With Great Talent...

When I got out of the US Navy in 1993 I started on a chain of different jobs. Even spent 3 and a half years with a temp service. You name some odd job; chances are good I’ve done it. I have become multi-talented in my life. Always wandering. I believe the term would be vagabond. I also did a lot of dating. Which is weird because in high school I could not get a date to save my life.

I have settled into one place now. Same job, same love. Really she is the reason for me suddenly being stable.

I have:
Owned a retail store
Outside sales
Theater stage manager
Security
Santa Claus
Medical Courier
Stuffed envelopes
Social worker
Bartender
Marketing Executive for a publishing company
Script writer for radio ads

Many more. All of them blog worthy. So for all the jobs I had, I do have a hidden talent that most of my friends do not know about.

I once won a karaoke singing contest. YEs, my hidden talent is that I can sing. The small Japanese Bar/Resteraunt we hung out at in the early 90’s was also a "Mr. Microphone" bar. We had fun there. Good friends, good staff, and we could get our mixed drinks by the pitcher with a straw. Those carefree navy days! We even got to meet the band Winger when they came in after a concert one night! Yes, Winger!

Anyway. The song was "Should I Stay or Should I Go". I was on the stage and when the person who I felt was the best singer in the place got second place, I was thinking, "Wow. I wonder who got first place?"

That was also the end of my singing career. The contract offers came in, but I turned them down. Winger even called me months later, wanting me to replace their lead singer, but I passed. Really, once you reach the top of the karaoke circuit, what’s left?

There are those who might say I am wasting my talent. Maybe. I have been known to belt out a song once and a while, but I am careful. With great talent comes great responsibility. Talent corrupts, absolute talent corrupts absolutely. Or something like that.