Posted 10:53 PM by John A. Seafisk

Karaoke-dokey

A fun activity to do with friends & easily embarrass yourself is to sing karaoke. "Karaoke" is Japanese for "empty orchestra". I'm sure you all know the dril....you grab a microphone & sing along to the melody to a popular song, aided by a video screen presenting the lyrics (although there can be some amusing typos). You warble off-key, and your friends & other audience members laugh at your expense but give you a nice round of applause at the end of your performance. Some may think that the applause is in relief that you're finally finished...but I rather not think so low about my entertainment abilities.

I went with a few friends last weekend at a karaoke bar. Well, technically, it was a karaoke machine set up in the bar section of a franchised mexican restaurant. The crowd was small, which is good if you feel nervous about singing in front of your friends, let alone complete strangers. Here is what I offered to the semi-drunk, sem-appreciative audience:

"Paranoid:, by Black Sabbath
"I'm So Excited", by The Pointer Sisters (by request)
"Baby Got Back", by Sir Mix-A-Lot (duet)
"Incense & Peppermints", by Strawberry Alarm Clock

By far, the best was 'Baby Got Back'. I had the rhythm down well, and even did some record-scratching moves. Later on, as I was walking to the restroom, a small crowd at a table asked if I could go up & do it again. They wanted an encore! How cool is that!