the apple does not fall far from the tree

My parents at Movie Club. So stinking cute.

It always amazes me when people can remember they moment they realized they wanted to be a performer. "I was watching so and so movie and just knew I had to do that!" or "I was 5 years old, and my teacher had blah blah blah..." Whatever the story, it always seemed odd to me that the realization "clicked" for some people. 

For me, my eventual vocation was more of a "duh" than an "a-ha" moment, a continuation of a life-long habit rather than a conscious decision. I never really questioned where I was going, I only knew that art and my ideals were the only things that seemed worth pursuing. So I pursued them. 

Or so I thought until one day when I was describing my parents to a friend who had never met them and it hit me - I am my parent's child. I cannot deny that I look identical to my mother any more than I can deny that I became a performer because they are performers. I am a weirdo because, well, they are weirdos.

Growing up my parents belonged to a Movie of the Month club, choosing a movie with friends then decorating the house, dressing up in elaborate costumes, serving food from the movie, even acting out scenes while the movie played. It was here I saw my father cross dress as many a lady, my mother cross-dressing only slightly less frequently. On big birthdays and holidays, our front lawn would be littered with plungers or scarecrows or a random toilet if someone had one, and my parents would sneak out of the house late night to return the favor to their friends on their anniversaries and promotions. 

Driving around town with a urinal in the back of my car, my clown nose tucked safely in my underwear drawer, my naked suit (which I stole from my parents, btw) clean + always ready for action, I am undeniably a member of my family. 
 
Realizing such may not be a grand revelation, but it makes me feel closer to them. Being an artist is a sometimes alienating experience, for many reasons (which I will not go into today, or perhaps, ever), a sensation I didn't take into account when I got started on my own. And while I didn't take over the family business, or stay near home, I truly feel I am continuing the family tradition. 

Wearing costumes. Starting trouble. Having fun :)

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