Thursday, January 9, 2014

My 15 Seconds (Or Less) of Fame

Think fast!  You just never know when your moment will come.

In my 61st year, I finally achieved a moment of local fame, at least with people I know.

Tuesday, I was interviewed for a local TV "person on the street" feature.  It happened like this:

Our temperature peaked, at midnight, at 48 degrees.  By noontime, it was touching freezing, with the wind whipping, and I knew it wouldn't end until we went below zero. (For those not using the F temperature system, zero is really, really cold.)

I hadn't seen my walking partner in perhaps a month or so, where I work in downtown Binghamton, New York. I was pleased but surprised when she messaged me and asked if I wanted to walk with her to her bank.  Well, I did want to get out, and out we went, fighting the wind. 

On a street corner, there was a young woman standing in that cold wind, next to a camera on a tripod.  On the sidewalk underneath the camera was a microphone.  She looked lonely.

We quickly walked past her, fighting the wind, and she watched us, not saying anything.

On the way back, about 10 minutes later, my walking partner (who is a very sociable person, unlike the shy yours truly) went up to the woman, and sympathized with her needing to stand there.  At that point, she asked us if we wanted to be interviewed. "Only if it's quick!" my companion replied.

She talked to both of us and asked me to go first.  She told me to stand in an exact place and look at an exact place.  And, during all this, my mind is churning away.  I did have an opinion on the topic but I wanted to say something smart, or at least coherent.  (I'm not providing a link because the topic might not be considered appropriate to a blog challenge I'm participating in).

The topic is one being discussed widely here in upstate New York because we may be following some other states' paths in legalizing something (for medical use) that has been illegal throughout the United States for a long time. 

It turned out the reporter is originally from a state that has gone all the way in legalizing this thing. We chatted briefly.  Then came the magic moment.  My 15 (or 10?) seconds of fame had arrived.  Would I be up to the challenge?

I think I did quite well. I seem poised and yes, I was coherent. 

So I saw myself on TV for one of the few times in my life, and I'm told the interview was repeated three times that evening.

And all I could think of, looking at myself, was:

"Gee!  My new glasses look pretty nice on me, don't they?"

Have you ever had a chance to be interviewed, unexpectedly?  How did you do?

11 comments:

  1. Ah, the price of fame! I've had that opportunity- if that's what you call it when a n interviewer is blocking the sidewalk or access to a building I plan to enter- to share my thoughts with an unsuspecting public, too!
    At least your glasses were not blown off!

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    1. I bet you are quite the interview, Roy - you know so much about so many things, and I can't believe you would ever be stumped by a question.

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  2. Hi Alana. No, I haven't ever been interviewed or had any sort of 5 minutes of fame opportunities. I think I would want lots of time to prepare! Well done for being coherent and I'm glad your glasses suit you! I enjoyed reading about your 15 seconds of fame. Andrea

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    1. Thank you. It took me 61 to get my opportunity - perhaps you will have an opportunity (with plenty of time to prepare) one day.

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  3. I was interviewed twice, although it wasn't unexpectedly. :) Still, even the moments when you think you're all planned for it - it still takes the wind our of your sails!

    So.. are you for or against the legalization of the substance, which we both know what it is. :)

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    1. Medicinal, I'm for legalization Recreationa I'm not so sure about although I do support decriminalization. I want to see how the Colorado experience goes. One concern in Colorado is that recreational "substance" will be heavily taxed, while medicinal "substance" won't be. My understanding is that New York, if they legalize recreational, will follow the Colorado model.

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  4. Lovely post :) I had this dance recital (note - I am a danseuse) back in 1999. After the performance, the local channel reporter walks up to me says he wants to interview me about the art I learn. And I was scared to my knees. I felt my heart coming out of my throat. I asked him if I could get a couple of mins to prepare after every question and he said - "I can give you time but the cameraman here may get a little annoyed." Ha ha ! But when I saw it on TV after a week, I think I did well. :) Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I'm happy your experience worked out well after having so much fright. I'm sure you did a good job promoting your art.

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  5. ah this is nice. i am still waiting for that moment. you can cherish it is a good gift to start this new year.

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  6. Live sharing your experience. I have been interviewed several times, mostly in my youth. It's nerve-wracking. The latest time was arranged when my local paper interviewed me about the launch of my first book. I felt quite sure of myself until the time arrived. Then, all sense left me. So you did well.

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  7. That's awesome! I'm not sure if I could cope during an interview. I crumble a bit under pressure!

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