So It Goes: lost for words

I always think the best gift you can give them is treating them as if they are just the same as you.  

Maybe I am way off the mark.  Maybe they actually love having people adore them.  Maybe they thrive on the exclusiveness and the star appeal.  And maybe the rich truly love the affluence of the flash car and the fancy house.  Maybe having security and being encumbered by an excess of possessions (what happens to them when you die?)  is something they see as a positive attribute.

But I just think it is best to talk to them as you would a neighbour or even a friend.

A long time ago, my husband (40 years with ABC television) worked on the Johnny Farnham (yes, back in the days when he was Johnny) and Debbie Byrne show.  I regularly sat in the studio audience and attended most of the cast parties.

That was the first time in my life I ever remember being lost for words.

“So, Linda, this is Johnny.”  And Johnny was greeted by a mute gawping fish mouth, struggling for words.  Struggling in fact to treat him as a neighbour or friend.  I have to say he was lovely and clearly used to starry eyed women unable to speak, because he simply moved on, probably to the next guppy.  

I felt a tremendous relief that I wouldn’t have to make idle conversation with him.

And now, it has happened again.  This time, I was at the Grand View Hotel, there to see author Jodi Picoult speak.  I thought I had read all of her books, but when she said she had written 24, I realise I have probably only read about half and have a few to go.  But, suffice to say, she is a favourite author.  I like delving into her moral dilemmas and find them a dramatic change from the usual murder mystery fare.

And so I faced my own moral dilemma.  To speak and share the wisdom of the avid reader or keep quiet and try to control my guppy mouth and mushy brain.  Luckily the noise of the room made the decision easy.

I smiled sweetly.  I gave my best intelligent look.  I mouthed a few things and indicated that the noise level was high (there were about 300 other fans present too).  And I used the inspiration of the Johnny moment to move calmly forward.