My Aha Kick in the Ass

AN AHA MOMENT = a moment of clarity, a defining moment where you gain real wisdom  (aka those times when I hit myself on the side of the forehead and say “duh!”)

Three years ago, Mutual of Omaha’s marketing company converted an Airstream trailer into a traveling recording studio.  Each summer they send out a team four people to travel the USA, recording interesting people talk about their aha moments and they convert those into commercials.  “Mutual of Omaha.  Proud Sponsor of Life’s Aha Moments.”



Photo taken from here.

A few weeks ago, a member of that marketing team emailed me.  She said that after reading my blog, she figured I might have an interesting aha moment that I would like to share.  She wanted to know if I would be interested in recording that moment while the trailer was in Winston-Salem.  I wasn’t sure if I should be more excited about being asked, or because a complete stranger had actually read my blog!  Don’t get me wrong, I love that all of you guys read this… but I figure most of you read it because you know me and just can’t quite figure out what is going inside that strange little head of mine.

Of course, I assumed this was going to be my moment – that single second in time that changes everything and I would be launched into fame and fortune.

Immediately, I started preparing… choosing what clothes to wear, writing my perfect aha moment over and over again until it was totally memorized, getting a hair cut… all the stuff a soon-to-be-star would do for her adoring audience.  Friday afternoon, I left work early in order to have plenty of time to prepare for my big appearance.

They told me to bring any “prop” that would enhance my story.  Of course, I was pulling out all of the stops and went with the one thing no person can ignore – a puppy!   I’m not arrogant enough to think that launching into stardom can be done on my looks alone!  Plus, I also relax a little more with a puppy in my arms, who doesn’t?

Friday evening, we (Scott and a friend joined me for support) pulled into a parking lot in Old Salem, a historic, touristy part of Winston-Salem.  Sitting there was the Airstream trailer in all her glory.  Of course I was so nervous that I forgot my camera – duh!  Next to it was a tent with a TV screen and chairs all around it.  We were able to sit on those chairs and watch the live recording going on inside the trailer from out there.  My nerves were so crazy that I am surprised I was able to walk to the chair.

I completed the appropriate paperwork – essentially telling them that they have full rights to do whatever they want with my footage.  No doubt they will photoshop my footage right into a love scene with Danny Davito at some point.  Shortly thereafter, they called my name and I walked into trailer.  Combine a tin can and a padded room in your mind and then you will totally understand what it was like in there.

Inside, I sat on a chair with Bennett in my arms, dozens of bright lights shone into my face, so that I couldn’t even see the camera.  A microphone was at my waist.  Jessica, one of the marketing team members, stood just behind the lights.  She asked me questions and started a conversation with me… suddenly nothing I had prepared seemed to fit the questions I was being asked.  PANIC!  All I could think about was how hot it was, the lights were like laser beams of fire striping way my well-prepared makeup.  I searched my mind for the lines I had carefully selected and ways to adjust them to the current situation.  They were gone.  I choked.  I sputtered through and said a few things. 

Everyone says I did “fine” – we all know that is another way of saying, “at least you didn’t throw up in in the padded tin can.”

Just as an example of how bad it was, Jessica asked me what an aha moment is.  There are a million things I should have said:

“…it’s when you suddenly realize that everything makes sense.”

“…it’s when you realize that you have a purpose.”

“…it’s that moment in time when it,s clear that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.”

Instead, I said, “It’s when you realize that everything is going to be okay.”  WTF?  Where did that come from?  

In other words, my aha moment kicked my ass.  We went out and got drunk afterwards… all sorrows and dreams of fame forgotten!

However, something great did come out of all of it.  As part of my preparation, I visited the Mutual of Omaha website and listened to lots of aha moments.  My favorite was this one.  The videos got me thinking about the people that inspire me.  Immediately, my friend Dewarren came to mind. 

Dewarren and I were involved in a program called “New Leash On Life” (a blog post all about that program to come someday).  In short, the program pairs inmates from the local men’s prison with dogs that have basic behavioral problems.  The inmate/dog teams spend 17 hours a day together for ten weeks.  During that time, professional dog trainers teach the inmates how to train their dogs in basic obedience and agility.  In turn, the inmates learn patience, unconditional love, discipline, basic training skills and so much more.  Many of them have never experienced any of those simple things before and it changes their lives.  Upon graduating from the program, the dogs are adopted by forever families and inmates are assigned new dogs.  Dewarren was in an inmate in the program when I met him.

 
He was released well over a year ago and immediately started working as a kennel-tech for a veternarian’s office.  He enrolled in school and earned his degree to be a Veterinary Technician.  He works really hard and even trains dogs in his spare time.  I have found him to be incredibly inspirational and an awesome testament to what great people and amazing dogs can do together.  So, I contacted the marketing team and asked if they would be interested in taping his aha moment as well.  They were thrilled to have him sign up.  

In complete contrast to myself, Dewarren dashed into the parking lot at Old Salem.  He came straight from work, still in his scrubs.  He entered that Airstream trailer with confidence.  Once he was settled in, Jessica started asking him questions and he just talked.  He spoke straight from the heart and it was perfect. 

She asked him what he likes about dogs.  I wish I could tell you his exact words, but he listed off about ten things that he loves.  Something to this effect:  “I love the way they tilt their head when you talk to them, the way they search for that perfect spot to do their business, the way their ears perk up when they see you, I just love everything about dogs.”  By the end of it, the six people sitting around the TV outside were working hard to keep from laughing too loudly.  It was adorable. 

She asked him why he connected with dogs.  Dewarren responded in a way that absolutely touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.  He said something like this:  “I can relate to the shelter dogs.  I was one once.  I was that dog that nobody wanted.  I was in prison.  No body cared about me or wanted me.  I love them and want to help them.”    

He was perfect!  They even stole Bennett for a quick photoshoot with Dewarren.  She looked great with him.

Although I am certain this will not be the launch into fame I had hoped for, it was a lot of fun.  It was amazing to hear Dewarren talk about his experiences and what he has learned. 

The marketing team will be posting all of the videos they collect in the 25 cities that they visit.  From there, they post only their favorites on a special site.  Those will be voted on and the top 12 will be transformed into national commercials, featured on all of the major networks. 

Once our videos have been edited and put up by the marketing team, I will be sure to share them (or at least Dewarren’s).