Throwback Thursday
Inspired by the #tbt trend on Instagram, this new series will revisit an old favorite from years past on a when-I-feel-like-it basis. You’re welcome.
First, check out these awesome photos of me as a wee little Wittyburg — and don’t feel at all embarrassed for me.
Blurry on purpose.
Too much sass to handle.
These are not elaborate Halloween costumes, though I can see why you asked. No — these are samples of my stage presence in the early ’90s … from saloon girl to crab.*
Yep, that’s a crab in the first picture. Thanks, “Little Mermaid.”
And while the rhythm did indeed get me around age 10 and I hung up my tap shoes, this future starlet is destined for greatness:
Such commitment! Such showmanship!
For a good chunk of my childhood, afternoons were spent perfecting my pliés and pirouettes. I missed my calling as a prima ballerina (clearly), mainly because YouTube didn’t exist and our performance videos had a lot of parents coughing or snoring.
But I have hope for that little girl. If nothing else, she’s got the comedic timing down.
What was your first hobby? Extra points if you share awful pictures and/or hilarious videos.
*The gypsy costume, among others, is not pictured for good reason.
Throwback Thursday
Inspired by the #tbt trend on Instagram, this new series will revisit an old favorite from years past on a (hopefully) weekly basis. You’re welcome.
This week’s throwback is a straight-up repost from a (now defunct) blog I kept during my high school and early college years.
I wrote this eight years ago, and I remember crying my eyes out as I tapped away in the library. It’s eerie looking back at my writing style and most personal thoughts, but I hope it’ll give you some insight to my childhood — and how Dad’s cancer diagnosis this year made our family even stronger:
Have you ever had something change the rest of your life forever? I mean, it honestly affected every single day for the rest of your life?
I have.
I’ve got to stop blaming him for his memory loss, for never throwing a ball with me or shooting hoops. I’ve got to forgive him for not knowing who I was when Adam and I visited him every afternoon in the hospital. I’ve got to let go of the fact that he will never be the daddy I once knew, the one that smiled a lot and even joked back with us.
It’s not his fault that it happened. It’s not God’s fault either. It’s time for me to grow up already, and forget about pushing the blame on someone or something.
No one could have predicted that my mom would roll over one morning and find him, lifeless and forever changed. No one could have accounted for causing him to walk with a limp, to be paralyzed on one side, and to have a bitter, pessimistic outlook on life.
Ten years of blaming, hating and accusing has gotten us nowhere. I feel selfish for assuming that he would have recovered, no problem. He shouldn’t be broken. He should be better. But it’s out of our control and he needs me to know [sic] that I accept him.
I can’t believe how long it’s taken me to come to this realization. And yet, I already feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my heart and my mind.
Appreciate your loved ones, for you never know — one day, they may disappear forever
2013 update: My dad remains one of the most resilient men I’ve ever met. His strength is awe-inspiring, and I’m thankful every day for how much our relationship has grown in the past few years.
My parents spent their 33rd anniversary at the hospital this June. Dad’s receiving treatments at a rehab center on this, the 18th anniversary of his stroke. I love you, Slick Rick … keep fighting the good fight!
Throwback Thursday
Inspired by the #tbt trend on Instagram, this new series will revisit an old favorite from years past on a (hopefully) weekly basis. You’re welcome.
First up: “Eureeka’s Castle”
Who else was obsessed with this show? If your hand isn’t raised, we need to seriously reconsider this relationship.
I can’t remember if I was more into Magellan, the well-meaning but clumsy dragon, or the Fishtones, a singing trio of fish statues. My money is on that goofy-ass dragon.
What I do remember is being completely enthralled with every episode, from beginning to end. The so-called “friendly giant” totally weirded me out, and yet I still think of the show fondly.
Long before the days of that other wizard kid, Eureeka was a sorceress-in-training with magical friends and crazy concepts. I may or may not have just found this year’s Halloween costume.
Picnic time!
Wittyburg.com 