I mention in Spring Break, that I was going to audition for X-Factor.  I didn’t mention really when, or even where!  So, let me give a little more information.  For starters, I am enrolled in two schools, the University of Central Oklahoma (which is my degree issuing institution) and the local community college (I live in Olathe, Kansas), Johnson County Community College (where I am taking my final math class).  Because I am enrolled in two schools, I have two different start and end dates and two different spring breaks.  UCO started a week earlier than JCCC (even though their spring break is a week later, figure that one out).  So, JCCC’s spring break has been this week.

X-Factor started their audition this week in Kansas City.  My audition was Wednesday, March 14th.  Here’s the story:

Monday, March 12th – Registration begins.  I head down to Kemper Arena to pick up my wrist band and ticket.

Tuesday, March 13th – I stress all day about the audition the next day.  Practice several songs, prepare 5 and ultimately decide to go with Sunday Morning by Maroon 5.

Wednesday, March 14th:

4 A.M. – The alarm goes off telling me that my audition is TODAY!  I spend the next hour and fifteen minutes getting ready.  Brett is wonderful and makes me some toast and gets a protein shake for me.  I make sure I have my i.d. and put some snacks and drinks in my bag, and we head out the door

5:30 A.M. – We arrive at Kemper Arena and it is swarming with excitement.  We pay the parking attendant and head over to get in line.  As the morning progresses, more and more people show up.

7 A.M. – Taping for the show begins.  There are cameras, helicopters, music, everything.  The show’s crew is walking around talking to people and encouraging lots of singing and dancing.

9:30 – Taping commences and we start heading indoors.  By now there are about six thousand people in line.

10:15 – Everyone is finally inside and the producers start announcing information about the process.

10:30 – The first section of people are taken down to audition.  I’m in the fourth section.  It’s been a long day already, and I’m starting to get really nervous.

12:00 – Two sections of people have been taken to audition, but now that it’s lunch time, some of the judges have gone to eat and things are not moving along as quickly.

1:45 – I am hungry, so Brett goes to buy some lunch.  He comes back with some Nachos for me and BBQ sandwich for himself.  I have been drinking water like it’s going out of style trying to stay hydrated.

2:15 – My section has been called down to audition!  I am so nervous.

2:30 – I meet my judge and do my audition.  He thanks me for coming out, but it’s a no today.

2:45 – I meet Brett outside of Kemper and we head for the car to go home.

While I am disappointed I didn’t make it through the first round of auditions, I am so proud of myself for doing something that has frightened me in the past.  I know that I gave a good audition.  I also know that I haven’t auditioned for anything in ten years!  So, I am proud of my audition.  Ultimately, looking back, I think I chose the wrong song.  It all comes down to song choice.  But now that I know what I need to work on, I can work on it, and try again.

Who knows, maybe next year I’ll make it through the first round!

I hope you enjoyed sharing my journey as much as I enjoyed going through it.  It was a really long day, but it was so worth it – even though the answer was no.

The main thing I learned from this is to try.  I have talked myself out of many scary things in the past, simply because I was too afraid to try.  I’m so glad I tried this.