25 Random Things About Me...

Twenty-Five Random Things About Michael K.

Yeah, this seems to be all the rage on Facebook these days... I usually don't do these types of surveys, but I have a blog to keep happy so this will fill up an entry and, of course, anyone who reads it will gain some insight into what makes me who I am. So... here goes...

1. Although I have step- and half-siblings, I was raised pretty much an only child. There's 20 years' difference between me and my youngest half-brother.

2. My mom was 40 when I was born. My dad was 59. Two years later, he died. He was buried on Christmas Eve. From then on, I was raised entirely by my mom. She is my super-hero. Oh yeah, if Dad were alive today, he'd be 99.

3. I started taking guitar lessons when I was 7. By 13, I had lost interest. I also played trumpet and viola in junior and senior high school.

4. My love for guitar was re-ignited in high school when I got a hold of my friend's electric. Soon after, I sold my Commodore-64 (which I had won in a contest) for a fraction of its worth and put the proceeds towards a Yamaha SE150 black electric guitar and a small Peavey amp.

5. My first public performance took place in 1986 at the Fairlane Village Mall (Pottsville, PA). Me and my friend performed a rockin' rendition of "Johnny B. Goode" for the Jerry Lewis MD Telethon. The whole thing was televised
locally and provided me with some "street cred" in high school as a guitar player.

6. I joined the Army straight out of high school and didn't do a whole lot of guitar playing between 1988 and 1992. While stationed at Fort Meade, MD, I bought a cheap acoustic guitar and started banging out some tunes.

7. I became a DJ totally by accident. While I was in the Army.

8. I got my first job (paper boy) when I was 14. I've been working ever since. Starting in 1992, I've had at least two jobs (sources of income). Sometimes three.

9. I grew up as a member of the Mennonite Church. Later, I attended a Baptist Christian school for 8th & 9th grade. Here I decided I wanted to be a minister. I also met my best friend and first true love.

10. I was the first-ever Spelling Bee Champion for Word of Life Christian Academy. I made it to regionals. The word that got me was "diocese" because the idiot official kept pronouncing it "DIASISS"!!

11. I'm an extroverted introvert. I was extremely shy and self-conscious growing up. This lasted into my Army years.

12. I've been married twice. My first (practice) wife and I are still friends. My current wife is my soulmate and my bestest friend.

13. I met both of my wives while I was DJing at a bar. Different bars. VERY different bars.

14. I never took the singer/songwriter thing seriously until 1999. Before then, I never thought anyone would want to hear me sing anything I had written. Boy, was I wrong.

15. The positive-thinker in me is constantly fighting with the realist in me.

16. To me, being a parent is a heavy responibility that scared the be-jesus out of me.

17. Parenthood has helped me rediscover and cherish the little things in life that grown-ups so often take for granted. My son and daughter have already taught me more than I have taught them.

18. I hate confrontation and I try to get along with everyone. Even more, I want everyone to like me and I take it very personally when someone doesn't -even if I don't really like them.

19. I would do almost anything for anyone at anytime. This has led to me being taken advantage of more than a few times.

20. My daughter has crowned me the "King of Stinky" thanks to my potent flatulent abilities. She announced this publicly
at her preschool. Doh!

21. I avoid discussing or arguing about religion, relationships, and politics. It's a losing a battle.

22. I am a music nut. I collect, study, play, record, write, perform, discuss, and search for music. Music. Music. Music.

23. I have a lot of friends, but very few close friends. I have a very high standard when it comes to close or best friends. Still, I am blessed and enriched by my current circle of friends.

24. I love to cook. Unfortunately, I also like to eat. Oh, and I'm not so good at cleaning up.

25. I believe Annapolis has one of the BEST local music scenes and I LOVE to go out an soak up the live vibe.