When I was 19 I was ready to go into the military. I was running everyday, keeping really fit, just kind of semi preparing to do so. I say “semi” because I still didn’t have my heart set on it just yet. It wasn’t until a little after the break up with my high school sweetheart, my cousin offered me a spot in his apartment because he needed somebody to room with. I looked into the area and noticed that the community college there had the top film program in California (at the community college level).
So I was like “What the hell, it’ll be better than joining the military”. In a nutshell, that’s pretty much how I ended up in Orange County. While living here I met a lot of people, I made friends, and I had some crazy experiences. But always, in the back of my mind, there was the military.
Initially, when I was 19 and had already made the decision that I was going to move, I gave myself a time limit, “If I’m not happy where I am when I reach age 23, then I’m going to join the military”. I’m 24 now. I’m still in Orange County.
So what happened. What happened was exactly what I set out to do. At age 23 I took a step back and looked at everything that was going on in my life and what had led me up to where I was.
- I survived a really heavy relationship that resulted in a really heavy break up
- I had my own room in a two bedroom apartment at a decent place
- After some relationship recovery, I bounced back and found somebody that made me happy
- I just finished making a movie and had gotten really good reviews from my peers
- I got a job as a video editor for a small business
Later on in the year I would get a job at a TV studio as a camera operator. Things were looking up.
But now… now the media has gotten to me. The job climate right now is very rough. Even for the entertainment industry. One of my ex coworkers who has a resume very similar to mine is out there looking for a job and it seems like the industry is flooded with more people like him. I’ll be honest, I’m a bit scared. If I lose my job, things are going to be hard. It’s got me thinking about my back up plan.
I have discussed this with my closest friends and my ever so loving girlfriend about my last ditch effort to stabilize my life by joining the military. And to my surprise, they’re not against it. They understand. They know that if I decide to join, it’s because I have tried everything else, and everything else just didn’t work out. But I’m not giving myself from here to eternity to do this. It wouldn’t make sense that way. You could only be so old when you join the military for the first time. I doubt they would take a 40 year old who’s trying to get his life together. I’m giving myself 3 years. My girlfriend says 4 years, but we’ll see.
So we will see where I end up when I’m around 27 or 28. If I’m not happy, if I’m not where I want to be, then things might be looking a bit more camo in my life.
Tags: back up plan, break up, figuring things out, getting life together, military
November 28, 2009 at 9:46 pm |
Sorry it took me so long to read this. I’m not in the habit of checking your blog for updates, but I’m glad to see there is one!
Things are shit now. But, since Obama was sworn in less than a year ago, the economy has already made significant improvements. Yeah, we got a ways to go, but I think if you’re on a 3-4 time table by the time that time (I typed time a lot there) hits, the economy will be a kabillion (Barry word) times (I said time again) better.
I have all the respect in the world for the military, but things would have to be absolutely below bottom of the barrel for me to even consider that. Like, I’d have to get a girl pregnant…with octuplets…and I was so poor I couldn’t afford to buy her an abortion. Yes, I think that scenario would get me looking for recruiters real quick!
If you haven’t already tell Suttle about your blog. He’s hardly a frequent commenter, but he’ll surprise you now and again. Keep ‘em comin’ old chap!
December 9, 2009 at 12:31 am |
I remember when I first met you, you told me about your thoughts on joining the military. I’m glad you didn’t do it the first time because I was able to meet you and become friends.
You’ve always had your feet on the ground. You always voiced an honest opinion to me even when it wasn’t something I wanted to hear. I like that you get a kick out of all the little things in your life and that we would laugh at the most ridiculous things.
I know that if you choose to join the military, you have done the research and examined your life closely. I hope that whatever your choice, you remain happy in life.