Idolising Sports Stars and other Celebrities

From Bani Pera's Thoughts

Last Wednesday evening, I was at Richardson Park in Darwin, to watch a game of Rugby League between a team of Aboriginal All-Stars and an Army team. The All-Stars were led by former Norths, Manly, NSW and Australia international five-eighth, Cliff Lyons. A legend of rugby league who in his late 40s showed he still had the magic touch. David Peachy who only retired recently was also part of this team.

After the game was over, there was Cliff Lyons in the club house and I was so awestruck that I didn't even know what to say to him. "It was Cliff Lyons afterall".

It then caused me to think. There would be several people reading this who would not know who Cliff Lyons (or David Peachy) is and there will also be those who wouldn't care either. Yet I didn't even know how to start a conversation with him, because he is "Cliff Lyons". He's a human being like me but a lot more famous. Does that make him, or other former great players, better than me? Does being awestruck, imply that I am conceding that somebody is better than me or is it a reaction to the high esteem I hold somebody?

This was not my only incident with "famous" people.

I was at a bar with a Brazilian lady friend of mine in Rio De Janeiro back in 2000, when Andre Cegati walked into the bar. Andre who? Exactly my point at the time. He looked like another person to me but my lady friend was speechless. She had to explain to me that he was a famous model in Brazil. He seemed like a humble person and upon being introduced to him, he seemed like a normal person. That was probably because HE WAS a normal person. To me anyway, but not to somebody who knows who "Andre Cegati" is. There are countless incidents with countless "celebrities", but I will not go into all of them.

The broad question I would like to ask is why anyone puts a person of fame on such a high pedestal? Whether it be a sports star, or a Hollywood actress, or a famous rock star, or anyone of any fame and/or fortune.

Is it purely because of fame? Those who don't know Cliff Lyons or Andre Cegati would probably disagree.

Perhaps it is because they have reached the pinnacle in their chosen career. Anyone who has never asked a doctor for their autograph may disagree with that point as well.

Maybe they just live a life of passion (find out how I do it on http://www.lifestyleofmydreams.com/) and it is envy on the part of their fans. Then again, there are loads of people who live a life of passion and are not famous.

So what is it? As a sports fan, I guess I am thankful for the hours of entertainment that these stars have provided. I also appreciate the sacrifices and dedication to get them to where they are at. However, even though an actor or singer or other celebrities have made sacrifices of their own and have dedicated time and effort into getting to where they are, I would not feel awestruck if I saw Nicole Kidman or Celine Dion walk past.

So what is it about Cliff Lyons, or Diego Maradona or Steve Waugh, or Lance Armstrong or Michael Schumacher, etc? I guess to their fans, their feats are so great that they sound unreal. They feel unreal. And although I may not be able to relate to a famous actor (as I myself am not into movies), their fans see them as unreal too.

However everyone knows the truth. They are mere mortals like you and I.

Spending a Year Abroad

Quite fitting that on the week which I am preparing for my trip to Japan, that my first blog post is about living abroad.

For a 3.5 year period between between 2003-2006, I was fortunate enough to be living in working in Japan. I had also spent 2 years in Vanuatu at the turn of the millenium. Therefore I have lived 5.5 years outside of Australia (not including overseas vacations).

Living overseas helped me greatly in developing my independence, expanding my comfort zone, broadening my mind, learning and understanding another culture, as well as creating some great friendships. I am definitely a better person for the experience.

What I would like to suggest is that young Australians (or young Westerners), spend a year abroad. No education at highschool or university will give the same life lessons that a person will learn by living abroad. It should be encouraged from a young age that after highschool or university, that they spend a year in a foreign country, preferably a non-English speaking country, to further help a young person's independence, mindset, social skills, confidence and a lifestime of wonderful memories.

What are your thoughts?