05/25/2009: "Image Management"

Hi All,

I link to these articles only as they form a cautious example of some things you can do wrong when it comes to presenting a public profile of oneself. Now, clearly, for someone such as myself there's really no big issue because my profile is so microscopic as to be visible only under a compound lens. But ... for anyone who may read this and go on to publish a book, make a film, do great things in business, etc, please, use me as a 'how not to' present yourself guide.

#1:
www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/movies/calgary-writers-work-to-hit-the-screen/article1151325/

... what a hideous photo! What a ballonhead I am! That was taken way back in 2005 when I was pre-steroidal. I think the poor photographer about had a conniption trying to get a decent pic of me ... plus he failed. Not his fault. Second problem: I should not have said I drive a 'special needs bus.' That makes it sounds like the bus itself has special needs. It has regular needs: gas, oil, that I coo sweet nothings into the carburator each morning so it will start. I'm lying: I coo to it to satisfy my own odd needs. I should have said, simply, I drive a school bus. Which is what I do.

#2:
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/afterword/archive/2009/05/25/craig-davidson-s-stories-getting-big-screen-treatment.aspx

... another ghastly photo! The photog said something like: "Let's get you sitting backward a-straddle that chair holding your book" and I did, because I'm a doofus. It's tough to look dignified when you're sitting backwards on one of your grandparents' old kitchen chairs (I inherited them) holding a copy of your failed novel. Beyond that, look at the computer screen behind me: the photog suggested that, in addition to sitting ass-backwards on a wooden chair, it would be awesome if there were another, shirtless and sweaty photo of myself on the computer. Good idea! I knew it was a bad idea. I still went along.

Never do these things. I can't say I'll never do them again, because, as just stated, I'm a moron. But you should not. These are not 'public profile enhancers.' They are, uhhhh, just bad, bad, bad ideas.

I do congratulate Jacques Audiard on the Grand Prix. I think he should've won the Palme, but hey, that's just me.

All best, Craig.