Eight Amazing Things Meme

[mrdreamjeans]

Tagged by woofytexan, here are eight amazing things you should know about me:

1. I won a beautiful baby contest when I was a year old. I was born after my mother lost twin boys at four months ... 10 months before I was born.

2. I don't drink alcohol or coffee. I don't smoke or do drugs. I've never tried any of these things. Don't ask me about sex or chocolate chip cookies:)

3. I've had vocal coaching, but have no formal voice training.

4. I've written two shows that have been produced. I love to write songs, but am much stronger with lyrics than music (in my opinion).

5. I've had two long-term relationships, but have never lived full time with a partner. I've only wanted to live full time with one of those partners. Still, I'm open to the idea in the future.

6. I was a lifeguard in high school and taught swimming to older children and adults who were afraid of the water.

7. I've won several dance contests ... two-steppin', polka, disco ... I love to partner dance.

8. I graduated 5th in a class of 619 in high school, second in my department of History at Texas A&M. My folks never pushed my brother, sister or me to have good grades, but since I was the first in my family to graduate from a major university, I always felt the unspoken weight of expectations. I wanted to achieve.

Comments

[scottokc.livejournal.com]

1. You're still looking good.

2. I've had alcoholic beverages, but I haven't had one since 2000. I have never been a coffee drinker, but when I worked at the pager company, they had a cappuccino machine and I had one a day while I was working there. I haven't had a cappuccino since then. I've never done any illegal drugs and don't smoke.

5. I've had a couple of short-term relationships, but haven't lived with a partner, either. I'm open to the idea of a long-term relationship.

6. I took swimming lessons at the YMCA when I was a kid, but I never learned how to swim.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

#2 works out well, since I would not throw you outta bed for eating cookies there. ;)

[madisonbear.livejournal.com]

1. Awe...I can believe it.

2. Ok...expand on the chocolate chip cookies please. This could be very interesting ;)

3. You're kidding right?? Holy smokes! *bows*

4 Wow! that is amazing! i didn't know that! Cool!

6. Doesn't surprise me. I can see you helping people like that.

8. Congrats! You've achieved a lot!

(hugs!)

[macduff131.livejournal.com]

you've got cookies?? me want cookies!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

As to #6, many of the people who don't learn to swim is because they are physically unable to perform the process that keeps water from going up their nose when they swim. When that is the case, of course there is a fear. There are apparati that will assist with that. I've told adults who didn't learn to swim, to at least learn to float.

But aside from the meme, a GREAT BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!!

HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

*blush* ... My cookies and I thank you! :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm a gentleman ... I don't talk about who I share my cookies with. LOL!

As to the shows, I was commissioned to write a musical melodrama back in the early 90's. It was produced and performed to great success. It was a really fun challenge, as melodramas are formulaic, but entertaining. Adding the original songs, took the show into a new direction. The other show was a musical revue where I create the concept and wrote a script that tied the material together. Both of the shows, given the circumstances, would make great fundraisers. If I had the right collaborator/composer, I have the outline for a musical that would do very well in the holiday entertainment market.

As to #3, I'm not kidding. I sound trained and I learned from taking the best from the wonderful singers around me and paying attention to the poor singing habits of my co-workers who couldn't carry the load of an 8 show week. I went to one lesson in NYC with an "at the time" famous voice teacher, who almost wrecked my voice in less than hour during his analysis. Bottom line - be careful who you choose as a teacher .. There are good and bad ones in every size market.

Thanks for reading this silliness, my friend! HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Of course, you do! You feeling better? Did you get to a doctor and find out what's going on down below? I've been worried!

HUGS!

[macduff131.livejournal.com]

i haven't gone to a doctor. i've had this before, so i know the drill...i've modified my diet, and that's helped tremendously. just takes time now...

*hugs*

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

OK ... but I'm not going to stop asking till you tell me everything is ok. If part of it is acid reflux, just remember that it triggers an upper respiratory reaction and can affect you singing. *stepping down from soap box* :)

[macduff131.livejournal.com]

i've managed to get the reflux under control for now...that has been a HUGE problem with my singing. i had a lesson yesterday, and i sounded pretty damn good, even though i have a cold. my teacher is really doing some great things for me...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The cold doesn't have to be a hindrance. Sometimes, it helps us be very aware of placement in the "mask". It's when it lands in the passagio, that it's a kicker! Glad to hear that the teacher knows what he is doing. You will benefit greatly!

HUGS!

[bear-left.livejournal.com]

It's way fun to read all this! And sex & cookies... two great tastes ;)

I do have a very good friend from grad school now on the Texas A&M History Dept. faculty now... she's loving it there - I ran into her at the conference a couple weeks ago, & it was great to catch up for a bit.

And like others have said re: #1, well, ya still got it.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! If you ever come to visit her, you have a place to stay! I'm only 30 miles away; in fact, I'm on my way up there today to take care of some photography and framing projects.

HUGS!

[bansagart.livejournal.com]

I was a History major too....who knew!

[scottokc.livejournal.com]

I almost drowned twice, so I'm petrified to go near a pool these days. With my bad knee, getting in and out of a pool would be a chore. I can float all right, I just can't swim.

Thanks for the birthday greetings.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

We history majors are good people:)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

My community has a pool complex built by the Bluebell Creameries folk. One of the pools has a ramp with handrails and the temperature is kept at 88 degrees. I took my mother there last year when she was in quite a bit of pain from her back. She floated happily. It was a very positive experience and good exercise.

[scottokc.livejournal.com]

A ramp would be great, since climbing up and down a ladder would be hard. I don't know of anyplace here that has anything like that.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

If you can locate one, it might be a nice source for appropriate exercise.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, again, on the actual day!

[scottokc.livejournal.com]

It's hard to find good exercises with my disability.

Thanks for the birthday greetings!

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

Well, I've come expect amazing things from you - duh !! :0)
#1 & 6: Wouldn't it be cool to see pictures ?!
3. That really is amazing ... but I'd bet that besides the talent, there's been a lot of hard work to accomplish what you have in professional performance.
4. Wow - didn't know that!
7 & 8: Why is that completely plausible, and somehow not in the least bit surprising ?!
Big Hugs!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I don't have any lifeguard pix, but I do have the baby photo. I'll have to scan and post it:) As to #3, lots of hard work, the school of learning on your feet. It just goes to show how much my life has gone in a different different direction (ie, 4, 7 & 8), but that's entirely my responsibility to make things like that happen again!

HUGS!