Managers do not solve problems, they manage messes."

-Russell Ackoff, operations theorist

Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear what you say.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I ran into one of the members of the Parangal Dance Company the other day at the Academy of Sciences Nightlife event. We briefly talked about how we both thought that it'd be pretty quiet for the rest of the year, but just like every year there have been a lot of phone calls this month for events this Fall. It always happens. Clockwork at its undefined best.

My last class in May was on Business Strategy so I couldn't help but have that on my mind since then. I spent the last few months thinking about business strategy in a dramatic and volatile industry (the entertainment industry). Okay well I'll admit it - if you really look deep into it, it really isn't that volatile. Like most things, there is a system, formula and path. But you definitely have to stay open to new resources and new methods to put into your system.

Somehow changing my intentions alone made a huge difference in the type of business I've been attracting. Once you wholeheartely make a change, your whole world changes too -- your work, the people around you, and of course, you.

I've been enjoying my time. Creating. Developing. Creating. Developing. Creating Developing. And if I predict it correctly, maintenance will be added into the picture. Then it won't be just a 6 month cycle, but a 12 month cycle. Rinse, wash, repeat - right?

As Tresemme is invigorating to my hair -- the most invigorating part of all of this has been the concept of teamwork. I've been giving more high five's lately than I ever have before. It's been quite nice too observing how other teams work as well --- BTVFam, Square Marden, UbeTunes, BakitWhy, Amplified, 600 Lbs., Pistahan, That's So Pinoy, Myx TV. And the one thing in common with all teams is synergy. A deep synergy that can only be shared amongst the same members of a particular team. I love it. I love watching it. And this is probably why I'm intrigued and ready to start my master's program in Management. Teaching yes. It is not far from the horizon.

Anyway with my team --- Is it possible that we are finally all in sync? Or was it my decision making that made it come in sync? What makes things align? What makes things seem like they fall perfectly into place? Is it something formulated or perhaps a higher power --

Whatever it is --- I'll meet my team at the work hard, party hard level.

For now...

Rinse. Wash. Repeat.

After we are born, it doesn't take too long for us to learn how to walk. Before we are 4 years old, we have become equipped to get up and walk.. ready to roam the world.

We become experts. We walk and rush from our lockers to classrooms. We walk through campuses. We walk through city streets to get to work. We walk the mountains, beaches, parks all the way through the most beautiful destinations of this world.

We walk into the hands of our loved ones, from toddler to senior. We are tasked to walk. Walk to here. Walk to there. Walk to... But one thing I noticed. When it's time to walk away, we suddenly don't know how. Instead we dance inching forward, back, to the side, sometimes in a circle, never really moving away from the original destination and staying in the same spot.

The most noblest people I've met in this world, have been those who have been able to walk away - not from unfinished business, but from one that has come to its full completion.

I decided to spend the month of May pretty much just going with the wind. A lot of things took place... Some planned, some unexpected.. And really I woke up each day only knowing what my calendar said, and what was inside my email inbox.

So what happened? I graduated finally. And honestly that feels like months ago now. I got accepted into graduate school. My cousin got married. My other cousin graduated from high school. My other cousin had an engagement party. Another cousin had a baby. Another cousin was visiting from another country. A reunion took place.

Seems a lot honestly for a month. Then of course there's the business I've been working on, which always has something stirring. And well let's just say the waves of this entertainment business does exactly what waves are supposed to do... They go up and they go down, with no set interval in between. One minute there's work to be done, and the next there's none. And the way markets everywhere are going, the intervals are appearing to be much longer. So in between all of that, I can only take advantage of the small or long moment, to plan, strategize, to create ideas, to build new projects, and even come up with new businesses and look for potential jobs. And well...also vegetate, sleep, lie on the grass, listen to music, clean the house, cook, play the piano, get all my car maintenance done...you know..house stuff.

Going with the flow, going with the wind, taking things one day at a time honestly has made things feel pretty productive. After all, I didn't know all of this would happen in the month of May. I'll admit though that it poses its own challenges going this route. As free feeling going with the flow can be, there are certainly some things you have to sit and plan for. I am humbled by great things in life, but I am disciplined by challenges. Some of those challenges include the economy hitting home, possibly relocating, changing my family lifestyle...and saying goodbye to people who I may never see again. Tough it may sound like I know. Again. Humbled by great things. Disciplined by challenges.

So what about June? So far there's been some new business, so that's nice. But what else? Maybe more new business. Maybe none. Maybe some traveling. Maybe some staying at home. What i do know for sure, is that I'll be able to embrace all of it.

"I heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason.. Bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow. If we let them and we help them in return.  Well I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you." ~ "For Good", Wicked

I've had a blog for quite a long time now. I don't know how many of you reading have consistently kept up with the happenings of my life since then, but I realized I have never really formally introduced myself. Why do I think of this now? Well maybe because it feels like a good time for reintroductions. My next reintroduction will probably be ten years from now.

In case you didn't figure it out yet from my title, my name is Christina Luna. It is very nice to meet you. And it's very nice of you to read this blog of mine.

I'm 29 years old, nearing that precious age of 30. I was born and raised in San Francisco by my loving mother and caring grandfather. At several points in my life, music consumed it - whether I was playing the piano, singing and performing musical theatre, or working behind the scenes as a stage manager, pretend sound technician, event manager - or as most know of me, an artist manager. At several other points in my life, business consumed it and is taking over. I fell in love with Accounting, which evolved into Marketing, and now mostly in love with Management, bigger picture of how businesses are put together, and most importantly WHY. I've dabbled in jobs in accounts payable, selling mutual funds, selling insurance, booking entertainment, managing lots of events, working on marketing campaigns (which I all loved by the way) -- to today developing a business in the artist management and events world. I'm now looking at starting a cute reference website and mobile application for something I'm excited about, so I guess that means I'm about to get into the startup world.

I've always enjoyed reading and writing. I'm a book nerd that's for sure, reading everything from the Life and History of Lyndon B. Johnson, to "Reality Check" by Guy Kawasaki, to how to properly serve in tennis, to the Beatles tour, to theology, spirituality, business, comic books, beer books, cookbooks, live sound books, down to great titles like "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. So as much as I read, I do a lot of writing -- journal writing, blogging, music artist features, event articles. I'm also working on two books. One is on Asian American music history. The other is on random occurrences in my life. The writing has turned into speaking and doing workshops --- and unexpectedly it seems writing, reading and teaching is where this is all going.

I used to have a lot of things planned out. But I learned early and fast that I have to embrace the unexpected. Embrace and love that is. So I've adapted a go with the flow mentality with my career, family experiences, and love relationships. In a way I feel that if I follow my heart and listen to the wind - I will always be exactly where I need to be. I used to want it all. Now I only want one thing -- just to know and feel that all my work, family and love -- is real, true and full of faith.

Everything else is always going to be icing. I've got to remain humbled and grateful for every bit I receive.

Again, it's very good to meet you. I look forward to a whole new set of blogs, articles, entries, tweets, a book, and who knows what more. Thanks for following.

My gut tells me a lot of things, some being minute and some being pretty darn significant. And since I learned one day that my life was all about following my heart, my gut instinct has been a big player in my decision making.

I've experienced what it's like not following my gut. And it was painful.

A couple of years ago, I was planning a lengthy large tour. I spent about six months planning.You know when you're on the right track when things seem to fall into place -- when that one contact you're looking for randomly sends you a text message, or when industry sources continue to give you positive reviews. That's what it felt like for six months. It was exciting.

And then on the seventh month, I forgot to consider one thing. The wind can change and all of those signs you received can no longer matter. So on the seventh month, a storm happened. One deal dropped, commitments weren't fulfilled -- and literally a real storm. (Real thing: I was deplaned at an airport for two days because of a tropical level something storm. I'll never forget what it's like to sleep at the airport with a lot of stinking people.)

So even with all of that, I kept going. I kept telling myself -- no no no I've been planning for six months, I am not backing out now. But if you could only FEEL what I really felt inside. My gut didn't feel right at all.

I didn't listen. The tour completely flew away. One disaster after the other, until the whole thing and the people involved dissolved.

I should of listened.

Lately more events have taken place, not at the whim of my gut -- but at the whim of something else. (Not sure yet what.) As my work evolves into a business, I'll admit it -- my instinct gets lost underneath business procedures, protocols, a team, operations… and oh yea, making money.

I'm hoping that my gut… the voice inside… the soul and spirit inside … will stay above all of that. May I remember that the winds will change and you can never force the result. Go where the wind takes you right?

Usually I have the option of changing the pace of my life, usually related to work. For many years I've gotten used to working 50 hour weeks for about eight months straight and then doing absolutely nothing for the other four. I know, kind of a weird- those were the seasonal event days. And then for one year I balanced it out, pacing myself. (That only lasted a year.) I was thrown back into another event year which was then followed by last year. Last year was very different. Very rare. While 2009 was very bad for many, it turned to be very positive for me. But wow what a pace. January to December. It's all a blur now.

My pace was usually clockwork with the option to change it up. But this time I've been forced to change my pace. What will that pace be? Fast. Slow. Mid tempo. Or maybe I'll go back to the seasonal pace. Let's call it the 8 Extreme 4 Dead Pace (2010 Copyright Christina Luna) haha

No no. I gotta get back on the fast track. Kinda challenging with this market and the times. But my list of projects to tackle are always ready for for me. So.. wait I take it back. I do have options of what my pace will be.
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