Re: Goals: 2019

Hello again!

It’s been a full year since my last entry, though I’ve written a couple drafts since then, I haven’t been satisfied with their quality or content enough to publish them. I’ve also converted many of my internal musings to a hard paper-and-pencil journal (thanks Jackie!), lest I regret throwing those thoughts up on the internet for all to see later. So back to the ol’ goal-oriented blogging!

Back to School…?

after lots of talks over the past year (and a realization that part-time state-funded college doesn’t really cost THAT much, compared to the debt I’ve already accumulated), I’ve decided to commit fully to finishing my Japanese study. I’ve run the numbers, assuming I do well, I’ll approach proficiency in Japanese by next spring, and can graduate with a Bachelor’s as early as summer 2020.

And do my final year of marching band while I’m at it. There’s not a significant benefit to my studies or my work schedule by skipping band, so I may as well run that out to the end.

The long term goal is to explore opportunities in the Japanese music industry. Even if I don’t work directly in music, there is demand for translators & interpreters who are familiar with music and engineering jargon. Plus, popping the degree onto the resume should passively make me more marketable in job searches, at least as far as working with in Japan or with Japanese people. Obviously, the option to add freelance translation to my list of possible gigs will be welcome as well.

So…what about music??

I’ve put that career on hold, I suppose. I’ll still take gigs where I can fit them. I still KJ for the karaoke bar, still freelance for Tech Art, and will still jump at a chance to work on music production anytime. But I’m not actively putting myself out looking for clients, aside from the occasional Groove U alumni event. But I’ve tried being a student, a self-sufficient part-timer & freelancer, and a OSUMB member all at the same time before and, well, it’s not a healthy way to live. The time for being a student and member of TBDBITL now has it’s end in sight, so I’m leaning into it.

I’m turning 26 this year, I think that’s old in a lot of ways, but if I can use this time now to build up my last few skills and degrees and have the work that I want to have 2 years from now, it’ll be worth it.

I think the best thing I can do for my music career during this return-to-college time, is do something that many in the audio industry have done but is something that I have yet to really dive into: work on my own music. I’ve been so in love with the production aspect of making music, I haven’t really bothered to put any effort into making music myself. I think I should do that.

By this time next year, I want to have produced at least an EP’s worth of music, all on my own.

busy schedule? As I’ve heard Jordan Payne say in summer sessions, “If you really want to do it, you’ll make the time for it.”