Neat interviews, Danielle. I love reading through the questions and answers, learning something new not only about the interviewee but also myself through my own gut reactions (and then working my gut through my mind).
It seems to me that honesty is always the most important thing, not only being honest with others, but also honest with one's self. I know from my own life I was pretty miserable at times, lots of issues, &c., and finally found a philosophy that allowed me (i.e., gave me a basis to give myself permission) to just be who I am, without all the added BS. Turns out that under the bitter old insecure grumpus, I'm just a goofball. Who da thunk it? Reading your interviews, I am even more impressed with how grounded you are. You may spend a decent amount of time without clothes on, but you spend even more time without putting airs on, dig?
A few years back, I spent a lot of time reading through interviews with women in the adult industry, learning about their backgrounds and how that influenced them. (And as I mentioned to you once upon a time, I know I have some in my family, each of whom you could say I'm proud of because they are who they are.) Among them was Ginger Lee (FTV Ginger). She came from a family with a good background, had a decent job, is intelligent, and who happens to work in adult entertainment. Her parents & sister know what she does, and while they may not be happy, they, I understand, stand by her. Then there's Sunny Lane whose parents I understand review her tapes (up to but not including the sex scenes). I just finished reading a blog written by a porn star/director who spoke about how rough her life was until a friend's parents took her in and help her find her way, and who continue to support her. I am sure that when your parents find out how you're paying the bills, they'll be stunned, but they raised you, you certainly seem to me to be a very kind woman, strong character, adventurous, &c., I have to believe that they will stand by you, too. They raised you, they know what sort of woman you are. Were I in their position, I must admit that I would be anxious, but again if I had a daughter who went into this line of work, and after spending so many hours of my adulthood (and teen and pre-teen years
) checking out women online and in print, who am I to judge?
I know that if I had a daughter, or close family member, who followed in your footsteps, she would be able to make up her own mind, follow her own path, and I wouldn't want it any other way. If out of fear of what I thought she chose to not follow her dreams wherever they led, then I would be ashamed, not of her but of me. Its really tricky--what else can you do but support a loved one in her or his decisions? I know I'd be scared, I know I'd be worried about said family member being shunned, disparaged, threatened, &c., but at the same time I don't want any of us, men or women, to lose that opportunity to figure out who and what we are. I also know that women are often enough objectified when they are working in "regular" jobs, that they can be and are harassed by bosses. At least there you know what you and Rob are doing, why and so on--its half-art, half-business, so one would think that the innuendo and demeaning behaviour some women face is not necessarily as prevalent. Life is just way too short not to chase those dreams and make them come true, you know? I hope that made some sense ...