Going For It

I've been sucked into another Black Hole of Writing That Does Not Involve Writing Here. I might have a self-indulgent playlist that goes with it, even! Would you like to hear?!

No? OK. Let's talk about something else.

I visited my friend Mary in Phoenix a few weeks ago. The Mary from this story. When we're together, we revert a little back into college mode, laughing at everything, eating massive amounts of carbohydrates (pancakes and hashbrowns should always be acceptable on the same plate), and speaking in that weird sort of shorthand you get with someone who you once hung out with 24 hours a day for multiple days at a time. ("Do you think..." "Yes, it's just like..." "I thought so, too, but what about..." "No, I don't think she would..." "Exactly.")

We also have meandering discussions about Going For It. We both seem to admire Going For It, as demonstrated by various individuals. Brandon Flowers in that feathered matador jacket on SNL? Going For It. Stephenie Meyer writing the most jaw-droppingly insane conclusion to her thousand page vampire saga and inventing a godawful baby name in the process? Going For It. The mad-eyed ladies who storm Phoenix's battered Nordstrom Last Chance in the hopes of scoring a moderately stained L.A.M.B. tote for 60 percent off retail? Going For It.

I think my general admiration of Going For It quite handily explains my sheer love for certain things -- scifi/fantasy books, superhero comics, angsty teen TV, musicals. There are always big stakes and big emotions. Going For It is how you accomplish shit, whether it's making out with Nate Archibald or becoming Masterharper of Pern.

(Incidentally: great essay on the connection between comic fans and musical fans here. This point is addressed!)

But as our talks wandered, it became clear that there are certain instances wherein the awesomeness of Going For It is...questionable. I mean, obviously, if your version of Going For It involves hurting someone or being a big asshole, that's not so cool. But what if it only leads to a mild form of douchebaggery that is just you being you?

OK, so case in point: Mary told me all about a local Arizona celeb who seems to be Going For It in a big way, but in doing so, is kind of insufferable. I'm going to have to fictionalize this a little so as not to offend, so...let's say that Charley moved to Arizona, made a name for himself as an outsider artist, and re-christened himself CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS.  CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS has an entourage of American Apparel-swathed hipsters that follows him everywhere. CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS attracts crowds of even more American Apparel-swathed hipsters with his outsider art. CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS has really become quite the It Dude in the strangely incestuous Phoenix scene.

Now. CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS sounds pretty annoying, right? A bit of a legend in his own mind? A bit easily mockable for taking himself so seriously?

A few rum-and-Cokes into the conversation, Mary and I circled back around to the topic of CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS, and suddenly found ourselves fascinated by his mysterious origin story. According to reliable sources, CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS was initially quite mild-mannered -- more of a Charles, more into lower-case letters -- and very much on the outskirts of the outsider art scene. A true underdog. But when we tried to push for more details, the source clammed up and seemed downright disdainful of the success CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS enjoys. We are still in the dark as to how, exactly, the transformation occurred.

But it did occur -- this is the important part. So couldn't it be said that CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS is the absolute embodiment of Going For It? Did he not become the person he ultimately wanted to be?

Yes, his own personal version of Going For It involves elements that you and I might find sort of irritating. It is easy for us to make fun of his ambitions. But he's still doing his thing the way he wants to do it -- he would absolutely make things happen with Nate Archibald, no question, no hesitation.

And that's why...that's why I think I have to admire him a little. I could potentially learn a lesson or two from the sheer moxie of CHARLEY FRAKKING DANIELS.

After all, I might want to become Masterharper of Pern someday.