In the longer letters from total strangers, there often occurs the question, "Who influenced you?" and, occasionally, "What books influenced you?" To these queries, I am always at a loss for a satisfactory answer. If anyone shaped my character, I suppose it was my parents- particularly my mother- and regretfully I admit that, because of them, I am invincibly middle-class. Apart from them, I can't think that my destiny was formed by anything but bad luck. I endured a life which offered very few options.
To speak in broader terms, the words "role model" are not in general use in England; they express a purely American notion. As I see it, if a boy wishes to emulate Babe Ruth, he is already like Babe Ruth. All he needs is the stamina and the luck. I have admired many people, but know that I have no hope of resembling any of them or of even receiving the rewards that they enjoy. I am far too removed from the human arena.
- Quentin Crisp, Resident Alien, 1991
To speak in broader terms, the words "role model" are not in general use in England; they express a purely American notion. As I see it, if a boy wishes to emulate Babe Ruth, he is already like Babe Ruth. All he needs is the stamina and the luck. I have admired many people, but know that I have no hope of resembling any of them or of even receiving the rewards that they enjoy. I am far too removed from the human arena.
- Quentin Crisp, Resident Alien, 1991
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now...BE MY FRIEND!!!
cheers!!!
Thanks for the encouragement. Did you see that one of the places that I might apply for a job is Reston VA??? So, if I decide to go that route, we may get to hang out!!!