If you get the Secret Posts, you know that my husband The Gorilla and I are purposefully choosing presence this summer. Our lifestyle is anything but routine, including frequent travel for both of us and chaotic daily schedules. In the past two months, we've made a very deliberate choice to take a break from that.
We've had some of the most meaningful conversations, often in the car. Like this one, about facing public criticism, something The Gorilla knows a lot about. Pardon the colorful language.
Hollywood Housewife: How do handle the criticism?
Gorilla: Who gives a shit about the criticism?
HH: But they're criticizing your art.
Gorilla: But who cares?
HH: Did you not care because you knew your product was good or because you just don't care what people think?
Gorilla: Both.
HH: So you've never once been hurt by criticism of your stuff? What about if it was a family member or friend?
Gorilla: Well that's different.
HH: Has that ever happened to you?
Gorilla: No.
HH: Did you feel more invested in [your latest movie] BG than the others?
Gorilla: No.
HH: Do you think you'll feel more sensitive with your first fully scripted project The Dirt?
Gorilla: No.
Well, maybe with The Dirt and BG I'm being pushed more out of my comfort zone. So maybe I'm more sensitive.
But haters gonna hate. You can't do anything about that.
HH: So what's your secret to not caring?
Gorilla: Thick skin.
HH: But how'd you get thick skin?
Gorilla: I got teased all the time when I was little.
HH: You did not. By who?
Gorilla: My brother.
HH: So you credit childhood teasing to building up your confidence?
Gorilla: Yes.
HH: That seems hard to believe. Do you think that's true for everyone?
Gorilla: *shrugs* No, I'm probably just naturally insensitive.
HH: But it doesn't seem like the other [movie] guys ever cared about the criticism either. How does that happen?
Gorilla: Cause we liked what we were doing.
We were making ourselves laugh. That's all that mattered. When you like what you're doing, who gives a shit about anyone else?
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There you have it, folks.