I know I have been posting a lot of photos of myself on the blog.
It’s not something I normally do. I usually make fun of people who post lots of photos of themselves on their blogs.
But I was playing with the iPad this evening, and I got a photo of myself in profile.
I liked the photo enough to make it my current Facebook profile picture.
I never smile in photos.
I go with that nineteenth century aesthetic where no one smiles in photographs.
I’m trying to look reflective, not giddy or fake.
That’s what I always think of when I see people forcing a smile in photos.
They are forcing themselves to show an emotion they aren’t experiencing.
I refuse to partake in the charade.
If you ask me, though, I’ll just tell you that I don’t smile in photos because I’m afraid the camera will steal my soul.
But the truth is I don’t want to act for you.
I want to be me.
“trying to look reflective” is no less ‘fake’ than trying to look happy. Come on, say cheese, we know you can do it.
“I don’t smile in photos because I’m afraid the camera will steal my soul.”
TOO LATE! No point fearing that any more. It’s trapped in those pixels now!
“But the truth is I don’t want to act for you.”
Darn. I was sorta hoping you’d do some Charlie Chaplin moves for us, with the dog.
“I want to be me.”
Good luck with THAT. It’s always been easier to just be what we’re told to be. But it’s a noble venture. Sing along everyone (now this song will be stuck in your heads for the rest of the day) “I’ve gotta be me / Daring to try to do it or die …”
Oh, sorry. You prolly hafta be over 50 to know that song. It’s the Sammy Davis Jr version of “I’ve Got To Be Me.” 1968 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I've_Gotta_Be_Me