Iraq, Commanders, and Voiceover Work

The parade has marched out of town, but it was probably one of the best times I have had there. I volunteered at the Armed Forces Day Parade last Saturday as part of the 'crew' that made sure the attendees were marching in the order they set forth in the program. It was the annual effort of the local Amateur Radio Club which I belong to that brought it to my attention.

I was working a section in the middle of the parade that had everything from drill teams to drill sergeants. Standing out in the middle of a major boulevard flagging down buses and convoys that really had no way of knowing which way they were supposed to go felt odd to say the least. When a group that belonged in my section arrived, I would have them try to line up in order and make space for missing groups.

It was hot. How hot? My tennis shoes were making impressions in the tar they used to fill the cracks in the sidewalk. And I chose to wear jeans. But I'm glad I did. No stinkin' sunscreen for my legs, thank you very much. Thats a whole subject for another time. The sun was out in force and there was actually a nice breeze, not too windy, that made for a very nice day. Talking with some of the Troups that came from Edward AFB made me glad I lived in a coastal town and passed the time nicely. They drove down in a Hummer with no air from the desert in full fatigues no less.

So while talking to these guys (and one girl), I find out they are actually MP's; the 'police' who guard stuff on base. They take no bull from anybody. And enjoy it. Even 'higher-ups' have to listen to them. It was a nice conversation. One guy had been to Iraq and (of course) was glad to be home. The others were basically on this little outing just as volunteer duty, something to do, I guess.

A Colonel arrives and is in a convertible. He gets to sit on the back of the Lexus he's in and wave to the crowd with his wife next to him. So he makes his way over and introduced himself. I'm pretty good at the greeting stuff, but the first thing he asks is if I work in radio. I mention that I've thought about it, but L.A. is just a bit too far. OK, I thought, I've heard this too many times... but heck, I've taken classes a couple of times down in Los Angeles, and I just can't see myself driving 20 miles, IN L.A. TRAFFIC, to just trying to break in to the business. I've got a job, thank you. ... so he continues talking about the radio business and tells about a guy he knew etc., etc. He leaves and probably has no clue about the spark he lit by mentioning my voice.

So now I'm on a little quest now to find out how I might be able to get my voice out there through some of the job boards that cater to voiceover work and the like. I'm sure I'll be posting on it from time to time, but there no time like now to act on it.