Act Like That

I was just thinking.......

I was watching some old movie the other day and it seemed like the actors were acting. I became engrossed by this and was imagining why they weren't acting right. Maybe they didn't know how? I don't know. Maybe it's my imagination.

I have never tried acting. That would be taking a chance of failing publicly, and I don't think I could take that kind of rejection. Imagine how awful that could be. Yet on the other hand I have clear memory of crashing my brains out on a moto-cross, in front of many witnesses, and felt empowered by the failure.
"Nope, didn't hurt a bit since I am properly equipped." I lied convincingly, as stars danced in front of my eyes.
"Oh, ya got it on tape.....good." I smiled while feeling like a heated screwdriver had been jammed in my lower back. "Good thing I had this kidney belt, I could have really got hurt with those guys running over me like that."

When I was a child I could act sick to avoid church or school. Or act well, as to access freedom while ill. Later I could act sober around authority figures after slamming down several cocktails. But I never really tried acting drunk when I was sober, I might look stupid. How many times have I heard myself or someone else take on an different character, for alterior motives of varying importance?

Now I hope you can understand my point here, which is merely an observation.

It is reasonable to say that most folks are in fact, quite good actors, given the proper challenge.

Of course, I would also say that I always found it best when I could just get on with it, devil may care.

 

Reviews

[Desert Dreamer]

There are times when we need to act, and I have done my share of acting to fit the situations as required but I find it exhausting. Usually I do whatever comes naturally which isn't always acceptable but I do find that it effects other people in a good way, and makes them feel comfortable to remove their own mask. I think my biggest acting has been when I was working professionally and I solved a lot of technical problems...I'd often act like it was easy, which I thought was best since it was my job and I enjoyed the work, I never explained just how much effort I put into my job even to my manager. I did this because I found it annoying listening to complaints of my coworkers...

I think I prefer my new way of life, I have thrown away the masks, which does leave on a bit vulnerable, but also open for whatever comes along...

Your story is good for thinking...

Your story has no category, it is "A by Tony". How did you do that?

[Raef C. Boylan]

The problem with old movies like that = the scripts; they weren't given decent dialogue, nor did they feel that acting naturally equated acting - it all had to be dramatic and exaggerated.
You're definitely right about people as a whole: we act all the time and a lot of us are scarily good at it.
I liked the way you described trying to behave jovially after the accident with the moto-cross; we've all been there my friend! Sometimes the pain's so bad it's impossible and you just have to tell people 'leave me alone for a minute' otherwise you'll snap at them without meaning to...primitive...which is appropriate really since that used to happen most if I landed on my 'tail-bone'...which is an extremely primitive part of us.
Anyway, good write.

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

A great piece of work.

[rash]

nive tone. interesting theme. "leisurely" pave. devil may care, interesting colloquial. Angel may learn. Demon may laugh. try originality.