| Recently, I've been introduced to the Group Blogging Experience or GBE, which is hosted by ~Alicia.Every week she posts a different topic and invites anyone who's interested to post a blog on that topic.This week, the topic is Achievements
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In my life I have known a lot of people who when they sit down and take stock of their lives, they find themselves moaning and groaning about the things they've missed out on.The things that they have yet to do.We always want to strive for the best we can achieve in life and sometimes we just don't try hard enough.But if we stop and think about the things that we have accomplished in our lives, then just maybe the sun will shine a little brighter.I will be 44 years old in 3 weeks.I am the same age my dad was when I graduated high school back in 1982.I always thought my parents had achieved so much during the years that I had been growing up and that my life since high school had simply paled in comparison.But let's take a brief look at what I have done...*I read my first book at age 2.Or so my mother told me. I don't remember much about that time, but I do remember that she held onto that book for years and years and years.*In Cub Scouts, I remember building my car for the Pinewood Derby (with my dad's help, of course).People said it was too heavy, it wouldn't win anything.I finished 2nd overall out of several hundred entries when the big race day came...(Ha!)*In 9th grade, we moved from southern California to southern Missouri.I learned that my former school in California made a recommendation to my new school for me to be on the school newspaper staff.They let me in and I later learned that I was the first freshman to be on staff, and the first and only person since to spend all 4 years at my high school in school publications.*My junior year in high school, our newspaper was ranked All-Missouri for the first time, the highest ranking a school newspaper could receive, by the Missouri Interscholastic Press Association.I was the editor in chief that year.My senior year, someone else served as editor, and we maintained our ranking, but a feature story I wrote about a fellow classmate, won a 1st Place award in the state in the feature story category.*I graduated high school 6th in my class.*I have held several jobs in my life where I have persevered and worked my way up.I started working for McDonalds in 1983 as a general peon, er, crewperson, and after leaving and coming back and leaving and coming back, I worked my way up to Crew Trainer and eventually a Manager Assistant.I've also worked for Radio Shack, starting as a part time employee and eventually working my way up to an assistant manager position.And since I began working for the University of Missouri, I have climbed up the ranks over the years from a clerk-typist to a senior clerk to a chief clerk to a classroom coordinator where I am now. |
| And since I began working for the University of Missouri, I have climbed up the ranks over the years from a clerk-typist to a senior clerk to a chief clerk to a classroom coordinator where I am now.My boss is seriously pushing me for his job when he takes retirement in 4 1/2 years.*I convinced my wonderful and beautiful darling wife Nettie to marry me...(no drugs or alcohol was required either!)*As a sideline, I've owned my own business.Isn't that part of the American Dream?To be your own boss?For those who have followed along, I started my karaoke business simply by doing private parties, bringing my discs and equipment out to other people's houses and parties at a cost that they could afford.People had just as much fun singing with their friends at their own house as they would being out with the "big boys" and I took pride in doing that for them.Plus I had a LOT of fun.Once the internet kicked into gear, I began to develop my own website and in 2004 I received a phone call from the organizers of the Karaoke World Contest (USA Division) asking me if I would be interested in hosting a regional finals event.I accepted and I found myself excited about the possibilities that this could mean for me. Who knew that this little hobby of mine actually had a world championship?Our regional finals grew each year in the three years that we hosted them and in our final year, I was able to attend the national finals, and perform!I also was asked to be a judge and I gotta tell you, that is a difficult job when you're faced with so many great voices.I have even been interviewed on television and contacted by journalists from all around the country regarding the karaoke contest events.*I have also performed on stage in Nashville, TN.:o)
*And my most recent achievement - having a book published.*I am loved.I have 3 wonderful children.1 loving wife.And a special someone who never lets me forget how special I am to her.So, while I may not have accomplished the same things as my parents, I have really accomplished some amazing things.Am I done yet?I hope not.There's still a lot more I want to do.And maybe, just maybe, the greatest achievements are yet to come... |
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