Page 22 - February 2020

PERSPECTIVES

Me and Steven Spielberg

Paul Fanning, DTM

Go ahead. Re-read the article title. That’s right, honesty, actual recipients of at least three of the
it says “Me and Steven Spielberg”. Visions of me same awards. Sadly they’re not his three Oscars
at the academy awards with my best bud Steve, or his 17 nominations. Getting interested now?

photos in all the movie industry publications of Fellow Toastmasters read on!
me and Steve, arm in arm while he holds an Oscar Steve joined the Boy Scouts in 1958 when one
or two. Yes, that’s been my life. We both have a had to be twelve-years old. I was still a mere babe
“brag wall” in our houses—awards, decorations, in arms. I can imagine this shy, be-spectacled

plaques, trophies and the like. Me and Steven. boy trying to fit in, learning his knots, his oath
A true story of two kids who discovered their and law, and all the other host of Scoutcraft
talents in communicating stories, ideas, and the requirements that were the same for me when
wonder of the real and the fantastic. I joined in 1965 at the age of 11. He must have

Not bad for two boys in the same program, turned to and buckled down to earn his ranks
achieving the same awards. Just that “good ‘ole and merit badges rapidly because by 1961 he
Steve” has been slightly a little more successful at achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Me? I earned
it ($3.7 billion more that is!) than I. Still, we were mine in 1971. Check off one joint award we hold

two peas in a pod, twins in all but birth, location if you’re keeping track.
and age. But, it’s still me and Steven Spielberg. Boy Scouts in the 1960’s was a popular thing
Oh, you’ve googled Steve and I seem to be for boys to join. Over 25% of all boys 11-17 were
absent from it all? That’s not too big a surprise. Scouts in that time period. When you went to

You see Steve is a mere 12 years older than I am. school, your friends were either Scouts in your
And not too amazing is the simple, recorded troop or another troop nearby, and we all knew
fact that he lived in Phoenix, Arizona and each other because of our troop rivalries and
Saratoga, California-and I didn’t. Our religious frequent camporees, Scout Fairs, and (gasp)

backgrounds were different, and eventually wearing the uniform in public! It was something
our method of communication of choice was you took great pride in—being a Scout, being
not the same—but it’s still me and Steven patriotic, saluting the flag, keeping your uniform
Spielberg. Gosh, did I forget to mention that neat, clean and spiffy looking as well as dripping

we’ve never met, wrote to each other, and (I can with pins, patches and coveted medals. Steve
authoritatively assert) that he doesn’t even know earned his Eagle, earned over 21 merit badges
I exist? How forgetful I’m getting. Yet here’s what which were proudly worn on the sash hanging
I can tell you about me and Steve. We are, in all from the right shoulder.

22 ONE COMMUNITY