First off, if you happened to get here via Google, I’m sorry, this entry is not about a talent search slash reality tv-show nor about a TV personality building a media empire around his name. (And if I named the show and the host, then, well, Google would be all over this entry. Just kidding.)

I was thinking about my idols today. I watched The Life and Death of Peter Sellers and didn’t know what to think.

I guess I am an idolizer. I’ve always had idols. I’ve had posters on the walls of my room, I’ve daydreamed about meeting musicians and athletes, and I’ve tried to emulate their styles the best I’ve could. I remember watching the Pink Panther movies as a kid and thinking that Peter Sellers was the funniest man alive. Only, he wasn’t, but I didn’t know that. He was funny alright, but he wasn’t alive.

Having an idol is useful because it directs your actions towards a consistent path. That’s how we learn as children and that’s how we learn as adults — only we’re too adult to admit we have idols.

So, now I am looking for a writer idol. Doesn’t have to be a living person. Just somebody who’s cool, smart, witty, funny and writes killer prose (non-fiction is good, too). Maybe this guy.

Oh, and, idols don’t have to be perfect in everything. Just in that one particular thing you admire. That’ll save you from some heartache. Like the guy below. Not a great husband or father, it seems, but as a comedian? Crazy funny.