LJ Idol Exhibit A, Week 1: "Am I Crazy?"
Song For the Asking
"Not everybody can sing. Everybody can karaoke."
So says a friend of mine, trying to encourage her shy friend to give it a whirl. He evades the topic with a series of highly expressive gestures.
The truth is, she's wrong. Not everyone is capable of setting aside stage fright, putting themselves on display, and letting everyone hear their best attempt at mimicry. One needs to be fearless, confident, and maybe just a little bit not-quite-right in the head.
Doubly so if, like me, you're doing it sober.
Friday night I crashed your party, Saturday I said I'm sorry
Sunday came and trashed me out again...
"You don't drink?" she asks me, wide-eyed. "What are you, nuts?"
Actually, no. It's one of the sanest things I've ever done. See, from prior experience, I know for a fact that I have a innate tendency to get addicted to things. Food, games, books...if I decide I want to do something, I go all-in with it. And with alcohol, that's never a wise strategy; I've seen it ruin too many lives.
Could I control my drinking? With the right friends around me, and my own good judgment, probably. But I don't feel like finding out--the hard way--that I'm wrong.
I was only having fun, Wasn't hurting anyone
And we all enjoyed the weekend for a change...
"Surprise me!" I write on the slip and hand it to the host. I've been here enough times now that he knows what I can sing, and I know he won't embarrass me. The familiar piano chords of Billy Joel come over the speakers, and I relax for the first time all evening. Four minutes later, I'm stepping off the stage, already looking forward to the next time I'm up there.
Does that make me addicted to karaoke? Perhaps. But at least this addiction is good for the soul.
You may be right, I may be crazy
But it just might be a lunatic you're looking for...
"Not everybody can sing. Everybody can karaoke."
So says a friend of mine, trying to encourage her shy friend to give it a whirl. He evades the topic with a series of highly expressive gestures.
The truth is, she's wrong. Not everyone is capable of setting aside stage fright, putting themselves on display, and letting everyone hear their best attempt at mimicry. One needs to be fearless, confident, and maybe just a little bit not-quite-right in the head.
Doubly so if, like me, you're doing it sober.
Friday night I crashed your party, Saturday I said I'm sorry
Sunday came and trashed me out again...
"You don't drink?" she asks me, wide-eyed. "What are you, nuts?"
Actually, no. It's one of the sanest things I've ever done. See, from prior experience, I know for a fact that I have a innate tendency to get addicted to things. Food, games, books...if I decide I want to do something, I go all-in with it. And with alcohol, that's never a wise strategy; I've seen it ruin too many lives.
Could I control my drinking? With the right friends around me, and my own good judgment, probably. But I don't feel like finding out--the hard way--that I'm wrong.
I was only having fun, Wasn't hurting anyone
And we all enjoyed the weekend for a change...
"Surprise me!" I write on the slip and hand it to the host. I've been here enough times now that he knows what I can sing, and I know he won't embarrass me. The familiar piano chords of Billy Joel come over the speakers, and I relax for the first time all evening. Four minutes later, I'm stepping off the stage, already looking forward to the next time I'm up there.
Does that make me addicted to karaoke? Perhaps. But at least this addiction is good for the soul.
You may be right, I may be crazy
But it just might be a lunatic you're looking for...