You Really, Really Like Me!

Back in 1985, when accepting her second Oscar, an overexcited Sally Field enthused "I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!"

In popular culture, she later would be paraphrased, and ridiculed, as saying "You like me, you really, really like me!"

Given the fact that one of the things we hold against "celebrities" is their perceived insincerity and phoniness, it's weird that Field received so much mockery for being totally honest about what she was experiencing.

And I know it to be true, because I'm feeling it right now.

Anyone who's ever been picked last for the baseball team, or next to last, or turned down for a date, or teased (which is to say, most of us) goes through life expecting, at least at times, to be rejected and left out. We're all so "in our own heads," so critical of our own achievements, that it's hard to believe everyone doesn't see us for the big losers that we are.

At least that's how I sometimes feel.

And so, when I found out last week that the audience of The Digital Photography Show had nominated our show for not one, but two, Podcast Awards, I was truly overcome and moved. On the episode we taped shortly afterwards, #61, I was often at a loss for words and stammering.

When you realize that there are over 30,000 podcasts out there, to be nominated as one of the top ten in two categories, well, what can you say?

I wrote about this on The Digital Photography Show's blog, and talked about it on the show, but since the show is about digital photography and not about me, I tried to keep it brief.

But I can tell you here that being nominated for those awards really has made a difference in my life.

There's something embarrassing and naked about telling people that. We all want to come across as self-contained and confident. Admitting that we need outside validation, that we need others to tell us we're "OK," is tough. Needing things like praise and awards makes us feel shallow.

But I do need those things.

In many ways, I am confident and self-assured and strong. I feel good about myself and blessed in my life.

But still inside of me is still the kid who really was picked last for every team, who was often teased for being different, and who, to this day, still vividly remembers Tricia Reagan at a party in high school saying to her friend Randi Miller "I'll make out with anyone here except Scott." That I had no desire to make out with Tricia, who made it through four years of school without ever having a good hair day, let me just add as some small measure of payback, did little to blunt the pain of that rejection.

Later, my first lover would not only have the bad manners to give me crabs, but would say to me "you know, you'd be kind of cute if you weren't so skinny."

I guess all the most scarring incidents really do happen in adolescence and that we spend the rest of our lives with that hurt teenager still trapped inside our heads.

So, no matter how well we do or no matter how good we feel there's that lingering part of us that's waiting to be tripped in the hallway or teased on the school bus. Or just ignored or left out or chosen last.

Which is why it's so amazing when someone come along and tells you that you're appreciated and valued.

When they say "we like you. We really, really, like you."

That's what the people who nominated us for two Podcast Awards were saying. It's a message that can be hard to convince the inner-teenager is true.

The thing that staggers me the most about these nominations is what a large percentage of our audience must have voted. Some of our competition is huge! Especially in the People's Choice category – these are literally some of the largest, most popular and best know podcasts in the world!

So, not only does our audience like us, but they're so kind!

This has meant the world to me.

Of course, the only thing left is to win.

So vote early and vote often. You can enter once a day until voting ends.

Just being nominated is an honor. But winning will rock!

Comments

[laanba]

We do like you! And what we like best is that you and Michael are REAL people. That you get excited about nominations and aren't afraid to show it. As long as you are excited and happy and real you will have many loyal fans.

[Mary M. Garavaglia]

We like you a lot. You and Michael are honest and very human and very, very nice guys. I learn something from you guys every week. The least I can do is return the favor and support you and the great work you do. Foolish, foolish Tricia Reagan. She's probably married to some beer guzzling slob who can't stand her.

[Scott]

Thanks Laanba and Mary. I laughed out loud at the description of Tricia's possible husband as a beer guzzler who can't stand her. That's what she gets for breaking my heart, the trollop!

[Heidi]

As someone who knew you when you were a teenager, all I can say is {{{{awwwwwwwww.....}}}}

Also, when I read your post, I started to hear Carly Simon singing the below phrase in my head. Whenever I have heard this song for the past 30 years (yes, for the past 30 years) I have thought of you because in my opinion, it described you perfectly!!

Nobody does it better,
Makes me feel sad for the rest,
Nobody does it half as good as you,
Baby you're the best!
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