Someone in the office asked me what I want to be when I grow up.
“Millionaire rock star philanthropist,” I said.
He paused.
“So you want to be Bono?”
“Not with that much talent or the coolness. But, yes.”
He nodded and walked away.
It’s pretty interesting to see how people react to that question and answer. I have heard people get totally stumped when asked the question, and then people who has the simplest answer. Like, “Rich” or “Famous”.
Most people look at me funny when I told them about my ultimate goal.
Does anybody actually have a goal to be a philanthropist? Perhaps I am the only one?
I wasn’t always my goal, of course. I wanted to be a doctor, journalist, tennis champion and astronaut. Yes, ALL at the same time. I wanted to be an interior designer. A graphic artist. An advertising account executive. A movie producer. A web designer. Hell, I even wanted to be a wedding planner at some point.
The philanthropist thing doesn’t really come to full bloom until a few years ago when I realize the most joy I get outside of music and cooking/eating is helping people.
I love helping people. I love raising money. I do enjoy a few luxury in life that comes with having money on hand, but never dream of not being able to give away any.
I mean, the $3000 purse? I could just buy one for $40 and give $2960 away somewhere and I still have a purse that will hold my possession. $200 jeans? Well, okay, my ass would probably look fantastic in a pair of those, and I would probably own one when I can. But then again, I can squeeze into a pair of Levi’s for $30 and still look cute in them.
Is it a disorder that I can’t see myself being rich and not giving any away?
I think that is why people look at me funny. I want to have a lot of money so I can give a lot of it away. That shouldn’t make sense to most people.
It makes perfect sense to me.
When I die, I can’t take any of that with me. Why should I horde it when my money can go on and save lives, make people happy, and change the world?
How am I going to get to be the millionaire rock star philanthropist? I don’t really know just yet.
Well, unlike Bono, I don’t really have the talent. I can hold a tune and play a couple of ditties on piano and guitar, and I think I have the right rock star moves. But seriously, I don’t think this “good enough” is going to get me anywhere near rock stardom in the U.S. I might, however, be able to take a crack at it in Thailand as some niche pop-rock star, a one-hit wonder that makes banks and banks and then disappear. That would give me a good start on my millionaire goal. But that’s unlikely too.
So, I will have to “grow up” in reverse.
The philanthropist part, I sort of have been practicing that with all that I can afford. The easier next step for me is not becoming a rock star, but to be the millionaire. THEN I can peddle my album to the brown nosers who want my money. Or organize a big ass concert featuring the real artists and pop in on stage to rock with them for a song or two. Or put out charity albums with folks like Band from TV.
Good plan? I think so.
In the meantime, I am just happy being a thousandaire (actually, I can’t even say that since I have negative net worth…) living room rock star, karaoke queen, fundraiser lady.
Baby steps.
P.S. Speaking of which, the Lesser Weevils are back for AIDS Walk Long Beach 2008! I’m recruiting team members as well as raising funds. Come on down to the blog and help me out!
It makes perfect sense to me too. About 95% of my “If I won the lottery” fantasies are about how I would give the money away. Like, I could buy a Ferrari for $250,000, or I could buy a Prius for $30,000 and give $10,000 scholarships to 22 kids. I’d buy the Prius.
i think u could do much better than bono with just baby steps. 🙂 *hugs*