Classically Trained

After a few of my last posts online about soundtracks and music, some of you have asked what my experience is in the musical area. I thought it would be best to describe it here then just refer people to read it this way, instead of trying to explain it individually.


I started playing the piano when I was in third grade. As I practiced playing each night, I'd look at the shadow box hanging over my piano which contained my great grandfather's old violin. I begged my parents to start violin lessons, and by fifth grade they let me. (On a cheap violin, not on my grandfather's. "Once you're good enough", my dad said, "Then we will fix it and you can play that one.")


I started the violin in school, and picked it up incredibly fast. So fast, that my elementary school teacher wanted to do a duet with me for my last concert in sixth grade.
In seventh and eighth grade, I was in a summer music conservatory, Strolling Strings, Honor Orchestra, and played in my school orchestra. All of these lasted two years, and it was a steady competition between me and two other friends for first chair in school the entire two years. I also had the privilege of doing Magic Music Days, where we got to play in Disneyland. (My first backstage experience, that I remember to this day!)

I started private lessons in sixth grade, and continued until about two years ago.

My freshman year in high school I was in my school orchestra, The Bakersfield Youth Symphony, Honor Orchestra, and Solo Ensemble (Where you play a solo with a piano accompaniment for a judge.)

Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year was the same routine. School, Youth Symphony, Honor, and Solo Ensemble.

My Junior year, I was offered a full scholarship to Cal State Long Beach for music performance. I decided to turn it down for several reasons, and looking back now, it was the right choice.

Throughout my musical career, I had the amazing privilege to work with one of the finest conductors in California, to perform with Barrage,  to play for several weddings, parties, and funerals, to coach and teach younger kids, and to meet some truly great people all around the world.

What now? I haven't played much since I've moved to Southern California, and I decided not to pursue a career in music. But this won't keep me from continuing my passion. I plan on joining an orchestra down the road, continue teaching on the side and playing for weddings/parties. And who knows, maybe some day down the road, I'll be conducting or writing music for something. It definitely crosses my mind pretty often.

Oh, and when was I "Good Enough" to play my great-grandfather's violin? That would be in eighth grade.

Twenty Ounces of Coffee

As I sit here drinking twenty ounces of a Starbucks mocha frap minus the whip cream, I figured I'd blog a few stories to keep those updated who live a distance away from me. So here comes the wonderful, caffeinated update.

Training at my new job is going really well. It's a ton of stuff to remember, and they use procedures I'm not quite used to, despite my past restaurant experience. But the people are nice and helpful, and by next week I should be opening by myself.
For those that don't know, my position is an opener. So I'm up at 4Am to get ready, and work from 5AM to either 10, or 1:30. I prefer this, because like today, I'm home by 10:30Am and ready to take on the rest of my day with coffee and soda by my side. Yeah, I'm in bed by 9 now, but I feel more productive throughout the day.

I'm really excited that my family will be coming down this Saturday to spend the day in Disneyland. I get to show them Buena Vista Street and Cars Land for the first time, along with Ghost Galaxy. Will I completely lose control and geek out? You betcha!

Things down here in the OC are going swell. I spend my free time in Disneyland, at the beach, Denny's with friends, or just wondering around town. Also hanging out with my bro or whoever else comes this way. There's so much to do, so much to see. Still really enjoying it, for the most part.

The fair started today. For those that don't know me- I grew up at the Kern County Fair. I raised sheep my whole life, and have entered countless exhibits. I haven't missed a fair in 15 years, and I don't plan to miss this one. Actually, I plan to take my girlfriend Danielle to the KCF and give her a tour. She has no idea what she's in for.

Other than that, this pretty much sums everything up for the moment. Oh, and I just finished my Starbucks. On to the soda I brought home from work!

Corkscrews and Loops

Lately I feel that I have been putting too much information online about what's going on in my life. I've been trying to keep some updated through social networking because this is the only means to do so. However, I still think I'm going to cut back all the stuff about what I'm up to, and more just random thinking. With that said...


I had another loop up, down, and right turn in my life happen today. Now like I said above, I'm not going to get into the little details of it all. If you absolutely must know, then text or call me. Also, send me a message or DM. But it's not for the public, just those that I trust to know. But basically with the Berry Farm, I was only going to be working 2 days a week. And on every shift I've worked so far, they cut me back to half a shift. So that's approximately 8 hours a week. Living on my own now, that doesn't pay for anything. That doesn't even cover gas to jump on the 5 and get their. Unfortunately, I had to give them my goodbyes.


I have a second interview tomorrow with a restaurant I'm very fond of. They make the best chipotle chicken sandwiches! If things work out with them, Great! And I'll be back on track soon. If not, I made peace with it and am taking a different road in life.


That's basically it. Will I be traveling on Road A or Road B next week. I'm not sure yet. But God will lead me through whichever he chooses. And I can't wait for the adventures on both. Because both have pros and cons, and both are new experiences.

Mind and Power

"In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true, either is true, or becomes true."

-John Lilly

The mind is a very powerful thing, and we can see a lot of examples of this happening daily. At least I can.

Orientation Day 1

The Walk Of Shame is the saying now when I'm dressed for work and walking from my door to car to drive to Knott's. Not only did people see me coming for a few miles away, but the few who had to walk past me was blinded. But when I walk from my car in Buena Park to work, it's a privilege to be wearing that bright neon green shirt, hat, and tan pants.

Today was my third time walking through the gates alone to go backstage. There's really not a lot of words to describe it. I'm extremely honored and happy to be working at a place known throughout the world. As I walked next to all the Haunt props and sets, I took a right to the training center to start my first day of orientation.

We started off by watching a slide show of what Knott's stands for, their motto, and what they expect. After came a few short videos of the history. And let me tell you, if you haven't already, look up the history of Knott's Berry Farm. It's pretty awesome. For example- Knott created the boysenberry. Every boysenberry in the world can be traced back to Knott's Berry Farm here in Southern California. There was a lot of facts like this, and history of the Theme Park altogether.

After the powerpoint, we then took a tour of Knott's, both backstage and onstage. We talked to a lot of managers in the different departments, and whenever we approached a building or ride talked about the history of it.

I want to make something clear to my hardcore Disney fan friends out there. First off, Disney is obviously my first choice of employment and career. It's still a passion, a dream, and a hobby. BUT, don't limit yourselves. Go see other theme parks, for example, Knott's Berry Farm. Walt had a little part to play with the other Walter, and the history behind BOTH parks are incredible. One could almost say Knott's Berry Farm inspired Disneyland in a few ways. I'll let you research it yourself and see what you think.

Back on topic. Today's orientation was pretty radical. Between learning more about the Park, and walking around with the guests as an official employee, I was filled with excitement. What do I think the best part of my job is? Hmm... Perhaps the free unlimited supply of coffee and tea!

Really though, I'm excited to finish my orientation tomorrow for my department and to actually start working. Is it Disneyland? No. But it's still awesome to be working for a Theme Park, to be working for a place that people come to have fun from all over the world, and to still experience the atmosphere of the authentic Old West.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow, to this upcoming week, and to the upcoming months. Not just for work, but for everything that's going on in my life. God has blessed me with the opportunity to not only move, but to get a decent job, and to share this time in my life with incredible people. Thank you everyone supporting me and being there for me.

Oh, and one more thing.


Welcome to the Farm. It will be my pleasure to help you today.

The Devil

"If you have not met the devil face to face, maybe you are traveling in the same direction." 

-Anonymous

This is a new quote to me. I love it! It gives you something to think about...

Distractions

"The Internet is a big distraction… It’s meaningless; it’s not real. It’s in the air somewhere." 

-Ray Bradbury

Even so, I've met some pretty incredible people, and learned the art of networking.

Open Up

"For those curious enough to open yourselves up to share with someone else, you will consistently be rewarded by what you learn in the process."

-Anonymous

So much has been learned by this, so much to go still.

Take Two

Greetings fellow readers of my blog- The Random Post. If you've read my past few posts, you've realized that I started to go a different direction on my blog. This is on purpose.

I have decided to start posting quotes, song lyrics, and short stories that inspire me, that relate to me, and that other people can come here to read and take something away from it.

I feel like this will be more productive and interesting to read then just what's going on in my life. Granted, I will still continue to post little updates on me. But for the most part, future posts will be geared toward a new direction.

I hope you can take these short, few sentences and use them in your own life. I know I have!

If you have questions or comments regarding this change or anything else, one might be able to find my email on the bottom of my blog.

Thanks for reading The Random Post!

Inspiration

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." 

-Jack London

This is a true statement. I personally have to go find inspiration, whether that's watching the fireworks at Disneyland, wondering a town, or reading. Once I find just a little inspiration that means something to me, I take off with ideas, even if it's on a totally different subject. Once you become a little inspired, everything else just flows, and ideas start to take up pages and pages in my notebook.

Little Room

When you're in your little room

And you're working on something good

But if it is really good

You're gonna need a bigger room

And when you're in the bigger room

You might not know what to do

You might have to think of

How you got started sittin' in your little room

Lyrics from "Little Room"

by The White Stripes

Time Flies

A crazy thought that I just noticed is that today is the 36th day of living in Southern California. I have accomplished so much in just 36 days, and time has flown by SO fast!

I really can't wait for another 30 days... There's some really exciting things coming up in the near future. The adventures have just started.

I need this shirt.