Does the name "Popeye" sound familiar? "Popeye" is a fictional comic book character, created in the 1930's by Elzie Crislar Segar. Besides Popeye's bulging biceps, he is perhaps most known for his legendary love of spinach, the substance his character needs for strength and power. The strip still runs on Sundays in newspapers across the nation.
With Popeye, you get what you see. A rough and tumble character who has a crusty exterior with an interior heart of gold. Popeye is not a game player and he calls things as he sees them. A recurring line of dialogue from him is, "I yam what I yam and what's all that I yam."
I like Popeye's simplicity, honesty, transparency, and earnestness. He does not pretend to be something he is not and he does not promote himself in any light other than sincerity. I cannot imagine Popeye falsifying records in order to promote himself or to get a job under dishonest pretenses. Popeye is what he says he is.
Sometimes "we" say that "we" are able to perform certain tasks or possess certain skills when the reality couldn't be farther from the truth, yet no one takes the time to ascertain skill levels nor vet the person making the claims of greatness or preparedness. In my line of work, if a person tells me they are the greatest bassoonist in the world, I'll smile and say, "Super!", but reserve true veracity until after I have heard the bassoon played. Of course, if other world-great bassoonists vouch for the playing ability of "my" bassoonist, then I will bow to their expertise and take "Ms. Great's" word for it.
Just because I say that I am great does not make me great nor does it make another person great simply because he or she makes the statement. "I am because I said I am." just doesn't cut it. Prove it.......first.
Bassoon playing speaks louder than words.
Ancora imparo
