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June 16, 2011

Caught in the Act (A Mama Kat Writing Prompt)

It is Mama Kat prompt day. Here’s my prompt:

If Social Media died tomorrow, describe another hobby you might get into.
If you are reading this, I am guessing you are least mildly pro-social media (or you are a social media hater who is being punished by being required to read blog posts written by people you don’t even know). If you’re like me, you would feel pretty bereft if social media died tomorrow. How would I fill the time?
The hobby I “might get into” is something I am already “into” but I would probably be able to focus on it a bit more if I weren’t blogging, Facebooking, or Tweeting (or DailyMiling or LoseIting or my latest, IDoneThising). I would do more acting classes, volunteer more with the FSU Film School, and dabble more in live theatre.

(One of the things I do as a volunteer is help find locations, such as this “teenage girl bedroom”.)
When asked, I usually say that I started hearing the siren call of acting and filmmaking when I got tired of sitting in the waiting area while my kids auditioned for FSU Film projects. I decided “I might as well audition too!”. Then my friend Duane reminded me that I had, after all, played Sue Ellen Ewing (from Dallas) in a high school production back in 1982. For some reason it does not surprise me that I have totally blanked that out of my memory bank!
(No more Sue Ellen Ewing for me; I have moved on to a respectable “career” in the faux medical field!)
I have so much to learn about acting and am frequently in the presence of stellar amateur (and some professional) actors whose talents stun me. What I do know is that I learn something about myself each time I audition or am fortunate enough to be an extra or actor in a production. And I walk away, without fail, mystified at the paradox of how pretending to be someone you are not somehow brings you closer to who you really are.

Mama's
BONUS! I guess it is fortuitous that I wrote a prompt about the “end” of social media the same week the comedy sketch that satirizes Facebook, in which I was an extra, was released on YouTube. Here it is (fyi it contains language that will make some of you want to press play immediately and some of you want to skip it!)

Paula Kiger
Paula Kiger

Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.

Filed Under: Bottom of the Barrel, FSU Film, Mama Kat Writers' Workshop, social media

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lex the mom says

    June 16, 2011 at 6:36 am

    I thoroughly enjoyed that video! I think I've seen all of that. Yeah, it's “art”… Too funny!

    I would be broken if social media just went away from my life. Even though I sometimes ignore it, it'd be hard to live without it.

    I'd take up many more activities that nurture my creativity. Photography, jewelry making, writing, etc.

    Reply
  2. angie says

    June 16, 2011 at 6:51 am

    How cool to be in that video! If I wasn't online as much, I might be attempting to write that novel I've always meant to…..:)

    Reply
  3. RedWriter says

    June 16, 2011 at 9:20 am

    🙂 very entertaining. Let's hope social media keeps flowing as I will definitely be coming back to read more. x

    Reply
  4. Graceful Lady says

    June 17, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    What an intriguing idea. Actually I'm new to social media (just 3 years ago). What would I do? I would be having to go door to door to do my fund raising, I would finish my autobiography, I would write more poetry and I'd see where the Universe leads. Love your reaction shots Paula!

    Reply
  5. Gabrielle says

    June 17, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    I'm so glad that you decided to put yourself out there and do the acting thing. Part of the reason I'm so into social media is because I'm so shy. From tweeting and blogging, I can sort of unleash without being too nervous.

    Reply
  6. Gabrielle says

    June 17, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    I'm so glad that you decided to put yourself out there and do the acting thing. Part of the reason I'm so into social media is because I'm so shy. From tweeting and blogging, I can sort of unleash without being too nervous.

    Reply
  7. Emily says

    June 19, 2011 at 11:47 am

    Hi! Thanks so much for linking up with Super Stalker Sunday hop. Hope you'll be able to join us again next week!

    Go 'Noles!! {My husband attended FSU!}

    Your Co-Host,
    Emily from Nap Time Is My Time

    Reply
  8. Mindie Hilton says

    June 19, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    I just wanted to invite you to my link party that runs Friday evening through Sunday. You can link main blog URls, Etsy, Twitter, facebook, give aways, recipes, and crafts!
    Come Strut your Stuff.

    http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2011/06/party-mindie-style-link-up-2.html

    Reply
  9. mblackwell says

    June 20, 2011 at 2:40 am

    very funny i think i might die if i couldnt have my smart phone with me 24/7 or be checking blogs and facebook while kids nap i might actually need to do house work then lol
    following from sunday stalk
    http://melblackwell.blogspot.com/

    Reply

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