Someone else in this thread mentioned how it saved their life from a serious depression, and it kinda has the same bearing for me.

I was basically wasting my days either shut in the house 24/7 or wandering aimlessly around town looking for something to spark my interest and allow me to meet people.

Then one day I am sitting in my local mall, when an old buddy of mine shows up. He informs me of his birthday celebration in one week's time and I should come down and check it out. And how convenient, the venue of choice just happened to be a few short blocks from where I live, so I told him I'd be there.

So came the big night, Jan 31 2001. I basically spent the whole night nervously looking through the books trying to find a song I thought I could do half decently.

Ultimately, I picked a bad song for my cherry-okee. I selected Iron Maiden's "Run To The Hills", and it sucked. Coulda been nerves, I was so scared.

But, I came back the following week, and did Megadeth's "Symphony Of Destruction", and that rocked.

At the party I ran into a lot of old friends I'd lost touch with. The next thing you know, long story short, I am karaokeing 5 nights a week, and doing everything from country to metal, and apparently doing it all well.

The song that made me so "famous" in my local karaoke circle was Aqua's "Barbie Girl", mainly cos I could sing both parts, switching back and forth between the highs and lows effortlessly. And that was my whole hook, my ability to mimic any singer.

I had set such a standard for myself, that when I came down with a sinus infection, I was so addicted to singing that I wouldn't let myself recupperate, and still tried to sing while sick. Well I guess I strained something, cos after a rollercoaster ride with sinus colds and infections, I sorta lost my ability to capture any artists vocal style. Now I can only sing close to it, but not dead-on anymore.

Being such a perfectionist and my own worst critic (and at times, enemy), I was quite distraught (spelling?) over the loss of my unique skill.

I mean, I still got compliments and requests from everyone, even if I sang "Barbie Girl" off-key, it was still received rather well.

So, I dunno... am I a junkie? An addict?
Singing while sick, fretting over how I sound, feeling like my world is coming to an end when I can't go out and sing at karaoke.

You tell me.

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WTW

Regardless, I am impressed by his proper use of "distraught".

I probably did mis-click.

Hey, is something burning?

I think it's those two that hang in the pool hollering out that HORRID game!

LOL!

The second time when Scorpion says it, Spidey pipes up with "Fish outta water!"

I was rolling the first time I heard it!