Admire people who make uncool activities seem fun.

Note: I run into a lot of celebrities. This can be a gift or a curse, but most often these are fleeting interactions that involve a hobby of mine (I reinterpret people’s work; sometimes they find out about it and slide on over to check me out).

Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t meet your heroes?” I disagree with that saying. As a kid, I met a lot of famous people (David Lynch, Richard Farnsworth, Trace Adkins, Renee Zellweger, Vincent D’Onfrio, Adrian Pasdar, Jerry London, Nancy McKeon, and so on), and I developed an early sense that some people were famous because they have something to offer. Other famous people are just… there, and they are best left alone.

It’s been a crazy few weeks for me. I was finally connecting with Michelle Trachtenberg (a childhood dream), but… as you might have heard… she suddenly died from liver-transplant complications. One of the comics I admire went from famous and successful to red hot and in-demand. I met Dan Levy, which blew my mind (he’s super cool because of course he is). He saw a thing I did with Misha Collins and we were able to lump in a message from Dan for a part two. I was so happy I think I died a little.

Synchronicity is weird. I probably won’t meet him, but one person who keeps appearing in my periphery is Jeff Goldblum. This makes sense because I’m a jazz geek, I dig brass-wind players from the 90’s, and Mr. Goldblum is active on a social media platform I use regularly. He’s a veteran jazz cat and he appears in the background of several properties I cover. On a whim, I decided to follow him on social media just as he was dumping a ton of photos of hanging out with his young family.

Seeing a man his age doing that is personally inspiring, and that’s the point of this post. He’s going to places I would never visit on my own, and it’s likely he would never go there by himself either… but he’s going. Now, I don’t know him, but I get the sense that he’s accentuating the existing energy at his feet and letting fun thrive, which is a trait I see in a lot of people I admire. Another comic I really enjoy (who tends to watch my stuff) presents herself to be a super grumpy lesbian, and it works because after a few moments it’s clear to see that she’s one of those people who give anything a fair shot. She sees the opportunity to exist alongside events and perspectives that… blow. lol In order words, she and Goldblum and many other people I admire allow themselves to be impressed in spaces that aren’t very promising.

I think this is a gulf that separates many people from living their best lives. I’ve stood by as actors ruin the vibe on set for everybody, just because their own tunnel-vision precludes any sense of enjoyment. I’ve seen musicians make the most of an objectively lame set-up. I’ve watched funny people draw out the best in their audience moments after a heckler loses their shit, and I’ve had chance encounters with famous strangers who happen to be genuine and deep fellow travelers. All of the good things I just mentioned come from the ability to step back and riff off of another person’s definition of happiness, putting our own negative ideas or fears aside, and celebrating.

I hope you get to do something cool today, whether it’s your personal definition of cool (you’re at the center) or if it’s someone else’s definition of cool (you’re on the sidelines). Let joy exist around you, and keep the joy alive without souring it for everyone else.

Alright, that’s all I’ve got. ✌️