People In My Life

This isn't going to be a countdown list because I don't really like to pick favorites. I realize you must be thinking "hey now Mike, by making this list aren't you doing just that? Hmm? What about that shit asshat?" Well first of all, don't call me names, and secondly, I may be picking favorites, but just because you're left off of this list doesn't mean I don't think you kick ass. It just means that I either I just plain forgot (and everyone knows you only forget the important things) or couldn't come up with a paragraph of praise for you. It's just best to assume that you kick ass of your own merits. Anyways her are the fab nine I could think of.



Michael Powers


I met Mike when I was somewhere around seven years old. My mom had decided to put me in piano lessons because that's where all single parents put their genius kids.Anyways I don't remember our first meeting but I do remember that I liked Mike because he was a silly guy and he sort of reminded me of Mark Kistel from the Imagination Station. Besides struggling to get me to focus on my piano lessons Mike would also take the time to listen to me talk about how my life was going. He would give advice if I had problems in school or at home. You could say that Mike was a makeshift dad a lot of the time and I doubt I'll ever really get the opportunity to fully repay him for that. Mike and I have grown apart over the years but I am still always very excited to see him when I do, and thanks to facebook he gets  to enjoy my bullshit exploits as get posted for all the world to see. Thanks for putting up with me man, you're the best.


Marc and Ximena Christianson


Talk about Washburn's second parents, I can't even really claim these two for myself. Be that as it may I will always feel slightly indebted to those guys. I think in the last four years I lived it Washburn it was just at their house, making sure that all they food didn't go to waste, keeping their couches warm, and making sure their tv worked. The Christainson's have also provided me with a good amount of luxuries that can't be provided by a small mansion full of flatscreens, a hot tub, and the cheapest beer in Washburn. On many occasions they've given me  someone to talk to about problems in my life, supplied me with a laugh at a terrible joke, and just been all around awesome to me. I love and miss you guys.


Bob Lynum


Now Bob is an interesting case because he really kind of turned out to be another one of those father figures, but not really. It was more like having an awesome shop class teacher that was always around you. Bob taught me how to build shit, shoot my first gun, camp, fish, all the good stuff. Bob also taught me one of the most important skills I've ever learned: how to have fun doing absolutely nothing. Leave it to your grandfather to teach you that you can have a really awesome time just sitting in a yard swing. You're the best Bob. Cowabunga!


Deb Cline


I thought of you out of the blue, but I had to mention you because I was just reading through what I wrote about Mike and I figured if he is the father of my love for music then surely you would be the mother. Deb was my first and second grade teacher and she is an amazing woman. Deb has the power to show children the magic in the world around them that they're young eyes are just learning to see, which is an invaluable gift. She was my favorite grade school teacher and I know she's inspired other kids the way she inspired me. Keep it up Mrs. Cline!


Anastasia and Emily Brease


If you haven't met my sisters, which I'm sure you haven't, you should know that they each 75% as cool as I am. This doesn't really sound that great, but if you put them together that makes them both 50% cooler than me, which to me is devastating. I met Ana and Em when I was eight. Emily was still a baby and Ana was just a little girl, but the minute I saw them my world was flipped upside down. For the first time in my life I felt like I wasn't the person who needed to be protected, but the person who needed to do the protecting. My sisters instilled a sort of pride in me that has not faltered for a second. They're both so unique, yet each is just as strong and talented as the other. All my favorite parts of myself I've seen in my sisters, and all my favorite parts of them resonate even stronger. Despite always feeling like I need to protect them, I think lately I've been coming to realize that they might be the one's holding me up instead. You guys are more wonderful than I'll ever be able to say. I love you.


Chloe Goodrich


Chloe is one of my best friends and the biggest reason I think she deserves mentioning is because she's always been a constant inspiration to me. Chloe literally has nothing bad to say about anyone and if you ever doubt yourself, she's the first one to tell you that you can do anything you want to. One of the other things I like most about Chloe is that she takes what she wants out of life. She may have her own doubts in herself, but she sticks to her guns and it usually pays off for her. I'm proud to be Chloe's friend and not a day goes by that I don't think about how she's doing. I love you Chloe, I hope to see you soon.


Julie Lynum


Cheesy you say? Piss off. My mother is the most selfless person I've ever met. The woman hasn't stopped working to better my life ever, which I think in todays world is something worth bragging about. Julie did it all for me, taught me how to laugh, cry, sing, drive, play, love, and live. Without that woman I wouldn't have anything and I'm damn proud to be her son. If twitter were just my mom giving random updates about what she thought of during the day I'd force everyone to follow her. She's got the best taste in music, she can cook and bake like a maniac, and at the end of the day she still has time to give you a backrub. Mom, I love you so much. Thanks for everything you've done, everything you're doing, and everything you're going to do.