20 Seconds of Fame
Michelle on Apr 04 2007 at 3:40 am | Filed under: The Personal, The Political
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I burnt my face sunbathing on Sunday, so I haven’t been wearing much make-up the past couple of days. I burnt my arms too, and today, I dressed very comfortably. In fact, I looked like I was going to the beach. I could have washed my hair this morning, but I chose to make it go the distance.
This is probably why the local TV station decided to interview me for their “Top Story” tonight on dating violence amongst teens.
Apparently, our liason at the Women’s Shelter had given them my name. They called, and said they’d be right over. I couldn’t think of a good reason to say no. What was I going to say? I’m too fat to be on TV? That I’m worried that my vicious soon-to-be-former-sister-in-law would laugh at the state of disarray my hair was in? That I imagined that I would sound illiterate and embarrass my entire school?
I literally had an anxiety attack waiting for the thing to air. It is a good thing that I didn’t know about this too far in advance, or I would have worked myself into even more of a frenzy. What do you call this–media anxiety? I used to have more self-confidence than this! Damn fat.
No worries. The interview went well, and I just watched it on TV. I didn’t look any fatter than usual, in spite of one of my colleagues’s promises that the camera “adds 30 pounds!” (Thanks a lot, L.) I didn’t really register what they edited out for the clip, as I was focused on whether or not two blemishes that I have were showing, looking at fly-away hair, and the unfortunate tendency of my mouth to look a little on the droopy side unless I am smiling.
Yes, I am superficial. Don’t get me wrong, though. Dating violence is a big deal. At my old school district, a girl was stabbed to death the day after she broke up with her boyfriend. Her last words? “I’m sorry.”
I also hear about it all the time at school. Remember the girl with the bruises? My guys are always talking about what a girl would get from them if she “talked mess” or broke up with them. It is scary. I feel fortunate that I got to give input to the story. If this had been the Oprah show, I could have talked to them for an entire hour about the various domestic violence scenarios that the kids tell me about. Before they arrived, I asked the kids what they thought, and they told me.
I wanted the students to have a voice. No students were interviewed for the story, which was really a shame. They have a lot to say about the topic. Meanwhile, though, they told me they would all be watching tonight! My mom and dad have already called, pleased as punch. My mom told me that she was going to her swimming class tomorrow when she hadn’t planned on it so she could tell everyone that the woman on the news was her daughter.
It’s a small town. We get our thrills where we can find them! In my town, everyone can find their 20 seconds of fame.
ITK code for Singing The Sky:
Ooh, this is very cool!
Kind of ironic, too, don’t you think? You got your parents’ approval! Probably not so much for the important subject matter, but for being on TV.
Heh heh.
But I knew you BEFORE you were famous.
*smug*
Ouch, sunburn! That’s not much fun. We were out today walking down old St. George Street in St. Augustine and I saw one poor woman whose arms, face, and legs looked scalded. I guess that’s the price for enjoying the beautiful weather the past week.
Congratulations on appearing on TV to talk about dating violence. It’s a topic that unfortunately gets swept under the carpet too much. Thanks for helping to make people aware of what’s going on.
Ooh, hay enlace Youtube?
Why the heck is bloglines not updating you? I need to catch up.
Ok, I wrote this long winded comment on your post below, but Blogger hates me and ate it!
And… uh… youtube? Because, I’d love to see this clip of you being famous!
I’m glad you gave voice to this issue, Michelle. Too many woman (and girls) are being hurt and killed at the hands of violent “loved ones” … I read 3 articles in the paper only yesterday of women being killed due to domestic violence this week. How sad that it can start so young. :(( JP
I always run into people I know if I am out without make-up or shower. Isn’t it a rule? I’m glad that you got to enlighten about one of the most common crimes around. Look at what just happened at UW–the poor woman tried everything to stay safe from her ex. I would love to see your moment of fame also; is there any way to make it happen?
Congrats to you! It is a very nerve-wracking experience appearing on television. I am sure you did a wonderful job!
My daughter was a victim of violence when she was in 9th grade. I thought her boyfriend was a really nice kid and it pissed me off that he was so charming. She didn’t date him for very long and was able to break it off because as she told me, “you’ve raised me to not be someone else’s punching bag.” thankfully, when she broke up with him, that was the end of it.
Wouldn’t you know it’d be the day you don’t wash your hair that the TV cameras show up! Anyway, it is scary to think the amount of violence young people seem to face in their world.
Oh, and ditto to the bloglines not updating you comment. What’s up with that?