Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

As a singer, I want my demographics to be everyone. But, I also must recognize who actually likes my style. Is it the dorky white kids like myself? Or is it a mix of everyone together. Marketing on a musical aspect can be quite tricky, because no matter the color of someone's skin, you can't exactly tell what it is that they listen to. You can however, always venture a guess. And, for me, to guess is also taking too much of a risk. Although I'm all about risk and reward, it feels too prejudice to just venture a guess to see if the Latino market even cares to hear what I have to say. I'm more about doing and finding out who it is that actually feels what I do, and wish to do as a living. The truth is, if one group of people feel what I do, then they will simply support me. I've been to open mics, and I usually get a very positive response from the entire crowd, regardless of race/creed/color/etc. But, maybe it's just myself trying to be the happy upbeat person I see me as.

Frankly, you never know until you try. And, as the last post suggests, you are still tied down to a certain type of system to work within your means. If you are white, you are clearly given a larger advantage against someone who may be Latino. Unfortunate as it may be, we all must deal with these struggles on a daily basis and look around the color of our skin. The beer commercials and audio clips about how Mexicans like to drink beer is almost laughable to me. Because, EVERYONE LOVES BEER. And, if you're an exception that doesn't like it, it has nothing to do with your skin, but more so your personal preference. The closer we being to see beyond this color barrier, the more successful we will become.

I can certainly curtail to specific demographics, but I would never want to box myself into some sort of definition, where I cannot expand on something I put my heart and soul into. I simply want to do me to the best of my abilities. And if Mexicans love it, then great. If they don't, that's okay too. The less you worry about what people are thinking, the more you can focus on being a good human being and seeing what you can create for every group or sect of people. There's a reason why people like Michael Jackson touched so many lives in his career. There's a reason why the entire world knows who he is. And it's because he saw beyond color. He saw the world as the world, and not a giant piece of land we can all divide ourselves amongst. And what did mass media and police do to him? They broke him down and plastered as much as they could to still have some sort of social divide. But it's not the way to live, ever. And, until we as a whole can work to this, we will forever consume ourself with how many Latino votes we can get, how many black votes we can get, and how many white votes we an get, and how many Asian votes we can get. But, that is not the answer. The answer is to love. So, for me, loving thy neighbor, regardless of skin color is where it begins.

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

Here's the issue when it comes to making money for good. No real business is out there to make money for good. They are there to make money within their capitalistic possibilities. And this, by all means, does not mean denigrate the capitalistic state of mind. However, when you live in a society that promotes making as much money as possible, and plasters good looking and successful people all over the television and news reels, you cannot expect the amounts of people that watch and read these things to think that all they have to do is find what they love and do that. It's actually a rather drawn out process when you think about it. I for one, am 28, I've travelled all around the world with the Air Force, I've seen many situations, and I'm still striving to find that one niche path that I posses in the world to bring to the rest of the community. I know I have a great ability in singing; I've had a number of years in brass training on the trumpet, I've had a number of years in vocal training, and I've even sang at Carnegie Hall in New York City. But it never occurred to me that I could actually make a living on doing music, simply because I am aware of the scrupulous efforts it takes to even get your foot in the door. And I believe most, at least American's(since I cannot speak for any others), find themselves in almost a vested interest to be forced into finding a basic 9-5, find a mate, make babies, pay their taxes, and die. The cycle has gone on since the beginning of this so called board game we call 'Life as we know it'.

However, if we begin to see ourselves as someone like this founder of the Tom's shoes company, then, maybe we can begin to think outside the box and really begin to flourish on our talents, our wants, our needs, and our goals as a human race. Because, when it comes down to it, we aren't a slave to a system, we a merely a slave to ourself. If we fill our minds with self doubt, then we will forever be doubtful of what we can and cannot do here on this mud-ball in a tiny little dot in the universe. And that's where we begin to expand our conscience, and start believing in ourselves. But it doesn't happen over night, and it doesn't end the fact that we still need to 'play' within the rules of the game that we've set up, sometimes what feels like is against us. If I can be a success at making music, and it's just as accessible to me as getting a normal job and paying my normal bills, then of course I would have gone down that path 10 years ago when I left high school  But, the truth is, we aren't encouraged to do those things. If you tell your parents you want to be an artist, 9 times out of 10 they'll look at you sideways and think you need to get your head on straight. So without restructuring a system that can allow you a better way to find your path, without being hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and owing everyone and their mother a dollar, there will always be some sort of cultural struggle to find creativity and happiness within not only yourself but, also, the rest of society.

We are definitely on the path toward recognizing everyone as a human being. But, I still believe that equality will never exist. There will always be some sort of rich and poor structure, and there will always be lazy and motivated. Duality exists in every category. Where there is good, there is also evil. And, the more you as an individual focus on trying to be the best at whatever it is you are doing, whether it's the best mopper or the best singer, the happier you will be, and the easier life will become. And at that moment, is when money will not matter to you and you will begin to see it rolling right into your hands. Yes, we are a piece in our own game, but, it's what you do with your time to figure out that game. Environment will forever have something to do with your attitude. So, recognizing duality is extremely important if you wish to be successful in whatever it is that you choose to do with your life.

EOC Week 2: Assesment of the Video Gaming Industry

Although it's a slightly noticable impact on the industy, the current resession does not to seem to have changed many peoples perspective on the world of the video game market. With sales as far back from 2009 as astonishingly large as "10.5 Billion dollars in revenue"(http://www.esrb.org/about/video-game-industry-statistics.jsp, 2012), it's hard to believe anyone when they tell you the video game industry is suffering. New technologies like the WiiU and the Xbox kinect are basic evidences to show that even in a down market, the gaming manufacturer is still trying to be as inovative as possible. No one business has quite defined the next big thing about gaming, quite yet. However, the simple evidence of these new 1st generation types can clearly tell you neither sony, nintendo, or microsoft is hurting at any extent.

We do need to examine the fact about current events in the world. And, the biggest topic on people's mind these days is gun control. So, why is the federal government asking to meet with industry heads about the control of guns? And for the majority, the response is the same across the board. "If there is a general consensus, it is that it is pretty hard to gauge what actual effect the video game industry's participation in the meetings with Joe Biden had"(http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/01/16/video-game-journalists-sound-video-game-industry-meeting-biden-ign-feature#.UPc60pao98E) But, we all know how Washington works, and expect not much of anything from this. "the ESA said it “appreciates” the White House’s leadership on the issue, and agreed that the industry needed to provide consumers information and options when it comes to gaming and entertainment." (http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/01/video-game-industry-to-obama-entertainment-doesnt-cause-violent-behavior.php)

For me, the BCG analysis for the video gaming market would be in the questiono markets category. This is only because we are currently in a down market, with very little job creation and innovation. Call the new systems innovative, but, I do not see them selling very much. They are more than likely, testing the waters to see who bites what. The money is obviously still there, and the demand for gaming won't go down. Therefore, this market in particular will be around for possibly the rest of human history...Unless of course we start reading books again...One can only hope

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

There's a food truck that serves sliders down at the first Friday event every month, and they have the utter most amazing service I have every experienced. The food is terrible, but they make it up with being so helping and smiley and happy to be working in a food truck. So, I think customer service begins with the business knowing how to cartel to the needs and wants of the consumer. Because without the consumer, you have no business. And without doing research and development about your product, you have no 'thing' to pitch your consumer, ultimately those who will be paying your bills and keeping a roof over your head. In a sense, you need to think of it as these people are your friends. They have something you want, a life long relationship, and you have something that they want, whatever it is you are selling. All relationships are based off of benefits of each parties and what they can gain from being in your corner. "If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you love what you’re doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours."(Ray Krock, http://www.customer1.com/blog/customer-service-quotes) This quote and so many other like it may seem redundant, but they really are the truth and very purposeful. The more you put the ones buying your product first, the more success you will see in the end. So, although I may be naturally introverted, I must always remember to push myself outside of that comfort zone and really try to put everything into perspective when I am in need of someone's help, or more specifically, in being open and honest with any type of customer. No one wants a half ass worker. And any position you have, you should always make sure you are the best at it, be it a floor mopper or a H.R. rep. The happier you are with getting work done fast and going on to the next thing/project will forever impact your abilities to deal with all types of people and situations. 

Week One EOC: My Voice

The world as I know it has yet to begin. And I intend to take that world by the bootstraps and tie it ever so tightly around my feet. My name is Michael. I am not your average white kid from the burbs, although you may believe that with one quick look at me. I have been sent into the universe to shock and amaze the masses, and bring the human race beautiful music. These reasons alone have left me to believe I should explore my opportunity at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. I've been all over this world, I've deployed to Afghanistan, and I've been in love only twice in my life. The first love is always one to base your next on, one which I waited an intricate amount of time to find more about myself and really become happy with the person I am. I love to perform. From the times of being a kid, to the day I sang at Carnegie Hall in NYC, to the days in college and quick witting the teacher and class into a few laughs. But, on the inside, I am a very quiet and introverted. I write a lot of random gibberish only I can understand. But, it usually transpires when I sing it. In fact, the most comfortable I feel is in three separate situations: 1)by myself, 2)with my girlfriend, 3)on stage. Other times I feel very on edge and how you say...adhd, I suppose. My mind never seems to shut down, I still have trouble sleeping to this day, even with a tempurpedic mattress. With that being said, I have aspirations to be heard by the masses, and try to impact or benefit even one life. Because, if you can touch one person's life, you've accomplished serenity in my opinion. My name is Michael, and I am an artist. But then again, isn't every human being an artist in their own fashion?