What We Want

I started watching Mad Men this weekend, and I've already made a pretty significant dent in the first season. Don Draper is a legendary character, and now I can see why. I am struck by how I think a great many men might aspire to be like him, despite the fact that he is a complete asshole. I refuse to be taken in by his charm and charisma, he is clearly devoid of any semblance of moral fibre.

With that being said, clearly there is something admirable about him, and I think part of that is that he knows what he wants and he sets out to get it. I think a lot of people could learn from that - we spent ages agonising over what it is that we want, and then even more time lamenting the impossibility of acquiring it. The idea that want Don Draper wants is unobtainable has yet to occur to him. In that sense, I think it is a quality worth emulating - really, I do know what I want out of every facet of my life. I am simply too scared or ashamed to pursue or admit to it.

So, perhaps I can channel my inner Madison Avenue executive, and set out to put myself first and get what I want. The good news is that I'm not in a position to be as recklessly unfaithful to my wife as my boy Don is.