christinamguerrero.com ~ the official site ~
Journalism: A World Based On Sound
Copyright 2016 Christina M. Guerrero
DEDICATION
To surviving.
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STORY BEHIND THE STORY
Being who you want to be.
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ABOUT THE DRAFTS
Third draft:
It's getting there. Most of it is there.
It's like switching from one language to another.
I am proud to identify as a musician first, journalist second.
Originally, I wanted to be a musician.
My world was fairly typical of some children in the 1960s and 1970s: wake up, get ready for school, go to school, return back to the place where I was living, engage with my social groups in a respectful and responsible manner, enjoy hobbies and food, take a bath, go to sleep, and then wake up and do it again.
Mixed in with that typical life was music. It was everywhere.
Music was at school, where we learned all about it.
Music was at the places where I lived: on the radio, on the stereo, on the TV, sometimes live at random events like birthday parties or amusement park visits, and on my little transistor radio I received one Christmas.
The radio was almost always on: where I lived, in cars, in elevators, at department stores.
I was a quiet and shy child, so did not let on that I could sing along to hundreds of songs from the middle ages to the 1970s. If I was ever alone without any source of music, I would set up “lists” of songs and either pretend I was listening to them (not difficult as I suffered from ear-worms from about age three on), or just sing them out loud.
When the music would present itself, either on the radio or in person, I would sometimes tap along to the beat or sing badly. I understood a lot about rhythm, chords, lyrics, performing, and the music business, just from observation, and I was waiting for an opportunity to fine tune my talents and knowledge.
Years later, I would end up teaching myself piano, guitar, and some violin. Eventually, a music instructor would tell me, "You have a natural talent for music." These things did not crop up out of nowhere; the talent was there at a young age, waiting to be nurtured and turned into a career.
Then there came the day that I chose my profession: I was going to be a musician. I was going to start immediately, learn the ins and outs of the business, perform for as long as possible, then retire and possibly teach or volunteer my services.
Preliminary research indicated this might be possible.
Secondary research indicated this was not going to happen. Because in order for it to happen, I would need the following:
a full-time advocate to help me reach my goals (I was only ten, after all)
a chauffeur
a source of income for my instruments, equipment, supplies, maintenance costs and music lessons
my own practice space (I wanted to learn the trumpet first)
and assorted other costs.
Without that advocate, I was unable to pursue my first profession when I was ready.
At least, not physically.
A part of me did, and went along that path, and every once in a while I check in with my alternate self and see what might be going on. At this point I’d have slowed down a bit but I would still be performing, and perhaps instructing or allowing internships with the band; perhaps donating to music education around the world.
Without a personal advocate/manager, without a job, and without capital, I had to step back from my chosen profession. As the years passed, I often felt supremely bored: I spent a lot of time doing things I had absolutely no interest in. I was ready for plenty of hard work at age ten, and felt like my life was regressing, and going backwards, on the day I discovered I could not pursue music exactly the way I wanted to. I was often stuck with following people around, engaged in unfulfilling activities, when I could have been enjoying myself, and earning money.
When I learned about emancipation, I gave that a lot of serious thought. Emancipation would mean supporting myself and paying for every single one of my expenses, yet it would also mean professional freedom and endless possibilities.
However, I was realistic: Most states require emancipated minors to be approximately age fifteen. I was still younger than that. Wiser and more intelligent by far, but legally too young.
This back and forth debate was an internal battle for a long time, even when I advised myself: choose a different profession, and then get involved in music when you can pursue it the way you wish.
The entire situation was traumatic on a professional level and created a rift in my world. I felt quite different from everyone else around me. I was supposed to be learning a craft and performing and progressing in my field, not sitting around doing childish things. This was a breeding ground for sarcasm, which has never quite left my world. Oh, we wouldn’t want to be doing things that are constructive and profitable, now would we? ... was the only thought on my mind from about age ten until I was finally able to handle this on my own.
When I chose my second profession at age twelve, that was it. I decided there would be no obstructions, no obstacles, and no barriers to this second goal.
On the day I decided to become a journalist, I was reading a magazine article about a newspaper reporter who explained the day to day responsibilities and the joys of the job. I decided I wanted to do that that. And with the wisdom I had been able to rely upon from a young age, I knew this was a goal that I could handle by myself.
I did exactly what I wanted to do, and still do it. And I’ve enjoyed every bit of the journey of being a journalist.
As for the music ... a part of me is still on that path ... retired now, but with memories of a life well lived.
As a journalist, my work suffers a bit with my mathematical brain that thinks in colors and numbers and equations ... but I have been blessed with steady work. I have been a high school reporter, college reporter, office assistant, production assistant, advertising representative, freelance writer, editor, assistant graphic designer, assistant page designer, editorial assistant, and writer.
I’ve enjoyed doing exactly what I wanted to do in my SECOND profession.
If you’ve ever read my stuff, or viewed a page I’ve designed, or become aware of my experience in journalism and wondered why it doesn’t seem completely “journalism-y” it’s because I began life as a musician. My brain views the world in sounds and patterns and numbers and colors that need to be translated into words.
My world is based on sound.
So I hope I am able to educate, inform, and inspire you ... with these things called words.
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