The Music Business Money $$

As I was doing an assignment today for my new class that I started this week. We had to read a whole financial background of an existing business and recreate their income statement. After further review of the business and the information that they provided us, it has really opened my eyes. I’ve come to realize that like anything in this country, it’s all about politics. It is unbelievable how much money in taxes is being taken away from this business. They started off as a small business in a community in the Central Florida area. They were fortunate enough to build off of success and be one of the most successful corporate entertainment companies to exist in today’s age. Because they have become so successful and have created more jobs for those in the community, they are being indirectly penalized, by paying more in taxes.

Now I know that we are currently in the middle of the race for presidency between our current president Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. I don’t want to make this post a controversy or political or anything. But, I just cannot understand how a president can allow something like this to happen to companies like this one. I mean its companies like these that keeps our economy moving and what gives people jobs. I mean I really cannot understand this. This is outrageous!

I also look at it on another point of view too. I mean what would our government be like if they did not have money to fund all these programs that they are offering the citizens of this country. I guess it’s really a catch 22 huh?

It really makes me wonder up to what point this country will go to. All I can say at this point is that the Americans really need to think about the economy of this country and what’s best for the benefit of this country at this point.

Unions, should I join or not?

Mostly ever industry in today’s society have there own associations to affiliate with, whether it’s for political or religious reasons. Each association usually has different departments or teams, which do different things within the community or even at a legislative level. Some industries don’t have an association like that does things in the community or anything; instead we have what we call unions. For example, the elevator industry has their union, which is called the International Union of Elevator Constructors (I.U.E.C.). It is funny that I am actually talking about this specific union, because my brother is actually part of this union himself.

Now many have mixed feelings about unions and how they work. For example, my brother has been in his industry for over 15 years already and is the regional supervisor for all the jobs that are being done in the South Florida area. Last year he was laid off for about 9 months due to today’s economy and the depression that we are going through. The union’s job is to come in and find him a job when he does not have one. Well after paying $500 in union dues monthly. The union was not able to find him a job at all.

Ladies and Gentlemen the point that I am trying to get across to you guys is that all unions are not the same. The industry that I am in which is the Recording engineering sector is very different than many. Yes, although we are unionized, our union is much different than many of the other ones. For example, the Recording Industry Association of America (R.I.A.A.), has many community groups that work in different areas. The main group that they have which I love and I am actually part of is “Musicians on Call” this group is a group of musicians that go out periodically to local hospitals and visit the patients by going room to room and signing different autographs and sometimes even performing for the patients. Another great thing that this union does for its people is in the legislative level. They recently just passed a bill in the state of Florida with the help of Senator Anitere Flores, to give the right to engineers of intellectual properties.

Yes, like any other union that exists it does have its dues that you have to pay but at least it is not $500 a month. Our dues are paid annually. Another thing that this union has that I am not to happy about is that if you want to work in this industry you are obligated to join the union no matter what. No studio will hire you as an engineer if you are not part of the union.

In result, all unions have their pros and cons but sometimes you have no choice but to be part of the union of your industries choice. Although not many of them do a great job. I believe and feel that the union that I am in is the best one of all, for both the workers and the community.

How to live before you die

Have you ever thought of how to live before you die? After watching the commencement speech by Steve Jobs at Stanford University. I have started to create a new perspective at life and the way that I look at it. You see Steve Jobs is just not an average guy that people look up to. At least not in my life, He created the best computer platform to have ever existed in which I am currently using. The Apple MacBook Pro.

During Mr. Jobs’ speech he spoke about his personal life growing up being an adopted child. He explained that his biological mother wanted to put him up for adoption because she wanted him to go on to college one day. He went on to say that once he started his collegiate there was nothing about it that really interested him about it. 6 months into college, Steve decides to drop out and do what he loved best with his friend. After 9 months of working on a project with his friend he created the company “Apple”. After releasing their first desktop computer he found out that windows decided to copy his idea and release their own version of their desktop. This is when the real competition began.

After years of working with Apple, the companies’ board of directors decides to fire Steve and go with his friends’ idea of moving on with the company. Since he was fired from his own company he created “Pixar Animation”. “Pixar” went on to release the first computer animated movie “Toy Story” which became a very successful movie. Since the release of the movie Steve created another company called “Next” which developed computer processors. After a few years of the “Next” era for Steve, Apple came along board and bought the company meaning that Steve once again was with the Apple Company as a CEO.

Steve Jobs concluded his speech by saying that all the events that he went through his life is the way to live before you die.