How I did it: Once upon a time...
I am a real life princess, no not actually, but my parents made me believe I was.  I was an only child for a long time and during that time I was told, "you can be anything you want to be". Repeatedly.  Over and over.

Anything?  Really? I sang, dance, played with Barbies, had fake Barbie weddings, I cut the blonde barbies hair short, because I didn't like them.  I chose the brunette barbies that were more like me.  They hung out with Aladdin and the hunky-brunette flight attendant.  Blond Ken was a player and I knew it, even at age 6. When other Barbies had plastic houses, mine had a house made out of wood, with real carpet, wallpaper, and linoleum with wheels, and a storage attic, and a 57 blue malibu.  So, back to the story of how I found my passion....

I listened to music on my very own record player.  My favorites were the Beach Boys and Queen (I want to ride my bicycle...).  Then I fell in love with Tom Petty, Don McLean, and Buddy Holly.  I would dance and sing around my room.

Then I decided I wanted to be a softball player, so I could spend more time with Dad.  I started tball at age 6 and my first year, my team won the championship.  So there.  Booyah!  I totally sucked.  They told me to touch the ball to the base, so I did.  Literally.  I picked up the ball and went to put it on the base.  The whole crowd laughed.  I was super embarrased.  Then a few years later I was trying out for catcher and the girl in front of me missed the ball and it hit me smack in middle of the forehead.  I continued softball for 9 years and also attempted soccer, basketball, cheerleading, ballet, tap, jazz, etc. I am not an athlete, but I know how to spin a flag and dance until my heart's content.  In the words of Molly Shannon, "I'm a super star!".

So then, I thought I would be a vet.  I rescued sick animals, found an abandoned baby duck on Dad's farm that I was sure I could nurse back to life.  It followed me around for a couple days and then drown it the water dish when I was gone at school :(  Our landlord wouldn't let us have a cat, so I decided to adopt the neighborhood alley cat.  His name was socks, well, because he had white socks.  He also had a Hitler 'stache.  During this time began my obsession with WWII.  One day Socks followed me up the tree, on the broken old ladder and he started to fall, so I tried to catch him.  His claw got my arm and I still have the scar from when I was seven.

I became a visual artist at a very young age.  I would (with mom's help) melt crayons in the oven to make swirly, colorful crayons.  I drew pictures of cats, wearing jewelry and dresses.  And also Joe Montana, as a cat.  It is freaking hilarious!  If you make me smile, I might share it with you sometime.

Next act, football fan!  I so wanted to be a cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, or Oakland Raiders.  But the Chiefs were my favorite.  I cried when Joe Montana retired in 1995.  For days.  Then I went on strike and quit watching professional football.  To this day, I don't really watch professional football.  But I LOVE college football.  Especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, South Carolina Gamecocks, and Nebraska Cornhuskers.  I greatly dislike the Fighting Illini and the Chicago Bears/Blackhawks/Cubs etc.

In upper elementary school and middle school I was a super nerd.  The gifted and talented team I was on went to internationals in Ann Arbor and we placed in the top 1/3 of the WORLD!  I was discussing medical and business ethics and women's rights at age 12.  I read banned books, cause I thought it was cool.  I listened to hip hop and r&b and angry rocker music.  I was punk and emo before I knew it existed.

So... that is only my first half of my life.  I am saving the rest for my memoir.

Lessons & tips: BE YOURSELF!  Don't be a bully or allow others to walk all over you.  Don't be angry.  Listen to your parents, most of the time they do really know what is in your best interest.

Resources: My Brain, duh!
Also, Life, Sarcasm, fingernail polish, ribbons, outdoor adventures, people watching, not taking myself too seriously!

Dec 02, 2010, 10:40AM PST | 0 comments | 3 cheers