Didn’t Pan Out like I thought

I started practicing my autograph when I was a kid. I think it really cranked into high gear when I was about twelve years old. I’d say, “why yes, darling, of course I’ll sign your album!” and scribble my name with a flourish on my notebook.

I didn’t really think much about how I’d get “famous”. I just thought maybe someday someone would hear me sing and just plop a billion dollar recording contract in my lap. I certainly didn’t think about writing novels at that age. Books were too much fun. Why make them a job?

When we were about 15, my best friend and I decided we were going to have a band. We’d be called “Angelic Vixen.” We never wrote any songs, or picked up any instruments, but we had a bitchin CD cover planned.

In retrospect, I’m glad that didn’t happen. For one, I’m a mediocre singer at best. For another, while I love to travel, I dont think I’m cut out for life on concert tour. And I adore writing. So signing my first, real autograph will be the result of a lot of hard work instead of luck and happenstance.

Other things in life haven’t been as easy as I expected either. But you know what? It makes me appreciate it more. As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I know the value of striving for something. And that’s something that you can’t learn from anyone except life.