I quite successfully managed to avoid the X factor this year, which I’m quite proud of. I was dimly aware of a guy called Altion Childs who apparently lived in a cave. I’m not quite sure what that has to do with singing, but I really wasn’t that bothered.
So, it was something of a surprise to read yesterday that the caveman actually won the whole competition. Not one of those earth-shattering surprises mind, just one of those “Oh really?” level ones.
Now the guy has done an interview “telling all” about how he was mocked, presumably as a teenager. See: I was mocked.
I don’t want to trivialise this sort of thing, as I know bullying can be pretty devastating, but just in case you, dear reader, are in a similar situation, here’s a list of things you can do to avoid being made fun of:
- Avoid thanking “the mystery that created me” on live TV. If you don’t know how you were created, there are plenty of books and, I suspect, websites that can enlighten you
- Avoid little crumb-catcher goatees. Even Shannon Noll can’t quite pull that one off (see picture below)
- Avoid little scarfs (not sure what they are called, can anyone enlighten me?)
Still, I do like the guy, even though I haven’t heard him sing, simply because his reason for going to the cave was to rediscover his “beautiful sadness”. A very Lorca thing to say.
Running
I came perilously close to bailing on my run this morning. I was sitting in the bathroom at 4:55am half dressed in my running gear and I seriously considered going back to bed. Surely I could just run tonight? Luckily I did run, as there’s no chance I’ll want to run tonight. I’m already looking forward to bed, and it’s not even 9am. 12.5km.
Sharon
Nov 24, 2010 @ 10:10:49
I havn’t heard him sing either but I am so glad he won (I didn’t know until I read this entry) and even though he does have that horrible little facial hair thing happening – there is something rugged and gorgeous about him too.
Oh and the fact that he lived in a cave (wow didn’t know that either) makes him even more appealing. I hope the win makes him happy
JH
Nov 24, 2010 @ 10:18:20
Living in a cave makes a guy more appealing? Really? I don’t understand women, I really don’t.
morseyruns
Nov 24, 2010 @ 10:57:23
I am surprised that the headline didn’t read “I had stones thrown at me”.
Em
Nov 24, 2010 @ 13:47:08
I had no freaking idea who he was until two days ago, I would rather a dose of the plague than to watch any of those “talent” shows, whether it be cooking, singing, dancing, over emoting, what ever.
I briefly saw a headline along the lines of Inspired by Cave or some such and was suckered into reading the first paragraph believing it would be all about how ace and inspirational Nick Cave is (now there is a man who can do facial hair, second only to the great Mr Ellis).
That horrible little piece of chin fluff is called a soul patch, I am not sure about the scarf thingie, a kerchief perhaps?
I was bullied alot growing up, I am a ranga so it comes with the territory, they give us a HTFU card at birth 🙂
tiger boy
Nov 24, 2010 @ 15:40:18
Never saw the show. Never heard of the guy. Never heard him sing. Never heard of a guy living in a cave. Thought that went out of style when Neanderthals started disappearing.
I think the scarf thingy is a snot rag.