Self-actualization via the crazy

Congratulations are in order. And by that, I mean I’m going to congratulate myself. I’ve made the jump from all-out unemployment to the realm of part-time underemployment. Translation: I am wedged in between the lowest tiers of Maslow’s self-actualization pyramid! Huzzah! Still, it’s progress and I have my sights set on what I want.

My job requires marketing writing that’s supposed to be in the voice of a teen girl (Interviewer: “Can you do that?” Me: “Duh.”). With my previous experiences working on ABC programming geared toward middle-aged women, I will soon have run the lady gamut and know everything there is to know about the fairer sex.

While marketing writing isn’t necessarily my undying passion, I really need cash and I am interested in gaining “the experience.” In addition to this opportunity, there is also another prospect that I’m truly, truly excited about…

But should I be?

One of my roommates, the one with an affinity for psychics, bought Sam Raimi’s marvelous little gem Drag Me To Hell. It came out on DVD this week, so definitely check it out if you have not seen it. I would argue that this movie and Paranormal Activity (my Wired.com review here) make for the best double feature of the year.

Both this movie and Paranormal Activity deal with a demon haunting its protagonist. In this case, it’s the beautiful, talented, charming, all-around awesome Alison Lohman. It’s clear that the movie has a particular stance and that stance is anti-employment.

If you’re employed, the movie argues that you become part of an establishment that seeks to destroy both you and the people around you (which is very interesting, given our current economic circumstances).

Or, maybe it’s just about Alison Lohman pissing off a gypsy by denying her mortgage extension, causing the gypsy to awaken the Lamia, said demon, which tries its best to drag our charming, guilt-ridden protagonist to hell. Lohman even has to kill her kitty cat to try and protect her soul and, by extension, her job.

What I truly appreciated about Raimi’s movie is that Lohman’s character is placed on screen as an honest to goodness human with feelings. We know she was a fat kid, we know her Mom is an alcoholic, and we know that her boyfriend’s prestigious family dislikes her simple background. She’s being haunted by both the present and past. We know her (and in some cases, are her), demons and all. She’s self-actualizing via the crazy and I love it.

While we definitely live in age of over sharing (it’s not always good to talk about your inner and not-so-inner demons), we are also in a time where aloofness reigns supreme. With this film, in all its craziness, it’s nice to know that there’s still a place for sincerity, even if it’s in the guise of a fictional character.

I recently found myself having drinks with Daniel Pinchbeck, son of Beat generation author Joyce Johnson. Like my roommate, he has an affinity for discussing “psychic planes”. If you don’t know who this guy is, watch this:

Basically, he’s that friend from college that you would occasionally hang out with — usually on Friday nights, in a fragrant, incense-filled room. Unlike the homeless burnouts on the streets of San Francisco, he was lucky enough to have a magazine assignment that shipped to West Africa to experience psychedelic shaman rituals, which eventually led to a book deal. After his experiences, he came to the stunning realization that what we are doing to our planet is bad (Okay…).

…He also came to the conclusion that there will probably be a shift in global consciousness very soon, and he also talks about how this may be linked to alien visitations and crop circles.

There are a couple of reasons as to why our encounter could, uh, only be described as, uh, AWKWARD.

First, the prospective job that excites me so much is something that he considers completely frivolous (even though he’s worked in media). Second, when discussing his reasons for exploring shamanism and psychedelics, he cites a personal existential crisis.

What is this crisis, you may ask?

I don’t know because he’s not telling. Yes, it may be personal info. However, for someone who seeks to be profound and personal through his books, it would seem to make sense to strive for the personal qualities of Alison Lohman’s character in Drag Me To Hell. For someone preaching a current lack of humanity, social understanding, and nihilism in media– I’d just like to hear some of those experiences on a personal level.

After the messages surrounding me in both film and conversation, again, I ask: Should I be excited about my prospects or will I go crazy as I try to self-actualize?

Answer:

Whatever job I have/get may give me an existential, demon-filled crisis… But you know what? As I said, I’m in the lowest tiers of Maslow’s hierarchy. Living in reality. I need to support myself and find security, first and foremost.

Basically, if my life and Maslow status could be represented via film, I would be pre-nose job Paula Abdul singing “Party.” I got my first mini-paycheck today, so that’s what I’m having.

Hell-to-the-yes.