Everyone is an entrepreneur or a founder of something these days. Everyone is a specialist at this or that and everyone thinks they are the authority on some topic or the other. Moreover, often we come across social media specialist websites that claim to be undertaking some form of social experiment.
I enjoy the personable nature of said sites and I like being given the chance to express myself and be a counted figure from within the hundreds of thousands of interviewees/quiz takers. The actual significance of my participation is irrelevant; it is the conscious decision to recognise that my opinion does matter. I know this sounds a little prophetical but it’s a lot simpler than my waffling self can portray – I don’t want to be just another number.
I enjoy meeting and talking with new people more than anything else in the world. So I thought I’d learn a little something about the handful of you that make your way onto this incredibly humble blog.
This morning I came across a ‘cultural experiment’ of sorts that I could relate to. StopBeingFamous.com is an online magazine that documents “the characters, style, happenings and humour that help define this generation artistically.” My understanding of their ‘experiment’ is that it is a journey into the flock mindset of my generation and why/how a single person’s influence can practically revolutionise music, literature, politics and the world at large.
Ferrari Sheppard is the founder of StopBeingFamous.com, and the brains behind said experiment. One of few people I actually deem as a legit entrepreneur, with a first name that evokes speed, agility and strength and a middle name like ‘Elite’ (yup, Ferrari Elite Sheppard) it’s no wonder that Sheppard’s crew turned the interview tables on the creative mastermind to find out what HIS opinions were.
I found the questions they asked to be some of the most interesting and least pretentious queries I have ever read in like publications in a long, long time. The questions are noted below with my answers; I would love for you to simply copy and paste these into the comment box, delete my answers and give me yours. Just so we can get to know each other a little better.
· What was the first piece of music that you purchased?
The first piece as far as I can remember was a cassette of ‘Essential Rock Tunes’ when I was 13 years old. It introduced me to The Stone Roses, Placebo and David Bowie. Totally random selection that ironically set the tone to my musical tastes for life.
· What's your favorite frozen food?
Potato jewels. No, not fries, JEWELS. They’re itsy bitsy little potato chunks rounded into pellet-like shapes. I’m very low maintenance.
· Imagine you're rollerskating: What year is it? What song is playing? What are you wearing?
It’s 1977, John Travolta lookalikes in high-waisted pants fill the rink. It’s a slow number, probably “The Way We Were”. I’m wearing a floaty, purple tie-dye shirt, and a daisy in my hair.
· Do you own anything purple?
Purple is my favourite colour so, many things, namely a floaty, tie-dye shirt…
· Use "stop being famous" in a sentence. For example: "I wish Jared from Subway would stop being famous."
I wish stupidity would stop being rewarded and high status individuals would stop being famous for the sake of being famous without a single positive credit to their name.
To read Ferrari’s answers, please click here.
What was the first piece of music that you purchased?
ReplyDeleteAce of Base - The Sign and Reel to Reel feat. The Mad Stuntman - I like to move it. Both on cassete as single. I went through a, what now seems ridiculous, phase of buying singles on cd and cassette. How quaint that seems now.
What's your favorite frozen food?
I want to say ice cream but I try not to buy it because I'm scared I'll eat the whole tub. In which case I'll say fish fingers - to go in a sandwich.
Imagine you're rollerskating: What year is it? What song is playing? What are you wearing?
1990ish. I don't know what the song is, probably something that my parents might listen to - Eurythmics or Dire Straits. I'm wearing things I'm embarrassed to talk about probably. (Funny, I now have this clear image of rollerskating on the road opposite our house. Probably with my sister. Good times.)
Do you own anything purple?
A single purple shirt.
Use "stop being famous" in a sentence. For example: "I wish Jared from Subway would stop being famous."
If 'celebrities' were to stop being famous, that would be just fine with me.
Thank you Omar! Ace of Base! Brilliant :)
ReplyDeleteWhat was the first piece of music that you purchased?
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember being given or having music bought for me before this, but my first real purchase with my own pocket money when I was 11 was Madonna - Vogue. I was a little drama queen even then and also my Mum loved Madonna and I remember playing her vinyl's of 'Like a Virgin' and 'True Blue' to death.
What's your favorite frozen food?
Sorbet. Any kind of fruit sorbet. I can eat a whole tub whilst watching a movie. Particular favourite is Mango.
Imagine you're rollerskating: What year is it? What song is playing? What are you wearing?
I was born in my favourite decade but too late to enjoy it. It would be 1973, 20th Century Boy by T.Rex is playing and I'm wearing sequinned hotpants and knee high roller boots. I would do a spin (I'm an accomplished rollerskater - misspent youth), wink my glitter lightening bolt adorned eye & flick my crimped hair at a young Marc Bolan, who is languidly smoking a cigarette and watching from the sides.
Do you own anything purple?
Quite a few things.. I love purple. I have a slight obsession with the Tudor period and one of the discoveries through reading so much about it was that only Royalty were permitted to wear purple. I have ideas above my station clearly.
Use "stop being famous" in a sentence. For example: "I wish Jared from Subway would stop being famous."
Paris Hilton. Please, for the sake of all humanity and my sanity, Stop Being Famous.
· What was the first piece of music that you purchased?
ReplyDeleteAdam and The Ants. Closely followed by Five Star - "Luxury of life". Don't ask. I was about 8.
· What's your favorite frozen food?
Ice cream. Or pizza. Dr Oetkar (or however you spell it)
· Imagine you're rollerskating: What year is it? What song is playing? What are you wearing?
I'll imagine it's this year, 2010. I don't nor ever have roller skated. I am listening to something like The Black Keys probably to try and cheer myself up as I wonder what they hell I am doing watching other people roller skate.
· Do you own anything purple?
I have some purple Doc Martens boots. They aren't worn very often now. If ever.
· Use "stop being famous" in a sentence. For example: "I wish Jared from Subway would stop being famous."
If I achieved everything I wanted to and a by product of that was fame to some degree I imagine it would be strange to get used to. But it would probably be harder to get used to the moment you stop being famous.
What was the first piece of music that you purchased?
ReplyDelete"Now 5" when I was 7, with my birthday money. It was a double tape and was ace.
What's your favorite frozen food?
Hash browns. Ideal to lift a bacon sandwich from 'awesome' to 'fantastic' (or other hyperbole of your choice)
Imagine you're rollerskating: What year is it? What song is playing? What are you wearing?
Mid 80s, Something from Now 5, Probably trakie bottoms and an unfashionable jumper.
Do you own anything purple?
I have a shirt with some purple stripes. I think that is about it.
Use "stop being famous" in a sentence. For example: "I wish Jared from Subway would stop being famous."
Tricky. There are a lot of 'famous' people who annoy the crap out of me. But in a less snarky move... I wish Britney would stop being famous - I think she could do with a break.(She does annoy me a bit too, but I think she could do with a break none the less).
What was the first piece of music that you purchased?
ReplyDeleteI think it must have been Michael Jackson, Bad Album. Still remember the store I brought it from and funny enough I still own that album in Itunes form.
· What's your favorite frozen food?
Pizza, nothing liek taking a pizza from the freezer that is ready made in a cold winter evening and watching it bake in the oven.
· Imagine you're rollerskating: What year is it? What song is playing? What are you wearing?
2010. Erik Sermon featuring Redman: React. Vintage Adidas 1962 Jacket, Dsquared jeans .
· Do you own anything purple?
A tie and a purpule banker shirt.
· Use "stop being famous" in a sentence. For example: "I wish Jared from Subway would stop being famous."
I wish Sur La Terre can stop being famous as a magazine and give that important shelf space to something else, like socks.
What was the first piece of music that you purchased?
ReplyDeleteI was unable to physically purchase my first piece of music due to an unfortunate collision between my puny little torso and the windscreen of a Vauxhall Cavalier. However, during the subsequent months of spectacular immobility I was given to completely indulging myself by reading all the books and listening to all the records I could lay my hands on – cultural catnip to a highly acquisitive five-year-old. From my hospital bed, I sent my mother out on an errand to fetch me something ‘upbeat’. She returned with ‘Karma Chameleon’ by Culture Club on 45rpm vinyl and a portable record player. She did well – I stand by that record, and I think Boy George has a really underrated white soul voice.
What's your favourite frozen food?
Four cheese ravioli from Marks and Spencer.
Imagine you're rollerskating: What year is it? What song is playing? What are you wearing?
It’s 1977, ‘Got to Give it up’ by Marvin Gaye is playing and I’m wearing a navy blue Adidas track top, a white singlet vest and fawn, slightly flared Levi’s cords.
Do you own anything purple?
I’m wearing a purple cardigan today from John Smedley.
Use "stop being famous" in a sentence. For example: "I wish Jared from Subway would stop being famous."
I wish ordinary people would stop being famous and leave it to the superhumanly talented – as once was.