Friday I have a follow-up interview (I had a phone interview first) to a position I really really really want. Considering that I got past the phone interview, I’ll take that as a good sign, dress the part and walk in with all the confidence I can muster.

On the music side I have maybe 3-4 projects pending now. I know I can’t take on anymore. In fact, I haven’t even really started due to lack of inspiration.

I did post a little violin surprise on my webpage. Check out the “About” page and click on the player.

And my 5k training continues.

-GGG

Image via Wikipedia

Music
I have a new piece up! It’s called “Take Off and Flight” because it simulates a bit of the anxiety of getting on a flight and then the actual take off and flying. Actually, I watched (listened) to a youtube video of a small airplane taking off to simulate those strange harmonies you hear! After take off, the anxiety subsides and you’re supposed to feel more calm. However, those fears always strike back.
Check it out! It’s the last piece on my music page: My Music

Art

My sister has always been a wonderful artist. She just sent me a painting to decorate my apartment!

I think it’s amazing! Aside from being a talented artist, she is a beautiful actor and model (no subjectivity here! =P ).

Check out her website at http://www.anavalverde.com

-GGG

While I have set out to compose with a “feeling” in mind, I have never had a set purpose for a project. For example, one of them said the game takes place in Feudal Japan with a techno feel. I can already envision a lonely woodwind, a strumming instrument and some drums.

I am so flattered that people are enjoying my music. What concerns me now are deadlines as well as writing music for someone other than for myself. This means they may or may not like it.

But I shall think positively. Game on!

-GGG

Speaking of games, I sorta got caught up in this League of Legends. It is absolutely free. The website reminds me a bit TOO Much of World of Warcraft. But it’s more RTS than RPG and I consider myself bad at RTS. Except in this game you don’t build anything. You just fight a la style of Risk. I’ve only played against the computer so far but I might venture out now. Look for me, I’m Nimelyana! =)

Image via Wikipedia

My 5k training continues…
Day 8
Today I ran 1.5 miles in 14:18 mins
My full progress is at Goals Goals Goals

I see a huge advantage to taking my running outside once my gym membership expires, which is mainly that I will be simulating the conditions of a race (i.e. surface, wind, etc).

However, how will I know how far I’m running outside? My best idea is to use a snazzy tool like MapMyRun.com to figure out how far I should go.

The Job Hunt

I had a phone interview today for a teaching position on Saturdays. It sounds really interesting! I would basically be giving workshops to families on how to use computers (specifically a program provided by this non-profit organization).

I have an interview tomorrow for a full-time position as a community organizer. I have had quite a few interviews now and I have taught myself:

• There will always be questions you didn’t prepare for. These are “scenario” questions. When answering scenario questions, it’s okay to take my time.  Also, I will not lift my voice up at the end of my sentence in the form of a question! Finally, I will not be afraid of saying that I will resort to seeking my supervisor’s aid though only in the worst-case scenario.
• Fake confidence!

Music

All feels quiet on this front! I was listening to a couple of my tracks (Keep Going and Ocean Bound) found on My Website and I have the urge to change some instruments. I use Noteworthy Composer (free version) and it only saves in midis. (Actually, Noteworthy Composer 2 free version does not allow you to save as midis! I had to google my way around to find the original version). Then I go to Media Convert to change my pieces from midis to mp3s. In the process, many sounds change in their quality. I’m not much of a tech savvy so I can’t explain this though I’m pretty sure sounds are lost in the conversion.

What I’d really like to do is to start using another program. So far Sibelius looks like a great choice.

Finally, I discovered a new forum for aspiring game developers. I was referred to it by a member of XNA Forums to which I was originally referred to by Silvercublogger. The forum is called Visual Alchemist. It’s a very new  website, so it is definitely in need of members, but I really like its focus. Basically, it’s for rookies (and vets alike) to get together and gain that experience with game development. Similarly to job hunting, I find this to be a huge chicken-or-egg problem. Yes, I must have certain experience for this job, but how will I ever get said experience!

-GGG

And since I published my website I’ve been making a lot of headway on the unfinished pieces:

A piece titled Savannah Finished!

A piece titled Funeral Finished!

An untitled piece Finished! (It’s clockwork)

A salsa piece

A piece inspired by flying

A piece inspired by a sunset

-GGG

So I think it’s all good for now!

-GGG

So sometime in mid July I set a personal goal to run a 5k race in October. What I love about running is that you don’t have to be an expert to do it. You also don’t need that much money, just a good pair of running shoes and some practice. It’s also a great way to maintain my health. So here’s what I’ve done so far in preparation:
(I’m not counting days of rest)

Day 1
1.5 miles in 15:40 mins

Day 2
1.5 miles in 14:50 mins

Day 3
1.5 miles in 14:45 mins

Day 4
1.75 miles in 17:17 mins

Day 5
1.5 miles in 14:33 mins

Day 6
1.75 miles in 17:00 mins

Day 7
2 miles at 19:57 mins

Day 8
1.5 miles in 14:18 mins

Day 9
2 miles in 19:39 mins

Day 10
2.25 miles in 22:20 mins

Day 11
1.5 miles in13:57 mins

-GGG

http://www.wix.com/melimv/vgmusic

Aside from the few pieces I have up, I have plenty of works-in-progress. What I do often is I write out an idea, become frustrated with it, then I leave it. Sometimes when I come back to it much later I’m able to finish it right away!

My works in progress are:

A piece titled Savannah

A piece titled Funeral

An untitled piece

A salsa piece

A piece inspired by flying

A piece inspired by a sunset

Better get goin’ on ‘em!

-GGG

My plan is:

to look for a source of income by marketing my skills:

• teaching experience
• Spanish
• violin
• video game music!

to reduce my expenses:

• cancel gym (by aug 30th I’ll be running outside in preparation for my october 5k!)
• cancel Netflix
• stop using my dishwasher!
• cancel my profile on a dating service website (/gasp)
• other ideas….

the things I won’t let go of:

• my cat!
• my lovely studio

finalmente:

• take a Pro Tools class
• network my way into the video game music industry (use Gamasutra.com)

-GGG

The opposing sides are:

1. At this point you should be happy to have any job.
2. Don’t waste your time with something you hate. Take a risk.

In between these two sides is where I lie. I was NOT born a go-getter, but I have learned that all it takes are some acting skills to fake it.

So this is my story. You will be following me on my route to my dream job. This does not come from the point of view of “I am successful now and I will tell you how I got there.” No, you will be with me in my story as I venture out into the unknown.

As they say, “the greatest risk is to risk nothing.” Or, as my friend prefers to say, “Man will stand with mouth open long time before roast duck flies in.”

So I leave it at that! Why? Because the first page of a book should pull you in. It should be filled with enough mystery and intrigue that makes you just want to keep reading.

So who am I?
What exactly is my dream job?
What is my master plan for success?

Stay tuned!

-GGG