The Firework-Effect

It has been quite a while since I have posted my last blog - and the reason for this has been mainly my work schedule and the very busy December period, but also mainly since I have really felt that I have had very little that I have wanted to say in the last month or so. And those of you that regularly read my blog ( the five of you!) will know that I tend to not write unless I have something that I honestly feel I want to write about.
This will be my last blog of 2010 and I hope to summarize what it is that I have learnt this year – because, for me, this has been one of those years that presents itself in the form of a learning curve. How I hate those.

Katy Perry, for those of you that don't know, she's a pop singer, recently released a song called ''Firework'', a song that is meant to inspire people to show the world what value they have and what value they have to share with others. Roughly, having only heard it once or twice, the lyrics say something along the lines of: ''Baby, you're a firework, go and show them what you're worth...''
For a while, I thought that this was a very interesting song that obviously had the intention of inspiring people to ''stop hiding their talent under a bushel'' as the Bible would say, but later, it had me wondering exactly why she chose ''fireworks'' as a metaphor for a person's inner value.

The reason for this philosophical query was rooted in this: a firework is fleeting.
It loses it's shine. It sparkles for what can be a couple of minutes and after that it fades to dust and ash.
Maybe this is a very good example of how the world we live in has changed?
Does this song imply that we live in a world where it is fine if one only illuminates the night-sky for a very short period, as long as one actually does illuminate?
We live in a world filled with instant fame, instant pop stars, instant fortune, instant coffee and even instant recognition. We hear of so many celebrities ending up in rehab, or even worse, off the radar, and it begs the question: is this what it has all come to? A moment in the sky and forever on the ground?
Wow.
Well, maybe I am reading too much into these lyrics...

And then my brain started digging further into this metaphor, as one does, and I realized that people are only impressed by fireworks for a very short time.
I remember at the end of 2009, I was sitting on Blaauwbergstrand, watching all the fireworks being shot into the harbour from the Waterfront. Yes, a first it was exciting, and ''ooh's'' and ''aah's'' were heard all along the beach, but as more and more of the same started coming along, the novelty started wearing off and it became an ''almost-impressive'' display of lights.
On the other hand, every time I look up at Table Mountain or everytime I look out over the vastness of the ocean, I can sit for hours and hours staring at it's wonderful complexities.

In South Africa, we had the FIFA 2010 World Cup – and what an anticipated firework display that was ! Finally, Africa had the chance to show the world our ''bright lights'' and oh, did we show them! But, was it enough to sustain this shiny image of our country in the eyes of the world?
I would argue no. Months later when reports were heard that a newly-wed British tourist had been killed in the township of Gugulethu, this faded. The ash fell to the ground and the fireworks had, once again, been extinguished.
As for the rest of this year, and now I am referring to things of a more personal nature, the ''firework-effect'' (If Barbara Streisand could have her own effect, then why can't I?) was eminent in my own life and in the lives of those closest to me.
I realized that relationships can burn like fireworks, exciting and adventurous and new at first, but can fade after years and years into a small pile of ash, cold from it's long journey down.
I have learned that an ideal job can become mundane and turn into an effort.
But, most importantly I have learned that I rely on fireworks in my own life and in my relationships with people. People are enthused by me for a short while, but once the sparkle is lost, I am, like everyone else, a pile of burnt-out dust.
An interesting pile of dust... but a pile of dust nonetheless.
This taught me a lot about myself as a performer and as a person. If you've wowed people once, you are going to have to work very hard on your next attempt to make sure that what you are giving isn't going to be more of the same.
So many times I think I have relied on the ''firework'' aspect of my performances, that I have forgotten that people eventually want to sit on a beach and watch the ocean – that fireworks can lose their sparkle. Catch my drift?

And so, as I come to the end of another year, I look back and wonder: for how long are we going to be content with ''lights''?
When are we going to learn that we need to build an impression stone by stone, year after year, performance after performance and work after work?
Is it because the firework-effect is easier than building a reputation and a respectful admiration?

I think so.

I think that the idea and the prospect of having to work to ''show what you are worth'' tends to put a lot of people off. Why do so little of the Idols winners make it in the industry? Is it because they have realized that the ''instant sparkle'' wears off and eventually, when it comes to the nitty-gritty, so many back down?
Have we become too convenient? Have we made it too easy for ourselves to be noticed?
Have we forgotten about times in history when men had to fight in cold-blooded wars, just to be honored with a badge on their uniform? Where singers started singing in pubs and eventually, through hard work and dedication proved themselves to be true artistes?
I think we have forgotten. Conveniently so.

And therefore, my fellow bloggers, as I am sitting here, once again, with a stunning glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, I would like to encourage each and every one of you to stop relying on fireworks. To start relying on a mountain or an ocean or the longevity of any such wonders.
I am certainly going to try to do just that in 2011.
Perhaps it is then that we will be able to really distinguish between those who have talent and those who are talented. Between the ''one-night stands'' and the partners for life. Between the true celebrities and the celebutantes.
So here's to: the ashes of 2010, the foundations of 2011 and the impressive force that will guide us for the years that follow.
May we all rise up to the occasion and may we stop being satisfied with novelties.
Thank you to everyone who has given me such support with this blog over the past year, thank you for the comments, the numerous Facebook messages and the quick texts to say 'thank you' for an inspiration that was derived from reading this. You are the reason I write and will continue writing.

I salute you.