The ‘Hugh Jackman’ Gremlin:
The Greatest Show…man
And just as I was about to believe the world is not dreamy, I locked eyes with Hugh Jackman. To live in two dimensions.
It’s rainy this London morning, my head is heavy, and last night's makeup isn’t properly washed off. Summers in London shouldn’t be like this. “Summers in London shouldn’t make me want to summer in another city”, I think. And I know reality reflects my thoughts, but right now, the creeping cold in my chest and the pigeons eating scraps of kebab on the street outside make it hard to catch a vibe.
I look outside. Rain. Empty streets. “This heaviness, is it normal?” Maybe in December, but not now. Surely not in August? This is the month that makes the other 11 tolerable.
“The audience knows the truth, the world is simple. It’s miserable, solid all the way through. But if you could fool them, even for a second, then you can make them wonder, and then you got to see something really special.”
I shake my head and make a plan. “Come on, Karimah - miracles happen. Don't buy into the heaviness. Change it up”. I meditate and visualise the future. I walk outside in the rain, buy a banana, and talk to myself. “I am moving in the direction of my dreams; my days are beautiful,” I say aloud, affirming to the pigeons who couldn't give a sh*t if I move towards my dreams or into an oncoming car. To them, I’m just the crazy girl with a banana.
An hour later, something changes - my phone pings, and my sister asks me if we can get a coffee. We catch up - it is still raining outside, the place is loud, and the floors are mushy. We chat in small talk, and then she leaves. I stay on to write. As I go, I see a stack of men entering. They’re giving off an athletic dad but kind of attractive energy. I look closer. It’s Hugh Jackman? And I? Well, I’m British… so obviously, I say nothing and carry on heading for the door. But. We do stop; we smile and share a human moment of acknowledgement. As I leave, I look back and watch Hugh and his da,d pals sit down for breakfast.
The sun is shining, the heaviness has lifted, and I laugh. Do you know why? Because I’ve been in The Greatest Showman World this week, listening to the soundtrack, watching directors cut re-runs on YouTube and telling my mum how they got funding.
There is no gap between my dreams and reality and no time between space. Just catching a whiff of Jackman and the Greatest Showman character reminded me to keep going and make.
Life can be so funny.
One can listen to a song only to look up and find the singer right before them. Synchronistic encounters; remind me to keep the vision and hold. Because the vision of what I am making is so close, not only can I touch it, I am it.
There is no gap between my dreams and reality and no time between space. Just catching a whiff of Jackman and the Greatest Showman character reminded me to keep going and make.
And with that, I open my wild heart, keep my back strong, and say yes to life. Over and over until my dreams spin into reality and my reality leaves a star dust trail that says, “Creative wonder never stop creating until your dying day, and like Matisse, you lie in your death bed making.” To do until I die.
.That is me. The one who does until they die. Who arts their whole life. And that is Hugh.
And that is the true creative.
Till next time, K
