Mike: Don't Fight it

Editor's note: We challenged all of our finalists to "Write a random/funny blog post you think will make 18-25 yr olds smile‬"

‪    Through out your childhood, your parents always annoy you.  It’s their job.  You always tell yourself that you’ll never do these irritating actions.  “We’re not air conditioning the neighborhood!” my dad says.  “In or out. In or out!”  And you always think, “I’ll never yell at my kids about stupid stuff like that.”  But then you find yourself slowly taking on the personality of what you thought was outrageous.  No matter how hard you try, you can’t get away from it.  You find yourself closing doors behind others, turning off all the lights others left on, etc.‬

‪    My father is a very happy gentleman.  He’s always singing some tune he heard in the car or a jingle from some local commercial.  If you’re “lucky” enough for him to be singing a classic song, lets say Margaritaville, you usually wouldn’t recognize it since he changes the lyrics to whatever he’s doing or thinking about.  “Wasting away again in St. Louis ville.  Looking for my lost wallet and keys.”  Most of my friends find this amusing, but try listening to Margaritaville all morning ten different ways.  “Looking for my bread and jam.”  “Wasting away again in the living room.”  As much as you try to ignore it, it wears on you after an hour of different variations and all you want is just one normal Margaritaville chorus.‬

‪    After all the lyrical torture in my childhood, you’d think that this would have some affect on my personal singing.  I’m a musician, love to sing, and unfortunately get the worst ear worms.  For those who don’t know, an ear worm is when a song or lyric gets stuck in your head.  When I hear a new song I really like I sing it over and over.   I don’t consciously do it.  It just happens.  This drives my girlfriend up a wall.  She’ll yell at me after a few times of the same lyric which will draw my attention to what I’m doing.  This will usually stop the inevitable for 10 minutes or so.  But once there’s a lull in conversation or a task is finished, the ear worm always comes back.‬

‪    As I get older, I gain more and more respect and appreciation for my dad.  The things that annoyed me then are the things I treasure now.  The stories of what once drove me up the wall are now what my family and I laugh about over dinner.‬

‪    As annoying as our parents may be, they are our own.  My dad can get under my skin in a matter of seconds sometimes but the annoying singing, forgetfulness, and A/C Nazi is who my dad is.  It may bother me sometimes, but I wouldn’t have my dad be any other way.  After many years of fighting the system, I’ve realized I am the system.  I’m sure my kids will get the same treatment.‬

‪

Mike