Being Carrie Fisher

I've been thinking about Carrie Fisher - pretty random but bear with me...

She's a succesful Hollywood 'script doctor', author (Postcards from the Edge and Surrender the Pink are both interesting reads) and actress (I think she's very good in When Harry Met Sally). However, she's best known for Star Wars and, if you're a bloke of a certain age, a particular scene involving a gold lame bikini is etched on your mind. If nothing else it was a cinematic moment which probably confirmed your sexuality. I'm well aware that at this point most women will be rolling their eyes, shaking their heads, tutting and muttering 'for goodness sake.'

How much has this particular movie scene defined her, both in how we see her, and how she sees herself? For instance, does she look back at it and think 'I wish I still looked like that' or is it more the case of 'I wish I hadn't done that; it wasn't the real me and no matter what other success I have, I'm always going to be best remembered for it.'

Then think about yourself. Do you have a photo that you look back on and mournfully think 'I wish I looked that good today', or does it inspire to rediscover the thin person within and succesfully diet? Is there a moment that defines you which is an albatross around your neck/monkey on your back (chose favoured animal description) and no matter what else you do, your friends will always go back to it?

This blog is often testament to the randomness of my mind, but I wonder if we all, a little, struggle being Carrie Fisher...