CRUISE CONTROL

They replayed the episode of Tom Cruise on Oprah today.  The one that “started it all”.  “All” meaning the hubbub about Tom being half out of his gourd because of the way he behaved on the show. 

So I watched it. 

I saw what’s been called the “over the top” behavior.  I watched him “go berserk”.  I have to say, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.  Strange at times, sure, but not THAT big of a deal.  To tell the truth, I was disappointed.  And not just because I didn’t see his head spin around and watch him levitate 6 inches off the ground the way I expected after all the hype.  But because he was – um – how should I say this – boring.

Yes, he jumped up on the couch.

Yes, he proclaimed his love.

Yes, he kept going down on one knee and doing a “I’m starting the lawnmower” type move with his right arm. (and doing it and doing it)

But all in all, I have to say …

He didn’t really say much.

He talked about his movie, The War of the Worlds.  I guess that was all right.  He talked about Katie and that was okay too.  But overall, man oh man was he a snoozer.  Which just goes to show you, talented people aren’t necessarily interesting people. 

And just because someone is talented doesn’t necessarily mean I want to hang out with them.  Talent does not equal sociability.

Take Mr. Contino for example.  He was my oboe coach when I was in high school – yes, I had a coach – for the oboe.  He was very talented.  He also had breath that could drop a horse.  Every week I would walk into the very small room where we had my lesson and make a beeline for the window to open it.  I remember doing this once during a typical Indiana ice storm.  It wasn’t easy to explain.  But it was necessary.

Or Dr. Harmes who was my calculus professor in college.  He was talented.  He also could get a night job as a sleep therapist – or during the day for that matter. In a room with bright white lights.  And a Yoko Ono album playing.

Or anyone who sings barber shop. 

I think you get my point.

So now I’m wondering – are talent and sociability mutually exclusive?  Can you be talented – and still be social? If you are extremely gifted – can you “fit in”?

And if not, would I rather be talented or social?

Comments

[Beek]

OMG, I am laughing out loud. Remember when Mr. Contino wanted you to use his oboe reed?! That's bogue.

So, here's my theory on the whole talented vs. social thing: We are all given a certain number of "points" in life (let's face it, it's all math) and sometimes we are strong in one category which leaves not so many points left for another category. So while Tom is killing them on screen, he's a half-bake in the relationship department (this from secondary sources).

I believe this explains Einstein with no pants, Mozart with no tact, Martha with no personality, etc. You, of course, being the exception : )

[Jenne]

Yes. Exactly.