A picture of your favorite book. 

Simple answer here. This will always be where the magic started.

(Yes, that is my first paperback copy of Sorcerer's Stone. It remains, and will always remain, my favorite book in the entire series).

A picture of something you wish you were better at.

I'm going to cheat a little here and slightly reuse a concept. I mentioned earlier that I wanted to be a better singer in regards to my role in The Frontrunner. For this entry, I'm more focused on my performing as a whole. I work hard on all aspects of performing; my stage presence, my singing, and my guitar playing - especially since I'm always doing all three things at the same time. My goal is to make it look easy, and I do a solid job of that. But there's a ton of areas in which I can improve, so I'm just going to keep working hard and figuring out what works. It starts with confidence, and I'm slowly learning that if I start with a belief that I can handle it, then it won't be a problem.

(Apologies for the delay; it's been crazy the last few weeks. I'm going to try and finish this thing up within the next two weeks and get back to regular entries).

A picture of something you wish you could forget.

This photo doesn't really relate to what I'm writing about, but it's the closest thing I could find to visually represent my story. Back in sophomore year of high school, I was actively involved in multiple clubs, including Mock Trial, where I had earned a starting attorney spot (very rare for that young). However, all of that came to a crashing halt when I got my second quarter report card, which came with a 1.87 GPA. This fell below the eligibility line for all activities, and so I was forced to drop completely out of Mock Trial, Model U.N., and everything else I was doing. It was miserable, humiliating, horrifying, and every other negative adjective you could possibly come up with. To this day, it's pretty much the only thing I might say I'd go back and change. 

The photo was taken that same year, when I got home one day and found the sun reflecting on a CD on the floor in my old room. This is one of the photos I took, and it always reminds me of that year. I've come a long way since then, so I don't think I'd actually change anything. But I wouldn't mind forgetting it.

A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

Tucked away in Zimbabwe and Zambia are the beautiful Victoria Falls, sitting 128 meters high. For perspective, that's twice the height of Niagara. The falls themselves would be spectacular enough to draw my attention, but there happens to be a feature even more breathtaking than the plunging water. In the months of September and December, the current at one location runs low enough to form a natural rock wall at the edge of the cliff. Dubbed the "devil's pool," this spot allows daring tourists to sit literally inches away from the edge, leaning over and teetering on the brink of a drop to certain death. Check out the Snopes article here: trust me, it's worth it. Here's one of the videos from that article:

After watching a video like that one, I wasn't sure at first if I could really do it. I've come to the conclusion that I can, and I will. It may take me 20 years to get there, but I'm going to take a swim in that pool.

A picture and a letter. 

"Dear ______,

One of these days, just let me get there first. That's all I ask. 

Thanks.

-Ben."

A picture of your biggest insecurity. 

I sing in a band. Sometimes it's hard to spend hours working on making sure your voice is ready to go for a show, after spending weeks in the car singing along and teaching yourself how to produce a good tone for upbeat pop-rock music, and then hear people say things like "you guys would be a lot better if your vocalist could sing." I never give myself too much credit; I understand I have an average voice and it's a stretch to say I'm capable of really being a "lead singer." But it's not easy to work tirelessly for something and end up feeling replaceable. 

A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

Burgers? Seriously, I went with burgers? No, actually; I didn't. I've already used a picture of Red Robin back when I was posting a picture of my night, and I wanted something a little different even though the answer is technically the same. So I googled "red robin burgers" and boom, here's a picture of burgers.

So why is the answer Red Robin, I claim that you ask? Well, let me tell you a story. Back in December, I was in need of employment (for a variety of reasons). I desperately needed something completely different, because where I was working at the time was just driving me into the ground with mediocrity and boredom. I hated it, not because it was a bad place to work or a poor company, but just because I couldn't take any joy in the work anymore. So I happened to be leaving work and spotted a "now hiring" sign outside of the Red Robin that was being constructed. On a complete whim, I turned around, parked, and walked in the door to fill out an application. Four hours later, I was officially hired as a server. 

As bizarre as it may sound, these last three months have been some of the most fun months of my life. Some days, I hated that job; customers can be insanely rude, tip horribly, and at the end of the night you wonder why you're wasting your time. But it wasn't about the work, it was about the people I worked with. For the first time, I was working with a large, diverse group of people my age who just loved to enjoy themselves and figure out how to make any situation fun. They were totally different from me, and it didn't matter. I made friends with random people and got to know a broad range of life stories. Everyone came from somewhere, but you just met them where they were and moved forward from there. I know it's cheesy coming from someone who had never worked in the restaurant industry before, but for me it was the most eye-opening three months of my life. 

My last day at Red Robin is Friday; I got hired at Guitar Center to sell full-time in the pro audio department. It's a better gig for me and my level of expertise, and it will be significantly less stressful than the long hours of running around at Red Robin. But I'm not gonna lie and say I didn't hesitate for a few minutes and wonder if it was really worth it. Is it worth getting a significantly better job but losing the love I have for working with such a diverse group of people? I've come to the conclusion that it is, but it wasn't an easy decision. Red Robin surprised me more than I could've ever expected, and I'm a much better person because of it.

A picture of someone who inspires you. 

If I grow up to be just like my dad, I'll know I did pretty much everything right.

A picture of something you want to do before you die. 

(I suppose a picture of Alison Haislip would be distasteful).

Those who know me well understand (read: are aware of) my passion for the Chicago White Sox. No sport means more to me than baseball, and no team is more important than these White Sox, a second team in the second city, so often described as a "Cubs town." Back in 2005, the White Sox captured their first World Series victory since before my parents were born, and they seem poised for a potential run at the title again this year.

My dream is to be present for the clinching game of a White Sox World Series victory. I want to be in the stands, screaming until my voice is gone, whether the game is home or away. If the White Sox make it back to the World Series in my lifetime, and they reach the point where one victory will secure the title, I will be there. I don't care where it is and how much I'll have to shell out to fly there and find seats in a far-off corner; it won't matter. I want to witness that moment before I die.

A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

Yes, I'm cheating again. Get over it. These two women mean more to me than almost anyone else in the world.