When I was selected for this tour with Tops In Blue I thought about the tremendous dancing we'd do and how much better I'd be when this tour was over. I thought about how wonderful the music would be, how my ear would improve as well as my range and versatility. I thought about how my stamina would increase and my ability to work long and hard hours would be improved...
The one thing that I didn't think about too much was the mental toughness that I would develop and hone. With each new song, dance step and piece of choreography we learn every day I am empowered and my confidence in myself is growing. I am already a pretty confident guy who believes that anything is possible if I put my mind to it... but frankly, after this program I'm gonna be a monster. :) An unstoppable monster! :) If I'm feeling like I can take over the world after just a month of this program... imagine what my mindset will be like after an entire year!! What is taught here at Tops In Blue is what I'd imagine many of the Special Forces in the military learn as a part of their training. We are understanding our limits and we are pushing past them time and time again. When most people give up and go home, that's when we do another rep or another run-through. When I would have quit before, I know that I just have to keep on going. Take this example: I've heard that when a Navy Seal is in training they take them out into the woods and tell them that they're going on a 25 mile ruck march. (That's an intense hike with a huge and heavy rucksack on your back) As they near the end of the march, the mind does what most of us naturally do when the finish line is near... we start feeling relieved that the end is near, rest is imminent and we can take that much needed "breather" and relax a bit. BUT, upon their arrival at the "destination" they are told that they have to turn right around and go back... another 25 miles home. This might continue for a few rounds until absolute physical exhaustion occurs. The point is to condition yourself to push past your self-imposed limits and allow your mind to control your body. Your mind tells your body what to do... not the other way around! What happens is that the person (Navy Seal in this case) becomes so accustomed to continuing on again and again that they are able to sustain long, long periods of activity without need of rest or food. Obviously, the need for that type of person is apparent when you're talking about the US Military Special Forces.
Here at Tops In Blue I believe we're getting a small dose of that same type of military mental toughness training... I just looked online at some of the biggest musical artists and their 2011 World Tours. Usher, Kenny Chesney, Sir Elton John, and Taylor Swift. Wanna know an interesting fact? NONE of them are touring in as many locations this year as Tops In Blue. Tops In Blue has traveled more miles and over more consecutive years (since 1953) than any other musical group in the history of the world. We're in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame for just such an accomplishment. Rolling Stone magazine called our tour the toughest in the entertainment business... due to the fact that we are our own "roadies" and we set up and tear down the stage ourselves. I was at a Taylor Swift concert backstage in 2008 and I saw her motor coach roll up, she got out, and she went right up on stage. When the concert was over, she did the same thing and went back onto her plush bus. Brooks and Dunn followed suit. These big performers aren't out there helping to unload trucks and put up lights - they're in their fancy multi-million dollar buses and all they have to do is walk out on stage. Not us. Tops In Blue does it all from start to finish. Over 60,000 lbs. of stage equipment on and off the truck each night... who moves all that stuff? US! We'll perform over 120 shows this year... of the artists above the closest number to that was around 60 performances this year.
I don't share those facts to brag or boast about how awesome I am or we are... but to highlight the fact that in order to do all that we must be "whipped into shape" military style and the mental readiness we must achieve is of the highest degree. Of that, I am extremely excited and proud. After just a month of this training I am already of the belief that I have the work-ethic, mindset, and talent to perform on any stage in the world... including Broadway and in Hollywood after I get out of the military in 2012.
Just try to stop me... after Tops In Blue is done with me for a year, it will be next to impossible!! :)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Super Bowl, Rehearsal, Winter, and Becoming...
Aloha friends and family!! This week's installment of the little bloggity-blog from San Antonio is an ACTION PACKED two for one deal!! Last week life was too crazy to get a chance to sit down and write a little update so I'm cramming in both weeks tonight!!
SUPER SUNDAY
I couldn't be more proud to have friends in Tops In Blue 2010 who sang at the Super Bowl this past week!! What a high honor to be invited to sing at the pre-game show with Lea Michele from Glee!! They sang a superb version of America the Beautiful and made us all proud as we watched on the big screen!! Just take a moment and think about what a big deal that was for those Airmen to be able to serve in that capacity... There have been 45 Super Bowls and they get to say that they sang at one of them! How many people even get to say they've BEEN to a Super Bowl, much less perform at one!! Back in 1985 Tops In Blue did an entire halftime show... so it's just a testament to the power and notoriety of the TIB show and the tradition of excellence that we have upheld throughout the years to know that we have been invited twice to take part in the biggest sports event in America!! Way to go TIB 2010!! I'm so proud of you!!
Rehearsal, Rehearsal, and Some More Rehearsal...
We've been charging hard learning new music, singing songs new and old, dancing so hard that we can't see ourselves in the mirror due to the sweat pouring down our face, and trying to break old poor habits that hold us back from progress. It is a real change of my mindset to be totally and completely dedicated to a single cause. Think about it for a moment... most of us go through life with twenty-three thousand different things going on in our life and all of them are competing for our time and attention. As a part of this organization life has actually been greatly simplified; I have only a few priorities: 1) Learn the music 2) Learn the dance steps 3) Ensure the break room is clean.
Other than that my life doesn't consist of much else! It is refreshing to have such clear priorities and such a strong sense of purpose. This is something that I've been searching for ever since my days at AmeriCorps and with KaBoom in Washington, DC. I couldn't be prouder to serve my country in this capacity... I remind myself each day as I brush my teeth that I have been given a tremendous opportunity to make an impact in people's lives through entertainment. It is a duty I don't take lightly!
Winter in San Antonio
Let's just sum it up real quick: Hawaiian leaves island. Hawaiian arrives in the American South. Hawaiian expects warmth and sunshine. Hawaiian is greeted by 20 degree mornings and snow while in San Antonio. Hawaiian buys winter jacket, gloves, and stocking hat that they don't sell in Hawaii. Hawaiian misses Hawaiian weather. The End.
Becoming...
They say that you won't be the same person at the end of this tour. Well, I should hope not!! After a year of professional entertaining, traveling literally around the world, meeting hundreds of thousands of people over the course of 9 months, doing something you have a passion for day in and day out... I should hope that has an impact on me! Each year of my life I strive to be better than the last. I'm in a constant state of self-improvement. At my high school graduation party someone made the comment to me, "Enjoy these years Mark... they're the best of your life!" I know the message deliverer meant well, but I couldn't disagree more with what that person said to me those 12 years ago. I certainly hope that those weren't the best days of my life!! If they were, then what's the point of living the next 80? In my view, life should get better and better each and every year - you should strive to stretch yourself and become a new and better person day to day and year to year. Here at this program we emphasize pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone physically, mentally, and musically. Where we would naturally pull back and rest, we push through and become better. We are getting rid of the old habits and lazy excuses and we are slowly becoming a self-contained military unit which executes with precision and accuracy in each and every thing we do. We are performing at levels we never thought possible. We are learning at speeds we never have before. We are becoming men and women who deserve to be called "TOPS IN BLUE" and are worthy of serving as ambassadors for the United States of America. The journey is trying at times, but worth every step. For at the other side of our struggle lies one of the greatest opportunities this young man has ever had: To serve those who serve our country and uplift the spirits of people everywhere, American or not. The gift of music is meant to be shared and I couldn't be more excited to share it with people this year.
Thanks for all your love and support my friends!
All my best from Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas!!
Mark :)
SUPER SUNDAY
I couldn't be more proud to have friends in Tops In Blue 2010 who sang at the Super Bowl this past week!! What a high honor to be invited to sing at the pre-game show with Lea Michele from Glee!! They sang a superb version of America the Beautiful and made us all proud as we watched on the big screen!! Just take a moment and think about what a big deal that was for those Airmen to be able to serve in that capacity... There have been 45 Super Bowls and they get to say that they sang at one of them! How many people even get to say they've BEEN to a Super Bowl, much less perform at one!! Back in 1985 Tops In Blue did an entire halftime show... so it's just a testament to the power and notoriety of the TIB show and the tradition of excellence that we have upheld throughout the years to know that we have been invited twice to take part in the biggest sports event in America!! Way to go TIB 2010!! I'm so proud of you!!
Rehearsal, Rehearsal, and Some More Rehearsal...
We've been charging hard learning new music, singing songs new and old, dancing so hard that we can't see ourselves in the mirror due to the sweat pouring down our face, and trying to break old poor habits that hold us back from progress. It is a real change of my mindset to be totally and completely dedicated to a single cause. Think about it for a moment... most of us go through life with twenty-three thousand different things going on in our life and all of them are competing for our time and attention. As a part of this organization life has actually been greatly simplified; I have only a few priorities: 1) Learn the music 2) Learn the dance steps 3) Ensure the break room is clean.
Other than that my life doesn't consist of much else! It is refreshing to have such clear priorities and such a strong sense of purpose. This is something that I've been searching for ever since my days at AmeriCorps and with KaBoom in Washington, DC. I couldn't be prouder to serve my country in this capacity... I remind myself each day as I brush my teeth that I have been given a tremendous opportunity to make an impact in people's lives through entertainment. It is a duty I don't take lightly!
Winter in San Antonio
Let's just sum it up real quick: Hawaiian leaves island. Hawaiian arrives in the American South. Hawaiian expects warmth and sunshine. Hawaiian is greeted by 20 degree mornings and snow while in San Antonio. Hawaiian buys winter jacket, gloves, and stocking hat that they don't sell in Hawaii. Hawaiian misses Hawaiian weather. The End.
Becoming...
They say that you won't be the same person at the end of this tour. Well, I should hope not!! After a year of professional entertaining, traveling literally around the world, meeting hundreds of thousands of people over the course of 9 months, doing something you have a passion for day in and day out... I should hope that has an impact on me! Each year of my life I strive to be better than the last. I'm in a constant state of self-improvement. At my high school graduation party someone made the comment to me, "Enjoy these years Mark... they're the best of your life!" I know the message deliverer meant well, but I couldn't disagree more with what that person said to me those 12 years ago. I certainly hope that those weren't the best days of my life!! If they were, then what's the point of living the next 80? In my view, life should get better and better each and every year - you should strive to stretch yourself and become a new and better person day to day and year to year. Here at this program we emphasize pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone physically, mentally, and musically. Where we would naturally pull back and rest, we push through and become better. We are getting rid of the old habits and lazy excuses and we are slowly becoming a self-contained military unit which executes with precision and accuracy in each and every thing we do. We are performing at levels we never thought possible. We are learning at speeds we never have before. We are becoming men and women who deserve to be called "TOPS IN BLUE" and are worthy of serving as ambassadors for the United States of America. The journey is trying at times, but worth every step. For at the other side of our struggle lies one of the greatest opportunities this young man has ever had: To serve those who serve our country and uplift the spirits of people everywhere, American or not. The gift of music is meant to be shared and I couldn't be more excited to share it with people this year.
Thanks for all your love and support my friends!
All my best from Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas!!
Mark :)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Week 1: Becoming the Best of the Best
Today marks the end of the first week at Tops In Blue 2011 Staging! Woo hoo!! We survived!! :) It has been an exciting journey towards the biggest goal I've ever set for myself: To be ready to tour the world as a professional entertainer and shoulder the responsibility of uplifting spirits, placing smiles on faces, and lightening the burden of those who serve or have served. Our awesome coach, mentor and leader has been teaching us to think like the best of the best, to push past where we usually would quit. Day by day we are slowly shaking off our old habits and becoming the new "us" that will be capable of doing all the United States Military asks of us. In all my time working for some pretty exceptional organizations over the course of the last 11 years I have never experienced a more thrilling and well put together training program as the one here at Tops In Blue!! My mind is just now starting to absorb the idea that I am now a professional in the music and entertainment business and I have to live my life accordingly. No more fast food, instead it's veggies and a protein bar. No more TV, instead it's studying music and learning dance choreography. No more down time, instead it's working late hours and squeezing every last minute of productivity out of the day. No more FACEBOOK!! (eek!)... well, okay... a little facebook. :) But instead of having plenty of opportunity to play on fb and do things like this blog, I'm sitting here at 2am just getting some thoughts down from the first week because this was the first chance I've had in 168 hours!!
I won't be going into much detail about the happenings here at staging, as our team is keeping most of that a surprise for you... you'll just have to meet us out on the road to hear all the nitty gritty details of life here at TIB Headquarters!! :)
I can't wait to see the person I'll be after this experience... watch out world!! The United States Air Force is making your friend Mark J. Lindquist into one of the BEST OF THE BEST our military has to offer!!!!! :-D
I won't be going into much detail about the happenings here at staging, as our team is keeping most of that a surprise for you... you'll just have to meet us out on the road to hear all the nitty gritty details of life here at TIB Headquarters!! :)
I can't wait to see the person I'll be after this experience... watch out world!! The United States Air Force is making your friend Mark J. Lindquist into one of the BEST OF THE BEST our military has to offer!!!!! :-D
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tops In Blue - Day Zero
Well hello friends and family!! I'm settled in at my new home for the next 3 months: Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. I arrived here yesterday afternoon with a few of my fellow TIB friends and we've been busy preparing ourselves for the journey ahead. Clipping strings from our uniforms, ironing, pinning on new ribbons and putting our initials in our underwear... yes, welcome to the real deal military life!! It is such an honor to have the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing cause here at Tops In Blue. Here's my perspective on the year ahead:
There are 310 million people in the United States of America. In any society throughout history there are an elected few who serve as warriors, guardians, and protectors of the way of life people have grown accustomed to. In our case as Americans, we have grown accustomed to freedom, liberty, and justice. Take a moment to reflect... One percent of America, or roughly three million individuals have stood up and answered the call to service as those warriors. And a call to service it is... it is not mandatory, there is no draft and you will not be flogged in the streets if you make the decision not to serve. That is your right as Americans to choose. If you choose not to you are no greater or less than the person who chooses to raise their hand and swear an oath to their nation. That's what is great about the country we live in. Freedom.
Many of my friends and family have remarked to me how "lucky" or "fortunate" I am to be a part of Tops In Blue 2011. Yes, I will get to travel the world, entertain for a living, and be a part of something that few have the opportunity to experience. But on this night, the eve of adventure's beginning... I reflect not on how lucky I am to be able to do this, but on how fortunate I am to be able to give to this. That one percent of our population who stands in harms way and solemnly vows that nothing is going to harm you tonight... don't they deserve the ABSOLUTE BEST of what we have to offer? That one percent... shouldn't they get every privilege available to them? Every advantage possible? Every luxury we have at our disposal? I certainly think so.
As a member of Tops In Blue our mission is to provide quality entertainment to the Air Force family. Imagine how grateful our deployed service members are when they have the opportunity to forget the troubles of war and get to enjoy an evening of their favorite music. Just think of how excited our Airmen are when we travel to Minot, ND in the middle of winter to bring a touch of Broadway to lift their spirits. Can you see the smiles on the faces of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines at Landsthul, Germany where they are being treated for wounds inflicted in battle when Tops In Blue arrives to bring light into an otherwise dark time in their life? This year we will be doing all we can to give our military members the very best. This program is the very least we can do as a society to express our thanks and gratitude for their service.
Being here to earn a spot on the Tops In Blue 2011 tour is the honor of a lifetime. This cause, to boost morale and bring smiles to the faces of those warriors serving our country is one that is worthy of my best effort. I thank you for your support and your love. Your notes, phone calls, texts, facebook posts, etc. give me such joy to know that you care.
T-10 hours until the journey begins.
Staff Sergeant Lindquist... Out.
There are 310 million people in the United States of America. In any society throughout history there are an elected few who serve as warriors, guardians, and protectors of the way of life people have grown accustomed to. In our case as Americans, we have grown accustomed to freedom, liberty, and justice. Take a moment to reflect... One percent of America, or roughly three million individuals have stood up and answered the call to service as those warriors. And a call to service it is... it is not mandatory, there is no draft and you will not be flogged in the streets if you make the decision not to serve. That is your right as Americans to choose. If you choose not to you are no greater or less than the person who chooses to raise their hand and swear an oath to their nation. That's what is great about the country we live in. Freedom.
Many of my friends and family have remarked to me how "lucky" or "fortunate" I am to be a part of Tops In Blue 2011. Yes, I will get to travel the world, entertain for a living, and be a part of something that few have the opportunity to experience. But on this night, the eve of adventure's beginning... I reflect not on how lucky I am to be able to do this, but on how fortunate I am to be able to give to this. That one percent of our population who stands in harms way and solemnly vows that nothing is going to harm you tonight... don't they deserve the ABSOLUTE BEST of what we have to offer? That one percent... shouldn't they get every privilege available to them? Every advantage possible? Every luxury we have at our disposal? I certainly think so.
As a member of Tops In Blue our mission is to provide quality entertainment to the Air Force family. Imagine how grateful our deployed service members are when they have the opportunity to forget the troubles of war and get to enjoy an evening of their favorite music. Just think of how excited our Airmen are when we travel to Minot, ND in the middle of winter to bring a touch of Broadway to lift their spirits. Can you see the smiles on the faces of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines at Landsthul, Germany where they are being treated for wounds inflicted in battle when Tops In Blue arrives to bring light into an otherwise dark time in their life? This year we will be doing all we can to give our military members the very best. This program is the very least we can do as a society to express our thanks and gratitude for their service.
Being here to earn a spot on the Tops In Blue 2011 tour is the honor of a lifetime. This cause, to boost morale and bring smiles to the faces of those warriors serving our country is one that is worthy of my best effort. I thank you for your support and your love. Your notes, phone calls, texts, facebook posts, etc. give me such joy to know that you care.
T-10 hours until the journey begins.
Staff Sergeant Lindquist... Out.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
And so it begins....
Aloha from Hawaii!! In a little over 63 hours I'll be departing my little island in the sea to begin the greatest adventure of my life thus far!! This little bloggity-blog will keep you up-to-date on our life on the road... For the next year I'll be traveling with 32 of the most amazing people that the United States Air Force has to offer and I can't wait to share it all with you! Thanks to my super-friend emily mitchell for convincing me to start this little chronicle, I'm sure I'll be glad I did!
It sure has been a whirlwind of activity here on the island these past few weeks as I've prepared for my departure for Tops In Blue. I've been totally impressed with the way our team has come together to help one another out (over facebook of course! ;-p) as we all navigate the rough waters of military out-processing. I feel like this group of people will amaze me at every turn... I'm humbled and honored to be a part of this team!
It sure has been a whirlwind of activity here on the island these past few weeks as I've prepared for my departure for Tops In Blue. I've been totally impressed with the way our team has come together to help one another out (over facebook of course! ;-p) as we all navigate the rough waters of military out-processing. I feel like this group of people will amaze me at every turn... I'm humbled and honored to be a part of this team!
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