From the Desk of David Patrone:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Benevolent Order of Patrones [BOoP]
I was cruising the Internet the other day when I came upon an intriguing proposition that seemed like God himself logged in and typed the job description with exactly me in mind...
The Canyons, a very large and popular ski resort in Park City, Utah is is offering a job called "The Ultimate Mountain Gig". They are looking for someone who is a good writer, an adventurer, good with people, likes to blog and video blog, loves the mountains, loves a challenge and loves to ski and snowboard...
"WHAT!!" you say?
You heard me! I couldn't believe it either!
What's more, they are offering pretty nice compensation:
Season Pass to The Canyons
Superior (Suite) Lodging at the Waldorf Astoria
Salary of $40,000 for just four months of "Hard Work"
Use of Camera, Video Camera and Laptop
Head to toe ski or snowboard gear
Canyons Club Access
Airfare to and from Canyons
Spa treatments
Ski School and Avalanche Training clinics
First Tracks and Heli-Skiing access
VIP credentials for all Canyons Events
Salary of $40,000 for just four months of "Hard Work"
Use of Camera, Video Camera and Laptop
Head to toe ski or snowboard gear
Canyons Club Access
Airfare to and from Canyons
Spa treatments
Ski School and Avalanche Training clinics
First Tracks and Heli-Skiing access
VIP credentials for all Canyons Events
Many of you know me as a former Marine and Jazz singer, entertainer and musician in San Diego who occasionally tours here and there when the opportunity arises; however, many of you don't know that I am a PSIA certified L2 Alpine Ski Instructor and Advanced Children's Specialist
All I had to do was turn in a writing sample and a 2 minute video... Well, here's the video I turned in:
And here is my under 500 word writing sample...
I see mountains everywhere; literally, figuratively and emotionally. Born in Philadelphia in the early 70's when John Denver cried, "Aspen!" and Pocono retreats were en vogue, earthtones are the palate of my childhood. We moved to the mountains of Pennsylvania first, as a boy, and I've spent my life trading time between the steel canyons of the big city, the sun-speckled hiking trails and the snow-covered, pothole-riddled swerves, leading from the city to the hills. Although the tests said I was a smart boy, I was terrible in school, daydreaming adventures, reading books and studying naturalism from Tom Brown in city schoolrooms while teachers tried in vain to turn my attention back to scholastics. My family had no money for tuition so, I had a decision to make: Hit the Rockies to teach skiing or join the Marine Corps, to quench a thirst for purpose and adventure.
A charismatic recruiter won and I enlisted the week I turned 17. Sacrficing skiing for desert campaigns and exciting lands, I climbed many kinds of mountains as a Marine. I served as an explosives tech in Norway, Japan, Bosnia, Persian Gulf and the USS Thoedore Roosevelt. I ended up in Camp Pendleton, and left the Marine Corps after 10 successful years, to pursue another dream: a career as a professional musician and entertainer. Once embarked upon that journey I knew I'd never stop exploring the wilderness that is Entertainment.
Success blossomed; but, the sordid lifestyle took its toll. In desperation I remembered my youth and sought solutions in the mountains. I rediscovered skiing and became an instructor Big Bear Lake, California. Still lost, I came to a crossroads and chose sobriety; yet, remained in Show Business. The next winter I made a promise to get my national credentials as a Ski Instructor. Three years later I found myself a PSIA Level 2 instructor, Children's and Senior Specialist that taught in Spanish! In 2008 more mountains: The Appalachian Trail with my two brothers. We blogged, photographed, posted and filmed everything: http://brotherproof.blogspot.com
Another year, another mountain: PSIA Full Certification and in 2011 The Pacific Crest Trail.
I approach mountains in my life similarly, with almost enough planning and a thirst for spontaneous adventure. Facing tremendous obstacles, I've failed and succeeded with equal dynamic but learned the value/danger of both:
Kilimanjaro 2000: Altitude sickness a few hours from the summit forced me to turn back; yet, I bonded with the Wachagga tribe, learning songs, language and tribal customs.
Appalachian Trail 2008: slipped off a rainy cliff and got injured, ran out of money and had to return to salvage a bankrupt company.
Swung from busiest musician in Southern California to destitute; then, sobriety and the San Diego Music Awards for "Best Jazz."
I'm self taught: published writer, musician, skier, computer geek and an entrepreneur with knowledge of marketing and technology, social media, blogging, SEO, twitter, foursquare, YouTube etc.. In short, I am PERFECT for the Ultimate Mountain Gig.
A charismatic recruiter won and I enlisted the week I turned 17. Sacrficing skiing for desert campaigns and exciting lands, I climbed many kinds of mountains as a Marine. I served as an explosives tech in Norway, Japan, Bosnia, Persian Gulf and the USS Thoedore Roosevelt. I ended up in Camp Pendleton, and left the Marine Corps after 10 successful years, to pursue another dream: a career as a professional musician and entertainer. Once embarked upon that journey I knew I'd never stop exploring the wilderness that is Entertainment.
Success blossomed; but, the sordid lifestyle took its toll. In desperation I remembered my youth and sought solutions in the mountains. I rediscovered skiing and became an instructor Big Bear Lake, California. Still lost, I came to a crossroads and chose sobriety; yet, remained in Show Business. The next winter I made a promise to get my national credentials as a Ski Instructor. Three years later I found myself a PSIA Level 2 instructor, Children's and Senior Specialist that taught in Spanish! In 2008 more mountains: The Appalachian Trail with my two brothers. We blogged, photographed, posted and filmed everything: http://brotherproof.blogspot.com
Another year, another mountain: PSIA Full Certification and in 2011 The Pacific Crest Trail.
I approach mountains in my life similarly, with almost enough planning and a thirst for spontaneous adventure. Facing tremendous obstacles, I've failed and succeeded with equal dynamic but learned the value/danger of both:
Kilimanjaro 2000: Altitude sickness a few hours from the summit forced me to turn back; yet, I bonded with the Wachagga tribe, learning songs, language and tribal customs.
Appalachian Trail 2008: slipped off a rainy cliff and got injured, ran out of money and had to return to salvage a bankrupt company.
Swung from busiest musician in Southern California to destitute; then, sobriety and the San Diego Music Awards for "Best Jazz."
I'm self taught: published writer, musician, skier, computer geek and an entrepreneur with knowledge of marketing and technology, social media, blogging, SEO, twitter, foursquare, YouTube etc.. In short, I am PERFECT for the Ultimate Mountain Gig.
David AKA “Mister Gentle Spirit”
Website http://www.davidpatrone.com
Photos: http://www.photobucket.com/brotherproof
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/WBAF1
