gasp. i got through 2014

if you would've told me 12 months ago that i'd be mixing sound and following a bunch professional skateboarders across the island of puerto rico for a doc/reality tv show, i probably would've laughed in your face; hysterically.

it was last december when i began the final portion of my sound program over at west los angeles college. kind of a sink or swim type of deal which consisted of working 650 hours from december till june on 10 different productions & 10 different producers.

it seemed daunting at first 

and it remained daunting till the end. 

i'll never forget the first project i worked on though. it was a zombie webisode where i joined as a PA. call time was at 4pm and wrap at 2am. eventually 2am turned into 3...and then 4. it got pretty close to 5 when i decided i was pretty much done. i thanked the directors and headed home.

the sun began to rise as i drove up the 134 freeway. i thanked my Maker for giving me the ability to work and execute my goals. lots of thoughts began to race through my head on that drive

i consider the zombie gig one of my most important mainly because it made me realize where i wanted be and more importantly where i didn't want to be in regards to this industry. it was a strange, anxious and exciting 6 months but i got through all of it, and in the midst of the madness i'm now in the union, a IATSE Local 695 Y-7A, i've saved enough cash to buy great gear and have built pretty solid relationships with other fellow film makers. 

2014 was definitely a challenging year one filled with tough choices. i made some great friendships but i also sacrificed a great relationship. i learned alot about myself and pretty much came to the conclusion that i have to keep growing and striving forward. hopefully wiser and less destructive than before. 

a year ago

its been almost a year since i barbacked at the yardhouse. 

it was a short lived 7 month stint. i met some amazing people...really really bad ones as well. a few foot injuries, numerous pints of brew and delicious plates later, i write and retrospect.

with no doubt, i know that the restaurant business is not for me. it is the succubus of jobs. but do i regret working at YH? not one bit

i remember the day i decided to apply.
i'd looked up all the restaurants on colorado blvd. and began my assault on lake and extended it to fair oaks. 

zero experiencia made me a hard sell. by the time i got to los robles, i was feeling pretty shitty. "a man can only take so much rejection" but wow, tough crowd. long story short, i finally arrived at the steps of YH. it was a long shot but i mustered the courage to walk-in and ask if they were hiring. the friendly face replied with a very familiar, "we're always accepting new applicants". but she mentioned that on tue-thurs from 2-5, they conducted open interviews.

well, it happened be tuesday around 1ish so i waited. 3 interviews and no experience later, they asked if i wanted to barback. 

this is my way of thanking YH. they gave me a chance when everyone else showed me the exit. barbackin' aint easy but i'm glad and thankful that i did it at YH. its a tight ship and they accept nothing but the best from their employees.

Grant, William, and Karl: thanks for giving me a shot and not taking it easy on me. 

Wilson and Fabian, couldn't have survived without your help.