We are often defined, to a certain extent, by what we do for a living. There are certain expectations and perceptions of people in any kind of job. For example, a teacher’s supposed to be patient and caring; accountants are meticulous and good with numbers; engineers are the nerds etc.
Once, while having a meal with Monkey in a cafe at Cronulla beach, I was flipping through a magazine and came across this person in a photo spread who listed her occupation as “A Muse”. I was in turn amused at this description. Photographed next to her was a man whom I remember listed himself as a writer or some artist. Can’t remember which one, but it ran along those lines.
What an interesting label…to call yourself a muse. I wonder what a muse does. Sit and look pretty? Spout all sorts of nonsense/ideas to inspire the writer/artist? How is a muse paid? By what terms and conditions does she work by? Flexi-hours? Is a muse eligible for annual leave or is one allowed to take off at a whim? Hmm….some food for thought there.
A muse sounds like a cool occupation though. Next time I board a plane, I’m going to write “Muse” in the “Occupation” box of the immigration card. I think I’ve written “church mouse” before. Haha.
Meanwhile, if any cute, eligible bachelor writer/artist is looking for a muse, please drop me a line. ;p