Buckets
Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman released this one movie back in ‘07 called The Bucket List, inspiring me and I guess all those un/fortunate to watch it to write their own list of things-to-do-before-you-croak. I guess the idea to write and acknowledge my own list wasn’t fully materialized in my brain until I saw the movie’s trailer, which reminded something of a cheesy, forced, and contrived effort by a couple of aging actors (though I do like Freeman) to make some change. It’s a standard buddy flick complete with leaping from planes, driving race cars, eating caviar, motorcycling on the Great Wall of China, the usual. I realized afterwards that I pretty much only needed to watch the trailer, or less, just look at the title, to get what I needed. 10 bucks and couple hours down the drain.
What I am getting at is that I’ve assembled my own list, one that I continue to add on to with every fantastical idea that pops up. It changes from day-to-day, some goals easier to ascertain than others. Some I know I will never achieve, but knowing the very fact that going to the Moon is next to impossible to achieve just gives me that little inkling of hope, quixotic hope. More realistically though, a sizeable chunk of the list is more realistic and attainable; some require reaching the ripe age of 21, others financial stability, and others pure luck. The one I am talking about in this entry, though, is simple enough - a couple microphones, a guitar, a lamp shade, and an audience.
The process leading up to my first performance on “stage” took long enough. I never really became musical until, I want to say, college. I had the typical dab of piano during childhood, but other than that, nothing. I remember being SO conscious of my singing voice the first time I jammed on the 4th floor bridge in Cedar. I have always thought that I had a timid voice, unsure of itself so it quivers and shakes, evoking a lack of confidence. Still to this day, taking that mic and singing in front of all my friends and strangers took so much out of me that afterwards, I was in this state of limbo between happiness and disbelief. Happy because I did something that I truly loved (music) and was able to share with my close buddies. Disbelief because I was taken aback at how life throws these curveball opportunities and I, fortunately, caught this one.
Most people don’t realize how much I’ve changed over the years. I was always pretty shy back then, resorting to hanging out beside the library playing chinese checkers and beyblades and now, I’m meeting all sorts of people, goofing off in public, unafraid and blissfully unaware of how weird I look or act. I just feel that life should be taken lightly and with a smile when it is appropriate, which according to me, is most of the time. Doing weird things and making people laugh brings me this sense of satisfaction rivaling that of Umami. That’s saying something.
I wish I had a recording or something of me and Philip performing our cover of ManOrc. Not because I don’t recall in vivid clarity all the details in the fabric, but because I want to be able to show to my own family and friends, years from now, and show them how I’ve changed as a person. I know who I am, but will anyone ever believe me when I tell them that Nghiem, back when he was a youngin’, won 3rd place (out of 6) at a talent show for singing and hitting a lamp shade? It doesn’t seem like much of an accomplishment, but to me, it means the world.
So I have other topics I want to talk about, but that’ll take too much time. Lethargy, the WORST.
I’ll cliffnotes it.
• I improved with Philip, his HS friend, Jeff and a bunch of IV peeps. First time doing that stuff. I figured I would have a knack for something like that, you know, acting retarded and junk. I do.
• Rob Roy shoes were a disappointment. I don’t want to talk about it. I’ll get some new kicks soon enough though.
• I am stoked for this weekend.
• 30 Rock is so daggum funny, House is utterly predictable yet oddly addicting, Arrested Development remains to be a classic, and I have an effton of movies to watch.
I like pleasant surprises and cute things. Biggest fan!
