Changes, again, are just around the corner. This time they
are less drastic but just as tough and potentially life changing. You would
think that after 20+ years of constant changing and adjusting I would, in some
way, get used to it. Nope, still just as scary as before. The only real
difference is that I know now that I can survive anything. Literally, anything
that comes my way I know I can manage and make it through, even the worst-case
scenarios. Minus an impending doom but let’s face it there’s no control in that
situation anyway so why worry? I got this, I think.
After getting passed over for the PAS fall internship, the
last month or so has brought about a new job, which I quite enjoy. Driving a
horse drawn carriage around downtown Indianapolis. This is a job that honestly
seemed unattainable for some reason. But after seeing a large handful of
carriages downtown one day I got up the courage to call and ask one of the
companies if they were looking for drivers, assuming they would turn me down
because they were already well into their busy season. After an interview in
person I started training just a few weeks later. The only thing that postponed
my training was going out on tour with the Lindsey Stirling crew for a week.
After I returned from the tour I wrapped up the PAS spring internship and began
training on my evenings after the museum.
I’ve been driving a carriage solo (senza trainer) for three
weeks now and I can say that its one of the best jobs I’ve had in a long time.
Mind you, its still a job not playing drums, buts its definitely at the top of
my “Skills to Maintain” list for future work. It’s really nice because you get
to work independently most of the night, improvising routes to keep on time,
working through traffic with a 2000 lb. draft horse and carriage, and expecting
the unexpected because when Roxie (my horse) senses a skateboard anywhere near,
its time to go whether there are cars in front of her or not. So be aware the
next time you cut off a horse drawn carriage to make your turn downtown. The
drivers have planned ahead to ensure enough room to move if anything happens,
but if you suddenly take away all control by cutting in front of them, don’t be
surprised if you end up with hoof prints in your trunk. Besides that getting
paid weekly is wonderful as well as tips on a nightly basis. The constantly
flow of money, regardless of how big or small, makes it much easier to plan for
the future.
On top of all of that, I found out yesterday that I will be
returning to the Lindsey Stirling crew for her European tour in October. This
is a major development, as it will now allow Madison and I to make the move to
Orlando with far less stress than anticipated. The week I spent out with the
tour previously was such a great experience that I jumped at the opportunity to
do it again. This time will be for roughly six weeks. The tough part of this is
that it puts a huge space between Madison and I for a period of time, which is
not what we need right now. But she knows as well as I do, that we need this.
Not only is it a good amount of money to bring home to pay for our move and
settle in a better place, but its a grand opportunity for me as a musician and
stagehand to network and build upon the years of groundwork I’ve been laying
out.
So for the next two months I will continue driving
carriages, then off to Europe for a six-week tour. When I return I will
continue driving carriages through the holiday season and then by the end of
the year I will be moved to Orlando with my beautiful girlfriend and at least
one of her dogs (Minnie), the other dog (Darcy) and the rest of our things from
Utah will hopefully follow soon after. Lots of planning and lots of logistics
to work out but moving to Orlando I will have more than a handful of opportunities
to pursue for work: musician, stagehand at SIR and LMG, and now carriage
driver. Thanks to years of hard work and determination, and lots of help from
supportive friends and family things are slowly coming together.
No comments:
Post a Comment