What will your verse be? This question was asked by a character Robin Williams played in The Dead Poets Society. My verse was affected in 1978 by an alien on a show that was about to jump the shark. Mork from Ork showed up on Happy Days on the fuzzy TV that my Dad had me warm up for Dolphins games. The character was odd and his voice weird. The jokes were stranger to a 6th grader, but my small synapses dug their desire. I went to school the next day and became this alien. A ripped off nanu nanu had the kids in the line laughing as we waited to be marched to our Catholic classes. This comedic voice followed me for the next three years and my report card reflected poor conduct marks as a result. Mork and I parted ways, though I kept seeing him here and there as I grew up. It probably wasn’t until 1987 when I was at an emotional low that he sprung back into my life. As I struggled through some of the darkest parts of my life that he and Bobby McFerrin told me over and over to, Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” The irony broke my heart, but the message resounded. I didn’t worry and am still happy. Robin’s role in The World According to Garp gave me a line which I guaranteed marital success to my Wife of 24 years. I mimicked the line he spoke after a plane crashed into a house they were looking to buy. “Honey this marriage has been ‘pre-disastered.’ The chances of it going wrong again are astronomical.” It is now that I sit in front of a computer setting out to write my next novel that I realize it is inspired partly by a movie in which Robin Williams played a role. His Awakenings character, Dr. Sayer brought Robert DeNiro’s out of a catatonic state only to change him into a madman. My next verse might be influenced by one of Mork’s last. I will miss seeing more from this inspiring character who may have molded mine. I would like to thank him for influencing my creativity, my sense of humor and somewhere along the lines, perhaps my looks. Though I never met you Robin Williams, I considered you a Friend. Rest in Peace, Buddy.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 22:52:46 +0000