Confession Post #2: The Voice

Hey guys! So I had a friend come up and hang out yesterday. We spent most of Sunday contemplating whether or not to clean out Five Below's entire inventory and recorded some of the most hysterical videos on her Mac webcam.

But the coolest thing we did was an acapella cover of "Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn.

I've put a link in a separate post. Go there now and watch it!

We're pretty awesome, right?

Confession #2: For a long time, I actually hated listening to myself sing or talk.

Growing up I can remember a lot of times were I was teased by other kids for sounding like a girl when I both spoke and sang.

Can you think of a more brutal way to criticize someone?

I mean, there are lots of little things I can do to change myself over time.

Bad breath? Gum or mouthwash.

Body odor? Shower/bath/deodorant.

Unibrow? Shave/wax it off.

Unsightly mole? Surgically remove it.

The sound of my voice though? Umm... I'm not sure how to remedy that one except by vowing to never speak or sing in public ever again.

Confession #3: Although I've done church choirs pretty much all of my life, when my family moved to Virginia in 2002, I didn't publicly solo or duet for 6 years.

I actually really liked singing and I purposely kept it hidden for that long all because a handful of people didn't likely the way I sounded.

The ONLY reason I finally busted out of that crazy way of thinking was due in part to 2 girls who found out that a.) I could sing and b.) Encouraged/forced/supported me.

So when the school talent show came along my Junior year I found myself on stage singing "A Whole New World."

And believe me, it was definitely a whole new world to me: people actually liked listening to me!

After that, I went on and performed in two musicals and recorded a lot of Brainflix videos that I will cherish forever.

So what about you guys? Is there any part of you that you used to dislike or keep hidden? Share it with me so I don't feel alone!

And who knows? Maybe someone else will benefit from it also!

Hi Everyone. My Name Is Michael and I'm an Addict

This is really hard for me to admit to people.

I hate people looking down on me for things I can't control. So this is partly why I've always kept this to myself. The shame of people finding out and mocking me is almost too much. But the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.  So here it goes...

There are only a handful of things in this world that bring me joy: my family, music, my friends, and... Pokèmon

My name is Michael and I'm a recovering Pokèholic.

Whew... that feels better already.

It's true. I like Pokèmon just a little too much to just stop playing. It was cool in elementary school until about 5th grade, when everyone abandoned their virtual teammates for real sports.

But not me.

I continued my obsession into middle and high school. If my dislike for organized sports involving a ball was deemed "ridiculous" by some, I can only imagine what they might've thought about me secretly playing Pokèmon into the dead of night.

Now why do I like a game that is geared towards adolescent pre-teens? For one because the storyline is an awesome/completely crazy concept. How many mothers would let their 10 year old children travel the world accompanied by a team of six monsters summoned by throwing out a mechanical ball? Seriously, it was like my childhood dream to battle adults and bad guys alike for the honor and glory of becoming the greatest Pokèmon Master in the world.

But honestly I think I go back to Pokèmon because it reminds me of simpler times.

When I was carefree and naive...

Before I was expected to work full-time and pay taxes and contribute to society...

It's just a small reminder that even in all the hustle of life, I can still be amazed and filled with childlike wonder when I play a game.

Now that I've confessed to my addiction, what about you? Is there something in your life that some feel you've outgrown but you cling to because it reminds you of your childhood? Respond in the comments!

And until next time, have a good day!

Brainflix to the Rescue!

I love most aspects of my life. I have a great job, a loving and supportive family, some awesome friends/coworkers and a metabolism that still allows me to eat whatever I want and not gain weight. But there is one thing I do not like:

My subconscious inability to let go of the past.

I imagine it like a black storm cloud that hangs above me all the time, like a proverbial sword of Damocles poised to fall and strike.

Which it does occasionally.

I could be reading a book, alone and totally absorbed in the story when it happens. No warning or early detection. Just a thought or a memory of the past that attempts to divert my attention.

Most days they come, irritate me and leave just as quickly as they arrive...

But somedays it feels like a single spot in my head that doesn't allow my brain the authority to call security.

Last night I had one of those instances.

I was working when I was reminded of the time when my family moved to Virginia. I was a shy kid, didn't know a single soul (aside from my little sister) in our new elementary school and everyone in Virginia talked with a funny accent!

Needless to say, I didn't speak much my first day. I ignored direct questions, I kept to myself and when I arrived home that day I realized that I had acted pretty dumb. After all, how was anyone going to get to know me if I didn't speak?

So the next day I decided I was going to be more open and actually hold conversations and answer questions about my previous life before Virginia...

But you only get to make a first impression once and most of the school had written me off as "the silent guy." It took me a few days to have anyone besides a teacher speak to me and it was all my own doing.

This single memory has the most profound effect on me because it very well could have shaped my entire future in that school system. What if I had answered those questions on the first day? What if I chose not to be loner? How different would my life have turned out?

Last night I asked myself those same questions for the millionth time and my response was the same: Time for Brainflix!

Like my own personal Netflix, I have, in my mind, one of the largest collections of on-demand videos ever assembled via memories. It has a little bit of everything: high school coming of age stories, dramas and a large quantity of musicals and comedies.  And without all of my life experiences and crazy misadventures, how could I have ever accumulated such a collection?

Last night, I replayed my high school concerts and performances in band, my stint as an actor in drama, crossing the finish line to my first race in track and my graduation day. No matter how differently my life could've been, I wouldn't trade these memories for all the money in the world.

So my storm cloud disappeared to do battle again another time. And when it does, I will be ready with popcorn.

It is inevitable that everyone will have at least one bad day in their life. And in those instances, when the very forces of karma and nature are attempting to drag you down, what will you battle them with? For myself, I choose Brainflix.