Parker
I have no desire to become famous. Why? It’s not part of my core personality. I prefer to be a humble, normal person walking around like everybody else. Yet many people desire the limelight, and ordinary people are happy to pay money to see famous people.
Still, there have been a few times when I experienced a bit of fame, and I wanted to explore one such moment. When I was in college, we had a weekly paper that I read if I had time. There was some interesting content, but most of it was useless.
On the last page, there was an opinion column written by an anonymous author, and the year I started college, a guy who called himself Frodo dribbled out a weekly mess. In case you do not know, Frodo was the lead character from the book The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. Each week, Frodo endlessly complained about what ticked him off. He had a poor writing style and never offered solutions. I did not read it, and neither did my friends.
In my second year of college, Frodo either graduated or stopped writing. Nobody cared. A new anonymous writer took his place and called himself Parker. His writing was timid but well-crafted, and most of his subjects focused on college life. Parker’s words got more traction than Frodo’s, but Frodo’s stain remained embedded in my mind. Thus, I did not read the Parker column.
One day, my friend (I have since forgotten his name) asked if I had read the recent Parker. I answered no, and he asked why. We had a long discussion about anonymous authors, pen names, Frodo’s articles and school topics. MEGA spoiler alert! It turns out my friend was Parker. BIG reveal!
Parker discussed my opinions in his next column and, to my great surprise, there were many student reactions. Suddenly, I became a (minor) celebrity, and the (limited) fame surprised me. I could not believe that my thoughts were important to so many (a few) people.
What is it like to be significant enough to write about? I found the experience to be humbling. Wow, somebody I’ve never met cared a lot about my opinions. However, as the comments piled on, I began to dislike fame because not everyone agreed with my views. Fame has a dark side? Who knew?
Well, I know what you are thinking. Are these articles an attempt at fame? My answer is yes and no. My goal in writing these articles is to “get the word out about my books,” and I do not desire to change the world, become famous, or make loads of cash. Still, it would be nice to get some feedback or discussions going, but a sudden burst of interest (even if positive) would make me want to hide under a large rock.
I suppose I should thank Parker for providing a learning experience. “This is what fame is like.” So, thanks for caring about my opinion back in 1993. And thank you, my article readers, for also caring!
You’re the best -Bill
March 23, 2022 July 12, 2026
Still, there have been a few times when I experienced a bit of fame, and I wanted to explore one such moment. When I was in college, we had a weekly paper that I read if I had time. There was some interesting content, but most of it was useless.
On the last page, there was an opinion column written by an anonymous author, and the year I started college, a guy who called himself Frodo dribbled out a weekly mess. In case you do not know, Frodo was the lead character from the book The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. Each week, Frodo endlessly complained about what ticked him off. He had a poor writing style and never offered solutions. I did not read it, and neither did my friends.
In my second year of college, Frodo either graduated or stopped writing. Nobody cared. A new anonymous writer took his place and called himself Parker. His writing was timid but well-crafted, and most of his subjects focused on college life. Parker’s words got more traction than Frodo’s, but Frodo’s stain remained embedded in my mind. Thus, I did not read the Parker column.
One day, my friend (I have since forgotten his name) asked if I had read the recent Parker. I answered no, and he asked why. We had a long discussion about anonymous authors, pen names, Frodo’s articles and school topics. MEGA spoiler alert! It turns out my friend was Parker. BIG reveal!
Parker discussed my opinions in his next column and, to my great surprise, there were many student reactions. Suddenly, I became a (minor) celebrity, and the (limited) fame surprised me. I could not believe that my thoughts were important to so many (a few) people.
What is it like to be significant enough to write about? I found the experience to be humbling. Wow, somebody I’ve never met cared a lot about my opinions. However, as the comments piled on, I began to dislike fame because not everyone agreed with my views. Fame has a dark side? Who knew?
Well, I know what you are thinking. Are these articles an attempt at fame? My answer is yes and no. My goal in writing these articles is to “get the word out about my books,” and I do not desire to change the world, become famous, or make loads of cash. Still, it would be nice to get some feedback or discussions going, but a sudden burst of interest (even if positive) would make me want to hide under a large rock.
I suppose I should thank Parker for providing a learning experience. “This is what fame is like.” So, thanks for caring about my opinion back in 1993. And thank you, my article readers, for also caring!
You’re the best -Bill
March 23, 2022 July 12, 2026
