Childhood
Me as a toddler. Even then I was stylin' and cute. I was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. Growing up, I moved around more than most children, both with and without my family. I was the last of five siblings so by the time I came along, there wasn't as much time, energy or attention for me, compared with what my three sisters (Kathy, Brenda, Becky) and brother (Kenny) received. My parents divorced when I was six years old causing me to act out for attention. On the one hand, the divorce was extremely traumatic and in some ways I blamed myself, but then on the other, such trials and tribulations in life gave me a thick skin which helped prepare me for life. As I grew up, I realized I looked at the glass as half full and not half empty which made it easier to deal with difficult situations. The 1st through the 4th grades were full of both amazing and difficult times. I still loved to be the center of attention, with both good and bad actions, reactions and results. One of the best things I did in elementary school was giving puppet shows to the 1st & 2nd graders. Considering I was a 3rd & 4th grader, my outgoing nature and good deeds surprised many, including me as I look back. I would use both Sesame Street puppets as well as Ventriloquist dolls Emmet Kelly and Charlie McCarthy. I was learning at an early age that, ultimately, attention from good deeds was the way to go. For my entire 5th grade year, due to being a part of a single parent household (my mom) and her having to work full time, she thought it best that I stay with a family we all knew and were friends with. The parents of the family were good friends with my parents. The family consisted of a mom, dad, four sons and a daughter. It was my first long term experience living away from home and was the foundation for me being able to easily live away from home and experience the world later in life. Living with the family gave me my first "real" family experience in years because while my actual siblings were all older than me and all but one were out of the house, this new family all lived at home and I wound up being the middle child in age rather than the "baby" in my actual family. It was a year full of good, bad, love, drama and above all else, religion. This family was religious to the point where we actually got down on our knees by the bed with hands clasped to say our night time prayers. They were strict too, also because of their beliefs. So much so that one evening at the dinner table, even though I hated beans because they made me nauseous, the parents made me sit at the table long after supper and wouldn't let me leave until I ate every bean. Also, one weekend when my real brother Kenny, came to take me to a movie, they wouldn't let him because the movie was "Jaws". Even though they were strict, they had the best intentions and it's a time I'll always remember fondly. At the end of
the year, I went back home to live with my mom. The first private school I was sent to was Baptist in nature while the latter school I went to was Methodist in nature. And, while the Baptist school had the campus and their own school all on the same campus, the Methodist school was just a campus while we were taken by bus to the local public school. For my senior year, I moved back home and lived with my mom my final year in high school, commuting by car to the same public school until a month before graduation. During Spring break, I went back to the Baptist private school to visit all my old friends. They too were graduating in a month. Being back at the school for those few days, surrounded by everyone, made me wish I was graduating with them and not back home at the public school. As I returned home and prepared to go back to school for my final month, I kept thinking about all of my friends back at the private school. I knew it would be a safer bet to finish up where I was, but I didn't feel very comfortable with my public school friends. They didn't compare with my other friends from my past, so in an act of either complete bravery or utter stupidity, I convinced my mom to let me go back, ONE MONTH BEFORE GRADUATION. By changing schools right before graduation, I would not only jeopardize my GPA, but also my chances of attending the University of Kentucky that Fall. UK has an amazing Theater program and I was prepared to study Acting. My grades were good and in one instance, I made a decision that forever changed my path. On the one hand, it was amazing to go "back", something many people tell you isn't a possibility. I went back after having been away almost three years and graduated with all my friends. And, since it was a Baptist school, I had to remain over the Summer to take a Bible course in order to completely graduate. Even though I had been accepted at UK for that Fall, due to me changing schools, my GPA dropped. On top of that, UK implemented a new measuring system, comparing not only GPA but SAT/ACT scores as well. Since I had NEVER had Algebra or higher as well as Chemistry, I didn't score too well. The whole notion of being "forced" to take the exact same courses as every other student never appealed to me. I also knew I would not excel very well in Math and, to a lesser degree, Science, so I concentrated on English, History, Sociology, and "Artistic" classes like Drama, Choir, Band, Woodworking, Drafting, Typing and Radio/TV. Following my own path led to difficulty with the SAT/ACT and, combined with my lower GPA, my "acceptance" to UK was revoked. It was one of the first major disappointments with the Higher Education system of American Universities. Through it all though, I still looked at life's possibilities and tried not to think in the tunnel vision sort of way that many of my contemporaries, family and schools did. Going back to the Baptist private school was one of the first times I really went for it, regardless of the risks involved. Later, in life, when I made the decision to move to Hollywood without any concrete job offers, I was called "reckless". But, it all goes back to when I changed High Schools. I felt it in my soul to follow a certain path and call it naive, strong, or "reckless", I faced all my fears and jumped in with both feet. As I left childhood and became a man, I continued to follow my heart, my convictions, and my soul, all while holding onto the hopeful, optimistic, and somewhat naive outlook I had as a child and growing up. In some ways, I still look at life in a different way than some of my peers. As they've grown older, they've turned their back on their inner child due in large part to societal pressures handed down from generation to generation. I'm a strong believer that you can "have your cake and eat it too". I've discovered that being an adult doesn't mean my inner child is dead. On the contrary, it's very much alive and well and looking at the future with a "glass half full" outlook. Growing up was an experience, just ask anybody that knew me then. From the moment I could walk, I was a master at attracting attention, both good and bad. By the time I came along, my parents' relationship and marriage was nearing it's end, three of my siblings were in high school and I was not only NOT planned but, in some ways, unwanted. It wasn't "personal", it was just that after four children, my parents did NOT want another. Once I burst into the world however, my mother, father and siblings loved me and were happy to have me in their world, but there was just so much going on around me, that there wasn't always enough time for me. Growing up, my boyhood and pre-teen experiences often had rebellious elements to them. Experiences ranged from falling down a flight of stairs at 4 years of age while trying to be cute, causing a four year old kindergarten peer to cry during a storm by taunting him that a tornado was coming to kill our entire class, deflating my neighbor's Cadillac tires with a knife and for fun, throwing a rock at a family member (my stepmom's grandson) hitting him square in the back, looking up my first grade teacher's skirt as the entire class watched, being banished to the hallway for disrupting the class in first grade as well as shaken by my teacher for not listening and then causing her to become more angry by laughing in her face, throwing a brick sized rock straight up in the air as hard as I could in the 8th grade during recess only for it to come down inches away from hitting my teacher (her husband was also a teacher at the same school and when he found out, he gave me 12 paddle licks with such force and intensity that I never picked up a rock again). Looking back, it's amazing I survived childhood but I had a resilience that couldn't be denied. Whether I received negative or positive reinforcement didn't matter because it was all "attention" that I desperately wanted. Deep down, I guess I needed love and acceptance. 1st Grade class portrait. I'm standing to the right of my teacher. I heard that she retired from teaching after I graduated, mostly due to me. If you've seen the film 'Problem Child', you'll begin to have an idea what kind of kid I was.
The above comments are by one of my elementary school teachers. As you can see, I was a child who lacked positive direction. It took me years to grow up and shake some sense into myself. God knows no one else could.
Posing with my dad and the Piggy bank full of coins that he gave me. He's looking at me probably wondering what I'm going to do next. I think I ended up smashing the piggy bank.
Christmas time in the family household. These were the times I loved the most. Presents, presents, presents! Toys, toys, toys! I used to get a lot back in those days. My dad used to go all out with buying me toys. At least until I broke them all by taking the art of playing to new heights. Then, my dad didn't buy me much at all. Guess he didn't understand that children, especially wild ones like myself, don't treat things or have the same respect for things the same way adults do. But, then again, I was anything but your typical child. As you can see from the picture, I'm making the moment all about ME (whether everyone else in the room likes it or not)!! From left to right are me, my sister Becky, mom and my sister Kathy.
Another example of me hogging camera time, not caring about the ones behind me. Behind me (from l to r) are my sisters Brenda & Becky and a friend of Becky's. From the looks of the body language, the friend wants nothing to do with me and Becky is hugging onto Brenda for protection from a possible assault from yours truly. Those were the days when I was in an insane brat with little direction other than to milk every social gathering for my own gain. Back then, it was all about me. Wait a minute, what am I talking about it STILL is all about me. Only difference is, I put the Myles in the above picture to rest long ago, forever banished to the recesses of my memory.
A group shot of me (yellow shirt & pants) with mom (red), sister Becky (behind me) and the Stamm family kids (close friends). The place: Lexington, Kentucky. The time: early 70's. Check out mom's sporty yellow sports car! That was one cool ride to a young kid like me.
My sister Becky and I pose for the camera, circa 1973. Being the last child of five, this was a crazy time in my childhood. My parents, newly divorced, went from being in love to the complete opposite with custody going to my mom. Me and Becky were the only two siblings left at home which meant we spent a great deal of time growing up together. This wouldn't have been a problem had I been a cool kid. To be blunt though, I was nothing short of a punk and brat which put incredible stress and unhappiness on my sister's shoulders. Deep down though, I was a good kid. I just went about getting attention the wrong way. Realizing that now and having healed our problems, all I can say to my sister Becky, even though all is forgiven, is: "I'm sorry for being a virtual devil and unbearable to deal with."
Speaking of the devil...welcome to Halloween 70's style. This was one of my favorite costumes and as you can see, I was all ready to show it off for the camera. Great posture huh? What's up with my arms. Just hanging like I'm a complete bore. That was so unlike me back then. My sister Becky looks like she'd rather be somewhere else and who could blame her. At this age, I wasn't just playing the devil during All Hallows Eve...I was one in real life.
Me and sister Becky. I was seven at the time and SURPRISE! The center of attention (as always). Pulling my ears was one of my early favorite poses.
Another shot of me and Becky. This was around the time she was my baby-sitter. She would have rather had a root canal done, but she had no choice...mom made her watch me. This was one of the rare moments when I was at a standstill. From the look on my face I'm probably thinking what kind of trouble to get into next.
School portraits, age six & eight.
More school portraits, ages 11 & 13.
HS Senior & University (EKU) Freshman portraits, ages 17 & 19.
Posing with my nephew Morgan. Another nephew, Brian, is right behind me. I was in my teens at this point and finally growing up. This was my "I'm gonna force my thick, curly and dry hair straight by blow drying it too long so that I can attain that parted down the middle, feathered look". As you can see, it didn't work too well. I just didn't have the hair type for the look I wanted. I tried though.
Me and my sister Becky at my dad's place in Kentucky. This was a great time in my life when my dad began to get to really know me. It was mainly due to the fact that I was finally growing up, becoming more mature and had stopped with the negative childhood behavior. Somebody should've talked to me about my hair though. What is up with that. Looks like a cross between a mullet, pompadour and a Flock of Seagulls wannabe! Once again, I was experimenting, trying to find a look I could live with. I was in desperate need of a fashion consultant, but then again, it was Kentucky where people are good about accepting you for what kind of person you are, not necessarily what kind of car you drive, the size of your bank account or what you look like, at least outside of school anyway.
I have trouble believing that's me with the fro and glasses but it is. All I can say is "What was I thinking?" Jeez! I guess I was going through an experimental phase with my looks during that period of my life (11th grade). Can you say "No girlfriend"? It was the one and only time I got a perm. I tried the best I could to be cool, making the most with what little funds I had. Where was the "Queer Eye for a Straight Guy" dudes back then. I sure coulda used some help.
A family portrait of sorts. From l to r are (in front) Melissa, Brian and Harmony (nieces & nephews) and (in back) John (brother-in-law), mom, Kathy (sister), me, Kenny (brother), Sharon (sister-in-law), Howard (brother-in-law) and Brenda (sister). As you can see, I'm trying to outdo my brother. You know how when you grow your hair out, it gets in that in-between stage? That's where I was (me, not my hair) in this stage of life.
Geez! What a FFRREEAAKK! My look gets the full blown 80's treatment. My school picture back in the 80's. Technically, I wasn't a child (age wise) but taking a look at the picture now, I took chances like one. It took major cajones to look like this at Eastern Kentucky University. A mix of Kajagoogoo and A Flock of Seagulls. I was so 80's back then that even the orange shirt underneath had a little Izod alligator on it. This was a fun phase and the nice thing about the 80's was that you could look like this and people wouldn't necessarily think you were gay, at least that's what I like to keep telling myself. Looking at the picture now though, I have my doubts. Not about my sexuality...Just of what people must have thought. Pretty gutsy for Kentucky. Looking back, It's kinda cool that I had the nerve to express myself so freely. I remember my attitude was (and still is) that life is too short to worry about what others will say or think.
Can you find me in this motley crew? This was a choir I was in while a part of the Methodist Home, which to make a long story short, is a "home away from home" for those kids and teens whose parents are too busy with work, away from home a lot and the like to give adequate attention. It was a great environment to grow up in because it taught me how to relate to all types of people and to be away from home at a young age, not to mention I got to learn about the Methodist faith of which I knew nothing about beforehand.
Even into adulthood, I enjoyed hanging onto my inner child with my own brand of humor. It kept me young in soul and spirit.
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