I want an Oscar ...
I get down from my black limousine. Venue – the Kodak theatre, Hollywood. There she is, the heart-throb of the millions – Sharon Stone. Tom Cruise with his wife. I am walking shoulder to shoulder with the whos and whats of Hollywood – the arc lights, the photographers, the press. I walk into the auditorium, over the red carpet … “Welcome to the Oscar Awards Night “. There is the award – the golden figure of the Knight standing on a reel of film, the hands gripping a sword, shining. Oh, how I wish I could have it !
Good Evening Fellow Toastmasters and friends ! My topic for today is “I want an Oscar ..”
Just then I spotted her JLo – Jennifer Lopez, looking as gorgeous as ever. She wore a sinuous dress with bright pink and black, and the soft fabric outlined her thighs as she walked. The dress wrapped around her so that when she sat down, the cloth flowed down hers sides which allowed her to show her long, sensual legs in dark, high heels. To finish her look, she wore her hair down without any pins to go along with the carefree, relaxed look of her dress. Every lady present in the auditorium were trying to outdo each other with their killer, seductive looks.
Whether or not men know it women are in complete control of this arena. They know that a woman's physical appearance is an irresistible drug to men. They know that lust can temporarily stun a man's ability to reason. They know men want sex and will do anything -- even act contrary to their inherent masculine natures -- to get it.
They know they can turn even the most macho he-man into a begging puppy dog just by a secret, throaty whisper in the ear. They know they can manipulate a man into spending thousands of dollars on them with the bat of an eyelash or the tip of the tongue flitting out between the lips. They know that they can get away with behavior that society would never tolerate in men.
This is an awesome power, and women are experts at wielding it. The tools of the female manipulative trade are seduction, flattery, deception, evasion, unavailability, and innuendo -- all cunning levers to bend men to their wills.
We have seen this happen not once but several times. The three time Oscar recipient, a Hollywood legend - Elizabeth Taylor – the screen diva of western years. The beautiful face that had drawn men like bees – 8 marriages and numerous affairs! Elizabeth's eight marriages and her conniving personality had broken apart other people's marriages. One such Oscar Night in the 70s, she had worn a $10,000 dress, the most expensive dress at that time and decked with 1.5 million diamond jewelry from her boyfriend. Who knows about her drug and alcohol abuses, her suicide attempts at age 29 along with the 73 total hospitalizations throughout her life.
This year was Shakespeare’s 440th birth anniversary and the academy chose to pay tribute to this great dramatist through a live performance of the powerful Monarch of Rome – Julius Caesar. Caesar comes back triumphant winning many lands, wealth, money and enters Rome on the Ides of March. Brutus says “Hail Caesar, I kiss your hand !”. Cassius falls low and says “Pardon me o Caesar”. Then one after another, the sycophants, and conspirators stab the mighty king and even as Caesar falls down he cries after his closest friend “Et u Brute !”
That’s what power does to man – friends become enemies. Jealousy creeps in thinking the other person is getting more attention than he deserves. There is nothing called trust, loyalty, love, friendship in power. Only deception, cunningness, shrewdness and back-stabbing.
Then they called the King of Pop - Michael Jackson- to give away one of the awards. Over his career Michael Jackson has earned over $600 million. Estimates have put his income from albums at $328 million with the most successful 'Thriller' bringing in $115 million. Apart from albums, his 1988 and 1992 world tours brought him $100 million each. Endorsements generated $30 million, video/films $25 million and merchandising $25 million giving total earnings of $608 million. Jackson has invested through property including his 3000 acre Neverland ranch worth $50 million, his Encino and Las Vegas homes as well as numerous other properties totaling $100 million. Michael Jackson also has a 50% share in Sony ATV and other music publishing companies worth $600 million, giving Michael a total gross wealth of $700 million. His Neverland ranch employs 50 full time staff, stays in $ 10,000 a-night hotel rooms and often buys expensive gifts, for example spending $10,000 on perfume for Elizabeth Taylor. He writes in one of his songs :
Anything for money
Would lie for you
Would die for you
Even sell my soul to the devil
One of the most talked about man – who’s obsession for his face, his sex life and childhood are known to all. So far 1500 law suits are against his name – might face bankruptcy if he has to settle them all. A man who has changed his skin color, his sex. Who said what money cannot buy?
Power, money, fame and sex are all ambitions that depend on other people for the perception of their realizations. There is no power without status, no fame without a audience, there is no sex in solitude. The perception of power, money, fame and sex are all relative to others and therefore are insatiable pursuits. These are desires for happiness yet all such desires kills joy.
Bettrand Russel wrote "But Napoleon envied Caesar, Caesar envied Alexander, and Alexander, I dare say envied Hercules, who never existed. You cannot therefore get away from envy by means of success alone, for there will always be in history or legend some person more successful then you are."
So while sitting in the auditorium amidst those people whom I had admired, idolized, dreamt of – what was it really for ? Was it a finally a pursuit after power, money, fame and sex ?
"Which of us this can make us happy in this world ? Why do we have desires that cannot satisfy us and can never lead us to happiness ? Why desire is maya – illusion. Its there today but not there tomorrow. Ephemeral things. But the only things that are constant will be the beauty of nature, the innocence of a child and the love of a mother. Its what money can never buy, no power can ever take away and no glory greater than this.
I had just gone out with numerous such thoughts crowding my mind when a reporter suddenly caught me “Hi, I am Simon from QNN reporting live from the Kodak theatre!. Now we have come to the category of Best Foreign Film and the 4 films that have been shortlisted this year are – Julie from France, Everyman’s Land from Bosnia, Kangaan from India and Bride of Son from Argentina. We have with us now, the producer and actor of Kangaan – Kaushik Rana. Kaushik tell us – what are the chances of Kangaan getting an Oscar". I reply, “We have all done a good job, let the best film win”. Just imagine, I am being seen by millions of fans around the world – politicians, millionaires, business leaders and those lovely ladies.”
Just then on the mike, “Well the nominations are .. One .. No ! Two .. No! Three .. No! Four .. there it goes my nomination. All quiet, the suspense is mounting. She opens the sealed envelope, looks at it, gives a smile, takes the mike and says .. And the Oscar goes to..! I jumped out of my seat, people around hug me. The applause seem to get downed by it, I seem to be in a land of utopia. With Oscar in my hand .. I knew I was on top of this world – fame, glory, power and money !
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