Celebrity?

It does not matter if you want it or not, it may be unavoidable.

As with any celebrity no matter how big or small you might have to get use to the requirements of that celebrity. In some cases you might be as big as SuperMan to your nieces or nephews, maybe you’re a church leader or "Big Man on Campus."

Some big celebrities like Brittany Spears, can't handle the cards life dealt. Brittany in particular makes 1 million a month and spends every penny as she earns it. On a side note I do applaud her for keeping the economy afloat. Brittany lacks self respect because she doesn't care about herself or what she does, she has not the ability to care about others and like so many very popular celebrities; they are willing to do anything to further their celebrity and thus lose touch with their moral base, if they had one to begin with.

Most people these days don't aspire to lofty goals of joining in some great cause, like the military or red cross, or even having a family and a great job. When asked by survey after survey kids, teens and even adults say they want to be famous... As if it means something to be famous.

In a age where MySpace and Facebook are making people feel like they are famous and popular, where dreams of stardom are replacing honor and respect as the badge of choice, it’s about time for a reality check!

In my case I am a part time teacher, what I say and do does matter because kids ages 10 - 18 are always watching, steeling my iPhone to look and see what Mr. Herring has been doing, observing how I handle problems and conduct myself.

Sometimes I notice that parents and even students are watching or total strangers somehow know my name and things about me. The other day a student (who I have worked with occasionally) and his parent passed me in the hallway. I never remember seeing the parent before but I can't remember what I did yesterday so that might be a mute point. But as I was saying... The parent called me by name and acted as though we had known each other for years. It never stops surprising me when that happens, and I hear about how much I'm talked about at kids homes? "What are they saying?" I'm always thinking to myself, it always makes the brain go crazy! Well whatever they are saying I hope it's good!

Last Friday I had an precious hour to spend at the mall, relax, pay my cell phone bill and go to the Disney Store. While walking though the mall a punk kid stopped me to say “Hi”, I tried to be nice – polite but I didn’t think I knew this kid from Adam! He said; “Don’t you remember me?” No, I replied. He said “I worked with you last night in the Voyager!” My brain started racing at a thousand miles per second as I tried to pinpoint if I had worked with a Goth last night?... He then stated his name… It all came to me, I couldn’t believe it was the same kid, last night he looked normal and was a hard worker. Then he told me that he was doing his part in a Where’s Waldo game for his sisters barfday party. “Oh, awesome.” I replied. His next statement is what floored me; “I would never expect to see you here!” I was stunned, and actually said “You would never expect to see me here? Do you think I live at the Space Center all day, every day?” he smiled and was trying to take back his statements … “No that’s not what I meant”… “I mean” In my head I started imagining what he meant, but I did smile and joke around with him for a few minutes before we parted.

Every week I interact with 40 - 200 kids from all across our school district and state and during each “Mission” that’s what we call them, I have the privilege to get to know 3-4 volunteers and 2 teenage staff, we almost become like family. These kids are excited about working hard, acting, science fiction and telling compelling stories. Each have parents willing to drive them sometimes as far as 45 miles to work/volunteer at the place we call the Space Center.

The Space Center has hosted over 220,000 participants and has been operating for over 17 years. I have had the privilege over the past 10 years of building and designing 3 of the 5 simulators in operation at the center and being a Flight Director, Operations Specialist – even an assistant to the Director.

I feel blessed for my abilities in construction, management, and even acting/voices that allows me to be a flight director but still I’m just an ordinary guy doing the best I can in a job that I love, no different than anyone else.