It ain't easy being me

by Mike on the Bottom

As Rodney Dangerfield liked to say, it ain't easy bein' me.

Like the late, great, Rodney, I've battled depression my whole life.

One of the things that led to my becoming friends with V-Grrrl is that the two of us have this in common. It can obviously be a burden, but it can also be a blessing in terms of insight and empathy

Because of this, I'm always looking for things that can help me--and help others afflicted with this disease. And it is a disease.

It may seem silly, but one thing that has helped me the past few years is the uplifting television series "Smallville."

 The show has connected strongly with teens and twenty-somethings suffering from depression because of the way it portrays young Clark Kent as an isolated figure who feels he can never be 'normal.' 

I had the opportunity to speak with Christopher Reeve about this not long before his death. Reeve, who played Kent and Superman in films, was proud of "Smallville" for that reason and was happy he had been able to make an appearance on the series toward the end of his life.

So I strongly recommend "Smallville" for those who even have periodic brushes with depression--and for those readers who have children with the disease. 

I also recommended the first soundtrack from the series, which is available at stores and as a download to iPod from iTunes. 

Especially inspiring is the Five for Fighting alternative rock song "Superman."

Artist: Five For Fighting Lyrics
	Song: Superman Lyrics MP3 Downloads Click here to send Five For Fighting polyphonic ringtone to your cell phone.
	I can't stand to fly I'm not that naive I'm just out to find The better part of me I'm more than a bird...I'm more than a plane More than some pretty face beside a train It's not easy to be me Wish that I could cry Fall upon my knees Find a way to lie About a home I'll never see It may sound absurd...but don't be naive Even heroes have the right to bleed I may be disturbed...but won't you concede Even heroes have the right to dream It's not easy to be me Up, up and away...away from me It's all right...you can all sleep sound tonight I'm not crazy...or anything... I can't stand to fly I'm not that naive Men weren't meant to ride With clouds between their knees I'm only a man in a silly red sheet Digging for kryptonite on this one way street Only a man in a funny red sheet Looking for special things inside of me Inside of me Inside of me Yeah, inside me Inside of me I'm only a man In a funny red sheet I'm only a man Looking for a dream I'm only a man In a funny red sheet And it's not easy, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm... Its not easy to be me

Michael Zitz Beckham, aka Mike on the Bottom, is not normal, and this is why he's a FOVG (Friend of V-Grrrl).

Comments

[wells]

agreed.
smallville is one of the best, most well-done shows on television today. not only is it entertaining on the surface, but it has many layers that attract viewers and allow them to really connect to the characters and stories portrayed in the show.
i'm glad there are others out there who really seem to get it as well.

[Denice]

I love that song. It is amusing and sad to think of a superhero having such angst.

I really like Smallville as well. It is very interesting and clever. I enjoy having Clark and Lex as friends.

[V-Grrrl]

You know, I think I could settle for being a pretty face beside a train..... ; )