So I went to see the movie “Life” on Sunday. It’s based around the friendship or partnership between photographer Dennis Stock and actor James Dean. The movie is worth seeing if you grew up in James Dean’s hometown, or if you are a fan of James Dean. For me something really stuck out in this film, a small detail, a short line. I don’t remember exactly how this all played out, so go see the film for yourself and look for this part. James Dean is talking with either Dennis Stock or a new reporter in the film and they ask him what he’s going to do next or what his plan is and Dean responds “Just keep ignoring my talent I guess, that’s worked so far.” Again, not a direct quote but that was the theme of it and that really hit home for me. I don’t know if I’m talented, and even if I am I’m going to keep ignoring that talent and working hard to achieve my goals. I think I know some people that are talented, but they embrace that talent to such an extent that it becomes an ego problem and they may not work as hard as they should. I also know some people that are talented as hell, yet totally ignore it and work really hard and stay humble. I tip my hat to those people, and I want to try to mimic that as much as possible. 

Matt Shouse