Ten Good Things I've Done

[howeird]

Meme-o-phobe that I am, how can anyone with an ego as big as all outdoors resist scendan's list idea?

In no particular order:

1. Learned how to speak Thai
2. Played Bill Sykes in Oliver! in Bangkok [in English]
3. Built a Dead Elvis costume out of Sears cover-alls, plastic baubles, gold glitter and hot glue sticks
4. Was a professional photographer
5. Edited a weekly newspaper
6. Tested and installed a video server at CNN
7. Served in the Peace Corps
8. Directed 3 plays which drew full houses
9. MC-ed the Seattle International Friendship Festival at age 16
10. Performed in the Seattle all-city high school band

You know, once you get going on this, there's the temptation to never stop. These 10 reminded me of about 50 more. But I'll spare you.

Comments

[scendan.livejournal.com]

Go for it! It's good to reflect on the good/cool things we've done. It's not about egotism, I don't think. Our society is so focused on the idea that to be humble means to rip one's accomplishments down or to downplay them. I don't think that's what being humble is about, really. I mean, not bragging constantly to everyone and everyone is good. But downplaying one's abilities, or the things we like about ourselves or our lives, doesn't lead to humility as much as it can lead to pessimism.

Egotism is when we think the cool things we've done make us intrinsically better than others, or when we think that our lives are a competition with everybody else, and DAMN we're doing good by comparison!

At least, that's my opinion. End of sermon. ;)

[howeird]

I'm not being humble, I would seriously be here all week if I let myself get started. And that's only because lately I've been having trouble remembering things.

But okay, one more because it popped into my head like a peyote dream:

11. Made love in a tiny tent on the edge of a cliff in the rainbow glow from the lights of Grand Coulee Dam.


I hear Mac Davis singing It's Hard to be Humble.


Oh, Lord, it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
'Cause I get better lookin' each day
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
Oh, Lord, it's hard to be humble
But I'm doin' the best that I can

I used to have a girlfriend
But I guess she just couldn't compete
With all of these love starved women
Who keep clamoring at my feet
Well, I probably could find me another
But I guess they're all in awe of me
Who cares...I never get lonesome
'Cause I treasure my own company

I guess you could say I'm a loner
A cowboy outlaw, tough and proud
Well, I could have lotsa friends if I wanted
But then I wouldn't stand out from the crowd
Some folks say that I'm egotistical
Hell, I don't even know what that means
I guess it has somethin' to do with the way
That I fill out my skin tight blue jeans

[farmount.livejournal.com]

#3 -- I remember that rather fondly... :)