Adding to the "Random Job List" on my resume

Well, I've done a lot of random things and I somewhat pride myself in having unique jobs that make great stories. For instance, here are a few of the things I've done:

• I've been 3 different costumed characters, including Chuck E Cheese
• I've been an actor in a T.V. pilot (that never aired)
• I've worked at 3 radio stations and been a radio DJ
• I've played the piano as a volunteer at a nursing home
• I've given guided tours
• I've worked in a hotel
• I've worked at an insurance office
• I've been an assistant manager of a shoe store
• I've been a janitor/maintenance guy
• I've taught improv skills to major corporations like NASA, Mars, Cochlear, Anti-Doping Agency, etc.
• I was the "try a chicken sample" guy in the mall for Chick-fil-A
• I've been a real estate agent
• I've handled key accounts and called on clients including Target, Groupon, Wal-Mart, Amazon, etc.
• I've been an improv comedy actor for 10+ years
• I've sold booth space, advertising, corporate sponsorships, homes, shoes, books, Bibles, food, etc.
• I've emceed various events including weddings, parties, silent auctions, dinner-dances, etc.
• I've been a Couchsurfer, staying at random people's homes on trips and vacations (not really a job, but sometimes it's not exactly a vacation :)
• I've done social media for companies like Chick-fil-A
• ....plus some failed businesses which all gave me more experience and life lessons

.....and now, I'm driving for Lyft. If you're not familiar with Lyft, it's much like Uber (except better) and provides a cheaper and more friendly alternative to taxi cabs. It's a total disrupter for the transportation industry and seemed like a great place to meet new people, have new experiences, and collect some amazing stories.

I'm excited to start another venture, and if you're interested in giving it a try as a rider you can sign up and download the app (plus take a ride) to help me out.

Even better, if you want to join me on the road as a driver we can both get a little spiff if you join and drive.

But seriously, this isn't an advertisement, more just an update in my latest journey as I'm back in Colorado trying to figure out the next thing. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers as I continue in my journey.

Seattle Now Home to a Popular Attraction: Toby

Well, after 5 months of not working I've taken a huge step and continued not to work. Here's a quick recap to catch you up:

THE HISTORY
After multiple job opportunities falling through, I decided to find myself a city first, then find a job. I was ready to quit my current job for multiple reasons, but when my brother was scheduled for surgery in November in upstate Montana, it was the deciding factor. I made the long drive with my dad just a week after I had quit my job and a day after I bought my 3rd car within a 5 month period (that's another story). We drove up and stayed in Montana for two long weeks (long because it was stinkin' cold). After returning, I started traveling in the hopes of finding a city and to see various relatives, attend weddings, etc. Dallas, Omaha, Des Moines, Hilton Head were some of the main destinations with many stops along the way since I was driving on most of these trips.
During this time, I had a friend tell me about an opportunity to live in an apartment in Seattle (Capitol Hill) for 3 months. The owner went to Portugal and wanted someone to stay in his place while he was gone through the end of June. It didn't take me long to say "yes" and figure it out from there.

THE REALIZATION
I arrived Sunday night after 2 long days of driving. Unpacking didn't take long as I just brought the necessities but adjusting to a new life will take a while. Here are some of the things I'm not used to:
1) Living in a busy downtown area, directly off a bustling street
2) Getting into our apartment means going through 3 locked doors. Don't loose your keys!
3) Fighting for downtown parking so you can go home.
4) So......it's a one bedroom. Containers and boxes down the middle gives us each our own area but quarters are a little tight. I haven't lived in the same room with someone since college.
5) This is my favorite: I have to sit to pee. The owner is a little particular about a few things, one being "splashback" on the wood floors in the bathroom so he's asked us in various instructions to sit down when we take a piss (I'm sure you noticed the pic at the top of the post - that is taped to the toilet tank to remind us).
6) It's chilly up here, but it's beautiful. Everything is incredibly green and bloomed already in mid-April.
7) Hearing everyone I tell them I'm living in Seattle, say: "Oh, it rains there all the time"
8) Living in walking distance of anything I need or want (breweries, stores, entertainment, restaurants, etc).
9) walking home with groceries and having to pay for grocery bags if you don't have your own
10) a very old, quirky building which means: no dishwasher or laundry in my unit. It also means half our windows "look out" on a brick wall to the next building 5ft away.

THE NOW
My rommate (Matt) and I spent Monday getting keys made, shopping for groceries, and setting up our living space. He got here about 2 weeks before me, so he's already done a great job of setting it up. Also, he has a friend here who is oddly enough dating a girl I graduated high school with. Small world. We went out to dinner with them last night at Hopvine Pub in Capitol Hill, just a few blocks from our front door. Today, I'm online looking for some ways to earn money plus I went on a long (2hr +) walk through the city to get familiar with the area. There's lots to see and some absolutely amazing homes. The city is laid out as well, including multiple parks like the one across the street from our apartment.

Anyway, I intend of keeping a regular journal of my adventures here in Seattle if you'd like to keep up with me. Probably the best way is to use the links to the right to Follow By Email or RSS feeds. I will post these to Facebook occasionally too.

Make the leap and change your life

I've recently been looking at new opportunities to not only make a career change, but to try something new and experience more in life.  Yeah, maybe it's a mid-life crisis, but it has spurred me to start looking at opportunities all over the world.
There are a lot of cool programs which are similar to study-abroad programs, but you can actually work abroad!  How cool would that be?!? Sites like http://www.firstabroad.com/ give you options to learn the culture, and in fact, sink yourself into the everyday culture. For some of these places, I may need some translation services, but still the trip would be a great life experience.
There's another part of me that just wants to hop in the car and start driving across the US, with no plans or agenda.  You know, head to Maine via California. I know enough people from 10+ years of business travel and having national accounts, plus friends and family, that I could make it a pretty cheap trip.
Maybe I could get a sponsor?  Some company that would want to follow my adventures and promote their product at the same time.  For instance (just a random idea), I love John Fluevog shoes.  Their slogan is "Unique soles for unique souls" - nice, right? They are just a fun, cool company who appreciates their customers and have very cool products (no, they're not paying me to say this). When you order a pair of their shoes, you get a box with your shoes (typical), but also full of candy, pins, and fun stuff just for the heck of it.  I love it.
The most important thing (and I will take my own advice here) if you're not happy where you're at, make a change and do something different. I was talking with one of my employees today and the fear of not knowing what's next has kept her in a job for years that is no longer her cup of tea.  THEN STOP!
Make a list of your favorite cities, start looking for opportunities and connecting with people in that area, and then pull up your big boy pants and take a leap of faith. You'll be surprised at what you'll find.
So, what are your favorite cities?
If you could do any job, what would it be?
What fears are holding you back from making a decision?
Personally, I'm realizing I'm tired of the corporate world and tired of sitting at a desk all day.  It's time for a major change.  Stay tuned.