Don Osmond: In my opinion…

August 21, 2009

License, registration, autograph, please…

Filed under: DonSense — Tags: , , — donosmond @ 6:39 pm

Last week’s blog got me thinking about a recent funny experience.

I was pulled over for speeding through BYU campus the other day. Seeing those blue-and-red flashing lights in the rear view mirror conjures up one of the most gut-sinking feelings on the planet.

A husky figure got out of his tailgating patrol car, and from my mirror, I watched him adjust his sunglasses as he prepped himself to deliver the standard lecture.

“License and registration, son.”

As if being pulled over is not humiliating enough, he assumed an overbearing fatherly disposition to put me in my place.

“Do you know how fast you were going?”

I sat there thinking snidely … Fast enough to get your attention.

Knowing better than to mouth off, I politely responded, “It was a little too fast. I apologize, officer.”

After gathering my effects, he moseyed back to his squad car, still flashing lights in a blaze of glory. The victor was waving his banner for all to see as he basked in the grandeur of his afternoon kill.

Five minutes later, the conversation became interesting.

He loomed over the driver’s side window and asked, “Are you related to THE Osmonds?”

Hmmm, do I lie and get this over with, or …

“Yes, I am.”

“Really? Can you get me an autographed picture of Marie?”

I considered this an opportunity to barter my way out of getting a ticket, but knew the officer wouldn’t budge.

He kept me there for a solid 15 minutes where I answered trivial questions about purple socks, white teeth and puppy love.

That afternoon, we both left the side of the road disappointed; me with my ticket, the officer without an autograph.

He wasn’t seriously thinking about scoring an autograph, was he?

August 8, 2009

You know this guy???

Filed under: DonSense — Tags: , , — donosmond @ 5:36 pm

Can I share a secret with you? Do you promise not to tell anyone?

Oh, the irony of that statement.

I have the hardest time remembering names.

If remembering someone’s name is considered the best compliment one could ever give, forgetting someone’s name is probably the biggest social blunder one could make at parties and gatherings.

Well, events like the one below, happen to the best of us more often than we would like to admit. And, the scenario usually plays out something like this:

Being socialites in our late-20s and early-30s, we attend parties and functions where we fraternize with new acquaintances all the time. During those get-togethers, jokes and good times are shared.

Unfortunately, at the close of the evening, we go our separate ways and disappear into our private lives. We rarely consider getting each other’s contact information; we’ll just connect on Facebook.

Weeks go by, and we forget about that evening until another serendipitous rendezvous, reuniting all of our closest acquaintances together again. These are the moments, when paths cross, and re-introductions are inevitable; the embarrassment sets in.

“I know I know ‘em; I just don’t know ‘em.”

I’ll illustrate by putting myself on the chopping block … I keep running into one guy at every party throughout this state — literally, from Salt Lake City to St. George.

We’ve been introduced to each other at least five or six times. And, each time he seems more frustrated that I can’t remember his name.

“Look, buddy. I know you, I just don’t know you.”

Like most people, my problem has nothing to do with face recognition. However, when it comes to recalling someone’s name, I’m not always found wearing the victor’s crown.

Some just have names not easily forgotten. Um-m-m… Osmond?

So, the next time our paths cross and I don’t call you by name, it’s not that I don’t know you, it’s just that I don’t know you.

Please don’t hate me; I’m trying harder, and I’m getting better.

I’m so busted!

August 1, 2009

Mistaken identity

Filed under: DonSense — Tags: , , — donosmond @ 9:42 pm

There are times when we are mistaken for someone else.

If you are being compared to someone you admire, a case of mistaken identity can be viewed as a compliment. However, there are times you’re told you have a striking resemblance to Tobias from “Arrested Development.” (That’s no lie. It happened to me last week. Please tell me she was joking.)

I digress.

A few years ago, my family and I took a flight to Denver. I think my father was performing out there, but I honestly don’t remember. Regardless, it was a reason to take a family trip for the weekend.

The seven of us boarded the plane in Salt Lake City. My parents and I were seated three-across on the left, and my brothers in the neighboring seats.

As with any typical Osmond sighting, we were picking up a few audible whispered conversations.

“Psst. That’s Donny Osmond.” (Over the years, I’ve trained my ear. It’s kind of a game my brothers and I play; a misspent youth, I know.)

Anyway, we were in our seats no more than 10 minutes before a young, 20-something woman approached us. She seemed a little timid, but with a personal determination to find out the truth about this famous guy. If I were a betting man, I’d put money on the possibility her mother coaxed her into asking — the young ones usually are.

By the time she got to us, it was as though I could read her mind and knew what she was going to ask.

“Excuse me. Are you Donny Osmond?”

I knew it!

But, something was different this time. I’ve heard this question hundreds of times before. What was so odd about this one? She was looking at the wrong person — me!
I didn’t know how to respond. Befuddled with disbelief that she would question me, I responded with: “I’m sorry. I’m not.”

By now you should know the seating arrangements (this adds to the humor). My father was on the aisle, my mother in the middle, and I was near the window. The young women had, quite literally, leaned over my father to ask if I was Donny Osmond.

As I turned to my father, his facial expression seemed to say it all: “Is this girl for real?”
Before we had the chance to correct her error, she started making her way back to her seat, four rows up.

As mentioned before, the experience is either flattering, or disturbing. It all depends on whom you are compared to.

Did she really think I looked 50 years old? Ouch!

July 20, 2009

Simplifying celebrity

Filed under: Cresting 30 — Tags: , , — donosmond @ 9:10 pm

Events within the entertainment industry hit my family pretty hard during the past couple months. Untimely deaths often give reason for reflection, especially when they involve those whom we’ve had a close relationship with.

Most everyone knows my family associated with the Jacksons throughout the years, as well as entertainer Danny Gans, who co-produced the Donny and Marie show in Las Vegas. However, when a celebrity is lambasted by the limelight of media attention, sometimes the simple things they do go unnoticed.

Interestingly, when our time is up, it’s the kind and simple things we are remembered by.

During Danny Gans’ memorial service, personal stories were shared of how he always looked for ways to give back to a community that gave him so much.

One such story described his daily trip to the theater. He would travel the same route every day, and would regularly visit with a man who had been left homeless.

Often, Danny would take a couple minutes to stop and chat. During these visits, it became apparent to him that this man had difficulties walking. Danny decided to purchase a wheelchair the following day, and give it to him.

No one ever heard that story until Danny’s memorial service. Why? Because those stories don’t sell magazines and newspapers. Those stories are not what the media thinks the public wants to hear.

When Michael Jackson died, the media kicked into a whirlwind frenzy. They unleashed the stories of yesteryear and tapped every aspect of his life.

Now I’m not here to vindicate or condemn a celebrity for the way the media portrayed them. And, thankfully, I’m not the judge of salvation — I leave that job for God.

However, I don’t think any of us realize the private lives of a celebrity until we hear a young girl say, as Paris Jackson said of her father, “Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine, and I just want to say I love him so much.”

Michael’s sister Janet Jackson summed it up best when she said, “To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family and he will forever live in all of our hearts.”

These comments struck me, and got me thinking.

Life is not about celebrity, or being adorned with countless accolades; it’s about the legacy we leave behind. May we all consider the lives we touch well before our time is called.

July 10, 2009

Who’s your daddy?

Filed under: DonSense — Tags: , — donosmond @ 8:09 pm

What is it like to be the son of Donny Osmond?

If I had a penny for every time someone asked me that question, I don’t think I would need to work for the rest of my life.

Without fail, it comes up during every introductory conversation: “… and this is my friend, Don Osmond. Yes, the son of …”

The dialogue becomes extremely interesting when my new acquaintance stands in disbelief. Thus ensues a short game of verbal tennis: “Na-a-ah.” “Yeah.” “No.” “Yep!” “Really?”

By then I pull out my driver’s license and point out the “Jr.” at the end of my name.

After the embarrassment wears off, additional questions follow — ridiculous ones, too: What’s it like to be famous? Does your dad still wear purple socks? Do you all sing around the piano at home?

For the longest time, I’ve hated these questions. Why are people so enamored by my life? I’ve never considered my father to be anything but my dad. Sure, I’ve seen the videos. I’m still baffled at how crazy the crowds would react when my dad and his brothers took the stage. For some reason, I never connected my father to the Donny Osmond icon.

Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? How could one not recognize notoriety when he’s sitting across the dinner table?

It’s largely because of my upbringing. My parents were never caught up in the whole “Hollywood” scene. They centralized a focus on what was really important to them — our family.

Which brings me to my point. Each family situation is unique but, at the same time, perfectly normal. That’s the beauty of normalcy — it’s subjective.

So, what is it like to be the son of Donny Osmond? Normal. Yep!

I get up in the morning; have breakfast; go to work. Occasionally, I’ll go on a date — same as any typical bachelor.

However, there are the occasional “not-so-typical” things. Going to premieres. Walking red carpets. Meeting famous people.

It’s still normal. It’s rare, but normal.

The same thing is true for each of us. If you do something your whole life it’s going to always seem ordinary. It’s just when someone points out those things that we realize how extraordinary our lives actually are.

I’ve even met a few people whose lifestyle intrigued me and asked them a million questions. A perfect example is when I met a professional race car driver. I love going fast, and had to ask him about everything he does — probably to the point of ad nauseam.

So, I’ve come to realize that people are just curious. I don’t mind getting asked questions about my family. Well, on second thought… let’s just keep it to a five-question limit.

June 1, 2009

Stay true to yourself

Filed under: Cresting 30 — Tags: , , — donosmond @ 2:35 pm

I watched Disney’s Mulan the other night. The final scene concludes with a song titled “True to Your Heart.” Listening to the words got me thinking. “Am I being true to my heart?” Or, in other words, “Am I being true to myself?” This question isn’t unique to me, we all have outward pressures to be what we think the world expects of us.

Nowhere is this more true than in the singles’ scene. First dates are riddled with getting-to-know-you questions, and if you’ve been blessed to experience your 100th first date, you’ve probably got answers polished with quips. You are a connoisseur of conversation; a wizard of wit; a dater debonair.

But, I talked with a few of my friends about the continual monotonous meetings, be they casual or fancy. Sometimes you may feel as though you’ve lost your identity by trying to pretend to be someone you are not; responding to questions with answers just to cater to the interests of someone else. How often have we tried to change ourselves just to get someone to like us? How often do we look upon the outward appearance rather than our hearts?

If you don’t mind me getting personal for a second…

I am an Osmond (not that that wasn’t obvious to begin with). And, there have been times in the past when I’ve appeased other people’s interests, in spite of my own. It could have been during formal gatherings where my family was recognized, or casual social scenes. But the same situations hold true if you’re a Haggard, Prabhakar, or Leavitt. We all play the getting-people-to-like-me game.

Additionally, I’m a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (along with many of you who are reading this). And because of our association to the church, people expect us to be or act a certain way.

But, just because I’m an Osmond, and a Mormon, doesn’t mean I need to measure myself against the expectations of others. That’s good news.

What I have found out is the real you is within your heart. There is so much more to each of us than mere associations and titles, and God knows it; “…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7)

Sure people are going to make assumptions about what you should and shouldn’t be doing, but that’s nothing more than an outward projection of other people’s reality. In other words, it’s not real!

I’ve been asked a million times, “Are you a singer like your father?” I guess that’s what people have come to expect of my family — entertainers.

I admire my father; he is an amazing man whom I look up to. I strive to live my life to a similar caliber. However, I may end up singing a different song in life.

So, how does all of this relate back to what I mentioned before? Simple. Be true to yourself; remember that you are a child of our Father in Heaven and that the worth of every soul (me, you, everyone) is great unto God. (D&C 18:10) At the end of the day, we don’t need to be someone we’re not. To do that would be to discount, even mock, the plan that God has for each of us.

So, there’s the pep talk. I guess what I’m driving at is that you just need to be patient with yourself and happy with who you are. You won’t please everybody all of the time, but you don’t have to.

Powered by WordPress