Bleeding Perseverance - Episode 37

Autobiography Fridays

Before heading back to school for my senior year I did end up making some memorable discoveries that summer. One was the inspiring life story of a man who had turned his five and dime store into the world’s biggest department store empire.

I‟ve always loved learning about titans of wealth and how they got to where they were. Rockefeller. Gates. Branson. Etc. Such tycoon stories always inspired me, and I had always dreamed of such luxury. In fact, one of my favorite TV shows while growing up was The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. For Mom, it was something to despise since they had it and she didn’t. For me, it was something to learn from, and to work hard/smart for so I too could one day achieve it.

Sam Walton’s autobiography definitely stirred the drive within me. After reading how he achieved such greatness for his company WalMart, I really wanted to work for the business giant, and so I set out to find the nearest one. Unfortunately the closest store was a couple of towns away, which turned out to be quite the distance considering the size of The Inland Empire. (The area used to describe the main two regions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties) I wasn’t about to let that deter me though. At least not until I knew if there would be a way to work out the logistics.

So off I was on another inner-city bus to find the store whose founder had inspired me so. After riding the bus as far as I could I walked for two hours out in the middle of nowhere before I finally reached my destination. I then figured out some logistics in my head, seeing if it would be at all possible to work there while still finishing my last year of school. What if I bought a pair of roller skates or a bike to cover the long distance? I went over it again and again, but there was just no way I could have pulled it off with the limited resources I had available to me. If only the bus schedule wasn’t so rigid. Then I’d be able to make it work. Damn! Well, I was here now, so I should at least go in and admire Sam’s work as well as helping a tiny bit by buying a snack there with the couple of extra bucks I had. Sure, I was only helping move a couple of items of merchandise, but to me, at least I was a part of something special.

I realize that to most this probably sounds crazy, travelling so far just to see if I had a chance to work at a department store, but this very nature is exactly what separates the especially driven from the ordinary. And although it sometimes means going through hell to accomplish a small task, I wouldn’t change it for the world, because one needs such drive and ambition to achieve great things.

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Another book I read that summer was Marta Woodhull’s Singing for a Living. A very informative book for those looking to start a singing career. Still having the dream of being a singer, I felt like I needed intense vocal lessons since I didn’t sound like Bryan Abrams yet. Besides my vocal coach Pat in Minneapolis, I had never sung for anyone before, especially family members. I thought I was still capable of reaching my goal someday, but had no intention on faking an ability I had yet to possess.

With nothing to offer but myself, I wrote Marta asking her if she needed a live-in housekeeper. Being an excellent cleaner and a pretty good cook of basic meals I offered my services in exchange for room and board and vocal lessons.

About a week or two later she actually called me. She said she didn’t need a housekeeper, but perhaps we could arrange something later. (I had mentioned in the letter having to have back surgery before I would be available.) She told me she had been really impressed with my letter, (this should have been a clue to me that my sights should have been set on becoming an author) and to definitely keep in touch. I really appreciated the fact that she took the time to reply. Many in the entertainment industry don’t, and I will never forget the kindness she showed me by simply having the ability to recognize someone unique and replying to them. Not thinking she was above such a thing. It meant a lot.