Revolving Icons

I like to keep my icons and role models on a revolving basis. There are times when I find some men and women whom I dearly admire and respect to be exposed at their worst moments. Without getting too long-winded, I often hear about Teddy Kennedy and the wonderful things he did throughout the course of his life, and most significantly - toward his latter years. But, nonetheless, when I hear the name Edward Kennedy - the first thing I associate with him is the incident at chappaquiddick. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the accident, please refer to some online source. Anyhow, it is ultimately impossible to pinpoint one icon or role model to be your forever inspiration, as we all know that humans are synonymous with imperfection (and for those with spiritual or religious icons, this point-of-view is coming from a strictly human & tangible basis). But at this brief juncture in my existence, I have recently (within the past 24 hours) stumbled across two figures who I have found to be of the utmost inspiration because of one singular move they made within their lives. This is not to say that I plan to buy a framed vintage photo of either, read their respective autobiographies or try to force my beliefs upon another person - but rather to make a critical point that I hope might be of some importance or relevance to you, and hopefully, in time, to myself. 

This afternoon I sat down to screen Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket. As an unpretentious, mostly uninformed student of Film, I have greatly changed my viewing habits when watching a movie. That being said, I keep my computer at hand whenever screening something by myself, as I can't go a mere 5 minutes without curiosity regarding the plot, the cost, the soundtrack, the actor/director/DP/producer bios, etc. 

As it turns out, R. Lee Ermy was a former drill sargent, something that is quite common knowledge seeing how his popularity has become a cultural phenomenon over the past 20 years, and many of us who watch TV and Film have become familiar with this historical anecdote. But, when Kubrick made the film, Ermy was hired on as a technical advisor - obviously for purposes of authenticity. But Ermy's move was critical to the way the rest of his life would unfold. He told Kubrick he would like to audition, and he was denied. However, Ermy made a 20-minute audition tape, improvisng insanely witty and high-charged Drill-type rants. Needless to say he nailed it. Kubrick is quoted as saying, "Ermy was a genius for this part." Boom. Ermy was a staple to Kubrick's film. 

The other night, a couple buddies of mine were having a conversation over drinks about music and we passed the conversational ball around again and again, until someone said: "Listen to Marty Robbins', 'The Ballad of the Alamo.'" Of course I failed to do this until the next day he sent me a video for the song, with the appropriate art applied in the background of the youtube video (see the menu at San Antonio's Alamo Cafe). By the way, they have some deliciously strong margaritas. 

After listening to it, and enjoying it for the most part - I did a wiki search on Mr. Robbins (as I truthfully only know his name by way of a Robert Earl Keen song), and to my bewilderment - discovered that he was also a NASCAR driver on the side. 

The story goes as follows:

May 7, 1972 Winston 500
Talladega, AL 1972 Dodge #42
Started 9, Finished 18th but disqualified himself for running the last 100 miles without carburetor restrictor plates. Marty also refused to accept the "Rookie of the Race" award, the money for an 18th place finish, or the Grand National Driver points. Marty was given $745 for a 50th place finish, and fined $250 by NASCAR.

In light of the cheating, Robbins' honesty is so unique, especially when fame and pressure are paramount in the celebrity culture. Yes, the doping of baseball players, Marion Jones, Floyd Landis (biking culture in general) really shows that their is a huge cultural dishonesty in the world. But this isn't groundbreaking information - we all know what is and has been going on. The story moral with Robbins is that: Hey, here is a guy who is pushing the limits, testing himself and when we did ever so well, he came forth and said, 'I don't deserve this.' There is a better narrative version on wikipedia, look for it there. 

In conclusion, this posting is testament to the idea that one right move can 1) change your life for the better 2) engrave your name eternally as an upright & honest man - something that isn't commonplace in the 21st century. God Bless & God Speed.