I'm an olympic speed-skater.

What do Olympians do for the other 3 out of 4 years? How do they answer in a casual conversation, "What do you do?"

"I skate".

I withdrew. "What do you do?" ... "Anything but attend BYU."

So this abrupt change in the course of life has me wondering what I want to do. I talk to my mom about it once in a while, but I get impatient because she always tells me that I can do whatever I want. It's almost encouraging, because she always insists that I'll be the first millionaire of the family. But I still feel two-feet-small over dropping out from college.

Planning for the future.
1. I want a job that has no weight to bear on my time outside of work. Case-in-point: I considered a law degree, but lawyers work too much. I love going to work at Goodwood because I know that at the end of the night my work is over and there's no homework, except wash my clothes.

2. I want a job that is interesting. A racing instructor! Those guys must love their jobs. Food critics, even more. I love food, love cars, love photography, and love music. Yeah, I was a political science major, but I have nothing to show for it, and no passion for politics.

3. I feel like I'm so close to becoming a manager at my current job - Goodwood BBQ. I've been a server for 2 years, racked up some responsibility as a trainer, an expo, and a closer. I chased down the owner today and asked him why no one has returned my calls. He said I need to work my way into a little extra responsibility (all the previously mentioned items). He was pleased to hear that I've already fulfilled most of the prerequisites. He says it's time for him to talk to my manager, ask him what he thinks of me getting the job... then I'll interview in 2 weeks maybe.

The reason why I bring up speed skaters is this. How do they make a career out of sport? And furthermore, a sport that is only really recognized one in every four years. What kind of barriers to entry are there in the sport of speed skating? How do you pay the bills so you can keep doing what you want? In any career, it seems like it just matters if you get to talking to the right people, then you're in.

Let's say I decide to try stand-up comedy, who do I talk to?
Let's say I decide to try rally racing, who do I talk to?
Let's say I decide to try concert promotion, who do I talk to?

All these are things that I can actually picture myself doing. Not because I'm good at any one of them, but none of them require a college degree, just passion and a little talent. I'm not the cookie cutter BYU student ...

Brief Update.

Follow-up on previous posts:
1. i did pretty well on that written exam (even though i didn't study much)
2. i didn't go record anything in the studio. just wasn't ready.
3. i think about the bug again and again, even though i sold the wheels and engine parts.
4. i still haven't put on those new shoes

In other news, i took matt's engagement picture

i had a vegas valentine's... just to get out of provo. Highlight? Drove through the night to see the sunrise at hoover dam




... and lake mead

and back to the dam again...