Leave a comment Posted on car reviews, fatherhood, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

5 months.

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Holly,

Earlier this week, we got back from our annual California vacation. Normally we go to Sacramento where Mommy is from, but this time was special, as Mommy’s youngest brother got married in San Diego.

While I have many upcoming stories and adventures to tell you and your brother about our trip, I want to start by showing you these pictures of your cousins and aunts holding you.

As we drove to each new stop on our trip throughout San Diego in the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, we caught up with a new bunch of Mommy’s family members who were eager to see “Little Holly.”

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

There is nothing like holding a precious little baby.

And with Mommy having 9 siblings, 8 of whom we saw while on our vacation with their families, there was always someone who needed a turn of being able to hold you.

For me, it was an honor to be able to share you each person who held you. I loved seeing the look on each of their faces when they saw you. It was rewarding for me to be able to see how much they valued you being there.

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

I suppose our family vacation in San Diego set a record for being the least amount of time I’ve ever held you in a week. Even though it was a bit of a culture shock, not constantly holding you and playing with you for hours at a time, I still got to see family be able to appreciate you.

Everyone loves to hold you. You’re so smiley and happy.

Not to mention, everyone is surprised by how long you are and how fair your skin is.

You are a very special little girl and you have many people in your life who love you very, very much.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Leave a comment Posted on People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

I Didn’t Make Kelly Ripa’s Top 20… But I Will Still Keep Trying to Reach My Goal of Being a TV Host

I Didn’t Make Kelly Ripa’s Top 20… But I Will Keep Trying to Reach My Goal of Being a TV Host

Today I learned, after much anticipation, I indeed did not proceed into the Top 20 from the Top 40 contenders for Kelly Ripa’s Co-Host for a Day Contest. But that’s alright, because I have learned some valuable things from this surreal experience:

I realized what a support system I have in place. I have been amazed and humbled over the past couple of weeks how quickly people who have known me over the years helped support my dream by voting for me on Kelly Ripa’s website and sharing my link on their Facebook pages.

So here’s a major thank you to everyone who took the time and who made the effort to try to convince Kelly Ripa’s producers for me to be her co-host for a day. I am absolutely gracious and will never forget that.

I also received official validation from producers in New York City that I do have enough talent to be considered to host a TV show. They were the ones who chose me, along with the other 39 contenders.

Before these past couple of weeks, it was simply a goal in life to be considered to be a host. Now, my dream has been legitimized.

For the rest of my life, I’ll have the satisfaction in knowing I made it to the Top 40, out of all of America.

It would have been convenient for me to have realized at age 18 that being a TV host would be what I would want to do for a living. However, it took all this life experience in the past 17 years since graduating high school (like being married 8 years and having 2 kids) to get to the level of confidence and emotional intelligence I am at now.

Back when I was young, I didn’t have what it took. Now, I do. Now, I’m ready.

So here’s to seeing if I can still reach my dream job of being a TV host. I’m still working hard on my dream.

One door closed, another shall open. At least, it will if I keep knocking on enough doors.

Leave a comment Posted on marriage, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Exactly 10 Years Ago Today, I Met the Girl I Would Marry

I Married the Right One

Exactly 10 years ago today, on October 5, 2006, I met the girl who I would start dating 4 months later, and marry within 2 years. In a crowded building called The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee, I saw who I thought was a beautiful Puerto Rican or maybe even half-Korean girl.

I was wrong in both my assumptions on her ethnicity, but as I introduced myself to her in a line of hundreds waiting to get into the main room where an episode of CMT’s Crossroads was soon to be filmed, I knew right away that this fellow “extra” for the audience of that episode was A) out of my league and B) someone very intriguing and special.

Now flash-forward to this past August. It was close to midnight in the parking lot of the movie theatre in Spring Hill, Tennessee after having just seen the premiere of Suicide Squad. My friend Jarred and I were laughing as we reminisced about the “10 years-ago” versions of ourselves; back when we lived in a house together along with other bachelors.  During that time frame is when we happened to meet and begin dating our future wives.

He then said something that has stuck with me: “We married the right girls.”

It’s weird to think that the more naïve, less mature version of you is responsible for making one of the most serious (and permanent) decisions of your entire life; a decision that will not only affect other people’s lives but also create new life.

I feel like only now do I know enough about life to begin to make a decision like that. But it doesn’t work that way. Instead, it’s the opposite:

The reason I am now the mature and experienced person I am now is because of the girl I married 8 years ago.

It turns out, the 25 year-old versions of ourselves knew enough of what they were doing when met nearly 10 years ago, fell in love, and got married.

By “doing life” together for nearly a decade now, we have by default taught ourselves and each other what emotional intelligence is all about; making daily conscious decisions to choose to be victorious, not allow ourselves to be victims.

I see emotional intelligence as the inside-out version of what love is. By choosing to love your spouse, you choose to victorious instead of allowing yourself to become a victim.

A decade ago she and I were 25 year-old kids trying to figure out life. Now were are 35 year-old adults with two beautiful children. For the most part, we’re settled down and along for the ride.

I don’t know which surprises and adventures are ahead, but I do know this: She’s the one I want to spend the rest of my future with.

Victors versus Victims

Victor: compliments others

Victim: criticizes others

Victor: embraces change

Victim: fears change

Victor: forgives others

Victim: holds grudges

Victor: always learning

Victim: thinks they know everything

Victor: accepts responsibility for their failures

Victim: blames others for their failures

Victor: has a sense of gratitude

Victim: has a sense of entitlement

Victor: sets goals and develops plans

Victim: never sets goals

Leave a comment Posted on Uncategorized

How to Vote for Nick Shell as Kelly Ripa’s Co-Host for a Day; to Make It From Top 40 to Top 20- Deadline October 5th

October 5th Deadline Nick Shell Kelly Ripa's Co-Host

We are just a day away from the deadline on October 5th, when the producers for Live with Kelly decide who makes it into the Top 20 for the Co-Host for a Day Contest; chosen from the Top 40 which I am a part of.

If you are a little confused on how exactly to vote for me, I want to make it really easy and quick for you right now:

  1. Click on this link to visit the LIVE with Kelly Facebook page
  2.  Once you’re there, “like” my video
  3.  Next, leave a comment on it, telling everyone how you know me and specifically why I would be the best choice
  4. After you’ve done that, share that link, promoting me as your top choice on your own Facebook page
  5.  Also, tweet that same link on Twitter as your choice: @nickshellwrites
Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized, vegan

Live with Kelly Co-Host Contest, Top 40 Contender: 2nd Video/Next Deadline, October 5th

Live with Kelly Co-Host Contest Top 40 Contender: 2nd Video/Next Deadline, October 5th

I am so grateful for everyone who has been helping me out by liking, commenting on, and sharing my 1st video; since I made it to the Top 40 for Kelly Ripa’s Co-Host for a Day Contest, last Friday. After all, my chances of winning are definitely based on how the free market (that’s you) reacts to my video on Kelly’s website.

On October 5th, we’ll all find out if I made it to the next cut; to the Top 20. So in addition to how well my 1st video does based on the public’s views, comments, likes, and shares, my success in the contest will be based on my newest assignment:

Make a video to showcase my ability to demonstrate how to do something in 60 seconds or less, which also features my personality.

I would have chosen to feature my adorable 5 month-old daughter in the video, using the angle on me being a daddy blogger.

However, no one under the age of 18 was permitted in the video.

So I decided the next best choice was for me to feature my “Manly Vegan Protein Smoothie” which I invented 3 and a half years ago, and have been drinking every day since then.

I chose this for a couple of reasons…

It gave me a reason to feature my Rubik’s Cube coffee mug. Who wouldn’t think that’s cool?

Plus, there aren’t a lot of vegan males out there. Being such a rare demographic makes me stand out from the crowd.

But ultimately, it’s not about a smoothie; it’s about me selling my personality in 60 seconds; to prove that I can be both classy and quirky.

So on October 5th, we’ll see if I’m worthy of the Top 20. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Remember that n the meantime, here’s a reminder of how you can help me out, if you haven’t already:

  1. Click on this link to visit the LIVE with Kelly Facebook page
  2.  Once you’re there, “like” my video
  3.  Next, leave a comment on it, telling everyone how you know me and specifically why I would be the best choice
  4. After you’ve done that, share that link, promoting me as your top choice on your own Facebook page
  5.  Also, tweet that same link on Twitter as your choice: @nickshellwrites