My Real Memoir
“You’re so full of dreams, I gotta kiss you just to shut you up!” (from my novel Healing River). Those could have been my girlfriend Marty’s words the day we graduated from high school. Yes, I was bursting with dreams. But no problem, my head was big enough to contain them all. Although I did complain to my pen pal Judy (above) about carrying the millstone of such an oversized intellect. Poor me.
Yes, my ego was bulging. After all, that senior year I’d shared my school’s “Most Talented” designation, performed nonstop in plays and concerts, received a Bank of America acting scholarship, and had my band The Daily Planet chosen as one America’s three “best new music groups!” Even my friends bought into the burgeoning glory bit, using phrases in their yearbook inscriptions like “remember me when you’re famous!”
So, no, I wasn’t lacking in confidence. What I was lacking in was self-discipline. I loved conceiving things — but not so much finishing them. I’d begun writing an epic Irish folk-rock song about a mythical hero named Perish O’Neil, and in anticipation of its becoming a classic actually had my yearbook cover engraved “Perish O’Neil Teemley.” But I never finished the song. Result? I missed out on a lot of farewell notes from friends who had no idea who “Perish O’Neil” was. (Interestingly, I learned years later that I am, in fact, descended from the Irish clan of O’Neill.)
Next, (in my head) I expanded the epic song idea into a full-blown semi-autobiographical rock musical to be sung, played, and acted by my band! I got as far as the idea and two title designs (I loved inventing typestyles). A year later, some English band called The Who stole my idea with a “rock opera” called Tommy (I loved it, actually, and still do).
We did convince our band’s only non-actor, drummer Joey, however, to audition for a community musical production with us, entitled 110° in the Shade, directed by our high school drama mentor Mr. Baker. It would be our final nod to the otherwise insignificant little burb that would forever be known as “the place The Daily Planet came from.” I mean, admit it, that’s the first thing you think of when someone mentions “La Mirada,” right?
The play’s bigger-than-life dreamer, Starbuck (Burt Lancaster in The Rainmaker, the non-musical movie version) remains one of my favorite roles ever. Mr. Baker knew beforehand, he told me, that he’d be casting me in the part, because, “Face it, Mitch, you are Starbuck.”
After the closing night party, The Daily Planet left, trailing multi-colored hoopla in our wake, and drove directly to our hotel in Hollywood, where the next day we’d begin work on our upcoming ABC music special. Before bed, we stood on the balcony in our BVDs, shouting, “Stardom, here we come!” And that dream came true…
In our heads, at least.
My Real Memoir is a series. To read the next one, click here.
Well, we’re only young once, right? 😉
And forever (in my head), Liz.
😀
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Big dreams, Mitch! It doesn’t sound like you were too off the mark. I’m impressed with your accomplishments.
Thanks, Kellye! But, oh, what I could have accomplished if I’d followed through on even half of them.
Mitch, I can relate. I have GRRRRADUALY learned self-discipline, out of necessity, because I found that the Lord would heal me … as long as I practice a healthy lifestyle. (I practice self-control, because I don’t like pain. :/ ) As for having a lot of dreams, I don’t see that as a bad thing. If you dream big and only do half the things you dream of doing, isn’t that better than having a few puny goals and accomplishing all of them? It’s a kind of “brainstorming” – having a bunch of projects going for a while to see which one “takes off.” If you’ve ever been surprised to see which ideas turned out to be the best ones, you know it’s worthwhile to have options.
At least as a dreamer with ADHD, that’s my theory, and I’m sticking to it. 😉
Whatever dreams didn’t come to fruition, still, when you look back, aren’t you amazed at what you (actually the Lord) accomplished?
It’s true, Annie, we do “grrrradually learn self-discipline,” as you put it, and more importantly a some hard-won humility, along the way.
Ah, yes, the humility thing… As my father used to say, “I have a lot to be humble ABOUT…” 😏🙄
Is this still you, Annie? It’s labelled “Anonymous” (thanks, WordPress).
Cheers to you being the ‘bigger-than-life dreamer’ – never let go of it!!!!!
Aw, thanks, AW.
Amazing! I wonderd how your MumDad coped with such a idea filled and accomplished young person?
Mom was proud. Dad was guardedly supportive, but figured I’d need a real job when it all blew over.
Yes, that seems to be the way generally. I wonder if this will change? Mum more concerned with a wage, and Dad happy for creativity. It could be interesting to see what happens.
Could be, Sandy. My guess it will become more varied, pegged to individual parent’s personalities.
You had many dreams, some came true, Mitch.
True, Miriam.
🙂
Your confidence certainly helped you accomplish a lot in the nonacademics in high school.
“Non-academics” is the word, Nancy. I was typically ADHD (although we didn’t have a word for it back then) in that if it didn’t stimulate me it didn’t get my attention.
Wow, just relived my high school years, including failing Spanish and undefined disorders, and little Joey the drummer, Mr. Baker and 110 in shade, our Alma Mater and so much more! Oh, and in my mind, I’m 23…every birthday. Now if the body would only cooperate, right!?! 😅
;>) Oh, our criss-crossing paths, Dori. And now, here we are at age 23!
🤭😅 YES! Isn’t it grand!!!?!!
Speaking of dreams… I had a drunk dream last night. I dreamt that I was drinking the world’s largest margarita.
When I got up this morning to go to the bathroom, there was salt all over the toilet seat.
;>) Dare I add “rim shot”?
The young are often confident! And I don’t blame you, after the way your high school years went!
True, Ann. They were, as the Brits say, my “salad days.” After that things got a bit dicier.
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