I can simply report my love for the very right to honest opinions in a open forum. To have the glorious freedoms that allow us to protest, support, or proselytize when necessary. This is far more important than the opinions of a young, charming, and sickeningly handsome entertainer. Ah yes, ego back up to speed…
Lessons learned
- Be up to date! Take time to reflect on a subject before spouting opinions.
- Never let the emotion or ego grab hold of you in conversation. You may sound stupid…
- Accept what can not be changed and learn from the mistakes.
- Look at the perspective – A silly mistaken comment is nothing to whine about. More people have real problems!
I’ve been a Cooper, and you’ve been ambrosial (clearly just found that word on the inter-web to impress you. Ego deflated)
Click here for the The Awl blog post original.
