Curious Incidents of a Flailing Mermaid

Day twenty-five: Fame!

Sheeeeesh what a day! It was my first meeting as a charity board member today. I must admit, I still don’t have a clue. I have to keep telling myself that I will one day. I will learn! I’ll have no choice.

I did come up with a few poem ideas/lines in my meeting though. Poetry writing disguised as note taking! I’ll try and put them together tonight.

I am now sat on the bed of a very cheap hotel room, which is my home for the evening. Coincidentally, I have to be in the same place tomorrow (Loughborough) for training for my main job. From suit to tracksuit in under 24 hours – I feel like some kinda dodgy superhero. OK, maybe I don’t.

A few people (namely Elle - on hiatus and blue jellybaby ), have asked me what my job is or what I teach (because I’ve mentioned working with students). But, I’ve been useless at replying to blog comments so I have yet to answer. However, there is a, somewhat, tedious link between today’s prompt and what I do… I’m seizing the opportunity here…

Prompt for day twenty-five: What makes a person become famous and stay famous? Do most people become famous because of their innovative/"new-age" thinking, or because they adhere to a traditional mindset? In today's world, what is the "easiest" way to get famous? Pick examples from history or current events to illustrate your point.

Fame is earned; not always for good reason
Applauded for their contributions to society
Memorable and celebrated for their offerings
Obscure fame occurs far and wide
Unknown people make it big for nothing or something
Star for a night, year or a lifetime

Hmm now I’ve started, I’ve realised that the link is, indeed, very tenuous!! However, I’ve started so I’ve finish.

My job is basically a motivational speaker. I do this mostly in schools, through private bookings or a programme called Sky Sports Living for Sport. Yup I work for Sky Sports, no I don’t get free Sky TV!! The programme is made up of 73 Athlete Mentors who work in schools to inspire and motivate students, using the power of sport. All of the Mentors have represented their country in international competitions and all have exciting and motivational stories. Now, without wanting to talk down our notability, you would need to really know your sport to recognise many of the names of the Mentors. We do not tend to be household names, as such. Does this affect our ability to use our reputation to convince kids to look beyond the sofa? No, I don’t think so.

I’m not famous: far from it. Well, not in the traditional sense.
I was at a big school sports event the other week. Whilst having a quick break from my duties, I made a call to Chris. As I was on the phone, a kid came up to me and said “are you famous?” I said no and he wandered off. At this point, Chris told me off, explaining that to that kid I was famous. I have walked into classrooms to kids screaming in excitement at my arrival. I have had people asking for my autographs and my photo. Yet, I am, in no way, famous.

What’s my point? (Other than seemingly blowing my own trumpet*) My point is, in some senses, fame relates to how people feel and how much they look up to that person. Sounds strange but I wonder whether fame is in the eyes of the onlooker: to some extent, anyway.

These days we have quite a lot of people who are famous for being famous. The world bows down to certain people, but does anyone know why. For example, Katie Price or Paris Hilton – what have they done, exactly?

Its hard to say how people become famous or how they stay famous; not without writing 100,000 words, which I am not inclined to do. These days, I would suggest, people become famous for so many different reasons. However, the chances of people gaining everlasting fame are far less likely.
I am going to end here. I could go on, but I fear I started well but went downhill at the mid-point. But I am going to finish with a question intrigues me; even prior to this prompt.

Stephen Hawkins: is he famous for his brain or his ability to beat a condition that should have killed him 50 years ago? Yes, he is remarkably intelligent but would people care so much if he didn’t have another interesting feature?

*I hope no one thinks I am blowing my own trumpet - I'm just putting a different spin on things