Hector Luis Alamo, Jr.
I realize that the purpose of this week's assignment was to discuss the experience of interviewing two of the role models whose contact information we listed for last week's assignment. Although I did attempt to reach several of my contacts, I have yet to hear back from any of them, leaving me unable to blog about any exchange with them. Nevertheless, rather than not turning in anything, I thought I might write about my feelings about the whole task of contacting people who I admire and respect in the first place.
IN LIMBO
When I first learned that I would be asked to get in contact with the same people I've come to idolize, I filled with a great sense of excitement and anticipation. Who wouldn't jump at the chance at reaching out to one of his role models? However, when the time came, I was beset by an entirely different range of emotions. In all honesty, the act of simply attempting to get in touch with my role models has been utterly nerve-racking. As human beings, we tend to hold our role models in the highest regard, so much so that they possess an almost mythic status in our eyes; they're seemingly imaginary. Compound that with the fact that these people actually do what it is I want to do—and do it well. This only adds to the intimidation. Many people admire Muhammad Ali, even though they never aspire to be a boxer. Even still, trying to contact the Champ would make anyone weak in the knees. In this aspect, my emailing my role models—respected writers—is like any young boxer stepping into the same gym as Ali.
It's especially unsettling for me, given the fact that I aspire to be a respected columnist and all of my role models are just that. Many of my role models' sole method of public communication is through email, which means that I am forced to introduce myself to them in the same form
they've perfected: the written word. Not only do I dream to attain their heights, emailing them places myself in a position to be judged on my writing skills by experts in the field. Boxers judge other boxers based on their skills in the ring; writers judge others on their mastery of words, making any introduction that much more frightening.
If writing the emails was nearly torturous, the fact that those emails are already sent is proving to be much more excruciating. Just knowing that I will be receiving a response at any moment is gnawing away at my serenity. I will both relish and dread the moment my Outlook inbox indicates that one or more of my recipients have responded. Obviously, I'm looking forward to reading their responses and taking in the advice they lend me, but I think it's human nature to expect the worst, say, a disgruntled letter from a person who wants nothing to do with me.
Whatever the result of this attempt at furthering myself along on my life path, I'm certain it will offer something valuable to the end. Good or bad, encouraging or not, at least I'll be able to say that I tried to contact one of my heroes, someone doing the exact thing I want to do one day. In life, no step can be negative. The worst thing someone can do when chasing his dream is to do absolutely nothing at all. Any step taken is a step towards reaching that goal.
I realize that the purpose of this week's assignment was to discuss the experience of interviewing two of the role models whose contact information we listed for last week's assignment. Although I did attempt to reach several of my contacts, I have yet to hear back from any of them, leaving me unable to blog about any exchange with them. Nevertheless, rather than not turning in anything, I thought I might write about my feelings about the whole task of contacting people who I admire and respect in the first place.
IN LIMBO
When I first learned that I would be asked to get in contact with the same people I've come to idolize, I filled with a great sense of excitement and anticipation. Who wouldn't jump at the chance at reaching out to one of his role models? However, when the time came, I was beset by an entirely different range of emotions. In all honesty, the act of simply attempting to get in touch with my role models has been utterly nerve-racking. As human beings, we tend to hold our role models in the highest regard, so much so that they possess an almost mythic status in our eyes; they're seemingly imaginary. Compound that with the fact that these people actually do what it is I want to do—and do it well. This only adds to the intimidation. Many people admire Muhammad Ali, even though they never aspire to be a boxer. Even still, trying to contact the Champ would make anyone weak in the knees. In this aspect, my emailing my role models—respected writers—is like any young boxer stepping into the same gym as Ali.
It's especially unsettling for me, given the fact that I aspire to be a respected columnist and all of my role models are just that. Many of my role models' sole method of public communication is through email, which means that I am forced to introduce myself to them in the same form
they've perfected: the written word. Not only do I dream to attain their heights, emailing them places myself in a position to be judged on my writing skills by experts in the field. Boxers judge other boxers based on their skills in the ring; writers judge others on their mastery of words, making any introduction that much more frightening.
If writing the emails was nearly torturous, the fact that those emails are already sent is proving to be much more excruciating. Just knowing that I will be receiving a response at any moment is gnawing away at my serenity. I will both relish and dread the moment my Outlook inbox indicates that one or more of my recipients have responded. Obviously, I'm looking forward to reading their responses and taking in the advice they lend me, but I think it's human nature to expect the worst, say, a disgruntled letter from a person who wants nothing to do with me.
Whatever the result of this attempt at furthering myself along on my life path, I'm certain it will offer something valuable to the end. Good or bad, encouraging or not, at least I'll be able to say that I tried to contact one of my heroes, someone doing the exact thing I want to do one day. In life, no step can be negative. The worst thing someone can do when chasing his dream is to do absolutely nothing at all. Any step taken is a step towards reaching that goal.
I totally agree with you. Keep pushing yourself, I truly know & understand what you are going through.
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