going platinum

I clinched the microphone tightly in my hand as sweat began to accumulate on my brow. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered uncontrollably. I focused on the eyes staring back at me. "Don't crack, you can do this," I thought. "Think of them as cardboard cutouts. They're not real people."

The music began and I cleared my throat one last time.

The words began to pour out of my mouth.

"Honey why you calling me so late?
It's kinda hard to talk right now.
Honey why are you crying? Is everything okay?
I gotta whisper 'cause I can't be too loud..."

The crowd cheered and the nervousness faded.

There's been a concert in our house all weekend. The living room is the stage, the flat panel television the high-def stage backdrop and the family as the audience. And everyone is a star. Some shining brighter than others, but all stars nonetheless.

This weekend we purchased American Idol Encore for the Wii. It's been music and mayhem ever since as we all try to one-up each other to impress a virtual Randy, Paula and Simon. I'm completely tone deaf and was a reluctant contestant, but I still managed to please the judges with one song. It was Hinder's Lips of an Angel. Simon thought it was brilliant. Randy thought it was "cool dawg." Paula was like the real Paula. Her comments were jibberish.

Despite my grammy worthy performance, the surprise star was our teenage nephew who was visiting over the long holiday weekend. Even with a cracking voice, he wowed the judges and scored exceptionally high with every song he sang. He was amazing.

I hope I can take him down in a final round to be your next American Idol. Then you all have to buy my album.

VegasDad out!