Can I please be a villain again, and forget I ever tried to be a hero?

In a recent, random turn of events, I have found myself a changed person. Formerly a villain, now turned hero. It all started on what the world knows as 'Black Friday'. (And yes, I could now take a break and inform you it's called 'Black Friday' because it's typically the first day of the year that retail sales get out of the red and back into the black, therefore creating a profit and making everyone smile and behave erratically...but I wont bore you with such trivial knowledge). And though it began on 'Black Friday', none of my change presented itself until Christmas Eve.

I'd like to blame my brothers for this newly-found dilemma, as it was while shopping for them that this possibility showed itself to me. Maybe it was getting up at 4:30am to shop. Maybe it was two coffees before 11am. Maybe it was the utter chaos surrounding me. But I realized, "If they can be heroes, why can't I?". Yes, it stretched my imagination to its limits. It's hard to picture myself finding joy in anything with the slightest connotation of niceness/helpfulness/supportiveness/some-other-word-that-ends-in-ness that comes with the word 'hero'. But a hero, nonetheless, I've become.

And please don't picture me as some role model. By all means, I am in no way insinuating I've achieved perfection. As I face the crowds in my daily situations, trying only to do what I think is right, I sometimes hear the crowds and their mocking. Taunts to dissuade me from chasing after my new-found vision. Perhaps they are, themselves, merely villains waiting for their moment when they will be able to choose to become heroes, too. Maybe they still don't understand that they have a choice. And with that in mind, I will not take anything they say to heart, and hope that they too will become a hero.

As for me, I will continue trying to be a hero, or in the very least, a 'guitar hero'.

And on a side-note, if in a incidental moment, you happen upon me playing and find me blushing, make no assumptions. I'm not ashamed to admit to playing Guitar Hero (though maybe I should be). I'm probably just remembering and embarrassing moment. I think I'll share it with you now...

I'd like to start by saying, I love my in-laws. I am blessed and thankful to have them as my family. They raised my husband to be and incredible man. They are wonderful grandparents. They even love me (and goodness knows that can be a task!).

They are also quite conservative. This isn't usually an issue, but I know there are lots of unspoken things we could disagree on. Some things are just better left unsaid, especially in the interest of keeping peace. (I do understand not all moms have their lips pierced and tattoo sleeves in the process...) I suspected that the game 'Guitar Hero' may push the limits. So, in an effort to not offend, when I found out they would be stopping in for the night, I'd planned on keeping the game (and especially its case), put away.

Here is where the ever-helpful Creed enters the story. Not only did he proceed to tell them we got the game (while Traben sang "slow ride...take it easy" in the background), he sought out the case to show off. I tried to distract him. Then, unable to do so, make myself appear distracted as I saw Todd's mom's countenance change from pleasant to disapproving, while she was looking over the case. I was looking to Todd to get him to divert attention when Creed uttered these marvelous words, while pointing at the cover....

"And this one is my mom!"

Todd choked.

I blushed.

If you're not familiar with the game, here's why;