Day One

In an effort to cultivate more actual writing from myself, rather than sporadic blurbs, I'm taking on a Pinterest journal writing challenge. In fact, because I'm an overachiever, I'm taking on TWO!

Also, work is slow and I want to look a little busy before my new boss finds something for me to do.

1. A song that reminds you of your childhood
My dad is a musician, so most songs written before 2001 remind me of my childhood. If I had to pick on that sticks out, it would be "Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins.

When I was thirteen, I had all the usual problems of a new teenager. My crazy churchlady mother had recently stolen custody of me from my pot-smoking Vietnam-vet skydiving father and told me that if I didn't behave I would die before I hit 16, locking me into nigh imprisonment and sending me into a spiral of anger and bitterness that bordered on loathing.

Normal teenage stuff, right?

Highlights from that era include sneaking off to my dad's house while she was at church, having all the stuff taken out of my room, putting soap in my mouth(I had gotten smart and she said she'd wash my mouth out with soap when I got home. I decided that I was going to put that soap in my mouth first, so when she did it I wouldn't react.It worked, and I'm still really good at hiding pain and discomfort.), and generally fighting the good fight against her tyranny. What I usually don't tell people about this period of my life is how often I used to cry.

One night, as I was crying, I started singing very softly to myself.

Everything's gonna be all right
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye

Ladies and gentlemen, I had no idea where this song came from. I'd been writing songs, as all angsty teenagers do, so maybe I chalked it up to that. Without fail, it soothed me and helped me fall asleep, and always has since.

Fast forward a few years. I'm in my early 20's, somewhere that involved me, my father, and a radio. The song starts playing and dad says "I used to play this for you when you were a baby. Put you right to sleep." That song had lodged itself into my brain to come out right when I needed it the very most.


2. Five ways to win your heart
That's an excellent question. I guess if I had to boil it down:
1. Trying to make my smile(I'm a sucker for dumb jokes, really)
2. Having some issues of your own(I can't handle people with great lives and no mental problems very well; I just can't relate to them)
3. Good hugs(duh)
4. Go places with me(Adventure buddy!)
5. Have some kind of talent/passion(Writing, singing, acting-just something that shows a bit of soul, you know?)