explanation: When I get bored enough, I would daydream
about random stuff and sometimes the stuff is actually worth
writing about. Don't take this page to heart, read this as a
nice break from the average day.
How to Become a Legend:
by Me, August 22, 2002
While half asleep and sipping on coffee, a bunch of people I was with in a restaurant started talking about a person whom some of us knew as far back as six years ago. I was first surprised to hear this name resurface into a conversation after half a decade later and then started daydreaming about a bigger issue. While most people will deny this, one of the fewer certainties in life is that we all want to be remembered by family, friends, and even random strangers as an important person, a "mover/shaker", a legend. With this goal in mind, we all try to create memorable moments or distinguishable remarks when we are with other people. Take me for an example. I attempt to be almost nice, somewhat logical, and funny. While those efforts may be futile at times (okay, most of the time), I always thought that I would stand a chance in the competition for name-recognition in the minds of most people I come across. However, when this name popped up in the restaurant, I realized how low on the food chain of memories I am probably ranked and pondered this about this question: how does someone become a legend? Let's take a look at a few examples.
For the REU kids all across the US, I think we can put Lobo in the legend list. With his "unique" style of hosting conversations and motivating our work, I think everyone can agree that this summer's experience made permanent marks in our minds and we will all tell our kids and grandkids about this some day as a life or horror story.
So, I guess the way to be memorable is to be somewhat controversial and maybe even a little notorious.
But wait, for the Seattle/Bellevue kids, what about this lady whose name we all talked about from time to time and just popped up today in the restaurant conversation? For those who don't know the person I'm talking about, remember the girl who all the guys in Bellevue High School were chasing after junior/senior year, including the man we all knew who lingered on that dream of winning her over but ended in utter and unconditional failure? If you still don't know this celebrity, she probably has enough teddy bears from guys all through her life so President Shrub [1] can replace the Afghanistan's Give-a-Dollar-to-a-Kid-Whose-Home-We-Are-Bombing-so-We-Feel-Better program and just take a plush toy from her room to give to any kid who wants one. This person was anything but notorious. She was fairly normal and had none of the extremities like Anna Nicole or Cindy Crawford. However, she always has this majestic air around almost anyone who meets her and she often becomes the only thought any guy would have at that moment. In fact, she probably can maintain herself to the top of the legend chart forever without even trying. Even more frightening, some of the people I know (including the guy I mentioned here) will probably still mutter her name on their deathbeds decades from now.
So, I guess the better way to be memorable is to follow her ways, whatever they are, and then be . . . normal.
But wait, for the Cornell kids, what about Pete? He is anything but ordinary, taking more credits in one semester than I would even sign up for in a year. While he often has to stick to his books from dusk to dawn and socializes only during designated times, just meeting this guy once would generate enormous respect and almost jealousy. I am sure when the class of 2004 has its reunions, we will all remember how this guy used to take a class in every major offered by the college and none of us would stand a chance on the grading curve when stuck in a small class with him.
So, with all these contradicting examples, I guess all it takes to become a legend is a spontaneous process that somehow leaps in everyone's mind and creates some kind of excitement. With this definition, I guess I still stand a chance of being remembered when people need me to get a 12-pack for them . . .