Sunday #6: And The Award Goes To...
I took a walk this morning, early. I don't always take Sunday morning walks, but I do always think about taking Sunday morning walks. Sunday morning is a great time to take a walk as long as you go before 9am, 10am at the latest. The earlier the better in my book, because this is when the whole city is still mostly sleeping, and you can roam the streets with post-apocalyptic freedom. Unfortunately, the city often looks post-apocalyptic due to the amount of rubbish and general neglect.
On my walk today I went up to the Hollywood Farmer's Market to buy some flowers, and on the way I passed a pair of silver women's heels, sitting by themselves on the curb. I also passed several homeless people's tents, some of which were surrounded with trash, while others were tidy as a button. What makes one homeless person neat and another messy? The easy answer is: mental illness and addiction, but I don't necessarily trust easy answers.
The Market was not yet open, but vendors were busy setting up their stalls and putting out their wares--I suspect that their day starts even earlier than mine. I used to be "one of them" in a way, back when I worked for a catering company and would go downtown to the produce mart at 4am to pick up the vegetables for the day. There is a certain buzz at that time of the morning that most people will never be aware of--it is the buzz of the city's workers putting the city in order for those who are privileged enough to sleep through the setup. Despite the early hours and the difficult physicality of the work, I always noticed a humility and silent pride in those who were doing the work--they seemed grateful to be working and also accepting of the fact that this is the only work they could probably get. A little humility can go a long way, and many Angelinos would be better off were they to experience some.
While I was waiting for the Market to get set up, I wandered up to Hollywood Blvd. to see what was happening. It was quiet, nearly deserted, and a few blocks to the west I could see the street barriers that indicated the beginning of the closed off section. One can walk past the barriers, to a point, before they are stopped by security from going further. They hold the awards at the Dolby Theater on the boulevard, and this affects Hollywood traffic the whole week beforehand. In addition, the after parties often require street closures in order to set up, so drivers naturally lose their shit as though this has never happened before. Is it possible that there is someone living in Hollywood who is not aware that the Academy Awards are happening today? Perhaps. But I am not among them.
I have watched the awards every year since my early 20's. Back then I would devote the entire day to the enterprise, making sure that I was in front of the television around 2pm when the pre-award shows generally would begin. I would watch with interest as the newscasters struggles to "fill time" while waiting for the stars to arrive. They did arrive, of course, and you could rank their importance by their arrival time: the earlier you arrive the less important you are. By the time the show started at 5pm, I had already concluded who was wearing the best dress.
Over the years, I watch less and less, and start later and later. I no longer need to catch the early pre-shows--I am content to watch what happens from 4 o'clock on...sometimes. I like to watch the show, but I get frustrated if I pay it too much attention, because they no longer give out awards based on the merits of the picture--the give them out based on how much money was spent to promote the film. Granted, sometimes they get it right, but honestly, when I think about last year, all I can say is "Greenbook--really?".
I will notice that there are three types of acceptance speeches given by those who are fortunate enough to approach the podium. The first is often given by the A-list stars who win, and it consists of a passionless recital of everyone who has a stake in their career. The second is also often given by A-list winners, but is different in that in this speech names are seldom mentioned. Instead they use the time to talk about their favorite social issue. I have mixed feelings about this, and I will leave it at that. The third type of speech is usually given by those who win in the lesser categories, or by foreign winners, and these speeches are worth the watch. These winners probably flew coach to Los Angeles and are wearing clothes that they bought off the rack or were hanging in their closet. These speeches are often full of spontaneity and true gratitude, excitement and tears, disbelief and joy. They are often funny and personal. They are a sight to behold. These are the winners for whom an Oscar can be life-changing.
What is the difference between these three? The way I see it, the first two categories of winners treat the award as a means, while for the latter it is an end. I have been writing a lot about means and ends lately, having been exposed to Kant's take on the human condition and his Formula of Humanity, which states that one shall never treat oneself or another merely as a means, but always as an end in itself. In this essay I am extending this philosophy to accomplishments as well, simply because I notice that those who treat accomplishments as a means don't seem to enjoy the accomplishment very much.
You are winning an Oscar, kiddo. That used to mean something to those who won and those who watch films. Today, perhaps less so, as more and more people see everything as a means and never an end in itself. That's a shame, but the good news is that I don't have to follow this trend blindly. As I walk through the empty rubbish-strewn Hollywood streets, I am quite content to think no further than the next step I am about to take. For some reason, this makes even the rubbish less bothersome.
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