Monday, October 8, 2012

T...T...T...Timing

Deb: They say timing is everything. It certainly is in my business. That is, the business of being a comedic actor. The truth is, without timing you are not a comedian. I bring this up because I was watching a documentary called All About Me, hosted by and about the great Katherine Hepburn. In it she says, “I came on the scene at just the right time wearing pants and sporting an athletic style and a strong-willed attitude. It was just the right time for ‘my style’ and so I became a star.” I am paraphrasing that comment as I did not memorize exactly what she said, but that is the gist of it—and I put it in quotes so you would know it was her saying that more or less. Can I be sued for that?

It got me thinking about timing. Timing in life. When I was a kid I so wanted to be a STAR. Being a successful actor was not enough. I wanted the world to see what I could do. I loved the limelight and would put on shows in my basement, garage, the cottage lawn, you name it. And I was always the STAR. A classic example of my take no prisoners you are going to notice and love me if it kills me attitude was when we did Bye Bye Birdie at the cottage to raise money to keep the local bingo game going. Please feel free to re-read that last sentence ... hilarious is it not?

Anyway, we were doing Bye Bye Birdie and I was of course Kim MacAfee, the Ann Margaret role, and my cousin Pam who is a really talented singer, and clearly too sweet for her own good, was playing Albert Peterson, the Dick Van Dyke role. But here’s the thing. I loved the song Put on a Happy Face, so I explained to Pam, who I love, that I needed to do that song too and of course Pam, being sweet Pam, relented. Every time I think of that story I howl with laughter. The nerve of me, honestly! But you see, I justified it as being for the good of the production. I was, after all, the future STAR.

Cut to: Not a STAR. Wasn’t in the cards clearly. Now some may say it’s because I wasn’t good enough and that may well be true. But I wonder about the timing of it as part of the reason. When I joined the famed Second City in Toronto, I was in a cast of hugely talented people. The cast before us was most of the SCTV people, and I remember thinking at that time, that we had just missed the boat, that timing had not been on our side. And so it has gone for me, my entire career.

Now please do not mistake what I am writing. I am not crying the blues here at all. I am perfectly happy with how things turned out for me. I love my life. Hell, I love life, period. Every second of it. Good and bad. And I also don’t have the sleep patterns to be a STAR! I would go to the Oscars, yes, but would fall asleep on my way to the Governor’s Ball. See? Wasn’t meant to be. On the other hand, when I married my lovely husband, he was a talented but struggling improviser/actor. When I fell in love with him I thought, Great, marrying an improviser! This will pay off in spades!!!  But timing was on his side. He came up just at the time that this old form of performing was going to go viral. His timing was great. It was nothing he did. It was just his time. He brought the talent and timing did the rest.

We all want timing to be with us, don’t we? No matter what we do in life we want something we have said or done to be on the cutting edge. We want one of our ideas or business reports or skills to be ahead of the curve. We want to be fresh and new or to kick off a trend or to see our dreams realized. But it doesn’t happen to all of us and it doesn’t always happen to the deserving (insert Snooky, Kardashian, Paris Hilton photos). But sometimes it is meant to be. So is it fate? Or is it timing? Or is it both? Or is timing a part of fate?

When Colin and I were first married, my STAR was on the rise. Many people have asked me about this and how I feel about being married to someone famous or, as my husband calls himself, “a small ‘c’ celebrity”. People have asked me if I am disappointed with the way things turned out. YES, THEY HAVE, you KNOW it’s true!!! “Gee, I thought you were going to be a STAR, what happened?” Ahhhh, the subtlety of people ... anyway, that’s for another blog.

And here is what I have to say about that. I am a STAR. I am the STAR of my own life. I think I was meant to STAR in my own life-story while it was going on. Who would play me in the Deb McGrath Story? I would, of course! And I do. I am the STAR of Deb McGrath’s life. I have a beautiful trailer which is my home and it resides on a gorgeous set which is our yard and my catering is done by the STAR Colin Mochrie. My wardrobe is perfect for me as if I bought it myself! I watch the Oscars on TV and if I fall asleep in the middle of them it doesn’t matter. No one is taking photos of my cellulite and posting them in the national rags. As for timing? It has been on my side every step of the way. Only it took me a while to realize it.

“Knock, Knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Interrupting cow.”
“Interrupting cow wh..
“MOOOOOOOOO”

Timing is everything.

Barbara: This is sooo interesting, timing-wise! (How many times have we all noted the serendipity of timing here on the blog?!) We were just, all of us here, talking about this. You know, I know a LOT of people who believe (when we speak of it in hushed tones amongst ourselves (who are only the nearest and dearest and most trusted in our lives)) that we/they are/were “destined for greatness”. Those very words: “for greatness”. From young and old alike I’ve heard the term.

My friend and I used to talk often about feeling we were “meant” to live “extraordinary” lives and not “ordinary” ones. The thing is, those of us who feel it, who believe it, who can “taste it”, are very often already leading extraordinarily great lives ... without even being aware of it. And it takes this kind of standing back and observing, of really listening to the truth in your gut, to truly grasp that.

Timing is everything in terms of the kind of “greatness” we’ve grown up to accept—you know, stardom and fame and everyone knowing your name (that and a shit load of luck) … (or maybe those are the same thing)—but if you are one of those who aspire to greatness, you are probably already living greatness in every moment you cope/invent/conquer/overcome/triumph/support/cheer and love. 

55 comments:

  1. I am a star in my own mind. I never wanted fame or fortune, just a good, happy life surrounded by family and friends. I got it in spades and feel gratitude everyday. My life is my life with all it's ins and outs and ups and downs. I never set off to be a star (must be an interesting thought for those that did) but just an ordinary person doing extraordinary things in life. Deb, I loved your story today. You are a star in my book. And before I started reading your blog I had no idea who Colin even was so stardom is in the eyes of the beholder- I think whether you make it to the big time or not. Wonderful thoughts today Deb and Barb. You are stars in my book.

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    1. Thanks ladies, I kind of feel badly about this one now because it does beg the comments like "oh you are too" and "we think you're a star!" . I honestly wasn't fishing for compliments. I just found it a fascinating concept this idea of what we think we will turn out to be verses what we actually turn out to be.

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    2. DEB C'MON WE KNOW THAT!!!!! dont feel bad!

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  2. I love this blog.....it is a thankful blog and very dear. Deb you are a Star in your life and from what I've read in the many beautiful blogs, is that it is full a blessings and shines brightly. And Barb I absolutely love your last line " but if you are one of those who aspire to greatness, you are probably already living greatness in every moment you cope/invent/conquer/overcome/triumph/support/cheer and love. " Shine on!!!

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    1. Thanks Jo, I think those of us, all of us who love our lives are stars in our own life.

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  3. Ok...I am getting used to the whole "OMG DEB I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT THAT!?!?!?! HOW DO YOU DO IT?" But seriously Deb I was thinking about that. WHAT IS UP WITH THE TELEPATHY??!?!??!

    It really means everything. No matter how much you try to get what you want. It happens at the perfect time. And I dont believe in luck or destiny. You girls know that. So Ive got soooooo many opportunities.
    And isnt it amazing how those "timings" come when you least expect them??? And its like...WHOOOOOOOOWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!THAT WAS SOO AWESOME!
    And I always thought timing is always there. There is not RIGHT time. It just comes when we are ready for it, emotionally ready. Because when it comes and if we arent ready...it just bites us in the ass and literally creates chaos!
    So I dont believe anyone is 'destined for greatness' Just expect it. It might wont make you a STAR for billions but it will make you a STAR for yourself and for many cherished souls! (Hi!)

    P.S. Will email you some more interesting things about LOA. Check 'em when you can, my STAR! xo

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  4. Shalaka some interesting food for thought here. Destined for greatness is a huge concept isn't it? But I do believe that people can be meant for greatness and what they do with that decides whether or not they get it.

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  5. HAPPY THANKSGIVING (Part 1) I wrote so much I have to post in two parts : (

    STARS produce light and you and Barb bring light to our worlds every time we come here. What you, Barb and even Colin give of your hearts is much more valuable then any celebrity, big or little C.

    I know timing "is" everything. I too wanted to be a star for all the wrong reasons. You see I discovered I could sing when I was very young and my first audience seemed to like it. I was living in a dark place at the time and to quiet the lonliness I felt, I sang to the horses as I filled their water pails and fed them their hay each morning and night.
    When I was about ten or eleven after moving to upstate NY my music teacher pulled me aside and said she could hear my voice among all the others and would I consider doing a solo at the next concert. I declined simply because my mother did not attend any after school things and I wasn't allowed to join any thing that required me to stay after.
    One day we attended an open house (we were invited because it was a new building that my stepfather, a contractor, built). There was a local country band there and they had what they called open mic. Anyone who wanted to get up and sing could. You have to understand that I am extremely shy and introverted and I have no idea what possessed me to approach that stage but with knees shaking I did. They asked me what key I sang in and I had no idea what that even meant. We picked a song, they worked a little off stage with me to figure out what key I sang in and I sang D-I-V-O-R-C-E by Tammy Wynette (key of D). I was shaking so bad but I found out I could do it and people liked it.

    But the main thing I noticed was it got my mother's attention. After some eleven years of feeling invisible and unimportant to her I had finally got her to pay attention. So I pursued it as best as I could and I sang at every opportunity convinced that it would not only make my mother proud but would get me out of the situation at home as soon as I was "discovered".

    Someone suggested to my mom that I take an instrument so on the sly she arranged guitar lessons once a week. My stepfather came home early one day while I was having my lesson. I was shaking through the whole thing. When the instructor left my stepfather took the guitar and smashed it against a kitchen chair. I stopped lessons and singing then and there. At that moment I stopped caring about my mother's attention, it didn't matter anymore. I am not a STAR either Deb.

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  6. HAPPY THANKSGIVING (Part 2)

    Later on when I was on my own another country band had open mic and I couldn't help myself. I liked the band a lot and would try to go each time they played. I was eighteen and still just as shy but for whatever reason on stage I was someone else. After several weeks of participating in open mic one of the band members asked if I would join them on their next break. At their little meeting they told me. "We've been thinking we need a female vocalist for our group and your it, if you want to do it." Once again I allowed myself to entertain the dream as I traveled and sang every weekend with the Country Gems. One day the rythym guitarist Jim Tooley said his brother in law was getting out of the Air Force and was coming home. He would hire him as the second roadie for the band, his brother in law's name; Sam Stone.

    So yes I still beleive timing is everything because had I not been in the band I never would have met my STAR and Amanda and Ricky wouldn't be my perfect lights. No I never became a STAR either Deb but I wouldn't change anything about my life except the part about losing Sam. My own life has been difficult and some day I will write it all down. I have gained so much from not giving up and taking the part and playing it to the best of my ability.

    And one more little gem about timing. Had I not lost my job of fifteen years and found myself getting more and more depressed I would not have been searching. I was depressed and God forgive me asking myself what I had to live for. My kids were gone and I had no job and no hope of finding something that would pay what I was making before. I couldn't pay my bills and was floundering my only option was to go back to school and I was terrified. Who the hell starts over at middle aged? Then struggling with the impending departure of my son to Las Vegas I was looking at blogs and one day did a search of middle aged bloggers and the rest as they say is history....the timing was perfect.

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    1. Mary, what a story you have. You are such a STAR. Never ever forget that! You are an amazing person!

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    2. Mary!! You are sucha Star!!!!! I love you!!! You are awesome!
      I somehow relate to this story. Coz I wanted to be a star to. I wanted to act, do theater. But I didnt get any encouragement or support from my family and it just faded. But right now I LOVE MY LIFE...!! SO MANY POSSIBILITIES !! I dont care what I do or what happens as long as I makes me happy! :D

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    3. Mary what an incredible story. I am glad you have found a new path and likely it is the one you were meant to find. I'm so sorry that you had to go through so much to get there. But you did. And the timing for the middle ages was a lovely thing to say. I am glad we are a part of your life and so glad you are a part of ours. You have come far Mary. Keep going.

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  7. Mary, I am so glad you found happiness. Sounds like your mother had many issues. Hopefully, you found peace in each performance and found a very fulfilling life.

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    1. It's true isn't it Madge? Sometimes we blame ourselves when we are simply in the line of fire.

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    2. So true Deb. She was clearly put in a position that no child should ever live through.

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    3. Thank you ladies for you compassion and understanding. Everyone who knows me, really knows my story; tells me I should tell the write it and share it but I just don't know how. To be honest there are complete blocks of time I don't even remember but if it would help someone who has gone through or worse is going through the same kind of thing I would do it in a heartbeat. I'm so thankful I didn't give up or I wouldn't have my beautiful kids and especially that little granddaughter of mine!

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  8. While I type this, my cat is furiously pawing the window (resident stray has made a house call on our windowsill.... -___-)

    I don't think I'd ever be cut out for a famous life...then again I may surprise myself. But I like my own little bubble. :] Then again, there are those that are under the spotlight and don't let the fame get to their heads. Those are the real genuine people inside AND out...like you and Barb! ^_^

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    1. Kelly not everyone is it's true. I think that even some stars are not cut out for it but they are pulled into it none the less. Colin's celebrity actually helped him as a person. Given how painfully shy he was when it all began, it forced him out of his shell. It was meant to be for him. Glad the cat found a pal!!

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  9. As Gigi said, "I don't have a world famous personality," so fame was never my aspiration, but you are right. Each in our own way, we want to be on the leading edge, not the trailing one.

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    1. So true and I love that line she said to Gaston. How I love that movie and that character. You have made me want to watch it again. Yes, none of us wants to be the trailer.

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  10. Okay, confession time for me. When I was younger, I wanted to be an actress. Seriously. I mean REALLY wanted it. I did some productions in school and with the local theater and such. Yep, shy, quiet, Steph wanted to act. As I got older, my life changed in many ways and I decided that becoming an educator might be a good career for me. Now, I'm not saying that I've completely thrown out the idea of acting, but it's not on the front burner at the moment. I want to finish school first then maybe I'll give it a try. I really enjoy the feeling of being in front of an audience, of a live performance, of being someone else for a few hours. That is the type of thing that I always loved about acting. Once the production starts, then I'm not shy any more, nor quiet, I'm someone else. I have even seriously considered auditioning at the ASC once I get my English degree, since I know a bit about how they function as a troupe of actors. Who knows?
    Deb, as many others have said and will continue to say, YOU ARE A STAR!!! There are so many types of stars out there, and maybe you are not the kind you thought you would be, but honey, you radiate a most beautiful kind of light. And you are a huge star to Colin and Luke and your parents and so many others.
    Being a witness to your own life...that is being a star.

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    1. Thank you Steph. And as far as your life goes, you can still pursue that dream. Also, I know people who have one job they have and do community theatre for their creative outlet and love it! We don't have to be in a career of the arts to be a part of the arts do we?

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  11. I love the "Bye Bye Birdie" story. Of course you are a STAR, Deb. You are the sun and moon, too! If you were a tabloid star, you wouldn't have time for us here and that would leave us in various chat rooms talking about your cellulite. I love doing improv and I'm very happy to have it in my life (on a small stage with a few adoring admirers). When I was young I wanted to make it BIG, but I had zero support and there was a timing issue, too. Eventually though, some wisdom managed to squeeze its way into my noggin and I realized I had made it BIG! And, I still have top billing. I have the leading role every single day with standing ovations, encore performances, and roses at my feet!

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    1. I love your attitude Eileen! I am so sad to read how many of you were not given support as kids. Such a shame. I hope you have come to see your talent and your worth through your own eyes. It sounds like you have. And thank you.

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  12. Maybe if you were a "star", you wouldn't have started that blog...and we would have never known you....

    I don't have to repeat that I think you and Barb are stars...you are just some of the most amazing and wonderful women I know. ;)

    Timing is a great topic. Hmm...I don't even know, if I believe in destiny or luck...or maybe a mixture of all of them. Sometimes you are at the right place exactly at the right time, and everything just fits. And this little moment can be five seconds...and you just stand there open-mouthed, wide-eyed, and can't believe how easily you could have missed it.

    I never wanted to be a star...Hell, no. But then again, I never knew what I wanted to be...
    Now the only thing I want to be is happy...And as you know...I really want to become a writer. I want to have my own book (not e-book, with real pages :P), and I want to see one single person (I don't know) buying that book...that would be so cool.

    Maybe, someday I'm at the right place at the right time...and it will happen....

    (And if not...I can always dream)

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  13. Becki you have lots of time to be in the right place at the right time. Maybe you even are right now, and don't know it. Thanks so much for the lovely comments.

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  14. Moooooooo :)
    ok sorry but the cow joke made me laugh : )
    Happy belated Turkey Day!!
    I don't know what to respond here....I have been thinking but for some reason my brain is more interested in replaying song lyrics over and over instead of focusing......... Maybe my timing isn't right now :)
    But I love the way of looking at things that you guys have written about and seeing everything that happens as being in the perfect time at that time. Did that make an sense....
    I really think my brain took a day off today lol.
    I shall go wait for the time when my brain gets back : )

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    1. I love the joke too Kasku always makes me laugh! And not to worry you are right on time. Today is Thanksgiving here! And...it did make sense. Thanks.

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    2. Oh my American calendar has lied to me! Said Canada Thanksgiving was Yesterday!! It's a Where's Waldo calendar so maybe they were concentrating on where to hide Waldo and company instead of international holiday accuracy : )
      And I know it was a typo but.... now that you have renamed me Kasku I now have no idea how to pronounce my name LOL : )

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  15. Timing is everything and we all are the stars of our own life. Me and my friend had a joke when we were teenagers. It all started when a teacher asked my friend if she was my companion (tried to look for the right translation, but wasn't able to find one. Basically I am trying to say that the implementation was that she was paid to spend time with me like young girls would be sometimes send to spent time with older relatives). Well of course we were a bit baffled about the idea that she was put to the position of my companion as I wasn't originally local from that area. So this made us create a theory that the central point of the universe is actually my friend and all our lives go around hers. No-one just knew it but us. So if you have had trouble in life and have not quite made it in stardomwise, it is because my friend is the center of the universe. That's why I have had it so good! :))

    When I was really young, I wished to be a star of some sort. Stardom was this glittery thing that was good to be after. Now I won't lie, I have had my picture in the paper couple of times (once because I was wearing a national/regional costume as a kid, once because I was a troll and once because my and one of my friends sold most raffle tickets for scouts) and I have been seen in TV as well (in Japan as an elf, did a thing for a childrens programme dressed as a boy and once part of an ad for an ad.)(Here you will have few seconds before the real ads that inform that there will be ads, so one summer one of the channels did a road trip and "pictured" normal people in a circle going around). Most of these were favours for someone or my opinion was not asked (underaged -> mother decided), so I can't say that I would have pursued my ultimate dream.

    Anyway, after moving few times and living in few countries, I have to say that I could have done so much worse. Yes I was in Florida when Ivan hit there (school was closed for almost a month), but it was an unbeliavable adventure! I got to travel with bus, which made me dare to travel with the bus again later when I was leaving! We were warned that traveling by bus wouldn't be very safe, this is why I was hesitant to travel with bus.

    As it turns out, I am probably going to be unemployed in 1,5 years so this might be my last change for some adventure. I luckily have already started to plan it and am in middle of a moving process. So the timing has again been perfect. I don't know if I will be in middle of big adventure after this job (adventure = travel, travel, travel) but I am making sure that I won't regret for doing nothing later.

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    1. Kasku you have clearly had a good relationship with timing. May it continue to be on your side! I would kill to see your Elf!

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    2. I would like to see it too! I haven't seen it. I do have to say that I was the little evil one... :) I might have thrown snow at the actress that the film crew was following around. (I did have premission to do so, but telling that first doesn't sound as cool.)

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  16. Starring line in that for me: "Cut to: Not a Star." That's brilliant. Because when it comes to our lives, while we are all the star of our own inner drama, what's really important is our ability to live with the reality of what is (or isn't) in our lives. As I kid I don't know that I wanted to be a famous STAR but I sure did want to be noticed. I wanted to MATTER, to stand out, to be important & looked up to. (Isn't that what we really want when we say we want to be a star? to know that we stand out to others, that we matter? And so, in my own effort to do so, I became a writer. And the more my writing was admired, the more important I felt....at least until the moment after the compliment. Over time it became painfully clear that I was NOT a Star. And after even more time, I began to realize that trying to be admired and famous and, let's face it "better than everyone else" was barking up the wrong tree. Being a Star isn't what really matters. Because NOT being a star that inspires us to make true connects, to dig deep into our own souls and figure out what matters not only to us, but to others. NOT being a Star inspired me to figure out HOW I wanted to matter, and more important, as time went on, how to make other people know that they matter. Knowing yourselves and WHY things matter makes all of us better people. And YOU all matter..................

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  17. oh dear. To rewind and rephrase that in cohesive English: "Because IT'S NOT being a Star that inspires us to make true CONNECTIONS AND to dig deep into our own souls TO figure out what matters.....not only to us, but to others.

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    1. Isn't it funny, because I read it that way!

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  18. OHHH!!!! BTW, I showed the VLOG to my mom coz she'll be in the "empty nest" phase soon. And it helped her IMMENSELY!!!!! Geez I love you girls for that! I was worried about her for a while! lol now she is like "Well, atleast I'm not ALONE!" :D
    Btw Deb, She really loved those pink flowers right behind the lounge chairs. And she wants to know what they're called.

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  19. That is wonderful Shalaka. I think in every struggle in our lives the best gift is to not feel alone.

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  20. You're a girl after my own heart, Deb. When my sullen teenager is with me in the lineup at the grocery checkout, I start singing it until he puts on a fake smile.

    People who are not "stars" do not have their biographies in the Canadian Encyclopedia. Just sayin'.

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  21. "Grey skies are gonna clear up" ... is usually as far as he lets me get!

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    1. "and spread sunshine all over the place just..."

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    2. My mother's thing is "The hills are alive!!!!" She wishes she had that talent and sometimes believes she has it.


      I hate "The Sound Of Music."

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  22. No. I refuse to believe that this is all I am. I know what I am capable of. And, I won't stop demanding more of myself and my life until I die.

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  23. You're preaching to the choir when you start talking about "Timing is everything." I will always believe this. Whose Line and the men involved will always be my prime example of the good that can result from GOOD timing. If they weren't touring when I needed them to. If I'd tried to meet someone from a band or something after a show, we all can pretty much guess how it would have gone.

    I also have a timing story about how I got my first really-is-my-major job. I took courses in Clinical Microbiology and needed to do a clinical rotation in order to qualify for certification. (Micro rappin'! Dig it!) I was supposed to go to one hospital but ended up at a Boston hospital. I did 8 weeks in Microbiology, then went down the hall for 4 weeks in Hematology. Meanwhile, back in Micro, a woman's husband had an appointment with INS and she went with him. She never came back. I had an interview during the 4 weeks, and right after I graduated, I had a job in a lab I wasn't even supposed to have gone to. I was there for 15 years.

    I got a part time job that winter in a department store after asking the manager of a department if she was having fun. She said sure, wanna join? Stock? Early, before the store opens? SIGN ME UP!

    I got my star turn last weekend. I played Moving Bodies with Greg as my puppet. Being up there, one HELL of a rush! I'll get my timing down and I'll be up there on my own at some point.

    My time will come.

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    1. I have had the opportunity to find out I do not suffer from stage fright. I've done a couple of tap dance solos, in addition to a couple of numbers with a few ladies, and I couldn't wait to get out there! Ready set go!

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  24. Dawn I think it is so fantastic that you got up there with the guys. And you're right, next time it's your turn!

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  25. *sigh* Timing... It's a good topic, to be sure. And I tried typing out an intelligent and thoughtful reply, but it sounded very much like a tiny pity party, so I scrapped it. Maybe I'll do better tomorrow.

    (Sorry to be so down in the dumps, but a week-long migraine has me convinced that nothing, especially time, is on my side.)

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    1. Oh NO April. I hear you there. I have been there. Awful place. Be well and thanks so much for trying!!!

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  26. Quite frankly Deb, I prefer being the star of my own life...I respect the audience more! Another fantastic blog! x

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  27. Souzan Rezai from Vancouver, BCOctober 9, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    Deb, this post was so great.
    On my seventeenth birthday, my brother came into to my room to find me crying. I wasn't bawling, I wasn't hysterical, but I was just...crying. He asked me what was wrong and I said "It's going to sound really stupid to you." He said that wasn't fair, and I need to at least give him a chance, and so I told him. I told him I was crying because I was getting too old to accomplish something outstanding at a really young age.

    I realize this sounds ridiculous, but I meant it, and still do in so some ways. To his credit, my brother was really great about it; he completely got me, and pointed out that so many of the new young "it" actors and whatnot were actually close to thirty, and had been working for years before getting an actual break, AND that I had already accomplished something outstanding at a young age by having him as a brother... (I know, "badum-ching"...but he was right. He's awesome.)

    And my friends and I have this same conversation about timing in regards to not just our careers-- the 'what if's' of had we taken this opportunity at THAT time, had we gone there, or been here at THIS time what would have happened...

    We have it about our personal lives: had he and I met later, if we had JUST had better timing, would that love have worked out for life...

    I have this conversation often. Sometimes it kind of deflates me, but it's true that if you stop to take stock of all that has happened, and all that you've done in the time that you've had, no one who appreciates their life can have wasted any of it, in my opinion.

    Thanks for this post, Deb, it was really, really great timing. Badum-ching.

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  28. Even though talent-wise I think you deserve every success in the world, in my humble opinion - from what I've seen written on this blog - Debra McGrath the PERSON has been more successful in life than Debra McGrath the STAR could ever be.

    I'd choose you over Ruby Kendall any day ;-)

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