The general outline of Michael Andrade including a few stories from my life.
The general outline of Michael Andrade including a few stories from my life.
A glimpse into my life...
My name is Michael Andrade. I am 29 years old and live in Raleigh, NC. I enjoy music and playing my guitar as well as using my skills with computer to complement my music. I also enjoy studying languages and speak (a passable) French and Spanish. My house is full of varying things to do since I am accustomed to entertaining guests and as such making sure everyone is entertained. My spare time is spent keeping busy. I find that there is always something new to learn or sometimes there is a skill or talent that can be further refined. While I tend to be reserved about deeply personal matters, I do find a way to talk about anything. I find conversation, whether of a useful or useless subject, is an effective tool to get people's mind off things. I try never to be in an overtly bad mood and have found what works for me to deal with difficult subjects on my own time. Some people do not have that luxury, however, and sometimes just need someone to entertain them until they can deal with what is bothering them. A place to go, a story to tell, a song to hear, a rest for the burden on your shoulders... this is what I offer. Everyone should feel as great as I do.
My Astrological Chart and it's interpretation
Theses are a few of my favorite things... While appearances, dialect, time, weather, politics, and friends may change, these things are constant at the center of Michael Andrade:
Music, Company, Conversation, Red Wine (Australian, Chilean, and Californian in the French-Style), Champagne (not Asti), Unfiltered Beer, Cohiba Cigars, Blondes, Brunettes, Labrador Retrievers, Spring, Fall, Chili, Well-marbled prime grade top round steak, Italian Food (Regions: Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Campania), XBox, Fox News Channel, Comfortable clothing, the White Mountains, Santa Barbara, Flight, "Berry" scented candles, Canada Dry, Coca-Cola, Jazz, Baroque and Romantic Period music, and Rock and Roll.
Stories that define me...
Music, Rock, Roll, and the Gypsy Jazz: Music plays a large part in the opus that is my life. I studied for two years at Berklee College of Music in Boston as a Music Education and Music Therapy student. The topics I studied had a strange effect on my personal definition of music. While I do know other students and alumni who prefer roles as performers, music has become more and more internalized in my life. I find myself playing less when people are around and finding that sweet spot in the middle of the night when I am saturated with the days events and the nights laments and playing for the most important critic in my life: me.
To be a rock and not to roll... I live for my friend Bill's capacity and grasp for career and talent. If I were to choose a life of performance, I would pattern my likes and dislikes after his. Like any other career endeavor, it is difficult to be objective when your environment is so subjective. More difficult still, there is a fine line to be walked in a career in music. That line is drawn between science and art. At what point does the science of your business diminish the beauty of your art? At what point does your dedication to your art impede your success in business? He does well walking that line, much to the chagrin of his contemporaries. For myself? I chose not to devote life to music "business" as I saw that I did not have it in me to confront my art and compromise. So music serves its purpose in my life. To inspire me and sooth me. To temper my fervor to succeed in any endeavor. It allows me the comfort and calm to look both ways before crossing the busy intersections in my life.
Of "Gypsy Jazz" I can say that nothing quite centers me like listening to Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. I listen to every type of music and incorporate most types to every aspect of my life; however, I lend an ear to that Jazz when no one is around. When I am by myself and need to hit the reset button. It is as technically good as it is soothing. It represents a balance and brings me back to normal level. Everyone should have such a tool.
Santa Barbara, and Sunrise over Santa Monica Boulevard:
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of being able to travel around the United States for business. Of course, when time permitted, or if you are skilled enough, when you make time permit, you must take in the beauty of certain cities and areas. Take in the sights, smell the vegetation, have a glass of wine... enjoy. In Santa Barbara was the most beautiful sight I have seen so far in my life. The Pacific Ocean. I had seen it before and was taken by its grandeur as she had a different personality than her more restless sister the Atlantic. But in Santa Barbara, with its warm October air and softly sun-lit landscape, the subtle waters under your feet make you take pause. Here I was worrying about deadlines and meetings just a short time before and then it was all made small by the pacific sight before me. I was a different person after. Things bothered me less, and mattered more. The Pacific. She was empowered to create and destroy and had peacefully accepted this burden. And as her advancing and retracting waters cleansed me of my worries, so to did she endow me with the understanding that I, too, could accept, control, and remake my gifts and curses. I slept calmly that evening and awoke the next morning renewed and able to tackle my most difficult obstacles.
This was not the first time, however, that I had seen the Pacific. She and I first met in Santa Monica. It was a year prior to being in Santa Barbara and my mind was not ready to be awakened by its power. This time I was assigned to a project in Torrance and was to stay at the Holiday Inn on Colorado Avenue. While not the best hotel, it was right across the street from the beach. The location was perfect- one block from the Third Street Promenade and a 10 minute ride from Malibu. On night one, I needed for my own personal gain to say that, like Sheryl Crow, I had seen the "sun come up over Santa Monica Boulevard." It is one thing to wait around for lunch... another to wait for the end of the work day... certainly another to wait all night for the sun to come up. Notwithstanding the full day of work that was awaiting me after the sunrise; but hey, we are young and impetuous. And on the topic of young and impetuous, I did what I knew would kill some time. I went to a small club named 14 Below and indulged in the Halloween Black and Tan Special... 3 dollars for good beer. The bar was across the street from an Infiniti Dealership and Car wash. As the night grew older, I relished in the stories of the Irish barista who was very skilled at climbing the wall behind the bar to put on a show and mix drinks. He was an acrobat and a barkeep... only in California. I saw several bands play and shared drinks with band members and tossed the name Berklee as if it was some special ID they forgot to check at the door. The people were as interested about the music scene in Boston as I was about the scene in LA. Albeit, after a few too many brews it is safe to say that any scene is interesting or made to be interesting. At 5 in the morning, I took the cab back to Santa Monica Boulevard. Alcohol, fatigue, ringing ears, a warm bed, a long day at work. All disparate thoughts that were nagging enough to keep me awake. Had I been back home with a similar head full, I would have complained that I was unable to sleep the night before, but I had reason for enduring. Breakfast kept me going. Then there I was. No Sheryl Crow. No guitar. No pen or paper. Only my cell phone. A grim reminder of the day that lay before me. I am happy to say, though, that I was drinking beer in a bar that faces a car wash and on 6:35 am on Tuesday October 24th, 2000, I, Michael Andrade, saw the sun come up over Santa Monica Boulevard.
My name is Michael Andrade. I am 29 years old and live in Raleigh, NC. I enjoy music and playing my guitar as well as using my skills with computer to complement my music. I also enjoy studying languages and speak (a passable) French and Spanish. My house is full of varying things to do since I am accustomed to entertaining guests and as such making sure everyone is entertained. My spare time is spent keeping busy. I find that there is always something new to learn or sometimes there is a skill or talent that can be further refined. While I tend to be reserved about deeply personal matters, I do find a way to talk about anything. I find conversation, whether of a useful or useless subject, is an effective tool to get people's mind off things. I try never to be in an overtly bad mood and have found what works for me to deal with difficult subjects on my own time. Some people do not have that luxury, however, and sometimes just need someone to entertain them until they can deal with what is bothering them. A place to go, a story to tell, a song to hear, a rest for the burden on your shoulders... this is what I offer. Everyone should feel as great as I do.
My Astrological Chart and it's interpretation
Theses are a few of my favorite things... While appearances, dialect, time, weather, politics, and friends may change, these things are constant at the center of Michael Andrade:
Music, Company, Conversation, Red Wine (Australian, Chilean, and Californian in the French-Style), Champagne (not Asti), Unfiltered Beer, Cohiba Cigars, Blondes, Brunettes, Labrador Retrievers, Spring, Fall, Chili, Well-marbled prime grade top round steak, Italian Food (Regions: Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Campania), XBox, Fox News Channel, Comfortable clothing, the White Mountains, Santa Barbara, Flight, "Berry" scented candles, Canada Dry, Coca-Cola, Jazz, Baroque and Romantic Period music, and Rock and Roll.
Stories that define me...
Music, Rock, Roll, and the Gypsy Jazz: Music plays a large part in the opus that is my life. I studied for two years at Berklee College of Music in Boston as a Music Education and Music Therapy student. The topics I studied had a strange effect on my personal definition of music. While I do know other students and alumni who prefer roles as performers, music has become more and more internalized in my life. I find myself playing less when people are around and finding that sweet spot in the middle of the night when I am saturated with the days events and the nights laments and playing for the most important critic in my life: me.
To be a rock and not to roll... I live for my friend Bill's capacity and grasp for career and talent. If I were to choose a life of performance, I would pattern my likes and dislikes after his. Like any other career endeavor, it is difficult to be objective when your environment is so subjective. More difficult still, there is a fine line to be walked in a career in music. That line is drawn between science and art. At what point does the science of your business diminish the beauty of your art? At what point does your dedication to your art impede your success in business? He does well walking that line, much to the chagrin of his contemporaries. For myself? I chose not to devote life to music "business" as I saw that I did not have it in me to confront my art and compromise. So music serves its purpose in my life. To inspire me and sooth me. To temper my fervor to succeed in any endeavor. It allows me the comfort and calm to look both ways before crossing the busy intersections in my life.
Of "Gypsy Jazz" I can say that nothing quite centers me like listening to Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. I listen to every type of music and incorporate most types to every aspect of my life; however, I lend an ear to that Jazz when no one is around. When I am by myself and need to hit the reset button. It is as technically good as it is soothing. It represents a balance and brings me back to normal level. Everyone should have such a tool.
Santa Barbara, and Sunrise over Santa Monica Boulevard:
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of being able to travel around the United States for business. Of course, when time permitted, or if you are skilled enough, when you make time permit, you must take in the beauty of certain cities and areas. Take in the sights, smell the vegetation, have a glass of wine... enjoy. In Santa Barbara was the most beautiful sight I have seen so far in my life. The Pacific Ocean. I had seen it before and was taken by its grandeur as she had a different personality than her more restless sister the Atlantic. But in Santa Barbara, with its warm October air and softly sun-lit landscape, the subtle waters under your feet make you take pause. Here I was worrying about deadlines and meetings just a short time before and then it was all made small by the pacific sight before me. I was a different person after. Things bothered me less, and mattered more. The Pacific. She was empowered to create and destroy and had peacefully accepted this burden. And as her advancing and retracting waters cleansed me of my worries, so to did she endow me with the understanding that I, too, could accept, control, and remake my gifts and curses. I slept calmly that evening and awoke the next morning renewed and able to tackle my most difficult obstacles.
This was not the first time, however, that I had seen the Pacific. She and I first met in Santa Monica. It was a year prior to being in Santa Barbara and my mind was not ready to be awakened by its power. This time I was assigned to a project in Torrance and was to stay at the Holiday Inn on Colorado Avenue. While not the best hotel, it was right across the street from the beach. The location was perfect- one block from the Third Street Promenade and a 10 minute ride from Malibu. On night one, I needed for my own personal gain to say that, like Sheryl Crow, I had seen the "sun come up over Santa Monica Boulevard." It is one thing to wait around for lunch... another to wait for the end of the work day... certainly another to wait all night for the sun to come up. Notwithstanding the full day of work that was awaiting me after the sunrise; but hey, we are young and impetuous. And on the topic of young and impetuous, I did what I knew would kill some time. I went to a small club named 14 Below and indulged in the Halloween Black and Tan Special... 3 dollars for good beer. The bar was across the street from an Infiniti Dealership and Car wash. As the night grew older, I relished in the stories of the Irish barista who was very skilled at climbing the wall behind the bar to put on a show and mix drinks. He was an acrobat and a barkeep... only in California. I saw several bands play and shared drinks with band members and tossed the name Berklee as if it was some special ID they forgot to check at the door. The people were as interested about the music scene in Boston as I was about the scene in LA. Albeit, after a few too many brews it is safe to say that any scene is interesting or made to be interesting. At 5 in the morning, I took the cab back to Santa Monica Boulevard. Alcohol, fatigue, ringing ears, a warm bed, a long day at work. All disparate thoughts that were nagging enough to keep me awake. Had I been back home with a similar head full, I would have complained that I was unable to sleep the night before, but I had reason for enduring. Breakfast kept me going. Then there I was. No Sheryl Crow. No guitar. No pen or paper. Only my cell phone. A grim reminder of the day that lay before me. I am happy to say, though, that I was drinking beer in a bar that faces a car wash and on 6:35 am on Tuesday October 24th, 2000, I, Michael Andrade, saw the sun come up over Santa Monica Boulevard.
