Right now, I could list about 50 musicians and singers that I’m into. But if you and I were hanging out, and you were to ask me “So, who do you listen to?” I’d stammer and say with a shrug, “Um, everyone?” When I’m put on the spot, I suffer from musical amnesia.

Case in Point: Last night, my Portuguese professor asked me, in front of everyone, who my favorite singer is. “Quem é seu cantor preferido?” she asked. I knew exactly how I was supposed to respond: “Meu cantor preferido é…” But I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what name I should give her.

The little, rusty cogs in my pathetic steam-powered brain were trying their best to come up with an answer. I stalled her, pretending to fumble over the construction of a simple sentence. Kurt Vonnegut? offered my mind. How about Leif Ericson? My teacher patiently assisted me with the first part of the sentence until I had reached the final step. I had to decide on my “cantor preferido.” And that’s when the word “Bobo” shot to the tip of my tongue. My favorite singer is most assuredly not anyone named Bobo, but my lips had already started to form a B sound. I had to commit. Alright, I told myself, This narrows it down. What singer starts with a B?

“Meu cantor preferido é… Brian McKnight.”

Brian Mc-effing-Knight?? Where did that come from? I don’t think I could name a single Brian McKnight song. Hell, it would have been more accurate to have just said Bobo. But, whatever. Now 29 Portuguese students think I like Brian McKnight. No biggie. I just wish I could have more accurately represented myself.

But, hindsight’s 20/20, and as I was leaving class, I realized the correct answer. Meu cantor preferido é Johnny “Bowtie” Barstow. Duh.

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