A near futurist looking at the possibilities of societal changes generated by changing technology. What could life be like and when could it happen?
Technology has always fascinated me. When I was a little child, my parents lived across the street from a radio station tower. I used to stare at it red flashing lights at night from my bedroom window. I would frighten myself by thinking of it falling and crashing into our house surely ending the lives of my family and I. Another thought in my dreamlike trance gazing at the giant glowing towers, I would imagine my voice being broadcast across the region. A tape recorder my parents gave me for my birthday served as my first venture into broadcasting. I would make up commercials, interview guest, perform my own radio show and do secret recordings like the Candid Camera or Punk’d shows. My family sometimes didn’t think that was very funny, but of course I thought it was hilarious. I became involved in studying communications, journalism, marketing, performing arts, and broadcasting in school, earning a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.
Flash-forward a few decades…I work in Radio, have done some TV and Film. I also work periodically in acting, theater, and choreography. I’ve worked on the East and West Coast, but I’m currently enjoying the Midwest. I look at communications as an art and one that is constantly changing as new technology is created. I’m currently pursuing my Masters in Interactive Media. I look to continue my journey of enhancing the skills, which allow me to create my art with better expertise. I also believe in the healing power of laughter, which I hope to occasionally create. Altogether, I have a vision of creating not only the useful but the entertaining as well. Follow me if you will on my journey into the futura bazaar.
Hi Futura! Is your name a reference to the font? I hope so; it’s one of my favorites. I’m looking forward to reading your blog and I thought your Memorial Day piece was particularly good, but my inner copy-editor compels me to comment on this post. The last sentence of your first paragraph talks about what you’re currently studying, but then you ask us to flash forward. Just something to watch out for when you’re proofreading. However, I love the imagery of the red flashing light. It reminds me of The Great Gatsby! I’m also very intrigued by your work in theater. Looking forward to reading more!
Thanks, Jenny. I moved that last sentence to where it should be placed. Overlooked that one so thank you.
By chance I get to continue critiquing your works Futura. It was strong opening with your childhood experiences and paints an amusing image of the little child catching unsuspecting family members on camera. The transition into your adult self works and draws parallels to your childhood. There were a few moments where I thought the plural should have been used, as in “its red flashing” and “interview guests,” but those could be me being picky.
The one part where rewording may help is, “Another thought in my dreamlike trance gazing at the giant glowing towers, I would imagine my voice being broadcast across the region.” Maybe not rewording but connecting it back to being frightened would build a strong image, for children are often terrified and amazed by the same thing and is a shared experience. “Though I was frightened of those giant glowing towers I imagined them broadcasting my voice throughout the region.”
Being a communications girl myself I look forward to futura posts.
The one correction that caught my attention was when you said, “I used to stare at (it) red flashing lights at night from my bedroom window.” I’m assuming the “it” should be “its”.
I enjoyed how you mentioned that the radio tower and tape recorder from your childhood inspired your career path today. As you were telling these vivid memories I felt as if I were with you experiencing the same emotions.
I like the placement and use of how you said, “I’ve worked on the East and West Coast, but I’m currently enjoying the Midwest.” To me, this was a nice touch because now you reside in the middle of both coasts.
I felt a similar connection to your story here because I too am involved in the field of communications, particularly TV/film editing.