..At least that's what they say. Did someone actually travel the world to cross-check that? Who knows and honestly, who cares. Once again ACL has come to shower the city of Austin with a weekend long music adventure that never fails to bring enlightenment and inspiration to those who go. Okay, so that does sound slightly hokey, I must admit. 'enlightenment and inspiration'? That makes it sound more like an over-the-hill couples yoga retreat in order to prevent them from getting a divorce (or making a gross profit from the targeted wealthy and UN-happy audience, your choice). But no, enlightenment and inspiration is what ACL does for me, in a relative sense. Allow me to explain, briefly of course, I'm writing during my lunch hour.
One city, one park, three days, lots of bands. The weekend has already passed yet it still excites me to think about it! Music enthusiasts travel from all over to attend. (ACL is among the biggest music festivals along with Bonnarroo, Coachella, and Lollapolooza.) The more seasoned veterans know to buy the coveted 3-day pass early. Others, not so lucky. That, naturally, is the category I fell into. I was the only person in Travis county, it seemed, that did not have tickets to ACL.
side note: I did have to opportunity to buy them early, but I did not think I would be able to take a vacation in the middle of September to visit Austin. Who'da thought I'd actually be working in Austin? I sure didn't. Water under the bridge. Moving on.
I began my frantic search for an ACL ticket early last week. I imagine that's how searching for Wonka's golden ticket would have felt like. It was that intense. I even began doing creepy things like Facebookin' random people who claimed to have a ticket for sale.All trails stopped short; all hope was lost. I was desperate. Matthew was coming down for ACL and assured me, as is protocol for best friends, that I would be able to go and to not worry about it. < paraphrased. Little did I know, Matthew had decided to give me a 3-day pass as my birthday/graduation gift. BEST GIFT EVER. When he first told me he had a gift, I'm not going to lie, I thought it was going to be corny. Then, as he pulled out this tiny wrist-let, I thought he was playing the cruelest trick ever. Finally, as I processed that he was not joking with me, I became ecstatic.ACL, ACL ACL. I wouldn't be the only person in Austin left out, yes!
So where does the 'enlightenment' and 'inspiration' come into play? Well you see, unlike my fellow music festival goers, I usually only know the headliners. Often times not even all of them. ACL is a great way for me to learn about different music the way the musicians intended for their sound to be interpreted. Live. With the full force of their passion out on display for the world to see them. I get a healthy dosage of inspiration every time I hear a band giving it all they got while being immersed in a sea of people united only by the sound that band creates. It might be the naivete, but it inspires me to put my life in perspective, to think about it as objectively as possible, and to then shoot for what inspires me. That band rockin' that stage in front of me had to start somewhere. And so do I.
All in all, ACL 2011 was a success. Thank you, again, to my biffle Matthew! I'll post a list of the bands I saw when I'm not at lunch.
Until next time,
RTIII
'
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Story of Self.
Today was the first day of my professional career. Officially. Astonishingly, it was great.
Before arriving on the site, I anticipated a long day of paperwork, reviewing policy and procedure, and sitting awkwardly next to strangers that were to be my colleagues for the next year. What I received, however, was far from that.
We had a morning of laughter, team collaboration, and organizational development; all while getting to know these wonderful strangers. The thing that impressed me the most was the fact that the executive director, the head honcho, and all current staff members, worked side-by side with the new college grads. The entire team benefited from this workshop!
One of the assignments given to us was to write a "Story of Self." Basically, we needed to reflect on the choices that brought us to where we were today so that when others asked us about who we were, we could recite a succinct synopsis. Our stories today, however, were to be as detailed as possible. We were given 20 minutes to write this story.
When I applied for this position, a letter of intent was required in order to be considered for the job. I wrote, what I felt, was the most detailed story of who I was by means of telling where I came from. When looking at the assignment given to me today, I tried to avoid rewriting that letter of intent. Today, my 'Story of Self' went like this:
~Let's go back to one year ago. I was starting my last year in college. I had completed every leadership position I pursued on campus and I was now facing a year of being a regular student. An unfathomable concept. In addition, I hadn't the slightest idea of what my purpose would be outside of my academic safe zone. I knew that I was going to graduate with a business degree but what did that truly mean? What was I going to do? What was my purpose, aim...destiny even. These questions were my constant companions. So, naturally, I did what any normal 20 something-year-old would do. I took up a frivolous hobby; I began to scuba dive.
This, incidentally, was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. Not only had a found a new love for the extreme sport but I got the opportunity to meet and interact with a whole new culture of people. From this new friend base I was connected to even more friends. This, in fact, is where I indirectly met a very inspiring person who shared with me her story of service with Americorp.
She, her name will remain unknown, was part of a literacy readiness program in the D.C area a couple years ago. Upon telling me her story, I noticed her demeanor which revealed to me the type of person she was. On the surface, we were very different, her and I; and yet we shared some commonalities that I wouldn't have detected had she not shared her story. (Incidentally, the purpose of this assignment.) She was soft-spoken, yet created an air of openness and friendliness. Not an inch of shyness could be detected anywhere; which, in my experience, was unusual because usually soft speakers possessed a severe case of shyness. After hearing her story, I had found that tingle of inspiration that had evaded and bewildered me for months. I wondered if I too would be able to reach a similar experience as she had, for you see, we had backgrounds that were as different as night and day. ~
I wrote for another ten to fifteen minutes about my background and how, despite the odds dealt to me, I was able to rise above them and fulfill any venture I chose. And how, given my background along with the inspiration my new friend gave me, I arrived to where I am today.
I am very pleased with my choices thus far and am excited to face the new challenges this new job will bring me. The beginning of this chapter is looking very promising.
Until next time,
RTIII
Before arriving on the site, I anticipated a long day of paperwork, reviewing policy and procedure, and sitting awkwardly next to strangers that were to be my colleagues for the next year. What I received, however, was far from that.
We had a morning of laughter, team collaboration, and organizational development; all while getting to know these wonderful strangers. The thing that impressed me the most was the fact that the executive director, the head honcho, and all current staff members, worked side-by side with the new college grads. The entire team benefited from this workshop!
One of the assignments given to us was to write a "Story of Self." Basically, we needed to reflect on the choices that brought us to where we were today so that when others asked us about who we were, we could recite a succinct synopsis. Our stories today, however, were to be as detailed as possible. We were given 20 minutes to write this story.
When I applied for this position, a letter of intent was required in order to be considered for the job. I wrote, what I felt, was the most detailed story of who I was by means of telling where I came from. When looking at the assignment given to me today, I tried to avoid rewriting that letter of intent. Today, my 'Story of Self' went like this:
~Let's go back to one year ago. I was starting my last year in college. I had completed every leadership position I pursued on campus and I was now facing a year of being a regular student. An unfathomable concept. In addition, I hadn't the slightest idea of what my purpose would be outside of my academic safe zone. I knew that I was going to graduate with a business degree but what did that truly mean? What was I going to do? What was my purpose, aim...destiny even. These questions were my constant companions. So, naturally, I did what any normal 20 something-year-old would do. I took up a frivolous hobby; I began to scuba dive.
This, incidentally, was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. Not only had a found a new love for the extreme sport but I got the opportunity to meet and interact with a whole new culture of people. From this new friend base I was connected to even more friends. This, in fact, is where I indirectly met a very inspiring person who shared with me her story of service with Americorp.
She, her name will remain unknown, was part of a literacy readiness program in the D.C area a couple years ago. Upon telling me her story, I noticed her demeanor which revealed to me the type of person she was. On the surface, we were very different, her and I; and yet we shared some commonalities that I wouldn't have detected had she not shared her story. (Incidentally, the purpose of this assignment.) She was soft-spoken, yet created an air of openness and friendliness. Not an inch of shyness could be detected anywhere; which, in my experience, was unusual because usually soft speakers possessed a severe case of shyness. After hearing her story, I had found that tingle of inspiration that had evaded and bewildered me for months. I wondered if I too would be able to reach a similar experience as she had, for you see, we had backgrounds that were as different as night and day. ~
I wrote for another ten to fifteen minutes about my background and how, despite the odds dealt to me, I was able to rise above them and fulfill any venture I chose. And how, given my background along with the inspiration my new friend gave me, I arrived to where I am today.
I am very pleased with my choices thus far and am excited to face the new challenges this new job will bring me. The beginning of this chapter is looking very promising.
Until next time,
RTIII
Sunday, September 4, 2011
I think this is what they call limbo.
There are several times in life when you reach a fork in the road.
I do not mean the casual encounter where you merely choose between an obviosly pleasing choice and a not-so pleasing one. No, i'm talking about a true-blue what the hell should I do decision. There isn't a clear 'right or wrong', 'good or evil' option.
This decision-making period is what I call limbo.
I am currently not in this particular position, but one of my best friends is.
I felt compelled to write about it. I can offer no solution or suggestions to him.
I just wanted to express that it is something that happens to everyone at least once, right?
I find myself in a limbo-like state as well. I am slave to my current plan; however, if said plans were to suddenly fall apart I would be left with the pieces only . It is unlike me to be without a contingency plan, but alas, this is where I am. Limbo. It wouldn't be as daunting if it were fact that limbo had an end. Sadly, this is not so and limbo could last a lifetime.
However, I'm confident it won't. Let's hope it won't last for my friend either.
Until next time,
RTIII
I do not mean the casual encounter where you merely choose between an obviosly pleasing choice and a not-so pleasing one. No, i'm talking about a true-blue what the hell should I do decision. There isn't a clear 'right or wrong', 'good or evil' option.
This decision-making period is what I call limbo.
I am currently not in this particular position, but one of my best friends is.
I felt compelled to write about it. I can offer no solution or suggestions to him.
I just wanted to express that it is something that happens to everyone at least once, right?
I find myself in a limbo-like state as well. I am slave to my current plan; however, if said plans were to suddenly fall apart I would be left with the pieces only . It is unlike me to be without a contingency plan, but alas, this is where I am. Limbo. It wouldn't be as daunting if it were fact that limbo had an end. Sadly, this is not so and limbo could last a lifetime.
However, I'm confident it won't. Let's hope it won't last for my friend either.
Until next time,
RTIII
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