My Wandering Voice

When do you feel authentic? Who are your voices of judgment? What do they say and how do you deal with them?

I feel authentic most times. My little voice ends up being what I usually say. There is no filter. There is no thought process. My social commentary is my authenticity coming to surface. It also acts as my voice of judgment. I don't need to outsource the judgment of my actions or those of others, which already occurs in abundance in-house. My voices of judgment are my own. If I have to question my own actions or thoughts, I take that as the first sign that something is amiss.

Without your current job or family, who are you? Think as broadly as possible about your definition.

I am a man on a mission. Well, in all honesty, without family or job, I am a man with few ties to this world with very little purpose. Without them, I am merely a wanderer travelling from here to there on a whim most likely in search of those things I lack. What else is there but to experience what the world has to offer? That is who I am, a constant student observing the world while also being a part of it.

Lego's Are Always the Answer

What are you passionate about?

To start, I feel that a brief definition is in order for “passion” specifically.

“Passion (from Latin verb patior meaning to suffer or to endure) is an emotion applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something. The term is also often applied to a lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity or love. Passion can be expressed as a feeling of unusual excitement, enthusiasm or compelling emotion towards a subject, idea, person, or object. A person is said to have a passion for something when he has a strong positive affinity for it. A love for something and a passion for something are often used synonymously.”

I am passionate, believe it or not, about a great many things. I love to travel, as I have said before. I love order and chaos and even that extra special little mix in the middle. I love to live my life. I love to be witty, or at least try. I am passionate about a great many things. Where this passion comes from is the most important thing for me. I learned at a very young age that “time waits for no one,” as my grandmother used to say. Time is that unforgiving element that defines us all in a web of past, present, and future. A couple of other various clichés that I was provided with growing up have morphed me into me. “It is what it is” has always allowed me to live in the present and prepare for the future. I am passionate, sure, but that passion stems from not only me but many others who have been there for me in good times and bad to share their own lives and struggles, victories and defeats.

What did you love to do when you were around 11 or 12?

I loved Lego’s. I loved to follow my “blueprints” and create visually stunning projects of pure block goodness. I loved throwing bricks together to create random vehicles and buildings just as much. Building with color patterns and architectural style was fun for me.

This led to my interest in architecture throughout high school and my participation in drafting competitions and eventual application to Cal Poly to major in it. Obviously I did not follow through with that. I do still build Lego’s though. Grand cities of multi-level glory stand tall in areas of prominence in my house.

Who are your heroes? Why?

Well my heroes are an interesting bunch, that’s for sure. My first choice would have to be my dad not because he worked so hard or because he set a great example, well he did, but for the attitude that he instilled in me. Growing up in the shadow of such an attitude provided that I welcome the world and its challenges and have a good time working and playing in it.

Outside of your family, what is it that you do that gives you joy?

Joy is a vague emotion. Lego’s give me joy. Sushi always makes me smile. I absolutely love to ski. Standing in a soundless snowfall reflecting brings me joy also. In my opinion, joy can be found from any situation. Why squander opportunities of differing perspective with anything but joy?

Safety and Risk, Money and Happiness

1.       Which career path is more in line with your thinking: (1) make some money first and then focus more on what you are passionate about, or (2) focus more on what you are passionate about right away? What are the risks and rewards of each?

Both paths are unfortunately.  Passion, like everything, comes in varying degrees. With moderation of time, money, and responsibility, a person could work making money while also setting resources aside for what they truly care about. Personally, I would never want to be entirely immersed inside a passion for then, the passion would fade. I fear being jaded by my passions to the point of no appreciation. What point would life have if this happened? In my mind, to truly experience the good, one must truly survive the bad. A passion should be a privilege worked for.

If one had to be chosen, I would rather be passionate right away. Life is too short and fickle to say otherwise.

Both options are accompanied by risk and reward. Determining those really just depends though. It all depends on the job, the passion, the situation at hand, and hundreds of other things. Simply, making money pays the bills despite the grind and being passionate pays in happiness; the heart or the wallet is truly the dilemma. Barely scraping by and living comfortably miserable are the risks and the rewards of both situations.

2.       What do you see as a “safe” job choice and as a “risky” job choice? Why?

From the standpoint of Mark Albion, jobs that afford a gracious paycheck and little happiness are safe. In my opinion, a safe job is one simply the easiest one in terms of effort, security, and immediate need. This job provides the money for sustenance, provides that daily grind that must be done.

A risky job choice is one this involves true risk. Loss must be part of the equation for there to be risk.  Losses of money, face, or pride are just some examples of the dues to be paid. Risky jobs are meant to be self challenges for survival or for ones pursuit of passion.

3.       What do or did you expect to get out of business school? Did the experience meet your expectations?

My expectations of what business school will give back to me are limited at the moment. In other words I think that they are ever-growing depending on the amount of energy that I put into business school. I want to be able to leave UOP with an MBA to utilize as a tool to further my entrepreneurial enterprises. I want another perspective to help me create in the world and to further succeed in my endeavors.

4.       What is the purpose of business?

Business stands as the process by which people interact with each other and the environment to provide goods and services to each other that are either needed or wanted to further improve lives and the conditions that form around them.