One thing comes to mind…It takes a big person to not only admit jealousy but speak about it and commend the person who caused this stir of emotion. We all have an idea of who we thought or think we want to be and there is often someone out there who defines that image we have in our head. What I have found is that rather than focus that jealousy (which is  actually admiration) on trying to compete with that person or trying to be like them, it is better to learn from them and figure out how they were able to accomplish what they have and apply that to my own life. I always say to people….don’t compete or focus on wanting someone to fail…learn from them and bring yourself up while doing so. As the saying goes….the grass is always greener! Admiration is the new jealousy! Thanks for starting the trend Will!!   I really enjoyed reading this and thankful to LGA airport for the 5 hour layover that allowed Will the time to write it!  Here’s to  supporting those we admire and wishing them the best! -Julia

Notes From The Field – Clarity Borne Back Ceaselessly From My Past

That title is a liberty I have taken with the final line of the classic novel “The Great Gatsby.”   You’ll see why in a second.

Long ago in a land far away, when I was dutifully squandering my parents’ money on a liberal arts education (and when I say “liberal”, I mean L-I-B-E-R-A-L…and “arts” didn’t really figure into my day to day pursuits while in college, although I suppose I did raise the level of certain activities to an art form) I had a somewhat distant acquaintance with a guy.  We had a few classes together, and shared a bon mot or two as we passed each other on campus.

One day in the dining hall (and I doubt he remembers this) he was holding court with a table full of coeds – an activity to which I certainly aspired, but could never quite get together on my own.  He was sporting his long hair in a ponytail, assuming a happening bohemian-type look that was then (and especially now) beyond my reach.  As I passed the table, I announced to the person I was with (ostensibly within earshot of the table, but I can’t be sure) that his hairstyle made it appear as though he was relieving himself out the back of his head.  I used much more colorful language, but for the sake of decorum I won’t recount the precise syntax.

We didn’t talk much after that.

Years of hindsight make me understand my remarks were borne of pure jealousy (why the hell weren’t those lithesome coeds hanging with ME, dammit?); said jealousy reared its head once again when I came across this guy’s latest book, “Rock And Roll Will Save Your Life” last week.

He has become a writer, for crying out loud.  Writing about his love of music and all things related.  His long-ago coed-seducing abilities pale in comparison – now I’m REALLY jealous.

Out of respect, or jealousy, or (really) the hope that the book completely and totally stunk…I got a copy.  God forbid he get a little comeuppance….it was really, really good.  Perhaps only for a guy like me, however – one who would read with relish a line-by-line analysis of the song “Africa” by the band Toto, or can accept the premise that a Styx album from the 1970s is tantamount to the Rosetta Stone.  Subject matter aside, however, it is truly well written and entertaining.

A certain passage truly struck me deeply —  as a businessman, a father, a husband, and a person – I would hope that the author (his name, by the way, is Steve Almond – look him up!) found as much pleasure and satisfaction in writing it as I did reading it.  It is, in my humble opinion, his own version of the closing of “The Great Gatsby” – a memorable piece of writing that is both art, philosophy, panic, joy and sadness all wrapped into one.  It is about (among other things) having goals, and continuing to strive for them in the face of adversity, obstacles and difficulties.  Steve’s piece rings true for today, as it touches on a similar theme, within the context of today’s culture of Britney, Paris and Lindsay.

The piece is the result of his interview with a famous musician, one who demonstrates that he is not full of artifice and pretension, but actually a warm, smart, sensitive human being, unsullied by the trappings of rock stardom.  I transcribe it below:

(NOTE: in transcribing this, I realize I am likely violating a million copyright laws – I believe the following statement should absolve me and Shoebiznesss from any apparent wrongdoing:

The following passage is lovingly transcribed from author Steve Almond’s book “Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life.”  It is reprinted here without permission, but solely for the purpose of helping promote his book and backing up a valuable life lesson.

Hopefully that will satisfy the lawyers.)

“…so often in my life, I’d assumed that the only score that mattered was the one for artistic merit and that I was duty-bound to screw up everything else on its behalf.  That wasn’t how I wanted to measure success anymore.  I wanted to be a loving husband and father, a good friend, a conscientious citizen, and someone whose life affirmed the compassion of his work.  Maybe that meant that I’d never be anything but a mid-list toiler. 

But did I need to be anything more?  Isn’t the very concept of “fame” a modern pathology?  For most of our history as a species, after all, fame didn’t even exist.  The only true celebrities were figures from mythology or religious stories.  And there was no commercial barrier to creative expression.  It was enough to be able to sing, or tell a story, or ride a horse with grace OR MAKE A BEAUTIFUL SHOE (CAPS mine!) – these talents were recognized for the immediate pleasures they provided.

But somewhere along the line we’d convinced ourselves that acts of imagination only had value if strangers would pay for them, or if they won fancy prizes, or if critics decided they had merit, notions that created the Myth Of The Suffering Artist…because now, artists had to worry about these vile forms of regard.”

Beautiful.  Especially the part about the shoe (you didn’t realize what you were getting into by writing that, did you, Stevie-boy?).  But it’s great food for thought when we consider that we spend our time worrying about how others will see us instead of the quality of work, art or relationships we are creating.  And the fact that the impetus for that entire diatribe is Dave Grohl, once the drummer for Nirvana and now front man for the Foo Fighters, only adds to the imperative that none of us fall prey to worrying about what others think.  If someone of that magnitude and artistic accomplishment is unconcerned with those “vile forms of regard”, I’ll think twice about how I view my own accomplishments.

Does this mean I’m going to stop trying, stop breaking my butt, stop selling, stop being the best I can be?  Am I content to be a “mid-list toiler”?  Hardly.  But the metrics by which success or achievement are measured are not necessarily absolutes, or easily defined.  And – hopefully – being the best you can be results in success by all metrics…my own, and the world’s.

To Steve Almond — a thank you and an apology:

- thanks for a beautiful piece of art

- I sincerely apologize for saying that the back of your head looked like it was taking a dump.  Hopefully it worked out with the coeds. 

- and my apology includes a link so Shoebizness readers can buy your book:

http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Will-Save-Your/dp/1400066204

William Weiss

National Director Of Sales

Hush Puppies, USA

Best regards,

William Weiss

National Director of Sales

Hush Puppies USA

william.weiss@wwwinc.com

(203) 746-3620