Jack Wild

Jack Wild, a British child actor who I liked very much (I daresay I had a crush on him) when I was a youngster, died a few days ago. You may know him from the movie, Oliver! or the television series, "H.R. Pufnstuf." He also had a very brief role many years later in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner.

I always liked Jack Wild. Loved his accent, thought he was cute, he could sing and dance. It always made me a bit sad that his career went downhill because of personal issues like alcoholism and he later developed throat cancer (probably due to smoking) and lost his voice, which I think is always kind of tragic for an actor. But I also understand he found spirituality and God later in life, and so I think that's cool.

Anyway, in honor of Jack Wild, I'd like to quote a song from the movie, Pufnstuf, which Jack didn't sing himself, but I think it's a lovely song and is apropos to my situation.

DIFFERENT

When I was smaller, and people were taller,
I realized that I was different;
I had a power that set me apart.
I learned to take it, to use it to make it.
It's not so bad to be different;
To do your own thing, and do it with heart.

Different is hard. Different is lonely.
Different is trouble for you only.
Different is heartache. Different is pain.
But I'd rather be different than be the same.

At times I'd wonder what hex I was under.
What did I do to be so different?
Then I discovered some others like me.
Wonder no longer. Together we're stronger.
It's not so bad to be different;
Be true to yourself; that's what you must be.

Different is hard. Different is lonely.
Different is trouble for you only.
Different is heartache. Different is pain.
But I'd rather be different than be the same.

I think the song applies to anyone who feels isolated or set apart in some way, which I would imagine all people do. I mean, I can apply this song to my Mormonism, my gay-ness, my theatrical life, etc. But I would rather be different than be like everyone else. I've always been a non-conformist, which suits me very well, thank you very much. In fact, sometimes I try to be different just to rock the boat sometimes. I guess that's always been one of my challenges as a Mormon, is trying to march to my own drummer while the Church often tries (at least in my perception) to put everyone in the same box.

Anyway, those are today's thoughts.