day #1 (post 30): karaoke challenge

the night started out innocently enough. i worked until 8p and there was a post-work gathering at a bar not far from the office. it was fun to spend some quality time with some of the peeps outside of work - get to know everyone a little bit more. we ordered a round of drinks and people came and went, and at 9p it was evident that the bar was turning into karaoke night. the first person to sing was an older guy, and you could tell he lived for karaoke night at this place. i don't remember what his song choice was but it was something that didn't immediately scream "fun karaoke song - get the crowd pumped." i think it was long and depressing. the next person to sing was our server. she also sang something long and depressing - one of the songs from les mis. she had a good voice - but she was singing les mis in a sports bar on a wednesday night. no.

most people were paying attention to the hockey game on TV, some people were watching the karaoke. and we were all egging each other on..."you sing" "no you sing" "ok what song would you do -if- you sang." i started telling someone that i wanted to do it, but i just never had and i get nervous. and next thing you know, i found myself walking over to the table and signing myself up. what. the. hell. there were 3 people ahead of me. victoria. devon. the first guy again. and then they called my name. i mean well they sort of called my name - they called me "mee-gan"- but it was close enough.

and this is what happened:

OH MY GOD. i did it. i had a blast. i was nervous. i was excited. i sang my JAM that i had sang so many times in the car, in private karaoke rooms with friends, in the shower. but never ever, in front of strangers. and i did it. i conquered one of my most prominent of fears - stage fright. and did i do it perfectly? nope. was i shaking the whole time? yep. and it didn't matter in the slightest. nobody cared. NOBODY. i was able to get over myself and just freaking do something i enjoy doing without thinking about what anybody thought of me. my coworker friend who doesn't hug for anything even gave me a hug after i was finished. we both conquered our fears :)

if this is any indication on how great my 30s are going to be, sign me up. there are 8 days unaccounted for on the challenge, and i'm so happy i have started back up on the other side of this decade. one small step back for fears - one giant leap over them for meagen.

more to come.

xoxo
meags