My eyes were on the camera.

Filming on a moving bus isn’t exactly easy, and trying to get a steady and quality interview is all the more difficult. But there I was on a MATA bus with my compatriot Anthony, trying to get solid footage of a sweet, older fellow named Melvin. We were working on Mirror Mirror, a podcast series revolving around public transportation in Memphis, and had decided it would be best to supplement the episodes with video.

I zoomed in, and tightened the focus on Melvin’s face as he spoke of the transit’s Sunday schedule. Things were going well. But I had become so focused on Melvin and the screen that I had failed to notice something.

The bus had stopped, and the driver was coming straight towards us.

He ended up kicking us off (even though we had the legal right to film), and we were left on the side of the road off Poplar Avenue, watching as the bus drove away, its deep, violent bellow becoming a sputtering purr in the distance.

We didn’t get the footage we needed, but with the rest of our team, we did end up finishing the podcast, which you can find here.

I learned something from that experience, and it reinforced something I already knew. These days, you have to be adaptable.

On a service trip to Kolkata, India this past summer our director told us we had to be liquid. Meaning, no matter what happens, you have to be ready to adjust to however the situation may change, even at a second’s notice.

It’s a useful mindset to have, and one I’ve worked to take into each of my endeavors- of which there are several.

I’ve worked as a feature writer for Click Magazine, The Daily Helmsman and other publications, and have won several awards for my pieces.

I’ve served as a reporter, personality and associate producer for TISL Media, and had the chance to do sit-downs and videos with both state and federal level politicians.

I’m represented by Colors Agency as an actor, and played Johnny Cash’s friend Louie in an episode of Sun Records (they gave me my own trailer and everything, it was a good bit of fun).

I’ve also had 15 years of classical piano training, and currently have a fictional web series in production, which I both write the scripts for and act in.

Now, with all these things, as I’ve previously mentioned, it’s best to be liquid, to be adaptable. Because nothing ever seems to go the way you plan it. And frankly, it’s generally not quite as exciting when it does.

Also, last thing. With everything I do, I make sure I have fun doing it. After all, what’s the point in doing something if it doesn’t bring you life?