Three Life Ambitions [besides the big ones]

Extra points if you already knew about all three of these.

So, there are a few things I would really like to do while I'm here. I'm not talking about the big family- and job-related goals, this relates more to interests I haven't yet developed as much as I would like. So, here they are:

1. I am passionate about unclogging drains. This doesn't mean that I go to others' homes and ask or anything, but if I'm somewhere and there just happens to be a drain that needs to be unclogged, I will probably hint that I may enjoy taking a crack at it. I move leaves off storm drains so they flow more freely, one of my favorite jobs at the petroleum refinery was using the huge sump truck and a shovel to unclog industrial-sized drains, I once disassembled a clogged public park drinking fountain to fix it...you get the idea. There is something about restoring free flow to previously clogged drains that just feels right. I discovered while interrogating a worker at my previous job that you don't need a license to do it for money, which means that someday I will be able to buy my own 250-ft power snake and unclog the drains of my acquaintances for way less than they would pay commercially. I have said previously that I would love plumbing, but I think it's just this part of it I'm interested in.

2. I have a goal to establish an organization (the best name I have come up with, which I admit is really lame, is MOV, short for Music Outreach Volunteers) with the purpose of matching up music students in high schools and (perhaps) colleges with performing opportunities in nursing homes, care centers, senior centers, and day cares. They would be solo or ensemble, accompanied or not. I would act as the liaison between the music classes and the recreation departments and handle scheduling. It would be a great opportunity for the performers to get some experience in front of an appreciative audience (I myself have performed several times on the piano and marimba, and it no longer scares me to death, although I think this is due less to repetition and more to a change in how I view myself and my talent. That is a topic for another post though, which I probably won't do unless requested. Or did I already do it? Why is this parenthetical so long?) and, although it may sound like I am being condescending, having worked in several long-term care centers I can say that there is a desperate need for disruptions to the regular routine. Ideas for a better name for the organization are welcome.

Related to #2 is an idea I came up with for an assignment at BYU (I forget for which class) which would involve going to grade schools and introducing kids to the marimba.

3. I love doing voices. I talk to myself frequently when I am alone (or think I am), often in different accents. I like reading to my kids because I get to play so many different characters. I would love to someday get into actual voiceover work. I think I would be great at cartoons, or commercials, or announcing in general. I would need a little coaching, sure, but there's a lot of potential there. This is the one I am most sensitive about because I feel like a little boy saying he wants to grow up to be a superstar basketball player when everyone around him knows he's terrible. In any case, I will risk exposure to ridicule and say that before I die I hope to have done this at least once. Perhaps a book on tape? Who knows?

So, there you have it. Three of my dreams.