Recently, our friends at the Wizard Academy saw someone else. You’ve seen the one photo Brad Whittington took in the art gallery. The Wizard put it on the front page of his Memo a few weeks ago. Upon reflection, I thought it needed a little more staging, so I stole my way back to the painting for another try.

What’s curious about these episodes is that I really look like none of these famous characters. 

Sure, there might be a feature which triggers the thought. Maybe it’s the tawny, black and grey beard of Skywalker. Or the long hair of Wolfgang. Or even the rimless glasses for Stephen. Yet it’s not the shape of my face which is causing these comparisons.

That x factor that is inspiring their memory is an aspect of personality. Maybe the lift in the voice. The sparkle of the eye. The solemn expression that meditation brings. These items tickle the mind.

Now ask yourself what the underlying personality traits that those characters share. Mozart. Colbert. Skywalker. Quixote. What threads them together? What threads them to me? 

I can only conclude it’s a kind of ridiculousness. Being serious about not being serious. True to self. Independent of what other people think. Energized by an idea.

But not purposefully weird. Just comfortable in being one bubble off of plumb.