Hubris vs. Humility: The Inner Battle

Dear Friends~


I haven't posted a BLOG since my dalliance with all that is celebrated on "St. Patrick's Day", so I thought it may be time, once again, to articulate my thoughts on a topic that continues to  rear its ugly head: HUBRIS.


hu·bris/ˈ(h)yo͞obris/Noun

1. Excessive pride or self-confidence.

2. (in Greek tragedy) Excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods, leading to nemesis.

It is not unusual, nor unexpected, to review everyone's favorite social media page, Facebook, and read about the most recent successes of our collective peers.  That being said, I can't help but notice the ever-growing aura of self-aggrandizing, ego-driven testimony that many feel obligated to announce.

I am fortunate to be "pen-pals" with many very famous, intelligent and compassionate people.  These individuals have earned a tremendous amount of personal and financial success through their commitment to their chosen endeavors. What I admire even more about these "friends", is their ability to maintain a modicum of humility; relative to their notoriety.  They have earned "bragging rights"; all, by devoting many years of  commitment to their work.

I also admire the less conspicuous "FB friends", who quietly devote themselves to their vocations~often with little fanfare or notice.  These individuals do volunteer work: assist the elderly, sponsor recovering alcoholics and addicts, support their local animal shelters, tutor troubled students...and, the list goes on.

What I am finding a bit difficult to "enjoy", are the postings from those who contribute very little to their community, who live off the backs of those who struggle, who whine incessantly about petty inconveniences-YET....demand praise, attention, accolades and support for their crusade to be the "only person in the room" who matters.

HUMILITY and GRATITUDE are two words that I often bring to the forefront of many of my BLOGS or commentary; as it serves to remind me of "who" and "what" I value in this life.

I DO value those who keep their ego in check.

I DO care for those who "give back" to others and who put their words into action.

I ADMIRE those who share the joyous gift of humor and grace; with their daily anecdotes and amusing links.

I care much less for those who lack the willingness to acknowledge that "we are all flawed". We "all" have character defects. And, we "all" may want to stop....think...and, realize...that it is "with grace" that we have been allowed the opportunity to express our daily thoughts, worries, cares and joys.

I am GRATEFUL for the sacrifices that others have made for me.

I am GRATEFUL for the love and friendship that has been extended to me.

I will work at maintaining my HUMILITY; as it is in my nature~as an actress, writer, performer...and, "all-round" clown-to sound off about every minor accomplishment as if I were curing cancer.

Facebook can be the kind of social media forum that enlightens and entertains-OR, it may be just a soapbox for all who feel maligned by the bad cup of coffee that they were served this morning by an underpaid, under-educated invisible soul. Just think. THAT clerk may not even own a laptop or cell phone. THAT "idiot" who served you the wrong coffee, may only have a pack of "no-name" cigarettes to talk to, at the end of their work day.

It's not my intention, with this particular BLOG, to flog anyone who takes great pride in their achievements-whether far-reaching or simple and intimate.

Goodness knows-I always announce my successes. At the same time-my announcements are coupled with an expression of GRATITUDE and HUMILITY-as nothing is guaranteed. NOTHING is a "given".

Now-I will turn off the computer, turn down the lights, kiss my pets goodnight...and, again-give "Thanks" for the ability to communicate my thoughts, share with others and "play nicely" with those who matter most.

Love to All~

Kat Winn Blanchard

St. Patty~ Melt Down

"St. Patty~Melt Down"

We are less than 72 hours away from "all things GREEN"~so, I thought it only fitting that I offer up a crash course in popular St. Patrick's Day sayings as a primer to all of those who are priming to crash.



Every March 17th, I make sure that I stay home: as I have no desire to trudge through crowded bars with slippery floors; wet from excessive spillage of skunky, artificially-colored, cheap beer. The pungent and ever-lingering smell of corned beef and cabbage reminds me of the paper mills in northern New Hampshire: kind of like egg salad day at the senior home. The only thing more suffocating than the crowds and the odors, is the god-awful group sing-along to "The Unicorn" song.
"Danny Boy" is that guy in the corner with the blue nose, two-left feet and enough flatulence to heat a log cabin atop Mt. Washington.



All of that being said~I can still muster up enough moral support to those who are committed to digging out the only lime green T-shirt in their dresser drawer, pooling their cab fare money and literally, "pub-crawling" for a minimum of 16 hours.



Here are a few key Gaelic phrases that may come in handy throughout the blur and haze of your celebration.



"Pionta Guinness, le do thoil."....meaning, "A pint of Guinness, please!"



"Tabhair póg dom, táim Éireannach"....tells everyone, "Kiss Me, I'm Irish!"



"An bhfuil tú dálta fós?"...heralds..."Are you drunk enough, yet?"



"uisce beatha!".....is the command for, "WHISKEY!"



"Sláinte chugat"...is a blessing of "Good Health".



And, with that....I wish all of my friends-Irish or not-a safe and fun "St. Patrick's Day".



I still don't get it; as I honestly don't believe that Saint Patrick had any notion that his "wake" would be honored by the makers of Guinness, Budweiser, Jameson, Alka-Selzter, Pepto-Bismol, Charmin, Brawny, Gas-X-but...

On a positive note.....There is a lot of joy that can be derived from those special moments with good friends who raise a glass......sing a song.....share some hugs.... and give fond remembrance to those who have left this world and, therefore- no longer need to worry if lime green beer hurl leaves stains on porcelain.



Peace and Love to All



Kat Winn Blanchard

The Latitude Within.

February 21, 2011

I am typing this BLOG-as I ride to Boston, on an express bus-filled with people who appear to be "world-weary" and apprehensive about "Monday", in general.

For those who know me well-I AM an "odd duck". 
I AM that weird one who actually enjoys going to the dentist. I can hear the collective moan and it resonates.
I AM that impish woman~child who gets a kick out of going to a car wash in the winter. I enjoy shoveling the front walkway for the postal carrier and throwing snowballs at the sabre-like icicles that threaten to skewer me from my rooftop.
I LIKE Mondays-as I approach the new day with refreshed optimism and a child-like anxiousness regarding today's "Job Fair". This is not to confuse my excitement with any sense of naivete'; when it comes to the "dreaded JOB SEARCH". 

Many may think, "Why is she looking for a new career path-when she is already juggling three or more "jobs", nearly seven days per week as it is?"
The answer is: "Because, I am slaving at JOBS-not nurturing a  CAREER path".
I'm seeking new challenges and new opportunities to GROW-LEARN-SUCCEED.

For me, it is one thing to "clock in" and "endure the slings and arrows of outrageous" exotic drinks for minimum wage, while dodging the insults from chronic alcoholics.....or, to substitute teach high school students with doomed attitudes for a paltry paycheck.  It is an altogether different and laudable experience to ENJOY one's work and to be paid fairly for one's efforts. Not that I would KNOW what that is like: I am still in the fantasy world of the "what-ifs?"

I am now sitting in the warmth of the Radisson lobby-preparing to "freshen up" and enter the Job Fair.

As I walked from the subway station to Stuart St., the wet snow clung to my hair. I looked into a cafe window and agreed to get my "root touch-up" done this week. My eyes were watering like a frenzied poodle as the wind clung to my second application of cover stick and Lash Blast.

The closer that I get to the convention center~the louder the shrill voice of insecurity whistles through my brain, heart and soul.

For every cheer that I award myself-there are ten votes of "no-confidence" that enjoy clog dancing on my enthusiasm.

It's probably because I have danced to this "pony show" many times in my life; and, now that I am not "fresh-out-of-college" I throw a cautionary "force-field" of self-protection around my persona to laugh off those who may view me as too "seasoned" for consideration. "SEASONED" is a euphemism for "OLD".

Trust me when I say, I have an abundance of experience and insight within the fields of Education, Sales, Journalism and Media-but, I am also presently and have long been-a bartender, a substitute teacher, a free-lance actress and concurrently, a pauper.

There are enough "naysayers" who enjoy sorting through a mountain of resumes and interviews-only to send my resume and application into the paper shredder.   I have no fear of those who have nothing to offer me in return.

It is the voice of uncertainty within myself that is my enemy.  I will now slay that enemy with a conscious decision to take it in stride, ENJOY the moment and leave with a sense of accomplishment.

When I am finished  here-I will walk to two casting agencies and drop off my photos and acting resume.

I am in Boston to create MY world.

And right now....this very minute...I am going to sign off, freshen up-again....put my "SMILE" on, walk into the JOB FAIR and kick some serious butt.

My personal latitude is a gift to myself.

Enjoy YOUR Monday.

Smiles~KWB

"Send OUT the Clowns"

I am writing this BLOG in response to a recent Facebook post; wherein, the  former "friend" made a crass joke about AIDS.
Anyone who knows me is aware that my beloved brother died from AIDS complications in 1997-at the age of 41.  I spent five years watching "Brian"-a brilliant musician and best friend- waste away to a shell of himself, while suffering through Karposi Sarcoma, Candida, esophageal "thrush", "wasting syndrome" and dementia. In his final days of life, I tended to his soiled pajamas, bathed him, fed him and sang to him.  I cuddled him like he was my infant son-to try to shield him from the fear of the impending "Angel of Death" who called to him day and night.


There are many, in this world-and specifically on the social network of Facebook-who somehow find it humorous to make "jokes" about AIDS.  Even 25 years after the onset of the AIDS epidemic worldwide-there appears to be a nefarious approach to this subject: as if those who contract AIDS "brought it on themselves"-through their own actions and consequently, "deserve" it.
When I tell people that my brother died from AIDS, the immediate response is, "Was he gay?"..as if, "being gay" is the only way that one can contract AIDS.
To paraphrase my good friend, writer Barry Crimmins, Brian was "whatever makes YOU feel most uncomfortable." 
I find AIDS "jokes" to be bigoted: as the context belies a deeper prejudice, hatred and fear of those who may or may not be homosexual.


This BLOG today, is a direct response to a now DELETED Facebook "friend" who ran the defensive when I told him that his AIDS "joke" was humorless and crass.  For some reason-this "friend" believes that since all "ART" is subjective-I have no authority to censor him.


He countered my commentary with this posting:
"Regardless of your personal experience you don't have the authority to deem what is funny and what is not. Art is subjective and affects different people in different ways. The most important thing in life is to remember there is always an "off" switch. "


He is correct in the context that I have no right to censor him-however, I certainly have the right and privilege to simply DELETE him from my "friend" list. It's that simple.


Some may think that I have no sense of humor.  On the contrary; I have a great sense of humor-when the remarks do not cut into the heart and soul of another human being's personal experience.
I find political satire riveting.  I enjoy jokes about the "human condition"-when it is not overtly mean-spirited...when the humor is universal and meant to help us all reflect on our own individual neurosis.


It is my sincere hope that somehow we can all find it within ourselves to "rethink" our perspective on those who suffer and die from AIDS. 
On this Valentine's Day-it will be 14 years since my brother, Brian Douglas Blanchard, left this world. I miss him every single day and I will continue to honor him and his memory by being a "voice" for those who live with and die from AIDS.


Love to All~
Kat Winnn Blanchard

My New Blog Site!

I am SO excited about this!

I used to be on Myspace-pretty regularly-where I would create BLOGS on just about any and all topics.
I just discovered this free GOOGLE BLOG page..and-Now I can "carry on" again!
Oh Joy!...Oh Rapture!

I found that Facebook had it's limitations-so, I just made use of what others have discovered...Cool!

Now-I can write reviews on movies, television, fashion, world news...and, just about any event.